I've received a few really gorgeous "reading women" postcards in the mail recently and I have two to share today. One at the top of the post and one at the bottom. This painting (thanks so much Cath!!) is called "Reading by Lamplight" and the painter is George Clausen (1852-1944). It is in the collection of the Leeds City Art Gallery. Clausen was English and now, of course, I must go in search of his other work. Now that it is properly Fall--we have finally had our first freeze and first snowflakes (both during this past week), it seems particularly fitting.
I hope I can spend a little time in just such activity this weekend, though reading in lamplight might be a little too soporific for me. It is forecast to be sunny (though cool) so hopefully I can actually make a little progress on clearing the decks as I mentioned earlier. I've shortened that list by three, but one is a book I had second thoughts about reading just at this moment.
What I have been reading however, and what I will likely reach for this weekend . . . I am hoping to finish Laura Ingalls Wilder's The Long Winter. Just reading the book makes me shiver. Nothing like a blizzard on the prairie in October. The first of what might be many I suspect. I know I complain about the cold, but this should really put it all in perspective for me. There is 'cold' and then there is 'Cold'. Minus forty degrees in an uninsulated house with only a stove to heat it? Yup, that's cold. I feel for Laura and her sisters for having to sleep in the attic area where the nails turn frosty and just looking at them makes her shiver. It makes me shiver, too!
My gym book has been Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes. It is a YA novel in the style of the Hunger Games. The twist is the society is modeled after the Roman Empire. I like it, but I must admit I am not sure if I am really the best audience for books like this--a fantasy world where the characters must fight to the death for survival. It is interesting and distracting enough to keep me occupied during my workouts, but I may not be reaching for another book from this genre right away when I finish.
I am, however, thoroughly wrapped up in Amy Stewart's Girl Waits with Gun. I began reading it a while back but then got sidetracked (which happens to me far too often I fear). I picked it up a week or so ago and just fell right into the story and now want to reach for it more than any of my other books at the moment. It reads quickly, but I am not sure I will finish it this weekend. Fingers crossed for some long chunks of quiet reading time. It is based on the true story of the first female deputy sheriff. I wonder if Stewart will write another book with these characters? I do hope so.
I felt an urge (actually saw this on a list somewhere and it caught my eye) to begin reading (yes, complete impulse choice--but that's okay, even if it is not one of my 'must finish by the end of the year books') Zoe Heller's The Believers. I am not too far in, but it is compelling reading. I absolutely loved her Notes on a Scandal and found it utterly engaging. I am hoping this will be the same. I'll let you know.
I might see what else is on offer from my nightstand, but I imagine I will be kept very busy with this little stack. What about you? Is reading in the plans for your weekend? For a little inspiration, see below!