Last night I was reading The Night Circus for my book group, but midway through I got bored--I like the story, but the writing and characters weren't engaging me--and went to my winter reading pile. Sometimes I just want to spend the rest of my life sitting in a comfortable chair reading, getting up now and then to take a walk and make some tea. Maybe eat a sandwich, then back to chair and books.
Anyway, I have an ongoing infatuation with books about India and by Indian authors, and there are three in the pile--I was trying to decide whether to read A Suitable Boy, A Fine Balance, or The Satanic Verses, but I was kind of sad and none of them felt quite right. My eye fell on The Fault in Our Stars. It was written for young adults and the synopsis sounds depressing, and I don't remember why I bought it--I think I meant to buy The Dog Stars--but I stayed up until 4 a.m. reading it; it's sweet, sad, soulful, angry, funny, and the writing is damn near brilliant. It was just what I needed.
Today I spent time sorting through my books--I am giving away many (let me know if you want a surprise package of books) and selling some of the older ones. I need less stuff in my life. It's true that a 1919 book on the principles of floriculture makes my heart flutter, but I'm never going to actually read it.
"My thoughts are stars that I cannot fathom into constellations."
--- John Green, The Fault in Our Stars
I think I will read The Dog Stars soon. I wonder how many books have stars in the title, and how many of them I should read.
Jen
Sitting at home and reading all day is attractive to me also Jen. When I was in Talihina I grew to like my carefree lazy days perhaps a bit too much. If you'd like to pass on any of your fiction, I'd be thrilled to receive it. I think you've read everything I've read that's any good since whenever I read an especially good book I mention it in a post, and you've read all of those.
ReplyDeleteAre you not carefree and lazy these days?
ReplyDeleteI would love to send you some books!
Hello Jen!
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely to think of your sitting comfortably on your chair reading...
I 've read many many years ago, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It is (as far as I can recall) the only book of an Indian authour I've read so far. The books was brillinatly written and the story so heartbreaking I still feel a pain in my chest when I think about it...
I am actually trying, like you, to have less stuff in my life lately... Lot of furniture and objects I don't need or like really... I should take a look around my books and see what I can give away.
It's a great idea!
enjoy you Sunday : )
The God of Small Things is one of my favorite books. I feel that pain too...
ReplyDeleteOne day I'll write a post about India books!
Stay cozy!
You've probably read Perfume. The Siege of Krishnapur is a quirky novel based upon an actual event.
ReplyDeleteI didn't finish Freedom. I hated everyone in that novel.
I haven't read either book--thank you! I didn't read Freedom either, though my husband and son liked it. I'm one of the people who didn't like The Corrections. Lacking the soul and heart I am searching for. I should go to the library.
ReplyDeleteHello Jen:
ReplyDeleteWe have learned that to spend all day reading is not the sin that our parents would have had us believe. We too can spend hours on end reading, so much so that all the everyday necessities are completely overlooked. This we regard as a great luxury in life but, these days, we do it more and more frequently!!!
E M Forster's 'A Passage to India' will always remain one of our absolute favourites. That is a book with heart and soul, we believe!
A Passage to India is one of my favorite books too! Heart, soul, history, adventure, setting, character, exquisite writing: it has it all.
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to have parents who encouraged constant reading, and I think that may be the best thing I've done for my own children.
after a week of adventure I feel like moving back into a book again, too. I feel like fantasy right now. not sure why. more escapism, I guess. since I'm in Germany I'll recommend a German book. have you read 'Summer House, later' by Judith Herman? it's a collection of short stories, not sure if you like that. but it's brilliantly written. by a young writer (she is now in her late 30s and wrote them in her early 20s)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation. For fantasy I love Winters Tale by Mark Helprin. Did you the George R.R. Martin Ice and Fire Series? (Game of Thrones) Not fantasy--but definitely escapism.
DeleteThe Principles of Floriculture is probably interesting and might be surprisingly entertaining. Liberty Hyde Bailey was one of the great writers and editors on horticulture in the early 20th century, and I have a number of his books.
ReplyDelete--Road to Parnassus
I have dipped into it--it's wonderful. I just have so many books...
DeleteI want to know more about your books.
Hi again, I have thousands of books spread between Taiwan and Cleveland. When I once had a shipment of books sent here, I wrote a small post about them, which might give you some idea:
Deletehttp://roadtoparnassus.blogspot.tw/2011/08/book-lovers-open-sesame.html
You have a surprising concentration, Jen. I would like to read and read but my brain sometimes conducts me to do another thing. But I used to read until late ( almost till morning ) I was young once in a while...I've heard Ayn Rand is very famous writer in the US, and I read the two thick books about a couple years ago.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know if you have any favorite Japanese novelists, though they have to be translated in to English. :( Once you recommended a collection of Ishiguro's stories, which I enjoyed, and Murakami is one of my favorite writers. But I am always looking for new names.
DeleteI love your idea of the chair and the books with occasional walks and tea. It sounds perfect.I am sorting my books also. There are so many that I must make room for new (or old!). There are favorites that I read over and over again that I could never get rid of. They are like friends, but I need room for new friends too. I hope all is well and that you are having a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI have a tons of book that I don't know where I'll put. You've opened my mind to new possibilities and ideas. Yours are superb and brilliant.
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That's on my top 'want to read' list! glad to hear you enjoyed it. I read a sample on Kindle and it definitely drew me in. I love it when you post about books, and i also love the picture you painted of a life spent reading in a chair, eating sandwiches, and going for walks!
ReplyDelete