I updated my “currently reading” page, but I feel like I’m forgetting a book. … I’ll have to go back and look at my nightstand/Kindle purchases!
And I’d like to start Nicholls’ “One Day” this week for the book club, but I’m woefully behind. Maybe I can do it.
What are you all reading these days? Anything keeping you up, turning pages into the night?
Whether you get to it in time for Book Club, make sure you get a chance to enjoy One Day. I’m only a third of the way into it—35% in my Kindle, ha ha—but already it’s a wonderful story and I’m hooked. Nicholls has a beautiful way of describing the attraction between people, the subtlety of human emotions on the inside while you’re expressing something different on the surface. Nothing overdone or underdone. Just perfectly balanced.
I like what male writers can bring to books about relationships. Yet/And he writes neither in a feminine nor masculine voice. Consider this a necessary read, Laurie, good research in preparation for what will be your best writing!
So, I am reading One Day.
Essays from The Best American Travel Writing. (I know know a lot more about the myths and genesis ans hype of the Dracula story, and the homeless experience in Fresno and the Tenderloin section of SF.)
Also, Keith Richard’s autobiography, Life. It is many things: a window into one of the most successful, legendary rock bands of our time; a talented and intelligent only child’s immersion and singular passion for music, fostered by the adults in his family and with his mates later on; by default, excellent close-up observations of American culture over time and the reciprocal influence between British and American music; the inevitable mutual awe/love/respect/friendship among musicians. Richards is finally 3-dimensional, stripped of the hype and distortion that surrounds famous people and is revealed as a real person of full complexity and heart.
CURRENTLY… Icebreaker by Deirdre Knight (I think…)
NEXT: Treachery in Death by JD Robb, can’t wait!!!
Just read:
When Harry Met Molly – Kieran Kramer – Historical and ***
Night Betrayed – Joss Ware – Apocoliptic romance, 4th in the series ***** !!
Yours for the Taking – Robin Kaye – contemporary romance, ****
Everyone Loves a Hero – Marie Force – ***** !! Love her stuff!
Kristi´s last blog post ..My Interview with MSNBC – Dashing Dolphins Making a Splash
I am also reading “One Day” – I thought I would try out Feb.’s book club book too! I am a little more than half done (59% on the kindle, haha) and it is really getting good. It isn’t your typical romance book at all, it is more about the characters and what is going on in their lives – you really should try to get to it.
I also just heard on a show last night that Anne Hathaway will be playing the female character in a new romantic comedy, “One Day” coming soon – I can’t wait!
You guys are all making me smile with your Kindle talk! Barbara and Debi with your “percentage” through the book (that’s how I think of things too, now! When Chris asks me how far I am in a book, I’ll say I’m uh … 45%!). And Kristi — is that why you’re not sure if you’re reading Deirdre Knight’s “Icebreaker”? It’s weird that you never see the covers on Kindle, huh?
Anyway, loved your lists! Now I feel I must get on “One Day”! Intrigued by Barbara’s comments about a man’s sensibility in a real romance. (A few others come to mind who have done it well, so now I want to see what Nicholls does.) And Debi’s comment about Anne Hathaway is interesting — is it the same story or coincidence?
Kristi, I also have to go check out your interview with MSNBC! I saw your dolphin video with the hundreds of dolphins in Newport Beach, and it was amazing!!!
I am reading Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War by Karl Marlantes and I’m on PAGE 472 of 566 which if I whip out my calculator is 83% of the way through the book.
Ha, Lauran! Loved your “calculator” comment! Is “Matterhorn” good? A future book club recommendation, maybe?
ok, I finished “One Day”. Barbara are done with it yet, Laurie, did you start it? I am dying to know what you thought??
Debi, I finished One Day.
One Day is a love story. For me, it was beautiful by virtue of it being just
that: a love story. The way the book was framed around one day each year over time had a simplifying effect that pared it down to the essential and made it easier for the author to focus on the two main characters without spending too much time developing the other personalities, subplots, and so on. Everyone and everything else becomes periphery. Over and over again, the author writes about the ongoing attraction, affection, mutual sweet regard, longing, and love Dex and Em have for each other throughout the decades without getting cumbersome or laden with detail. It was light and at the same time really moving, and I felt the depth of the relationship, no matter what they were saying or doing on the surface.
What did you think?
You put it perfectly Barbara! At first I wasn’t sure what I thought of it, but after the second or third chapter, I found myself getting excited to see what had happened in a years time! I loved how even though you were only there one day a year, you felt like you had been there all along! I was really surprised by the last few chapters (I won’t give it away) – I totally did not expect that!