You all know that I am an avid reader. And that I support independent bookstores and three-dimensional books that you can hold in your hand. I do my best to buy real books when I can and when I can’t, I support my local library and check out lots of books.
On any given day here at the cottage, you’ll see stacks of reading material in most every room. Right now, there are two books from the library sitting on the kitchen table. There’s a stack of books on the coffee table in the den. Don’s current reading material is on the coffee table in the living room. And there is the ever-present stack of books on my bedside table.
Books are wondrous things.
I just finished (this morning) Daniel Silva’s latest in the Gabriel Allon series, The Fallen Angel. Man, he’s a good writer! I’m also reading Marianne Williamson’s latest, The Law of Divine Compensation. I’ve been able to hear Marianne lecture more than a few times and I’ve met her. I admire her tremendously. Next up? Two books that I will be reviewing: No Mark Upon Her by Deborah Crombie and Madeleine Albright’s (another woman I greatly admire) memoir, Prague Winter. And there’s always something else waiting in the wings.
Don’s reading Neil Young’s autobiography, Waging Heavy Peace. He loves it.
What books are you reading? (And I’m not counting magazines. I’m talking books.) Tell us about them. Are they good? Do you recommend them? I love hearing about new-to-me authors. Walking into a home filled with books is such a joy because I can learn so much about people by the books they read and keep. Perhaps we can fill this little spot in the blogging world with virtual bookshelves full of great books and recommendations. And I can learn more about you.
Blogkeeping:
• I will pick the winner of the Five Years of Blogging giveaway tonight. It’s not too late to enter. But you have to leave a comment on the actual post. Deadline 9:00 pm EST.
• I had some problems with my feed last week. The blog had stopped updating in blog rolls. Those who subscribe via email weren’t getting new posts. I wasn’t getting updates in Google Reader. So I did some research and fixed a few things. One reader tells me she is getting duplicate updates in Google Reader. Another tells me that she is getting duplicate emails. I subscribe to my blog via three different email addresses just so I can monitor this kind of thing and I haven’t had any trouble with duplicate posts. But if you subscribed to my blog when it was on Blogger and then re-subscribed when I moved to WordPress, that might account for the duplicates. Just a thought. Anyway, I’m not sure what the answer is and Feedburner often has glitches. Frankly, I’d rather you get the post twice than not at all, so unless this is a big problem, I am going to leave it alone. Trying to get any help from Feedburner is virtually impossible, believe me. You’re welcome to drop me an email if you’ve been having problems with your email subscription.
• See you tonight at 8:00 pm EST for A Favorite Thing.
Happy Friday.
Right now I’m reading ‘Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense’ by N.T. Wright and a mystery, ‘The Tiger in the Smoke’ by Margery Allingham and my BBC History Magazine! :-) Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Claudia!
I’ve always wanted to read some Margery Allingham. Thanks for reminding me about her!
Your book photo is so pretty. I love old books and we have a great independent bookstore here in Fairhope where you can often find me!
Love that!
I don’t read as much as I used to– shame on me, but like biographies best! Neil Young’s sounds intrguing. I see a “Jeeves” book in your photo. Is that yours? I’m a big fan of the (old) TV series. Are the books similar??
Yes, we have several Jeeves books. The series is based on the books, which are simply brilliant. Truly, truly laugh-out-loud funny. Don is a huge fan. He did a one man show called “Jeeves Takes Charge”, so he knows an awful lot about the Jeeves and the author, P. G. Wodehouse.
Hi Claudia,
I have a section on my Blog called “What I’m Reading Now” because like you, I LOVE to read. I am reading Olive Kitteridge at the moment. Not my favorite book as I find it a little too depressing. Before that though, I read “The End of Your Life Book Club” by Will Schwalbe. It is written by a son about his very prominent mother and their relationship through books. It added at least a half of dozen books to my “must read” list and I enjoyed their thoughts on many of the books I read as well.
Bests,
Kim
I haven’t read Olive Kitteridge, though I’ve seen it in the bookstore. I’m intrigued by “The End of Your Live Book Club” – I have to check that out.
I like your book picture too because I love the look of old books. I just finished “101 Devil Caches” for a review. I’m currently reading Stephen Kings “1963” and Victor Hugo’s “Les Miserables.”
Oh good for you! I’ve never tackled Les Miserables!
Books, our best friends. I’m reading: Savvy Saving, One Thousand Gifts, Young House Love, Sweet Treats, Farmers Almanac and best of all, the Bible (New International Version).
What a great and varied list, Mary!
Hi Claudia,
I just finished a wonderful series by Angela Hunt. It is the Fairlawn series and it was excellent. Now I have moved on to a book by Barbara Techel . The Title is Through Frankies Eyes. Barbara has a wonderful blog about her dog on wheels.
Suzan
I know Barbara. She’s a reader of this blog and a wonderful person.
My book club just read The Language of Flowers and found it really interesting to discuss. Great writing with the use of foreshadowing as the story moves from present to past.
Who wrote it, Vicki?
Vanessa Diffenbaugh – sorry I forgot that important little detail :-)
Sorry to say..I’m reading nothing…Love the picture of the old books..I just decorated with Faux old books..Love the look..
Ah, you should buy some real vintage books, Missy! Nothing better.
I love books, and am rather happy to have heard that since we moved here the library has had the highest increase in circulation ever…that’s great news for a small country library.
I’m going to be checking some of the books you, and your readers have mentioned, to me a good recommendation is always the best.
Oh, and I have not had any problems with the feed from your blog…hope that they get it worked out.
Jen
Such good news for your library! And thank you for telling me that the feed is working well for you, Jen.
You sound like a kindred spirit. I have books stacked everywhere. I just finished East into Dawn Amelia Earhart by Susan Butler. Great read! It had been in my stack for awhile… Finally read it and now wondered why I waited so long! It’s great! Best book ever on Amelia Earhart.
Oooh! I’m going to write down that title as I am endlessly fascinated by Amelia Earhart. Thank you!
Claudia, get ready to be envious. I live in the same city and work just around the corner from the Fabulous Book store of Ken Sanders,of Antique Road show fame? LOVE love that store! On a more blog related question. what does it mean,when it says tag,and award free blog? Also what does stop word verification mean?Just wondering, Thank-You in advance if you have time to answer! Either way I am ever faithful to your blog. -Judy A-
Hello Judy. First, yes, I am jealous of that bookstore being so close to you! Tag and Award Free Blog refers to a practice of giving awards that used to be a big thing in blogland. Someone would start an award, say, “The Beautiful Blogger award” and write a post about it and then tag 3 or 4 or 10 other bloggers and give them the award. Those bloggers would have to, in turn, tag other bloggers and pass the award along. It was nice to be singled out but after a while it sometimes became tedious. After several of these, I ended up acknowledging the award but didn’t pass them on. It was much more prevalent 3 or 4 years ago and I hardly ever see it happening anymore. Those bloggers who have Tag and Award free on their blog are politely heading off any more awards!
Word Verification is something that Blogger and Typepad use (and maybe other sites, as well) to verify that a commenter isn’t a spammer. Many bloggers opt in to this, though lots of us, (including me) have written about it and have said it is cumbersome and annoying. So, let’s say I leave a comment on someone’s blog. If someone has Word Verification or CAPTCHA, not only do I type out my comment but then I have to identify some symbols and numbers correctly before the comment is published. These are extremely hard to read, I have had experiences where I have tried 5 different times to identify the symbols and failed. The thing is, a blogger can use Comment Moderation instead and head off any spam. Or they can use Comment Moderation for any post older than, say 3 days. Spam usually goes on older posts. I understand why bloggers are concerned about SPAM. It’s a real problem. But there are other, less frustrating, ways to handle it. Hope this helps!
THANK-YOU Claudia,that is perfectly clear now. -Judy A-
Good morning, Claudia! Living room stack includes The Complete Works of Jane Austen, The World of Downton Abbey companion book, and a Christmas gift from my husband, The Top 500 Poems, edited by William Harmon. In my family room, Stitched Gifts by Jessica Marquez (just arrived yesterday!), Vince Flynn’s latest, The Last Man, and a Dick Francis ‘comfort read’ Decider. Kitchen: (to grab and read while something simmers on the stove) Kate Remembered, a biography of Katherine Hepburn by A. Scott Berg. Bedside table: Sand Mansions by Norman Gilliland; House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz; The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins; A Sunless Sea by Anne Perry and several others that I can’t remember right now. At work (for lunch time breaks) An Echo in the Bone (Outlander Series) by Diana Gabaldon. On my reading table in my library: A Dirty Job, by Christopher Moore; Forever Liesl by Charmaine Carr; and The Limehouse Text by Will Thomas. I spotted your Girl of the Limberlost in the photo…I’ll probably have to re-read it this weekend now that it’s come to mind–it is one of my favorites!
So many favorites mentioned in your comment: Jane Austen, The Woman in White (love), Anne Perry, Christopher Moore. But many I’ve not heard of and that’s great! More to explore!
I’m an avid reader as well. There’s always a stack of books by my bed and in the living room. Just now I’m reading Olive Kitteridge, and Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit. I took the latter out of the library yesterday. I recently finished “Mr. Churchill’s Secretary” by Susan Elia MacNeal, “The Postmistress” by Sarah Blake, and “The School of Essential Ingredients” by Erica Bauermeister. Those three I read on vacation. Last week, while ill, I read the Kristin Lavansdatter trilogy by Sigrud Undset – books that were published in 1927 and have not been out of print since. They tell the story of a Norwegian woman in the High Middle Ages. I’m a fan of medieval history so I really enjoyed those.
On another note, the lovely felted earrings arrived a couple of days ago. I love the combination of sparkle and felt. So pretty, and the colour is just what I had envisioned. Thank you so much!
Agreat list, Lorrie. I just read Mr. Churchill’s Secretary, too. I’ve always known of the Kristin Lavansdatter trilogy but have never read them. I’ll have to correct that!
So glad you like your earrings!
I love books and reading! I am a one book at a time person and I just finished last night Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin. It was very interesting. I have just finished reading the Michael Connelly series of Harry Bosch books and loved them. My current book (started last night) is Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt. I keep track of the books I read on the Goodreads site!
hugs, Linda
Aren’t the Harry Bosch books wonderful? Michael Connelly just may be my favorite mystery writer. He’s such a fine writer. I signed up for Goodreads but haven’t done anything with it yet! Too many things to keep track of on my computer, I guess.
That’s such an enticing picture, Claudia, but then you know that I adore books! Not only in my home (where there are literally hundreds) but as the wallpaper on my blog, and the little virtual book shelves I have there, too. (Shelfari.com) Right now I’m finishing up several books: a biography of Marie Antoinette (Antonia Fraser), three separate ‘picture’ books about Jane Austen (her books, her life, the times she lived in, and the films that have been made of her work) which I received at Christmas, and a P.G. Wodehouse book (“The Adventures of Sally”). I recently finished “Free Range Knitter (Stephanie Pearl-McPhee), “Hello, Goodbye, Hello” (Craig Brown); “Oxford Blood” (Antonia Fraser); “Would It Kill You To Stop Doing That?” (Henry Alford); and “My Life in France” (Julia Child). I hope you have a lovely weekend reading and staying warm, and that you don’t get much snow. (Fingers are cross’t here in New England….)
What a wonderfully mixed bag of books to read! I love that. Stay warm this weekend. Please….just a little snow! Not a big bunch of snow!
I love having several books going at once… usually something a little intense (like the Marie Antoinette bio), something I can leaf through and enjoy and pick up and put down easily (like the three Jane Austen coffee-table books) and then something humorous (like the Wodehouse). If you enjoy knitting and have not read anything by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee I highly recommend her. (I follow her blog THE YARN HARLOT… the link is on my page.) She’s very funny and anyone who creates with Yarn would appreciate her blog/books. “Friends don’t let friends knit drunk” is perhaps one of my favorite quotes!
I’ve read several of them and love her sense of humor! My sister, especially, is a big fan of hers.
Hi Claudia!! I always have a stack of books waiting to be read – I get such pleasure from reading a good book! My favorites are mysteries. I just finished “Cabinet of Curiosities” by Preston and Child. This was a terrific mystery/thriller that kept me guessing right to the end. It is also one of NPR’s 100 Best Thrillers ever. I am just finishing up “The Crossing Places” by Elly Griffiths. It takes place in England and is about a female forensic archeologist. it’s this authors first book and very suspenseful. Have a good rest of the day!! Francine
You know, I’m glad you brought that up. I haven’t read any of Preston and Child yet, and I need to fix that! I will also look into Elly Griffiths. I love mysteries – my favorite books to read.
I usually read two books at the same time in case one gets slow. I always finish a book no matter how terrible it is as feel I owe it to the author to see it through to the end. I am currently reading Kiss of the Bees by JA Jance and A Traitor to Memory by Elizabeth George. I like mysteries mainly, really love British mysteries for some reason. I never got your blog posts until this week in my reader so I added you to the sidebar of my blog so I would never miss a post (that plus you are one of my favorite bloggers so there you shall stay). Cheers!
Glad you’re receiving them now in your reader. That may be due to my tweaking and that means it worked! Love Elizabeth George’s books. Every last one of them.
Currently reading Sow Not In Anger by Jack Hoffenberg. It was written in 1961. I love, love, love to read. This is a novel about many generations of a southern family dynasty. I’m surprising myself by how slow I’m reading this because….I’m not going to want it to end! Also have been enjoying some classis English novels reissued by Persephone Books in London (available through Amazon). Greenbanks by Dorothy Whipple was excellent.
Waiting on more snow. Today is actually the first day I’ve allowed myself to think of spring. I find that if I start to “think spring” to soon, it takes longer than ever to get here. But with the days getting longer and the sun higher in the sky, any snow will melt sooner than in Dec.-Jan. And that’s a good thing.
Oh, thank you of reminding me about Persephone Books! Glad to know they are available in the States.
So glad that your honey is finally home! homecomings are wonderful. I just finished The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew. This was her first book and I found the voice of the young girl Jubie to be so true ~ the relationship between the young girl and her black maid in the 1950’s … this kind of book, about the south in that time period, I find so compelling and yet hard to read for the awful injustice during that time. Good book. I too read The Language of Flowers ~ it was the kind of book where I didn’t really have a lot of feeling for the main character, but the story was very compelling and the characters stayed with me for a while after I put it down. Whistling in the Dark ~ by Lesley Kagen, and Tell The Wolves I’m Home by Carol Rifka Bunt ~ very good reads. Tell the Wolves I’m Home could be one of my favorites. I’m terrible at describing books, but it was about a young girl who didn’t quite fit in with her friends, and yet found great friendship and love for her uncle, who dies from Aids. It was Really a tear-jerker….I guess because it brought back memories of the 80’s when I lost friends to that terrible disease that we knew so little about. I had to switch from the real emotional books for a bit so now I’ve started Defending Jacob…a murder mystery this time;-)
Tell the Wolves I’m Home is by Carol Rifka BRunt, not Bunt.
Thank you for all the recommendatiions. Like you, I lost several beloved friends to AIDS and I doubt I could get through that book without sobbing. Such a terrible time of senseless loss.
I always have a stack of books around. I move from stories to books about crafting (quiliting, needlework) to interior design or any other book that has caught my eye. I have been given a Nook and have a Kindle on my phone but I just can’t do it. There is something about book that just cant be replaced.
Currently I have a couple I am bouncing between. Without Reservations: The Travels of an Independent Woman by Alice Steinbach, A Plain Life:walking my belief by Scott Savage, Celbrate by Pippa Middleton, and just started for my no brain read Lovers leap by Emily March ( her name reminded me of Little Wome when i found it on the shelf and actually like the series. )
Great recommendations, Dottie! Thank you. I know what you mean about no brain reads. Sometimes I just need a simple read.
The book I’m currently reading is ‘Cutting For Stone’ by Abraham Vergese. Beautifully written – and, after a slow start, I find myself reading way past my bedtime each night.
Enjoy your blog (which I found by way of Brenda/Cozy Little House). When I see all the things you love, displayed (and used) in your little cottage – It makes me realize that decorating a home should warm your heart. And, that can be accomplished ‘shoe-string budget’. Thank you for sharing your life with your readers.
Thank you so much for the compliments, Regina Anne. I will write down this book title and add it to my list.
I´m all in for crimies at the moment – lots af swedish autors. Jo Nesbo ofcourse and then there the Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen. I think he´s translated – go read him if you haven´t. His books are going to be filmed too. the first on is The girl in the cage.
ps: love your book photo. My first thought was – make them into journals – lol
I’ll check him out, Tina.
I’m going to say no to the journal idea! (You are too funny) Those books are too beloved to make into journals.
ha ha – I knew you would say so ;-)
I’m an avid reader too and have overflowing bookshelves and books piled in every room. Just started The End of Your Life Book Club. I’ve heard wonderful things about this book, but a few chapters into it, and I honestly don’t see what the fuss is about. Maybe I have to go a little further. I am traveling this weekend and do not have an e-Reader (nor do I want one right now), and will be bringing and starting The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb, since it’s a lighter weight paperback.
Somebody mentioned it in an earlier comment and loves it. I’ve never heard of it until now but I’ll have to check it out.
Claudia, I am traveling backwards. I ran out of new books to read. I am in the middle of “The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton and I am actually enjoying it!
Good book choice, Casey. Traveling backwards is sometimes a very good thing.
Beautiful photo of the books Claudia. I’m up and slowly moving around but am feeling like I’m going to live. Do you still have snow? We had about 3″ but it was gone in 24 hours. I can handle that kind of snow! Pet Scout for me.
Judy
Yes, we have some snow still on the ground and a ‘wintry mix’ due this weekend. Maybe an inch and a half or so. I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling a bit better, my friend.
i get you by e-mail and have had no trouble at all
Thanks for letting me know, Barbara!
I just finished “I’m Not Your Friend, I’m Your Parent” by E.D. Hill & “Nights in Rodanthe” by Nicholas Sparks. My current read is “Expats” (hmmm, wonder where I got that recommendation) and next up is “Spontaneous Happiness” by Dr. Andrew Weil. From looking at my own list, I’m mixing it up!
Over the past 10 years or so, I haven’t been much of a reader – but I have recommitted myself to being a better one. I had taken on the habits of my husband …watching TV (mainly newsy shows) in bed which would usually just get me riled up. I’m now reading – and am really enjoying it! Thanks for being a positive influence.
Are you enjoying the Expats, Deb?
Same with me – I don’t watch the news because it upsets me. No more.
I’m still in the early chapters of Expats – but I’m liking it and I’m hooked. Can’t wait to read it tonight!
I like historical fiction, and fact, Southern writers and lots of things that just catch my eye. Right now I’m reading “Killing Lincoln” by Bill O’Reilly and it is really enlightning. Just finished “Killing Kennedy” and discovered so many things about the case that I did not know. Some of the Southern writers I like are Wiley Cash, Ron Rash and John Ehle. I also go for things like ” A Midwifes Tale” by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. An actual diary by a miwife in the 1700’s. Actually, I just love bookstores and the library and always go in with such great anticipation for what I might find!!!
Nothing better than going to the bookstore or library and seeing what might be on the shelves!
I’m reading “Temple of a Thousand Faces” by John Shors, one of my favorite authors. (I wrote about it today on my blog). I just finished “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey and it is delightful. Also reading Max Lucado’s “Six Hours One Friday,” a little something spiritual for the Lenten season.
I love hearing about new-to-me books and have gleaned some new ideas from the comments today!
Me too, Karen!
Claudia,
I love Marianne Williamson. I used to go to her services at Rennaissance Unity. I’ve attended workshops and personally engaged with her many times. Her new book sounds like a good read. I’ve read many books over the years but now I’m ready to re-read some classics. Since I retired early (due to health issues) now I have more time to read. I have two wonderful local libraries near my home. I love books but have spent many years reading self-help and spiritual books and books about the inner journey or gardening books. I’m sure I’ll find some good suggestions from reading your blog. The commenter above me sounds like she’s reading some good ones.
She went to Renaissance Unity after I’d left Michigan, unfortunately. Lucky you! Enjoy the time you have to read now.
Hi Claudia, Several years ago I started reading the books left behind by now-grown children. The majority of these books were classics assigned for their summer reading lists and I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned and taken pleasure from doing this. Like another reader listed earlier, I loved Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. I’m now reading “The Berlin Diary” by William Shirer. Jen
What a neat idea to read those classics, Jen!
I love reading too. Funny thing is, when my mom was the age I am now I can remember saying to her “How can you read so much? I can’t stand reading”.. Now in the last three years I am a ferocious reader.. So is it a getting older thing? An in the genes thing? LOL.. Im not sure but somehow I think when we get older some of us become our mothers which in my case I am proud to say is a good thing :)… Currently I am reading a book called Phillip. It’s about King Phillip of England and the Reformation. I love history..It’s a HUGE book.. 700 pages but the place I ordered it from had it on sale for three dollars! I couldn’t pass it up.
Robyn :)
P.S. I wonder if you could help me? If you have time, could you pop on over to my blog and give an opinion on my post about blog etiquette? I had a question and I’d love some answers from seasoned bloggers. Thanks so much :)
Robyn.
I think it’s in the genes, Robyn. I’ve always loved to read! But maybe some people come to reading when they’re ready to slow down and take the time for a book?
I’ll stop by your blog, Robyn.
Lots of garden mags right now!!
Can’t wait to start gardening again, Elaine!
Claudia,
Thanks for this post. I love hearing what others are reading. For those on Twitter, there is a meme called #fridayreads. Everyone posts what they are reading using that hashtag, which you can then follow for interesting books to add to your to be read pile. Your post reminds me of #fridayreads! Anyway, I just finished two books from authors I had not read before, and loved them both. The Good House by Ann Leary and The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D. by Nichole Bernier. The kind of books with rich character development that makes you miss them when the story is over. Have a great weekend, and happy reading! ~Penny
During the last few months during which my husband was going through some big medical issues, I was eating up simple, mindless reads. I’m happy to be back on track again. Just finished Jackie As Editor by Greg Lawrence…a great biography about Jackie Kennedy Onassis during her finals years in publishing. Currently reading Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, who also wrote The Last Letter from Your Lover, another wonderful novel. In my stack on the nightstand, ready to be dived into (!!), The Good House by Ann Leary, The Pretty One by Lucinda Rosenfeld, The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick and LoveHampton by Sherri Rifkin. I have a very random selection and find a lot of my books by reading reviews. I also trade books back and forth with my two sister in laws so I ‘m never wanting for a good read. I really liked seeing the comments and what the ladies are into. Great post!
XO,
Jane
Hi Claudia! I am presently reading Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo. The book is HUGE, so Heaven knows how long it will take me to read… But I DID just see the movie, which was AMAZING!!!!!… And I will be seeing the live play in May, for which I CAN’T WAIT!!!! (Do I sound excited?)… Have a great weekend! ~tina
Claudia,
I agree with you about “real” books. I like the feel of turning the page and having the book in my hands. I go to the library constantly! I read mostly female authors: Anne Perry, Martha Grimes, Sara Rosett, Sarah Graves, Kristin Hannah, Luanne Rice, Stephanie Pintoff, Ann Granger and on and on! It’s fun to use imagination as to what the characters look like, etc.
Carol
Bravo, Claudia! My favorite posts to read are about books! Do you know the Anna Quindlen quote: “I would be most content if my children grow up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves.” I love that.
My new reading material these last few weeks came from quick gleanings from Goodwill in their books section where I try to filter out sensory overload and look for spines that look old for that is where I most often find books I’m going to love reading. The three I struck gold with a week ago are: Barbara Pym’s Quartet in Autumn, Frank Norris’ Blix (a small 1925 volume), and a paperback I almost passed up as I first thought it was a “romance” novel, called High Hearts. I pulled it out because it was by Rita Mae Brown and I enjoy her Virginia fox hunting mysteries. It turned out to be a 1986 novel of the Civil War in Virginia that she had researched for 10 years or so…and it was about women who pretended to be men to be able to enlist as soldiers. Did you know that there were a great many women on both sides in the Civil War who actually did fight?
So glad your fellow book lover is home again!
Dewena