Sunday, August 9, 2009

Sunday Salon--Starting a few new books


The Sunday Salon.com

I've started a few new books this weekend, despite my best efforts to focus my reading. But it's okay, at least I've had some time to actually pick up a book!

I'm really enjoying the writing so far in Andrew Sean Greer's novel, The Story of a Marriage. I'm not very far into it, but I like it so far. I like the cover art, too, so for some reason this make it easy for me to pick it up--does this make me a shallow reader? I had heard so many good things about this book on so many blogs--I'm glad it's something I'm liking, it makes me feel like I'm on the same page as many of my blogging buddies.

I also picked up Aleksandar Hemon's Love and Obstacles, which was sent to me by the publisher. I had also heard quite a bit about this book of short stories on the book blogs, and I agree with those who are impressed by Hemon's use of language, especially for someone who has been writing in English for less than fifteen years.

It's been a relaxing weekend so far, because the kids aren't going in as many directions as usual. I have a little breathing time, which means I can make that into some reading time. I wish I had bigger blocks of reading time, but at least I always have that little bit of time for reading in bed, before exhaustion takes over and the book slips out of my hand and onto the floor (that is really not a good thing when I'm reading on the Kindle!).

I also have to admit that I haven't been reading quite as much as usual because I've been using our treadmill more regularly, and when I'm on the treadmill, I indulge my addiction to Battlestar Galactica, and watch an episode while exercising. If I'm not reading, at least I'm trying to get into shape...

15 comments:

Megan said...

Well, if you're a shallow reader so am I. It always helps me when a book has an appealing cover. Sometimes even when I wasn't planning on reading, nice cover art can entice me into reading when I might have chosen to do something else - especially when I'm just starting a book and it hasn't really gotten a hold on me with its story yet!

Melissa said...

I absolutely LOVED "The Story of a Marriage." Definitely one of the best books I've read this year. I think I gave it 5 stars (there's a review on my blog) and I've been recommending it to folks who ask me what they should be reading. Hope you enjoy it!

Florinda said...

Well, you got to one of those Festival of Books picks before I did :-). Andrew Sean Greer was great on the panel there, and I really would like to read The Story of a Marriage before NEXT year's FoB. Glad you're enjoying it so far!

Ti said...

I bought Story of a Marriage at FOB and it is still unread. I need more hours in the day!

Bybee said...

I was wondering when I saw the title if the marriage ends happily or sadly or it's still going when the book ends.

Table Talk said...

In our house it's 'Stargate SG1'. We all have our addictions!

litlove said...

I really want to read Story of a Marriage, so I'll be very interested to hear what you think of it. I did tell myself firmly that I would use the exercise bike regularly this summer, but no sign of it happening so far....sigh.

gautami tripathy said...

You did good reading!

TSS: Tommy Gun Tango by Brant Randall/Bruce Cook

Kill Word Verification

Gentle Reader said...

Megan--I'm glad I'm not the only one. I think good cover art enhances a good book. Too bad it can't save a bad one!

Melissa--I'm really enjoying it so far. I love the writing!

Florinda--After everyone saw and liked him on the panel, I just had to get the book! Glad I did :)

Ti--I agree, I could use more hours for reading, that's for sure!

Bybee--good question, I don't know, but I know this marriage is going to go through some really big ups and downs before the book is through!

Table Talk--I don't even want to start with Stargate, because I know I'll just be addicted to that one, too!

Litlove--I love that you told yourself firmly! Exercise is always the first thing to go out the window with me when I get busy, but in the summer I get up a little early to do it. It's the only time of year I can be even a little consistent about it.

gautami--why, thank you!

Liz said...

I love being a shallow reader! I think I have a lot more fun than people who only read the so-called "classics!" I feel like I've been in a real rut recently (in several areas of my life). Reading wise, I just haven't been able to connect! Just started a Linda Fairstein book, "Lethal Legacy," which seems OK so far. I'm not very far into it. And, to help with my "being in a rut," I am reading YOU UNSTUCK by Libby gill. It's about, as the rest of the title says, "mastering the new rules of risk-taking in work and life." In terms of reading? Take some risks -- get outside your comfort zone a bit. That works for life and relationships, too, naturally. I'm reading a powerful process to get me unstuck and on track -- very interesting stuff. It's really getting me charged up about work, that's for sure.

joemmama said...

I can be a shallow reader, too. Sometimes when I read blogs that are so, well, up there with the literature, it makes me feel dumb.So, I guess, shallow it is!

Gentle Reader said...

Liz--I go through that being unable to connect feeling, too. And then I have to shake it up and read something outside my comfort zone!

joemmama--sometimes shallow is just fine. Sometimes I just need comfort reads, or things that are not too demanding!

Susan said...

Shallow, or beach reads, or brain candy, are necessary sometimes! lol And the whole point of an interesting or pretty cover is to get you to pick up the book when you wouldn't otherwise have done so! The fact you are enjoying the book is even better :-D I haven't even heard of The Story of a Marriage, but now you've made me curious!

And so many people have had problems reading as much as they would like to this summer. I'm behind where I should be too, to get to 100 books read this year! I hope you find some more book time as fall approaches.....meantime, congratulations on getting on the bike! I've been walking again too. It cuts into reading time, but I'd like to be here 30 years from now, still reading! And BSG is a fab way to spend the time while exercising! I was just saying to Booklogged (I think it was her, I've been catching up with several blogs tonight) that I miss my BSG on tv, I enjoyed it so much. Where are you in the series? I have the dvds of the first three seasons, but it's not the same as knowing there are new episodes coming out!

Matt said...

Andrew Sean Greer is always on my watch list so I'll go acquire The Story of a Marriage.

Love and Obstacles sound very intriguing as well. :)

Gentle Reader said...

Susan--I'm in the middle os season 3 of BSG, and my husband is just ahead of me--so he's lording it over me because he knows more of what has happened! I'm looking forward to more...

Matt--I really enjoyed The Story of a Marriage--will be interested to hear what you think!