"Pensive?" "Damn, I was going for thoughtful."
"10 Things I Hate About You," anyone?
Anyway, I haven't had much to post lately because I've been plugging away at Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Don't get me wrong; this book is good, really good. I've enjoyed many of Dickens' novels, but I've never really considered myself a fan. I think this book might change my mind, though -- I'm beginning think the man is a genius. I mean, look at his amazing character names: Krook, Mr. Snagsby, Mrs. Jellyby, Mr. Tulkinghorn. They're so evocative! And I love his mean, razor-sharp sarcasm. I am really enjoying seeing the plot unfold (even though I'm pretty sure I already know one of the Big Secrets), and it's interesting to see how the various characters and plot threads converge.
The problem is, it's still a really big novel, and I'm still less than halfway through it. I'm getting a little frustrated because I still have several books to read for this year's challenges, and I'm starting to worry that I won't finish in time. Maybe I should take a break and pick up something else...but on the other hand, I don't want to lose my momentum. Decisions, decisions.
It doesn't help that I keep buying new books, either! Most recently I picked up The Blessing by Nancy Mitford and Jane by April Lindner:
I remember enjoying Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, so I was excited to see another of her books in a new, pretty Vintage edition. As for Jane, well, the cover seduced me. Isn't it amazing? I've also seen some very positive reviews of the book, and I like Jane Eyre (although Mr. Rochester never really did it for me), so a modernized retelling should be fun.
~~~~~
In other news, Carolyn at A Few of my Favourite Books recently mentioned the book Howards End Is on the Landing by Susan Hill. Apparently it's about a woman who decides to read only books from her own shelves for a whole year. I think that's a really interesting, ambitious idea! I kind of want to try it one of these years, but I love buying new books (and going to the library) so much, I don't know if I'd ever be able to do it!
The book's description also says that, at the end of her year, Ms. Hill made a list of the 40 books she would keep if she had to get rid of all the rest. So now I'm thinking about that: if I could only hold onto 40 books from my shelves, which ones would I keep? A list might be forthcoming at some point. Do you think you could narrow down your book collection to 40?
Anyway, I haven't had much to post lately because I've been plugging away at Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Don't get me wrong; this book is good, really good. I've enjoyed many of Dickens' novels, but I've never really considered myself a fan. I think this book might change my mind, though -- I'm beginning think the man is a genius. I mean, look at his amazing character names: Krook, Mr. Snagsby, Mrs. Jellyby, Mr. Tulkinghorn. They're so evocative! And I love his mean, razor-sharp sarcasm. I am really enjoying seeing the plot unfold (even though I'm pretty sure I already know one of the Big Secrets), and it's interesting to see how the various characters and plot threads converge.
The problem is, it's still a really big novel, and I'm still less than halfway through it. I'm getting a little frustrated because I still have several books to read for this year's challenges, and I'm starting to worry that I won't finish in time. Maybe I should take a break and pick up something else...but on the other hand, I don't want to lose my momentum. Decisions, decisions.
It doesn't help that I keep buying new books, either! Most recently I picked up The Blessing by Nancy Mitford and Jane by April Lindner:
I remember enjoying Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate, so I was excited to see another of her books in a new, pretty Vintage edition. As for Jane, well, the cover seduced me. Isn't it amazing? I've also seen some very positive reviews of the book, and I like Jane Eyre (although Mr. Rochester never really did it for me), so a modernized retelling should be fun.
~~~~~
In other news, Carolyn at A Few of my Favourite Books recently mentioned the book Howards End Is on the Landing by Susan Hill. Apparently it's about a woman who decides to read only books from her own shelves for a whole year. I think that's a really interesting, ambitious idea! I kind of want to try it one of these years, but I love buying new books (and going to the library) so much, I don't know if I'd ever be able to do it!
The book's description also says that, at the end of her year, Ms. Hill made a list of the 40 books she would keep if she had to get rid of all the rest. So now I'm thinking about that: if I could only hold onto 40 books from my shelves, which ones would I keep? A list might be forthcoming at some point. Do you think you could narrow down your book collection to 40?