Have you ever been at a coffee shop or in a waiting room and you see someone reading a book and the cover looks interesting and you have to try really hard not to try to figure out what the book is? Because, of course, you don’t want to be nosy.
I’m thinking about this today because I visited a blog I like last night, and I wanted to ask the author (who’s bookish, too) what she’s reading. But it seemed funny to ask out of the blue. Especially in the comment section of a post about a spiced falafel veggie burger recipe.
I do love to hear about a good book, though. So today would you please share what you’re reading, and what you think of it so far? You can see my list over there on the left.
(By the way, Audrey Hepburn loved to read and her favorite books included The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Heidi by Johanna Spyri, and Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.)
I’m reading James Webb’s “Born Fighting” – a fascinating history of the Scots-Irish in America – from their pre-history in Roman Britain to their Protestant Reformation conflict in Northern Ireland to their migration to the American colonies – Revolutionary War – Civil War – World War I – II to today. Truly an informative history of the clan-based Scots-Irish – now Bible-belt American culture. Explains quite a bit about the conflicts that have followed these people, and the abuse given to these people by the hierarchical elite (Roman, Norman, English-Irish Nobility, Yankee-Blueblood) – who all followed a systemic pattern of physical and economic oppression against these people. No wonder these “Border” people don’t trust the Gov’ment.
Ha! You may absolutely ask me what I’m reading. I lament that I don’t get to have this conversation more. I recently finished Me Before You by J. Moyes (and hope to do a review on the blog soon). Though there is a significant issue (assisted suicide) at the center of the plot, the book is utterly character-driven. I found myself really invested in the cast.
I also actually just had a recent reading first. I read my first novel, start to finish, on my phone (The Woman who Died a Lot by J. Fforde). I read it over several months while waiting for the train. I have to say, it was a good experience, though I think this book was well-suited for the situation – a funny, quick-paced addition to a favorite series.
Ok, your turn – what are YOU reading?
Thanks, Marilyn! I’m glad you figured out I was talking about you. 🙂
I’ll be starting Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner any minute for book club, but at the moment I’m reading a lovely book on writing by Pat Schneider. And Lily and I are about to start Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles for Mighty Girls Book Club.
Tim, it’s been interesting hearing your impressions of the book and getting some insight into how the Scots-Irish have influenced American culture. But it also makes me want to learn more about what MY Irish ancestors (who were from southern Ireland) were like and what kind of influence they’ve had.
I am a self-improvement book junkie! Right now I am reading The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family and so far I love it 🙂
For fiction, since seeing Cloud Atlas in theaters, I had to buy the book. It’s better than the movie as you’d only hope! But the changing of plots leaves me feeling like I’m starting a new book every week without closure from the previous tale.
PS. The little girl in me is quite pleased to see Audrey Hepburn loved the Secret Garden too 🙂 I might soon reread that one for the nostalgia of it!
I love a good self-help book, too, Maggie. Three Questions sounds intriguing…I’ll have to check it out. We read the Secret Garden as a family not too long ago, and it was just as good as I remembered. But my best Secret Garden memory is when my BFF and I sobbed our way through the musical version years ago. (Mandy Patinkin played the uncle!)
Just finished Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children while on holidays. Really enjoyed it! Of course, everything seems better when it’s sunny and warm! 😉
I’ve noticed Miss Peregrine at bookstores, but it looked so creepy! Maybe I need to get it for Lexie, who’s into that sort of thing…. I’m too chicken.
Have you seen the hashtag #fridayreads on Twitter? Kind of fun.
I just went to look at #fridayreads. That looks very cool. I think I did it right–I’m still learning about hash tags!
(just found you through design mom!)…i just finished Me Before You by Jojo Moyes and also The Girl You Left Behind..by the same author. Both great reads. I’m also a bit obsessed with Persephone books lately..have you heard of them? 🙂
Hi Pam! Thank you so much for the suggestions. I looked up Me Before You–the reviewer compared the character Will to Mr. Rochester, so I have to read it. 🙂 I don’t think I know the Persephone books. Could you tell us a little more?
http://www.persephonebooks.co.uk/
here is the link to persephone. i’ve just recently started a collection of them during my last trip to london. i’ve just finished Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple and i recommend it highly!
Thank you so much, Pam. Persephone looks intriguing–I didn’t realize they were a publishing company, but I love their mission. And I love the sound of reading something “during my last trip to London.”