Summer reading
I like buying books. Lots of books. A Comparative Literature student in college, and a voracious reader as a kid, these days, I buy more than I read. I think it is some specific version of oniomania. The books I am currently in the midst of reading are pictured above. I like them all and I think they display a typical range of my interests including Italy, fiction, spiritual, classics. I’ll let you know what I think of them after I finish.
I’ve been in several book clubs over the years, which helped keep rate of reading more in line with my rate of buying, but I am currently without a book club, so I am on my own.
Our local bookstore, Readers Books, hosted a classics book club that I adored. I read Jane Austen’s Persuasion (loved), George Eliot’s Middlemarch (loved), and Henry James’ Daily Miller (meh) before the club was disbanded because the leader moved.
In an effort to whittle down my bookcases (to make room for more new books), I am vowing to hold off buying anything new for a while. I also thought it might be nice to share the books I have already read with you. Here are my current offerings:
Book give-away
I loved each of them and think you may too. Please let me know which book you’d like me to send you (for free, of course) by adding a comment below. I will email you privately to get your mailing address and before long, you’ll receive a book in the mail.
What are you reading? Any recommendations? Your favorite book ever?
Tell me your stories. xo
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Nice post and I suffer the same affliction (take in more books than I am able to let go). I’d offer up my address to snag “The Book Thief” but my wife will have my hide if I connect with another enabler. Thanks, all the same!
Mark D.
Thanks Mark, your wife will be so proud of you for saying NO!
I too have been longing to read “The Book Thief”! It has been so highly recommended by so many but I’m also cutting back on buying – I’m sure the house will sink with the weight of one more book – so I’ve been trading with friends and relatives instead! Works beautifully! I’m currently reading “The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory (my sister-in-law’s copy) and have been pleasantly surprised in spite of the ‘romancy’ style. Of the classics I love ‘Pride and Prejudice” and most of Ayn Rand, of popular authors my strange favorite is “One Door Away From Heaven” by Dean Koontz, this book highlights the best of human behavior and reliability. Koontz has faith in humans and tries to show us in our best light even when the subject matter is ‘odd’ and there is evil about!
I’d love to share your copy of “The Book Thief” and possibly I might have a book you would enjoy as well. In any case I love that you’ve made the offer! Sharing books has been part of my life since the age of 4 when I made my first trade at Sunday School! I just wish I could remember which Golden Book it was!
Hi Lora – You request for The Book Thief beat Ellen’s by about eight minutes so you win! I’ve heard “The Other Boleyn Girl” is good. I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by Koontz, so I might have to add him to my wish list. Thanks for reading!
Hi Ligeia – great post. I’d love The Book Thief 🙂 thanks!
And I have a recommendation for you: Mark Helprin’s ‘In Sunlight and Shadow’ – you’ll love it if you haven’t read it already.
Ellen
Oh Ellen, Lora requested “A Book Thief” about eight minutes before you. Darn! Would you be interested in any of the other books? “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman, or The Yiddish Policeman’s Union,” by Michael Chabon? I hope so – let me know!
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I’d love one – will you pick one out for me? Thanks! P.S. not scary.
Will do Jennifer! I loved the Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. (It did win the Pulitzer Prize, so I am in good company.) I hope you like it too.
A Thousand Splendid Suns has been on my list of books to get. My sister, who is a high school English teacher, says its her favorite book. I would be happy to trade you for some of my books!
OK, Beth – A Thousand Splendid Suns is yours!
“Beautiful Ruins” — it’s set in Italy, right? I’m Italy- bound in less than a month; it will be perfect airplane literature!
Hi Sharon – Yes, “Beautiful Ruins” is partially set in Italy. I am about half way done – I’ll mail it off to you once I finish, and I’m working hard so I can finish it up before you head to my Grandpa’s homeland.
Their Eyes Were Watching God is on my to-read list! I just finished The Good Nurse, which was so interesting and well written. Before that I reread Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies, also very good.
Great recommendations Erin! So farm I am loving, just loving Their Eyes Were Watching God. Want me to send it to you after I finish?
Ligeia, I just realized that I already bought Their Eyes Were Watching God on the latest walk to the bookstore. Let’s compare notes when I read it!
I recently read “The Warmth of Other Suns,” about the migration of african americans from the deep south to the northern states. Very well written and an important part of our history that has not previously been written about.
I’m currently reading “Beautiful Ruins” on my Kindle and “The Interestings” by Meg Wolitzer. Loved seeing your chicken coop too!
Hi Wendy – I’ve read that “The Warmth of Other Suns” is a must-read. Thanks so much for coming to the Sonoma Tour de Coop and seeing our chickens! And, of course, thanks for reading.