Sunday 6 March 2011

World Night and catching up



I was not a book giver for World Book Day but I was a book receiver. The lecturer from my book reading course was giving away Seamus Heaney's Selected Poetry which was a welcome surprise. I had a great time in front of the TV last night enjoying all the programmes dedicated to it. I fell like the BBC has really spoiled us with all the bookish programmes on lately, some of which I still need to catch up on.

This year so far has been a funny one with regards to my reading habits. I seem to be reading really really slowly and I haven't really brought any books since around January which was not intentional. The books I am selecting to read so far this year have tended to be either classics or if they are contemporary, quite hard going which require a slower reading pace. Am also getting into cooking and baking again so I have been checking out a lot of cookery books out of the library, I can do reviews on these?

These are the books I am currently reading and my progress with them. When I have finished these I think I am going to read a few light a fluffy reads to give my brain a rest.


War & Peace – according to my kindle I am exactly 50% of the way through. I no longer need to refer to my printed family tree as all the characters are firmly rooted in my brain. Its a novel that seems to get better as it goes on and is one I am really enjoying.


Gone with the Wind – I only have around 250 pages to go and boy is it enjoyable. I have to admit that I wasn't sure on this one to begin with but for me the novel turned a corner when the War started and now I can't put it down.


Jane Eyre – I started this yesterday and am reading this as part of a readalong hosted by sheistoofondofbooks and finished off chapter nine today. When I was younger I began to watch the film but I turned it off when she reached adulthood as I found it boring after that, I 'm hoping the book doesn't have the same fate!

I hope everyone else's year is going OK so far. I have some serious catch-up to do with regards to reviews so I best get my head down.

Posted by Jess

13 comments:

  1. I had to study Seamus Heaney at uni and while he will never be one of my faves his poems can very much be appreciated.

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  2. Wow, that is some heavy reading for sure! And all at the same time too lol. Good on ya!

    I find comic books good after reading heavy classics. Gives my brain a rest :p

    Have a great week!

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  3. What a great reading collection! I'm also reading W&P. Gone With the Wind and Jane Eyre are my favorite novels, and I'd LOVE a copy of Seamus Heaney's poetry; he's so innovative with lines.

    The first 100 or so pages of GWTW are pretty slow, for a first reader. BUT, once you've read the whole book, the contrast of those first 100, with all that's to come after them, adds to the book's brilliance, I think. Reading them, knowing everything else, makes them more meaningful.

    Mitchell wrote the last three chapters first, and the first chapter last. I find that intriguing. She was a reporter, so was a effect-to-cause thinker, rather than a cause-to-effect thinker. She wrote how it turned out, then sought to write how Scarlett got to that point.

    The 'beginning' is Scarlett as a shiny new penny, before the rusting.

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  4. I love Jane Eyre and enjoyed W&P when I read it last year. It's a big step when you stop referring to the names of who's who in the front of the book!

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  5. I loved Gone with the Wind so it is good to see that you are enjoying it. War and Peace is a book that scares me so I find your comments reassuring. I look forward to seeing what you think when you've finished it. hopefully you'll be able to persuade me to pick it up.

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  6. Bookmarc - I will look at them at some point, I have to admit that I would have prefered a novel though!

    Toni - I know, I need a graphic novel or something for afterwards.

    Jillian - I think the first section was so kind of idealistic in a way. These people all swanning around having BBQs and being nice to their slaves, I did think eh I thought this was meant to be a bit more gritty. It soon proved to be however just that, perhaps I should reread the first chapter after finishing it.

    Stacy - yes I thought I was going to be forever holding that dam family tree, I am terrible with names in books normally let along something like W&P!

    Jackie - its a long read but it isn't a slog if that makes sense. It kind of becomes a page turner the more you read but either way I will feel like Ive conquered a mountain when I'm finished!

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  7. I've been a bit suspicious as to all the BBC book programs lately - there's been loads, but I'm not complaining.

    War & Peace is on my list. I've also been reading slowly lately, and so I've been avoiding heavier stuff and sticking to shorter works.

    I LOVE Jane Eyre. Hope you enjoy it. You should read Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhyss when your done!

    Marie

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  8. I was a giver (Cloud Atlas) with my 10 year old daughter,and it was a great experience, but never met another giver, which was a shame.
    I love Seamus Heaney and it was one of my giver choices,as an alternative to the David Mitchell book, are you going to write a post on the poetry.

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  9. 50% on W&P, great job! I hope you love Jane Eyer too.

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  10. It is nice to cleanse your classical palate with easier reads here and there. Just finished a YA one that does just that -- will try to post about it this weekend, Keturah and Lord Death.
    Jane Eyre is a favorite of mine (looking forward to the new movie) and I do so want to read Gone with the Wind.

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  11. Fantastic selections - tough reads I'd imagine though! I'd be reading slow too:) I loved Jane Eyre - I think I need to pick up some of the classics again myself...thanks so much for sharing.

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  12. Very impressive reading list... I've also been reading slowly recently and am a bit behind on reviews.

    What I like so much about the reviews on Park Benches & Bookends is that they are always readable, brief and to the point, but obviously well thought out and critical. And you read great stuff! Keep it up!

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  13. Little Interpretations - I think the kindle has made the BBC think theres some sort of reading craze hense the programmes. who knows maybe their right?

    parrish lantern - I'm not a great reader of poetry so although I will read them I dont think I'm wualified to talk about them on the blog.

    Avid Reader - I feel I should celebrate when I finally finish it LOL

    Georgia Girls - I had better love Jane Eyre as I think I wont be popular if I dont LOL

    Cathy - no problem ;) I am craving newer fiction now though but its great to read classics.

    Marieke - thats very kind of you, thank you!

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