Sunday, August 21, 2011

Sunday Salon: Off My Feet Today


We still have some summer left, but it's hard to deny that fall is just around the corner and with it, the busiest season of readings and bookish events. Numerous author events plus the Salem and Boston book/literary festivals mean a very full schedule from here on out!

Today I'm preparing for the first event on my calendar, Carmela Ciuraru's reading/discussion from her book Nom de Plume: A (Secret) History of Pseudonyms. I'm learning so much; I didn't know, for example, that Sylvia Plath originally published The Bell Jar under a pseudonym, or that Karen Blixen/Isak Dineson published some of her books in English first, then translated them herself into Danish, often changing things in the process. It's fascinating stuff. 

I'll be discussing the book with her at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, on Thursday, August 25 at 7pm. I really hope you can make it!

Other than that? I have no idea what today holds. My tendonitis has been acting up so I'm going to stay off my feet and that probably means some reading. I started The Prestige, by Christopher Priest, and if you follow me on Twitter you know I've been raving about it. It's just crazy good. If you've seen the movie you know the biggest twist, but there are definitely others and the book is pretty different from the movie in many respects. 

I'm also still in the thick of The Illusion of Return, by Samir El-Youssef, about a Palestinian refugee living in the UK and confronting an old friend from their days in Lebanon under Israeli control. I'm reading it for Melville House's Art of the Novella challenge, hosted by Frances of Nonsuch Book. It's a great read but it's not a quick one. I really want to just read the whole series!

What are you up to today? What are you reading? Have a great Sunday. More Sunday Salon here.

14 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

Yes! Stay off your feet! Everybody needs one of those days. You've got me intrigued with The Presige. I never did see the movie because it got such controversial reviews (which should have been the first hint that I should see it!). I look forward to your review, where you will convince me I can't live without it!

Anonymous said...

With the rain, I'm going to be continuing to read The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly.

When you mentioned the book The Prestige on Twitter, I was wondering if it was the book on which the movie was based. Thanks for clearing that up.

Cassandra said...

I was just wondering if The Prestige was based on a novel after reading The Night Circus. What is it about the turn of the 20th century and magic, I wonder? Have fun reading!

Harvee said...

The Illusion of Return sounds very good. It's on my wish list!

Zibilee said...

Oh, I am sorry that your tendonitis is acting up! You do need some time to just sit with a cup of tea and read. I also wish I could be there for your conference. It sounds like it's going to be wonderful!

Frances said...

Also looking forward to fall literary events. Things tend to go a little quiet in the summer. And know exactly what you mean when you say "a great read but it's not a quick one." The density of some of those novellas was a bit of a surprise. Take care of that tendonitis!

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Would love to come to your event in Cambridge! Or even just to Cambridge! :--) Hope your tendonitis improves!

Anonymous said...

I will be there on the 30th - a few days too late - but good luck! I had to go into work today...

Anonymous said...

I've wondered about the book The Prestige - will definitely have to pick that one up!

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

I am so tired.... and to think Fall ramps up the reading.... I so look forward tot hat but do not see my life slowing down any time soon.

Rebecca Reid said...

I really liked NOM DE PLUME. Enjoy meeting the author!

Audra said...

I'm so going to try to pop by on Thurs -- been dying to read Nom de Plume and I'm kind of hooked on author reads after the fabu-ness of Emma Donoghue.

Marie Cloutier said...

Audra, I so hope you can make it! :-)

fibrowitch said...

Byron and I will put the book event on our calender. I wish I could have spent Sunday off my feet