There's really not much going on around the old homestead, so I'll jump in and ask What everyone is reading? I'm only reading one book, right now, and hope to get back to balancing several at once, soon. I guess reading a single book is a Brain Break Thing, at least for me. Anyway, I'm reading My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin, a story about Sybylla Melyvn, a a free-spirited young writer who refuses to conform to society's expectations of how a 'proper woman' should live her life in Australia. The copy I've got is pictured at left and includes another book: My Career Goes Bung. Judging from the introductory material (which was somewhat illuminating but a little confusing, at times), the second story was an attempt to redo the first book in a more romantic fashion, as My Brilliant Career has a rather unromantic ending. I already knew that, having seen the movie - which is different, of course, but absolutely took my breath away.Note that a very young and handsome Sam Neill starred in the movie. Until I checked a copy of My Brilliant Career out from my library's audio/visual department on a whim, I'd never heard of the book or movie and was unaware that it launched Judy Davis's career and threw Sam Neill into the limelight. I'm certain we would have discovered Sam and Judy, eventually, though. Judy Davis was absolutely awesome as Sybylla.
And, the book is everything I dreamed it would be and more, another one of those that has so many beautiful sentences and paragraphs that it's already becoming crammed with post-it notes.
I'm off to pay the bills and scrub the bathrooms. Happy Thursday!
Oooh, I like Sam Neill! Not as much as Hugh Laurie or Vigo Mortensen, but he's up on the list. ;) As I mentioned yesterday, I'm reading The Book Thief. I'm well into it (past the 100 page mark) and it definitely has the feel of a Top Ten Read (if not #1). I love that feeling. Had it with The Kite Runner, Bel Canto, and Atonement. I'm trying to savor the book, but I have The Thirteenth Tale waiting, so I may wind up gobbling it up.
ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteI gobbled The Book Thief - just could not put it down without emitting a whiny noise (and, of course, I did have to do Mom Things, but then I ended up staying up quite late to finish).
I'd gobble Sam Neill if I could, too, but that's another topic. You already know how I feel about Hugh. ;)
Hmmm, Hugh, Vigo and Sam. I think I'll have sweet dreams tonight. ;)
ReplyDeleteI usually read one book at a time so I guess it's a permanent brain break! ;p
ReplyDeleteRight now I'm reading "The Way the Crow Flies" by Ann-Marie MacDonald. It's a big book, over 700 pages, so I still have quite a way to go, but I'm really enjoying it.
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ReplyDeleteLes,
ReplyDeleteHope you slept well! I dreamed Orlando Bloom was in love with me - more than likely because I saw a magazine cover saying he and Kate Bosworth broke up (in passing). Thought that was pretty funny.
Nat,
Everyone's different. Sometimes I can only read one book and sometimes I'll have 5 going at once, but it's more common for me to have several books vying for my time. So, reading just one is often an indication that I'm just too tired to handle more.
Quite a few people seem to be reading "The Way the Crow Flies". Is that a group read? I'll have to look it up, of course. Can't hear a title and the word "enjoying" without rushing off to see what it's all about. :)
yup, it's the October book at Our Coffee Rings. But that was just the final nudge for me. I really liked her first book and have been meaning to read this one for a while now. So far so good!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the answer, Nat. I peeked in at Our Coffee Rings when it was mentioned in BAW but had forgotten TWTCF was the group read, there. I still have yet to read Fall On Your Knees - need to get around to that one. :)
ReplyDeleteI read THE WAY THE CROW FLIES (MacDonald) and rated it a 3 (just okay). I'm in the mindset of if I'm going to read a BOB (Big Ole Book), I really want it to be worth my time! BUT, everybody has their own likes and dislikes. :)
ReplyDeleteSo true, Joy. I noticed that one of the books you rated highly was one I hated - just found the heroine frustrating - but that's certainly nowhere near true of everything you've reviewed. And, actually, I've always thought it's kind of nice that our taste is so individual. For finding books that suit you, it's nice to find people who read and love similar books, but even then you'll have parting opinions on some. It's one of the things I love about being a human. :)
ReplyDeleteI considered reading The Way The Crow Flies for Our Coffee Rings, but decided to hold off and read it as part of my BOB challenge. I was very tempted, though.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, Orlando. Forgot all about him. I drooled all over him in an inflight magazine on American Airlines last year. You know, I was just telling Rod that I think it's a little weird that I've started developing all these crushes on actors. I was never like this as a kid. What is it about being (eek!) almost 45? Are there just more gorgeous hunks out there now? ;)
Oh, gee, I don't know, Les. I think there have always been gorgeous men to drool over; maybe it's just a matter of learning how to admire the view with age. Really, I have no idea. But, I do recall buying magazines with photos of Randy Mantooth in the 70's! Remember Emergency!?
ReplyDeleteI loved Emergency! Forgot all about Randy Mantooth, but silly me, I just had to Google him and spent a few minutes perusing his website, taking a nice trip down memory lane. Nice to see he and his partner from the show (Kevin Tighe) remained such good friends. Tighe was in Randy's wedding. Sheesh. I can't believe you got me looking at a movie star's website. I don't even like to waste my time on People magazine! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, Les, you funny girl!
ReplyDeleteI haven't looked up Randy Mantooth or Emergency! in a few years, but it's still my favorite from the 70's. When we still had satellite service and Nick at Night did an Emergency! marathon, I did my best to tape every episode (I didn't succeed - there were quite a few!). :)