It's not unusual for me to have several books going at once but I realized today that I was reading all over the place.
The giant tome of Ursula LeGuin's collected Earthsea books is too heavy to read except at a table. So I read a few pages every morning as I eat breakfast. This has its advantages, as the books deserve slow and thoughtful perusal rather than the rapid skim that is my default reading style.
I'm listening my way (again) through the Aubrey/Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian. I'm nearing the end of the series with The Yellow Admiral -- which I consume in 15 (sometimes 30) minute bits as I fall asleep at night. O'Brian keeps me company in the kitchen too when I have tedious food prep to do.
But . . .
I took a notion to watch Good Omens again -- I binge watched the whole thing in one long night when it first came out -- and I'm ready to see it again -- in smaller doses, So, watching on my Kindle at night is supplanting Aubrey/Maturin for the nonce.
And there's my continuing fascination with Aunt Jane's Nieces -- the early 1900's series written under a pseudonym by Baum -- the author of the Oz books. Yes, they're formulaic and silly but they're a fascinating look at the life and prejudices of the times. From dealing with bandits in Italy to motoring cross-country in a touring car that doubles as a camper (with a chauffeur named Wampus, ) I just can't quit these spunky girls and their millionaire uncle.
If I need a change of scenery, there's Robert Graves's I, Claudius - the 1937 edition I found on my parents' bookshelf and read (with some amazement) when I was in eighth grade. There is much in this tale of imperial depravity, nepotism, and political maneuvering that reminds me of our current situation. This book is so dense with characters and poisonings and betrayals that a little bit at a time is the way to read it.
And of course there are the books I read to Josie -- Ladybug Girl and Skippyjon Jones, and Wait Till the Moon is Full, to name a few.
But wait, there's more! I'm also reading the submissions for my upcoming class at Wildacres. Just finished the opening pages of a cozy set at a B&B and am embarked on the adventures of a badass female hacker. Who knows what awaits in the other six submissions?
Variety is the spice of reading. It's nice to have lots of choices -- to match whatever I'm in the mood for.
What are you reading/listening to now? Are you reading all over the place?
9 comments:
The I, Claudius series on TV was excellent. You made me smile when describing it...
I almost always have more than one book going at a time. Right now, I'm listening to Madeleine Albright's Prague Winter, reading So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo in preparation to leading a discussion class on it, just finished the three books of The Fionavar Tapestry by Guy Gavriel Kay (needed some escapism), as well as a light-hearted rom-com by an acquaintance - Stiff Suit by Tawna Fenske. I like having variety going on.
Exactly! A book to suit one's mood or time of day!
I like getting into a really intense place in one book, then going to another one until it has the same level of interest. I have found it best to switch then, rather than the dull places, so when I come back I don't wonder what's happening! Just started Anne Hillerman's latest Cave of Bones and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Americanah...a wonderful audio book narrated by Adjoa Andoh. I've had to check it out several times to listen to the whole thing, which meant waiting for holds for weeks. But after re-reading a bit, I'm enjoying it again. (Library only gives me 14 days to listen to each book.) When I'm flat on my back with physical difficulties, it's great to have these audio books!
I usually read lots of "cozies" in the summer; also slowly reading "Thank You For Being Late" by Thomas Friedman.
BTW. The orange ruffled lily is so beautiful!
“We're all strangers connected by what we reveal, what we share, what we take away--our stories. I guess that's what I love about books--they are thin strands of humanity
that tether us to one another for a small bit of time, that make us feel less alone or even more comfortable with our aloneness, if need be.”
― Libba Bray
What a great quote!
I am reading all over the place also. Nancy Drew-Secret of the Old Clock (outloud nightly with my 11 year old), Cactus by Sarah Haywood (Hello Sunshine Book club), Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard (ladies Bible study Group), and Oregon Bride by Roseanne Bittner (poolside reading at it's best).
Just finished "Washington Black" by Esi Edugyan. Totally sucked me right in....
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