I'm in the middle (or have just finished in a couple of cases) some really good reads. I've strayed a bit from the books on my sidebar, but not too far away. I've finished L.P.Hartley's The Go-Between, which I thought was an exceptional read (definitely top ten material for me) and am now wondering just how I am going to write about it to do it any justice. Is the film as good as the book (they rarely are, but I am tempted to watch it anyway)? Hopefully I'll write about it in the coming week, but I think I need to ruminate a little on it first.
So, now I get to pick a new classic. My plan was to pick up the next book in the Forsyte Saga, In Chancery, as I am ready to get back to Soames, Irene, Jolyon et al. But then I started thinking about my list of books to read this year and I wouldn't mind reading Henry Green's Loving, Living, and Party Going. The book has three novels in one and I believe the stories are all set around the war years. I'll have to think about this a little, read a few pages, see which one grabs me.
One of the "strays" I mentioned that I'm reading (finally) is Willa Cather's My Antonia. Why didn't you tell me it was really good. Not just good, but really good. Oh, you did? Well, why didn't I listen? I give in too easily to my reading whims and start books without finishing something else first, but in this case I'm very glad I did. Halfway through and I am already eyeing the other books I own by her, thinking I could read her entire oeuvre and even visit Red Cloud as a little literary field trip. I never get to take literary field trips.
I have also started reading John Cheever's The Wapshot Chronicle as I'd like to try and squeeze in more American authors this year. I tend to read almost exclusively British authors with few books in translation on the side, but very few Americans. While there is nothing wrong at all with focusing on a particular time or place I feel like I'm missing out and have a very spotty reading record when it comes to American classics (including modern and contemporary works). I've been working on a list, which I'll have to share soon. I've just barely started but I've read a few of Cheever's short stories and know his work is very highly regarded.
It's a good thing I have such a varied selection of library books at close hand as I've signed up for my library's Adult Summer Reading Program. I'm not entirely sure how long it runs, but for every book you read you get your name dropped in a drawing for an iPad. As this is the closest I'll get (in the near future anyway) to owning one of these I have to try my luck. Besides, if I'm going to read library books anyway...Keep your fingers crossed for me. I never win anything, but you never know.
What I'm not reading? I've had a reprieve and don't have to finish reading Edith Pargeter's The Brothers Gwynedd. My copy is an ARE and there was a group of us reading the four novels that make up this edition. Apparently others were struggling with the book and with so much going on in summer it was decided to call off the last discussions. I feel bad, but to be honest it is a bit of a relief not to have to finish it. It feels like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders and aside from a few other AREs (with no specific posting dates, and that I am getting on much better with) I can read at whim--always a nice feeling. A few people have read the second book and it sounds like the second was better than the first. Who knows, maybe someday I'll pick it up again, but for now....I think I'll concentrate on a few other things.
One last note as June is speeding towards the end--the Slaves of Golconda will be reading Ivy Compton-Burnett's Manservant and Maidservant for July (discussion to begin at the end of the month--you're welcome to join in of course). I've seen her name pop up all over the book blogosphere lately, so this seems like good timing. I'm not at all sure what to expect from her work, so I'm thinking maybe I should begin reading sooner than later.
And...only a week away from a long weekend, which hopefully means a bit more reading time. I'm looking forward to it already!