Saturday, April 18, 2009

Sunday Salon--the reading I didn't do

The Sunday Salon.com

I wish I could have participated in Dewey's 24-Hour Readathon this year, because really, what could be better than nonstop reading and lots of good snacks? I had the snacks anyway, but my kids would revolt if I left them to fend for themselves while I read all weekend. Sounds like heaven, however...and another lovely way to remember Dewey.

I was able to read some this weekend, anyway. I finished Margaret Atwood's The Blind Assassin: A Novel. It was a great book. I love a book that compels you forward at the end, and you race ahead, faster and faster, just to find out what happened to the characters you've become attached to. I had that experience with this book, and recently with Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog, too.

I also started Zoe Heller's The Believers: A Novel. So far, I'm engaged. I like Heller's style. I did not read What Was She Thinking?: Notes on a Scandal: A Novel, but I did enjoy the film. I have to finish The Believers, or at least get far enough in to be able to talk semi-intelligently about it, before my Thursday book group meeting.

I am looking forward to next weekend's Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. It's always an amazing event, with panels and panels of so many authors I'd like to hear that I can't possibly fit them all in. It's a festival of crowds, too--not my favorite thing, but (unlike so many other crowded events) completely worth it. And there's a big bonus for me this year--meeting fellow bloggers! That's right, a group of ten book bloggers are going to meet at the festival (thanks Lisa for your organizing fabulousness), and we're hoping to have a meal together, as well as attend some panels. I can't wait!

What have you managed to read this weekend?

12 comments:

Wendy said...

I love Atwood for her sheer brilliance! I've got The Elegance of a Hedgehog in my TBR pile. I read Heller's The Believers in ARC form and enjoyed it - the characters are not all that likable, and yet Heller does such a good job with the story that I was still engaged.

I am so disappointed I couldn't make it to the Festival in LA this year :( Maybe next year!

Stefanie said...

Isn't Blind Assassin great?! I really enjoyed it and found the different stories creative and fun and challenging. I love Atwood. I am also jealous that you are going to the LA Time Festival of Books!

Florinda said...

I read The Blind Assasin a few years ago; it took me awhile to get into it, but once it clicked I couldn't stop reading it.

I'm looking forward to meeting you next weekend at the Festival of Books! I got my tickets for the panels earlier this afternoon :-).

Gentle Reader said...

Wendy--I just love Atwood's writing style, too. Wish you could come to the festival--next year?

Stefanie--I really, really liked The Blind Assassin. One of those books that leaves you thinking. Wish you could come to the festival, too!

Florinda--I just got my tickets, too. There was one panel I wanted that was sold out already! Fortunately, got some others I want. Looking forward to meeting you, too!

litlove said...

I love Atwood, have The Blind Assassin and haven't read it yet - so thank you for your recommendation, which instantly puts the book higher up the list for me!

We have a literary festival in Cambridge next weekend that I'll be attending - wish I could be with you in Los Angeles too! I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

Iliana said...

Oh you get to go to a book festival and meet fellow book blog friends! I'm so jealous :)

Of course you'll have to tell us all about it.

And, I want to read all the books you mentioned in this post - one of these days!

Gentle Reader said...

litlove--I wish I could be in Cambridge for a literary festival, too! And I think you'll enjoy The Blind Assassin for many reasons, but it's especially interesting regarding mother-daughter relationships, or lack thereof :)

iliana--I can't tell you how excited I am to meet some of my fellow bloggers! And only 20 minutes away from my house, too :) I'll let you know how it goes!

Lisa said...

Well, I had planned on participating, but I think you probably read more than I did. :)

Rebecca H. said...

I have yet to read Atwood, which is really ridiculous! I managed to finish Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall over the weekend, and I hope to post on it soon.

Gentle Reader said...

Lisa--Lol! I hope to be able to participate one of these years...

Dorothy W.--I remember really liking Anne Bronte--I also liked Agnes Grey--and I was surprised by how good a writer she was. Her sisters got so much more press. Looking forward to reading your post :)

Tara said...

I love Atwood, and especially The Blind Assassin. She is such a brilliant writer..I hope she's working on another full length novel!

Gentle Reader said...

Tara--The Blind Assassin definitely whetted my appetite for more of Atwood's fiction. I'm looking forward to whatever she puts out next, too :)