I’m back at work and feel like I’m struggling to read my minimum ten pages per day, yet I still have updates! And on the 1st of the month, too! WHO AM I?
Books Read
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I liked the mini series better. Blasphemy, I know!
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. 3/5 stars. This was my first official Classics Club selection, and I didn’t love it. There are only so many times I can read the word “languid” before it loses all meaning (and I like the word languid!) But I did appreciate the main character, who was thoroughly modern. Review to follow!
- Belinda’s Rings by Corrina Chong. 4/5 stars. Loved it. Completely original and completely familiar at the same time. The only book I can compare it to right now is White Oleander. I know some people didn’t like White Oleander, but I did, so that’s a compliment. Review and hopefully author Q&A to follow!
- The Magic of Saida by M.G. Vassanji. In progress. I’m struggling to get into this book. I’m not sure what’s holding me back. The writing is great and the story is compelling. Maybe I’m getting bogged down in details, as I am wholly unfamiliar with Tanzanian history and culture. I’m not giving up yet!
Books Obtained
None!
- But one is on its way. The kind people at MacEwan Book of the Year are sending me a copy of Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb. I know very little about it, but I love the title!
Books I Want to Read – adding to the To Be Read pile
- Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer. Book Riot says, “Buy It. Buy All The Copies You Can Find, and Use the Extras To Decorate Your Town With Amazing Prose.” And I say, okay then.
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norell by Susanna Clarke. This was suggested to me when I was let down by The Night Circus.
- Bumped by Megan McCafferty. It’s YA, but I’m intrigued by the premise – in a society where adults have become infertile, teenage girls become surrogates in droves. Brought to my attention by this post at Book Riot (love that site!)
Bonus: #Yeg Literary Events
I’ve noticed an upswing in literary events in Edmonton. Here are just a few.
- Pecha Kucha Nig
ht 15 is at The Expo Centre on March 7, 2013. Jason Lee Norman will speak about the 40 Below Project (if you’re paying attention, you might remember I submitted a story. It was rejected, but the email was VERY nice,) and Caylie Gnyra from Little Cree Books will speak about “Language Ally.” And look at the gorgeous Night Circus inspired poster! - Rosina, the Midwife by Jessica Kluthe launches at Spinelli’s Bar Italia on March 23rd, 2013. I probably can’t make it, but I am really looking forward to this book! Check out the Facebook page for the event.
- The MacEwan Book of the Year for 2013 is The Cat’s Table by Michael Odaantje, and the author will appear on March 21st at MacEwan downtown campus. I’m buying my ticket tonight. For $22 I will get a copy of the book, get it signed, and hear Odaantje talk about it. What a deal! There is also a FREE panel discussion about the book on March 7th at 12:30pm. All the details are here.
- Check out the Metro Writers in Residence website for lots of writing-focused events. I attended a discussion about blogging this past Sunday. Not only was it free and super informative, but I met one of the Writers in Residence, Omar Mouallem, and blogger extraordinaire Shareen Ayoub - go check her out; I guarantee you’ve read nothing like it! Mini-review of the blogging session to follow!
And now, I have reading to catch up on. And sleep. Not necessarily in that order.
I didn’t realize you had returned to work already! I knew it was coming soon though – how does it feel to be back? That’s a good goal, ten pages a day. I know there are days I read 0 pages, but ten pages a day seems doable
I *loved* White Oleander! Well, 12, 14? year old me loved it. I’ve actually thought of re-reading it every time I see it at Value Village. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on Belinda’s Rings. Also, I’ve read Sweetness in the Belly, and while I couldn’t tell you a think about it now, I remember absolutely loving it.
And yay for upcoming book events in Edmonton!
It’s good, I like working. I’m exhausted but that’s nothing new!
I look forward to the day when I can read more. I don’t know when that will be. Maybe when Henry sleeps through the night. As it is, I can’t waste precious sleep time!
Whoa, White Oleander is pretty heavy for a 12 yr old. I think I read it in high school and was still a little traumitized.
Ok, I lied. Or my math and memory just really suck. The book wasn’t out until I was 16…so I would have been around that age when I read it, oops ;p
Laura – as a non-mom, I still find there’s not a ton of time to read! I love sleeping too much – if I was a really early riser on my days off then maybe I would get in more reading. Or I need to start going up to bed an hour earlier to get in some reading. Sigh. I know I’ll look back on this time when I have kids and think of all the moments I could have been reading *instead*!
I lied too, as I was 19 when it came out, so wasn’t in high school! We both think we were younger than we were… hmmm
And yes, I need to stop harping on the fact that I have no time because of kids, because I hear you, NO ONE has time. It’s just a different TYPE of no time. If that makes sense. But I hate it when moms are like “woe is me, I have no life anymore, blah blah” so yeah sorry about that
For me personally, I used to stay up late into the night reading (hence the blog name) and have had to give that up to some extent. I stay up till about 11 reading instead of 12, 1, 2… you get the picture!
Haha – I wasn’t implying that you complain about not having enough time too much! I was trying to make you feel better LOL, for not having enough time
Ugh, I want to! I’ve just been really busy this week and still trying to catch up on my Harry Potter reading…
haha – I do have a lot of books on the go! But they are all non-fiction (other than Harry) so it’s all good
I will let you know if and when I start it! Hopefully after I get my HP post up this weekend….
It’s good to have a goal when reading … there are some days where I can read a TON, but then I can go days without reading anything. I like the idea of saying I’ll read at LEAST x amount of pages a day.
I hope that works for you!
I’m excited about the Michael Ondaatje event! Admittedly, I’ve only read one of his books and it wasn’t my favourite, but it was still pretty good. Should be fun!
Well at least you aren’t a total poser who hasn’t read ANY of his books. This fact has inspired a bookish confession post, coming soon…
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell is AMAZING. Coincidentally, I just bought myself a second copy and I’m starting to read it tonight!
Okay well every person who tells me about it is like YOU MUST READ IT so I guess I better get to it soon.
Also, for those who haven’t heard:
http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/jonathan-strange-mr-norrell/23665/jonathan-strange-mr-norrell-coming-to-the-bbc
OMG I misread the last sentence and thought Damian Lewis had already been cast. I love him!! But yeah I guess it’s still exciting news…