March 8, 2009
Good morning Sunday Saloners! Are any of you as peeved as I am about the clocks springing forward this weekend? Isn’t it a bit early for that? Okay, so maybe it is nice to have the days be a little bit longer, but why rush things? I guess I just hate the idea of losing an hour over my weekend (which feels short enough as it is).
Since my last Sunday Salon I finished read The Islands of Divine Music by John Addiego which I received as a review book from Unbridled Books. I give kudos to Addiego for beautiful writing, but I am not much for magical realism and so I ended up not being totally enamoured with the novel (read my review). That said, many other readers found this book to be enchanting so I won’t discourage you from giving it a try.
Next I read The Brightest Moon of the Century by Christopher Meeks (read my review). I adore his writing and his characters. This is Meeks’ first novel and I understand it will not be his last. This is a book I can recommend for its humor, joyfulness, and endearing characterizations. It is now out and available for purchase.
My current read is Andrew Taylor’s latest mystery: Bleeding Heart Square. Taylor is a Brit, and his writing is very English. I would classify this novel as a British literary mystery with compelling characters. The setting is dark and brooding. So far I am enjoying it immensely.
In other bookish news:
Many thanks to Lynda at Lynda’s Book Blog for awarding me the I Love Your Blog Award! My Google Reader has over 300 blogs on it…all of which I love. This award makes me realize I need to come up with a solution regarding my blog roll in my sidebar. I have only a few blogs listed but would love to figure out a way to have all the blogs in my reader linked there…any suggestions!?!??!
For those of you who enjoy statistics, check out my most recent blog stats in graph format. I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised at the numbers from the last few months – I really had lost track of how much traffic my blog was getting and I cannot even explain the increase in numbers. But it makes me happy!
Lastly, The New York Times recently posted an interesting article about Jonathan Littell’s novel The Kindly Ones. Have you heard about this book? Apparently it is 983-page novel (translated from the French) which is a ‘fictionalized memoir of a remorseless former Nazi SS officer, who in addition to taking part in the mass extermination of the Jews, commits incest with his sister, sodomizes himself with a sausage and most likely kills his mother and stepfather.‘ Sounds a little over the top, doesn’t it? Harper Collins released it to a storm of controversy. It has gotten mixed reviews – those who think it is a masterpiece of literary fiction, and those who feel it is complete garbage. So here’s a question for you…would you buy this book and read it? If so, what would make you pick it up? My answer: I probably won’t read this one. It sounds like it is one of those books which is being hyped too much. Then again, I might want to give it a try just to add my two cents to the controversy. Then again it is nearly 1000 pages. The jury is still out on this one. (A side note: Littell won the Prix Goncourt, France’s most prestigious literary award, as well as a prize from the Académie Française for this book)
Whatever you are doing today, I hope it involves a great book. Have a wonderful week!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Your jump in traffic is due to how fabulous your blog is!!!!
I also hate the loss of the hour this weekend…it pains me deeply.
And I think I’ll skip The Kindly Ones….983 pages is a big investment of time.
I’m with you – I think it’s too early to spring forward, but nobody asked me before they decided to do it.
I too am peeved about springing forward. IT’s way too early, in my opinion, and now it will be dark in the morning again!
I can’t wait to read your review of Bleeding Heart Square. I thought the synopsis looked quite good!
Christoper Meek’s novel sounds really good so I’ll be adding that one to my TBR list. I didn’t even realize it was time to spring forward until my Mom told me. Spring is coming though!
Clocks going forward? Already? Not yet in England, we have to wait another two weeks I think. But I’m not looking forward to it either, it makes one feel even more unhinged in this in-between time (between winter and spring)…
It does feel too early to be changing the clocks again already. This means the sun won’t be quite as bad on my drive to and from work. At least not initially.
I haven’t heard of The Kindly Ones at all or the controversy. I do like WWII fiction, but I have to say that from the description of the book you provided, I doubt I would pick it up unless it came highly recommended by trusted fellow readers.
You know I didn’t even know the clocks were changing until I read it here. So thanks for mentioning it! I would have been very confused come tomorrow morning.
Happy Sunday! I have yet to post my salon entry–I though I would do a little visiting first! In answer to the clock thing…I so hate it. My thought is that the days get longer all on their own as the season turns to spring, then summer, what is all the hoopla over 1 more hour of sunlight right now? Where I live, spring is usually so rainy and chilly that I am sure not motivated to get outside after work and get some gardening done or something just because I have an extra hour! I would rather have had that hour last night as I was snoozing. It will take me a week to catch up now.
In answer to your question about The Kindly Ones–I am pretty sure I will pass on this one. When I read WWII memoirs, I choose those of the victims who survived amidst the horror. I have no need to know anything a former Nazi SS officer has to say–especially 1,000 pages worth. ‘Nuff said!
Have a great week Wendy…
*smiles*
Kim
Wow, The Kindly Ones sounds, well, interesting – which is the word my mother in law uses when she doesn’t like what I’m wearing. Congrats on your blog award!
I saw The Kindly Ones in a booksshop over the weekend and did pick it up to have a quick look. It is a huge book with very dense writing – I think that fact, and the subject matter may keep me away from this one but I would be interested to hear from someone who has read it.
I will probably pick up The Kindly Ones at some point…it’s on my list. But I like a nice long book and I will read pretty much anything (there’s not much that can offend me). The description in your blog just piques my interest even more. If I read it, I’ll review it and let you know how it is!
Totally agree about Bleeding Heart Square. Couldn’t put it down. My tip as a WOM bestseller for 2009/10.
I’m not fond of the time change either. It messes with me for at least a week. I like the light being around longer but wow, this is a month earlier than we used to do it. I wish the time would just stay the same the whole year. Do you notice the furkids get messed up too? Buddy does.
I’ve had trouble adjusting to the time change this year. I agree, it’s much too early!
Amy: Aw, thanks!!! The more I read about The Kindly Ones the more I don’t want to waste my time either!
Kathy: They didn’t ask me either – why not!??!? *laughs*
Priscilla: I meant to respond to you sooner – I see you have already checked out my review of Bleeding Heart Square *smiles*
Samantha: Meeks if very good – hope you’ll try his book.
Seachanges: We should follow your lead here – I don’t know who thought it was a good idea so early!
WendyCat: I agree – it sounds horrible.
Nicole: Happy to help!
Thanks, Kim! Hope you had a great week – I am so behind on answering comments this week!!!!
Scobber: I laughed when I read your comment about your mother-in-law’s use of the word “interesting.” My mother uses the word “different” to mean the same thing!!
Karen: I’d like to hear about it from one of my trusted blogger friends!! But I won’t read it myself.
Lexi: Oh good – see my comment above to Karen!! Please let us know what you think!
Bill: I’ve got my review posted – I liked it too!
Darlene: I haven’t see the fur children be too concerned about the time change…they are happy that they get to eat an hour earlier
S.Krishna: I’m still not adjusted and it has now been a week!