‘The Buried Giant’ has been in my ‘to read’ pile since receiving it as a gift this past Christmas. I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to begin, but after finishing this fast-moving fable involving the price paid for war and peace and the cost of promises made and betrayed this book has leapt to the top of my 2016 favorite books list. I will be re-reading this tale again, and soon. Have read ‘The Buried Giant’? If so, I’d love to hear what you thought of the book….
I keep a pile of books next to my bed so regardless of my reading mood I always have a book – or three – to choose from. I received a trove of books for Christmas (detailed here) and have made numerous trips to the library to supplement my stash since then, but the truth is I am ready for some new books – and LOTS of them. This weekend will be the second in a row where I help a family member move from one state to another and chances are my reading time will be minimal. However, upon my return I hope to find the ‘Summer 9’ which I ordered today waiting for me (and my reading stockpile).
I keep a pile of ‘must read’ choices next to my bed for my daily nighttime reading ritual and when the pile starts to dwindle down I head to the library and stock up on whatever captures my interest. It could be the cover, the author, or a review that draws me to a book and I’ll happily browse the stacks until I have four or five additions to add to my stack. One recent library find, which I just finished reading, was the ‘The Heart Goes Last’ by Margaret Atwood. I chose the book because I was intrigued by the cover and because Margaret Atwood was the author. Can I just say the book did not disappoint. If you are looking for darkly comic take on what living – and love – might be like in the not-too-distant future then this is the book for you. Do you have any ‘must read’ books? I’d love to know…
You might recall that I received a lovely selection of books this past Christmas. After reading The Good Lord Bird (which I previously recommended) and Tales from the Back Row (which after reading I do not) I chose Joseph Anton next.
This is not light reading by any stretch. I’ve been reading the book every night since February began and I won’t lie, I was happy to finally finish this tale. And yet.
What Joe endured for more than a decade because of his art is almost incomprehensible. I rarely mark up books, but one small piece that I read resonated so deeply I turned down the page to mark the spot AND highlighted the text…
“Compromise destroyed the compromiser and did not placate the uncompromising foe. You do not become a blackbird by painting your wings black, but like an oil-slicked gull you lost the power of flight. The greatest danger of the growing menace was that good men would commit intellectual suicide and call it peace. Good men would give in to fear and call it respect.” Salman Rushdie – A Memoir: Joseph Anton
One of my favorites things to receive is books. In addition to a fabulous Taschen book (The Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute: Fashion – A History from the 18th to the 20th Century) this Christmas I was also gifted with the 9 volumes pictured above. I started with – and just finished – The Good Lord Bird (which I highly recommend). I am torn between reading The Buried Giant, Purity or Tales from the Back Row next, so rI’m going to use “eeny meeny miny moe” to decide. How about you? I’d love to hear what you’re reading right now…..
While I patiently wait for Santa to leave a while sleigh full of 2016 reading under our tree I borrowed a few library books to occupy me until the 25th. I just finished with The Expats (implausible yet enjoyable) and am in the middle of The Dust That Falls from Dreams (unexpectedly good). After that, I’ll toss a coin and see if I open The Taming of The Queen (who doesn’t love a fictionalized historical romp about Henry’s babes) or Thank You, Goodnight. What are you reading now? Any books you hope that Santa brings for you? I’d love to know…
I am a voracious reader. Here are just a few of the hundreds – maybe even thousands – of books that are on my 2B or Not 2B Reads and Books I’ve Read lists. Currently on my bedside table….The Golem and The Jinni (worth reading), The Moor’s Account (another good read), and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (next up in my reading que). Are you a reader? What’s on your ‘must read’ list?
The Grey Goddess 