Books and stuff
Since my mom died I've slowed down considerably with my reading. I want to read, I think it'll take my mind off things that are bothering me - but I'm finding it hard to concentrate, which makes me even crazier and actually more depressed. And I am depressed right now, I know it, I can feel it, and there are a few reasons for it that are perfectly legitimate. But at the same time I feel like I don't have any right to be depressed because I certainly have it better than many do in a lot of ways.
Anyway, since the last time I posted, these are the books I have finished lately.
14. The Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova. The first book I read by this author was, natch, The Historian, which was okay. I didn't love it or hate it, I liked it; but TBH, I genuinely enjoyed The Swan Thieves more. Nothing supernatural about it, just a story set around the Impressionist school of painters in France, and specifically one mostly unsung fictional female Impressionist. The story jumps back and forth between the present and the past, there are no huge twists, though a couple of red herrings in the writing that didn't go where I thought they would, or anywhere. But mostly I enjoyed the subject matter, the discussion of art and artists, and the characters were engaging.
15. I immediately followed up The Swan Thieves with David McCullough's historical account, The Greater Journey, about the famous American expats in Paris (artists, writers, politicians, scientists, doctors) from mid-1800's - early 1900. McCullough writes not only a fascinating depiction of the Americans who called Paris and Europe home for a time, but also serves up a history lesson of Paris itself through 1900.
16. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, by Jack Finney. The original 50's novel upon which the subsequent movies were based. It's dated, of course, but at the same time feels very original. A quick and easy read, but not so quick for me as I kept the book in my purse or the car for those times when I was stuck somewhere and needed to have a book with me while I waited for whatever I was waiting for. So it took longer to finish than it should have because I was reading The Greater Journey at the same time which was the book I kept on my bedside table, so it got most of my attention.
The Spousal Unit and I were out this afternoon and stopped by the last remaining Borders bookstore in town which is now in the process of going out of business since Borders announced last week that they are closing permanently. And another one bites the dust. :( Apparently the first round of store closures wasn't enough to stave off complete bankruptcy. The place was a madhouse - so where were all these people before it went belly-up?
I thought they were starting off with bigger discounts, but all the books were only 10% off except for the bargain bin stock. Since there was nothing we desperately needed, and I'm still working through the pile I acquired via the first bankruptcy sale, we didn't get anything (I'll probably go back next week) - though we did run into gatorpez in the store. ;)
Before that we went by the bike shop on Orange Ave and put a down-payment on a classic Schwinn TSU wants that has to be ordered. He's decided we're going to take a more serious interest in biking, and I'm all for that. :)
When we got home we saw the news that Amy Winehouse was found dead at 27. Shocking, but then not really given her problems with addiction. Still, sad - I really liked her music.
Appalled by the homegrown terrorist attacks in Norway. All those kids. *shaking head*
In other news, I have a terrible headache I can't get rid of, so I'm probably offline the rest of the evening.
Anyway, since the last time I posted, these are the books I have finished lately.
14. The Swan Thieves, by Elizabeth Kostova. The first book I read by this author was, natch, The Historian, which was okay. I didn't love it or hate it, I liked it; but TBH, I genuinely enjoyed The Swan Thieves more. Nothing supernatural about it, just a story set around the Impressionist school of painters in France, and specifically one mostly unsung fictional female Impressionist. The story jumps back and forth between the present and the past, there are no huge twists, though a couple of red herrings in the writing that didn't go where I thought they would, or anywhere. But mostly I enjoyed the subject matter, the discussion of art and artists, and the characters were engaging.
15. I immediately followed up The Swan Thieves with David McCullough's historical account, The Greater Journey, about the famous American expats in Paris (artists, writers, politicians, scientists, doctors) from mid-1800's - early 1900. McCullough writes not only a fascinating depiction of the Americans who called Paris and Europe home for a time, but also serves up a history lesson of Paris itself through 1900.
16. Invasion of the Body Snatchers, by Jack Finney. The original 50's novel upon which the subsequent movies were based. It's dated, of course, but at the same time feels very original. A quick and easy read, but not so quick for me as I kept the book in my purse or the car for those times when I was stuck somewhere and needed to have a book with me while I waited for whatever I was waiting for. So it took longer to finish than it should have because I was reading The Greater Journey at the same time which was the book I kept on my bedside table, so it got most of my attention.
The Spousal Unit and I were out this afternoon and stopped by the last remaining Borders bookstore in town which is now in the process of going out of business since Borders announced last week that they are closing permanently. And another one bites the dust. :( Apparently the first round of store closures wasn't enough to stave off complete bankruptcy. The place was a madhouse - so where were all these people before it went belly-up?
I thought they were starting off with bigger discounts, but all the books were only 10% off except for the bargain bin stock. Since there was nothing we desperately needed, and I'm still working through the pile I acquired via the first bankruptcy sale, we didn't get anything (I'll probably go back next week) - though we did run into gatorpez in the store. ;)
Before that we went by the bike shop on Orange Ave and put a down-payment on a classic Schwinn TSU wants that has to be ordered. He's decided we're going to take a more serious interest in biking, and I'm all for that. :)
When we got home we saw the news that Amy Winehouse was found dead at 27. Shocking, but then not really given her problems with addiction. Still, sad - I really liked her music.
Appalled by the homegrown terrorist attacks in Norway. All those kids. *shaking head*
In other news, I have a terrible headache I can't get rid of, so I'm probably offline the rest of the evening.