Over at Book Riot, writer Johanna Lane has an article exploring the tradition of literature that revolves around large homes or estates. She talks about her favorite "big house novels" and how they remain interesting to readers today:
"But the attraction of these novels is partly because the rhythms
of life in great houses are so very different from the rhythms of our
own: The characters linger over breakfast, they take long walks in the
gardens, they stop for lunch, they stop again for afternoon tea, they
talk to each other without constantly checking their iPhones."
Though she talks about how these novels have fallen out of favor of the years, I suspect that the success of Downton Abbey will change how much a modern audience enjoys those types of stories. I have just started a "big house" novel myself (Anya Seton's Dragonwyck) and thought I would provide a list of my favorite novels that involve big homes who become just as much a part of the story as any other character:
Hannah at Miss Daydreamer's Place recently tagged me for the Bucket List Tag. The idea is to list 10 things you want to do before you die and then tag other friends to do the same. Although my bucket list (like my to be read list) is EXTREMELY long, I was able to pin down 10 goals that mean the most to me right now.
Visit my ancestor's native town of Ensingen, Germany
My father's side of the family arrived in America in the 1880s. Before that, the family lived in the small town of Ensingen in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The town is 900 years old and has long been a wine making center of the southwest.
Learn to play the dulcimer
Variations of dulcimers (meaning "sweet song") are found all over the world. The hammered dulcimer is especially popular in many cultures. The one I want to learn is often called the "Mountain Dulcimer" and its roots are found in Appalachia. Though I don't really have any background in playing music, this is an instrument I'd love to try. Listen to one here
. Ring in the New Year in Times Square
There is perhaps nowhere more iconic to spend New Year's Eve than in Times Square. Watching the ball drop and the confetti fall is a part of every American's celebration. Just once, I'd love to celebrate in person with millions of other people, hearing the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" promptly followed by "New York, New York".
Have a Middle Earth marathon
This one is kind of different, but it is one that my entire family wants to do. We want to sit down and watch all three "The Hobbit"films immediately followed by all three "Lord of the Rings" films. Geeky? Yes, but also worth it!
Walk the Camino de Santiago
Following an ancient pilgrimage route along Spain's northern coast, this trip has become very popular in recent years. It takes about 4 weeks, and can be done high class or "roughing it". This idea of combining immersion in Spanish culture with a spiritual aspect is very appealing to me.
See a play at The Globe
This is something I wanted to do when I was in London but didn't have the opportunity. This is seeing Shakespeare as it was meant to be seen.
Visit the Bronte Parsonage Museum
I love the Bronte sisters, and the very idea of seeing the house where they grew up and where their imaginations were fed makes me giddy. Combine this with standing on the Yorkshire moors and I think I would die from emotional overload.
Have a home library
Right now, my books are crammed in any available space. One day, I hope to have a room dedicated to my collection. With a window seat, of course.
Become a certified genealogist
I have been obsessed with genealogy for years and I hope to one day become a certified genealogist and do some freelance work.
Become fluent in French
I have long loved to study language and French is by far my favorite. Though I only have a basic vocabulary now, I'd love to become fairly fluent in it. Guess that means I'll just have to move to Paris!
At this point I'm supposed to tag some people. I don't have that many indvidual bloggers that I interact with, so I am going to go with hopeinbrazil at Worthwhile Books. And to anyone else who would like to participate, jump in and link to your post in the comments!
The idea of what children should have to read in school seems to have been popping up a lot lately. There was the news out of the UK that many American classics were being removed from required reading lists. The school year just ended here in the US and most high school students have a list of books they must read over the summer. And over at Book Riot, they asked contributors to name modern books
that they think should be required reading. Their list included The Kite Runner, The Handmaid's Tale, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and An Artist of the Floating World. This got me to thinking about what books I would want to see as required reading for High School. Here are some of the ones I came up with:
A Good Man is Hard to Find by Flannery O'Connor. I think short stories are great for a society that is quickly losing its attention span. A well crafted one can leave as big an impression as a 600 page novel. And if there is a writer who knows how to leave an impression, it is Flannery O'Connor. Her stories emphasize grace with a strong symbolism, and is also a wonderful commentary on the South of the 40s and 50s.
I, Claudius by Robert Graves. Historical writing does not have to be boring. Just read Robert Graves' classic about the political turmoil of the Roman Empire. It's Game of Thrones meets House of Cards! Plus, it is a great example of the corruption of power and underestimating those with disabilities.
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. If you want your students to see an example of writing that is poetic, beautiful, and calm then look no further. Robinson's story of an Iowa pastor at the end of his life is touching and I think a wonderful way to teach kids that the best books aren't just a whirlwind of adventure and romance, but can also be quiet and reflective.
The Chosen by Chaim Potok. This book is great for young people as it addresses the problem of becoming your own person. Like the characters, they are struggling to find their own identity amidst the expectations of their parents, their society, and their friends. It also emphasizes understanding for the beliefs of others that you may not understand or agree with.
What about you? What books do you think should be required reading for High School? What aspects are important in deciding what young adults should read? Should certain books be required at all? Sound off!
Hannah over at The Life and Random Thoughts of Indigo Montoya nominated me for The Sunshine Award. I'm very honored...thank you Hannah! This is a tag type award and here are my answers to her questions.
Is there anything you love that no-one would expect you to?
I think that many people would consider my tastes and interests to be rather highbrow. I love classic literature, black and white films, good wine, travel, history, etc. But one of my big loves that isn't so upscale...Disney. I love anything and everything having to do with Disney. Perhaps love isn't a strong enough word. Obsessed is better. I literally become a puddle of feelings whenever I'm around something Disney related. I spent my childhood watching such classics as Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, and Sleeping Beauty and I continue to love those films today. Here is the best scene from my all-time favorite Disney film...Beauty and the Beast.
What are three of your favorite TV shows?
I've never been a huge TV watcher, but I do have some real favorites. My favorite TV show of all time is The West Wing. Aaron Sorkin's political drama was smart, funny, and often powerful. No matter what your political leanings, you left each episode feeling an enormous pride in the ideals of America. My second choice may be kind of cheating, but I'm going to have to choose Masterpiece. This is how most Americans (who don't have BBC America) get some of the best British dramas like adaptations of great literature, Downton Abbey, and Sherlock. Sunday nights are Masterpiece nights every winter/spring for my family. And finally, the show I turn to when I need a good laugh is The Big Bang Theory. What other show makes us nerds and geeks look so cool?
Narnia, Hogwarts, Middle-Earth, Westeros. If you could visit only one of these fictional places which would you pick and why?
Well, Hogwarts and Westeros are automatically out because (ducks for cover) I've never read/seen Harry Potter or Game of Thrones. I think I'd have to go with Narnia as it has been a part of my life for such a long time. I've always loved the stories and would love to spend time sailing on The Dawn Treader, traveling with Puddleglum, taking fencing lessons from Reepicheep, having tea with Mr. Tumnus, and sitting at the feet of Aslan. Even as an adult, these stories create a deep and mysterious longing deep inside of me.
If you're into musical theater, name some of your favorite West End/Broadway stars.
Ok, so while I love musicals in and of themselves, I am not very familiar with the stage versions. I often have only seen the film versions or I come to know stars of the theater only when they show up in a movie or tv show. Probably the Broadway star who has made the biggest mark on my life through a stage show is Mary Martin. For years we had a video of the 1960 broadcast version of Peter Pan starring Mary Martin, and that is probably my favorite adaptation ever. I still remember being captivated as she begged us all to clap and save Tinker Bell's life. Here she is singing Never Neverland:
What is your favorite accent?
Hmm...I'm going to take this to mean which accent I find the most attractive. I tend to be most attracted to the accents of the British isles or other English speaking countries. And while the Aussies, Irish, and Scots all have something going for them, nothing can make me swoon quite like a slightly rugged Northern England accent. Think Sean Bean, Richard Armitage, or the Ninth Doctor. Pretty sure I'd listen to Richard Armitage read the phone book.
Here at the end of the holiday season, it can often be difficult to find the time (or the energy) to throw yourself into a book. Sometimes all you really want to do is to sit in front of the TV (or computer, or tablet) and soak up the images on screen. Luckily, there are ways you can do that without necessarily giving up on literature all together. Here are some programs that I have recently indulged in that still keep me in tune to the great literary works.
Emma Approved
You may remember a while back that I was raving about The Lizzie Bennet Diaries and could not wait for the team's new production, Emma Approved, based on Jane Austen's novel Emma. It took awhile for this production to hit its stride (the story set-up period kind of strayed from what is in the novel), but things are coming together in a wonderful way. The modernizing of the story is on track, the actors' portrayals are spot on, and things are getting tense in Emma's office. Since the show is on hiatus until February (sad), now is the perfect time to start catching up. Here is Episode 1:
Sherlock
Honestly, there is no fandom that has to wait as long as those of us who love Sherlock. And it's even worse for those of us in the US as we have to wait even longer for gratification. But the time is finally drawing nigh. The long awaited Series 3 premiers on PBS on January 19. You can read about my obsessive love for this show in my reviews of Series 1 & 2. If you haven't seen the series, do yourself a favor and watch it now. If you are like me and awaiting the 19th with bated breath, then check out this recently released mini-epsiode that will further whet your appetite:
Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness
Back in 2010, I read and reviewed Wandering Stars by Sholem Aleichem as part of my summer reading. Recently, I discovered a documentary of the author's life. It is a great look, not just at Sholem Aleichem, but also at the rise of Yiddish literature and the breakdown of traditional shtetl life at the end of the 19th century. It also talks a lot about Aleichem's best known character, Tevye the milkman, upon whom Fiddler on the Roof is based on. Here is the trailer for it. You can see the full documentary on Netflix or rent it from Youtube:
Have you watched anything lately that was based on great literature? Feel free to share it with us.
To qualify for this list, the esteemed wordsmiths had to be born in their respective states, but not necessarily live out their years there. We considered the authors' fame in terms of ubiquity, literal acclaim, and financial success — and awarded bonus points if the author showed state pride by setting their works there.
Some of the picks are not too surprising. Mark Twain was listed for Missouri, William Faulkner for Mississippi, and John Steinbeck for California. But some of the choices didn't seem to fit as well as others. For example, they listed the most famous author for my home state of North Carolina as Thomas Wolfe. Though he is fairly well known within the state (especially in his native Asheville), he isn't a name you hear thrown around very often in the literary world. My own choice for us would have been the famous short story author O. Henry. Though many of his stories are set out west or in New York, he is still a native son of NC and is even buried in Riverside Cemetery in Asheville (the same cemetery as Thomas Wolfe).
Another choice that confused me was the selection of Flannery O'Connor for Georgia. Though anyone who has read my blog knows that I am a huge fan of herwork, she didn't seem like she would be the "most famous" author from the state. I'd say that distinction would have to go to Margaret Mitchell, author of Gone With the Wind. This is arguably one of the America's best known and most read works of all time. It won the Pulitzer Prize, and even today it sells thousands of copies each year. I can't help but feel that not choosing Mitchell was an act of political correctness on the part of Business Insider.
How about your home state? Did they get it right in your opinion? If you live outside of the US, who would you say is the most famous author from your city/county/province?
In which author (and vlogger, and awesome nerd, and brother to a co-creator of The Lizzie Bennet Diaries) John Green recommends some of the best books nerds can gift (or get) for the holiday season. This is from last year, so please note some information is a little out of date (like Veronica Roth's Divergent series now has an ending...one that just about made the internet blow up). Use it to add books to your reading list, or to get gift ideas for that special nerd in your life. There are only 44 days until Christmas people! Start shopping!
Hello dear readers! I m so sorry for the long absence in my blogging, but I promise I have a good excuse. I just finished my first week back home after a two week trip to Italy! I had a wonderful time in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Sorrento and learned so much about Italian history and culture.
I plan on buckling down to get lots of reading and reviews done, so keep an eye out for more activity here on the blog in the coming weeks. As always, I thank you for taking the time to read my random thoughts on books. Hope you are having a wonderful fall!
Once again we find ourselves at the turning of the seasons. Kids have headed back to school, the days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are beginning to fall. For many readers, this all means changes for the type of books we read. Many of us put away our "beach reads" and instead reach for stories that evoke the cooling weather, the changing leaves, and the darkening nights that are approaching.
Over at the Melville House Blog, they have created a list of seven books that they think best suit this time of year. They include the Gothic nonfiction Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt, the American classic Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, the enduring Macbeth by William Shakespeare, and the cozy and mysterious Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
My own reading list has been set for the rest of the year, and it also reflects the changing seasons. Here is what I will be reading through the rest of 2013:
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. This early sensation novel was incredibly popular when it was first published in 1860 and it continues to be well loved among modern readers as well. On a moonlit London Rd., Walter Hartright encounters a mysterious young woman dressed completely in white. Little does he know that this chance meeting in the dark will entangle him mystery that will change his life forever.
Scaramouche by Rafael Sabatini. From the author of the classic swashbuckler Captain Blood, this novel tells the story of Andre-Louis Moreau. Raised by the French nobility, a tragedy drives him to join a band of actor and speak out against the power of the French Government.
The Professor by Charlotte Bronte. Fall is Bronte time in my reading life. After this one, I will have read every novel written by the Bronte sisters. In Charlotte's first novel William Crimsworth (the professor) must make his own way in a world obsessed by money and manners.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Capote recreates the investigation, the trial, and the execution of one of America's most famous and bloody crimes. In 1959, four members of a Kansas family were brutally murdered in their home for no apparent reason. In what is possibly one of his most famous works, Capote explores their story and gives insight into the nature of American violence.
How is your fall reading shaping up? Do you have any favorite books that scream "autumn" to you? Share them with us!
I hope all of you are enjoying your summer (or winter if you happen to live in the southern hemisphere)! There are lots of cool things that have been happening in the literary world over the past few weeks. Here are some of the things that have grabbed my attention:
The longlist for the 2013 Man Booker Prize is out, and it is being hailed as one for the ages. Robert Macfarlane, this year's chair of judges, said: "This is surely
the most diverse longlist in Man Booker history: wonderfully various in
terms of geography, form, length and subject. These 13 outstanding
novels range from the traditional to the experimental, from the first
century AD to the present day, from 100 pages to 1,000, and from
Shanghai to Hendon." Head over to Guardian UK to read more about this impressive list!
July is National Ice Cream Month here in America (yes...we'll celebrate anything) and Quirk Books is celebrating by coming up with some literary themed flavors. Want to try some "War and Peach"? How about "Clockwork Orange Creamsicle"? Here's hoping Ben & Jerry's takes the hint and gives us the chance to eat our favorite books.
Publishers Penguin Books and Random House have completed a merger that will give them a huge share of the global book publishing market. The combined companies will control more than 25 percent of the book
business, with more than 10,000 employees, 250 independent publishing
imprints and about $3.9 billion in annual revenues. Read the full report on the pros and cons from the NY Times.
The Bank of England is going to be putting a woman on one of their bank notes for only the third time in history (excluding Queen Elizabeth II). Plans have been announced to put Jane Austen on the 10 Pound bank note. But while most are praising the choice of person, some are not so happy with the quote to be placed on it alongside her. The words “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!” Mr. Mullen pointed out, were actually spoken by Caroline Bingley, a minxy conniver who sidles up to Mr. Darcy in “Pride and Prejudice” and merely pretends to read a book to impress him. What do you think? Is this a decent choice, or should they look for a more fitting quote from one of English lit's leading ladies?
What literary news have you found interesting over the summer? Please feel free to share!
It is no secret that modern life is moving faster than it ever has before. We are a world that is plugged in and on the go 24/7. While it has created innovations that make our lives more efficient, it has also robbed us and our children of some values and pastimes. A report entitled Is Children's Reading a Casualty of Modern Life? for the Children's Media Conference in the UK suggests that today's children are missing out on the pleasure of reading. Some of it blames strict educational standards for not allowing teachers to really encourage reading:
"...82% of teachers blame the government's 'target-driven' education
policies for the fact that fewer children are reading for pleasure. They
believe that a 'straitjacket' of regimented schooling is squeezing
young people's ability to read more widely. Two-thirds of teachers
polled said they lacked time in the school day to introduce a variety of
books and that this was a 'major barrier to being able to develop a
level of reading'".
Other reports also suggest that technology is changing the way children interact with the world around them and that they are becoming more likely to spend time in front of a screen than with a book:
"Touch-screen phones and tablets are intuitive to children," it said,
and predicted a period of "awkwardness" as everyone else adapts. By
2018, children's television will have adopted the presence of this
second screen, and it "will be odd not to have children at home drawing
along on tablets and then having these appearing live in the show".
While I don't think that all technology is is inherently bad for children, I do think that parents are going to have to take more responsibility for their child's reading habits. As our lives become busier, it is often easier to let the digital nannies keep the kids amused while we catch up on chores, work, sleep, or our own pleasures. Bedtime stories have given way to bedtime movies and games. But while this makes our lives seem less stressful, I don't think that it is ultimately the best thing for children. I know that some of my best childhood memories have less to do with watching television and more to do with the great books my mom (and dad) would read to us before bed.
What do you think about this trend? Is there a way to change it? How do you balance modern conveniences with traditional pastimes? Share your thoughts here.
Looking for something fun and bookish to do this summer and fall? Love hobnobbing with your favorite authors, book vendors, and other readers? Looking to snag a few new reading gems for your collection? Look no further than an annual book festival. No matter where in the world you live, chances are good that there will be a book festival of some sort happening near you. Here's a glimpse at some of the various opportunities you have to celebrate books, reading, and the written wor
d in general:
Book Expo America: This conference happens every year at the end of May/beginning of June in one of America's major cities (it was in NYC this year). It is a conference mainly for the book publishing and services world and only people in those fields can attend the entire event. However, they have recently opened up the final day of the expo to the general public (Power Readers). It is a chance for you to meet some of your favorite authors, check out what new books are on the horizon, chat up with various publishing and self-publishing companies, and load yourself down with lots of giveaways and merchandise.
The National Book Festival: America's largest book festival happens on the National Mall every September. This year's dates are September 21-22. It is an opportunity to not purchase books, but to interact with some of America's most famous authors through book signings and readings. Some of the authors at this year's festivals include Richard Paul Evans, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, Margaret Atwood, Khaled Hosseini, and many others. One plus to this festival is that you do not have to purchase a book there for an author to sign, you can bring your own.
Edinburgh International Book Festival: If you happen to find yourself across the pond in August, head north to the home of Stevenson, Burns, and Scott to celebrate books from around the world. Over 800 authors are involved in around 750 different events during this two and a half week festival. There are two huge bookstore tents, one for adults and one for kids, where you can load up on all kinds of goodies. I think this one is definitely going on my bucket list.
You can find information on other various festivals and publishing events here. Festivals like these are an amazing way for readers all over the world to share the passion we have for books. Do you have a favorite festival or book event? Share it here!
A little over a week ago, an article was published in the Huffington Post that sent the literary world into a tizzy. Michael Rosenbaum's article "What's A Library" questioned what use a brick and mortar building is in today's increasingly digitized world:
"Frankly, I will not miss the library. Even though I lived right across the street from it for many years, I
never went inside. I never sat in its reading room. I never checked out
a book. I never explored its stacks to go through old volumes of bound
periodicals in some research project. Why would I do that? Why, when I can order up pretty much anything I want online, any time
I want. Admittedly, the library is free (thank you Benjamin Franklin
for that concept), but the web is also free (at least so far), and
instant and much much easier to reference and find stuff than in the
stacks (though less romantic, in a literary sense)."
As you can imagine, that elicited an immediate and passionate response from the reading public. Librarian Rita Meade followed up with an article defending the relevance of libraries in the 21st century:
It's really important to remember that just because YOU (general "you")
don't need to use something on a daily basis, it does not mean that
others don't need to use it. Not to mention the fact that accessing the
web ISN'T free, and it's not always easier to "find stuff" on the web
than in a library.
As someone who has used libraries all of my life, I can't help but defend them. While Rosenbaum's argument has some validity (the internet does have a lot of information for free), it by no means captures the whole picture of what a library's role in the community is. First off, not everything on the internet is free and internet access is not usually free. There are many underprivileged citizens who simply cannot afford personal computers or internet service. But they can freely access it at their library. Secondly, not everything is on the internet. I enjoy researching my family history, and I can tell you that there are many facts and secrets buried in local libraries that you would never come across on the internet. Finally, the library is a community experience. Many libraries host classes, exhibitions, and other events that bring citizens together in a communal experience. In my mind, libraries are repositories of knowledge, bringing together information from across all mediums (print, digital, and audio/visual) for us to access in one easy and free place. And this report shows that Americans (or at least New Yorkers) are taking advantage of it more than ever.
What do you think? Do libraries still mean something in our culture? Or have we moved beyond them?
Over the last few years, I've given myself a summer reading challenge, using the time between Memorial Day and Labor Day to read a collection of books based on a certain theme. So far these have included The Lord of the Rings, Southern classics, German literature, world literature, and detective fiction. This year, I have decided to read some classics of children's literature. I've always had an affinity for well written children's books, and the best ones will delight readers of any age. Here are the ones I have selected for this year:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. This modern classic was turned into the Oscar nominated film Hugo, which I really enjoyed. It tells the story of Hugo Cabret, a young orphan secretly living in a Paris train station in the 1930's. While working on an automaton that his inventor father left him (and which he is sure contains a secret message), Hugo becomes involved with a toy shop owner (Papa Georges) and his granddaughter Isabelle. It soon becomes apparent that Hugo's automaton has a connection to Papa Georges secret past.
The Rescuers by Margery Sharp. This is the first in a series of popular children's stories by English author Margery Sharp. It is about a mouse named Miss Bianca and her involvement with the Prisoner's Aid Society of Mice. This book would go on to be the basis for the Disney films The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under.
Heidi by Johanna Spyri. This story is one of the best known children's classics and also one of the most famous works of Swiss literature. Young Heidi is orphaned and sent to live with her grandfather on a farm in the Swiss Alps. Though he is initially cold towards the girl, she eventually softens his heart and they lead a contented life. Heidi is then sent to gain an education as a companion to a wealthy girl named Clara. Though Heidi is surrounded by wealth, she longs to return to the mountains and her grandfather.
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie. This classic tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up has delighted readers for over a century. After meeting this strange boy during his nighttime visit to their London house, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling embark on a magical adventure to Neverland. Here they meet the fairy Tinker Bell, the Indian princess Tiger Lily, the gang of Lost Boys, and the infamous Captain Hook.
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham. This one is a re-read for me, but I love it so much that I really wanted to be able to properly review it. This book relates the adventures of four forest friends, Rat, Mole, Toad, an Badger. Their various escapades range from the simple, to the fantastic, to the supernatural and each shows the loveliness of pastoral England.
The Little Prince by Antoine De Saint-Expurey. This novella is the most read and the most translated work of French literature. After crashing his plane in the Sahara desert, the narrator comes into contact with a young boy he dubs "The Little Prince". As the narrator tries to fix his plane, the Prince recounts the story of his life.
I am very excited about reading these classic stories. Have you read any of them? If so, please let me know what your impression was. And feel free to let us know what your own summer reading plans are.
For the past week, our entire nation has been glued to our television sets. From the horrific bombing in Boston last Monday to the tense lockdown and manhunt on Friday, it seems like our lives were consumed by what was happening on the 24 hour news channel. But though our attention to the constant stream of information kept us in the loop, it didn't help us wrap our minds around what was happening. It brought us knowledge without understanding. For that, we find ourselves turning to literature.
During the lockdown, Liesl Schillinger over at the Daily Beast pored over Leo Tolstoy's final novel, Hadji Murat, to discover the lengthy and volatile history of the Caucasus. Katie Roiphe at Slate Magazine discusses how the novel The Reluctant Fundamentalist can help give us a clearer picture of the bomber brother. And during a lecture on the writings of Flannery O'Connor that I attended, the speaker mused on how the compassion shown by the grandmother to The Misfit in her story "A Good Man is Hard to Find" might encourage us to also receive grace through compassion towards those who mean us harm. There is perhaps no other medium or art form that can bring us solace and understanding quite like reading can. In a world where cold hard facts are bombarding us constantly from every direction, seeing it all played out in literature can help us process it and see it from a different perspective. We look for our own desires, hurts, and fears in the lives of fictional characters. We feel that by understanding their stories, we might actually come to grips with our own.
Have you ever found a way to understand your own problems through a book? Have you come across a novel that can help us heal and understand this recent tragedy? How do you find comfort in a good novel? Share your thoughts here.
I can't believe that 2012 has already passed us by. It was an eventful one for me, though it didn't always manifested itself in my reading and blogging. That is one of the many things I hope to do better in the year to come. In the meantime, here is a look back at my top 5 books for 2012:
Honorable Mention: The Chosenby Chaim Potok.Potok's tale of relationships and the struggle between one's passions and one's religion is very moving. The relationship between Danny Saunders and his father is especially touching and the climatic scene almost brought tears to my eyes. A wonderful introduction to the works of this author.
#5: Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. Scandinavian crime literature has become very popular over the years, but this was my first taste of it. The brutal murder and the issues of race and immigration stand in stark contrast to the quiet and peaceful place that comes to our mind when we think of Sweden. Not only is this a study of methodical police work, but it is also the study of a man whose life has become as gray and cold as the frozen landscape around him.
#4: My Life in Franceby Julia Child. The story of Julia Child's years in France is inspiring, humorous, and insightful. Whether or not you are a lover of food or France, you will love this tale of how a woman from California came to be known as America's foremost authority of French cuisine. More than the story of food, it is the story of a true American icon.
#3: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one that everyone (but especially Christians) should hear. After living a life of privilege in Germany, theologian Bonhoeffer took a stand against Hitler's regime that cost him his job, his freedom, and ultimately his life. His journey from studying theology at Berlin's university to learning from African Americans in Harlem to spying against Hitler is one that once heard can never be forgotten.
#2: The Murder of Roger Ackroydby Agatha Christie. Solid storytelling, fleshed out characters, and a surprise ending make this novel by the Queen of Crime perfectly brilliant. No matter how "ordinary" the crime may seem, you are still engrossed in all that is going on. Though you may find yourself somewhat put out after learning how you have been duped, you will certainly remember how this mystery ended.
#1: The HungerGamestrilogy by Suzanne Collins. The whole series is good but I was especially blown away by Mockingjay. Collins' story of war, surviving, love, and rebellion is powerful in many ways and one that this generation is not likely to forget. In many ways, it is a reflection of our own society and it shows the flaws and failures that plagues us. If you have not given these books a try, I suggest you make that a priority for the new year.
I'm really looking forward to 2013 and hope that each of you have a wonderful year in books. Keep an eye out as I catch up on the leftover reviews from 2012. And as always, thank you for reading Complete & Unabridged.
...or so says Andrew Piper over at Slatemagazine. He argues that reading isn't simply about seeing and computing the written word, but an experience that requires our other senses as well. "Understanding reading at this most elementary level—at the level of
person, habit, and gesture—will be essential as we continue to make
choices about the kind of reading we care about and the kind of
technologies that will best embody those values. To think about the
future of reading means, then, to think about the long history of how
touch has shaped reading and, by extension, our sense of ourselves while
we read."
Ever since e-readers like the Kindle came out, they have had their fans and their haters. Fans praise the openness that digital readers give to the literary world. The ease of access, the portability of the library, the chance for unknown authors to publish themselves are all reasons given for using one. Many believe that the book is about to go the way of the record and cd and become something you only by as novelty items from thrift stores. And then there are those who believe that the true experience of reading can not be had by holding a machine. Reading includes perusing the bookshelf, dog-eared pages and notes in the margin, the feeling of flipping through the pages, and the intoxicating smell of new (or old) books. For many of them, a world without the physical book is not one worth living in.
I myself am not fully in one camp or the other. I have friends who love to read and they love to read on their digital reader. There are plenty of times that I wish I had one (haven't bought one as of yet for multiple reasons) like when I'm on a long plane ride and I want to read without having to lug around a physical book. But I am also still in love with the physical book itself; the feeling of a book in my hands has become such an integral part of my life that I can't imagine living without it.
How about you? Do you have a digital reader? Do you like it? Or are you a traditionalist like Mr. Piper?
This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer here in the US. It also marks the end of this year's summer reading challenge. I was able to explore the evolution of the detective novel by reading six classics of the genre. From its beginnings with Poe's C. Auguste Dupin stories to the modern phenomenon of Scandinavian crime fiction, my summer has been spent watching the master detectives untangle some of the most perplexing crimes. I enjoyed the majority of them and more reviews are on their way. In the meantime, here is a glimpse at what is on my "to read" list for the rest of 2012:
-Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas: This acclaimed biography tells the story of one of the heroes of the German resistance. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian who made the dangerous decision to voice his opposition to the Nazi regime. As time goes on, Bonhoeffer's forms of resistance diversify and intensify and he would soon find himself involved in one of the most famous assassination attempts in history. I have admired Bonhoeffer's writing and stories for years and am very excited to get into this one.
-The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers: This classic of Southern literature was published in 1940, but remains popular to this day. It is on the TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005 list and was a selection of Oprah's book club in 2004. It tells the story of a deaf man named John Singer and the people he encounters in a 1930s Georgia mill town.
-Shirley by Charlotte Bronte: This is Bronte's second published novel. It is set in Yorkshire during the industrial depression resulting from the Napoleonic Wars as well as the War of 1812. It was the title character that changed the use of Shirley as a distinctly male name to a distinctly female name. It is another step in my quest to read every novel by the Brontes.
-Orthodoxy by G. K. Chesterton: This book is considered a classic of Christian apologetics. Chesterton presents a unique view of the Christian faith and asserts it as the answer to all human needs.
-Mary Anne by Daphne du Maurier: The author of Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel continues to explore strong women with this 1954 novel. It is the fictionalized account of the life of her great-great-grandmother, Mary Anne Clarke, who was a mistress of the Duke of York in the early 1800s. In a society dominated by men, Mary Anne uses her cunning with and resourceful mind to gain power in a city at war.
-The Prisoner of Zenda by Anthony Hope: This 1894 adventure novel is set in the fictional kingdom of Ruritania. After the king is drugged and unable to attend his coronation, an English gentleman on holiday who bears a striking resemblance to the monarch is asked to stand in for the king to prevent political upheaval.
-The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel: This 2009 historical work tells the story of the rescue of European art and architectural treasures during World War II. A few select men were sent by the Allies to follow the armed forces and work to limit the damage to Europe's most important architectural works during battle. As time went on, their role changed to hunting down the masterpieces of European art that had been looted and hidden by the Nazis.
I'm looking forward to some great reads this fall. I hope that each of you enjoyed your summer reads and are ready to jump in to a new set of classics for the remainder of 2012.
Let me begin by apologizing for my absence over the past few weeks. Between work, summer activities, and some general laziness, I have not kept my blogging as up to date as I would like. But while my web life has slowed down, my reading hasn't. We are now hitting the end of July and I have finished 4 of the 7 books on this year's summer reading challenge. With some diligence, I should be able to wrap things up by my self-imposed deadline of Labor Day. In the meantime, keep an eye for reviews beginning to pop up within the next few days. I hope all of you are enjoying your summer. Be sure to stay cool and enjoy a good book!
I hope that all of you are having a fantastic week and are enjoying your current read. Here is a round-up of some of the things from the literary world that have caught my eye over the past few days:
- Got some extra pocket money? Here's a website that specializes in collectible books as well as 1st and signed editions. A second printing of Cry, the Beloved Country, a first edition of Marilynne Robinson's award winning novel Housekeeping, a signed copy of Fahrenheit 451...any of these can be yours. Just be prepared to spend a nice amount.
- The Wall Street Journal has an interesting article on the rise of fan fiction in the mainstream. Though there is a long history of fan fiction, it is only now becoming accepted as a real publishing option both by the reading public as well as the authors whose works form the basis of the stories. It will be interesting to see where this genre goes in the next few years.
-2012 has been an incredible year for the city of London. Between Dickens' 200th birthday, Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee, and the summer Olympics, London is one happening place. Whether you are planning a trip there or simply have a hankering to add some of it to your literary diet, Cynthia Crossen has some recommendations for novels set in that great city.
-Ever wondered exactly what kind of place your favorite author grew up in? Here is a slideshow of the childhood homes of 20 famous authors.
-Summer is here which means it's time for family vacations. Which means it's time for horrendously long car rides where the most frequent words spoken are, "Are we there yet?". Adam Boertz at NPR has compiled a list of audiobooks that will help the time spent in the car fly by.
-The teaser trailer is out for the film version of Les Miserables which is coming out this December. Looks like it could be good.
-If your dad likes to read, and if you are just now remembering that Father's Day is this Sunday, then head over to the Daily Beast for a list of the 13 best books for dad for 2012.
This blog allows me to share my opinions of the books I have read, my general thoughts concerning reading, my Christian view on each story, and my love of great literature. I hope, reader, that while you remain in my humble abode, you feel free to give me your opinions, share your thoughts, and make suggestions as to books that I should try. Happy Reading!
The views expressed on these blogs and websites are those of their writers and do not necessarily reflect my beliefs or opinions. Only my blog and my comments on other blogs truly express my opinions.
