It seems like all I’ve done since Friday is run around so today I’m planning to stay indoors and just read. I’ve got chocolate nearby and the coffee machine is ready so this should be fun.
I’m about 150 pages from finishing Half of a Yellow Sun. This has been a wonderful story so far but I’ve had to walk away from the story at times. Reading about war time violence is just hard. I know I enjoy murder mysteries and this book is a work of fiction but knowing it is based on a very real conflict makes all the difference.
I do hope to finish the short story The View from Castle Rock tonight. Finally, I’m reading something by Alice Munro. She’s one those writers I’ve been meaning to get to for a long time.
A question for you guys – do you read The Believer? Do you like it? I have only briefly looked through it in the past and now I can’t find it at any of my local bookstores anymore. Anyway, I saw that they have a Believer Jumble Sale – 10 past issues for $15. What a deal. I think I will get that.
Last but not least, if you are interested in joining the next The Slaves of Golconda discussion, don’t forget to vote for your book choice by tomorrow.
Alright, I hope everyone is enjoying The Sunday Salon.
I hope you enjoy your day of reading today, Iliana. I think it is more difficult to read books that are based around read life events, even when the story itself is completely fiction.
I am afraid I am not at all familiar with The Believer, and so I can’t be any help to you there.
What are you reading by Munro?
I haven’t read any of the books. It sounds like you are going to be finishing several very soon though! That is always such a great feeling. I have heard tons of great stuff about Half A Yellow Son, I will be interested in your review when you finish it.
anyway, happy sunday.
I’m reading the Munroe too at present! I’ve never read her before but she does write tremendously well. I’ve had to put that book down as well, because the descriptions of that awful sea crossing have been too much to take – I’m a wimp! But I’m going to carry on and read the rest of the book now because I think it’s very good. Oh and I’ve avoided Half of A Yellow Sun because I know it’s too upsetting for me – I quite understand needing to walk away from it occasionally.
Literary Feline – I’m getting a slow start as I’m blog hopping and bookmooching but I’ll get back to the books soon! 🙂
Megan – I’m reading just the title story from the book. It’s interesting because it is based on her family history.
Bethany – I hope so – you are right, such a great feeling! Happy sunday too you too 🙂
litlove – Oh yes, that is true. Makes me wonder why anyone boarded a ship to begin with right! Hope you are enjoying your sunday!
‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ is in many ways a difficult read for precisely the reasons you mention, but what shocked me the most was that until I hit the name I had forgotten about Biafra. I was ashamed of myself.
Enjoy your reading! I think I’m going to do the same. 🙂
Oh, I loved Half of a Yellow Sun! But yes, there were some seriously upsetting parts. I hope you’ll enjoy it enough to read Purple Hibiscus, because I think that’s an even better book. It, too, can be upsetting, though.
I hope you are enjoying your day! It sounds lovely to have books and chocolate and coffee and nothing else going on.
Chocolate, coffee and books – sounds like a perfect Sunday! Happy reading!
It sounds as if you’ve had a lovely day of reading! I read The View From Castle Rock a couple of weeks ago, and did enjoy it. I just haven’t pulled my thoughts together enough to write a review.
I’m interested in The Slaves of Goldonda…I’ll go check it out for next month!
Sounds like you’ve a fun reading day, Iliana. 🙂 And chocolate with coffee sounds wonderful too!
I’ve heard lots of good reviews about Half of a Yellow Sun but just haven’t got around to reading it yet. As for The Believer, I’m not familiar with it but I’m glad you’ve found a good deal.
Happy reading and hope you’ve a great weekend!
I do feel a bit like an idiot asking what story you are reading. But I didn’t know that The View From Castle Rock was one of her stories. I though you were saying Finally meaning lastly, not Finally meaning I have been waiting so long for this.
Not that you need the explanation, but I feel less stupid.
Thanks for passing along the word about The Believer jumble. I’ve long wanted to subscribe but don’t know much about it, and no book stores around here carry it.
Ann Darnton – Indeed. I am sitting here reading the book thinking how could all of this be new to me.
Eva – I haven’t read as much as I wanted to as I’ve gotten distracted by the computer and t.v. but I’m making good progress!
Dew – I did read Purple Hibiscus. I loved that book. I can only wonder at what she’ll write next.
Dorothy W. – It’s been very relaxing so I can’t complain 🙂
Nymeth – There was a lot of chocolate. I think I overdosed 😉
ravenous reader – I finished it and enjoyed it. I still need to put my thoughts together on a post for that one. Hopefully tomorrow! Can’t wait to read what you thought of it too.
Melody – Hope you had a good one too. I bought the sampler so can’t wait to see get them!
Megan – Oh no, I figured that’s what you meant and I just didn’t answer your question a better way probably. I blame it all on the chocolate I’ve been eating — too distracted for a coherent thought. ha,ha…
Andi – I couldn’t find it anywhere either. I hope the jumble is a good selection. I’ll let you know when I get them. of course it’s media mail so who knows when I’ll get them but one day 🙂
Sounds like you had a wonderful Sunday. I also managed to get a bit of reading done. Weather was a bit too hot for coffee though. I went to the Believer’s website to see what they’re about. Are they a movie magazine ?
I finally have Half a Yellow Sun–I’m looking forward to reading it. I have that Munro book–I think I only read the first story, and now when I pick up the book again I’ll have to read it again! I really like Alice Munro and want to read more! Thanks for the great book choices for the Slaves by the way!
I hope you had a fun reading day. I bought a couple of issues of The Believer a year or two ago after I read Hornby’s book of essays that he hada published from his column. There were parts of the magazine that I enjoyed very much and parts that I just wasn’t interested in. But there weren’t enough parts I liked to keep me buying it.
Hey! I have not been able to read any war time violence for awhile. Just too hard. I am reading Free Food for Millionaires right now. My favorite book for this year, so far, is Anne Bishops Black Jewel series. SO GOOD! I was just blown away.
Sunday Salon looks cool.
Gavin – It was very nice and relaxing. I think it’s more of short stories and essays. I could be totally wrong but I guess I’ll find out when I get my bundle 🙂
Danielle – I can’t believe I waited so long to finally read something by her. I will definitely look for more. I need to go back and check which book it’ll be but I’m getting the feeling we’ll be going with the Savage one 🙂
Stefanie – Oh see, then I’m glad I got the bundle as that wasn’t too much. I’ll keep you posted on what I think of those.
Nancy – Yes it is so hard. Ok, I’m going to look for Anne Bishop’s book. Are you back blogging? Missed your posts girlfriend!
Books on war are tough to read. You know I am a big fan of the short story….especially when my brain is all over the place! I really like The Believer but the only time I have been able to get it was at Book People in Austin. I will have to look around here…
Christine – They are indeed. Another reason to love Austin right 🙂 I’m so jealous of all the bookstores you get to discover now! ha,ha.. Have fun Chica. I need to visit your new digs – on the web for now 🙂
Last week I finally read some Alice Munro as well and I liked it a lot! There is a review up on my blog. I actually discovered her through bookblogs, as I’d never heard of her before I started reading bookblogs.
I hope you’ll review Half of a Yellow Sun when you’re finished. It is on my TBR stack and I’d love to know your thoughts.
Myrthe – Ah, that’s great! Book blogs are the best source for new books for me. Plus it’s not just new books but it’s fun to discover older books that I’ve missed! I’ll have to visit your blog to catch your review 🙂
Tara – I finished and am just letting it sit with me for a while. What a powerful story.