Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sunday Salon

Yesterday my husband and I took a ride out to sunny Concord, Mass., to browse the antique stores and their wonderful bookstore, which I think is just called the Concord Book Store. I didn't buy anything but I was impressed listening to one of the staff people recommending books to a customer interested in historical fiction. One of the things he suggested was a book called Kristin Lavradsdatter, a historical novel by Sigrid Unset, which looked fascinating. It also looked long, like way too long for me to even think about right now, but I might tuck it away on my wishlist for the future.

I was looking at my TBR pile and I've got several chunky books waiting for me: Middlemarch, The Golden Notebook, The Whisperers, Don Quixote, Marie Antoinette, among others. So maybe when I finish one or two big books, I will give myself permission to buy another.

Today I'm enjoying reading Peter Carey's Booker Prize winner, Oscar and Lucinda, a literary romance about two misfits and a church made entirely of glass. As you can tell from the book cover, it was made into a movie starring Cate Blanchett and Ralph Fiennes. I liked the movie, but I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie and I'm really, really liking the book. For the past year it's been the book I've always wanted to read next. Finally!



Still wading my way through American Wife. I was starting to have some issues with it but I've come to terms with the book I think. More later! I've noticed some of you are starting post reviews of this book and I've been avoiding reading them, because I want to wait till I'm done and have formed my own opinion, but I'm looking forward to talking to you all about it soon.

16 comments:

Ruth King said...

I'm avoiding anything over 900 pages like the plague at this point. Once I whittle my TBR pile down a bit, I'll be in the mood for something that I can get lost in for awhile.

I remember hearing good things about Oscar and Lucinda when the movie came out. I'll have to look into reading the book -- the church made of glass sounds intriguing.

wisteria said...

I understand the long book concept right now as well. I have too many of them. I just finished The Given Day, by Dennis Lehane which was fabulous but my summer is quickly fading.

I'm glad you told us about Oscar and Lucinda. Please let us know what you think next week. I may have to break down.

Have a great week.

Cheryl said...

I have American Wife on my TBR list

gautami tripathy said...

I too am avoiding tomes. They eat up a lot of my time!

I prefer books around 200-400 pages!

Here is my SS post

John (@bookdreamer) said...

Mention of Big books, reminds me that I have yet to tackle Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. I started but soon go so lost that I brought elegant complexity by Greg Carlisle which is a guide as big as the original. And they will be read over my Summer Break.

My Blog

Anonymous said...

Oscar and Lucinda looks interesting...thanks for sharing!

Clare Dudman said...

Loved Oscar and Lucinda (although it was a long time ago that I read it)! I've read a lot of Carey since and I think he's excellent. I loved the idea of a Glass Church, and I also thought the addiction to gambling came over very well.

Clare Dudman said...

Forgot to add - not heard of the American Wife, yet - though I have to admit the cover doesn't appeal to me much - looks a bit too much like romantic fiction to my taste. Anyway, thanks for bringing it to my attention!

Anonymous said...

I could kick myself after reading this post. Why? I just last week sold a copy of Kristin Lavradsdatter, by Sigrid Unset on half.com. The cover was pretty awful and I didn't even bother to research it. Stupid, stupid me. :)

I'm on an anti-book buying kick right now myself. I have 13 books waiting to be read and the Book Award Challenge II starts on Friday. I've got everything I could possibly need for many months to come.

Anonymous said...

I just recently read Kristin Lavransdatter, before I had all these review copies to read so I could justify the time. I really liked it, and I'd recommend it when you have more time to devote to it.

Also, awaiting your review of American Wife as I just reviewed it, too. =)

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Short books always have precedence over long books!

Tara said...

I'm looking forward to your review of American Wife - I enjoyed it for the most part.

Literary Feline said...

I've been eying my longer books, knowing I need to read them considering they are review books but still I pick up the shorter ones . . . One of these days I'll be ready.

Anonymous said...

I liked Oscar and Lucinda very much - it sent me off on a huge Peter Carey reading spree. That reminds me, I'm getting a bit behind...

Anonymous said...

We live in Concord! Isn't the Concord Bookshop nice -the staff is so helpful! They have author events on many Sunday afternoons (but like most places in town, the sidewalks roll up at 6pm!)

Where else did you go in town? Where did you eat? Main Streets Market is a good place for a sandwich or light meal, and Bedford Farms Dairy (near the train station) is the best place for ice cream.

Marie Cloutier said...

Sheistoofondofbooks, we actually at in Lexington at Via Lago. We go to the Main Street Markets sometimes too- they have yummy stuff for lunch. :-) We also love Concord Tea Cakes for sweets and my favorite quilt shop is right nearby in West Concord. :-)