Monday, August 8, 2011

Literary Overload

It's not like I have a ton of time to read. But I try to make time, because it is one of my great loves. I have my book group and that keeps me honest, so to speak. I get one book read every month. I've been trying to add others in on the side, but it is slow going depending on how busy everything else keeps me. I keep several books on hold at the library and hope they come up when life isn't too hectic. Well, not so much this time around.

First I read a book called The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. Interesting little book with lots of literary wit, and just a tad too much swearing. It made several references to Martin Chuzzlewit, a book by Charles Dickens. (Supposedly his last and favorite, but it never became very popular.) So, I thought I would pick it up at the library. Yikes, it was a fatty book. Please note exhibit A.


Next, I have been promising my Dad that I would read this book called The Great Gathering by Chad Daybell. Well, it is a skinny guy (exhibit B), so I thought I could read both at once. And actually it is nice to read something modern after reading a few chapters of flowery Dickens. But unfortunately, a book came up on my queue at the library. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. These are all books that have been recommended to me, so I don't know much about them. I was dismayed to see it was another large book. (Exhibit C.) Then shockingly, another book came up. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. Sheesh, but that is not enough, it was another chunky-monkey book as witnessed by exhibit D.

Let's just say that I will not be finishing all these books this month. Some will be returned to the library and put back on hold, and I will hope they come up separately when I have some extra time to read. Wait, extra time...what is that?

Do I dare ask for recommendations of books you have enjoyed recently? Sure, why not? I am always looking for a good book to read.

3 comments:

meganmushrat said...

Someday I am going to have to take lessons from you on how you manage to put writing into your pictures. I hope you are enjoying "The Great Gathering". Dad is reading it to Tim at night, and he seems interested. I have read all five in the series, and really enjoyed them. Just now I am rereading three different books. (I like to reread because I can put them down anytime without feeling frantic wondering what is going to happen next.) They are 1) Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings (book four in the Belgariad series); 2) Wolf's Head, Wolf's Heart by Jane Linkskold (book two in the Wolf series); and 3) Necromancer by Michael Scott (4th in the Nicholas Flamel series). And yes, I can keep them all straight.

¡Vieve! said...

I love Jasper Fforde/The Eyre Affair! Not to add to your books to be read, but you should check out his nursery rhyme series - less swearing but more clever. I hear you on having stacks of books to read - I have a stack almost as tall as myself!

Emma Jo said...

I won't get started because it wouldn't be fair. I will just stick to my one book at a time that takes me either less than 24 hours, or 3 months to finish. I will make it through my ever growing pile...you wait and see!