Friday, May 29, 2009

Book Gluttony: Summer Reading Begins

My budget-imposed moratorium on book buying has ended, as I thought it would, in a furious spending spree on books, most at nearly full price. I held back for months and months longer than I thought I would be able to, however, [pats self on the back] so I feel okay about it all.

The first two books on the stack are my 13-year-old son's summer reading for school. Sorry, bub, but I paid for the books, so I'm reading them first.

I have never read any Tony Hillerman, so I'm looking forward to A Thief of Time, and yay! my son's also been assigned to read Laurie Halse Anderson's Fever 1793. All my blogging buddies have read and loved her book Speak, so I've been dying to read something by Anderson. Plus now I follow her on Twitter, and I like her style. And I happen to love books like this--historical and young adult and all about a plague--excellent!

I'm finally getting down to business and reading The Master and Margarita, by Mikhail Bulgakov, for my own self-imposed summer reading project. Thank you Matt (at A Guy's Moleskine Notebook), for kicking my butt to read this one.

No Great Mischief, by Alistair McLeod is one of those books that I happened upon in the blogosphere, and sadly, can't remember exactly which blog, so can't give credit where credit is due. Has this ever happened to you? I can only remember it happening to me once before, but it's very annoying. If you are the blogger who turned me onto this book, could you please let me know in the comments? Thanks. I appreciate it. My sieve-like brain thanks you, too.

Next up, The White Tiger: A Novel, by Aravind Adiga. Recommendation by my book-loving cousin-by-marriage. Man Booker Prize-winning book, too, which I'm always interested in.

Wandering Stars, by Sholem Aleichem, is my book group's next pick. We're trying to squeeze in one last meeting before we take a break over the summer. So I really had to buy this one (she says, with a guilty wince). It's newly reissued, and I think the cover is beautiful.

People of the Book: A Novel, by Geraldine Brooks, has been on my list for a really long time. Actually, it's been on my BookMooch list, and finally I successfully mooched it! Yes! So it's the only book I didn't pay for. And a beautiful hardcover copy, too, so I'm thrilled.

So, tell me, what are your summer reading plans?

13 comments:

Jeane said...

I love Book Mooch. Sounds like you got a nice copy, too. What a lovely pile of books!

litlove said...

That's fantastic book loot you have there and you held out for ages! I'll be interested to hear how you get on with the Bulgakov.I coudn't get into it myself, but many people I know rave about it. So the problem is definitely me. And I'm interested in the others, too - I love all your reviews!

Gentle Reader said...

jeane--I love BookMooch, too, especially when I get such a nice copy of a mooched book!

litlove--I have never shown such restraint before in my life! And so I rewarded myself, lol ;) I'll let you know if the Bulgakov is good or a bust, as soon as I try it out.

Matt said...

Your son's summer books sound very interesting, I might follow along as well. And yay for Master and Margarita! Hope you enjoy it! :)

Gentle Reader said...

Matt--I was happy that I actually wanted to read what he HAS to read--then we can discuss. And I'm really excited to start Master and Margarita--thanks!

Leah said...

Your blog has won an award, link to my blog to see what you won! :)

Gentle Reader said...

Leah--will do, thanks so much!

Rebecca H. said...

My summer reading plans involve making no plans at all! I'm trying to keep reading whatever I feel like, as that's what I'm in the mood for at the moment. I did just have my own book shopping spree though ... I'd love to read the Brooks at some point, and also the Bulgakov.

Gentle Reader said...

Dorothy--ah, what could be better than a summer with no plans?...I'm with you on that! Sometimes you find the best books when you're not on a schedule, and you're open to going with your mood! I'll let you know what I think of the Brooks and the Bulgakov, when I get to them :)

Jen said...

hi -- i LOVE tony hillerman. also you might read isabel gillies' book -- i can give you my copy. xoxo

Gentle Reader said...

Jen--really looking forward to reading Tony Hillerman, as everyone seems to love his work! Also will take you up on the offer to borrow Isabel Gillies' book--yay!

Liken said...

love this reading list - I'ma add these to my BookSwim rentals!!

Gentle Reader said...

liken--I really have to check out BookSwim. Thanks!