What I'm Reading Now

I should really be reading Charlotte Bronte's Shirley as I am within the last 100 pages of finishing the book, but I haven't picked it up for the last few days.  It's not a book I can just whizz through and takes a little more concentration than other books I've got going.  It's not one I can read at the gym while using the stationary bike (and with the radio blaring in the background) or even walking on my treadmill at home (no music, thank you).  There is a generous amount of religious, literary, and historical references that I admit I don't usually get (and am not good about flipping to the back and reading those notes) as well as some French thrown in for good measure.  I will get back to it, but I need to get back into the mood.  It's a slow going book that I do better with when I can just sit and read without lots of outside noise.

What I have been reading is Marina Fiorato's The Glassblower of Murano, which is due to be published here in the US next May.  It's one of those comfy books that you curl up with under a nice, warm blanket.  Or barring that, read while using the bike at the gym.  It's the sort of book that once you get reading you find yourself immersed in this shimmery Venetian world and the loud music from the radio and all other outside distractions fall away.  I had planned on reading this over the Summer, but it never happened.  Angela Young's blurb about the book in a post last May first put me onto this author.  She made it sound so tantalizing and tantalizing it is.  At first it seemed sort of cloak and daggerish, which I found surprising (not that I don't like cloak and dagger sorts of books, I do, I just didn't expect it here), but it all fits and works well.  The more I read the more I get into the story and find I don't want to put it down.  And I'm only a little more than a third into the story.

I was offered an advance review copy of Marina's forthcoming book, The Madonna of the Almonds and snapped it up.  I think it might likely become one of my upcoming vacation reads.  It is due to be published in the UK in the Spring.  It's been a long time since I've read anything set in Italy and Venice is such a lovely city, reading about it makes me want to go there, or at least take Italian language classes.  I love the title--it sounds so exotic.  Once again the story is set in 16th century Italy, but this time in Tuscany.  But I'm digressing.

I recently started reading Joanne Harris's The Lollipop Shoes, or The Girl with No Shadow here in the US.  It is the sequel to Harris's Chocolat, which is one of my very favorite books.  It's early days, but I like what I've read so far.  I don't like to compare the two novels, since the stories are really very different even though her new one is a continuation of Chocolat.  Still it has that fairy tale quality to it, which seems perfect for this time of year.    

I've also been reading Margery Allingham's The Tiger in the Smoke for Cornflower's Book Group, though once again I will be finishing behind everyone else.  Do click on the link and see what she has baked for this week's discussion.  I wish I could move to Scotland just to sample her delicious-looking confections.  Anyway, the book is nicely atmospheric and almost more of a thriller than a traditional mystery (it's set in post-WWII England).  I read one of Allingham's earlier novels and met Albert Campion and am now jumping ahead in the storyline.  I plan on going back and reading the mysteries in proper order.  This is supposed to be one of Allingham's best novels, and though it is another book requiring concentration (I find myself rereading passages to make sure I've got things straight), I'm really enjoying it.  I can certainly feel the thick as pea-soup London fogs she writes about.  I guess Allingham is not much read anymore.  I certainly have not been lucky in finding her books in any local stores, which is a real pity as she's an excellent mystery writer.    

And yes, I am still working on Elizabeth Jane Howard's biography and novel, and yes, they are still as good as I've been saying, but I thought you might want to hear about something else for a change!  Since the Christmas decorations are up and most of the shopping is done, I know what I'll be doing this weekend! And the countdown to vacation continues...        

Oops, one more thing.  Just a reminder about the Georgette Heyer freebie that I have.  If you're interested in it, please leave your name in the comment area.  I'll draw on Saturday morning and pass it along to another interested reader. 

Comments

[Katherine]

I'm looking forward to reading The Glassblower of Murano! Thanks for your thoughts.

[Jessica]

Oh my word! How do you read so much at once!

[jenclair]

I enjoyed The Girl with No Shadow (Lollipop Shoes) very much! I also like Allingham's mysteries!

[Dorothy W.]

I almost picked up Shirley last summer but didn't quite do it. I'd like to read it, but it sounds like it's not necessarily the most fun book to read. By the way, I bought a copy of Armadale today -- I'm sure I'll enjoy that one!

[Danielle]

Katherine--I'm really enjoying The Glassblower--it's the sort of book that once you pick it up, you don't really want to put it down until the story is told!
Jessica--I can't help myself. I actually have twice the number books going than I listed. I do need to whittle the pile down by a couple more, but otherwise I usually have a small stack and then just rotate books until one really grabs me and I want to read it straight through!
Jenclair--Oh, glad to hear you liked the Harris book. It can be so hard for a sequel to measure up to the original, but I just want to enjoy it for its own story. So far I really like it. And I'm glad I discovered Margery Allingham this year, too!
Dorothy--Shirley really is very good, but it is not Jane Eyre. I'm not sure what I am going to write about it--I hope to finish it tonight. It's a heavy story and I think she is undertaking a lot--it's just not a fast read, but I am glad I read it. Lucky you to have a copy of Armadale. It is my favorite Wilkie Collins novel and one of my very favorite in general. I hope you enjoy it, too!

[Litlove]

I love the sound of Fiorato's books and must try to get my hands on one. I was also hoping to read Chocolat soon, as I have The Lollipop Shoes and want to read that, too! But I wondered whether I ought to be seasonal and leave Chocolat until Easter. Don't blame you for putting Shirley to one side, briefly. I haven't been in the mood for that kind of book either, lately.

[Michelle]

I'd really like to read The Lollipop Shoes, I've just never seen it in the library. One of these days! I tried to read Shirley last year but it was bad timing..

[Danielle]

Litlove--I like to reread Chocolate around Lent time. I usually start it in February and take my time with it. It is a great book to read at that time of year!And Fiorato's book is very entertaining, quick reading. I can actually block out the noise of the gym (when I've been reading it usually)--that's how engrossing it is. I did finish Shirley over the weekend, but it took me longer than I thought it would. I need a few days to think it over before writing about it.
Michelle--The Harris book has a different title in the US--The Girl with No Shadow--maybe it is listed that way in the library catalog? And you do need to be in the right mood to read Shirley. It was good, but slow going for me, and I took some breaks while reading it.