Vicarious Thrills - Indulging my Reading Habit
No matter how much time I have, my list of books to read never seems to diminish.
Current to-be-read stack
The recommendations come from friends, family, newspapers, and Instagram. Mostly I try to borrow e-versions from the library - one only has so much shelf space. But there is nothing to compare with an actual book with pages to turn and the ability to get a sense of how far along you are just by handling the volume.
My grandkids are booklovers too!
Recently I have enjoyed the Icelandic writer Lilja Sigurdardóttir’s series of crime novels featuring the investigator Áróra Jonsdottir. The latest instalment is called Dark as Night. I’m saving it for an upcoming trip.
Most often when I’m knitting I listen to audiobooks, again usually from the local library. But I splurged on Maggie Gyllenhaal’s narration of Anna Karenina and it is well worth the price. Leo Tolstoy’s novel of doomed love is 35 hours of pure pleasure as Maggie truly brings the story to life.
Other recent favourites include James, by Percival Everett, the C.J. Box series featuring Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett, and Irish writer Niall Williams’ This is Happiness - the man can write!
In the category of Oldies but Goodies I would place Dickens, Jane Austen, George Eliot, Edith Wharton, and Anthony Trollope.
I had this bookshelf installed in the living room - I love the colour and warmth books add to a room.
As for my personal library, in addition to a smattering of classics and eclectic titles, I have a small collection of about two dozen Persephone books, which I love. It was so fun to visit their shop in London a few years ago and pick up a few more.
For those who haven’t had the pleasure, Persephone publishes mainly 20th century women writers; many of the books were no longer in print. You don’t have to go to London to acquire these lovely novels - it’s easy to order from the website. They currently offer over 150 titles and lots of helpful suggestions as to which to choose. I was charmed by the following from their FAQs:
“Do you really all stop for tea and cake every day at 4 o’clock?
Yes, certainly.”
I’m down with that😉
