Category Archives: Books I enjoy!

Saturday’s Book: “For the Relief of Unbearable Urges” by Nathan Englander

WOW!

and again: WOW!

I find that I need a break of a day or two after reading each story in this collection to get my breath back.

I’ve read the first four stories. Reading them goes quickly and easily but then time is needed to take in what I have just read. Time is needed to understand how Englander has brought me from here to there without me quite realizing it.

So far, the first story “The Twenty-seventh Man is the one that has left the most powerful impression on me.

But there are five more stories I haven’t read.

Haven’t a clue as to where Englander will take me next.

Certainly planning to find out!

 

***Note from a week later: The story “In this way we are wise” left me gasping for air as much as the “tweenty seventh man” did.

Saturday’s Book: “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” by Alexander McCall Smith

I’ve been encountering mentions of this book for the past few years and had not had the opportunity to read it until now. After finally realizing that this is not a standard “whodunit” murder mystery book I was delighted when a dear friend lent me the book.

I finished the book in five days.

After I read the first five pages I stopped for a minute and studied the very large photo of the author on the inside cover. I was a bit concerned that the book was going to be patronizing – a white man writing about life as a female African in Botswana sees it. But the storytelling is great and the combination of the tales of the heroine’s own life and the cases she solves is fascinating so I forgot about such concerns.  I wanted to read more.

So, when discovering book number two “Tears of the Giraffe” at the library (needed to stock up on books for the holiday!) I broke my own tradition of not reading two books by the same author in a row and began it at once.

It isn’t as good. Besides the fact that I think the author didn’t keep the clever balance between personal stories and stories told through cases, now I’m bothered by the authors patronizing tone. Not regarding Africa, regarding the USA.  He is really trying to “ram down your throat” a message that America is only about a “grab grab” empty consumer culture. I would like to remind him that American television does not represent a huge percent of American people in this HUGE country!

Perhaps I should have stuck to my original rule – never read two books by the same author in a row!

Saturday’s Book: Remembering “The Trumpet of the Swan” by E.B. White

I recently read a great post using an example from The Trumpet of the Swan to make an educational point.

I don’t discuss education on Saturdays. The post just reminded me how much I loved this book which I hadn’t thought about in a while.

While I enjoyed all E.B White’s book this one is my favorite. I love the way the story is told.

Perhaps the fact that the swan is a “Special Ed” character who does brillliantly well is part of the book’s appeal for me.

One of those children’s books I refuse to part with. Certainly worth a reread!

Saturday’s Book: A Homage to Jan Berenstain

I just read that Jan Berenstain, co-creator of the delightful Berenstain Bears series of books for children, passed away recently, at the age of 88.

I was not aware that the first books had come out in the 60’s, as I don’t remember them from my own childhood. However, I enjoyed the books with my first niece and nephew in the 80’s, then with my own boys in the 90’s and am now enjoying these books again with my little niece and nephew, born in the 21st  century!

Books that retain their appeal for children over such a span of time have my sincere admiration!

Saturday’s Book: “Summertime” by Coetzee

When I find a book that has been recommended to me in the library, I make a point of NOT reading the blurb on the back cover. Once the decision to read the book has been made (this one was recommended by friend and fellow book-lover Vicky Loras) I don’t want any spoilers.

However, I couldn’t ignore the adjectives on the front cover: “compelling, funny, moving and full of life”.

I’m not quite sure yet what to make of the book even though I’ve read a third of it already. Certainly compelling – I would love to grab a blanket (it’s cold here!!) and continue reading.

“Funny” – not at all.

I find it a puzzling book – some of it seems like an intellectual puzzle or “swordplay with words”. Other parts seemed designed to shock.

I’ll keep reading and see how it plays out!

It’s Saturday! Musings on Reading in Public Places

Epstein Family Photos

This morning I got up at 04:50 AM (!!!!) and went with my husband to Ein Gedi (near the Dead Sea) as he was participating in the 10 km race there.

Naturally, I took my book with me.

Reading in a public place while waiting, is basically similar in all places, whether it is a waiting room in a clinic, your child’s swimming lesson or for a race to end.

It’s not the same as reading at home.

There are people walking by, claiming or vacating the seat next to you, there may be background music or loudspeakers with announcements (at the race there were all of the above).

More importantly, you have to keep an eye on the time. How long do you have left before your child exits that door or until you have to be ready with the camera at the finish line.

In short, reading without relaxation.

But, in my opinion, still worthwhile!

The trick to making the most of reading in such situations is having suitable reading material. I don’t think I would have managed to read an academic article (or anything else that requires serious concentration) this morning. However, I’m still reading the fascinating book “The Tiger’s Wife” by Tea Obreht , a book which easily “draws me in”. So, despite stopping frequently, I was very glad I had brought the book!

Saturday’s Book: “The Tiger’s Wife” by Tea Obreht

I can’t put the book down! It is SO good! I find myself totally immersed in the tale and have been going to bed far too late because I can’t stop reading!

Set in the Balkans, this book moves between the harsh realities of a troubled region to ancient traditions and the fantasic realms behind them.

Highly recommended!

Enjoy!

B.t.w. – I am still listening to Dickens and will be ding so for some time. There are 15 cds and I’m at the end of number four.

Saturday’s Book: LISTENING to Dickens

The emphasis is on “listening” as opposed to “reading”.

“Listening” as in an audio-book of “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens.

I find that listening to Dickens has distinct advantages. The reader is excellent and I enjoy hearing the dialogues in the book with all the appropriate accents. I had no idea that so many words that began with the sound /v/ were once pronounced with a “w”!

On the other hand, this is not television. I can focus on Dickens’ rich language creating the scenes to be imagined in my mind. With tlelvision creating the scenes I would be focusing only on the storyline itself which is only part of what Dickens is about.

I find listening to be a great way to revisit a classic tale!

Saturday’s Book: “In a Sunburned Country” By Bill Bryson

What a delightful travel book!

I discovered this at the library. Australia has long been a source of fascination and one of the places all four of us dream of visiting.

The book is old (written before 2000) but that’ s not really an issue.

Bryson writes so beautifully and humourously that is ab absolute pleasure to read. I treat the historical parts as “true” and the parts supposedly described as “now” as a tale of his personal experiences, not necessarily the way thing are in Australia today.

It seems he has written two more books – I’ll have to look them up!

It’s Saturday! Musings on Giving Books Away.

I take a book out of the library. I really enjoy reading it and then what do I do? I return the book.

I don’t think about it twice.

You read, enjoy (or not) and move on.

Why isn’t it the same for books we have purchased? Why do we feel the need to keep them? Why not give them away when we’re done to the nearest book lover?

It makes sense to keep resource books – one needs to refer to them and reread them.

It makes sense to keep children’s books. Children like to hear the same stories over and over again. Hopefully I’ll have grandchildren one day to read the books my boys liked when they were small (though I keep giving them to my little nieces and nephews so they might not survive till then!).

It makes sense to keep a book that was a gift from a very special person. Or a book that touched you so deeply you know you must read it again.

But other books?

I’m very indecisive on the topic. I’m always trying to talk to people about books and then lending books to them. Sometimes I don’t get the books back. Sometimes I just give them away.

Part of me is proud that I’m not flooding the house with books. I grew up in a house like that! Too many books! But then another part of me remembers the book and wonders why it isn’t on my shelves.

I’m pleased when people return books but often (even within a week!) I’ve lent them out again!

Mind you, we have three large bookcases of books in the living room (and each boy has one in his room!). But that’s it!

What do you do?