Are you getting your daily dose of good reads? I finally subscribed to Daily Lit and have been enjoying a daily dose of Anton Chekov. Again, with the purpose of reading more short stories I figured this might be a good way to discover some good short reads.
So far I’ve received three installments of A Doctor’s Visit, there are six installments, and it’s interesting because I do like the bit of suspense it builds as I wait until the next day to find out what comes next. I can easily ask for more of the installment, and of course the full text is also available, but this is really a neat way to read a short story. I don’t know how often I’ll request stories but so far it’s been fun.
And, on the subject of short stories I also read A Game of Cards by Rose Tremain yesterday. This story I found via The O. Henry Prize Stories 2008. In about seven pages, the story covers the lifetime of two friends and goes on to exemplify how at one pivotal moment in life, we all know what our life is all about.
“Let me tell you the story of my friend Anton Zwiebel. You will soon realize that any story about Anton Zwiebel is also a story about me, Gustav Perle. In fact, I can’t imagine how I could set down any account of Anton Zwiebel’s life that didn’t include me. I am at the heart of Anton Zwiebel’s life and he is at the heart of mine.”
Gustav and Anton grew up in a Switerzland during WWII but for the lucky boys the war didn’t really affect their childhood. As Gustav narrates the story we find out that Anton became a piano teacher and Gustav a hotelier, and thanks to a visit from a retired English colonel the boys learn to play gin rummy, a game that will be a constant in their lives.
Years pass and the two friends will have some epiphanies about their lives. The paths taken or not and the fears they have. One fears life changing and the other a life without change.
I really liked this story. It made me a bit sad for the loss of a dream, it made me think of jealousy among friends, and yet I also felt some comfort in the end for through it all the two had each other.
Anyway, I look forward to reading more stories in this collection and hopefully more from DailyLit too. Let me know if you’ve found some gems on DailyLit so I can put them in my “TBR email folder”.
I love DailyLit – I’ve been reading The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes that way.
I will have to give DailyLit a try. It sounds like there are some real gems to be found!
Never heard of it. How have I been missing out?
I’ll have to check it out! Thanks, Iliana!
Wow. Just when you think you’ve tapped out all the different mediums to read something…I would love to do this, but I spend waaaaay too much time on here as it is! I always say “I’ll do this when my kids go to college!”
Wow, how cool. I didn’t even know there was something out there like this. Hopefully this can get my book count up for the year. Thanks Illiana!
Wow, I have never heard of this….Though I’m not sure I want my lit in email or on the computer screen…I spend to much time at work on the computer
I’ve never heard of DailyLit, but thanks for the link! I’m going to check it out now.
DailyLit is fun, isn’t it? I’ve read a few things through them but haven’t for a while. Perhaps it is time to find new email reading 🙂
I read House of Mirth on Daily Lit–it was a nice experience!
Iliana, I think I might subscribe to DailyLit sounds like a good thing. I’m not usually a fan of short stories, but maybe this way it will get me out of my box.
Thanks for letting me know about my blog. I don’t know why you can’t post. Would you try again for me? I haven’t had any posts in two days …strange
Thanks Wisteria
I’ve never heard of daily lit but thanks for the recommendation. Will be sure to look it up.
Carrie K. – Oh how fun! I do have a collection of Sherlock Holmes stories but I bet this would be a fun way to read them at random.
Literary Feline – They have so many things there! I’ve seen essays, poetry, I mean, not just fiction so very cool.
Jessica – I’ve known about it for a while but kept forgetting to sign up!
Melody – I hope you find some good reads 🙂
Sandy – I know, there’s always something new right? 🙂 And, I completely understand the need to get away from the computer. I am enjoying it so far but I don’t think I’d do this all the time. I of course prefer a book!
nik – There you go! And, especially as you’ve been in a reading funk this might be a good way to get out of it. Hope you enjoy it!
Serena – Totally understand! The problem with having it on the computer is of course once you read that then you go on to read the emails that are piling up and so on!
Anna – Enjoy! You’ll have to keep us posted if you try it out.
Stefanie – I remember you posted about it so long ago. I meant to give it a try since then but you know how that is. two more installments to my story!
Gentle Reader – Oh wow, how many installments did it take to read it! I think it’s cool that they have so many classics on the site.
Wisteria – I’ve always said I wasn’t a big fan of short stories but have really been getting into them since last year and this is just makes it more fun to discover them. And, I still can’t figure out why I can’t post on your blog. I’m so sorry. I’ll definitely check back over the weekend though and try. I’ll keep you posted!
Ms Ulat Buku – You are welcome! hope you enjoy it 🙂
Hi Iliana, thanks for the Daily Lit tip, I’d never heard of it before and am addicted already!!! 🙂
I’ve never heard of Daily Lit but sounds like something I want to check out! You have me intrigued! : )
And I like the excerpt you had — it kind of grabbed me!
I like Daily Lit for short stories, but I haven’t been able to sustain interest long enough to read a full length novel this way. Maybe it’s just me, though. You’ve probably already heard about it, but there is another great way to read a short story a week. Check this out: http://www.fiftytwostories.com/
I like the idea of Daily Lit, definitely; I just don’t like reading literature online! I used Daily Lit to read Paradise Lost, but what I did was check out what the section was in my email and then read that section in my book. It was useful simply as a daily reminder and for offering a way to break up the reading into small bits. But I really prefer reading on paper, so I probably won’t use it again. Glad you are enjoying it!
I luv Daily Lit, I’m reading Famous Modern Ghost Stories.
A Doctor’s Visit sounds great, enjoy it.