Today I was supposed to talk about the latest Slaves of Golconda read, Novel on Yellow Paper by Stevie Smith but I couldn’t get past page 20 or so of this novel. I think it’s a book I might enjoy if I was in the mood for it. I hate to admit that because sometimes that just seems like such an excuse but lately I’ve been leaning towards comfort reads and this was not one.
So it goes back on my shelf, I’ll see what the others thought of it and hopefully I will get to it another time.
The weekend was a good one though because I finished up one book which I liked a lot and will tell you about soon, and because after a delicious lunch at Central Market and some time wandering around Whole Earth we went to Half Price Books. It had been a while since I indulged in a bit of book shopping and I found some great bargains.
I bought Still Alice by Lisa Genova. I know many of you have loved this book so I was happy to find it. I also got a copy of Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. It does have the movie tie-in cover, I hate those usually, but the copy is in great condition and it was only $1 so I couldn’t leave it behind. I also picked up Wolves Eat Dogs by Martin Cruz Smith for an upcoming mystery book club read. The last find was Digging to America by Anne Tyler. It’s been ages since I’ve read any of her books and I’d love to get reacquainted with this author.
That’s about it for now. I’ve got a couple of books that I’m reading currently but I’m in the mood for a good mystery tonight so I think I’m going to see what I can find on my shelves.
What a nice coincidence, Iliana! I bought Still Alice too! I know I can’t go wrong with that book after reading so many great reviews on it. 🙂
Happy reading!
Sounds like you got some good books while shopping! I hope you will like Still Alice. It probably wouldn’t be the best book for your to read right now if you are seeking comfort reads, but definitely one to read later.
I hate movie tie-in covers too, but when you come across a deal like you did, I can see compromising. Who can beat a $1 book?
Enjoy your new books!
Novel on Yellow Paper was definitely a challenge! I hope you still join in the conversation. Sounds like you had weekend and a great trip to HPB!
Woohoo! I have that copy of Revolutionary Road myself. Sometimes I detest movie tie-in covers, but that one seemed fitting and OK for some reason. I started reading it, but I haven’t gotten to finish just yet. Story of my life!
I thought the Stevie Smith was a challenge, too. I’m glad I read it, but I am looking forward to getting back to my Maisie Dobbs mystery–something much lighter. I think I might just watch the discussion from the sidelines as I’m not sure I have anything terribly insightful to share and everyone else seems to have a better handle on the book. I have the Yates book to read, too. And I might just have to give in sometime and read that Anne Tyler book, too. Sounds like a fun weekend!
I just love to hear about everyone’s book browsing and book buying. I have the Richard Yates one, but haven’t got around to reading it yet.
I liked Wolves Eat Dogs, and I believe it was part of a series (typical, I get in on the middle of it) and I remember thinking I wanted to read more of it. I’ll be interested to see what you think!
I want to read Still Alice, too. And I hate movie tie-in covers, as well, but hey, $1 is just too good to pass up!
I wouldn’t feel bad about not finishing the book because of your mood. I find that often times I don’t enjoy a book if I force myself to read it and my mood is not in the right place. My moods definitely affect my reading!
I just read Wolves Eat Dogs last week and enjoyed it – not as much as the Scottish detectives (Renko is Russian). It also had some really interesting info on Chernobyl so I had to do some research after reading. I will likely pick up more in the series.
Right now, though, I’m in the mood for another Peter Robinson. Love his books.
I am the odd duck in this crowd because I got a copy of Still Alice for review and was totally disinterested. I swapped ARCs with a blog friend, so it worked out for both of us. I still don’t want to read it; no idea why. I hope you enjoy it, though. I did a little shopping about a week ago — hadn’t bought anything in quite some time. It’s very therapeutic.
Melody – Yay, we were on the same wavelength 🙂 We’ll have to compare notes definitely!
Literary Feline – I’ve heard it is quite sad so I may not be opening it just yet. Not that I just fluffy books but I don’t know if a tear jerker is a good read for me right now! I’ll keep you posted!
Stefanie – Today I heard a commercial on the radio for HPB, I thought it was to announce a sale so I was practically going to change my driving directions until I figured out it was just a simple commercial. Darn. I wouldn’t have minded going back for a sale 🙂
andi – Did you see the movie? I do want to see the movie but now I don’t know which I should do first! Ah what a decision!
Danielle – I need to stop in and see what everyone is saying about the Smith novel. Maybe that will make me go pick it up. I can’t wait to read Stefanie’s and Dorothy’s posts about it.
vivienne – me too. Although it just makes me add more books to my wishlist 🙂
Sandy – My mystery book group reads novels all out of order. Totally bugs me but they are a nice bunch so I try to let go of my “read a series in order” rule!
Gentle Reader – The price tag did it for me 🙂
Kathleen – Exactly. I just can’t force myself to finish a book anymore. If I do that chances are I may just hate the book. This one sounds like it has a lot of potential so I need to approach it when I’m more in the mood.
Jrav – Oh very cool. Glad to hear you liked it. Isn’t Robinson great? How far are you in the series? I think I’m at number 10? The last one I read I especially liked as I felt like he was really taking the series in a new direction.
Bookfool, aka Nancy – At first I wasn’t too interested in it as it just sounded so sad but I don’t know everyone raves about it now I gotta find out why! ha… And, yes book shopping is definitely therapeutic.
Well I began reading totally out of order because I wa sick over the holiday and took what I could find at the used bookstore. I think I’ve read 8 so far and have managed to get on track. I’m a huge Ian Rankin fan, and these are the only ones, to me, that live up to them. Rankin’s Inspector Rebus is such a thoughtful, complex character, and Robinson’s Banks seems to be as well. I have been in comfort-reading mode for months and can’t seem to break it. Part of it is because I teach composition and literature so I have to stay on top of the same stuff my students are reading even though i’ve readeach work multiple times. Plus, the grading becomes monotonous. I guess mysteries are my great escape.
BUT, I have assigned an outside reading list for students with some really interesting and contemporary novels and plan on adding to it each semester so I need to get cracking. Part of it is also that lately, new novelists disappont me so frequently. I’ll enjoy two thirds of a book and get to the last 30-40 pages and wonder: where is the editor? It’s frustrating. I’ve been haunting several new bookish blogs since the new year in an attempt to find some better material.
Jrav – I love Rebus too! I like that the characters are complex but don’t fall into stereotypes of police detectives. I used to like mysteries when I was much younger but then stopped reading them and after I went through a very difficult period in my life several years ago I reconnected with mysteries and love ’em. For me they are definitely comfort reads even though I’m reading about crime! I just like that usually things are solved in the end. Do you have book blog? You should start one – it really is great fun and the bookish community is wonderful. Granted my TBR list is out of control now 🙂
I didn’t start reading mysteries again until I finished my Master’s thesis. I was so exhausted from working full time and finishing school – that’s the only thing I wanted to read.
As for a book blog, I’d love to! I’m finally getting a computer Thursday (yea!) and then I’ll be able to do a bit more. As it is, I read all these blogs and respond on my iPhone, which can be difficult. So we shall see! I cantwait.
Jrav – I know what you mean. I once knew a doctor who only read romances. She said she just wanted pure escape after dealing with patients and health issues all day! It makes sense doesn’t it. And, yay, so glad to hear you are joining in the book blog world. Please let me know once you set it up as I’d love to stop in and visit 🙂
I agree that Novel on Yellow Paper is not a comfort read, and I don’t blame you for setting it aside. You definitely have to be in the mood for something different and challenging with that one. Maybe at some other point!
I thought Still Alice was an amazing book. Sad, yes. Enlightening, yes. Powerful, yes. Definitely worthwhile and thought-provoking.
Revolutionary Road – meh! 😉