Good morning! A cup of coffee and my computer is a favorite early morning routine, but Sundays are the best. The house is quiet, I can relax as I peruse my favorite blogs, and maybe even be inspired to write a Sunday Salon post of my own. Friday and Saturday driving back and forth on the New York State Thruway for Daughter#1's college basketball games has left me tired, but giddy with anticipation of a quiet day at home today.It's been an unusual reading week. I finished Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women by Geraldine Brooks, and my book club met Friday for a discussion. I read and posted about Jonathan Franzen's short story "Good Neighbors". It's rumored to figure into his new novel, and I can't wait! One evening was spent with a graphic adaptation of Pride & Prejudice. (What would Jane think?) M.F.K. Fisher's essay "The Secret Ingredient" was the subject of yesterday's Weekend Cooking post, and a review Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (audio version) was also posted.
But it was Virginia Woolf and Mrs. Dalloway that continued to occupy my literary thoughts this week. The plan was to start To The Lighthouse. It's the next Woolf in Winter book, so I picked it up and read the first chapter/section (what do you call Woolf's divisions?) only to find I wasn't ready to move on to a "new" Woolf. So, there may be a reread of Mrs. Dalloway sooner than originally planned... and probably The Hours, too.
This morning I'll read one more short story, then choose a book from the towering tbr pile to begin this afternoon. What are you reading today?
I'm reading To The Lighthouse for the Woolf in Winter group. It's a re-read for me, so I'm doing pretty well with it. Less sure about the next two, since those will both be new to me, and I'm finding Woolf is someone I "get" more on a re-read than a first read.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting selection. I'm trying to get through The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa for the Japanese reading group on Monday. Will crack open To The Lighthouse after that. I enjoyed the Dalloway experience so much-if only because I've never participated in a book group before. I learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteI have Mrs. Dalloway on my stack...from the library, actually, so I need to read it post haste!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, though, I was pulled in another direction.
My Salon:
http://laurel-rainsnowsaccidentallife.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunday-salon_24.html
Woolfish appetites can be unpredictable. As much as I would love to have your insights on To the Lighthouse, I say go where the spirit leads you.
ReplyDeleteWish I had your peaceful Sunday mornings too. Sounds like heaven.
Amy - I'll look forward to your post on To The Lighthouse. Funny how my brain is still stuck on Mrs. Dalloway...
ReplyDeleteSandra - The Housekeeper and the Professor is near the top of my wish list. Hope you're enjoying it! I agree that the Mrs. Dalloway experience was pretty special.
Laurel-Rain Snow - Isn't it strange how we plan one thing, then get pulled in by another book instead? Hope you're enjoying your Sunday.
Frances - It feels like I'm not 'done' with Mrs. Dalloway quite yet. I'm thankful Woolf in Winter gave me the push to finally get through it, and I know I'll be reading more of her work. Just woke up from a nice long nap... and now I'll start reading!
e collective stream of consciousness of Virginia Woolf...I'm looking forward to the discussion/conversation for To the Lighthouse next week. It's not as dense as Mrs. Dalloway but a bit more accessible. I think it's beautifully written.
ReplyDeleteI remember really enjoying "The Nine Parts of Desire" - all the women in my family read it in a row. Three generations!
ReplyDeleteI just got Nine Parts of Desire to read for the Social Justice Challenge. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a big fan of graphic novels, but P&P as a gn? Maybe.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any Geraldine Brooks yet. I really have wanted to, but there's always something else coming along! Today I finished Marcelo in the Real World. It was just wonderful. I love finding books that are wonderful! :--)
ReplyDeleteI'm reading The Unnamed, and also eyeing The Swan Thieves.
ReplyDeleteI am preparing to start My Cousin Rachel this evening...very excited about that after I feel in love with Rebecca. I'm fascinated with these "Woolfish appetites" as Frances called them. I really need to try her.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading The Believers by Zoe Heller...not sure what I think yet, but your Sunday sounds a lot like mine...gloriously relaxing!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I adore that photo. A cup of coffee and my computer is my favorite morning routine too.
ReplyDeleteTo the Lighthouse is my current read, too ... but I'm having a bit of a difficult time with it, to be honest. Maybe you're onto something about not being ready for another Woolf novel so soon. Hmmm ...
ReplyDeleteAm re-reading To the Lighthouse. The words are so delicious I want to eat the pages! I am more in love with Woolf's writing than ever...
ReplyDeleteMatt - I'm looking forward to reading all the To The Lighthouse posts on Friday!
ReplyDeletePour of Tor - Thanks so much for stopping by! Nine Parts of Desire was a great book. I'll be posting my review/book club discussion later this week.
Booksnyc - Nine Parts of Desire is a great choice for the Social Justice Challenge! Hope you like it, too.
Readerbuzz - I don't read many graphic novels, but this has taught me that I like my classics the traditional way - lol! Hope to get a review up this week.
Rhapsody - I sure know how that goes, lol! Marcelo sounds like a great book.
Softdrink - The Swan Thieves looks so good!
Sandy - Oh, enjoy!! I love Rebecca, but haven't read anything else by DuMairier.
Staci - I got Heller's Notes on a Scandal for Christmas. It's one of the books I'm thinking of reading next. Will look forward to your thoughts on The Believers.
E.L.Fay - I just love that photo, too, and am thinking using it regularly for Sunday Salon posts.
Melissa - Maybe... whatever it was, I just couldn't get focused on TTL. I really want to reread Mrs.D. though.
Violet - I definitely want to read TTL, but keep thinking of Mrs. D. Maybe I'll start The Hours today, then reread Mrs. D... and move on. Did you know that today (Jan 25) is VW's birthday?
Try as I might to sneak out of bed for a quiet morning, Deacon always beats me to the top of the stairs. By the time I get to the bottom, he's found his ball and is SO excited that I'm ready to play! Not what I had in mind really but I can't bear breaking his heart.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading To Bed with Grand Music, I should have been finished by now.
You've had a very productive reading week! I have To The Lighthouse on the bedside table, but like you haven't felt quite ready to delve into another Woolf. It's demanding reading. But I'd better get going if there's any hope of finishing it for Saturday!
ReplyDeleteBetween Lit and Wolf Hall, the latter is definitely my book of choice. I hope you enjoy it when you get round to reading it.
I hope you had a great day. I love that moment when you finish one book and then look over the stack to pick out the next one. Kind of magical! :-)
ReplyDeleteDarlene - Dogs are just like young children, aren't they? Deacon is lucky to have such an understanding mum! Can't wait to hear what you think of To Bed With Grand Music.
ReplyDeleteRavenous Reader - Good luck with To The Lighthouse. I'll get around to it eventually, but right now I'm rereading The Hours.
Marie - We had our peaceful day yesterday but, of course, I didn't get as much done as I'd hoped. Read a short story by Eudora Welty and decided to start a reread of The Hours.
You're doing great with your reading. And I absolutely adore that coffee picture! So sweet!
ReplyDeleteI've been a terrible reader. It's exam time, so really no time for blogging...see, I just now got to read you Sunday post and it's Friday! :)
Ivana - I love that picture, too! You may see it becoming a Sunday Salon feature, lol. Good luck with all your exams. I'm sure you'll do fine!
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