I’m having one of those months where every book is taking at least a day longer than I assumed it would. This isn’t really a big deal—but I have a stack of library books with due dates looming, and I’m going to have to do something to overcome that. As that Canadian band asks, who needs sleep?
This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived on Taking on a World of Words—and shown to me by Aurore-Anne-Chehoke at Diary-of-a-black-city-girl.
The Three Ws are:
What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
Seems easy enough, right? Let’s take a peek at this week’s answers:
What are you currently reading?
This morning I started two new books: I’m reading Death in the Dark Woods by Annelise Ryan, and am listening to Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C. S. Lewis by Michael Ward, read by Nigel Patterson on audiobook. I’m intrigued by the premises to both, and hope they live up to them.
What did you recently finish reading?
I just finished Duncan MacMaster’s Hacker. It was better than I expected (and I expected good things). I also just finished Prayers for Rain by Dennis Lehane, read by Jonathan Davis on audio. I’d forgotten so much of this book—this was like reading it for the first time.
>
What do you think you’ll read next?
My next book should be a book I meant to read in December, The City of Scales by M.T. Miller. My next audiobook should be something pretty different for me, Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto, read by Risa Mei.
Are you reading anything good?
allyson johnson
I’m nearing the climax of Tolstoy’s “War and Peace”: Sonja has revealed to Natasha that Prince Andrei is among the wounded in their caravan exiting Moscow, knowing that if their engagement is renewed, Nicolai will not be able to marry Princess Maria due to consanguinity rules of the time. Moscow is burning, as Napoleon’s invading soldiers are careless building fires to warm themselves. Pierre has disguised himself as a peasant with a plan to end the carnage by assassinating Napoleon, but he is arrested as an incendiary and sentenced to be shot.
I am also reading Verghese’s “Covenant of Water”, but the story came to a dead stop after about 90 pp when Verghese switches to the POV of an entirely new character, and I put the book down. May not be able to finish before it is due at the library.
And I’m browsing through Edgar Lee Masters’ “Spoon River Anthology” a collection of poems about small town life and characters which was much admired in its time, and which you probably read part of in High School English class.
A copy of C.S. Lewis’ “The Screwtape Letters” also came my way, and it’s always a rewarding re-read.
And I’m still working on Peter Carey’s “Oscar and Lucinda”, becoming invested in the characters after 150pp of trying.
In the cracks, I read Caroline Cooney’s “The Ransom of Mercy Carter” about the Deerfield raid in 1704, in which over 100 Deerfield residents (including a distant ancestor of mine) were abducted by Indians and taken to Canada. Cooney is a good journeyman writer of YA fiction, and her research seems to be quite solid.
And I re-read Nick Bantock’s “Museum at Purgatory”, which is more of an imagining of a concept than a novel, with lavish and imaginative illustrations. I understood it a little better than I did when I read it years ago. What do you think might be the purpose of Purgatory? The Catholic Church scratched its collective head and abolished the concept some years back, I think. They should have talked to Bantock.
I also read two of E. Nesbit’s classic children’s chapter books “Five Children and It”, and “The Phoenix and the Carpet”, because I hadn’t read them before and a copy came my way. Charming in a Peter-Pan-fantasy sort of way, and nicely illustrated, redolent of the era when households had cooks and gardeners and children had nursemaids and ate jam tarts. Certain passages involving savages on a tropical beach are politically incorrect for these times.
Next I will probably read Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go”, thanks to one of those articles you linked to in your Saturday post last week. And for a book club, “The Spy and the Traitor” by Ben MacIntyre.
(Sounds like I read a lot, but the YA and children’s lit are REALLY fast reads)
HCNewton
I’m pretty sure I did read a few things from that Anthology (the title is embedded very deeply in my mind).
Screwtape is always good to spend time with, I agree. How long is Oscar and Lucinda? Long enough to make 150 pages of investment worth it?
allysonyj
Oscar and Lucinda is about 425 pp long. I Have been reading at it, though, for months – very slow going. I keep thinking it’s about to get good.
Just got a notice that “Covenant of WAter” is already waiting for me at the library. O & L may have to wait a bit longer.
Bob Germaux
Believe it or not, H.C., I’m currently reading “Prayers for Rain.” I thought I’d read all the Kenzie and Gennaro books, but when I came across this one (from 2009) recently (here?), it didn’t ring a bell, so I downloaded it. So far, I’m enjoying it. It’s nice to revisit that world and those characters. Bubba, especially, I find fascinating.
I just finished “Broken Trust,” Lupica’s first Spenser novel. Very much enjoyed it. Lupica spends a lot of time establishing his street creds, as it were, regarding his knowledge of Spenser’s Boston, but since Boston has long been one of Cynthia’s and my favorite cities, I didn’t mind that. The plot kept me guessing, especially with the twists and turns at the end. Overall, a promising beginning to what I hope will be several more Spensers by Lupica.
Next up will probably be another oldie but (I hope) goodie: Robert Crais’ “Two Minute Rule” from 2006. I’m not sure if I read this one or not, but even if I did, it’s probably time to do a re-read.
HCNewton
If you’re reading for Bubba, this is probably the best book in the series. Overall, it’s not my favorite–but some great twists and compelling writing.
Lupica has said something like he’s not giving up Spenser before he dies. Guess we’ll see what the publisher has to say about that 🙂
I look forward to your thoughts on the Two Minute Rule. I’ll hold my take up my sleeve until then.
Bob Germaux
I’m a;most finished with “Two Minute Rule,” H.C. I’ll definitely leave my review on next week’s WWW post. As for Lupica saying he’s not giving up Spenser until he dies, what writer could blame him? An iconic character in a legendary series. As long as Lupica can produce, I’m all for it.