NOV 22 — Instead of writing about what I am reading (or read) recently, I thought I'd take a peek into the future. To look at what I'd like to read in the next couple of months!
Unlike many other things in life that are completely out of our control, what we want to read next is happily not one of them. Arrival of "big" books notwithstanding, we do not have to be part of the huge crowd that buys them.
On the other hand, if you want to read those "big" books... what is there to stop you? Who cares if your snobby friends sneer at Dan Brown, go read "The Lost Symbol" if you want to. Reading is a private pleasure, you are the only one going on the journey so why bother with what other people think?
And while we are on this topic, Sarah Palin's book. I don't think she will find a large audience here but it is already a bestseller in the US. She is an easy target for comedians and political analysts but a large number of Americans can relate to her and the book will go down well with her fans and supporters.
I saw on CNN a woman who had just bought her book say, "I am just going to get under the covers and read, read, read." Like I said, buying and reading a book is a personal choice and who are we to say what book should or should not be read, right?
So back to books I would like to read: I have been looking at the news and reviews of books that have made it out this fall. Yes, like fashion, books come out according to the seasons too.
A few have caught my eye and I know I have to have them. Some because they are by authors I know and love, others because they intrigue me. Even better, this is my birthday month and I received a discount card (for a one-time purchase) from one of my favourite book stores.
Not only does the Times Bookshop give people a discount card to be used all year round for purchases of books, when it comes time to your birthday... they give you an additional Happy Birthday discount card. A clever marketing ploy, if nothing else. As for book nerds, we hardly need any excuse to go out and buy books... but a discount card makes it all the pleasurable,
So I am going to buy (for sure) Orhan Pamuk's "The Museum of Innocence" (because I am already a fan after having read "My Name is Red" and "Istanbul, Memories of a City"); Sherman Alexie's "War Dances" (I read some of his short stories and found them powerful); Jonathan Safran Foer's "Eating Animals" (this is a non-fiction work from the masterly writer of "Everything is Illuminated"); and Mary Karr's memoir "Lit" (simply because I read an excerpt and thought it intriguing).
There is something delicious about anticipating what adventures into the heart, mind and sometimes even soul a new book can take you. I am sure every reader feels this as they hold a book in their hands and turn to the first page.
There are some books you buy because the title or cover art intrigues you. And sometimes these turn out to be wonderful finds. I am hoping to unearth some of these gems when I next go book shopping.
So what are you going to read next?
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