It's Monday! Which means that it's time for my weekly roundup of all things books.
Last week I finished My Ántonia for Willa Cather reading week. Thank you Ali, your reading week was a fabulous introduction into Cather's world. I'll be back for more!
I spent Sunday afternoon summarising my 2014 reading challenges & signing up for four more in 2015 (click on 2015 badge in left sidebar).
After some prompting, I started an easy, no fuss, low-key Charles Dickens - A Christmas Carol readalong (click on badge in left sidebar to join in).
I found a North and South Readalong hosted by Suey et al.
Starting in January this will help me get my 2015 reading challenges off to a flying start!
It has been a busy week with lots going on at work and at home. My head & heart have been somewhat overwhelmed....it is lovely that I have my blog and my books to retreat into to find solace and calm during times like this.
And an extremely patient, understanding Mr Books who gives me loving space!
What will I be reading this week?
This week I will be finishing off The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert.
"Exquisitely researched
and told at a galloping pace, The Signature of All Things soars across
the globe—from London to Peru to Philadelphia to Tahiti to Amsterdam,
and beyond. Along the way, the story is peopled with unforgettable
characters: missionaries, abolitionists, adventurers, astronomers, sea
captains, geniuses, and the quite mad. But most memorable of all, it is
the story of Alma Whittaker, who — born in the Age of Enlightenment, but
living well into the Industrial Revolution — bears witness to that
extraordinary moment in human history when all the old assumptions about
science, religion, commerce, and class were exploding into dangerous
new ideas. Written in the bold, questing spirit of that singular time,
Gilbert's wise, deep, and spellbinding tale is certain to capture the
hearts and minds of readers."
After finishing My Ántonia on Thursday evening I was feeling at a bit of an historical fiction loose end. I picked up Signature during my lunch break at work on Friday...and instantly fell into the world of botany created by Gilbert.
I love it when a free-range choice turns out so well :-)
I will also start A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens this week.
"Cruel miser Ebeneezer
Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn’t like...and hardly a man he
does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his
old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas
Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of
charity, kindness, and goodwill. Experience a true Victorian Christmas!"
Oh, keen to hear what you think of Elizabeth Gilbert's latest. I enjoyed Eat Pray Love - DESPITE myself but haven't read any of her work since. I follow her page on FB though and find myself really drawn to what she says and thinking she seems really authentic - if that makes sense!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read either. EPL got so much exposure, I was turned off a little.
ReplyDeleteI tried to read EPL at a friend's recommendation, but couldn't get past the second page.
DeleteAnother friend said I should try this one though as it is very different in style, genre etc.
And, happily, it is!
Love the look of that Christmas Carol book! Gorgeous cover!
ReplyDeleteYes, I've been busy signing up to some challenges, and haven't finished yet, although there is still plenty of time. All the best for the ones you are doing.
ReplyDeleteFor the first time in months I have no deadlines, books to finish and no spins. I am scouring the house to gather books for the category 2015 Biography/memoires/letters. I found a scientist, oil baron, Renaissance sculptor, 17th C. king, Dutch painter, English actor and 4 authors to read about!
ReplyDeleteI think I got rid of my copy of The Signature of All Things without even reading it but I should really read A Christmas Carol sometime soon
ReplyDeleteNorth and South is excellent! I read it a couple years ago with a readalong group - enjoy! I'm considering listening to A Christmas Carol this year, but just succumbed to another daily deal from audible.com. Decisions, decisions...
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear JoAnn. A colleague has also been raving about it for some time, saying it's the kind of book I would love.
DeleteSounds like it will bge the perfect way for me to start a new year :-)
I really liked The Signature of All Things. I need to choose some challenges for next year too.
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out
I have heard good things about The Signature of All Things...but I have hesitated because I really didn't like Eat Pray Love...LOL.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy...and here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
I didn't like (& couldn't read) EPL either. Signature is very different & worth a try if you love an epic historical fiction.
DeleteA Christmas Carol is on my list too. Maybe I should have tried a read along as I have yet to finish a dicken's novel. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome to join in - it's a very low key no pressure readalong :-)
DeleteI have Signature on my list -- Glad to hear that it's promising!
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about Signature from many and varied sources. I've got an electronic copy somewhere, but I don't tend to read them, so not sure when I'll get to it. I'm reading David Walliams' Awful Auntie this week.
ReplyDelete