Thursday, March 5

Maxine + Books


Who ever heard of snow down south in March? We did, darn it. But believe it or not, by the weekend, it will be in the high 70's. Go figure. I've always said that Mother Nature has us riding a yo-yo.

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I have mentioned before that I trade books with several friends, which lessens the cost to all of us and recycles them through three or more people before they find their way back onto our bookshelves. Sometimes, I buy books and give them to my friend Pam before I read them, since she reads faster than I do. Most of the time I remember which ones I have read, and which ones I have not - but today I discovered one on my shelves that I didn't remember. I could have sworn I had read it. It is "The Pillars of the Earth", by Ken Follett. I have seen it on so many "to be read" lists, and blogger's books lists and I just can't believe that I shelved it without checking. It's been there at least a year. I started it today, and read about 20 pages. I was hooked by the 3rd page. Thank Heaven I realized I hadn't read it because now I have all that pleasure to look forward to.

Reading is occupying more of my time in the last week or so. I can't think of a better way to escape into a new reality than to open a book. Getting lost in some author's fiction is an easy remedy for getting away from your life when troubles occur. Sooner or later you have to go back to them, but for a few hours you can be transported almost anywhere.

What books are transporting you this week?

14 comments:

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Will finish Conscience Point by Erica Abeel the first 10 minutes in bed and then begin A Mercy by Toni Morrison. I like how you trade books with friends; we do that, too, with all of them ultimately being donated to the Friends of the Library.

donna said...

You might give paperbackswap.com a try if you like trading books -- I have a lot of fun with it.

I'm reading David Whyte's The Three Marriages at the moment.
Then have a couple of the paperbackswap books lined up, but they are pretty obscure ones. I'm not much into popular fiction. ;^)

Gilly said...

I buy paperbacks cheaply on Amazon (used, so long as they are clean!) and then donate them to Charity shops. I always find that when people way what books they are reading, they cite big tomes, intellectual stuff, and I hate to admit to loving detective novels. Police procedural sort, not blood, gore and horror!

But getting my head into a book is the only way I can relax, and be transported into another world. Music doesn't do it for me, but reading does.

There now, I've admitted to my taste in reading, and so far I haven't been ostracised!

Arkansas Patti said...

YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE it. It is one of those books you hate to have end. His World Without End is a centuries later sequel. Great read also.
Being frugal, I am a library nut. Only problem with library books, is there are always people who think they can read a book and eat pasta at the same time. To avoid the food stains and chocolate finger print books, go for new releases. They are clean and pretty.

Tabor said...

Sometimes I am halfway through a book before I realize I have read it before! Haven't decided if I like that or not.

Unknown said...

I'm surprised you overlooked "Pillars of the Earth" in your bookcase because it's so big. Like 700 pages. It will keep you up at night, because it's a page-turner.

I've just finished "The Book Thief" by Markus Z.... (something). It's different than any book I've ever read. It's about a teenage girl in Germany during the war. I think you'd love it.

Anonymous said...

I am currently reading an "oldie",too. It is John Irving's "A WIDOW FOR ONE YEAR"

So far,(50 pages) it is interesting but SLOW. In 50 pages it is still the same day.... It's a bit like reading Mary Worth or Rex Morgan M.D.

I once left for vacation for three weeks and Rex was just leaving for the office and when I got home he still hadn't arrived....

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I haven't had a chance to read or do much since Sissy was born! I need to get back in the habit. These days, I stick to magazines where I can get through them quickly.

tiff said...

That is an incredible book. I hope you find enjoyment in every single page.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

What you say is so true, Judy....Books are a wonderful escape and you ofetn learn a lot, too!
I find movies do that for me, too. In fact, maybe more than books....
I just finished reading Lee. M's. Auto-Bio, (Not published yet)...It was very interesting and considering how long I have known her..(1962), I learned a lot of things I had not known.

LOVE your Winter Snowy Header Picture, my dear!

Granny Annie said...

Yes, we were hit by some unseasonable snow also. Ours took February out like a lion on the 28th but brought March in like a lamb.

Right now I am awaiting John Grisham's latest book that I borrow next from my son.

rosemary said...

The Associate....absurd plot as usual but interesting characters and love Grisham's (?spelling?)style.

sage said...

I read most of Rick Bragg's "Ava's Man" on the plane yesterday, finishing it this morning. Good writing. It sounds like you all got hammered down there--love the pic at the top of your blog.

Jamie Dawn said...

I like to read kids or young adult fiction. I guess I'm a kid at heart. I'm currently reading the Maximum Ride series by James Patterson. Also, I just purchased Inkspell which is the second of a trilogy, I'll start that one after I finish the Patterson series.