Posted on September 12, 2013 in Books
How much do you visualize when you read? Do you imagine faces for the characters? Can you see the locations in your mind’s eye? Or do you just plunge ahead with the story, letting the imagery fall to the wayside? – BTT
I don’t know how one let’s imagery fall at the wayside. Isn’t it natural to be immersed in the world of the books especially when it is fiction? Imagining these things is my default. I do find it harder to get visuals on the faces of the characters. Unlike some others, none of the characters look like anyone else I know or celebrities. I often do not have ‘picks’ on who I would like to be in the role. Much like my dreams where there are more strangers than people with familiar faces!
When reading a good book, it should play as a movie in your head and a good writing will grab you so you can plunge into the deep end.
How about your reading visuals?
Posted on September 10, 2013 in Books
I enjoyed Rubin’s first book The Happiness Project. I’ve taken this book out more than a couple of times this year, but have been able to find time to read it before it’s due by at the library. Finally, I sat down to read it this past weekend and nicely, I find out she started her new project in September.
Rubin uses a lot of quotations in her writing which I like:
“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” – William Morris
She and I are quite similar in some ways and I like how personal her writing is. She is a researcher by nature like myself and she likes using various books and methods to learn about human nature. Like her, I believe that there is no definitive way to be happy. I see happiness as broad concept myself and as a way to make my life better for myself and those around me. I really think her tips, experiences, and recommendations inspire me to think about it more.
“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth, We are happy when we are growing. “- William Butler Yeats
Rubin is an introspective writer which is why I enjoy the work. It’s a not self-help book, and in some ways, her books are memoirs like. I use the various ideas she puts forward. Her blog is also very engaging.
I would reread these books as a way to help with my own “happiness projects” or just prompts and things to consider for the future and personal development and growth.
Read July 7-8 2013.
Posted on September 9, 2013 in Books
It took me a long time to finish this mainly because I got distracted by real life. This is another of Heyer’s novels which less romance and more historical mystery and characters. The romance is established early on, and in a rare bit, I was satisfied with it that I didn’t care to know more. The tone of the book is interesting, and none of the characters are particularly wealthy. They are all interesting though. Not one of my favourites, but not bad.
Read on the Kindle August 25th – September 7th 2013.
Posted on September 8, 2013 in Books, Movies
This weekend, I finished reading Georgette Heyer’s The Toll-Gate and am now going through Gretchen Rubin’s Happier at Home.
Sadly, I have a cold. I’ve been fighting to get one for the last couple of weeks now, and it finally landed with a strong cough, sore throat and sneezing. It’s only gotten worse with the weekend so I’ve been cooped up at home with the books.
I also watched Star Trek: Into the Darkness. It was alright, but I think I liked the first movie more. I am watching less and less movies and full wrong TV shows these days as work, real life, books and blogging take precedent.
Reading during the week is now more difficult because I am working again. I was only able to read more this weekend because I’ve been ill. I have been missing it lately, and it’s doubtful I’ll find more time to read since I like to take advantage of the autumn weekends.
The weather is cooler and this week, I rearranged my wardrobe and took some of my handknits out. Autumn is my favourite season in Canada so I am excited that is here finally, but of course, a bit sad to see summer go.
How is your September coming along?
Posted on September 2, 2013 in Books
Rereading a favourite classic at different stages of your life gives you different insights with each reading. Is there one classic you’ve read several times that also tells a story about you? CC
Hmm, I’ve only recently started rereading things. When I was younger, I never reread books, but now I’ve hit my mid to late twenties, I’ve begun to rewatch my favourite childhood TV shows. I’ve reread the Harry Potter and the His Dark Materials books a couple of times, but not the classics yet. I plan on my rereading one of my favourite classics Anna Karenina maybe in another 5-10 years. I reread some of Austen’s works every few years too. I don’t know if they tell a story. I definitely appreciate it more and perhaps in different ways.
I like to space the classic rereads out partly out of time, but also it is true that you need to read them at different ages in your life.
If I were to delve into reading fantasy books, I like escapism, other worlds and nostalgia. I am also a romantic really.
How about you?
Posted on August 30, 2013 in Knitting & Crafting
Nothing like an easy peasy pair of lace socks to get me through summer. I worked on most of this in August. This is at least better than the Girasole blanket of last year. I’m starting to become one of those knitters who does not really knit in the summers. I spent much of this summer outdoors which is great.
In any case, my third pair of socks of this year. I always like knitting socks. In some ways, they are the ultimate kind of projects for me: not too easy, not too difficult, comforting, not too big, not too small, and most of all, useful.
I went back to my favourite sock pattern designer for these. I love this Nancy Bush book. I’ve made more things from Knitting Vintage Socks than any other knitting resource. With the cashmere and wool in these socks, I think they will be one of my favourite winter house socks.
Posted on August 29, 2013 in Books
Which is more important? Quality for your reading? Or quantity? – BTT
In almost every case in life, quality is better than quantity. Having said that, I aim for both in my reading. I like reading a lot of books. I love them, and I’m very glad to have a range of interests in genres, styles, and periods. I have thousands of books I could read and most of them probably wouldn’t be bad. Yes, there are many books out there that are not “quality”, but I find reading a quality hobby and act in of itself. It’s not often I regret reading a book.
How about you?
Posted on August 27, 2013 in Books
Once I start with Heyer, I find it hard to stop. Her world is distinct and comforting. The novels are often predictable, but the characters are fun and sometimes sweet. I liked this novel’s lead as well. The idea of a slight, quiet soldier who comes home to become an Earl. He seems almost like an everyman in some ways. I also liked the female lead and again, my frequent complaint was that there was not enough of her.
Similar to other Heyer novels I’ve been reading lately, this was mostly mystery with some romance. Still, the little there was of the romance was rather nice. There was better build up in this one and the heroine is brave in her own way. She rescues and aids the hero several times. Heyer demonstrates how compatible they are. I always like how Heyer brings the couple together.
Heyer’s villains are always sent away or forgiven which is ludicrous because sometimes they are really dangerous and sociopathic. It makes reading these books even more funny and unrealistic.
One other reason I am reading the Heyer books is that they are really easy to read. The pacing is usually quick without being break neck and she has lovely archaic diction in it. The safe atmosphere makes them easy to pick up. I read this one on a trip to and from Montreal for the weekend. I have also been reading a lot of Heyer lately because work has been slow in the beginning.
Read on Kindle August 24-25th 2013
Posted on August 24, 2013 in Books
This title was a bit misleading. It is about an orphan though. It’s about the Duke of Sale who decides to pretend being normal and has some fun adventures along the way.
There is a romance, but like in some other Heyer novels, it’s an afterthought. The main “foundling” in the novel is a simplistic but beautiful young girl. Thankfully, unlike in Sprig Muslin, this silly female is not featured heavily.
Overall, I liked the main character, but the females in the novel could be developed much more. Lady Harriet seems very good, but a bit one dimensional. Once again, the lack of screen time on the romance makes the reader feel less inclined. Belinda the foundling is too ridiculous.
Better than the last two Heyer novels I’ve read. I should take a break from Heyer, but her books are always addictive. It’s a fun and innocent world. They are pure escapism because nothing really bad happens to them. Sometimes, that’s all you want to read about.
Read on Kindle August 22-23 2013.
Posted on August 23, 2013 in Books
The Reluctant Widow
This was more mystery than romantic comedy. The lead male was a bit too smooth through the whole thing. It was enjoyable to read most of the time, but I feel like I wanted more of his interactions with the female lead. The romance seemed to be an afterthought in the whole thing. It was amusing mostly.
Read on Kindle August 18th 2013.
Sprig Muslin
Gosh, this book had an annoying young female character. I had a feeling that about the ending early on, but I still had to endure Amanda’s ridiculous schemes. It’s a lot like another Heyer novel, but I can’t remember which one since they all blur together after I’ve read about a dozen of them. The ending was nice, but again, not enough of the main couple. Not one of the better Heyer books.
Read on Kindle August 19-21 2013.
Posted on August 22, 2013 in Books
We all know the beauty of reading a really wonderful book for the first time—when everything about the story and the writing and the timing click to make a reader’s perfect storm … but it’s fleeting, because you can never read that book for the first time again.
So … if you could magically reset things so that you had the chance to read a favorite book/series again for the first time … which would you choose? And why?
And then, since tastes change … Do you think it would have the same affect on you, reading it now, as it did when you read it the first time? Would you love it just as much? Would you risk it? – BTT
I try not to go back in time since what’s happened has happened. I believe the books I read came into my life for a reason. I’d love to experience the newness of Narnia, Harry Potter, or his His Dark Materials again; however, I was young and that was part of the impact. I think most of the books I read I would still like. I like rereading the classics years after and I probably forget some details. In many ways, you never read a book the same way. The change in yourself changes perception.
Posted on August 20, 2013 in Books
Another cross-dressing romantic romp in the Regency era.
Georgette Heyer’s heroines generally fall into two categories:
1) Young, spirited and childlike girl who sometimes cross dresses (These Old Shades, this book, Masqueraders)
2) Mature and more sensible lady (Lady of Quality, A Civil Contract, Arabella)
There is some overlap and all are usually rebellious or headstrong. Still, can you guess which one I prefer? Not to say the more ingenues are bad, but they sometimes lack sense. I find myself less patient with them. On the other hand, they are usually balanced out by a very good lead as was the case in this book.
As I’ve said before, there are only a few instances when I like the romantic leads equally in Heyer books. It’s only happened about three or four out of the 19 Heyer books I’ve read so far. This one is one of the latter.
This book was very much like These Old Shades. It had a lot of twists and complications including disguises, thievery, elopement and murder. It ran the gambit. It was amusing to watch Sir Richard in it all, but not my favourite Heyer really.
I still love Heyer books and they are perfect for summer. Now, I’ve started up with her novels again, I loaded about eight more of her books onto the Kindle.
Read on the Kindle August 17-18th 2013.