BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS!!





Like most of you, I have a stack of books yet to read. These seem to fall into several categories: 1) Currently reading; 2) Next on list to read; 3) May read someday; 4) May never read, but can't get rid of them because there is a slim chance that there will be nothing else to read and the library and all bookstores will be closed.

My Fall Reading Challenge will not be completed this month; however I did read several of the books and planned to reorganize and change my list. Now the holidays are almost here and reading is falling to the wayside somewhat. I did read the two novelettes by Henry James: "Daisy Miller" and "Washington Square." They were published in 1879-1880 and the writing style is, of course, of that period. I enjoyed these classics very much, especially "Washington Square" since I liked the 1948 movie "The Heiress" starring Olivia DeHavilland which is based on this book (there is also the 1998 movie "Washington Square", but I have not seen that one.

I read "A Is For Alibi" by Sue Grafton and plan to read the rest of the series.

I have finished "Three Weeks With My Brother" by Nicholas and Micah Sparks. This was excellent and is the true story of the author ("The Notebook" and others) Nicholas Sparks and the round-the-world trip he took with his brother, reminiscing and bonding all the way. I enjoyed it -- it was part travelogue and part autobiography, with a story of faith and optimism included.

I have now started "Papillon" by Henri Charriere and Jan Karon's latest Father Tim novel, "Home to Holly Springs." Thank you to my dear friend Lynne for this wonderful autographed copy for my birthday. I am also reading "And Ladies Of The Club" which is a gigantic book and I am only reading a little here and there. Lynne recommends this book, but it will take me a year to finish it.

For my birthday my daughter gave me a gift certificate to an Andover book store that I love (the store has easy chairs and a fire burning in the fireplace - very cozy). I chose "The Poets' Corner, The One-And-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family" compiled by John Lithgow. It includes a CD with some well known people reading poems. I am also enjoying reading this. I usually have a few books of poems next to my chair that I pick up when I need a break from prose.

So that's it. Oh - there is one I just bought, but have not yet started which is "The Last Days of Dogtown" by Anita Diamant (she wrote "The Red Tent").

Christmas is around the corner and I have a little shopping to do yet. I started decorating and this year I may bake some cookies. I say that every year, but this year I REALLY think I will.

Sleep tight, dear bloggers and pleasant dreams. (I am writing this at 11:00 and I am now off to the Land of Nod).