I'm beginning to think that life's too short to be re-reading books. Kundera the second time around just isn't doing it for me. Ignorance (the book I was reading in the last post) is a philosophical look at the return of the expat to the homeland - a very thoughtful and imaginative treatment of the subject. And that's where I am now. But it's just not grabbing me like it did the first time I read it (still in France and nowhere near returning to the Motherland! Although I didn't know it yet.). I should move on to something new. Any suggestions?
In other news, the biggest sporting event of the year for some will take place tomorrow. (And no, it has nothing to do with those silly brackets that everyone's talking about on this side of the pond.)
Go Cambridge!
Tell me what you like to read, and I'll suggest!
ReplyDeleteFoxe's Book of Martyrs. Not exactly a light and fluffy read...but excellent in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteMadeline L'Engle- A Wrinkle in Time series, gets better each time I read it. Many Waters was also a good one by her, but it's been a while since I've read it. She has some good essays on art and Christianity too if you are in a more philisophical mood. The thing about her youth novels is they are quick, interesting, simple in some ways, and yet very satifying and worth reflection even after you're done reading
ReplyDeleteThe Chronicles of Narnia whole series. Now that I am an adult I can read the books pretty quickly and it's nice to get the feel for the whole story.
Shakespeare- What can I say? I love a play in Old English some times. Richard III for someone really evil, A Mid Summer Nights Dream for a bit of fluff, Romeo and Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Comedy of Errors, The Tempest, King Lear, What's your favorite?
Agatha Christie or Martha Grimes for mysteries.
Robert Frost for American poetry. I also have some good poetry collections which are a nice change of pace.
Have you read Jan Karon's Father Tim books? They are nice, clean, wholesome, novels that don't require too much thought or emotional strain-just enough to be interesting. I think the first is These High Green Hills.
Recently our Christian radio station had a challege to read the entire Bible in 90 days. The reading schedule is at http://90daybible.haventoday.org/ I got through the Pentateuch and it was very interesting to read it in big chunks. I had a better feel for the lay out of the territory at Abraham travelled through, and then his sons, and then later the tribes going in some of the same places. I love reading novels and found it a great exercise to read the Bible from that perspective.
I hope you pick one of my suggestions (or several)!
@TeacherPerson - I like to read well-written books. I'm not fixed on a particular genre... I like Jane Austen, I like mystery stories, I like historical fiction. I like philosophical books that make me think (eg Kundera) and lighthearted ones that entertain me (eg No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, etc) as well as things in-between (eg Louis de Bernieres). I like to read books that deal with the Christian life (eg CS Lewis, Francis Schaeffer). Books that are poorly written make me cringe (eg Left Behind). (That's maybe not so nice to say, since I know that I am not a gifted writer!! But I do enjoy a well-written book.) I'd be open to suggestions of books that you like!
ReplyDeleteHere's some of my favorite books of all time. I've noticed that some of the other recommendations have a distinctly Christian bent, and so I feel obliged to note that mine don't. You don't seem like the type of person who would get worked up reading about a pagan utopia or some such, but then again it's not like I've talked with you that much in the last 15 years. I just like a gripping story and pretty much don't mind any type of sex, violence, and religion that's thrown in there too. Mr. Spaceman, by Robert Olen Butler - excellent but odd premiseThe Monk Downstairs, by Tim FarringtonThe Time Traveler's WifeKite RunnerPride & Prejudice (check out all the movies from the library too AND Bride & Prejudice, the bollywood version)The Fifth Sacred Thing, by Starhawk (pagan utopia fun)Raising the Stones, by Sherri Tepper - sci-fi (actually, anything by this author. I've read almost everything of hers - she has a real feminist/utopian bent on things that I love. I also highly recommend The Gate to Women's Country and The Fresco. Although I didn't like Beauty by her.)Dawn, by Octavia Butler - more sci-fi and 1st part of a trilogy - read the rest if you like it.Ender's Game, Orson Scott Card - you MUST read this one. I liked all the sequels too, but some don't. I like everything by this author actually.Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand - heavy but fascinating, and a real classicOutlander, Diana Gabaldon - lots of sex and violence but a great story Set This House in Order, by Matt Ruff - fascinating look at schizophreniaLamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore - hilarious story of what might have happened during the 30 years of Christ's life that we don't know as much aboutromance novels by Jennifer Donnelly - I read The Winter Rose and loved it but it's the 2nd in a trilogy and I was sad I hadn't read the 1st one first. I think the first is The Tea RoseThe Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk KiddAirborn, by Kenneth Oppel - kind of a kids book, but a great read!The Hero and the Crown - by Robin McKinley - and everythign else she's written. All young adult stuff, but excellentThe Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson - stick this one out past the first couple of chapters and you'll probably love it! This is Chris's all time favorite author but I only really liked this bookProdigal Summer, by Barbara Kingsolver and everything else she has written! Animal, Vegetable Miracle was fascinating and because of it I started a garden, go to the farmer's market every week, and learned to make cheese and can vegis.The Red Tent, by Anita Diamant - Biblical, but I can't remember how exactly. A retelling of some bible story from the woman's perspective... maybe Sarah?Life of Pi by Yann MartelMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur GoldenAll the Harry Potter books - I love these! Cider House Rules, by John IrvingOk. That's pretty good for now. I have a longer list at home - these are just the ones I could think of off the top of my head. You might consider joining goodreads.com - it helps you keep track of what you and your friends are reading. I don't use it that much but it could be pretty cool.
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