Reading Roundup: October 2012
Oh Heathcliff. Pop that collar.
A slow month, but a few things to remark on:
Books Obtained
- Wuthering Heights, Penguin Deluxe Edition. I gave away my copy, so I needed a new one. I’m trying to collect nice copies of my favourite books. So far, I have a hardcover Love in the Time of Cholera and this paperback Wuthering Heights. Next might be Grapes of Wrath. I had so much fun following the readalong that I want to flip through it again!
Books Actually Read
- The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice. If I get it together and write a real review of this book, I might guest post it on Reading in Winter (After Dark), which you should definitely check out in the meantime if you enjoy a steamy read now and then. But this book. Wow. I knew it was erotica but I guess I didn’t expect to be bombarded with penetrative, non-consensual sex with a minor on PAGE TWO. And that was the LEAST risque scene in the book.
Books I Want to Obtain
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I love this beautifully simply cover!
Maidenhair by Mikail Shishkin. Our own Edmonton Journal columnist Michael Hingston reviewed it, and how can I resist? Sounds totally challenging, out there, and really on-trend as all things Russian are so hot right now (see: review of Banana Republic’s Anna Karenina capsule collection on Book Riot)
- Black Swan Green by David Mitchell. Catcher in the Rye for a new generation? I’m in. But can maybe the NEXT next Catcher in the Rye have female protagonist?
- The Blue Sky by Galan Tschinag. Reviewed on A Year of Reading the World, a blog about reading one book from every country. Such a cool concept.
- The Book of Joby by Mark J. Ferrari. Recommended by Rick from The Book-A-Week Project. Rick knows a thing or two about books, so if he says it’s must read, then it must be read!
- The Coyote Kings of the Space Age Bachelor Pad by Minister Faust. This Edmonton author has a crazy web page that looks like it’s out of 1997 but I’ve heard great things about this book. And it’s SET in Edmonton! Go local!
- The Monk by Matthew Lewis because of the hilarious review on Dead White Guys.
The Month Ahead
- Keep plugging away at Infinite Jest. I’m nearing the 25% mark!
- SEE ANNA KARENINA. AM A LITTLE EXCITED. Paraphrasing a tweet I saw somewhere: How pissed is Jude Law that they didn’t make this movie ten years ago so he could play Vronsky? I’m pretty meh on Keira playing Anna, too. I saw the original 1935 movie with Greta Garbo and that’s a hard act to follow. But NO MATTER because COSTUMES and DRAMA and DOOMED LOVERS and EXCELLENT HATS.
Greta Garbo is not amused by the casting of the new Anna Karenina.
Reading in Bed 
Thanks for the mention. Hope you enjoy Anna Karenina.
Don’t give up on the Jest. It’s worth it. Good luck!
Oh, I’m past the point of no return! I’m on track to finish in about two months, which isn’t nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Ha! “Oh Heathcliff. Pop that collar.”
LOVE Wuthering Heights. I’m really due for a reread with that one since I haven’t read it since university! That’s an awesome cover, too!
YES! Write a review of the Anne Rice book! Look at you reading the erotica!
I need to read Anna Karenina. When I weeded out my home library I kept that book because I actually really want to read it. And the movie looks awesome!
Yes, I’m feeling past due for a reread myself. In the new year. Hmm readalong? 🙂
I think I will review it. It’s certainly out of my comfort zone!
Anna Karenina is awesome and not daunting like I thought it would be… the whole Russian literature thing… I found it really accessible. But it is super long so better get on it if you wanna read before you see the movie!
I have Wuthering Heights (penguin edition) which isn’t as pretty as the deluxe edition. Haven’t read it yet, but its on my ‘read-before-I-die’ list, along with Pride & Prejudice, and Jane Eyre. I also want to read Anna Karenina before the movie! A ton of people are excited for it!
You better get moving on AK. It’s a really long book and the movie is out soon 🙂
You can’t go wrong with any of these books though!
It’s been years since I read Wuthering Heights, but I remember being completely won over by it, and reading it like a drug. Anna Karenina is one of my more shameful failures, however, as I got stuck in the grass harvesting and never quite made it further. I’ve heard all sorts of good things about the film, though, and will watch it when it comes out on DVD!
Oh yeah, I forgot about the farming stuff. Just skim it if you need too 🙂
I’m ashamed to say that I can only muster up e-reading Sookie Stackhouse 😡 I need to broaden my horizon.
You impress me!
Thanks! Reading is the only thing that stops my postpartum brain from melting completely.