I love reading, it's one of my all time favorite pastimes, and writing too. Whenever I find an author or a book that I love, I just have to buy it because I don't read books just once. Ok, sometimes I do, but for the most part, I love the re-reading. There is so much that, as the audience, I miss the first time but can see upon subsequent encounters with the book. It's like having an old friend, you know them, but you can always learn something new about them or respond differently to them based on what has happened in your own life. Plus, there is comfort in the familiarity. I have a few books that are my stand by, go to books: Pride and Prejudice, Possession, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, A Room of One's Own, Firestorm, Refuge, Whispers, Clouds, Incubus Dreams, and Swallowing Darkness.
I am not a snob, well, not totally a snob when it comes to literature. I love history books, historical fiction, Christian romance novels, bodice rippers, "classic literature", political writing, religious writing, and memoirs. Sometimes I pick up a book and just can't get into it, but then a few months later, I devour it. That is the beauty of literacy. We can encounter new ideas, cultures, and worlds through the written word. I hope to pass on this love to my children, my hubby too.
These are the books that I am currently trying to work through. I have to have a few at a time because I'm a little ADHD when it comes to reading... short attention span. Yikes.
I just finished "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels", by Ree Drummond and I loved it. I haven't enjoyed a book that much in months. It is funny, sad, touching, melodramatic, and engaging. You feel like you are sitting down for coffee and scones or wine and chocolate with a good friend. Her voice has the tone of a conversations on a girls' night out. I recommend this book.
"The Children's Book", by A.S. Byatt, is one that I haven't been able to get started on. It is thick and intimidating and I just know it will be deep. I love her other novels and am sure I will love this one as well. Maybe it can be my Spring Break read.
"Divine Misdemeanors", by Laurell K. Hamilton. She is one of my top ten authors but her stuff is dark. The books are filled with vampires, werewolves, magic, violence, and sex. Sometimes, well, most of the times all of those things are connected. It is disturbing but entrancing and as a new mommy, I just can't handle the disturbing part of it. I'll save finishing this one for this coming summer.
"Nurture", by Lisa Bevere, is a book about the lost art of nurturing and how it is negatively impacting our society. I consider myself an equity feminist (woohoo third wave feminism) and have finally become ok with the idea that, in truth, women just tend to be better at the nurture thing and if we don't own this, who will?
Devon Van Esson is a wonderful friend and she loaned me "Liar", by Justine Larbalestier. I haven't started it yet, but am planning on this being my weekend teaching read. * I have to read young adult novels on weekends while teaching... it just helps me get in that angst ridden teenage mentality so I can relate to my students. :)
Carrie Fisher is one of my new favorites after reading "Wishful Drinking" this past summer. I started "Postcards From the Edge" a while ago and am excited to finish it up. Her stuff is funny but also slightly heartbreaking to read.
I just finished re-reading Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series for the 3rd time right before Jayden was born in November. I ordered the prequel, "The Clockwork Angel", and am excited to get started on it.
"The Elegance of the Hedgehog", by Muriel Barbery, is awesome. The language is so beautiful that I just can't get over it. It makes me want to write more. :)
Speaking of writing... I do this often. I journal, I write vampire and werewolf romance novels, and I write contemporary stories about the difficult times people face in life. I have never been published but am hopeful that someday I will be. If not, I still love writing and have no plans to stop. If you love it, you don't need a monetary reward in order to do it.
Happy reading and writing to you!
