Monday, November 9, 2015

It's Monday.....what are you reading?

My reading life has suffered greatly lately.  I fall asleep and some nights I've been so tired I haven't even picked up a book which is REALLY rare for me.  I think it's the time change but also maybe coming down from the steroids (I miss them already).......but while I'm working around the house I have been listening to some audio tapes and those I'm making progress on.........I finished this one by Bailey White, a famous NPR personality or at least that's where I first heard her. She's a great storyteller and tells stories about her travels, people she meets, her family and life in the South.  The first story was the worst and they all got better after that or maybe it's getting used to her style and her scratchy, shrill voice and her long run on sentences (like I do all the time..lol!).  Either way, she's a gem and certainly makes the chores fly by listening to her. 
So much for "the classics" and I still have War and Peace to read........Anna Kerenina reads like a soap opera.   Really, it could be Days of Our Lives set in Russia.  Although I have never watched soap operas, I've seen enough in doctor's offices and reception areas to get the gist.  He writes about the mundane and the social and the dramatic, silly lives of this group of people, many of whom are related to one another.  The biggest challenge are the Russian names and keeping everyone straight.  It may have been popular in it's day but now it seems childish and common place.  I'm on page 251 of 817.....slogging through............
Still reading this non-fiction too although almost finished with it.  It's interesting and there are case studies about various "tipping points".  "A tipping point being that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire."  This book is very readable and a very interesting topic.  It is a book for marketers, trend forecasters, social scientists, consumers, thinkers and curious people like myself.
My new audio book is Beloved, read by the author Toni Morrison.....I pick these up at garage sales and library sales.  I have since learned though that if Oprah likes it , I probably won't.  Oprah tends to like depressing, victim mentality books laced with cruelty or violence.  I do not understand how people who have been abused then turn around and want to dwell on it by reading books about it?  The same with the wars, my father wouldn't answer any questions about it and would get mad if I brought the subject up yet always had a good old time with his war buddies and was always plopped in front of the t.v. when any war movie was on.  I don't get it?  The only thing I can think of that it might be is that they are trying to understand things that their minds still can't fathom....otherwise it seems to me to be self-flagellation.  So far, it is a sad, woe is me tale and I'm sure I won't enjoy it but Toni does have a great reading style and voice.  I'll let you know when I finish it...hopefully I'll be wrong but I doubt it since Oprah is such a fan of hers.
Since I don't have much to offer you in the reading department this week, I thought I would offer up some recommendations that have been given to me and also some books I am contemplating reading down the road.   I may have to read 3 books at a time as else it will be Spring before I get to chose another non-fiction...lol!  I'm trying to read books I already own but my tastes have changed too and I think there are more good books out there today than there were just a few short years ago.
So here's some titles I've jotted down this week  month...........

The Egyptologist
The Aviator's Wife
The Paris Wife
The Geographer's Library
Foxglove and Hedgehog Days
The Great Christmas Knit-Off
Do Unto Animals
Goodnight June
Lost Lake
On Strike for Christmas
Morning Glory
The Imogene Museum Mystery Series
America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money
First Frost
The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennesey
The Court and the World
Big Magic
The All Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion
Yes, Chef: A Memoir

and a few movies........and/or t.v.
Benny and Joon
Philomena
127 Hours
Ice Lake Rebels

Actually....there were a few more but this should give you food for thought.  Thank you to all who gave me recommendations.....Diane, Stefanie, Kim, Terra and so many more.  I also get some from magazines I read, NPR and PBS.  So many books....so little time!
Happy Trails!


 

14 comments:

  1. Gosh, I haven't thought of Bailey White in years. I have her book "Mama Makes Up Her Mind" and loved it so much I bought my mom a copy, too. It has to be around here somewhere so I can re-read it! I haven't had time for anything new. I had picked up some new paperback series mysteries at the library and now I can't remember where I put the author list. I have been re-reading some of my Dick Francis books. They never age. Happy Reading

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    1. Dick Francis? Is he the one that wrote horse racing mysteries? I've always wanted to try him...thanks for the reminder.

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  2. It is hard for me to read abusive plots too. I'm glad to have been a book inspiration for your TBR.

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    1. I really want to read that memoir of the chef. I read the synopsis and it sounds wonderful. I can't wait!

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  3. I'm listening to audio books too, good old Inspector Frost detective stories at the moment.

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    1. Oh, I've never heard of him...I'll have to look that one up and add it to my TBR list. I love a good mystery!

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  4. I read the Tipping Point and really enjoyed it...learned a lot from it. We still quote it sometimes. I started reading Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley today. She's one of my favorite authors and I downloaded it from my library. I'm already getting into it! I've started 2 books lately that I couldn't finish. (they're not on your list..heehee) Hugs!!!

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    1. Thank you for all the great recommendations you've given me! I'll add Named of the Dragon now too. Yes, The Tipping Point is so interesting and fulfills my desire to be a lifelong learner.

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  5. Thnk you for yoru sweet comments on my blog. I have been walking my Chloe about 2 miles a day along with the housework so I don't sti and crochet ALL day, just a lot of it! Ha! Today I had errands for hours and I'm tired! On the reading front, I won "Every Little Thing, making a world of difference right where you are" by Deidra Riggs on a blog giveaway and I'm really enjoying what I've read so far.
    Have a wondeful day my friend,
    Betsy

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    1. So happy to hear you are walking and taking good care of yourself. I was worried about you and didn't mean to "lecture"...I apologize. We walk (excuse the pun) a fine line between exercising and overdoing it and finding the balance is not easy. There were times when I would walk but then I would be too tired to do anything else. You're doing marvelous then and I am so happy to hear it! Now, I am even more amazed at all you get done!!! LOL!
      The book you're reading sounds great and I may have to look into that one too. Stay warm! Hugs...Sam

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  6. I have Lost Lake on my Kindle...it was dry and I must force myself to read a bit more:) You will love Benny and Joon and Philomenia...I enjoyed then both. Morning Glory is wonderful if it is the Minnesota LaVyrle Spencer:)

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    1. Thanks for the recommendations as I might have heard about the movies from you. I can't remember the author on Morning Glory but if it isn't I'll be reading LaVyrle as I am partial to midwest authors.

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  7. I read Anna Karenina a few years ago. I've tried to read a few of the classics I missed in school. The Bailey White audio book sounds interesting. We like audio books for long car trips.

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  8. By the way, I tried to reply to your last comment on my blog via e-mail and it came back undelivered saying it didn't recognize your e-mail address.

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