They say that imitation is the best form of flattery, so I hope that Simon at Stuck in a Book doesn't mind that I am imitating his meme once again. I'm always happy to chat about the books I'm reading and the books I'm thinking of reading. Officially it is One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four and...Five book meme, but I have added a sixth category.
1. The book I am currently reading:
As you know I am a more than one book at a time reader, but North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell has been calling my name a lot lately. I am hoping to finish it this week. I absolutely love it, and it makes me very excited to read more classics (I've got three lined up already). I brought home the film adaptation from the library this past weekend, so I'm planning on watching it as soon as I turn the last page. (Something to look forward to!).
2. The last book I finished:
I'm cheating a little bit with this one, Tatjana Soli's The Lotus Eaters. I should finish this in just a day or two, but I am so close and it will be my next finish. I am reading it for Caroline's Literature and War readalong. You can read her thoughts on it here, and hopefully I'll be writing about it soon as well. Caroline always has the best book discussions, which I am generally tardy in joining, but I like to mostly stand quietly on the sidelines and listen in. It's always interesting hearing different takes on the same book.
3. The next book I want to read:
This is definitely a down the road sort of read as Olivia Manning's Fortunes of War: The Balkan Trilogy is a massive volume comprised of three novels. I've been wanting to read this for ages and it was on my (now defunct) 2011 reading list. I was thinking it might just be my perfect holiday/vacation read. Is it too early to plan for that week I'll have off between Christmas and New Year? I hope not, as I am making a list. If you're not familiar with this, it's about a newlywed couple who get caught up in WWII.
4. The last book I bought:
The last book I meant to buy was Frances Fyfield's Blood from Stone, but the vendor accidentally sent me Cold to the Touch instead. She kindly said to just keep this book since it was sent in error, so I'll be getting the other book soon, I hope. I haven't read Fyfield for a long time, but I recall liking the book I read by her earlier. Can you tell by the cover she writes mysteries/suspense stories?
5. The last book I was given:
The problem with reading so much and buying so many books, people don't tend to give them to me. But I did recently receive a review copy of Queen Elizabeth in the Garden by Trea Martyn in the mail. It's a combination history and gardening book--it sounds really good and is another I can't wait to read.
6. Last book I borrowed:
Since I am a library user I had to slip in one more book! I just brought home The Wine of Solitude by Irene Nemirovsky, which happened to cross my desk at work last week. I had to snap it up, of course. I've only read one of Nemirovsky's books, but I would love to read more. This is the newest translation/reissue. I think my library has most of her works. I wonder how many more there are to be translated? I'm not sure when I am going to fit this one in as November is going to be a busy reading month for me, but it won't be for lack of trying!