Top Ten Tuesday: the Top 10 Books
in My To Be Read Pile
Here are my Top Ten picks from an overflowing summer To Be Read pile. I’m going for mostly new books and reread of one beloved favorite.
The Other Typist: Snazzy, Mysterious Noir
The Other Typist, by Suzanne Rindell, is a twisty, noir page-turner. Fans of Gillian Flynn will definitely enjoy this book, which feels like Gone Girl set in the 1920s.
This book is not so dark, however. It’s snazzy with an alluring, slow-boiled plot.
Come Under the Dome for a Summer Readalong
I’ve joined the #DomeAlong—a two-month readalong of Stephen King’s Under the Dome. So far I’m finding this book creepy and addictive. But there’s a nice offset in the fun banter on twitter.
This group read runs through July 27th. So sign up and join us!
Jane Austen, Genius of Economic Theory?
Who knew there was math and economic strategy hidden in the subtext of Marianne Dashwood’s swoons?
All this time, we Janeites have been unwittingly indulging in sophisticated Game Theory Economics. So argues UCLA professor Michael Chwe in an intriguing new book, Jane Austen, Game Theorist.
Just signed up for Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013!
I always love rereading P&P, but this year I am savoring its ongoing influence on our culture.
This reading and viewing challenge prompts us to look at the books, films, and updates that this beloved book continues to inspire 200 years later.
Sinners and the Sea, by Rebecca Kanner
Sinners and the Sea tells the story of Noah’s Ark from the viewpoint of his unnamed wife. It’s a fascinating, beautiful, and addictive read. Kanner gives us an impassioned look at what life was like for Noah’s wife, the family’s many struggles, and the giant, terrifying adventure of the ark.
Here We Go, Dewey’s Read-a-thon April 2013
I’m so excited for the Dewey’s Read-a-thon, Sat. April 27, 2013. More than 400 readers will join in the worldwide, 24-hour read-in. I’ve gathered a stack of books and I am so eager to just read … and read and read.
It’s not too late to sign up and READ … or you can follow my updates.
Happy, Nostalgic When I Think of E.L. KonigsburgI stopped and caught myself when I heard that E.L. Konigsburg passed away last Friday. It hurt.
But almost immediately, that gave way to the familiar, deep-in happiness I always feel when I think of her. Oh, I loved her books when I was growing up!
Poetry Month Fun on Twitter
April is National Poetry Month, andI have been loving it! Twitter offers one of the best ways to experience this, via a stream of poetic tweets. Here are some tweeps who are making Poetry Month extra special.
It will be Summer — eventually
Spring has taken its time. Today, the winds howl and the rains pour. I think of how, on a much colder day, Emily Dickinson consoled herself with words and images of summer.
How Did I Not Know About Marvel’s Pride & Prejudice?It came out three years ago. I am hugely, abominably embarrassed. I wouldn’t even share this mortifying tale, except for the hope that others might benefit.
Let me say up front that this Marvel P&P is a gem. Regency romance meets comic book—pure genius!
Daffodils in Poetry, If Not in my Yard
The first daffodil stems in my yard peeked out auspiciously in early March, but have not made much progress since. Frankly, I am daffodil-starved. Thankfully, I can turn to these lovely poems about the yellow beauties, so “they flash upon that inward eye.”
Kate Middleton Decried as Jane Austen Character
BBC radio host Sandi Toksvig has dismissed Kate Middleton, saying “I cannot think of a single opinion she holds—it’s very Jane Austen.” Clearly Toksvig has never actually read any Jane Austen, because her books are almost entirely composed of expressive characters giving their opinions.
Change the Clocks, Change the Books
I don’t know what it is about ‘Spring Forward,’ but I always find myself reshuffling my TBR pile. During winter, I reach for moody, atmospheric tomes.
Now, I’m craving lighter reading and some sunshine in my books.
When Pride and Prejudice Clicks: Boring to Brilliant
Today, January 28, marks the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Though P&P has long been one of my favorite books, I confess that I simply could not get into it at first.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback Favorites~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Death By Committee: Famous Pulitzer Punts
Many readers were confused and disheartened when the Pulitzer Prize announced there would be no award for fiction in 2012.
But, this is not the first time the Pulitzer crew has punted on fiction. There are several other notable misses and disses in Pulitzer history.
Famous Debts in Literature
Just as the deficit continues to plague our nation, money (or lack thereof) has been a driving force in many of our favorite books, from the many “dettes” owed in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to the misfortunes of Les Miserables to the gritty poverty of Angela’s Ashes.
Reading on the Road: Escapist and Indulgent
Now that everyone has Kindles, Nooks, and iPads, it’s much easier to bring books on a trip. But the question remains … exactly what to read? I find that my book tastes change dramatically when I am on the road—trending towards escapist and the potboiler.
Bring on the Hobbit Triple Play!
Hello?! Am I the only person who is excited that Peter Jackson is turning The Hobbit into three movies?! Seriously, I don’t understand all the snarkiness. Heck, The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien could have easily been four movies, or six! So much was left out!
Wordsworth’s Inspiration: Tintern Abbey
Today (July 13) in 1798, William Wordsworth came upon the scenic ruins of Tintern Abbey, on the banks of the River Wye, while on a walking tour of Wales. The poet was famously struck and spent the next few days ruminating as he walked, conjuring the “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” in his head.
Writing is Running for the Mind
To me, it seems fitting that the New York Marathon and National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) both take place in November, since running and writing are very similar pursuits. I would take this further, though, and argue that writing is running for the mind.
Can You Pick 5 Favorite Books?Recently, The New York Times Magazine conducted a poll via Twitter: “What are your top 5 fiction books?” My feed lit up with a stream of titles: The Great Gatsby, Infinite Jest, Crime and Punishment, Jane Eyre. It was like a reader’s stock ticker with books instead of companies.
Thanks for the Read-a-Thon cheer! It was fun having visitors to my blog and also my first read-a-thon! The novel, Touch, looks like a good Halloween read.