I am a voracious reader, have been all my life, but there are times when I run out of my capacity for words. The mind needs silence, space, peace. The experience of others is too much and I need time to float wordless for a while, a chance to percolate life. But when I return to the written page I usually start with Sir Terry Pratchett, master of satire, his exposure of the vulnerability and ridiculousness of the human condition delivered with compassion and humour never fails to reconnect me with the fantasy that is reality! He’s like marmite, beloved by many and a mystery to others. Though sometimes I might start with Pooh, his philosophies never fail to make me smile, or a few poems by Mary Oliver to reignite my love of words. And I’ve just discovered IG star Harry Baker whose poems are a joy and life affirming.
Lovely to see you start to flower on a new platform – all that compost you've been creating, no doubt! Currently enjoying Henry Marsh's latest memoir and also tempted like never before to re-read old favourites, which is something I'd never previously thought to do (I don't have time to read all the new stuff I want to read, let alone repeating the old stuff). The first hour, sometimes more, of the morning is the only true 'me' time I manage to set aside for reading. I think King's point is pretty spot on.
I really like it here already ... I was SO impatient, I just pressed publish on my first offering. So much for waiting for the 'last day of the month' Looks like it will be 'halfway through the month' then! I have some hardy perennials when it comes to re-reads. 'Wintering' by Katharine May; 'Underland' by Robert Macfarlane; 'The Consolations of the Forest' by Sylvan Tesson too. I've re-read several for #57Books but, like you, I always feel I should be reading something fresh. But I always find something new in the re-reads. I'm much luckier with 'me time', of course. But you are much younger than me, so you have time on your side!
Thank you, Lisl. I love Rebus - a big fan of the well-written anti-hero. Loved 'Hamnet' so popping the Maggie O'Farrell on a list. Who am I kidding, they're ALL on a list. There's never enough time to read them, of course! But to write well, I have to read well!
I am a voracious reader, have been all my life, but there are times when I run out of my capacity for words. The mind needs silence, space, peace. The experience of others is too much and I need time to float wordless for a while, a chance to percolate life. But when I return to the written page I usually start with Sir Terry Pratchett, master of satire, his exposure of the vulnerability and ridiculousness of the human condition delivered with compassion and humour never fails to reconnect me with the fantasy that is reality! He’s like marmite, beloved by many and a mystery to others. Though sometimes I might start with Pooh, his philosophies never fail to make me smile, or a few poems by Mary Oliver to reignite my love of words. And I’ve just discovered IG star Harry Baker whose poems are a joy and life affirming.
Lovely to see you start to flower on a new platform – all that compost you've been creating, no doubt! Currently enjoying Henry Marsh's latest memoir and also tempted like never before to re-read old favourites, which is something I'd never previously thought to do (I don't have time to read all the new stuff I want to read, let alone repeating the old stuff). The first hour, sometimes more, of the morning is the only true 'me' time I manage to set aside for reading. I think King's point is pretty spot on.
I really like it here already ... I was SO impatient, I just pressed publish on my first offering. So much for waiting for the 'last day of the month' Looks like it will be 'halfway through the month' then! I have some hardy perennials when it comes to re-reads. 'Wintering' by Katharine May; 'Underland' by Robert Macfarlane; 'The Consolations of the Forest' by Sylvan Tesson too. I've re-read several for #57Books but, like you, I always feel I should be reading something fresh. But I always find something new in the re-reads. I'm much luckier with 'me time', of course. But you are much younger than me, so you have time on your side!
Excellent!
I read voraciously: 3-5 books per week since childhood.
Have just finished “Bourneville”, J Coe.
Just started Ian Rankin’s latest Rebus book, “A Heart Full of Headstones”.
Recently wowed by:
“Babel”, by R.F Kuang.
“The Marriage Portrait”, by Maggie O’Farrell.
“Hex”, by Jennie Fagan.
Encouraged also by your missives 😊
Thank you, Lisl. I love Rebus - a big fan of the well-written anti-hero. Loved 'Hamnet' so popping the Maggie O'Farrell on a list. Who am I kidding, they're ALL on a list. There's never enough time to read them, of course! But to write well, I have to read well!