A Work in Progress

Maybe it's not so hot outside...

On more than one occasion now I have complained about the heat.  While the very warm (and sometimes very hot) days do leave me hot and cranky, perhaps it actually could be much worse...

"By the middle of April, Shwebo was too hot for jujitsu, golf, shooting, or just about anything else; the sky was a burning gray haze, the corrugated iron roofs shimmered, and the birds were too enervated to sing.  Arthur was used to heat, but the ovenlike conditions of central Burma were unbearable.  'The temperature has been up to 104 for the past seven days and it is too hot to sleep.  Although I miss you it is best that you are not here with me.  You would die of the heat.  I hate Shwebo but there is nothing I can do.  It is difficult to write.  I have to use another sheet of paper to stop sweat from spoiling my writing.'  The monsoon brought relief at the end of May, but then new trials, as Burma's extensive reptile population, rejuvenated by the rains, slid out of their shaded hiding places.  Pythons, vipers, and cylinder snakes took their ease on the paths and tracks.  'On the 13th it rained for two hours and the temperature came down from 108 to 76 degrees, but it is going up again.  Shwebo is an indescribably horrible place.  There are a great many snakes, so we have to take a torch when we go out at night'."

I am past the halfway mark of Sword and Blossom: A British Officer's Enduring Love for a Japanese Woman and am having a hard time putting the book down.  It's only unfortunate that I am such a slow nonfiction reader, but I am making slow progress.  A note on the quote--After Arthur's initial posting in Japan to learn Japanese and later in Hong Kong where he was still able to see Masa at least part of the year, he was later posted to India--specifically Shwebo--much to his disappointment.  It meant he would not be able to see Masa until after he left the army (only World War I was to get in the way before that could happen).  His descriptions of Shwebo do indeed sound very dispiriting.  It was a lonely and very small outpost.  It certainly had none of the amenities that his earlier postings had.  He even had to lay out his clothing on the floor.  The quotations within the paragraph are excerpts from Arthur's letters to Masa.  I read this paragraph and cringed as I know the feeling, but I can escape into a cool (ish) house.

I am really enjoying this book and will have more to say once I am finished.  It makes me want to read more nonfiction--more books about Japan, more books about World War I, more books about India, more biographies...one book always seems to lead to a handful more (particularly with nonfiction). 

And just in case you're wondering...the current forecast for Shwebo is disgustingly hot and humid!  Today 102!  And every day the possibility of rain, meaning it is sticky and humid as well.  Of course, perhaps there is access to air conditioning now?  I need to remember this post when it is January and subzero outside and I am wishing for heat and sunshine...

Catching Up

I am very slowly getting caught up on reading blog posts.  I don't know what I would do without Bloglines.  It's the only way I can keep myself organized.  Of course I am going back and commenting on old posts--but better late than never.  The thing about reading so many posts at once is I am getting inundated now with more reading suggestions.  A sampling:

• Foreign Affairs by Alison Lurie via Dorothy (I've already mooched this one).
• Animal Farm by George Orwell via Victoria (I feel like I should have read this a long time ago).
• Peony In Love by Lisa See via Lotus Reads (Her last novel was pretty good--this one sounds promising).
• House at Riverton by Kate Morton (may have to break down and buy this one--so much for my no new books claim) as well as Therese Raquin by Emile Zola (I bought this used a while back and have been wanting to read it) via Harriet Devine's Blog.
• The Ladies' Lending Library by Janice Kulyk Keefer via Kailana's Written World (maybe a library check out--or as this might only be available in Canada a possible ILL--Kailana had mixed feelings about it, but it sounds interesting).
• The Chess Machine by Robert Lohr as well as Half Broken Things by Morag Joss via Jenclair (actually I have both books--I have started the Lohr book as it is a review copy and I have seen it reviewed now in a variety of places--I had to finally pick it up and hopefully I can get to the Joss book soon, too).
• Hotel World by Ali Smith via Ex Libris (I have this somewhere on my shelves).
• Leave Me Alone I'm Reading by Maureen Corrigan via Litlove (another one I have had on my shelves for ages--it's time to find it and start reading!).

I'm sure I could go on....I wonder sometimes collectively how many books we all read in a year?!  My reading list always grows exponentially each time I check into Bloglines and start catching up on everyone's news...

A Linkie Day

I just discovered that Ruth Rendell has a new book coming out this month (yay), The Water's Lovely.  How does she manage to publish so many books so often?  Now if there would just be a new Barbara Vine novel forthcoming...

I haven't yet ordered the new Harry Potter book.  Have you?  I guess I should read the last one first--it has been sitting on my TBR pile for a while now.  I wonder if the secret will be out and the story will be spoiled before I can get to it?

I think this sounds kind of interesting--read a Penguin Classic and review it.  The books are randomly chosen, so that could be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you end up with.  Thanks to Imani for the heads up.

The next round of book choices are up at Reading Matters.  I did pretty well in the beginning--reading along, but I admit I have tapered off a bit the last few times around.  I have both book selections, however, and am planning on reading along with whichever book is chosen.  I should have plenty of time since discussion is not until September 8.

More chances to read--Isabella is looking for book ideas for the next "big" read.  I read Middlemarch as well as War and Peace (though I finished far behind the rest) with the group.  My suggestion was Kristin Lavransdatter (am still planning on reading it in the fall and it would be nice to read along with a group), but there are a variety of other suggestions as well.

Since I am mentioning book groups, I should give The Slaves of Golconda a little push as well!  We'll be reading Sleepless Nights by Elizabeth Hardwick later this month!  Please consider joining us. 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by everything that you want and need to read?  I am feeling that way at the moment.  I sometimes think I get in over my head with books, but I can't seem to help myself.  I am disgustingly behind in blog reading.  I hate to even admit to how many posts I have tagged in my Bloglines account to be read still!  I appreciate all the comments that are left on my posts--I really do look forward to them every day.  And I do plan on reciprocating--I am reading blogs...I just need a little spare time to leave comments as well!  At the moment I am working on saving files to other storage devices in case my computer does decide to turn nasty before I can get it fixed.  It's amazing how slowly that goes!  I really do need to become more computer savvy, but to be honest, I'd rather sit down with a good book...

Weekend Reading

I am experiencing a few computer problems.  I am sure I have mentioned that I live in an old house without proper ductwork.  While we do have air conditioning, it is nearly impossible to cool off the upstairs after days and days of hot temperatures.  Trying to pull cool air from the central air in the back of the basement to the main floor is easy.  Trying to get it up another flight of stairs and to the front of the house is beyond its current capabilities.  Of course my computer is in a room (in the front of the house--facing south--yes, all sun, all day) without a duct.  It can get pretty sauna-like at times in here.  I try and keep my computer turned off when I am not using it, and as cool as I possibly can, but last night I forgot to turn it off and this morning was faced with the black screen of death!  I am keeping my fingers tightly crossed that I can make it through the summer and am hoping for some cooler days.  I got a message screen saying to back up my files--however I don't have a back up program.  Does anyone know if a program can be loaded/purchased to do this?  At work I just click a button and voila.  At work, though, if something goes wrong I just call the computer techs and they will fix it.  I'm not sure what I would do without my computer!  I think next time around, I am going to buy a laptop I can move from room to room.

Enough of my computer problems.  I am in the middle of a couple of good books and started another very promising read.  I have been working on Sword and Blossom by Peter Pagnamenta and Momoko Williams.  It is the true story of the love affair between a British officer and a Japanese woman in the early 1900s.  The story is quite sentimental really, but not in a syrupy or saccharine sort of way.  Arthur Hart-Synnot and Masa Suzuki fell in love, but they weren't able to be together for long periods.  They exchanged what seems like today, an amazing amount of letters.  They were obviously enamored of each other.  While it was not unheard of that a couple from different races could have a successful marriage, it was more problematic for two people from different classes.  Arthur was part of the British upper class, while Masa's family was part of the lower class.  This is exactly the sort of nonfiction book that I enjoy reading.

I am close to finishing Kerry Greenwood's first Phryne Fisher mystery, Cocaine Blues.  I really like Phryne.  She is a smart, independent woman.  This series is set in 1920s Melbourne and so far Phryne has come across doctors giving illegal abortions, corrupt cops, cocaine smuggling rings and gorgeous Russian dancers.  She's like a cat that always lands on its feet.  These mysteries are fairly short, so I am not sure why it has taken me so long--but that's what happens when you set a book aside for a while!

I finally started Wilkie Collins's Armadale.  I think it is going to be just as good as I hoped it would be!  It has started out in Wildbad, Germany.  It's 1832 and two British men--one alone and one with his family have come to take cures.  Mr. Armadale is a wealthy man, but he is dying.  It is his express wish to find someone who can take down a story he has to tell--of events from his past.  He will not allow his wife to do this for him.  This is where Mr. Neal comes in.  He is reluctant to help him, but Mr. Armadale no longer has use of his hands.  It is only a matter of time before he can no longer speak, and then the story will be lost.  I'm ready to hear the story!  I know it is going to involve Lydia Gwilt.  In store for me--"a tale of confused identities, inherited curses, romantic rivalries, espionage, money--and murder."  All the things I love Wilkie Collins for!  It is a long-ish book, but I think I am going to enjoy every last page!    

Not a Single Package

I have been trying to show a little self-restraint.  Not a single package passed my doorstep this past week.  I didn't visit a single bookstore, used or new.  I have to say it is much nicer getting at least one piece of fun mail (a magazine, an Amazon box, a letter--naw, that never happens anymore...something other than bills).  However, I think I need to concentrate on reading some of the books I have lately been amassing before adding anything new.  I had to start piling books in between my bookcases as there is no more room on the shelves--last night I started an avalanche when I tried to unwedge a book I wanted.  I think that's a sign.

Of course there always has to be an exception.  My exceptions are library books, which only take up temporary residence here and Bookmooch books, which are free and usually are few and somewhat far in between in terms of acquiring them.

I do have a few library books that I hope to get to.  I knew Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach was a short book, but I didn't realize it is also sort of tiny.  Just over 200 pages and about the size of a mass market book (though it is hardcover), I think I should be able to read it very easily in just a couple of days (a fast reader could probably read it in an evening).  I have seen some good reviews of it lately and am looking forward to it.  On impulse I grabbed The Sidewalk Artist, by Gina Buonaguro and Janice Kirk.  It looks like a nice light sort of read (perhaps a more promising love story than last time around--anyway, something summery to read).  And I have had a copy of The Conjurer: A Martha Beale Mystery, by Cordelia Frances Biddle for a while now.  It is a new mystery series set in 1840s Philadelphia.  As I have had it at home so long (twice now I have renewed it and I can still renew it two more times), I am determined to read it. 

While I have not been mooching much lately, I did manage to get two good books.  I have been wanting a copy of Rebecca Solnit's Wanderlust ever since Dorothy mentioned it.  I was happy to finally score a copy, and it is already in the mail (so next week won't be as bleak as last week was).  I also am waiting for a copy of Made in Heaven by Adele Geras--another author I have been reading about lately as well.  Now if I can just keep this up for the rest of the summer.   

Not What I Expected

It's very rare that I will read a book and not like it.  I love Daphne Du Maurier's work and was greatly looking forward to reading Castle Dor, but I'm afraid it didn't quite stand up to my expectations.

Set in Victorian Cornwall, Castle Dor is a retelling of the Tristan and Iseult legend.  I was vaguely familiar with the story (though I believe there are various versions), and I think Du Maurier tried to stay faithful to the myth.  Amyot Trestan, a young Breton onion-seller, crosses paths with newly wedded Linnet Lewarne.  Linnet is unhappily married to a much older innkeeper and falls in love at first sight with Amyot, literally throwing herself from a racing carriage only to be rescued by him. 

The story is actually narrated by the local doctor who is familiar with the legend.  Somehow the stars must be aligned in such a way that history seems to be repeating itself.  He and other towns people, both knowingly and unknowingly set into motion events that will not end happily, as well as try to stop the tragedy from happening yet again (the good doctor).  Sounds promising, doesn't it?  It just didn't quite work for me.

Perhaps part of the problem is the fact that the book was actually begun by Arthur Quiller-Couch a noted scholar (famous also and known by me thanks to Helene Hanff's Q's Legacy).  The writing was very good, but I had a hard time feeling anything for the characters.  This was meant to be a tragic and enduring love story, but I just wasn't very convinced that there were any feelings between Amyot and Linnet.  The actual romance part of the novel didn't seem very developed.  And Linnet seemed quite spoiled to me, which didn't help matters any.  I wanted to like the book, and I hate that I didn't really enjoy it, as I have liked every other Du Maurier novel that I've read.  Perhaps it was timing?  I guess occasionally a book will come along that you simply don't connect with.  Unfortunately this seemed to be the case for me this time around.  I do recommend Daphne Du Maurier in general, however!  I loved Frenchman's Creek, Rebecca and Jamaica Inn!  Despite being disappointed by this particular novel, I do still plan on reading more of her other work.  I am still reading her biography, and I will be interested to see if Forster wrote anything about Castle Dor. 

A Victorian Thursday Thirteen

I pretty much inhaled the last third of Sarah Waters's Fingersmith.  This is definitely one of the best books I have read this year, and I think I can consider it one of my all time favorites!  When I turned the last page yesterday, I almost wanted to go back to page one and start all over again.  I don't want to give away the storyline as this is a book that is so enjoyable having it unfold before your eyes.  Let's just say it is about a major scam.  And the scam artists involved are unrivaled in their abilities to pull a good one over you without your ever realizing it is happening.  The novel is deftly plotted.  Although I was not quite as shocked by later twists as I was by the first, the story is really amazing.  I even had moments of deja vu--thinking of Wilkie Collins's novels here.  If you own this book and have not yet read it (like me--I bought it early in 2006), please move it up the TBR pile.  If you don't own it, and are a fan of Victorian pastiches--or just well told stories, I heartily recommend buying, borrowing, or mooching a copy!  I had thought I would wait to read any of Waters's other Victorian novels, but now I am reconsidering.  In keeping with my Victorian mood, I thought it would be a good time to come up with a Thursday Thirteen of Victorian novels--some I have read and some I plan on reading:

1. Fingersmith, Sarah Waters - It deserves top billing at the moment.
2. Affinity, Sarah Waters - This is set in a Victorian jail...I wonder how it compares to Fingersmith?
3. The Woman in White, Wilkie Collins - One of my very favorite books.  If you liked Fingersmith, you must read Wilkie Collins!
4. Kept, D.J. Taylor - I read this last year--an excellent Victorian pastiche.
5. Nature of Monsters, Clare Clark - I finished this not too long ago, creepily entertaining!
6. The Great Stink, Clare Clark - Now I have to read her earlier book.  It sounds very good--even the title is quite descriptive.
7. Linnet Bird, Linda Holeman - I have this in my TBR pile.  It is set begins in India and goes back in time to the character's life in the slums of London.
8. The Dress Lodger, Sheri Holman - More atmospheric slummy London--the story is narrated by a prostitute.
9. The Crimson Petal and the White, Michel Faber - Why do prostitutes make such good narrators?  I loved this book, and I think I will have to reread it sometime.
10. Some Danger Involved, Will Thomas - I have heard Thomas is a good mystery writer--this is the first of a series of mysteries set in Victorian England.
11. Silent in the Grave, Deanna Raybourn - A Victorian setting, but not the slums for once!  This was a fun, not very taxing mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.  I'm looking forward to her next book when it comes out next January.
12. Lady Audley's Secret, Mary Elizabeth Braddon - I really want to read this--it is one of those books Victorian women probably weren't supposed to read--very sensationalistic.  Of course that means I have to read it and see what was so terrible about it.
13. Bleak House, Charles Dickens - I loved the BBC adaptation of this book and have wanted to read it ever since.

I think most of my choices are about the dirtier, slummier side of Victorian England.  I wonder why stories with that sort of setting are so compelling to read?  I probably have mentioned these in the past.  It wouldn't be a bad thing to widen my Victorian reading horizons, so if there is a favorite (of yours) that I haven't listed here, please be sure to share it.

On Reading

I found the coolest couple of books (though perhaps not entirely practical) last time I was at the used bookstore.  I never seem to find any Viragos when I go, but just as well I thought, to get away without spending any money.  Of course a quick look at their 'new book' (or newly acquired by the bookstore anyway) table was my downfall.  There was this smallish, slim little book of photos by Andre Kertesz of people reading.  There is really no text, other than a brief biography, and the rest of the pages are filled with B&W photos.  I thought it interesting that the blurb on the book called reading "that most private act", which Kertesz observed in public places.  Really, though, I guess reading is a private act when you think of losing yourself in the world of the book and taking yourself away from the here and now.  It is something you do totally alone.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Newtown, Conn., Oct. 17, 1959

Venice, Sept. 21, 1963 (sorry about the glare, but there is a cat laying there as well)

Andre Jammes, Paris, Nov. 14, 1963 (isn't this one great--I totally understand those piles of books)

Greenwich Village, N.Y.C., June 8, 1963 (this is what I plan on doing the rest of my afternoon off!).

This is the other book I bought.  This is the not so practical one.  It's one you browse more than anything--The Word Museum by Jeffrey Kacirk--as it is essentially just definitions of words no longer used.  Still, there is something amusing about it.  Do you happen to know any biblioklepts? (a book thief; one who purloins or steals books).  I suppose we all must be bibliothecaries. (keeper of a library).  Do you like a daily cup of ninny-broth? (popular name for coffee).  Do you poosk often?  (to search for vermin on the person).  I guess I can see why some of these words have fallen out of favor!  I suspect this will eventually end up on Bookmooch, but it is entertaining for a read through.  I only wish they would have given the history of the word.

A Toccata - Needlework-Style

Sorry, no book news today.  I am now at the point of no return reading Fingersmith.  Actually I think I was at that point after I finished part one.  I am nearly done reading part two.  Now I am simply reading at breakneck speed to finish.  I have to find out what happens.  Hopefully I should finish tomorrow--and then I can get back to my other neglected books.  So how about a little needlework update instead?

Lately I have been engrossed in a needlework project called Toccata.  A "toccata" is actually a musical term, which means "touch piece".  It is for a solo instrument to show off a performer's skills.  This Toccata, the first in a series, is to show off a needleworker's skills--sort of a show off piece, but also one to learn and master new stitches.  You can see the final project here.  I am finished with the outside border, which consists of 18 motifs and am now working on the inside motifs of which there are 35 plus the alphabet, numerals and initials/date.  This has been an addictive project, though I did spend a little frustrating time when my outside borders did not meet up as I made my way around.  I was, of course, one tiny thread off and I spent I'm not sure how much time searching for the offending extra stitch.  Luckily I managed to find it and it was on an area I had recently finished so I didn't have to rip out too many motifs to fix my error.  I tend to be a perfectionist when it comes to stitching.  Even though no one would likely catch that I was a thread off I would know it was there and it would bother me every time I looked at it.  Alas, it is fixed and the inner motifs are going much more smoothly.

When I completed this motif I was quite pleased with myself.  The stitch is called a Queen Stitch, and I had never before been able to master it before.  Generally I would avoid projects where this was required.  This is not a very good photo, but there are four legs, which pass through the same top and bottom hole, but are tacked down over four threads in the middle--it is a nice diamond shape.  It's lovely when you see it in person.  The stitches are quite tiny, but they have a lovely texture to them. 

It was my goal to stitch all three Toccatas this year, but as I am moving at a snail's pace, I wonder if I will be able to complete even one.  Toccata Number Two is more motifs, more alphabets and borders, but laid out quite differently. Toccata Number Three is whitework (meaning all the stitches are done in shades of white).  I believe there will be one more Toccata made up of blackwork (all the stitches done in black), but I'm not entirely sure.  As with my reading I tend to have more than one needlework project on the go at once, but this one has been the one I tend to pick up and work on when I feel like stitching.  Sorry for the not so great photos--I never seem to be able to take them at the time when daylight is at the most optimum, so the colors are slightly off. 

The Mental TBR Pile

I suspect I am not the only person to do this, but no matter how much I am enjoying reading a book, I can't quite help myself from mentally queuing up other books I plan on reading (sooner rather than later is always the hope).  Sometimes I won't start a new book until I finish something that I am currently reading, and then other times I will just dive right into a book (I know my reputation precedes me on this one).  So here are a few books I am itching to start.  From the bottom up:

The Lollipop Shoes, Joanne Harris - I actually had this one on my nightstand and started reading but decided I didn't want to read it in fits and starts so set it aside to read when I knew I could spend more time on it.
The Sonnet Lover, Carol Goodman - I plan on starting this one as soon as I finish Fingersmith.  It is meant to be one of my summer reading challenge books (I just realized it is the halfway mark in this challenge and I have only finished one book on my list.  Oh well).
The Needle in the Blood, Sarah Bower - Yes, I know, how many times have I mentioned this already (I suppose I can say the same about most of the books in this stack).  First Victoria tempted me to buy it, and now Dovegreyreader has pushed me over the edge.  I'm not the only one apparently as it keeps popping up in piles of new books other book bloggers have been buying as well!  I seem to be in good company.
Armadale, Wilkie Collins - Last summer I read The Moonstone, the year before The Woman in White.  This summer it is definitely going to be Armadale--especially since I am in the mood thanks to Fingersmith!  If I only read one book from my summer challenge list, this is the one I want it to be!
Hostages to Fortune, Elizabeth Cambridge - I sort of already started this one...I mentioned it is the next read for the dovegreyreaders group.  I would be further along were it not thanks to Sarah Waters.
Mademoiselle Victorine, Debra Finerman - I really need to get started on the few review copies I have in my pile! Besides--this is Paris we're talking about here.
Incognita, William Congreve - I wonder if I can squeeze this one in on the Fourth of July (one lone day off from work--how strange to have the middle day of the week off, but I'm not complaining!).  I want to read this one soon irregardless--a masqued ball and mixed identities sounds like too much fun!

I actually meant to have Sarah Waters's Night Watch in the pile, but I forgot to grab it.  I thought this would be a good follow up to Fingersmith--a different time period, and I have heard good things about it!  I could easily have also added something by Barbara Pym, Elizabeth Taylor and Anita Brookner to the stack as well.  Do you see how easily I get myself into trouble?