Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Rural Reading Corner


So my somewhat negative attitude towards my public library is slowly changing. You can catch up with thoughts on small town reading here and here. But I'm becoming a convert. Where before I was continuously bummed because they didn't have the books that were on my wish list, I now find myself excited to discover new reads that I might have otherwise never picked up.

I still am on quite a reading binge. I can't wait to finish up one book so that I can go peruse the aisles of the library in search of my next treasure! I've only finished up two books in the last several weeks. One took a little longer to read than a book normally does. But both books are worth a share. Oh hell, even if I hate a book, I'll probably share it. Just because I like or dislike something doesn't mean you won't be the complete opposite, right?

Can I also just say that I have been giving up my standard 8+ hours of beauty sleep to stay up and read every night. Poor David. I have a lamp by my bed, but you might as well have the lights on. Sometimes I turn on the bathroom light and stretch myself across to the bed (head at the bottom, feet at the top) to read by the faint glow of that light. Can reading be an addiction?




So, the two books I have to tell you about:

The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides: I had seen this book show up on lists and recommendations at Amazon. It sat on the bookshelf at the library, looking out at me each week I went in. I finally picked it up when I couldn't find any of the books on my list. I won't lie. I hated it in the beginning. It seems over written to me and there was a lot of literary mumbo jumbo and references to books I had never heard of to wade through. I contemplated putting it down more than once (or three times if we are being honest). But once I got past the beginning chapters the real story started to take place and I found myself becoming more interested. It was not an easy read. And I can't say that I loved it. I'm glad I gave it a chance and finished it, but I would say that it was just a so-so read in my humble opinion.

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton: Maybe I was drawn to this book because the title reminded me of my all time favorite book, The Secret Garden. And there is a garden that is both secret and forgotten that becomes central to the story. The things I loved most about this book was that it is told from 3 different points of view, in three different time eras. And we see the story unfold from each perspective and how each character relates to the others. This book is centered around a family mystery, but has romance, betrayal, friendships and heartache. I absolutely enjoyed every second of it.

So, I've moved on to a new book now. I won't tell you what it is. You'll just have to wait til the next installment. I'll just say it's one I told myself I wouldn't read and now I'm already being held captive by it!

What are you currently reading?

2 comments:

  1. I love being introduced to new books/authors, especially if they have similar style to some of my favorites. In your opinion, who would those authors be similar to? I have to say that from your thoughts, the second books will more than likely make it to my list of 'to reads'.

    Right now I'm reading my dad's latest book (yep, he's an author). I'm hoping to finish it before vacation so I can read a few books I have on my Nook, like The Hunger Games. Plus I have some new books about graphic design that I'm dying to read. (NERD ALERT!)

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  2. The Marriage Plot was OK, but Middlesex is Jeffery Eugenides' best book by far...none of the stuff that made the Marriage Plot harder to read, and a great story. (btw, I think the book was written like that on purpose, to sort of use the plot devices and style of the usual "marriage plot" kind of books that the main character studies.)

    I haven't heard of the Forgotten Garden--will definitely have to check that one out :)

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