Last weekend I took the time to read a 40-page short story from Flights of Love, Bernhard Schlink's volume of short stories published in 2000. Most of the stories were written before he wrote The Reader, published in the U.S. in 1998, and were published here in an attempt to fill the appetite of readers awed by the best-selling novel.
Oh, how I long to have more hours to read! This week was a five-day commute, and I'm eating up what might have been reading time driving to and from the college. Yes, I listen to audiobooks. Right now, I'm on the fourth CD of the 20-disc set of Life by Keith Richards. Johnny Depp is the reader, and I have nothing against him, but he is reading the 700-page tome in a total monotone and is swallowing the end of every sentence. I am constantly straining to hear the last words of the sentence, over and over again. I think Depp thinks he's reading the autobiography the way Richards would have delivered it. All very well, but it is numbing audio. I had no idea it would be more rewarding to read the book. But here I am in possession of the audio. Blast!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Finally, an Adult Book I'd Love to Live In
More than ten years ago, my book group in Boston decided to read Spending: A Utopian Divertimento, a novel published in 1998 by Mary Gordon, who, in recent years, has been referred to more and more often as a "Catholic writer." Oh, heaven help us.
Having read many of her books over a period of decades, I flinch at how reductionist some literary critics and so-called intellectuals can be--yes, even Bill Moyers. If you know Gordon's fiction, she is a novelist of the highest calibre and is a broad-minded intellectual who is always questioning, always probing. Yes, she is Catholic, and has, on occasion, written a book or two that reflects her religious background and orientation. I'm not implying that there's anything wrong with being a Catholic writer; what's narrow-minded is reducing a great American writer to a pigeon-hole.
Spending is fun, especially if you're an artist or a writer who's dreamed of having a patron who makes it possible for you to create--free of the hum-drum, creative-robbing necessity to work forty hours a week to eat. The setting is split between New York City and summertime Cape Cod--Wellfleet or Truro, I seem to recall.
Monica came of age during the women's movement of the early 1970s and is charged with all those sensibilities while also longing and enjoying gratifying relationships with men. She's an artist, she's an intellectual, but she's a woman who loves life, beauty, people, nature, and the opportunity to create.
When I read Spending, I hung on every word, wishing I could live Monica's life. If one word comes to mind to describe this book, it would be LUSH. This is not a religious book, although Monica does interact with sexual representations in Christian art over the centuries.
I was delighted beyond measure when I found a pristine, first-edition copy of Spending at a local library sale. One buck. Precious!
If you would like to check out the first handful of pages of Spending, Google this search string. "Mary Gordon Spending." For me, the Google book spread comes up as the third listing.
All I can say is, Enjoy!
Having read many of her books over a period of decades, I flinch at how reductionist some literary critics and so-called intellectuals can be--yes, even Bill Moyers. If you know Gordon's fiction, she is a novelist of the highest calibre and is a broad-minded intellectual who is always questioning, always probing. Yes, she is Catholic, and has, on occasion, written a book or two that reflects her religious background and orientation. I'm not implying that there's anything wrong with being a Catholic writer; what's narrow-minded is reducing a great American writer to a pigeon-hole.
Spending is fun, especially if you're an artist or a writer who's dreamed of having a patron who makes it possible for you to create--free of the hum-drum, creative-robbing necessity to work forty hours a week to eat. The setting is split between New York City and summertime Cape Cod--Wellfleet or Truro, I seem to recall.
Monica came of age during the women's movement of the early 1970s and is charged with all those sensibilities while also longing and enjoying gratifying relationships with men. She's an artist, she's an intellectual, but she's a woman who loves life, beauty, people, nature, and the opportunity to create.
When I read Spending, I hung on every word, wishing I could live Monica's life. If one word comes to mind to describe this book, it would be LUSH. This is not a religious book, although Monica does interact with sexual representations in Christian art over the centuries.
I was delighted beyond measure when I found a pristine, first-edition copy of Spending at a local library sale. One buck. Precious!
If you would like to check out the first handful of pages of Spending, Google this search string. "Mary Gordon Spending." For me, the Google book spread comes up as the third listing.
All I can say is, Enjoy!
Friday, February 4, 2011
Which Books Would I Love to Live In?
Thanks to The Blue Bookcase for hosting The Literary Blog Hop Feb. 2-5. There's still time to participate!
I've been cogitating on this question all morning, and so far my mind refuses to stray from all the books I dreamed of inhabitating when I was a child and teenager. Not a single adult book has entered my brain yet, though I'll think more about it while snowshoeing today. So check back later tonight and tomorrow to see if my memory is cooperating.
When I was twelve, I desperately wanted to live in the family Madeleine L'Engle created in Meet the Austins and Moon by Night. I'd still live to be an Austin cousin and visit for a week. L'Engle wrote a third book about the family, Ring of Endless Light, but not until I was in my twenties. And, I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'm so grateful to Wikipedia for this sterling reproduction of the original dustjacket.
When I was eleven, I wanted to live within the stone walls of Misselthwaite Manor and roam the Yorkshire moors of the classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I longed to explore the manor as Mary did on rainy days, and at night, when she searched the endless corridors for the source of the screaming and crying. Working to bring the Secret Garden back to life and keeping that secret also stirred me. And, once again, I'd still love to live this book! According to Wikipedia, the cover art I've posted belongs to the 1911 edition.
I've been cogitating on this question all morning, and so far my mind refuses to stray from all the books I dreamed of inhabitating when I was a child and teenager. Not a single adult book has entered my brain yet, though I'll think more about it while snowshoeing today. So check back later tonight and tomorrow to see if my memory is cooperating.
When I was twelve, I desperately wanted to live in the family Madeleine L'Engle created in Meet the Austins and Moon by Night. I'd still live to be an Austin cousin and visit for a week. L'Engle wrote a third book about the family, Ring of Endless Light, but not until I was in my twenties. And, I never thought I'd be saying this, but I'm so grateful to Wikipedia for this sterling reproduction of the original dustjacket.
When I was eleven, I wanted to live within the stone walls of Misselthwaite Manor and roam the Yorkshire moors of the classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I longed to explore the manor as Mary did on rainy days, and at night, when she searched the endless corridors for the source of the screaming and crying. Working to bring the Secret Garden back to life and keeping that secret also stirred me. And, once again, I'd still love to live this book! According to Wikipedia, the cover art I've posted belongs to the 1911 edition.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Literary Blog Hop
Yes, I'm participating in the Literary Blog Hop, hosted by The Blue Bookcase! I'll be posting tomorrow concerning the assigned meme. Best wishes to all!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Storm Reading
We didn't get the masses of snow that were predicted, but what we did get was ICE. Imagine rain, drizzle, and frozen rain falling when the temperature is a mere 18 degrees fahrenheit. Everything the wet stuff hits freezes instantly at 18 degrees.
I'm lucky that the college canceled all classes today. Phew! I shoveled the 8 inches that fell last night, tried to stamp down a decent snowshoe trail, and managed to squeeze in some fun reading and then some work.
Of course, The Girl Who Played with Fire is still captivating me. But what else?
I've just started reading The Weekend, the new novel by the German author Bernhard Schlink. I'm deep in the first chapter: a left-wing revolutionary is sent home on a reprieve from a long prison sentence. His long-time lover plans a weekend for him at her dilapidated country estate with many of his old friends and comrades. It's an incredibly tense reunion. Full of history and unresolved emotions. Looking good so far! Drop in on The New York Times book review.
I'm lucky that the college canceled all classes today. Phew! I shoveled the 8 inches that fell last night, tried to stamp down a decent snowshoe trail, and managed to squeeze in some fun reading and then some work.
Of course, The Girl Who Played with Fire is still captivating me. But what else?
I've just started reading The Weekend, the new novel by the German author Bernhard Schlink. I'm deep in the first chapter: a left-wing revolutionary is sent home on a reprieve from a long prison sentence. His long-time lover plans a weekend for him at her dilapidated country estate with many of his old friends and comrades. It's an incredibly tense reunion. Full of history and unresolved emotions. Looking good so far! Drop in on The New York Times book review.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Blizzard A' Brewin'
The big, big storm is supposed to strike during the day Wednesday, but tomorrow, Tuesday, will see six inches fall during the day, separate from the 2++ feet expected on Wednesday.
This weekend Ken and I thought that a mere six inches of snow would be nice to rejuvenate our snowshoe trail system (be careful what you wish for!), but I do hope all the snow predicted does not pan out. Yikes!
Books: While I'm reading The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson, I want to start reading The Weekend by Bernhard Schlink.
But you Larsson fans, do check out a fascinating article from The Guardian, dated February 2010. Google this search string: "Stieg Larsson fourth book." The first result should be the Guardian article. (I'm sorry, but The Guardian won't let me link you to it directly.) The issues in the case of the fourth book are still brewing!
This weekend Ken and I thought that a mere six inches of snow would be nice to rejuvenate our snowshoe trail system (be careful what you wish for!), but I do hope all the snow predicted does not pan out. Yikes!
Books: While I'm reading The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson, I want to start reading The Weekend by Bernhard Schlink.
But you Larsson fans, do check out a fascinating article from The Guardian, dated February 2010. Google this search string: "Stieg Larsson fourth book." The first result should be the Guardian article. (I'm sorry, but The Guardian won't let me link you to it directly.) The issues in the case of the fourth book are still brewing!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Book Orders!
Yes, I've gone a bit wild ordering books lately, mostly books that I haven't been able to borrow from the library. I've ordered Elizabeth Bowen's The Heat of the Day, published in 1949, a novel set in England during World War II, particularly during the Blitz. I have never seen the Masterpiece Theatre adaptation of the novel. Have you?
I've also ordered Flights of Love: Stories by Bernhard Schlink, published in 2002, several years after The Reader appeared in the U.S.
And I finally bit the bullet and ordered the audiobook Life by Keith Richards, acclaimed Rolling Stones guitarist. The hardcover sits at 596 pages, so the unabridged audiobook should keep my brain enchanted for many long commutes to work. The importance of this occupation for my psyche cannot be underestimated. When I'm done, I'll donate it to a library that does not own an audio copy.
I much, much prefer memoirs for my commutes. For me, novels require so much more concentration, and because I'm driving in snowy weather almost all of the time, I need my wits about me!
It has been a fascinating birdwatching January. We've been visited by a bird that spends its summers in the high Canadian Arctic. 60+ common redpolls have crowded our feeders in the last few days, crowding out the other birds. This is the first time in my life I've had redpolls, so our birdwatching life has been exciting!
Back to Books: I'm so enjoying The Girl Who Played with Fire. When I read the series the second time, and indeed I will, I'm going to make sure I have an excellent map of Stockholm as well as one of Sweden, so I can keep track of all the comings and goings. They're important to the plot, and as it stands now, I have to ignore the places, for the most part, because I don't have a clue about any of them.
Monday, January 24, 2011
My Winter Is a Season of Audiobooks
Well, early this morning it was nearly thirty degrees below zero Fahrenheit. I don't know what the Centigrade equivalent is, but it was the coldest night since we've lived in the Adirondacks.
Believe it or not, a phone call Saturday night established the fact that I am, once again, teaching two courses. One on Mondays and Wednesdays, the other on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means a 74-mile round-trip commute four days a week! This crazy schedule will not likely happen again, as I gain seniority, but for this winter and spring, life will be crazy!
Audiobooks: They are in such demand at the library that I never know what I will find. I will learn, however, the best ways to get the precise audiobooks I want.
Currently I'm listening to The Great Hurricane of 1938, a book that details the Category 4 Hurricane that devastated the shorelines of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, as well as inland central Connecticut and Massachusetts. My mother, father, and other relatives frequently recounted their survival tales relating to this historic storm, so it has been intriguing to "hear" about all the details from a historian's point of view and compare notes with all the family stories that have been passed down. A tremendous loss of life and property accompanied this hurricane.
Believe it or not, a phone call Saturday night established the fact that I am, once again, teaching two courses. One on Mondays and Wednesdays, the other on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means a 74-mile round-trip commute four days a week! This crazy schedule will not likely happen again, as I gain seniority, but for this winter and spring, life will be crazy!
Audiobooks: They are in such demand at the library that I never know what I will find. I will learn, however, the best ways to get the precise audiobooks I want.
Currently I'm listening to The Great Hurricane of 1938, a book that details the Category 4 Hurricane that devastated the shorelines of Long Island, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, as well as inland central Connecticut and Massachusetts. My mother, father, and other relatives frequently recounted their survival tales relating to this historic storm, so it has been intriguing to "hear" about all the details from a historian's point of view and compare notes with all the family stories that have been passed down. A tremendous loss of life and property accompanied this hurricane.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
The "Spring" semester starts Monday. Unfortunately, I am teaching only one class as enrollment is way down this semester and new adjuncts are left without classes to teach. I'm sad about it, but there's nothing to be done. I've volunteered to teach the Summer I (May-June) and Summer II (July-August) sessions.
This leaves me with extra time this winter and early spring. More time for everything else in my life, including reading.
No one in the world needs to hear that I'm loving The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. How boring for visitors to my blog! To read about how I'm loving a global bestseller. It's a chunkster to boot.
But, with extra time in the offing, I've rekindled my interest in German novels. I have Bernhard Schlink's new book The Weekend from the library.
It has been a dream, perhaps more like a fantasy, to read German lit in German. So many novels are never translated, and I do long to read many of them. So is it back to my German language studies? Why, oh why, is it so hard to develop and sustain a reading knowledge of a foreign language? Have you ever tried?
One needs to persist, keep reading, keep studying, and never let up, particularly considering the age 55+ brain! This is the crux of the problem. Real life intervenes. The need to work, the need to relax and have fun--all impinge on consistent language study.
This leaves me with extra time this winter and early spring. More time for everything else in my life, including reading.
No one in the world needs to hear that I'm loving The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson. How boring for visitors to my blog! To read about how I'm loving a global bestseller. It's a chunkster to boot.
But, with extra time in the offing, I've rekindled my interest in German novels. I have Bernhard Schlink's new book The Weekend from the library.
It has been a dream, perhaps more like a fantasy, to read German lit in German. So many novels are never translated, and I do long to read many of them. So is it back to my German language studies? Why, oh why, is it so hard to develop and sustain a reading knowledge of a foreign language? Have you ever tried?
One needs to persist, keep reading, keep studying, and never let up, particularly considering the age 55+ brain! This is the crux of the problem. Real life intervenes. The need to work, the need to relax and have fun--all impinge on consistent language study.
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