Hosted by The Book Date!
Some weeks are better than other, for reading and, really, for life in general. Last week was fantastic all-around!
I finished reading…
The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter. I picked up this book because I adored his collection of short stories. I was not disappointed. It reads like interconnected vignettes with character’s weaving though everyone’s story. Life in a small college town might just feel that way.
The Portable Veblen by Elizabeth Mckenzie. This book came out a few weeks ago, and after seeing it on so many "must read" lists, I couldn’t resist. It is quirky. Describing it as “unique” and “fun” does not do it justice. It is so much more than that. Clever and amusing and charming book.
Dream Work by Mary Oliver. This was my second poetry collection by Oliver so far, in life and in 2016. I actually sought out this one first, before her Pulitzer Prize winning collection American Primitive, because of one poem. It is called Wild Geese. A year ago September, I attended a community yoga class in Millennium Park here in Chicago. There were yogis of all shapes, sizes and abilities. The air was crisp and the sun shining bright. As the class began, we closed our eyes to reflect and the teacher recited Wild Geese. The moment was fleeting and I remember loving the words and wanting to hear them again. During our final resting pose, she read the poem once more. And then again more slowly so that we could take them in. Needless to say, I ran home and “Googled” the poem.
The rest is history, and I am in love with Mary Oliver. I want to see life/things through her eyes and express myself half as eloquently, lusciously as she. I can’t imagine it will be too long before I get my hands on Felicity.
All three books mentioned above receive two enthusiastic thumbs up from me!
I am currently reading…
The other day, I mentioned three half-finished books that I want to complete before moving on to others. I don’t know if I am actually able to do this because I have an idea already in my mind as to which books I’d like to take on vacation, but it’s worth a try.
- H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald.
- Dear Mr. You by Mary-Louise Parker (of theater, movie, and Weeds fame)
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Today, I am planning to wrap up Dear Mr. You.
Next up…
I fairly sure I am taking The Story of a New Name (My Brilliant Friend, Book 2) by Elena Ferrante with me to wherever it is I am going, which I still do not know three days out and it is still driving me crazy. It’s 480 pages, but I will definitely take another two just in case.
Okay, bring on your reading recommendations!
I'll be interested to read what you thought of H is for Hawk. I'm going to be reading it later this year for my book club.
ReplyDeleteI started this book over a year ago. I pick it up then lose interest or become distracted by another book. I know it's supposed to be good. Hopefully, I'll polish it off in the next two weeks. In other news, almost finished with Dear Mr. You! What a freaking awesome memoir!
DeleteI have a friend who reads Mary Oliver and in particular Wild Geese is one he uses a lot in his work. She is a fascinating person too.
ReplyDeleteWild Geese truly spoke to me. It can mean so many different things to each one of us. I will be a fan of hers forever and longer. Of to research her...
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Kathryn!