I’ve had some inspiring success with my reading this week. I’ve been diligently reading A Suitable Boy, which I’m really enjoying. There are a few political parts that are slightly boring, but it’s such a small fraction of such a huge book, and I’ve found myself feeling like I’m living in India with all the characters. I’m discovering that I really like books about changing cultures; they’re exposing the cracks and trying to figure out who they are. In this book, the British have fairly recently pulled out of India, many of the families were partitioned away from their homes thanks to the creation of Pakistan, and the countryside hierarchy is about to change completely thanks to new legislation. And, of course, there is Lata’s (and her mother’s) struggle to find “a suitable boy” in a changing India. It’s so interesting and enjoyable, but I’m going through it slowly. I figure I’ll get frustrated if I go days without finishing any books, so I’ve been reading lighter books alongside it. It is nice to live in a book for a while though. and I’m thrilled that I have another of Vikram Seth’s books hanging around for when I’ve finished.
I also have had some lovely book acquisitions this weekend. My mother-in-law gave me a bookstore gift card for my birthday, so I had a lovely time selecting 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff, Arthur & George by Julian Barnes, Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold, and The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon. I’ve already read the first one and should have a review this week. I also was inspired by The House of the Mosque and Dawn at She Is Too Fond of Books to read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi and get another perspective on the Islamic Revolution in Iran. I really enjoyed that, too. So this week I read my first non-fiction of the year, my first graphic novel of the year, and my first classic of the year, which was The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton. In short, I am accomplishing my goals to diversify my reading so far, and I hope I can keep it up!
I hope to get a lot read this week, as Keith is headed off for 3 days away to start his new job, and I’ve finished the game I was playing on my Xbox 360. I’ve been thinking of reviewing the games when I finish them – if others can review film and TV, I don’t see why I can’t review games, and I will probably complete less than one a month – but I haven’t decided yet. I haven’t worked out how to knit and read at the same time, but we still watch enough TV and movies to give me plenty of time for both. Next Sunday I will be in the air heading home for a couple of weeks, so posting may be slightly more sporadic as I haven’t as many scheduled posts these days. In any case, I hope you all have a lovely week and a good book to keep you company!
I am glad you are enjoying A Suitable Boy overall, Meghan. I’m reading a book right now about a couple who move to India and are dealing with cultural issues. Like you, I really like books about changing cultures.
I hope you have a great week. Good luck to Keith with his new job!
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: A Book about Reading & What I am Reading Now =-.
It sounds like you had a great week! Your mother-in-law already knows just what to buy you! I definitely think you should review the games you play.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Our life in France – holidays =-.
I’ve been wanting to read A Suitable Boy for awhile now. I’m glad you’re having much success with it. Happy reading!
.-= Vasilly´s last blog ..Library Loot 6 =-.
I have Carter Beats the Devil, and it was a loot from a library sale last year. I’ve read a couple reviews that gushed about it, one included it in their best of 2009 list, even. Then it shows up here on your post? Maybe I should drag it out of the general unreads and put it on Mt. TBR, at least? Or maybe even read it? That’s a novel thought… lol.
I’m looking forward to your review of A Suitable Boy. I’ve go it on Mt. TBR, and I love the description of it, but it’s long and I don’t know when I’ll have time for it.
.-= The Kool-Aid Mom´s last blog ..The Sunday Salon Is Closed? Oh, Noooz! =-.
I can knit and read. You just need some way to hold the book open. Sounds like your year is off to a fabulous reading start!!!
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Review: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins =-.
Sounds like you picked up some great books this week. I can’t wait for your review of 84 Charing Cross Rd.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday =-.
Meghan, I would love it if you reviewed the videogames you play! Since I also both read and game, it’d be nice to see your opinions of the games you play. (Not to mention, what type of games you play. I can’t quite figure out from your reading list what videogames would strike your fancy).
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..Book Review: Wizard and Glass By Stephen King (Series, #4) =-.
I am glad that you are loving A Suitable Boy and aren’t having the problems that I did with the political sections. I also think you picked out some wonderful books with your gift card and can’t wait to hear what you think of them. Reviewing games is an interesting idea, and I would really be curious to see a review like that!
.-= zibilee´s last blog ..Samson’s Walls by Jud Nirenberg =-.
I liked when you said, “It is nice to live in a book for a while though.” That is such a good way of describing the way we can live within a story. I love that!!!
.-= Wisteria Leigh´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday, January 18, 2010 =-.
So glad you’re enjoying ‘A Suitable Boy’, what else do you have of his about (really they’re all great). And what a great load of books (oh ’84 Charing Cross Road’ sighs dreamily). Hope your trip is releatively easy, not a ton of packing etc.
I would definitely be interested in reading your game reviews! What game was it that you last finished? My partner has custody of our Xbox at his house in LA (I have our Wii in Nova Scotia), so I only rarely get to play it, and my tastes tend to run to the vast and time-consuming end of the gaming spectrum (Morrowind, Oblivion, etc.), so I sometimes find myself not starting to play when I am in town, for fear that it will swallow my whole visit!
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