I'm feeling "down" these days. This shall pass, but in the meantime, I have little energy. I just want to read, relax, and escape reality for a while. Anyone have a good book to recommend?
I can recommend a series. They are light reading and yet make you think a bit. The Amazing Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman. Mrs. Polifax is a little old grandmother whose husband is gone and her grown children haved moved away. She loves her garden club work. One day she has a health scare. The doctor tells her that she is not getting any younger and if there is anything she has wanted to do she should do it soon. Mrs Polifax wants to be a spy. She goes to the CIA headquarters to apply. I'll let you find out the rest.
Educated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover - a daughter (7th child) of survivalist parents, who never had schooling, a birth certificate, and was taught the government is coming for them emerges to adulthood with a Phd from Cambridge University. Amazing story.
I second Sabine's recommendation of Alice McDermott and Sebastian Barry. Also Steve Reed's on Eleanor Oliphant! My favorite book last year, pardon me if I'm harping on it (!!) was Amor Towles "A Gentleman in Moscow." I also think you'd like the book I'm currently reading "A Sand County Almanac." Written by Aldo Leopold before I was born. I hope you'll be feeling 'up' again soon.
You're looking for the literary equivalent of comfort food - a fat book with a story. I doubt it's still in print and it has the disadvantage (for you) of being set amid the English working and middle-classes in pre-war London - try Angel Pavement by J. B. Priestley. Some Americans worry about reading secondhand books (bacterial infection and the fear of a looser attititude to left-wing politics) but if it is available it will be via ABE Books.
One further disadvantage is its weight and you have little energy. You may be surprised to know that Graham Greene has written a genuinely funny book without a single failed Catholic seeking redemption. Not only that but it's about 150 pages long. Try Loser Takes All, it's full of mischief.
I have been holding a similar Space so I totally understand... wish I did have a good book to suggest, but I'm not much of a Reader. Take Care and virtual hugs coming your way.
I just read Mary Lawson's Crow Lake. It was good. Another book you might enjoy, although it's not that well written, is Lisa Alther's "Kinfolks: Falling off the Family Tree: the Search for my Melungeon Ancestors". Anything by Kate Atkinson -- best read in order.
I can recommend a series. They are light reading and yet make you think a bit. The Amazing Mrs. Polifax by Dorothy Gilman. Mrs. Polifax is a little old grandmother whose husband is gone and her grown children haved moved away. She loves her garden club work. One day she has a health scare. The doctor tells her that she is not getting any younger and if there is anything she has wanted to do she should do it soon. Mrs Polifax wants to be a spy. She goes to the CIA headquarters to apply. I'll let you find out the rest.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteAnything by Alice McDermott, John Boyne, Donal Ryan, Louise Erdrich, Sebastian Barry.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI just finished reading "Vox" by Christina Dalcher. I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI am reading Michelle Obama’s book, Becomming, and enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteEducated: A Memoir, by Tara Westover - a daughter (7th child) of survivalist parents, who never had schooling, a birth certificate, and was taught the government is coming for them emerges to adulthood with a Phd from Cambridge University. Amazing story.
ReplyDeleteThanks! (and welcome to my blog)
DeleteI am reading "The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle," which is diverting, and I also enjoyed "Eleanor Oliphant is Absolutely Fine."
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteAnything by Brian Doyle. His stories are always positive and whimsical and sweet. He is my go-to when I need to smile.
ReplyDeleteI am reading a collection of essays by Samantha Irby titled, "we are never meeting in real life" and find I'm enjoying it more than I thought I would.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
DeleteI second Sabine's recommendation of Alice McDermott and Sebastian Barry. Also Steve Reed's on Eleanor Oliphant! My favorite book last year, pardon me if I'm harping on it (!!) was Amor Towles "A Gentleman in Moscow." I also think you'd like the book I'm currently reading "A Sand County Almanac." Written by Aldo Leopold before I was born.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll be feeling 'up' again soon.
Thanks.
DeleteYou're looking for the literary equivalent of comfort food - a fat book with a story. I doubt it's still in print and it has the disadvantage (for you) of being set amid the English working and middle-classes in pre-war London - try Angel Pavement by J. B. Priestley. Some Americans worry about reading secondhand books (bacterial infection and the fear of a looser attititude to left-wing politics) but if it is available it will be via ABE Books.
ReplyDeleteOne further disadvantage is its weight and you have little energy. You may be surprised to know that Graham Greene has written a genuinely funny book without a single failed Catholic seeking redemption. Not only that but it's about 150 pages long. Try Loser Takes All, it's full of mischief.
I've been down too. So, I think I'll read the comments here for some good books. I hope reading will be a good diversion for both of us.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope the same, Robin.
DeleteI'm reading the latest Barbara Kingsolver book right now - Unsheltered - and I'm really enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorites is Sebastian Barry.
ReplyDeletehave a great day
Thanks, I'll check it out.
DeleteI have been holding a similar Space so I totally understand... wish I did have a good book to suggest, but I'm not much of a Reader. Take Care and virtual hugs coming your way.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn.
DeleteI just read Mary Lawson's Crow Lake. It was good. Another book you might enjoy, although it's not that well written, is Lisa Alther's "Kinfolks: Falling off the Family Tree: the Search for my Melungeon Ancestors". Anything by Kate Atkinson -- best read in order.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Will check them out. The Melungeon Ancestors one is strangely compelling. :)
Delete