Sunday, October 17, 2010

Sunday Salon- Reading, Reading and More Reading

Yesterday was the second annual Boston Book Festival, and what a day it was for it- perfect fall weather and a full schedule made for a great bookish day. But I'll have a full post on the festival Tuesday. For now let's just say I had a great time.

Today I'm reading Madame Bovary, for the group read hosted by Frances at NonSuchBook, and The Finkler Question, which won the Man Booker Prize this past week. Finkler, by British writer Howard Jacobson, was, I think, considered an underdog for the Prize- Room and C and The Long Song were the darlings, with a flurry of betting the day before the winner was announced centered on C. I was very excited Jacobson won, if only because it was the only book on the shortlist that really interested me. Someone asked if Jacobson was the first Jewish writer to win the Prize and as far as I can tell he's the fifth, after Bernice Rubens, Nadine Gordimer, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and Anita Brookner. Anyway the book so far is very engaging and I'm looking forward to spending a big chunk of today really digging into it.

But for now I have tea to drink and reading to plan. On Friday my husband and I took 11 bags of books to sell at local used bookstores and racked up enough store credit to last us a good long time-which means I'll be replacing some of those books very, very soon!

What are you up to today? Have a great Sunday and see more Sunday Salon here.

11 comments:

bermudaonion said...

You've attended so may fun, bookish events here lately!

Audrey said...

Nuts and drat that I missed the book festival...had another commitment but there were so many great authors there. Looking forward to reading more about it!

Suzanne Yester said...

I can't wait to read about your Boston Book Festival! I really want to attend one of these events! Boston isn't that far :-)...

I'm glad to see your initial thoughts on Finkler are positive! I picked up a copy to dive into myself. I'm a bit surprised that it won since I thought things were leaning towards C. Finkler sounds like a great read, and I'm looking forward to it!

Anonymous said...

I am glad you had fun at the festival! Madame Bovary is a great book. I really want to read The Long SOng but I probably won't read the actual Booker winner.

Athira said...

I want to read Finkler Question too! Really looking forward to it!

Erin said...

Mmm, bookstore credit...

I think yours is the first blog I've seen to mention its writer is actually reading Finkler Question. I await your review!

As for me, I'm spending the day with my parents, whom my husband and I are visiting for the weekend. Enjoy the rest of your day!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Wow, 11 bags of books! I sort of worry though - I wonder how long before no one wants to buy used books because books have become passe? Certainly that seems to be the case with encyclopedias!

Zibilee said...

I can't wait to see your post on Tuesday! I also have a lot of books to go out, and I am already anticipating replacing them, not that I need anymore books in this house as it is! I will also be interested in hearing your thoughts on The Finkler Question. It took me by surprise that it was the winner, and I really do want to take the chance to read it soon.

Kathleen said...

I look forward to hearing what you think of Finkler. I read several reviews from bloggers that weren't able to finish the book. I've been a bit put off reading it as a result so look forward to hearing what you think.

Frances said...

Just love bookstore credits! Especially when they come from clearing over-burdened shelves.

Thanks again for reading along for Madame Bovary. Thrilled with the conversation so far, and can't wait to see what comes of this week's posts with more than 58 pages to comment on.

Happy reading!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

Why have I never attended the Boston Book Festival? Perhaps because it is always the same weekend as the wonderful Texas Book Festival?

Have you ever attended the Texas Book Festival? It's fantastic. As fantastic as the Boston Festival, I suppose.

Must attend more book festivals...Note to self....