= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Archive for October 12th, 2008
Sunday, October 12th, 2008Sunday Salon - October 12, 2008
October 12, 2008
It is a cold, bright morning here and a fire burns in the woodstove - a wonderful day to curl up with a good book. And so I have…
The Secret River, by Kate Grenville was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2006 and it has been languishing on my stacks for quite some time now. But the other day, I cracked it open and began reading and have not been able to put it down. Set in New South Wales - Australia’s oldest state - during the early part of the 19th century, The Secret River is the story of the fictional William Thornhill, a Londoner convicted of stealing and exiled to a New South Wales penal colony along with his wife and two children. Grenville writes beautifully…her descriptions are lush and vivid which makes me feel like I am there among the sea breezes and dense forests. The first part of the book takes place in London and is rather bleak, but once Will and his family arrive in Australia the novel takes a turn toward the hopeful. I should finish this book by tonight or tomorrow and will post my review then. I have no idea what I’ll read next - but it will most likely be one of my review books (which are beginning to take over my bedside table).
The novel Music and Silence, by Rose Tremain consumed my time for the first part of the month. This is a magnificent piece of historical fiction (read my review) set in 1630 during the reign of King Christian IV of Denmark. Tremain is a relatively new to me author and I have nothing but praise for her writing.
Dewey’s 24 Hour Read-A-Thon is coming up this Saturday and I’ve decided to participate as a reader again. As you may know, this event is not just about reading and blogging, but is also a charity event. I’ve decided to raise funds for Triple Creek Ranch Inc, a program for which I have volunteered since 2003. I hope you’ll take the time to read my post about this fundraiser, as well as my post about the horses of the ranch. I’ve also decided to give away my hard cover edition of The Emperor’s Children, by Claire Messud (read my review). There are three options to enter for the giveaway, so check out my post about it. The giveaway is open internationally, and I will draw a winner on October 19th.
What are you reading today? Whatever it is, I hope it transports you to another place or time and introduces you to an amazing character.