Wednesday 10 September 2014

September reading


Last month my reading was pretty varied; I mentioned that my first ever e-book was Annie Proulx's The Shipping News (I was inspired whilst reading a blog post here). 

I loved it. From start to finish, it had me hooked: the descriptions of the unforgiving Newfoundland landscape, the characters, the story. In fact I'll be buying a 'real' version of it to add to my bookshelf. And I'd be interested to know if anyone's read any of Proulx's other work (she has written several collections of short stories) as I'm considering giving them a try.

A quick, but fun, read was Michael Pollan's Food Rules. It was another e-book, inexpensive and concise (I read it in an evening). Pollan is a well-known food writer and advocate of simple food and a healthy diet. I'll never be a butter-churner or ketchup-maker, but I do believe in avoiding processed foods as much as possible. And I have a keen interest not just in cookery books but in food writing in general. Again, I'd recommend it. Pollan speaks a lot of sense. Perhaps some of it is just that: plain common sense. But still. Sometimes it's good to get a reminder, a bit of a nudge in the right direction.

So for September: a 'real' - and pretty hefty - book, this time borrowed from the library. I'm back on the Cazalets again; Marking Time, the second in the series of Elizabeth Jane Howard's chronicles. I've only just started it but, like the previous one, I'm enjoying reading about the details of life in the 1930s (albeit life 'above stairs' as lived by a wealthy family), and appreciating the sharply-observed characters.

In addition to this I have a big, constantly growing pile of books waiting to be read. Hopefully I'll get around to them eventually. Maybe.

Oh, and finally, one of my regular treats: the October issue of Country Living magazine. I love the autumn and winter issues and am flicking through whenever I get a spare moment or two. Not challenging or highbrow but there are recipes, interiors and beautiful photography and that suits me just fine.

Joining in with Laura's Year in Books.

16 comments:

  1. I loved The Shipping News but haven't read any of her short stories. Did she write Brokeback Mountain or did I make that up? I really like the October magazine issues too. Hope you enjoy your book choice for this month...I'm hoping to get my reading mojo back!! Xx

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    1. Hi! Yes, she did write Brokeback Mountain... I haven't seen the film or read the book. Maybe that's one to look for in the library...

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  2. I live the cover on that book in the picture! It is so classic. I'm not spending money on the Autumn magazines and saving my cadh for the Christmas editions!

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    1. That's fine! As for the cover - I bought the book for that reason. There's another one on the shelf in red. And I spotted a huge pile of them in a charity shop the other week in lots of colours. I wish I was an interiors stylist so I could justify buying them all!

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  4. I enjoyed Food Rules, too. You are right, it is common sense to be mindful about our food but so many people aren't. I suppose the target audience should be those people not "us" who do care about what we eat. I wonder if you might enjoy No Great Mischief by Alistair MacLeod? He writes about the unforgiving landscape and life somewhere in Canada. I can't remember where exactly.... Cx

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    1. Thanks Christina - I'll add that one to my 'Books to read' notebook :)

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  5. I love reading but never seem to get enough time to settle down and read a good book.

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    1. I read before I go to sleep at night, which means I turn out the lights way too late and consequently am permanently tired. Very silly!

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  6. I loved The Shipping News, too, and have a copy of Postcards which sounds promising but is, as yet, unread. There's a toppling book pile here but I just can't stop myself adding to it.

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  7. I loved the Shipping News but I tried and didn't like any of her other writing. I am not a fan of short stories tho' so haven't tried those. Brokeback Mountain is one of her short stories. I have seen the film and it is one of the best I have ever seen, I loved it.

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    1. That's good to know - I'll keep an eye on Film4 and hopefully it'll be on sometime soon :)

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  8. I like Annie Proulx and you'll enjoy her other work if you read it. I haven't read very many e-books yet, I've been reluctant, but I do read on my phone sometimes. My husband found some free app with a lot of classics on it and it's been nice to have that when I am out somewhere and have time to sit and read, usually while waiting. I've been re-reading Pride and Prejudice, what a wonderful book. I haven't read the other books you mentioned but I think I would enjoy them. I read too far into the night myself, I always try not to but I do it anyway.

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    1. I keep meaning to try Jane Austen. I actually studied English literature at university and opted for the older stuff too (Victorian Literature and English Drama 1550-1710 were some of my chosen modules).
      Apparently Jane Austen's writing's a bit more light hearted than that of the Brontes.
      As for ebooks: I really didn't want to give them a go but they definitely have their place and now I'd strongly recommend them. Of course, nothing can replace the real thing but still...

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  9. I have the Cazalet series, and love the idea of working my way through them. But I never seem to get past the first fifty pages or so, something about it just doesn't hold my interest. But they sit here, on the shelf, along with forty or so other books awaiting my attention, and who knows, maybe that New Year intention to read the whole series will actually be fulfilled... one year! Never read Annie Proulx, someone else I keep meaning to try. Add to the list of 'intentions'...

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    1. Hello!
      I must admit, reading is a very personal thing and one person's recommendation often doesn't work for another. I generally subscribe to the 'Life's too short' theory where reading's concerned. If I'm not getting along with a book (or author) I move on because, as you say, there are just so many others waiting.
      Maybe try the TV adaptation of The Cazalets? I wouldn't mind giving that a go myself actually. And I enjoyed The Shipping News too, particularly as it has Judi Dench and Julianne Moore in it. And Cate Blanchett. A good cast!

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