Over the past few days I’ve finished and started some books. I hope this weekend I’ll have quite a bit of reading time available as I’m very behind on a book group read. Why do I always procrastinate so much? I think it’s because I want to make sure the story will still be fresh in my mind but half of the time I’m rushing to finish it.
Anyway, I have finished Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin and Astrid & Veronika by Linda Olsson. The book links take you to my reviews. I quite liked both books although I’m leaning more towards Astrid & Veronika, perhaps because after The Myth of You and Me, which I read last month and didn’t like much, I was left wanting to read a good friendship story. This one was more to my taste.
The books I’m currently juggling are very different in tone but both I’m enjoying and am finding it hard to choose between them. Suite Française by Irene Nemirovsky is the book I’m trying to finish up by Tuesday for book group discussion. So far I’ve only been able to read some of it during lunch time.
My evening read has been Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym. I meant to read this last year when I found out about it through Nancy Pearl’s Book Lust book. I quickly BookMooched a copy but of course by the time the book arrived I had moved on to something else. This cozy little book has some very witty women and a lot of keen observations. I get the feeling I’ll be looking for more of Pym’s novels after this one. At least I hope so.
I think you need a brief vacation to read!
Oooh, I love Barbara Pym–thanks for the recommendation, I just mooched Jane and Prudence. I’ve read a bunch of her books, and just love how English they are!
Thanks also for the review of Astrid & Veronika, which is now on my list!
Thank you for the review of Astrid & Veronika, that will be added to my longlist. I know what you mean about having ‘moved on to something else’. I have many books on my bookshelves from such an occurance and hope to get back to them someday.
I’m on the lookout for Barbara Pym books too. I read Excellent Women a few years back and really enjoyed it. I’m hoping to find a copy of Quartet in Autumn but now will also have to look for Jane and Prudence.
I am hoping to find time to get a good amount of reading in this weekend (around other things!). Sounds like you have a lot to catch up on but sounds like a perfect weekend….
I think Astrid & Veronika will go on my list. Barbara Pym is already there, but maybe it is time to move her up!
Hope you have a good reading weekend. Thanks for checking in on the Chunkster Challenge. 🙂
I discovered Pym on this . She’s great!
Thanks for the great book list!
BlueRectangle Books
You are so right about waiting to read a books during the last possible days of a book club’s impending meeting. I think it is b/c we want to keep the story–with all its many details–fresh.
I have heard of Pym and always meant to check her out. I guess I really do need to! Glad to hear you are enjoying the Nemirovsky!! I need to go and read your reviews now!
Isabel – You’ve got that right girl! 🙂
Gentle Reader – I’m so glad to hear you’ve enjoyed her books. I’m about half way through it now and I love it.
Tara – Isn’t it funny how that happens? Ah the case of too many books and not enough time.
Stefanie – I read a synopsis of Excellent Women and that sounds like it might be my second Pym to look into.
Christine – Hope you have time for some reading and a lot of photo shooting this weekend!
Jenclair – I hope you’ll enjoy Astrid & Veronika. Makes me want to go to Sweden too 🙂
Nancy – You bet. Hope you have a good one too!
Sylvia – I couldn’t get your link to work. Darn.
Heather – You are welcome!
Maggie – Exactly. And, I’m still super behind. Oh well.
Danielle – I get the feeling you’d really enjoy Jane & Prudence. So far it is really an excellent read.
Oooh…thanks for that recommendation of Barbara Pym. I’ve vaguely heard of her but have not read nor picked up any of her books. This one sounds interesting.
Hope you’re having a good weekend!