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Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Books for November
School books. That's what I've read. Fat wordy textbooks. Thousands and thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of words. Notebooks full of notes. The thing is, it doesn't make very good review copy, does it? "Kail's style is not as dry as you'd find in most psychology textbooks, and his insights into the psychological impact of aging are spot-on, but his characterization needs work." Hmm.
I do try to sneak in a few minutes (usually literally) of "free reading" at bedtime. In November, I managed to get all the way through The Blue Castle (and enjoyed it hugely, by the way). Which is, what, a hundred and thirty pages, maybe?
The thing is, COLLEGE IS SWALLOWING ME WHOLE. And I'm only taking six units, may I remind you. Any more than that and I would have no life at ALL. I would have to give up... TWITTER. And FACEBOOK. And then everyone would just assume I had died.
I will have about a month's worth of break between semesters, and I am putting out a reading recommendation request as if I were going on vacation. Everyone tell me: what have you read lately that you think I would like? Something not too light and not too heavy -- something in which I can completely lose myself, please, and preferably something without the phrase "disconfirming speech", or any paragraphs full of facts about the changing nature of sexual drive in middle-aged men*.
So, if there's anyone still out there who hasn't completely given up on the idea of my ever posting anything worth reading ever again and gone away, please do me this kind favor. Thank you very much. Now I'm off to take notes about the nature of communication in committed romantic relationships. Don't you wish YOU were.
*Honestly, Human Development is kind of fascinating, but it's not exactly pleasure reading.
Comments
I am also enjoying Human Development, but will be VERY happy when it is done. I am still consiering taking that other class with her next semester. not sure though.
Posted by: debi at December 3, 2008 02:06 PM
Either A Virtuous Woman or Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons. Short, but very involving.
If you like fantasy even a little bit, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is wonderful. I just finished reading it for the third time. It's very long, though.
Also in the fairy tale realm, Robin McKinley's Rose-Daughter is lovely.
Posted by: Veronica Mitchell at December 3, 2008 06:14 PM
If you have an interest in linguistics (or even if you don't), try "The Unfolding of Language" by Guy Deutscher. It's extremely readable, and I find it fascinating!
More fabulous non-fiction: "What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew" by Daniel Pool.
For a bit of seasonal fiction, how about "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham.
If you like British crime novels, try the Dalziel and Pascoe books by Reginald Hill. I've read the first and the 22nd recently and loved them both. http://is.gd/a9ck
For some good fun well-written relationship stories (I hate the term "chick-lit"), read anything by Anna Maxted or Marian Keyes.
Enjoy your break!
Posted by: Kara at December 3, 2008 06:45 PM
I've actually been reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. Why, yes, I AM 12 years old, why do you ask? I found them strangely addictive yet cheesy.
The Book of Joe was pretty good. Or did you recommend it to me?
The Ship of Brides by JoJo Moyes -- Australian war brides on a ship back to England after WWII. I really enjoyed this one.
Digging to America by Anne Tyler, but I think you already read that.
Mostly I steal book ideas from you. :)
Posted by: mary at December 3, 2008 07:30 PM
Out of Kara's recommendations, I'd second "The Unfolding of Language", but it may be too educational for you right now. On the other hand, "What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew" is wonderful and not text-book-ish at all.
For my recommendations, how abou the Aubrey & Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian? Sort of like the love-child of Fanny Price (of Mansfield Park) and Horatio Hornblower.
And something I just found yesterday, a whole cache of stories by LMM, available for free download here.
Posted by: Paula at December 3, 2008 08:14 PM
Thank you, ladies! This is great -- I'm getting so many good ideas.
Paula and Kara -- I have and adore the What Jane Austen Ate book. I got it for myself a few years ago, devoured it, and return to it now and then for fun or information. :) So you're right; I would like that one! :)
I am seriously making a list and I'm going to the library website as soon as I finish plowing through the last chapter of my Interpersonal Communication textbook. :)
Posted by: Rachel at December 3, 2008 08:39 PM
Oooh, Rachel, you know I love recommending books :)
I agree with all the books Mary suggested (well, haven't read "The Book of Joe", but the others are all excellent).
The Yada Yada Prayer Group by Neta Jackson - I've recently discovered this series myself and adore it. Probably the best books I've read all year.
Old classics like "An Old-Fashioned Girl" by L.M. Alcott or "Daddy-Long-Legs" and "My Dear Enemy" by Jean Webster.
"Avalon High" by Meg Cabot for some light YA. (I almost wrote "Avonlea High" instead! Brainwashed much? ;) )
"People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks - absolutely fantastic.
Posted by: Anonymous at December 3, 2008 11:17 PM
I'm not great at recommending books, but I finally decided to give it a try, anyway. ;o)
I don't know if you've read much/any P.G. Wodehouse, but so far, I've found all the Jeeves stories entertaining. They *are* formulaic, but the cozily familiar characters, clever use of language, and very British humor more than make up for it.
Also-- I've written about To Say Nothing of the Dog (Connie Willis) on my blog so much, I probably needn't mention it here, but I'll do it anyway. (g) I felt like I was escaping back to Victorian England along with the characters, and I was sad to see it end.
And finally, I agree with Mary that the Twilight series is addictive, even if it was meant for teenagers. I'd say they're worth a quick read, at least.
Posted by: Michael at December 9, 2008 08:11 AM
