I apologize profusely for the lack of posts since July, but you know how it is, it’s sunny and warm and there’s a good book (or several) and a tall, frosty glass of ice cold Diet Coke (or tea, beer, margarita, pick your poison) waiting for you on the deck. But, I did read a lot of good books (and a lot of not so good books) and here are three I really enjoyed.
The first was “Becoming Jane Austen” by Jon Spence. Now, don’t be fooled into thinking this is a romantic, mushfilled story about Jane Austen’s lovelife (what little of it there really was) despite the statement on the cover (“The true love story that inspired the classic novels”) – it is so much more than that. A must read for every Jane Austen fan (who isn’t!?!), it gives lots of details about Jane’s life and does provide a good background for where Jane was (geographically and emotionally) when she wrote her various novels. Very well written and informative (although still not as good as Jane’s own work – but then, what is?).
The second was: “Austenland” by Shannon Hale. This book was about Jane Austen a dyed in the wool Jane Austen fanatic (again, who isnt!?!) who spends most of her free time daydreaming and fantasizing about Mr. Darcy (who doesn’t?) who is, of course, the absolute epitome of manhood (with the exception of Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series but that’s a subject for another day). This young, very attractive and single woman takes a trip to “Jane Austen’s England” which includes living in period costume and hobnobbing with the likes of Mr. Darcy and his various neighbors, distant relatives, etc. Believe it or not, there are a lot of Jane Austen/Pride and Prejudice type sequals, etc. Most of them are terrible dribble (think of the impossible task of trying to measure up to the original) but this one was very, very good.
The third was: “Mary Modern” by Camille DeAngelis. This work was a science fiction type read but was quite interesting. The basic story involves the daughter of a scientist who dips into the cloning pool with some disturbing results. Apart for the great story, there are some ethical issues also explored by the book. The ending was quite a surprise – I had to read the last page twice and there were still some “maybes” and unclear plot issues that I am still pondering.
So, give any of these three books a whirl….or read something else…but whatever you read, be sure to let me (and the rest of the world) what you are reading.
I recently finished Ann Packer’s “Songs without words” and found it just as good as her earlier novel, “The Dive from Claussen’s Pier.” It is a story about a friendship between two women, one of whom is married with children and one who remains single. The book is about the roles they fill in each other’s lives and how their relationship affects and is affected by a certain extraordinary stress.
Another “Ann” book I just read was Ann Patchett’s new novel, “Run.” This is the story of a family, a former Boston mayor and his two adopted sons. It was extremely engaging and the characters stay with the reader long after the book is done.
If you like Ann Tyler or Elizabeth Berg or Anita Shreve you might like either of these “Ann” books.
Comment by Julie — November 12, 2007 @ 2:50 pm |
Thank you for this blog…I really appreciate those who pass on the info about good books to read…as I love to read myself as well as write. Thank you again1
Comment by dreamyacht — November 18, 2008 @ 10:52 am |