Wednesday, June 12, 2013

What I'm Reading #1

If there is one word that describes me most completely, it is this: reader. I can remember a time when I did not love to read and when the mere thought of reading brought me to tears, but then again I was three or four and just learning and it was hard.

I always have a book with me, even when I know there is absolutely no chance I will have even 30 seconds to read. And that's a real paper and ink book, not my phone or an e-reader. It's why I usually carry large purses.

Anyway, though my new found hobby of cross stitch has deeply cut into my reading time recently, reading never fails to reassert itself on my list of priorities. So here's what currently happening in my land of books.

DISCLAIMER: I have a good chunk of my time in the past year studying and working quite hard (if I do say so myself), and only recently has my brain been able to take a slight break. Please forgive me if my reading material is a bit on the light and fluffy side for a bit; I promise I read other stuff, too.

Vampires in the Lemon Grove - Karen Russell

This is a collection of short stories that all feature fantastical elements. I've never read anything by Russell though I do own Swamplandia!. I love the way she writes; it's clean and beautiful and just what it needs to be. My favorite stories so far are the title story, "Reeling for the Empire", and "The Barn at the End of Our Term". The last one is about random U.S. presidents being reincarnated as horses on a small farm.

Russell is able to write about the absurd without making them seem so. I can't imagine I won't like the rest of this, and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.



Our Tempestuous Day - Carolly Erickson

Let me start by saying that the 19th century is one of my favorite periods of history and 19th century British literature is tied for first as my favorite genre. Erickson's account of the Regency period in England's history (approximately 1810 - 1820) has so far been full of interesting details, yet easy to follow at the same time.

So far it's mostly covered the royal family and the transition into the rule of the Prince Regent George IV, as King George III became too mentally and physically unstable to rule.

If I enjoy the rest of this book as much as I am now, I will probably look into reading Erickson's Her Little Majesty: The Life of Queen Victoria, as that's something I would love to know more about.

Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate #1) - Gail Carriger

Here comes the fluff. I'm nearing the end of this one, and it's been a fun, silly ride. Seriously, this is nearly all ridiculousness. I will say that I like Carriger's take on werewolves and vampires just fine, which is somewhat impressive as I typically try to avoid them these days. And the fact that the main character is not such a creature and cannot become one make it even better.

As long as this one doesn't end stupidly, I will probably continue to consume these when my brain wants something light and sweet.






The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma - Trenton Lee Stewart

This is a reread for me, as a refresher before I read The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict. Love it as much as I did the first time.

And I must say, I'm very proud of the fact that this fantastic series came from an Arkansan author who went to my alma mater.







The Peculiar - Stefan Bachmann

I started this about a month ago, and I haven't really touched it since then. I liked it fine and it was interesting, but apparently I haven't been in the mood.

I should really get it read as it's from the library and I've renewed it at least three times.

1 comment:

  1. Fluff is not only acceptable, but necessary.

    ReplyDelete