books I have been reading-

I love that Nick Hornby column in The Believer about books he is reading (or has bought and hasn't read)  and in this last issue he even admitted to starting but not finishing a book. And he never plans on finishing it. I didn't start doing this until a few years ago (Have I already blogged about this??) I decided that if a book is getting on my nerves and I feel like I have given it a fair shake, then I'm done with it. It's so liberating. Almost as crazy as the cereal graveyard. This works best with books from the library, obviously. I put about 5 on hold at a time, pick them up, and usually end up reading 3 or 4 from the bunch. So, here's some random ones. A lot of guilty pleasures here, sorry. My literary tastes have slid lately. I just need my books to be NOT real, you know? I feel like an escape is what I need, not some very intense and emotional tragedy. So, having said that, I did not finish The Kite Runner two summers ago. I know, the horror. I suck. But it was so heavy handed and so. . . well, you know what I mean.

To the Tower Born. I liked this a whole lot. Um, these reviews are going to suck, by the way. It's either a thumbs up or down. This is a big thumbs up. I heart historical fiction a lot.

The Subtle Knife, which is the second in the His Dark Materials series. I loved this. I enjoyed it more than the first, which I also loved. I am scared for the movie of the first one. How can it be good? or as good as the books? They are so brutal. . . I can't imagine the movies capturing the pain in these novels. (boy, I make is sound like a fun read, huh, but they are so good!) Big thumbs up.

The Debutante Divorcee. Okay, this is so fun and so silly and just the best beach read ever. I read it right after I had Liddy when I was tired and so out of it and loved every second of it. Bug thumbs up. (Mildly embarrassed, but why?)

There's more, but I need to save them for this posting everyday thing.

Comments

[WickedCoolMommy]

*giggle* Yay, for abandoning books!! In my classroom we used Readers' and Writers' Workshop for our language arts block. One of the things that we teach at the start of the year is how to "abandon" a book! I think the kids LOVE the idea that it's okay NOT to read a book if it's too easy, too difficult, or just plain "not their style"!

As for your reading tastes...it's nice to have a vast selection...and I love that you shared it so openly! I've just started Golden Compass. I just realized that the movie comes out in a couple of weeks, and I REALLY wanted to have it done before that! Book 2 is on my list to Santa!

*whisper* I never finished the Kite Runner either!

[Mary Beth]

I love your fun book reviews! I too just put a book down if it's not working for me--no guilt. Why torture ourselves? Thanks for the tips--I'll have to check these out and maybe brave the library again (I have a late fee issue).

[melissa]

Oh, you're in for a treat with the last His Dark Materials book - it's one of those series that when I get to the end, I earnestly wish I'd never read it just so I could read it again for the first time.

The other trilogy I felt that with recently was The Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson, especially if you love historical fiction! Though the first 100 pages of the first book are reeeeeeally slow so I'm afraid you'd not get any further and miss the treats.

[Natalie]

Excellent reviews... raw, honest, to the point. It's empowering to say "This is not worth the effort," or to accept that you have had enough of a story, and then walk away.

[Laura]

This post sums up my feelings about books right now almost entirely. I'm just not motivated to finish a book that isn't working for me. Even when I realize that it's great writing or a "significant" piece or a classic. Especially the classics, actually. I'm comforted by the fact of the library and the long life span of books--if I really want to, I can go back and start all over. I do that a lot, too. Right now I am totally into mysteries and children's fiction (which I can claim to read for my job).

The His Dark Materials books are soooo fantastic. My dad is about at the same spot you are in the series. He is dubious but excited about the movie. If you really like Phillip Pullman, you might try Garth Nix. I like the Abhorsen trilogy especially. And I'd like to second the shout out to historical fiction--escaping to another time/place is what it's all about.

[Ana Ramos]

I must tell you that I didn´t finish Italo Calvino´s "Invisible Cities". It must be absolutely great - because everyone loves it so much, specially in the arts world - but it just bored me so much.

What can I say? I wish I could have shared the excitement of so many happy readers who think the "Invisible Cities" is the most ... (insert utterly positive adjectives here) book in the world, but I just didn´t.

At this point, I really need to be entertained. :)

[Wibit]

I love His Dark Materials, you can find your Deamon on the website http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/.

I have a soft spot for the Narnia books as well... I dont know what it is but whenever I really need to escape... there is only one choice.

I am reading Iris Murdochs the Bell at the moment and its fantastic for escapism - Very evocative and light despite what they say.

[dottydesigns]

I love that you abandon books, I've only done it recently too, since I joined a book club. Some just aren't my thing! but the kite runner is one of my all time favourites, it is sad but so well written, keep reading for enjoyment though, life's too short not too!

[Angela]

Um -- if a book can't hold your attention why should you finish it? And as for "fun" reading vs. the "good for you" stuff -- hmmn...I'll just say that there is room for both. They serve different needs and there is no reason to be embarassed by "light" reading.

I'd be interested to hear what you think about the thrid dark mateirals book -- I loved the first two as well, but don't want to influence thoughts on the third.

[Margo]

I was highly entertained by His Dark Materials - SO creative - but I like Philip Pullman's THe Ruby in the Smoke much much better (and there are two more, can't remember the titles).
My husband has been making fun of me for reading juvenile lit or anything that he thinks is not brainy enough, but I truly don't care. I read like I breathe, so I can't stay in heavy stuff ALL the time.
I *did* finish the Kite Runner, but I don't think I've read a tragic book since then and it still gives me nightmares.
Just a fun recommendation: have you read/heard of the Eyre Affair yet? Someone just handed it off to me and the timing was perfect: I had just re-read Jane Eyre!! A very fun, clever book.

[LoriG]

There is NO shame in not finishing a book. Life it too short and there are too many wonderful books. I did finish Kite Runner, but only because I was signed up to lead the discussion of it for my book club. If it weren't for that, I would not have gone all the way to the end. My nightstand drawer is getting full of books that I just can't manage to finish. It happens to us all.

Oh, and there is NO shame in reading to escape.

[Claire Payne]

No shame in reading teen fiction. I love it and I'm 30! Phillip Pullman is a fave, not sure how the film will compare to the books. The only problem I had with His Dark Materials was that I finished reading them all :(
Ruby in the smoke, the shadow in the north, the tiger in the well and the tin princes are all worth a read too!

[Claire]

Oooh - love that you're sharing book reviews. I'm always looking for reads to add to my list. And that Pullman series is amazing. I have convinced both my boss and my teenage niece to read it and I keep getting emails about how much they love it.

[anne]

I studied literature at a prestigious grad school for seven years, and I like my fiction light, too.
By the way, the literature degree means I'm fully qualified for any fast food job!

[BeLinda]

I am having a really hard time having much enthusiasm for Pullman's work. I was disheartened to see it was so popular with you,as I love your blog and I think that you do wonderful creative things. I find Pullman's anti-Christian sentiments unsettling and don't quite know what to make of his rants toward C.S. Lewis.

[teacup]

Cheers to you, Amy! I have officially, but hopefully not permanently, given up nonfiction. The last thing this mama brain needs is more stuff crammed into it. I would need to wear earplugs daily just to keep it all in!
I say, "More Harry Potter!"

[rachellake]

If you haven't read Plum Syke's first novel Bergdorf Blondes you should definitely check it out. Even though it is chick lit, it is one of my all time favorite books. I re-read it any time I need a pick me up.

[Glenda]

I, too, enjoyed The Golden Compass trilogy and am looking forward to seeing the upcoming movie.

I don't feel guilty about giving up books which don't catch my interest -- there are far too many other books out there to fill the slot.

Do you already read Crazy Aunt Purl's blog? She has a book out that I haven't been able to get my mitts on yet, but which is high on my to-read list -- sure to have plenty of light and funny moments. (http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/)

Unrelated to this post, what did your daughters use to draw on the jumpers you made for them, where you embroidered over their drawings?

[jenny]

i've been good w/ ditching movies since i was little... if it was a dud or not my style or too violent, gross, etc, i had no prob turning it off or walking out in the theatre. but it did take me longer for me to catch on with books.

if you love historical fiction - i think you would love "the virgin blue" by tracy chevalier - it's absolutely gorgeous. (and like most books./movies that have less hype, better than the author's "girl with a pearl earring")

[amy k.]

jenny:
I have read "the Virgin Blue" and loved it!

And rachelllake: I did read Bergdof Blondes and loved it too!

Glenda: the girls used just a colored pencil in a light color. It came out in the wash, but it's not meant for fabric. . .it washed out just fine, but to be safe, use a marker form a fabric store.

[Becca]

I am right there with you. Before the kids I finished everything, but now that time is more limited I have learned to let go a bit. That said, the Kite Runner sat on my nightstand for a good few months before I finally admitted to myself I just didn't want to read it and moved it out. At least you started it.

[Becca]

I am right there with you. Before the kids I finished everything, but now that time is more limited I have learned to let go a bit. That said, the Kite Runner sat on my nightstand for a good few months before I finally admitted to myself I just didn't want to read it and moved it out. At least you started it.

[Marisa]

Thanks for the book reviews....I need to pick one up now that I finished a big quilt project. Time for a break and some R&R!

[Jill]

Ooh it was the perfect time for some book recommendations for me! I skipped right over to the library web page and put two of these on hold! :-)

[Sarah]

Such a good idea to put a book down if its not working for you. I have so many books on my nightstand gathering dust that just don't grab me but I can't let it go. Maybe its time to move them on!

[Racquel]

I know what you mean about the non-heart rending books. Ever since I had children the world's ills seem so much harder to bear and I certainly don't want to read depressing fiction in my limited fiction time! I love Philip Pullman!

[Carrie]

Ooo, just started The Subtle Knife yesterday. I'm loving that series. I went on a kick of young adult fantasy fiction: the last Harry Potter then the whole vampire Twilight series (it takes place in a town about 30 minutes from where I live and was riveting!) and now His Dark Materials. I've read "real" stuff in there too: Eat, Pray Love and The 100 Mile Diet and Animal Vegetable Miracle. . . but it's awfully nice coming back around to kids' fiction. Yummy.

[Carrie]

Ooo, just started The Subtle Knife yesterday. I'm loving that series. I went on a kick of young adult fantasy fiction: the last Harry Potter then the whole vampire Twilight series (it takes place in a town about 30 minutes from where I live and was riveting!) and now His Dark Materials. I've read "real" stuff in there too: Eat, Pray Love and The 100 Mile Diet and Animal Vegetable Miracle. . . but it's awfully nice coming back around to kids' fiction. Yummy.

[angeljoy66@hotmail.com]

I completely read for escapism. (mostly). Kite Runner has been recommended to me by a literature teacher. I'm trying to read more "literature" and not just fluff. But you know, life's hard work. I don't want to always have to slave during my relaxation too.

[Lea]

To the Tower Born is like um... one of my favorite books!! There are a couple more in that series... Oh.. and Happy Thanksgiving... I have been enjoying your book sooooo very much!!

[Jen]

Then have you read Penman's The Sunne in Splendour--also about the House of York? Historical fiction is a favorite escape around here--Dorothy Dunnett's wonderful Lymond Chronicles and House of Niccolo is a must if you haven't already read them. Brainy *and* escapist. Happy reading!

[Louise]

A collection of the Nick Hornby “Stuff I’ve been reading” columns were published as a book late last year. It’s called “The Complete Polysyllabic Spree” and is a great book to have beside the bed to dip into when you only want something short to read. I like to use it for recommendations of what to read next and also to compare his views with my own.
Thanks for suggesting a couple of new books to add to my reading list!

[lisa]

hello there, you didn't miss anything by not finishing the kite runner. the ending blew. and i heard on the radio that the people that made the movie lied to the parents of the kids in it and now their lives are endangered! i'm mad at that book!

[lisa]

ps, a very difficult, yet mind blowing book is the road by cormac mccarthy. when you're in the mood for a book about unfailing parental love.

[Jacqui]

I think the book that put me over the edge as far as heart-rending literature was "The Memory Keepers Daughter", I spent a whole flight from Sweden to Bangkok quietly sobbing into my airline pillow and when I'd finished it I thought "why did I do that to myself? Why would I read to get depressed?" Such a well-written book but sheesh isn't life hard enough already? So I'm done with that stuff for the meantime - bring on chick-lit, teen fiction and old-fashioned murder mysteries! You might like to try Jonathan Stroud's Bartimeus trilogy if you like Pullman - also second the Garth Nix Abhorsen recommendations.

[feathernester]

I so agree about The Golden Compass movie! It's bound to be just awful after reading the books...but how can I *not* see it? Torture. Love those books.