Have to read. Must read. In the same way I must breathe.
That said, I don't read a lot of challenging fiction. Mostly it's mysteries, which are little diagnostic puzzles that someone else will figure out and that always have a solution. Just finished "The Iron Girl" by Ellen Hart and I'm also re-reading some of the old Luis Mendoza mysteries by Dell Shannon (reactionary old-fashioned patriarchal stuff, but for some reason I find it restful).
At some point soon I'll start "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey, which may or may not be fiction but is our next book club book. I joined the book club so I will be forced to occasionally read something other than mysteries.
On the rare occassions I allow myself the pleasure of a good novel, a few of my favorites: Pillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follet I'm a little embarassed to say, I just read the whole Twilight series, and loved it. Not fiction, but I also liked Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I try not to let myself get into a good book too often, because I stay up later than usual, don't get any charts done, and don't pay much attention to my family until I finish!
the twilight series! yes i'm aware that they are teenagers books but they are kind of fun! i'm currently reading the other boleyn girl and hating it.... other than that.... not much
The desire - always! The time - rarely! Reading Shantaram at the moment and although it has taken me an age I'm nearly there and it was a very good read
Reading a book which is very interesting (I'm kind of a closet linguistics dork) but not fiction. It is "The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way" by Bill Bryson.
i read about one book every couple weeks, normally after my son goes to sleep while relaxing in the bath or in bed. especially since my husband is a resident and seems never to be home....
some really good ones recently:
a thousand splendid suns those who save us by jenna blum water for elephants the island by victoria hislop
gosh- so many more too!!!! but these were all REALLY wonderful books....
I can only read journal articles for so long before my eyes start to cross, so yes, definitely enjoy reading for fun. If you like sci-fi, the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi is pretty awesome. The first one, the eponymous Old Man's War, is a nicely done Heinlein-esque book. I'm also working my way through The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It's a nice easy read that would be good to share with your kids.
Finding Nouf by Zow Ferraris--a wonderful mystery set in Saudi Arabia with psychologically accessible Islamic characters
Six Geese a Slaying by Donna Andrews (my favorite frothy mystery writer)
Ex Libris by Ann Fadiman (short essays; one is enough to satisfy a craving for good writing in half hour sitting)
When my kids reached school age, I joined Sisters in Crime as a fan (I have been reading mysteries since I discovered Enid Blyton at age 8). I get to meet some of my favorite authors, and this year I even have contributed some medical expertise to one of them. The people one meets at a Sisters in Crime lunch are much more interesting than the ones who come for medical dinners!
Like Jay, I need to read to survive, and like gcs15, I hope my first 100 years are spent with books. Find many more appealing than I ever have time to read. Latest reads are several by Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse was a good, light, adult follow-up to Twilight. HBO series True Blood is based on her books - have only seen one episode, but have enjoyed the books. Also in the midst of Mercy by Jodi Picoult. Usually have more than one novel going at one time. Thanks for giving me some more "food for thought", y'all, with all of your recommendations! MWAS
My husband and I have been racing through all the Tudor dynasty books by Philippa Gregory - The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool, The Constant Princess, et al. They are IMPOSSIBLE to put down!
Also read an interesting, seasonal, nonfiction work: The Man Who Invented Christmas, about how Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol.
I had gone a long time without pleasure reading until last year, idling before baby #2. A friend sent me "Time and Again" by Jack Finney and it was so good, it hurt.
I made my husband read it- knew he would love it- and he did.
The Thirteenth Tale was excellent. Very well written. Even my hubby liked it.
I love Shannon Hale as an author. If you're looking for some good grown up fairy tales, try Goose Girl, Enna Burning and River Secrets as a good series from her.
I'm actually on book 4 of the Twillight Series, and really enjoying it. I think I'll track down the movie afterward. I try not to read too often either, because I can't put down a good book once I get started, and my husband ends up taking care of the toddler. That being said, I plan to finish book 4 in the next few days before my scheduled C section for my 2nd baby next week!!
The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan - best series I have ever read in my life, hands down. Takes a little work to get into the first chapter or two, but then you are hooked, line and sinker. Then end of every one of them has either made me laugh with joy, bawl like a baby, and become so excited I forbid my boyfriend to talk in the car on long rides. Love to read like breathing, as mentioned before. :)
Have to read. Must read. In the same way I must breathe.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't read a lot of challenging fiction. Mostly it's mysteries, which are little diagnostic puzzles that someone else will figure out and that always have a solution. Just finished "The Iron Girl" by Ellen Hart and I'm also re-reading some of the old Luis Mendoza mysteries by Dell Shannon (reactionary old-fashioned patriarchal stuff, but for some reason I find it restful).
At some point soon I'll start "A Million Little Pieces" by James Frey, which may or may not be fiction but is our next book club book. I joined the book club so I will be forced to occasionally read something other than mysteries.
"Power in the Blood" by Julia Spender-Fleming
ReplyDeleteOn the rare occassions I allow myself the pleasure of a good novel, a few of my favorites:
ReplyDeletePillars of the Earth and World Without End by Ken Follet
I'm a little embarassed to say, I just read the whole Twilight series, and loved it.
Not fiction, but I also liked Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
I try not to let myself get into a good book too often, because I stay up later than usual, don't get any charts done, and don't pay much attention to my family until I finish!
The God of Animals
ReplyDeleteI love the horsey coming of age books.
the twilight series! yes i'm aware that they are teenagers books but they are kind of fun! i'm currently reading the other boleyn girl and hating it.... other than that.... not much
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the Twilight series. Edward Cullen is a hottie. Shame. I know. But it's fantasy even busy, mid-aged women can work with. :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE to read.
ReplyDelete2 recent fun fiction bok:
"Time travelers Wife"
"World War Z"
My first 100 years in heaven will be spent with books.
ReplyDeleteLatest fiction (based on history) - Conn Iggulden, the Emperor series (about Julius Caesar's life and career).
Also, the complete collection of Arthur C. Clarke's short stories is fabulous - great for moms who only have bits and pieces of time for reading.
The desire - always! The time - rarely! Reading Shantaram at the moment and although it has taken me an age I'm nearly there and it was a very good read
ReplyDeleteReading a book which is very interesting (I'm kind of a closet linguistics dork) but not fiction. It is "The Mother Tongue: English and How it Got That Way" by Bill Bryson.
ReplyDeletei read about one book every couple weeks, normally after my son goes to sleep while relaxing in the bath or in bed. especially since my husband is a resident and seems never to be home....
ReplyDeletesome really good ones recently:
a thousand splendid suns
those who save us by jenna blum
water for elephants
the island by victoria hislop
gosh- so many more too!!!! but these were all REALLY wonderful books....
I can only read journal articles for so long before my eyes start to cross, so yes, definitely enjoy reading for fun. If you like sci-fi, the Old Man's War series by John Scalzi is pretty awesome. The first one, the eponymous Old Man's War, is a nicely done Heinlein-esque book. I'm also working my way through The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. It's a nice easy read that would be good to share with your kids.
ReplyDeleteFinding Nouf by Zow Ferraris--a wonderful mystery set in Saudi Arabia with psychologically accessible Islamic characters
ReplyDeleteSix Geese a Slaying by Donna Andrews (my favorite frothy mystery writer)
Ex Libris by Ann Fadiman (short essays; one is enough to satisfy a craving for good writing in half hour sitting)
When my kids reached school age, I joined Sisters in Crime as a fan (I have been reading mysteries since I discovered Enid Blyton at age 8). I get to meet some of my favorite authors, and this year I even have contributed some medical expertise to one of them. The people one meets at a Sisters in Crime lunch are much more interesting than the ones who come for medical dinners!
I love reading mysteries. Mostly authors like John Sanford, James Patterson (although he's been lacking lately), Tami Hoag and the ilk.
ReplyDeleteCurrently reading Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin about Abraham Lincoln. Good book and well written (albeit a bit long).
I have a Kindle Book reader and love it. Saves paper and stacks of books in our back room!
Like Jay, I need to read to survive, and like gcs15, I hope my first 100 years are spent with books. Find many more appealing than I ever have time to read. Latest reads are several by Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse was a good, light, adult follow-up to Twilight. HBO series True Blood is based on her books - have only seen one episode, but have enjoyed the books. Also in the midst of Mercy by Jodi Picoult. Usually have more than one novel going at one time. Thanks for giving me some more "food for thought", y'all, with all of your recommendations! MWAS
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have been racing through all the Tudor dynasty books by Philippa Gregory - The Other Boleyn Girl, The Queen's Fool, The Constant Princess, et al. They are IMPOSSIBLE to put down!
ReplyDeleteAlso read an interesting, seasonal, nonfiction work: The Man Who Invented Christmas, about how Dickens came to write A Christmas Carol.
I had gone a long time without pleasure reading until last year, idling before baby #2. A friend sent me "Time and Again" by Jack Finney and it was so good, it hurt.
ReplyDeleteI made my husband read it- knew he would love it- and he did.
THAT is a good book.
hiroshima by john hersey
ReplyDeletethe wall by john hersey
hiroshima by john hersey
ReplyDeletethe wall by john hersey
hiroshima by john hersey
ReplyDeletethe wall by john hersey
The Sue Grafton series: A-T so far. Relaxing mysteries that are never dark or depressing and have a few laughs and a few murders, just for fun.
ReplyDeleteDid read recently "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by Dave Eggers, which was in fact just as clever as the title suggests.
ReplyDeleteThough not fiction, it's fun... Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days
ReplyDeleteThe Thirteenth Tale was excellent. Very well written. Even my hubby liked it.
ReplyDeleteI love Shannon Hale as an author. If you're looking for some good grown up fairy tales, try Goose Girl, Enna Burning and River Secrets as a good series from her.
My favorites:
ReplyDeleteCrow Lake by Mary Lawson
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
Fabulous books!!
I'm actually on book 4 of the Twillight Series, and really enjoying it. I think I'll track down the movie afterward. I try not to read too often either, because I can't put down a good book once I get started, and my husband ends up taking care of the toddler. That being said, I plan to finish book 4 in the next few days before my scheduled C section for my 2nd baby next week!!
ReplyDeleteThe Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan - best series I have ever read in my life, hands down. Takes a little work to get into the first chapter or two, but then you are hooked, line and sinker. Then end of every one of them has either made me laugh with joy, bawl like a baby, and become so excited I forbid my boyfriend to talk in the car on long rides. Love to read like breathing, as mentioned before. :)
ReplyDelete