After months of reading nothing but student papers, I love having time to read books again. The problem is that once I start a good book I don't want to put it down til I reach the end. I am better than I once was at closing my book at a decent hour and saving it for when work is done, but if I have to choose between grading papers and reading my book, I certainly would prefer the latter. So, here's what I read in January:
Beekeeper's Apprentice, by Laurie King. Enjoyable, would be great for book group. Set in UK around WWII. A sharp young lady meets the retired Sherlock Holmes and becomes his apprentice.
One Sunday when E was napping with N, and my Beekeeper's Apprentice was in their napping room, I picked up The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan. Our three older kids (and most of my students) have read this book, so I figured I should read it to be culturally literate. It's a fun read and well-done, and although Beekeeper's has a more advanced vocabulary, older characters, and more complex situations and relationships, both books are mysteries and coming-of-age stories.
After the first two, I guess I had caught the reading bug, because then I picked up an epic: The Children's Book, by A. S. Byatt. Almost 900 pages (paperback), spanning several families and about 25 years, filled with historical and cultural references, symbolism, and allegories, this was not a quick read. For the first 100 pages I had a tough time keeping track of all the characters, and somewhere in the middle I wondered if sex was going to be the main theme for the rest of the book. But I liked how Byatt approached many themes--gender, class, war, activism, industrialism, religion, emperialism, sex, marriage, death, art/craft--from multiple perspectives. And I found that the historical & cultural context enriched the story (though I'm not a great student of history and skimmed much), and the story brought the context to life.
I should probably focus on other things (papers, exercise, laundry, my family) for a few days before immersing myself in another book. The next will be short and sweet: A Room with a View (for book group).
I semi-randomly picked up Lightning Thief and I was really pleased and pleasantly surprised! I thought it was charming and funny. Book 2 is good stuff as well. I started book 3 and didn't get far. I haven't read Beekeeper's Apprentice, but I'll have to get it. Have you tried Hunger Games? All of these people on facebook were reading it, so I picked it up--very engrossing, not amazing writing, but really, really fun.
ReplyDeleteThe only A.S. Byatt I've tried was Possession. I just didn't have the stamina--maybe someday. Ah, reading for pleasure! One of the very best things in life.
I'm rereading Northanger Abbey right now with the excuse that it's sort of research/academicky--laugh out loud funny for me. I keep wanting to write a screenplay for it, but am trying to resist in favor of writing a dissertation.