My regular Kristin Lavransdatter Sunday post has fallen by the wayside due to the Slaves discussion. I actually don't have anything special to talk about, however--this weekend was a little crazy, and I didn't do any extra reading in preparation for my post, so I'll wait now until next Sunday. I have been continuing on with the story, reading every morning as usual. I am still working on the second book and am in the middle of the second section (nearly to the halfway mark now). The perspective has turned a bit from Kristin and now I'm reading more about Erlend. It's interesting getting his perspective of things. I get the feeling he really does love Kristin and his family, but he seems ill-equipped to deal with different situations sometimes. There is also more discussion of politics, and I'm afraid I am not exactly following everything as well as I should be. I think it will sort itself out as I go--when it comes to Medieval Scandinavian politics, I don't really have a lot of background knowledge to draw upon. I am thoroughly enjoying the family aspect of the novel, though. How is everyone else doing with this? Are you still reading? Or has KL been set aside in favor of other reads?
The new BookForum came in the mail yesterday. So has the latest Daedalus Books catalog. I haven't had a chance to look through either properly. I haven't ordered from Daedalus Books in a while, but that doesn't stop me from lusting over the books and marking the ones I want. You never know what you'll find on sale in it.
I've been sucked into Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses. Can I just say this is an excellent book. I've reached the point of no return, and I hope to finish it tonight. If you like good stories and great writing, I recommend this one. I'll be getting this book when it comes out in paper.
I read the introduction to Winifred Watson's Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day last night. It sounds like a delightful read, and I've heard good things about it. I'd like to read it before the movie comes out. Of course that won't be until next year, so it isn't like I don't have plenty of time. I just want to read one of my Persephone titles (in anticipation for my three new books coming soon). I plan on starting the novel properly as soon as I finish the Petterson book.
I've discovered that my public library has a copy of Daphne Du Maurier's short story collection The Breaking Point, which contains "The Blue Lenses", which LK recommends. I'll be picking it up later this week and reading it this weekend. Considering how difficult I've found it to read short stories previously, I'm just swimming in them now. I guess for me the solution is to just pick and choose at random rather than trying to tackle an entire anthology at one go. Eloise has posted ten favorite ghost stories as well--yet more new ones to discover.
One last thing. Ex Libris is hosting a year long Russian Reading Challenge in 2008. I totally admire the list Ex Libris will be working from. I like those sorts of personal challenges. My list will likely be noticeably smaller. I think I'd like to read Tolstoy's Anna Karenina some time next year. I might also try some Turgenev or Bulgakov (Matt has been daring enough to try some of my reading recommendations, I should really read some of his). I've found that it's best keeping these goals as simple as possible. Now to start D.H. Lawrence's The Rainbow for this challenge. I'm not sure what I'm waiting for, as the book has literally been sitting on my nightstand since I decided to join the challenge. Maybe I need another afternoon off of work!