Wow, I can't believe it's been over a week since I last posted. Things have been really busy lately -- more so than usual. But, I have been reading. I've finished the arc I received through LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program -- Darling Jim by Christian Morek. I really enjoyed this one and will be doing a review soon, I hope. I've started reading Mrs. Dalloway's Reader by Francine Prose and Virginia Woolf. This book collects the full text of Mrs. Dalloway and also includes several short stories by Woolf, some of her diary entries and commentary from Francine Prose and others. I'm really looking forward to getting into this one. I've only read the introduction and the first of the short stories so far. I didn't realize it before, but Mrs. Dalloway began as a short story and eventually turned into a novel. I absolutely love both Francine Prose and Virginia Woolf, so this should be a treat.
For book clubs in April, I'm reading A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines, and in honor of National Poetry Month, we're reading selected poems of Robert Frost. A literature professor from a local school is coming to discuss the poems at that meeting. I've never been a big poetry reader, but I've really started to like some of the poetry I've been reading. I think I was always just a little scared of poetry in the past. So,I especially like discussing the poetry I read with others.
Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but I've downloaded three literature courses from The Teaching Company recently. One is the History of World Literature. For this class, I'm reading The Epic of Gilgamesh. This book will also count towards my Year of Reading Dangerously challenge.
Right now the hardest thing for me is to decide what to read next. After I finished reading Darling Jim the other night, I was laying in bed literally surrounded by about 10 books that I was trying to choose from. My husband walked in the bedroom, looked at the pile of books on the bed, and turned around and walked back out smiling and shaking his head.
So, that's what I've been up to -- in addition to knitting and working, and... -- well, you get the picture. So, what are you reading?
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12 comments:
Gilgamesh is kind of fun, I thought. The lectures on it definitely help with appreciation for what it is. I'm so glad you're giving the Teaching Company a try!
Lezlie
Lezlie, I agree -- the lectures do help in understanding. I'm not as dedicated and organized as you are, but I'll get there eventually.
Glad to hear you've been able to read despite the extra busy schedule! I really liked A Lesson Before Dying when I read it several years ago, but have never really 'understood' poetry.
I'm also a fan of The Teaching Company, but Gilgamesh sounds 'dangerous' even with that extra help -lol! Look forward to hearing about your next read. Have a great weekend!
PS - Wanted to let you know that I loved Therese Raquin! It may be another week before I get a review up though.
I'm so glad you loved Therese Raquin. I can't wait to hear what you have to say about it. I know what you mean about Gilgamesh being 'dangerous'. We'll see. Hopefully, I'll be able to get something out of it with the lectures. Have a great weekend!
I love the stuff from The Teaching Company, hope Gilgamesh is good. I had one of those non-blogging weeks last week, so I understand how life gets in the way!
I'm in the middle of Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin, and really enjoying it :)
My husband laughs at my book piles too - he's a reader, but strictly one at a time for him ;)
The Mrs. Dalloway's Reader sounds interesting. As does your literature course. Good for you!
Gentle Reader, I love Margaret Atwood, but this is one I haven't read, yet. Wouldn't it be great if you could have an extra day in the week all for yourself? That way, I would be able to blog and read and knit without feeling guilty about everything I should be doing. :)
Becca, my husband reads sporadically -- mostly nonfiction. He doesn't understand why it is sometimes a dilemma for me to pick out my next read. I am really enjoying Mrs. Dalloway. I can't wait to get into the actual text of the book.
I'm really curious about what you have to say about Darling Jim. I'm nearly halfway through it and am having mixed feelings. Still, I feel compelled to finish. It's been a weird reading experience for me! And I often have a pile of books on the bed, but it annoys my husband (since books are already everywhere else--lol). I just have to be careful not to leave piles there while he's around! :)
Danielle, I'm still thinking about what I want to say about the book. It is different, but I did like it. Book piles -- I need to take a camera and photograph every pile of books in my house.
I'm just finishing Gone with the Wind and am still thinking about Woolf. I plan on reading Mrs Dalloway's Party.
Matt, I'm about half way through Mrs. Dalloway now. I am really liking it, but it's not a book you can read and follow unless you give it 100% of your concentration.
Shelley, welcome to the blogging world! I have to warn you that it can be very addictive. :) I've already been to your site and added you to my list of blogs that I'm following. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to hearing what you have to say about your books. Have a great weekend!
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