What We're Reading Now | 07/25/2008 12:00 am
What is your favorite book of this summer thus far? Why?
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This summer is Jane Austen time again—re-reading Sense and Sensibility, then Emma and Persuasion, my favourite.
I love Lizzie Bennett, sexy, smart, sassy, not willing to take anything but the best and gets her Darcy—favourite character but so is Anne Elliot—Her steadfastness, her willingness to wait 8 years and put up with her despicable father and sister—despicable to me the way they trample all over her. But in the end she triumphs and Wentworth is hers—the lady ‘s worth the wait :-) Emma is such a twit thru most of the book—Knightely is just waiting for her to grow-up and quite being the match-maker, which she’s abysmal at 99% of the time anyway. But she sees the light—it’s probably Austen’s perfect novel structually. :-)
Frank, I’ve read “Sense and Sensibility” and “Emma”, and saw the movie adaptations of them and loved both. I’ve only seen the movie version of “Persuasion” but like you it is my favorite. But since I’ve seen the movie adaptation of “Persuasion” first (in the case of the first 2, I read the books first) I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it through the book. What do you think?
I read. I read a lot. I review books — but the reading is the best part. Just so you know, I am not fond of the so-called “beach books”. I want a book that is so well-written, compelling, that I cannot put the darn thing down. Frankly, books of that breed are hard to find.
The best book this summer? A very new one by author Tana French - called “The Likeness”. Her first book - not that long ago is a “must”: “In the Woods”. That kept me up all night, but this latest mystery taking place in Ireland is surely going to be up for the Edgar also (that’s the award for the best mystery of the year). No real gore or guts on every page, this is small town Ireland REAL, with a cast of characters so well delineated that you find yourself somehow feeling you KNOW them well before the story has moved that far along.
Excellent writing, and a story that grabs you and won’t let you go, you will find yourself saying “I will read one more chapter and THEN go to bed … and finding that isn’t enough. Author Tana French makes us feel that sleepless nights aren’t bad at all. NOT at all.
If I were to guess, this is going to rise to a #1 best seller as it well should be!!
Joan,
Thank you so much for the suggestion. I am not familiar with her, but I sure will look into getting The Likeness.
Do you ever peruse the Bas Bleu catalog? They often have books that one never sees anywhere else, and after the demise of the Common Reader catalog, they are a favorite of mine.
Diana -
Of course I get Bas Bleu - and miss Common Reader. I normally order their books from the library via computer (something wonderful all libraries now offer free), the library notifies me (also via computer) when the books come in, and I feel as if I am receiving a gift when I am the first one to open a brand new book. But I have a series of websites that also have me first on the list to see their new offerings via e-mail. For some reason, the Canadian sites and Canadian authors - Alice Munro, for instance - have a way of writing that pull me into the book like a magnet very often. Again, I pick and choose from their offerings after reading their reviews, and again, order them from the local library. In a flash more of the time, the book is in my hands, fresh and new. And I renew via computer so they is no reason in 6 weeks that I haven’t read it. I do the same thing with DVDs — I am sent a list of independent films that are so excellent but may have not made it to our theaters — for instance the new one “Bernard and Doris” (Susan Saradon, Ralph Fiennes) that should have been Oscar material (story of Doris Duke) — and I order them new through the library FREE for the viewing. Now — all I have to complain about is that it is hard to squeeze all this in a day (and night) and be in political office also!
Joan,
Are these sources for independent films and the new offering of books available in the U.S? I use Netflix, but their selection of independent films isn’t that vast. As for books, our libraries have the usual, not too much new and purchasing can be either expensive or a lengthy wait to get the book, you choose. I guess I should worry more about getting more bookshelves before I worry about more books and DVD’s, CD’s, etc.
Of course. I could give you the sites, but first look up on Google Independent Film and peruse their listings.
I go further. But for all you out there that are paying money, you may just not be aware that all libraries belong to a larger library system.
If your system of library does not have the new book or DVD (and they will), they have to find it for you free anywhere in the US. But we alert early when new books are first listed in the paper or on sites. Go to library or use the web for your library.
Ask to RESERVE the book or DVD — and voila — it may take days or a few weeks if the demand is great, but they will notify you that is is YOURS FREE. Go to the desk to ask first time — and then you will be up to date on movies, books, documentaries, anything, and so quick you never look at Netflix or others again. If you are too busy when it comes, take a long vacation hold on it - 6 weeks — just ask.
Libraries are a saving grace — and lots of people don’t know how easy this is. As I said, it is better than any gift to have this knowledge and GO FOR IT!!!
Thanks so much Joan. I am an avid reader, but agree that well-written books are hard to find. Also, my favorite subject to read about, fiction and non, is Ireland…. so I am rushing out to purchase this one!
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