Miscellaneous Reading Notes

Last summer I attended a number of training sessions at work in order to learn more about our various databases and collections as our service/help desks were combined at the library.  To be honest I thought they were mandatory and that I had to participate.  Apparently not everyone was quite as conscientious as I was it turns out.  Our Library Friends bought a number of presents to give to those who took part in the training.  Only one other lady attended more sessions than I did, but that's okay.  I was second on the list and got early dibs on the goodies and could pick one that appealed to me most.  I now have a Barnes&Noble gift card to use at my leisure!  I guess I shouldn't complain about so many work meetings!

In a very few weeks the university will close down for the holidays, which means I am looking at twelve full days away from work.  Twelve wonderful days that I can practically spend doing whatever I like.  I've already began contemplating which books I want to read (will of course work hard to incorporate them into my already existing current reads pile).  So far I've mentally set aside Elizabeth George's Careless in Red, Sarah Waters' Affinity, Marina Fiorato's The Glassblower of Murano and something by Richmal Crompton.   

I just discovered today that the Fiorato book has been longlisted for the 2008 Books to Talk About Award.  I came across this site (Spread the Word) last year, but didn't bother to bookmark it, so it was lost in the shuffle.  I've remedied that and will have to check out what people are saying about the other books on the longlist.  I was already sold on the Fiorato book ages ago (just never got around to reading it).  It's always good to have an excuse to start a new book.   

I'm a little late coming to this, but did you know that Alexander McCall Smith is serializing a book, Corduroy Mansions, in the Telegraph newspaper online?  You can read all the details here.  You can either read it, or download the podcasts.  If I can figure out how, I plan on loading the podcasts into my MP3 player as I've not found anything good to listen to.  I've given up on several audio books in a row.  Last night I actually loaded Christmas music onto it.  It should be nice and seasonal as I clump home through the snow, which we are forecast to receive (as if it were a gift or something--Ha). 

I finished reading this book for my postal reading group (ahead of time, thank you very much).  I really enjoyed it and plan on reading more by this author.  I'm also getting close to finishing Charlotte Bronte's Shirley.  I've got mixed feelings about it.  I suspect when I've finished, read the intro, and had a chance to let things sink in I will appreciate it more than I am at the moment.  It just feels a bit uneven, but it's still very good.  I think Jane Eyre will remain my favorite.  As soon as I finish Shirley, it's on to Bleak House.  As strange as it sounds, doesn't it sound like good holiday reading?      

Comments

[Katherine]

The Glassblower of Murano has been on my mental wish list for a short while, too. It's had good reviews on Amazon.co.uk. I have way too many ARCs to get through in the next few months, though, so it's on hold for the moment.

[Sarah]

It is always to enjoyable to make reading plans (and then, of course, break them!).

I've just re-read Jane Eyre, so will be interested to hear about Shirley. I'm afraid I've still not gooten around to reading it- one of these days though...

[Litlove]

Yay! Congratulations on winning your gift card - that sounds like excellent reparation for having to attend those courses! And lovely to think of holiday days spent reading. You have some wonderful books lined up and I'm already looking forward to your reviews.

[Christina]

Hello. I love the Brontes but I think Charlotte never quite reaches the depths of understanding of Anne and, more especially, Emily. "Shirley" was, for me, rather disappointing and agree with you about it being somewhat stilted.
Thank you for an interesting blog (we have added you to our links :-) )

Hilliard & Croft

[Dorothy W.]

I've had a lot of trouble with audio books too and have given up on them for this semester. I'll try again in January. I checked out one book that turned out to be short stories, another one that was abridged, neither of which I wanted to deal with, and both of them were damaged! The library can be a bit unreliable that way sometimes. Oh, well. How nice to have gotten a gift card!

[iliana]

Congrats on that gift card. I bet you are so looking forward to your break. And, now I'm off to look into the Glassblower of Murano - I like the title.

[Tara]

I wish I could remember more of the details of Shirley - I read it over 10 years ago. I look forward to your thoughts.

[Jessica]

yes it does! I liked Shirley, but Jane Eyre is indeed still my favorite as well.

[Sylvia]

Ooo, a reading holiday complete with bookstore gift card! Delightful!

[Isabel]

What did you get as a reward for attending the classes?

I am glad that you have 12 days off.

Enjoy the down time being in another world.

[Stefanie]

For once going to meetings at work paid off. We are getting snow right now as I type. As if I wasn't already excited about my upcoming two-week reading vacation, you have made me even more excited!

[Danielle]

Katherine--The Fiorato book is being published here in the Spring, so perhaps you can get to it then. The reviews really have been very good, so I am happy to finally start it as it was meant to be a summer read for me.
Sarah--I really love Jane Eyre and have read it a few times, too. Shirley is just really different. It will be interesting to finally finish and get my thoughts together about it.
Litlove--I think I'll be starting the vacation countdown very soon. And it is nice to get something (especially a book gift card) for having to sit through so many training sessions! I didn't realize we got anything special for our work, so it came as a nice surprise.
Christina--Thanks very much--very kind words and I will be adding you as well to my blogroll! I have yet to read anything by Anne, though it has been in my reading plans for a while now. I got the copy of Shirley and read it instead. It will be interesting to compare them!
Dorothy--Library book and audio are great since they are free, but you're right that you never quite know what you're getting!! I have not found anything I really want to listen to either, but it's so cold I haven't wanted to fiddle with my player outside. I'll have to see what new audio books are loaded next. Until then there is always music.
Iliana--Yay for a gift card! I really, really need a break so I can't wait. Is it too soon to count down? Only then I'll realize how close Christmas is and how much I still have to do!
Tara--After only a few years anymore, I forget too many details to remember a story well, too. Sometimes when I am rereading it is like starting from scratch!
Jessica--I enjoy Shirley when I pick it up, but I tend to want to pick up other books! Still it's a good read and I'm curious to see how things end. Jane Eyre is one I love to reread though.
Sylvia--I might even luck out and get a companion card or two for the holidays! Usually I go book shopping after Christmas with my mom and sister and I am already looking forward to it.
Isabel--I didn't think we got anything for those classes--I just thought it was mandatory so went to all of them I could (though it's always good to learn new things when you have to answer student questions). I lucked out getting that gift card! And yay--almost two full weeks. Something to look forward to.
Stefanie--We ended up just getting a dusting of snow. Just as well, but we've had the cold that comes with it. I'm never ready for the cold. But I am very ready for a break. Just think of those uninterrupted (I hope) reading hours!! :)

[Courtenay]

I read Bleak House 3 winters ago, and I still think of it every Christmas! Dickens is so very Christmasy-- not just because of A Christmas Carole-- but also because he has the right mix of dealing with social issues in a a good neighborly way, never forcing his characters to bite off more than they can personally chew. And you can trust him to lace it all with a dash of good cheer!