Barchester Towers Done!

Barchester Towers is now off my "to read" list and on the "read" list. Trollope did have a surprise for me - the selfish woman opens the way for the lovers who cannot reveal themselves. Trollope's rather interesting in this book. I don't think any character changes, really - the lovers realize their love, but no one undergoes a sea change. Everyone stays true to their nature throughout, and I don't think any of the characters outside of the lovers have any self-realization. Very interesting.

So I am reading Ilium and I have also started So Big by Edna Ferber, recommended by my friend Sharlene. Both Sharlene and my good friend Julie have been on an American female novelist kick - Sharlene on Ferber, Julie on Edith Wharton. I need to join the fun!

Barchester Towers Continued

I am about halfway through Barchester Towers, and enjoying it thoroughly. I have read past my previous stoppage point, so I feel a bit proud of myself. Honestly, I don't know why it is so difficult to start these books, once I get going they are absorbing and so interesting.

I find that they have a contemporary resonance. Everyone is talking, blogging, reporting (!), plain old GOSSIPING about Britney Spears and her latest televised screw up. Poor girl. In Barchester Towers, everyone talks and gossips about Signora Neroni and her affliction. She entraps the men!!! She monopolized a sofa!! She makes unreasonable requests of her hosts and companions!! All I can say is, please, everyone, have a little understanding for the overexposed pop star and please, let's condemn the selfish spoiled woman as Trollope directs us to. But there is nothing new under the sun...

But maybe Trollope has a surprise for me, we'll see.

I am also reading Ilium by Dan Simmons, a writer of extraordinary powers and depth. I started this book about a year ago, realized I was out of my depth and that I needed to read the Iliad to truly do this book justice. So I have read the Iliad, and with it fresh in my mind, I have restarted Ilium and I am so glad I did so. Everything Simmons discusses through his characters is so much richer after reading the Iliad.

Reading Simmons makes me realize where my education is lacking. I wish I had a classical education and had learned Latin and Greek. I am not sure how to remedy this at this late date!

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pam2
Originally uploaded by prhuxtable

What Next?

I have finally finished Intrepid's Last Case; I'm not sure if I have gained any knowledge except for the realization that my knowledge of history, post WWII is paltry. So I have put Willliam Manchester's The Glory and the Dream into my reading pile.

Actually, it's not a pile. It used to be a table, an old fashioned ladies dressing table, and I kept my "to be read" pile there. Very respectable. However, all-too-frequent trips to the library's sale table and the AAUW's book fair, and the local Borders, have turned my trusty table into a table plus overspill into a cardboard box. It's not very attractive, and I am going to have to break down and find a bookcase - maybe something dignified with glass doors? - to put in its place.

So the question is, as always, what next? I have a number of choices. My friend Sharlene lent me an Edna Ferber book, and I should start that. I bought a fantasy title that I LOVED reading a few years ago that is part of a trilogy. I found #s 2 and 3 on the library sale rack, bought them, and broke down and bought #1 at full price. My friend Julie has lent me a couple of titles that I could read - one is The Alchemist.

And there's always Trollope. It's been a while, I should revisit the purpose of this blog and read some Trollope. Barchester Towers awaits me. I find this one a hard start after The Warden, since in the first few pages I learn that one of my favorite characters from that book has died!

Continuing Intrepid

I am still reading Intrepid's Last Case by William Stevenson. It's a look at the development of the western intelligence agencies after WWII. The Intrepid of the title is William Stephenson, who coordinated intelligence between the British, Canadians and the US during the war, prior to the US' involvement. He was a very interesting figure who saw the cold war developing and had such foresight on the nature of the Soviet threat to the West. Post war history is not my strong point to say the least, so I'm not sure how much of this book I am truly understanding.

I'm looking for recommendations to supplement this foray into post-WWII history. There are some quotes in this book from The Glory and the Dream by William Manchester, so I thought maybe that would be a good place to start. Any other suggesstions would be welcome.

I remembered some other books read this summer:

The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg (kids book), this was super.
Undue Influence by Steve Martini
The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin. Futuristic sci-fi with strong social commentary. Obviously written during the cold war, so it's an interesting counterpoint to my current reading.

Computer Troubles and more...

Due to incredible computer trouble, combined with summer trips, it's been ages since I posted. My hard drive died, but not before it was misdiagnosed as a RAM problem. I'm still short some RAM, trying to figure it out, but I think I am going to just give up and make an appointment at the genius bar.

Short list of what I read in July and August:

Harry Potter 1-7
Prime Witness by Steve Martini
The Coffee Trader by David Liss
The $64 Tomato by William Alexander
The Changeling and Madwand by Roger Zelazny

That's all I can think of. I used to read so fast. Pathetic.

If you like to garden, or like to laugh at people gardening, read The $64 Tomato. It has been a long time since I laughed so hard while reading. The author has a web site, http://www.64dollartomato.com.

I have started Intrepid's Last Case by William Stevenson.

Catching up with my reading...

I have read quite a bit since my last post. I finished Rule of Four. Then I read Martin Cruz Smith's December 6. This was quite an interesting book. There's not much plot - Harry Niles, our protagonist, is an American resident of Tokyo on December 6, 1941. Will he get out of Japan before Pearl Harbor? And what exactly does he know about Pearl Harbor and the Japanese navy's interest in the Hawaiian islands?

Above all, December 6 is a character study. Characters like Harry don't come along very often. Harry is flawed, charming, smart, and yet cannot get out of his own way. He understands the Japanese culture in a way few westerners could at that time, and manipulates his Japanese friends mercilessly. Harry is not a "good" guy, he is at times downright ruthless and heartless.

And since the Harry Potter book 7 will be released soon, I have started my journey through the world of Harry Potter again. I have finished Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and am now reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I had forgotten how well crafted the first book was, our first introduction to this now world famous character. But it really was a delightful read. Harry's discoveries of the wizarding world are our discoveries as well, and there is a freshness to the first book that is sheer pleasure.