Happy Sunday! What a gorgeous weekend it's been here!
Reading Group Choices recently came out with their list of the top ten book group favorites of 2009, with Kathryn Stockett's The Help topping the list. Of the ten, I've read seven with the remaining three all on my list of books to read this year.
Like so many of you, I spent a lot of time reading this weekend as part of Dewey's 24-Hour Read-a-thon. Life conspired against me yesterday (I ended up having to work a few hours yesterday just as the read-a thon began and exactly at one of the quietest times in my house). At the 19th hour, I decided to call it a night, having decided to continue on my own into today. All told, I did manage to finish four books while keeping my family feed, catching up on laundry, cleaning my kitchen and getting Mini-me fitted for a tux for his senior prom.
Reading Group Choices also had an interesting article by Elise Blackwell, author of An Unfinished Score and The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish, talking about book clubs, marriage and inspiration. Elise is married to a writer and talks about the perception of how marriage between two authors works.
In an article written for Book Browse Blog, Tatjana Soli, author of The Lotus Eaters, writes about rereading favorite books. She lists several books that she's read so many times she's had to buy multiple copies, including Anna Karenina, Heart of Darkness (by Joseph Conrad) and The Things They Carried. With both Soli and Jennie Nash recommending The Things They Carried to me, I ordered it recently and can't wait to read itIt's no secret that I loved The Lotus Eaters. I'm in good company; The New York Times reviewer was similarly impressed.
In love listening to Studio 360 on NPR, which is usually hosted by the wonderful Kurt Anderson. A couple of weeks ago actor Alec Baldwin sat in for Anderson and interviewed Mary Karr, author most recently of Lit, an memoir about her battle with alcoholism. I highly recommend having a listen!Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and got to enjoy plenty of reading time as well!
Congratulations on finishing the Read-a-Thon! I am impressed that you were able to finish four books while having to work and maintain some semblance of order in the family. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteIt was fun doing the readathon with you :) I think it would be awesome to turn our numbers read to the readathon site when all is done so we could have a total books read. :) I like statistics for some odd reason :)
ReplyDeleteHope today was a good one for you!
Congratulations on completing the read-a-thon, Lisa! It sounds like you managed a lot even with work and family obligations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the links to the authors' articles! I was especially eager to read Tatjana Soli's.
I hope you have a good week!
I've only read 3 of the books on the list, but I have 4 more of them in my TBR pile.
ReplyDeleteElise Blackwell is coming here for a signing next month, so I'm excited to see that article on her.
I did horrible for readathon. Next time I'm am going to cheer.
ReplyDeleteI want to read An Unfinished Score soon, I love the cover.
I have read 7/10 books too but different than your 7 since I haven't read People of the Book or The Art of Racing.... March was so difficult for me that I haven't been able to pick up another book of hers yet (I will though). I was the only one to make it through March for our BC!
ReplyDeleteSO happy to see Still Alice on the list.
That's a great accomplishment! I can barely get anything done with my 1 year old let alone four books in one day! Congrats!
ReplyDeletei've read a few books on the list but still have to navigate my way through 'the book thief'. i've been grousing about it for a year now--i tried to read it a few times but never got more than 40 pages in. i resolved to read it before 2010 is over!
ReplyDeleteGood job on taking care of your family while participating in the readathon!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link to Elise Blackwell -I'm reading The Unfinished Score at the moment.
Four books is great!!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you did so well with the read-a-thon considering all the other stuff you were busy with. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteI've only read 3 of the best books list although I have quite a few of them on my shelf. lol.
Cool list! I'm yet to read Loving Frank and The Book People one. (I've not read Three Cups nor the Shack but not sure I care to) and a few were actually for our club which means we must be doing something right. maybe.
ReplyDeleteOh, gosh ... why haven't I been listening to Studio 360?! I'm off to see if it's available as an archived podcast. Thanks, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your Read-a-Thon accomplishments!
ReplyDeleteI recently got my hands on The Things They Carried. Sounds like a must-read!
--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric