It's the peak of summer - the garden is growing with the occasional help of a heavy dousing, things are slow at work, and it's just too dang hot out these days to do much of anything. So get out that cool beverage and sit next to the AC unit with your book of choice...
For me, I feel like I've struck gold. A week or two ago my brother handed me about ten pounds of reading, in the form of a trilogy of books. It's Neal Stephenson's "The Baroque Cycle" and I'm already addicted. It features - among other things - Benjamin Franklin as a plucky 8-year-old, alchemists and philosophers, lots and LOTS of European history, and a fascinating tale of knowledge and ideas. I'm only on page 36 of Quicksilver (book 1), which means I can look forward to about 3000 more idea and humor laden pages before I finish the series.
August, you and your heat will be gone in the blink of an eye, while my mind is trained on other, far more entertaining things....
As for you my gather friends, feel free to share your own literary treasures below. And happy reading!
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Comments: 18
Then I have to get serious and read (finally) "3 Cups of Tea" for our August bookclub meeting.
Did I tell you I'm trying to read "Out Stealing Horses" in Norwegian ("Ut og Stjæle Hesten")? I think I've managed the first two pages several times. (smile)
Reading IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK one chapter at a time, then meditating, then yoga stretching, continues to provide a kind of platform for a good day.
weak reader - I like your ritual - sounds like something I could benefit from. Now if only I could get up earlier so I'm not rushing to work!
beth h - did you name your daughter after the Cave Bear character? And how old is she? I often wonder when's the best time to expose your child to sex scenes in literature...
Julie S - I loved the Bourne movies, but I've never read the books - how do they compare?
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel by David Wroblewski
and I absolutely LOVE it!
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/06/16/wroblewski/
Enjoy!
Doctors Without Borders Ten Most Underreported Humanitarian Stories of 2007
You don't have to just take my word for it, either. The Washington Post says it “is a story for people who like their literary entertainment well done…Following close behind David Wroblewski’s The Story of Edgar Sawtelle and Brunonia Barry’s The Lace Reader, The Gargoyle is another in this summer’s extraordinary series of million-dollar debuts from unknown writers that combine elements of mystery and mysticism.”
Diane - What is it with mystery and mysticism? I admit, I'm an easy target for these types of books, and I'm going to have to pick up The Gargoyle as soon as I finish Stephensons (3000 page) trilogy.... I imagine these sorts of books must be quite difficult to write, because the mood you create is so important to making the novel convincing...
Anyway, I will be sure to post when I'm done with the Bhutto. :)