So what stories are keeping my attention these days? I’ve got some good stuff on my nightstand and thought I’d tell you about it.
I’m still reading The Letters of Vincent van Gogh. Now that I finally have gotten to the letters in the book it is really fascinating. Vincent corresponded with his brother Theo quite a lot and in these letters you see a man who is sensitive, loves his family and has quite a deep faith. It really makes you think of why it is that we only know about his suicide and the “mad” genius part. It seems that whenever the name Vincent van Gogh comes up all anyone thinks of is that he cut off his ear. Yikes. There was so much more to him than that.
A funny sidenote, I finished When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris (review to come) and just now realized that the cover art is an illustration by van Gogh. What synchronicity!
I finally started one of my challenge reads for the Once Upon a Time III Challenge and am enjoying the other world created in Starfinder by John Marco. The story began with Moth, a young boy, who dreams of being a Skyknight but it’s something that can never be. Hmm, I wonder why? I can’t wait to see if he’ll achieve his dream and how.
Last night I started Somebody Else’s Daughter by Elizabeth Brundage. This story is set in the idyllic Berkshires, at the prestigious Pioneer School. Willa Golding, a student, has been brought up by her adoptive parents in elegant prosperity, but they have fled a mysterious and shameful past. Lots of secrets, shameful pasts and drama awaits in this novel. So far so good.
Another book I’m making headway into is Emma by Kaoru Mori. This is my first manga! I’ve really gotten into graphic novels in the past few years so I had been looking forward to manga but I have to admit the different direction in reading is sort of throwing me off. The story is set in Victorian England and focuses on a young girl named Emma who is a British maid and the secret love between her and the son of a wealthy family. This really has all the elements of a story I’d love and I’ve heard so many great reviews from some of my bookish friends but not sure if I’ll adjust to manga yet. I’ll keep you posted.
Hmm, you know what’s missing? A mystery! I think I may have to add one tonight. Also, I plan to catch up with the latest Estella’s Revenge, and Susan has passed the baton to me and I get to come up with some selections for our next Slaves of Golconda reading. So, I think I need to get back to my books now.
The Letters of Vincent van Gogh sounds intriguing! Oh, I didn’t know the cover of When You Are Engulfed In Flames is an illustration by the said artist, what a nice coincidence! 🙂
I too have heard lots of good reviews on Emma so I’ll have to check that out as well.
I hope you’ve a great weekend, Iliana! I’m glad it’s public holiday for us tomorrow! 😀
I’m with Melody, The Letters of Van Gogh sounds great. You have to wonder why it’s always the darkness we hear about and not as often the light in a person’s life. Happy reading!
It does sound great! And so does When You Are Engulfed in Flames. But then, it’s David Sedaris, so of course it would 😛 I hope you manage to adjust to Manga! I look forward to your thoughts on the series.
They ALL sound great! It must be a skill that you have or you don’t (I don’t!) to be able to read so many good books at once! I am pushing myself if I have one audio, one “me” book and one book I’m reading to my kids.
I love book synchronicity. Can’t wait to see what suggestions you come up with for the Slaves!
Love David Sedaris! I have a copy of Starfinder and plan to use it as one of my Once Upon a Time reads, too. Some other interesting possibilities in your current reading stirs my interest.
Melody – You would probably really like Emma as you are already familiar with Manga. And, the illustrations are really beautiful. I hope you enjoy your extra day off – hopefully there’s some extra reading time planned! 🙂
Vasilly – Right. I guess that’s what is interesting to most people? Kind of like the celebrity trainwrecks we have nowadays 🙂 It’s just fascinating to me to read the letters by someone like van Gogh. I’m taking it slow with this book.
Nymeth – David Sedaris is great isn’t he. I liked this book but it wasn’t one of my favorites. Still even a less than stellar Sedaris is good 🙂
Sandy – I think I just like to have different books going on so that I can always find something to suit my mood 🙂
Stefanie – I love it too! I’m busy working on the selections so hopefully I’ll have something by the weekend. It’s so fun 🙂
jenclair – Oh yay we’ll have to share reading notes on Starfinder. Literary Feline is also reading it so very cool 🙂
I am looking forward to your review of Engulfed in Flames!
Lol. Wow! I wouldn’t be able to keep them all straight. I’ve picked up Emma too and I really should get around to reading it.
enjoy your reading, I’ve seen Emma on a few blogs, it does look interesting.
I mentioned your journals and shop on my blog.
Linda – It might be a quickie review but I’ll try to get to it 🙂
Ladytink_534 – Haha… I used to only read one book at a time but now I have to have several going on. As long as they are different genres it’s usually ok 🙂
bookworm – So far I’m liking all the books with the exception of getting used to manga but maybe I’ll get it by the end of the book! 🙂
Kristy – Oh thank you so much! You are so sweet 🙂
I’ve always been interested in Van Gogh’s work. My kindergartener was even interested after learning about him in art class. She made her own interpretation of Van Gogh’s sunflowers. Very cute!
I saw Somebody Else’s Daughter at Target the other day and almost bought it. Let us know the final verdict so I know if I should go back and get it.
i hope you will share your thoughts about The Letters of Vincent van Gogh!
I’m looking forward to hearing what your Slaves choices will be! I think I will have to check out that Brundage book, too! Have a nice Easter, Iliana!
I’m a huge David Sedaris fan (and a Van Gogh fan too) but I didn’t make the connection between the cover. The cover I had was a skull — black and white looking — if I remember it right. Loved that book! David Sedaris never disappoints me!
There should be a image on the last page (Western first page) in Emma that shows how to read the frames from right to left, top to bottom. I found that useful and helped me get the hang of it pretty quickly. I am already used to some things being written right to left here though so maybe that made it easier for me.
The other books sound great. I have to admit I don’t know much about Van Gogh besides the cutting off his ear part. And I really need to finally read something by David Sedaris one of these days.
I’m very interested in reading the Vincent van Gogh book! I’m not an artist and am not familiar with arts, except the brief intro art history course that I took as an elective in college. Thanks for the heads up! 🙂
The Vincent Van Gogh book sounds really interesting. I know his paintings but know very little about his life, will have to add this to my books to get list
Flo
Sounds like you’ve been busy. I’m trying to finish The Traitor’s Wife by Susan Higginbotham. It’s good, but it’s not a fast read, and I have so many books on my night stand calling to me.