It's cold! It's snowing and blowing... I don't want to leave the house today. The Christmas tree is down and the decorations are put away, so I'm just going to read. My morning started with a hot cup of coffee and a short story by one of my 2009 author 'discoveries', Dorothy Whipple. Her novel Someone at a Distance was among my favorites last year, and I was delighted to find the same realistic portrayal of emotion in her short story. I'll post on it tomorrow for Short Story Monday.
Next I read from Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. Now there are just 20 pages left, so I'll finish this afternoon and maybe even jot down a few thoughts. The Woolf in Winter discussion begins January 15.What's up next? The choices include:
- The Hours by Michael Cunningham - One of my favorites of 2003, it seems to be the perfect follow-up to Mrs. Dalloway.
- To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf - The plan was to read just one book for Woolf in Winter, but this is on my shelf and I seem to be on a roll.
- Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks - This non-fiction title is my January book group selection, but I've loaned my copy to a friend.
-South of Broad by Pat Conroy - This ARC came from Staci just before the holidays. My mother finished it yesterday, absolutely loved it, and has already started rereading Beach Music. She says I must read it... now!
Decisions, decisions...
I hope you're having a good New Year's weekend. Have you set aside some time to read today?
Sounds like an excellent nesting afternoon for you. South of Broad is long and addictive. I'm on disc 7 of the audio and i think there are about 16 discs.....enjoy if you decided to read it soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm fully expecting to finish Fingersmith today at some point. I have NO IDEA what I will read next. It is one of about ten options. I do want to participate in some of the Woolf reads...
ReplyDeleteThis cold weather is making me crazy!! I haven't left the house in 2 days but I must tomorrow to go back to work! I have Mrs. Dalloway but have to admit that I'm intimidated by Woolf. I keep asking myself if I will be able to understand what is really going on. I did read The Hours and absolutely loved it!!
ReplyDeleteI've been reading off and on throughout the day!!
The Geraldine Brooks book sounds like an interesting one. Looking forward to your review. Hope you check out my Sunday Salon.
ReplyDeleteI don't see how you could possibly go wrong with any of these choices!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the warm indoors on the blustery day.
And why should you leave the house? With all of that to read inside the warmth and comfort of your home. The cold has been terrible this year. Already sick of it, and there is so much more to go. I predict a very productive reading winter as we all hide out from the elements. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteRereading The Hours sounds like a wonderful idea. I've had Nine Parts of Desire on my list forever, must get to it soon. Have a wonderful week, JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteI'm saving my copy of the Hours until after the Woolf in Winter read-along is done. I'm glad I'm not the only one!
ReplyDeleteDiane - It's been a very relaxing day at home. South of Broad is about 500 pages and looks great. My mom said not to plan on getting much else done once I start it!
ReplyDeleteSandy - Fingersmith is simply amazing! Wish I could read it for the first time all over again...
Staci - This was my third attempt at Woolf, but the first time I've been able to finish. I think you really need to be in the right frame of mind and just enjoy the language, even if you're not quite sure what's going on. This won't be one of my favorites, but I liked it enough to consider trying another.
Book Dilettante - The Brooks book sounds really good. I hope I get my copy back in time to get it read before our meeting... especially since I'm hosting!
Molly - They all look so good, I still can't decide!
Frances - If the weather keeps up like this, it will be a banner month for all of us! Just came in from shoveling and there were drifts over 3 feet high in our front walk!
Gavin - Another reason for wanting to reread The Hours is that one of my 16-year-old twins just read it. It would be fun to talk about it with her.
Saveophelia - Maybe we should have a read-along of The Hours after Woolf in Winter!
My goodness, I've read all of those books! That doesn't happen very often. I think you'll enjoy The Hours - and do see the film if you haven't. (read the book first of course!)
ReplyDeleteNine Parts of Desire was fascinating. I read it some years ago, but could do with a re-read.
Great choices for your next read! Although I confess that The Hours didn't do it for me. I know others loved it, but it left me cold.
ReplyDeleteI'm due for a re-read of To The Lighthouse, but there are several other VW books on my TBR shelf right now, so I think it will take me a while. Orlando is the first one I am going to crack. I'll take a look at the Woolf in Winter link.
Great choices for your next read! Although I confess that The Hours didn't do it for me. I know others loved it, but it left me cold.
ReplyDeleteI'm due for a re-read of To The Lighthouse, but there are several other VW books on my TBR shelf right now, so I think it will take me a while. Orlando is the first one I am going to crack. I'll take a look at the Woolf in Winter link.
Was it the Whipple in the Persephone Biannual? If so, we may have similar short story posts:) Reading it did get me in the frame of mind to read the Whipple on my shelf but waiting to see if there will be a Persephone read soon. I experienced some your cold last week when we were in your neck of the woods...brrr! I think it has made its' way down to PA:)
ReplyDeleteBecca - You've read all of them... wow! I've decided to give The Hours a reread, then move on to Nine Parts of Desire.
ReplyDeleteRose City Reader - Definitely check out the Woolf in Winter link - the more the merrier! Mrs. D was my first Woolf, but I hope to get one more in this winter.
Book Psmith - Yes, that the story I read and it got me wondering about another Persephone Reading Week, too! Did you get up to NY last week? We are still getting snow, and it's cold! Wish I could head to Florida soon...
We were in NYC the day before New Year's Eve...24 degrees but no snow. My oldest wanted to skate in Central Park, saw the tree in Rockefeller center and tried to get into Serendipity...it was all fun until I got a ticket for blocking an intersection and then sitting in traffic to go through the Lincoln tunnel. My sister is visiting and she can't wait to get back to southern California...if she could she'd head to Florida with you:)
ReplyDeleteBook Psmith - Uh oh... gotta love NYC! It's been snowing here for 4 days now. The snow plow guy loves it. If we get to Florida, it may not be until April this year... *sigh*
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