Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Summer Reading

It seems a strange title for a blog post since I read all the time, but I have read some exceedingly wonderful
books in the last month or so that I thought would be good to share.

I would love to hear what you are reading as well.

It appears that I'm reading more and more while turning the television off more and more.  Now I only turn it on for about an hour a day to watch the 5:30 news and Jeopardy!  The rest of the stuff is just beyond nausea.

Here's the list of books:

                          Fall of Giants and Winter of the World - Both by Ken Follett.  A trilogy.  I have not read
the third book as yet, but do want to order it to my Kindle.  Follett's novels are a mixture of fiction and hard
and well researched facts.  I can hardly ever put down his writings as they are captivating.  The first book is about Europe leading into WWI and the second book is about WWII including the US participation.  It sounds boring but I can assure you that with his writing you are glued to the pages.

                           My Southern Journey by Rick Bragg -  I admit I'm a sucker for books that talk about traditions and everyday living in different parts of the country.  Some of the writers that I have read every one
of their books are Rick Bragg, Leon Hale, Mary Carr, Garrison Keillor and the audio stories of telecasts
by Paul Harvey and Charles Kuralt.  I should have been a social anthropologist.  Maybe in my next life!

Rick's books make me laugh out loud.  He writes for many publications as well, such as Southern Living.
I don't even know how I found him, perhaps an article in Smithsonian or something, but I've been an avid follower ever since.  The same with the others listed above. 

Mary Carr will be in San Miguel for the Annual Writers Conference in February 2017 and I have already purchased a ticket to hear her speak.

                             The Prisoner of Heaven - by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.  Often when I have read an author's first book that is beyond beautiful, I hesitate to read the second as, often, they are not as good.  Zafon's first book, The Shadow of the Wind, is without a doubt, one of my all time favorite books.  It was given to me
by a dear friend.  Stunning would be an understatement.  Lyrical with words would be another understatement.  Zafon is from Spain where his stories are placed.  Exquisite is all I can say.

                             To Dance with the White Dog - by Terry Kay  Never had I heard of this book or this author, but since many of us share the same Kindle account, it was on the list of books.  The title was intriguing and the story was thought provoking and so enjoyable.  Little did I know that this book was made
into either a movie or TV special with Jessica Tandy and her husband, whose name escapes me.  Somehow
I missed it many years ago when that was shown.  I'm glad I just chose this book by the title and spent a lovely day reading it.

There you go, books to enjoy.  At the present there are over 2000 books on my Kindle that have been downloaded or purchased by others in our group.  I think I'm not going to be turning the TV on for a very
long time............or until the election stuff is over at least!

7 comments:

Betty in Oregon said...

Jessica Tandy's husband was Hume Cronin. Love reading your blog and seeing your grandchildren grow up!

picklesandroses.blogspot.com said...

Mary Karr in SM? Good for you..she's a fun speaker ns I've read nearly everything she's written...most recently an article for the New Yorker. I'm recommending All the Light You Cannot See and The Nightingale...both great reads. Right now I' reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. Thanks for the book list...will check them out.

Cheryl said...

Thanks for these suggestions. I read constantly. A lot of the books I have read in the last 2 months have been from BookBub which has a lot of free or very low cost books. I am reading a series by Shayne Parkinson which I am enjoying right now. My favorite genre is Historical Fiction and this series is included in that genre (very easy reading). I think I have read about 8-10 books since I have been here in the last 8 weeks. Try the book Accused by Marc Giminez. It's very similar to John Grisham if you like that style.

Barbara Lane said...

Oh gosh...where to begin...can I really post these? They all made me swoon for one reason or another...my (so far) summer reading:

A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana Haven Kimmel; She Got Up Off the Couch : And Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana Haven Kimmel; Orville: A Dog Story Haven Kimmel; Middlesex: A Novel Jeffrey Eugenides;The Elegance of the Hedgehog Muriel Barbery, Alison Anderson; The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise: A Novel Julia Stuart; Kinship with All Life J. Allen Boone; Letters To Strongheart J. Allen Boone; Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers Anne Lamott; Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar Cheryl Strayed;Shantaram: A Novel Gregory David Roberts (Read 1st); The Mountain Shadow Gregory David Roberts (Sequel);The Lacuna: A Novel (P.S.) Barbara Kingsolver; A Story Like the Wind Laurens van der Post (Read 1st); A Far-Off Place Laurens van der Post (Sequel); 11/22/63: A Novel Stephen King; On Writing - A Memoir of the Craft Stephen King; Cleopatra: A Life Stacy Schiff; Beethoven's Hair: An Extraordinary Historical Odyssey and a Scientific Mystery Solved Russell Martin; The Birth of Venus: A Novel (Reader's Circle) Sarah Dunant

All, so fine!

Apologies for such a long reply but I couldn't help myself (can you tell I'm a reader?). :)

Retired Teacher said...

I am partial to thick, historical novels, and I usually pick one up to pass the time waiting at the airport and on the plane when I am traveling. I have read "The Fall of Giants" and "Winter of the World". I was waiting for the third book to come out in a smaller paperback version that would be less bulky when traveling. If you have not read them, Follet's two novels set in medieval England... "Pillars of the Earth" and "World without End" are also very good.

Another writer of historical fiction that I like is Edward Rutherford. Similar to James Michener, he picks a location and weaves a story that spans generations and follows the history of that place. On this trip, I have started reading "New York". Previously I have read "Paris", "Russka" and "Sarum"(about Salisbury, England).

Happy reading!

Unknown said...

Just to second Kay Cox's recommendation of The Nightingale. I read it years ago, and just read it for the 2nd time, and it was just as good as the 1st time. You'll add it to your list of "best books".

Babs said...

Thanks Betty - Glad you enjoy the blog and the grandkids! I'm getting to write a blog about how much they have changed in just 5 years! Amazing.

Kay, I read Bel Canto years ago and it was extraordinary if it is the same one I read........about Argentina? Thanks for the other suggestions!

Wow Cheryl, all kinds of info I did not know. I'll look up those books and check out Book Bub. Thanks.

Goodness gracias Barbara - a GREAT list - the only one I've read is The Lacuna. Thanks for such an extensive list.......I'll check and see if any are on the 2100+ on the downloaded Kindle list! You are REALLY an avid reader.

Bill, give up and get a Kindle. It is PERFECT for when you are traveling. I tend to read long, long books as well. I got the Kindle when I was going to the beach where electricity and carrying 20 books to read was not feasible or available at times. I have to tell you, I know go nowhere without the Kindle Especially in Mexico where one often has to wait for someone or something. I always have a book to read a bit. Yes, I have read The PIllars of the Earth (twice) another of my most favorite books and World without End. I'll check out Rutherford. Thanks.

So Ron, do you have The Nightingale in book form? If so, could I borrow it? Thanks. Glad you're commenting, finally. Welcome