I started reading. . .

Plainsong by Kent Haruf and it is beautiful in its simplicity of language.  I really could have stayed up all night reading it.  Pete wanted to sleep and I was quoting lines to him trying to show him how beautiful it was.  Really, you must go get a copy of this book and start reading it.  I don't even know exactly what the story will end up being like or what the ending will be.  Maybe the message will be awful (I doubt it), but it doesn't even matter because the writing is just lovely and a joy to read. 

Ah. . . I love a good book.

And I have recently finished two more good books which I have failed to write about.  One I finished only 2 days ago, so I'll start with that one:

Hearing that it was finally out in paperback (from Pete, who always knows these types of things), I had to pick up a copy of A Long Way Down -- the latest book by Nick Hornby.  Hornby is one of my favorites, nearly a sure thing.  If you haven't read something by him, you've probably seen a movie based on one of his books -- High Fidelity, About a Boy and Fever Pitch (Okay -- this was "based" on his book about soccer and the movie was a comedy about baseball -- I don't get that, but there's Hollywood for you.)

So back to my point. . . I was pretty sure I would like this book and I did.  It's about 4 people who meet when they go up on a roof to jump off and kill themselves, but surprisingly it's not depressing.  I'm not going to say that you'll come away with any deep insights, although you might (Maureen's story seems to have something in common with the theme of Waiting by Ha Jin.  A book I loved and reviewed a while back.)

So, I would declare this a good summer read!  Pack it in your beach bag or throw it in your travel case.

Right before that I read:

Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson was a strange an interesting read.  It's about a homeless girl living in the forest who starts having visions of Mary.  It was a good book and kept my interest and I liked his style well enough that I'll definitely be on the look out for Snow Falling on Cedars which I've actually been wanting to read for a while now and which I understand is even better than this book. 

Well, I think that catches up my reading list.  I got a bit lazy there in doing book updates.  I have to remember to do this because otherwise I forget and end up checking books out form the library that I've already read!  (I've tried a written book journal, but they last for 2-3 books and then I forget to update them.  I have no idea why, but this seems to work for me so for now I'll keep doing it!)

Comments

[Kristi aka Fiber Fool]

I *adored* Plainsong and have since read his other books. I don't think they are quite up to par with Plainsong, but they are also great reads.

[freecia]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll go put them on hold at the library.

[Mama Urchin]

I am also a great fan of Haruf and agree with Kristi, Plainsong was the best of his books. Eventide is about the same characters as Plainsong so you might enjoy reading that too. You might also like Kent Meyers The Work of Wolves. Happy reading!

[Renee]

I'm also a HUGE Hornby fan and I haven't read that one yet, so it'll definitely be on my list for this summer. I wasn't fond of "Snow Falling..." but I know I was in the minority. Since you and I always seem to have similar taste in books, I have to recommend "Arthur & George" to you. I was a little disappointed in the ending, but I just adored the first 3/4.

[Rosemary C]

OUR LADY OF THE FOREST was one of my favorite books.What great flawed, and oh so human, characters. You will love SNOW FALLING ON CEDAR. When someone writes so well, it is like eating a gourmet meal.

Just finished TRAVELS WITH THE COURTESAN, and BIRTH OF VENUS. Great summer (or anytime)reading!!!

Rosemary

[--Deb]

Okay, I'm obediently on my way over to Amazon to look at Plainsong--I won't promise to buy it, but I'll definitely take a look!

I was disappointed by "Our Lady of the Forest," probably because I loved "Snow Falling on Cedars" SO much. Not to say I didn't think the writing was top notch and the story intriguing, just . . . something about it didn't resonate with me.

[Kris in TX]

Oh, you'll love Plainsong. I am going to reread it again this summer.

I also enjoyed his book 'The Ties that Bind.'

Happy reading!

[Joyce Poon]

Thanks for doing these book reviews. I've picked up a few that you've mentioned and really enjoyed them.
By the way, Fever Pitch was also done as a british film starring Colin Firth a few years ago. They kept it soccer in that one.

[brooke]

I have yet to read Plainsong-thanks for the recommendation.

[Ellen]

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who checks books out of the library, only to find I've already read them. I can't remember movie details, either. I think my brain is too full.

[Kathy]

I loved Plainsong, and the other book by Guterson was East of the Mountains ( I think?) and that was haunting. I'm still in A Long Way Down, it's not going as quickly as the other Hornby books - he's definitely one of my favorites. But I keep jumping from one book to another, too many books!

[Dana]

Plainsong is one of my favorite books. The relationships that ensue in the book truly touched my heart. I did not thing the follow up book was very good. I read "How to be Good" by Nick Hornby but was irritated by it. I can't say I liked or disliked it. Try Naill Williams "As it is in Heaven". It is absolutely lovely, about father/son love and male/female love. Charming.

[Marianne]

I lurrrved Our Lady Of The Forest. I just stumbled upon it at the library (the cover looked interesting enough)and it turned out to be one of my fave reads from the past 6 months.