Friday Morning Book Post

(written Thursday night)

I mentioned earlier being lured into 52 Books in 52 Weeks.  I confess I wouldn't even be tempted if not for my Kindle.  I'm reading so much more because there are so many free books (and because I'm in bed a good bit of the time).  There's no excuse not to dive into the classics.

After The Age of Innocence, I picked up the (not free) Into the Wild, which focuses on the death of Christopher McCandless in Alaska.  It was a good, quick read but not Krakauer's best.  I'll echo many of the reviews on Amazon which complain about (imo) irrelevant filler content. 

Needing another freebie, I began Dracula.  I did not expect to enjoy this one as I don't care much for that genre.  Well, I loved it.  Loved it loved it loved it.  The gorgeous descriptions of the Carpathian mountains, the impossibly noble characters, the story itself - I was smitten from the first paragraph. I'm now bitter towards every other book for not being Dracula.  

With the children I am reading The Call of the Wild (referenced in Into the Wild).  Another great read - except when I have to trail off mumbling as I encounter the death of yet another dog.  We should wrap it up this weekend.

On my own I finally began The Forgotten Garden.  It's no Dracula, I say with a sigh, but it is picking up speed.  Interestingly, I thought the epistolary format of Dracula would bug me.  It didn't at all.  What does bug me?  The time warp of The Forgotten Garden.  I'm still dizzy from the nightmare that was Lost. But as I say, I'm liking it more the further along I read.  

Up next!  Middlemarch.  My sister thinks I will love it and it's freeeeeee!  I still need another 40 books to add to the list.  I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Comments

[Katie]

The Forgotten Garden was one of my favourite reads from 2011. I hope you enjoy it. Kate Morton's other books are also divine.

[Jennifer]

Thanks Katie! I was wondering about her other works as well.

[sarah]

I love what you say about being bitter that every other book isn't Dracula. You've captured my own heart perfectly. I feel that about some books too. Book crushes, which last intensively for a few weeks, then either vanish and I'm left wondering "what on earth was I thinking?" or else I reread the Beloved Book at least once a year and know it will always be a favourite.

Dracula really is something special.

[Jennifer]

I knew you would understand, sarah. I was thinking about you as I read, wishing we could chat IRL!

[MelanieB]

Oh yes, I have book crushes too. Nothing feels right after a truly great book. Even books you might have enjoyed at another time seem pale and limp like old iceberg lettuce.

I wrote a massive paper on Dracula in my grad school days and so I have read it backwards and forwards with lots and lots of notes and underlining. It's a fascinating book... don't even get me started!

I'm currently reading Middlemarch. I began it in December and will likely still be reading in February. It is good but I've turned into a reading snail. No way I'd even begin to think of trying 52 books in 52 weeks, though in former years it would have been a cinch. I'm sure it's just a season; but its a frustrating one. Still, I'll stand on the sidelines and cheer on my friends.

[S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen]

Middlemarch is free? Really??? I've always wanted to read it but could never find it IRL. Thanks! Off to download it tonight...

[Elisa]

You should definitely read "Everything is Grace" about St. Therese of Lisieux...only it is not a very quick read, but life changing for me. Willa Cather is on my next list, My Antonio and O Pioneers. Jane Austen. =)

[Jennifer]

Anything by Michael Perry. He's local to Wisconsin, where I'm from. Excellent tales about life in rural America. I love his vocabulary.

Current books: The Help and You Know When the Men are Gone

[Jennifer]

Thanks Jennifer. That sounds perfect!