turning the page
Michelle asked me about the books I am reading right now...
I tend to have several books of non-fiction on a shelf in my family room where I put the books I am reading/will be reading soon. I sometimes read a couple at the same time. Trying to let the ideas, words, images settle in my mind. I read quickly and as a result, I don't always synthesize everything - a habit that is great if you are reading a mystery but not so good if you are trying to learn. I find if I read a few non-fiction books at one time I take in more information. Let the words speak to me. Take a break. Move on to another topic for a few days. Come back.
But before I go to bed I like to read fiction or a magazine so that I don't get my brain too energized (though I have been known to read until the wee hours of the morning with my little book light as my husband and Millie the dog sleep).
Last week my husband surprised me with a new book (as a thank you for handling a plumbing crisis in the midst of a super busy week! - such the sweetheart), so I am currently devouring The Big Over Easy, by Jasper Fforde. I love the worlds he creates in his literary mysteries.
After I finish this one, I will be heading back to:
Thunder and Lightning by Natalie Goldberg
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
Spilling Open by Sabrine Ward Harrison
and a book of poems called Origami Bridges by Diane Ackerman (I like to read one when I first take a bath and then close my eyes and think about it while I relax)
And in honor of the film that comes out next month, I have started to dive back into The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. I re-read this series about every two years. I never read it as a child; a friend introduced me to it when I was in college. I adore this world where you find yourself in the midst of the most glorious adventures as you fight for what is right with the support of a true, honest, loyal lion. I start with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe because Lewis wrote this one first (my understanding at least), even though The Magician's Nephew is the first chronologically. This is the book I will have with me in my bag to read when I am out and about, waiting, at a coffee shop...
After this post by acumamakiki, there are a few more books on my list to check out from the library/look for at the used bookstore.
Love to turn those pages, enter those other worlds.
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (8)
we share love of many of the same books/authors...cs lewis....pema.....natalie....great list.
can't wait until the narnia movie comes out....
ps--have you ever tried lorrie moore?
I haven't read lorrie moore. Today is going to be filled with some travles to used bookstores with my friend who is visiting so I will have to look for her. I love sharing book recommendations! Have you read Ann Pachett at all? I love her memoir Truth and Beauty and her fiction too.
I haven't, but I've heard she's good....will try to check her out!
I love The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!! I read it as a child but I think I appreciated more as an adult! I can't remember if I read that C.S. wrote it for his granddaughter or god-daughter but to whichever one, he noted that she was growing up faster then he could write the story and said to her, "...but some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again..." I loved that he said this because it's true; as children we love all of these tales but we get to a point in life where we think we're beyond or above the "nonsense"...only to end up loving them all over again.
good things! i'm trying to read the cs lewis series (at least the first few) before the movie too. i did go ahead and start with the magician's newphew though. i'll have to check out the poetry book you recommended. i've read her natural history of the senses and loved it but have never read any of her poetry. i've read spiling open and found that style of writing/journaling so fascinating. i'm wanting her other books now. i've read some of pema's work and natalie's work too. i enjoy both of them as well.
yankee belle - I love that story. Thank you for sharing it. It is great to realize fairy tales can be even better as an adult.
la vie en rose - I enjoyed Natural History of the Senses as well. The truth is that many of the books I began to read in college (so about 10 years ago) were ones by authors SARK recommended in Inspiration Sandwich and other books. I would call her Inspiration Line and she would have book recommendations there. I should write a post about this...so more on this soon :)
Thank you for linking me today. (= Now I've got a few more to add to my list as well. I love nothing more than a good used bookstore. I'm going to the city tomorrow and will stop by The Strand ~ the ultimate used bookstore.
Good recommendations, all. I've never read Lewis...will have to check him out...