Summer Reading
Being a voracious reader, every so often I like to check in and take note of some of the great books I’ve read in a period of time. Whenever I travel, I read a lot and buy or bring at least three books with me at any time. This year was no different.
I decided to start reading all those classics that believe it or not I had never read. I’m a little behind on this than most people.
I must say I’m biased towards memoirs and female writers. And I’m sorely lacking in young adult fare and children’s literature but we’ll remedy that soon. While on my travels, I picked up two new children’s novels. Can’t wait to read them. Oh and I’m behind on my Potter reading. I’ve yet to read Book 5, the Phoenix thing. But I’m waiting until all the hype dies down.
I was sitting outside reading a hardcover at lunch in a large courtyard the other day when two women walked past and one of them blasted me out of my reading reverie, screaming, “Is that the Harry Potter book?” To tell you how absurd this question was, not only because this is an area of business and office people and it’s just rude to disturb someone that way, but the book I had wasn’t even a fraction thick of what the Potters books are and it had a black cover. It was, in fact, Uta Hagen’s Challenge for the Actor, which is amazing, even better than her first book. And holding it up for this woman, I replied, “No, something much more magical.” And she gave me and the book a quizzical look and walked away with her friend, chatting once again at a high decibel level. Lovely.
Some of the titles may not be perfectly correct. I’m working off memory here.
Charms for the Easy Life, Kay Gibbons
I discovered Kay after reading Divining Women about a year ago and loved it. This is no different. Great story.
Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
I usually eschew whatever is on the Bestseller Lists but hey, anyone that can travel to Italy for four months and write about it can’t be all that bad. Really great book of self-discovery and her journey.
My Antonia, Willa Cather
Now I know what all the fuss is about. She’s an amazing writer and this is a great book. But I’m not telling you anything you didn’t already know. What took me so long!
Something Wicked this Way Comes, Ray Bradbury
I really do enjoy good science fiction and other-worldly stories. I enjoyed reading Arthur C. Clarke many years ago, so it’s a surprise I’ve never really read any Bradbury. This was an eerie, suspenseful horror story. I’ve read only his book on writing, “Zen and the Art of Writing.” Twice.
Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton
Wow. This is a downer. Great writing. I’m glad I read it. It’s still with me. Just a tragic story. Don’t read the next one and this one together.
The Awakening, Kate Chopin
I read this years ago and didn’t get it, probably too young but now, it seems so tame and yet, it is so tragic. I can understand why it caused such a hoopla when it was published although sad that the writer was so vilified for its subject matter. I do find the ending problematic.
A Woman in Berlin, Anonymous
This book shouted out to me in a bookstore. Never even heard of it. I’m fascinated by World War II history and this book chronicles the life of a journalist right after the liberation of Berlin for six months afterward. It’s horrific not only because this woman lived through it but it also seems tame compared to what is going on in the war-torn world now. Because I’m so grateful to be seemingly safe here where I am, I am drawn to how people survive both physically and emotionally in such difficult situations. I highly recommend this book.
Runaway, Alice Munro
She’s just the greatest writer. I love short stories and have read many of her books but this compilation of stories is magnificent. Every one.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safron Foer
I saw “Everything Is Illuminated” recently on film and found it so moving and odd and original that I sought out his newest book. It is moving and odd and original. And since Dad passed, I am reading many things on how people deal with loss and grief.
Complete Plays: Five Plays by Sarah Kane
I had no idea what I was getting into when I discovered this at the library while going through the play files. She was a troubled playwright whose writing is so disturbing that I can’t imagine it performed on stage. Yet, oddly enough after I read her final play, 4.48 Psychoses, I was at a theater to see another play and there in the lobby was a sign for the play being performing that weekend. Weird coincidence? A gal in my acting class, who had seen it in London in French, no less, told me that what happened was genius. I said, what? She said, you had an intention and it manifested. Great. Now if I can get that to work in other parts of my life. Oddly moving and disturbing and like Glenn Close said about theater, “It should move molecules.” Well, it did. Does. Tragic.
And continuing my fascination with physics, quantum and other:
Further Adventures of A Curious Character, Richard Feynman
In one story in this book, the great physicist details his now famous incident investigating the failure of the space shuttle Challenger’s O-rings. You don’t to have understand science to read these exploits. And he’s very humble with a great sense of humor.
And there’s still eight more weeks of summer left!
I decided to start reading all those classics that believe it or not I had never read. I’m a little behind on this than most people.
I must say I’m biased towards memoirs and female writers. And I’m sorely lacking in young adult fare and children’s literature but we’ll remedy that soon. While on my travels, I picked up two new children’s novels. Can’t wait to read them. Oh and I’m behind on my Potter reading. I’ve yet to read Book 5, the Phoenix thing. But I’m waiting until all the hype dies down.
I was sitting outside reading a hardcover at lunch in a large courtyard the other day when two women walked past and one of them blasted me out of my reading reverie, screaming, “Is that the Harry Potter book?” To tell you how absurd this question was, not only because this is an area of business and office people and it’s just rude to disturb someone that way, but the book I had wasn’t even a fraction thick of what the Potters books are and it had a black cover. It was, in fact, Uta Hagen’s Challenge for the Actor, which is amazing, even better than her first book. And holding it up for this woman, I replied, “No, something much more magical.” And she gave me and the book a quizzical look and walked away with her friend, chatting once again at a high decibel level. Lovely.
Some of the titles may not be perfectly correct. I’m working off memory here.
Charms for the Easy Life, Kay Gibbons
I discovered Kay after reading Divining Women about a year ago and loved it. This is no different. Great story.
Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
I usually eschew whatever is on the Bestseller Lists but hey, anyone that can travel to Italy for four months and write about it can’t be all that bad. Really great book of self-discovery and her journey.
My Antonia, Willa Cather
Now I know what all the fuss is about. She’s an amazing writer and this is a great book. But I’m not telling you anything you didn’t already know. What took me so long!
Something Wicked this Way Comes, Ray Bradbury
I really do enjoy good science fiction and other-worldly stories. I enjoyed reading Arthur C. Clarke many years ago, so it’s a surprise I’ve never really read any Bradbury. This was an eerie, suspenseful horror story. I’ve read only his book on writing, “Zen and the Art of Writing.” Twice.
Ethan Frome, Edith Wharton
Wow. This is a downer. Great writing. I’m glad I read it. It’s still with me. Just a tragic story. Don’t read the next one and this one together.
The Awakening, Kate Chopin
I read this years ago and didn’t get it, probably too young but now, it seems so tame and yet, it is so tragic. I can understand why it caused such a hoopla when it was published although sad that the writer was so vilified for its subject matter. I do find the ending problematic.
A Woman in Berlin, Anonymous
This book shouted out to me in a bookstore. Never even heard of it. I’m fascinated by World War II history and this book chronicles the life of a journalist right after the liberation of Berlin for six months afterward. It’s horrific not only because this woman lived through it but it also seems tame compared to what is going on in the war-torn world now. Because I’m so grateful to be seemingly safe here where I am, I am drawn to how people survive both physically and emotionally in such difficult situations. I highly recommend this book.
Runaway, Alice Munro
She’s just the greatest writer. I love short stories and have read many of her books but this compilation of stories is magnificent. Every one.
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Jonathan Safron Foer
I saw “Everything Is Illuminated” recently on film and found it so moving and odd and original that I sought out his newest book. It is moving and odd and original. And since Dad passed, I am reading many things on how people deal with loss and grief.
Complete Plays: Five Plays by Sarah Kane
I had no idea what I was getting into when I discovered this at the library while going through the play files. She was a troubled playwright whose writing is so disturbing that I can’t imagine it performed on stage. Yet, oddly enough after I read her final play, 4.48 Psychoses, I was at a theater to see another play and there in the lobby was a sign for the play being performing that weekend. Weird coincidence? A gal in my acting class, who had seen it in London in French, no less, told me that what happened was genius. I said, what? She said, you had an intention and it manifested. Great. Now if I can get that to work in other parts of my life. Oddly moving and disturbing and like Glenn Close said about theater, “It should move molecules.” Well, it did. Does. Tragic.
And continuing my fascination with physics, quantum and other:
Further Adventures of A Curious Character, Richard Feynman
In one story in this book, the great physicist details his now famous incident investigating the failure of the space shuttle Challenger’s O-rings. You don’t to have understand science to read these exploits. And he’s very humble with a great sense of humor.
And there’s still eight more weeks of summer left!
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