I’ve decided to take it easy the rest of the month. I’m leaving for a couple of weeks with the boys and my mom (the menfolk have to stay behind and work) and plan to spend those days reading, writing, and taking pictures. I imagine I will pop in now and then before our return 4th of July weekend, but I figured I should share my plans in case I decide to play hooky for a whole 14 days–which doesn’t sound like a bad idea, to tell you the truth.
Now. More importantly, what books should I bring to read? I figure if I time it right, the library books I check out won’t be too late. I already know 250 of you are going to recommend The Help. I feel the same way about that book as I did Twilight (please, is a link necessary?). Once something reaches a fever pitch in popularity, I almost refuse to read it…until it becomes so popular that I become annoyed I don’t know what the big deal is all about.
And then I end up loving it and wondering why I waited so long.� The Help is on my list, is what I am saying. Also on my list? Anne of Green Gables. I haven’t read that book since I was…8 years old? I can’t even remember. A very friendly reader (hi, Brandi!) reminded me last month that some of the classics in children’s literature are worth revisiting. Then I read Alicia Paulson’s post on the same subject and was ready to run out and buy of everything. Of course, I should just shop my bookshelves. Maybe that’s what I will do. I have shelves creaking under the weight of Austen, Bronte (the name I planned to give my daughter since I was a tween), Wharton, Homer. It’s pathetic, really. I’ve started and stopped Persuasion 30 times over the last ten years. Maybe this will be the summer I actually finish it.
Don’t even get me started on Sawtelle and Bloodroot. I started on Sawtelle again and saw that I missed much the first time around. Once I got to the 1/3 page break in the book I stopped. Authors, don’t put in page breaks. It’s like an invitation to wander on to other books for your more…scattered-brained readers.
That’s it.� There is my post for today and maybe the rest of June.� I fully expect to return refreshed and ready to write, provided I don’t stay up until all hours of the night reading the next two weeks. :)
I think I will be taking a bit of a break this month too. Good for you. I think I may take a blog reading break too. So do I really need to recommend yet again The Red Tent by Anita Diamant? No? Okay then I won’t.
First, books … I love P.G. Wodehouse for summer reading. He’s a nut! Right now I’m reading “The Tenth Gift” by Jane Johnson… I picked it up for $5.00 at Walgreens. :) I’m enjoying it … especially knowing that she stumbled upon the subject matter while researching family history and finding an ancestor who was kidnapped by pirates. Arrrr!
Now, go forth and enjoy your time off! Although, you realize don’t you, that should I pop in next month and ask how the writings going, I’ll fully expect, “I’m halfway through writing the Great-American Novel!” … so … no pressure …
enjoy your break!
The best book I’ve read so far this year was The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. I read it in a single afternoon and evening, with only a break to feed everyone and put them to bed. The Small Rain and A Severed Wasp by Madeleine L’Engle are perennial favorites of mine. And my favorite Anne of Green Gables books at this stage in my life are Anne’s House of Dreams and Anne of Ingleside, just so I can read all the gossip from Miss Cornelia.
You’re probably sick of me saying it but PLEASE read some T.R. Pearson! This exerpt should convince you: http://sashyjane.wordpress.com/2010/06/18/a-weekend-read/ If it doesn’t, your gore-loving side will be pleased to know that there are some murders/suicides.
Ferrol Sams and Rick Bragg are great too.
I recommend:
“Maisie Dobbs” by Jacqueline Winspear
“The Robber Bride” by Margaret Atwood
“A Woman Unknown – Voices from a Spanish Life” by Lucia Graves
“The Children of Green Knowe” by L.M. Boston – for you, and eventually for the boys
Relax and enjoy your reading!
Awww I love Persuasion- you should definitely finish it. If you don’t mind slightly intense books (a little like historical CSI only not as cheesy) then you might like The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr. The first time I read it, I jumped out of my seat several times because it was that creepy, but good! I’ve got a huge sack of books waiting to be sorted through to go on vacation next week!
Joan–I have to give you a huge THANK YOU for recommending “The Children of Green Knowe”! I read that book from the library as a child and LOVED it, but for the life of me, couldn’t remember the title as an adult. It has haunted me for ages. I’m off to request it from the library right now so I can enjoy it again!
The Red Tent. I keep forgetting The Red Tent!
Amy–yes, I plan to do some brainstorming during this time off so that maybe next month I won’t disappoint you. :)
Melissa–those kind of books (the ones that stop your life except for the essentials) are the ones I live for. I can’t wait to check it out!
Sara Jane–the cover alone on that book is making me drool.
Joan–all your recommendations look fabulous, especially The Children of Green Knowe and A Woman Unknown.
Bec–you know, ever since I had that crazy war dream, I’ve been wanting something intense and creepy. It’s one of the reasons I am so drawn to Joan’s pick (Green). I will definitely check it out.
I can be that way about recommendations to0. Actually, I was that way about “The Help” and the Twilight books.
Technically I didn’t read “The Help”; I listened to it on my ipod. I think that is one of the reasons I loved it so much. I had been going through a period where I just couldn’t read (and I NEED to read). So I thought I would try an audiobook. I loved the way the narrator voiced the characters, she drew me in right away with their accents.
Anyhow, enjoy your respite. Read a ton, even if no one has recommended the books to you.
Oh my gosh, Kathy–I am the same way. I NEED to read, and sometimes I’m too tired. An audio book is a great idea. :)
I too am looking for some good summer books and walked around Borders last night aimlessly. I looked at “The Summer We Read Gatsby” by Danielle Ganek. It is hardback so I settled on “Memoirs of a Geisha” by Arthur Golden, which I’ve heard is great. Happy reading & travels!
Have a happy break! I usually take time to read up on old faves when I’m on vacation so here’s my two cents: 100 anos de soledad (i’m well aware that many out there find this book to be tedious, but i can’t help it, it’s my favorite of all time)
I read the Help before the hype…it’s okay (kind of depressing really…and makes me wonder why some people say they want “the good old days” back???) .
I suggest anything by Anne Tyler…Case Histories by Kate Atkinson was my last read and it was pretty good. Next up is The Book Thief…been hearing good stuff about it…
Allison
I would definitely take The Help. I still refuse to read the Twilight series but I had to read The Help for my book club. I am like you, I don’t want to read something just because everyone else is, or has read it. The Help is wonderful though and the perfect summer read. Might I suggest Gone With the Wind as well. Truly the beginning of “the movie just isn’t as good as the book”. And we all know how great the movie is.
A few others I have enjoyed…
The End of the Affair
The Glass Castle
The Poisenwood Bible
Rebecca
Loving Frank
and if you like funny…
Bitter is the New Black
When You are Engulfed in Flames
Have a great vacation!
Pam
Melissa – I am so glad to have provided you with the title! Like you, I read The Children of Green Knowe as a child and loved it, and also had forgotten the title for years.
Jules – Looking for something intense and creepy, eerie with elements of the supernatural? Try “The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz-Zafon, which is translated from the Spanish by Lucia Graves ( A Woman Unknown). Once I started it, I could not put it down.
I LOVE CARLOS RUIZ-ZAFON! I read “The Angel’s Game” last…fall?…and it was awesome, in a creepy, eerie, supernatural kind of way. “The Shadow of the Wind” is actually on my list, too, which I might have to bump up given my recent craving for creepy.
This may be not your thing, but the new Stephanie Plum novel came out today. Those books crack me up. Have a great time!
Jules – Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a wonderful writer! I read “The Angel’s Game”, and although I enjoyed it, I prefer “The Shadow of the Wind” ….the story and characters are more intricate.
My recommendations (to echo some of the other comments): (1) PG Wodehouse – anything about Wooster & Jeeves is so funny, smart, silly! Great summer reading! (2) Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier – mysterious, romantic and has a happy ending!
Enjoy yourself!!!!
First and foremost, enjoy yourself. I’m going to miss the blogs insanely much, but I can also appreciate the value of a good vacation.
Second, please, please, PLEASE finish Persuasion. It is my favorite Austen (I’ve read them all several times), and your life will never be the same. If you’re having trouble, then watch the PBS movie version. It motivated me to finish the book.
Third, my suggestions:
Gaudy Night – Dorothy Sayers (a fantastic detective novel). The best part? If you like that one, then she wrote like, 14 more Lord Peter Wimsey novels for your literary pleasure.
Fair and Tender Ladies – Lee Smith. It’s a great novel about Appalachia (which is where I’m from). The story is great.
The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova. It’s a vampire novel, BUT, before you tune out, it’s more along the lines of Dracula than Twilight. It’s mystery, and history, and death, and all those good things rolled up into a wonderful novel. Her new book also just came out, and I’m so looking forward to reading it.
If you’re going to revisit the childhood area, then I would go with Alice in Wonderland. I reread it when the movie came out, and it was so good.
NY–Mysterious, Romantic, and Happy Ending are my favorites in a book. :)
Amanda–I actually LOVED Twilight. I didn’t think I would. In fact, I remember reading the back cover in the book store and gagging. Then I rolled my eyes.
About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him � and I didn�t know how potent that part might be � that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
I mean, really. Barf.
Then a year or so later I was SO TIRED of everyone talking about that I decided to read it. Loved them, and I credit them for helping me lose 20+ pounds. And, just in the last few weeks, I developed a new respect for Stephenie Meyer. (1) She makes fun of herself and doesn’t take herself or her writing seriously. Not everyone here loves my self deprecating humor, but that’s who I am. (2) She admitted that rereading the Twilight books is hard for her because of how she has matured as a writer. She sees scads of mistakes in the books now, and I admire her for being so honest. Lastly, and most importantly, (3) she thinks that “unconditionally and irrevocably” quote is ridiculous and cringes every time she see it. I completely changed my opinion of her after I read that.
Um, all that to say I’m not opposed to reading The Historian. :)
Oh, and don’t be surprised if I pop in here while I am away. I love blogging too much stay away long. Just don’t expect anything riveting. :)
The last absolutely fabulous book I read was The Poisonwood Bible. So so good.
ditto to anything by David Sedaris (When You Are Engulfed In Flames, although I think Me Talk Pretty Some Day was the funniest thing I’ve ever read in my life–esp the part about his sister wearing the bottom half of a fat suit). And Jennifer Lancaster (Bitter is the New Black) just put up her list of summer reading on her blog (www.jennsylvania.com). I read her recommendation Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, and it was hysterical.
I second the suggestion to read Loving Frank. It’s very good–much better than The Help. If you’re interested in reading new young adult fiction, I recommend The Hunger Games. It’s fantastic and the third book in the series comes out this summer. It’s the kind of book you can’t put down.
Once again, I will recommend “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn”. My favorite piece of literature.
I know that it’s too late for your vacation, but a couple of great series that I read as a girl that you might enjoy are The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander (5-book series), The Spirit Flyer Series by John Bibee (8-book series) and the Dragon King Trilogy by Stephen R. Lawhead (I find myself rereading this trilogy in particular, for some reason).
As for more adult reads, I thoroughly enjoyed Bill Bryson’s The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way is an interesting and entertaining (yes, entertaining) book about the history of the English language. I found myself laughing out loud, and I would have never expected myself to do so with a book like that. A Short History of Nearly Everything is another excellent read. It also helps that each chapter is about a separate event, so it is easy to pick up at a much later date.
Enjoy your vacation!
I’m a bit late to this thread but I read The Help while on vacation in Europe and loved it. I had run out of books to read and picked it up without really knowing the hype and I’m glad I did.
Have you read Water For Elephants? It’s really good as well. I’d also recommend The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (and the two books that follow).
I just re-read the Anne of Green Gables books (well, the first four or five anyway). Such good books!