Monday, February 24, 2014

Where Would I Be Without Books?

The weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
I've got a few books on the go
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

 This week, the weather has plummeted to below 30 degrees centigrade with the wind chill factor.  Outdoor activity, not my favorite to begin with, is out of the question.

I looked at the weather in our little provençal town yesterday, it was 19 degrees centigrade! But as I am here and not there, I will attempt to make the most of it.

I finished reading: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks and The History of Love by Nicole Krauss and am now 49% (Kobo stats tell me) into The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.  What an interesting, intriguing story.  Set in the 19th century, the main character is a tall, not so pretty but very clever woman who becomes enamored with... moss. It's more exciting than it sounds folks... honestly!

My love of books has been a sure thing in my life since grade 5.  That's when our teacher read us a novel in class once a week.  I fell in love with novels then and have rarely been without reading material at my bedside and anywhere else I decide to take my trusty iPad.

I have a library of numerous unread books of different genres and can pick and choose what to read depending on how I feel at the moment.  That is very important.  Some books have to wait, (Anna Karenina)  others can be picked up and consumed instantly.  Got to have some of those too.

Reading has been my most constant and true companion over the years and for many years to come, I hope.  To read just for my pleasure or for my pleasure AND to share in a reading circle is mostly just plain fun.

I'm going to be reading a couple novels set in Venice because V. and I are going to spend a few days there this fall.  Novels are a great way to prepare for a trip.  They give you other kinds of details than travel guides.  They get you to feel the place and become familiar with it's personality. I remember clearly becoming familiar with Barcelona when I read The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon.

Name a book I didn't like?  As For Me and My House by Sinclair Ross

One of my most favorite of all time?  A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.

What is one of your favorite novels?

Stella-the-reader


9 comments:

Linda said...

One of my favorite reads is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I usually read it in the summer after school has ended. If you are heading to Venice, I highly recommend A Thousand Days in Venice: An Unexpected Romance by Marlena de Blasi. It is a memoir. After I read it I wanted to go to Venice. Haven't made it there yet!

Anonymous said...

Oh Stella, so many books to choose from. Today, according my how I feel, my Top 3 (in no particular order) - Poisonwood Bible by Kingsolver (so touching, so raw) - Voss by Patrick White (It took me close to 7 years to find the book but I finally located it at Powell's Books in Portland and it took me 4 attempts to read it. A delicious and tragic book.) And, 'La détresse et l'enchantement by Gabrielle Roy - I read it in my mid-20s, again near the end of my 30s and I hope to reread it eventually - it is a Bible, of sorts). ;) RB

Bookworm Habits said...

One my favorite books:
Cold Sassy Tree.
Venice This Summer?
Provence with WR
Brocante Pottery Finds
Happy as a Lark Friendship
Apples in the Pumpkin Soup
30 Below OMG No.

Stella said...

It's the second time today that I hear of Voss. RB and Cate Blanchett list it as a favorite... I must investigate!

Anonymous said...

Stella, chère, if you wish, I could lend you my copy! Let me know! And oh so glad to see Cate Blanchett agrees with my appreciation of Voss. BTW, Patrick White won the Noble Prize for literature ... RB

Lizette said...

The book I just finished was called My Secret Sister by jenny Lucas and Helen Edwards. It is a powerful memoir. One of my favorites is The Glass Castle. Both are memoirs. Maybe that is a theme!

Stella said...

I am love-love-loving your comments! Thank you, thank you! My Secret Sister... got to investigate that...

Nancy said...

Books are like soul food. I don't read a specific genre. I do love books that teach and inspire me. My all time favorite book is Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
Anne Morrow Lindberg's Gift from the Sea is also dear to my heart. A good book is a wonderful treasure.

Linda said...

What a list! A trip to the library should go on the to dos for the week.

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