February 12, 2012
Good morning and welcome to The Sunday Salon! Visit the dedicated Facebook Page to get links to more Salon posts.
I am very happy to report that my huge reading slump which lasted all of January now seems to be over – yahoo! I am reading some wonderful books this month which I cannot wait to share with you.
I finished reading Lord of the Flies by William Golding which lived up to my expectations (read my review). This classic novel is being discussed in my Bookies Too Yahoo book club and I think it makes an excellent discussion book. Golding explores the question of morality and the breakdown of civilization in the book…and it gets a little emotionally rough in places. I only vaguely remember my thoughts of the novel when I first read it as a teenager, but as an adult it made a big impression. There is a lot of symbolism in Lord of the Flies which makes it a novel that would, I think, stand up very well to a re-read. Have you read this classic?
My next read was a novella by Tina Egnoski. In the Time of the Feast of Flowers is really a coming of age story about two teenage girls growing up in Florida during the mid-1970s (read my review). Having graduated from High School in 1978, there was much I could relate to in this very well written book. Egnoski won the 2010 Clay Reynolds Novella Prize for this one, and it is easy to see why. She writes beautifully.
Have you ever read the first two pages of a book and know immediately you will love it? That is what happened for me when I began reading Come In and Cover Me by Gin Phillips. Some time ago I bought Phillips’ debut (The Well and The Mine) and am now more motivated than ever to read it. This latest novel is set in New Mexico and revolves around an archeologist named Ren. Ren has an unusual gift of being able to communicate with the dead – or maybe I should say, they communicate with her – and she is led to uncover the life of a woman, an artist, who lived in prehistoric times. But the book is deeper than all of that – it is about loss and recovery, and letting go of the past to move on with with our lives. The writing is wonderful. The character development is paced perfectly. I am 2/3rds of the way through and should finish the novel today…so watch for my review. Have any of you managed to get a copy of this one yet? It was released last month through Riverhead.
I have no idea what my next read will be – I am letting my mood guide my book choices these days – but I have a feeling it might be a light, genre read. We’ll see…
Today is a gorgeous day in Northern California. My hubby and I are heading over to a friend’s house for lunch and I don’t imagine I will have a lot of time to just kick back today. What about you? Are you doing anything fun? Whatever it is, I do hope you will have time, at some point, to enjoy a great book!
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
Glad to hear that your reading slump is over! My slump slithered away a few days ago. Doesn’t the world look a little brighter now?
Maybe it’s just me. Today I plan on digging back into The Street Sweeper and doing massive amounts of homework. Enjoy your day!
Vasilly recently posted..Sunday Salon
Oh yeah, Vasilly – feels great…and brighter
Glad to hear your slump is also over!
Unfortunately, I have a Sunday of grading planned. I’ve never read Lord of the Flies, not even as a kid. I’ve wanted to for a while, and it is so short, I’m not sure why I haven’t just done it. Glad to hear you are enjoying your reading this month!
Laura recently posted..The Sunday Salon: Bookish Travels
Laura: Hope that despite your working today, you will still get some time just for you!
I’m glad the reading slump seems to be over! Looks like you have some wonderful books going.
I’m still finishing up Swamplandia myself and ready to move on to Open City (by Teju Cole) or The Tiger’s Wife.
It’ll be less reading for me today. We’re celebrating my stepson’s birthday which will still be fun for all.
Andi (Estella’s Revenge) recently posted..The Sunday Salon – Tag! I’m It!
Andi: Have a great day!! I’ll be interested to read your thoughts on Swamplandia…and also The Tiger’s Wife when you get to it (I loved that one!).
Looking forward to your review. The book sounds intriguing with an unusual plot.
Harvee recently posted..Sunday Salon: The First Real Snow of the Year and Two New Book Reviews
Harvee: It is really original…I should have a review up by Tuesday at the latest.
I’ve been wanting to read Come In and Cover Me just based on the cover and book description, but I’m glad to hear you actually enjoyed it!
Brooke recently posted..The Sunday Salon: Stories Through Pictures
The Lord of the Flies….I remember reading that book in high school (and hating it). I’ve always wondered what I would think about it now if I went back and reread it.
I’m so glad to hear that your reading slump is over. The book that you are currently reading sounds VERY interesting…I’m thinking that I’ll have to read it myself. Hope you have a great week!
Samantha recently posted..The Sunday Salon – Mini Reviews (thoughts)
I’d really love to re-read Lord of the Flies now–like you I barely remember my initial reading of it. Glad you guys had a good book discussion!
Enjoy the weather. We’re sunny here but very chilly. Staying bundled up inside!
Trish recently posted..Sunday Salon 59: Bookish Rambles
Great news about your reading slump…I’m happy for you, Wendy! The Lord of the Flies is a fascinating book. I’ve read it a few times but not in many years. I like the idea of a re-read. There’s a lot of symbolism in the book and fascinating behavior. I think you’ll have a great book club discussion.
What a nice day you’re having, especially weather-wise, enjoy it Wendy!
I’m going to be reading Night Swim by Jessica Keener which I’ll be reviewing this week.
I hope you have a good week!
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Come In and Cover Me sounds amazing – can’t wait to see your review!
Carrie K. recently posted..The Sunday Salon – February 12, 2012 – Plus, the bookish links I didn’t have time to post yesterday
I’m trying to catch up, but I think that’s how I spend my life these days.
bermudaonion(Kathy) recently posted..Weekend cooking: Touchdown Pinwheels
Your day sounds so promising and full of great things!! Enjoy it! I have encountered a few books that immediately spoke to me and I just knew deep in my bones that I would love it! These 3 sounds fascinating. I should re-read Lord of the Flies, it’s been a very long time since I’ve delved into that one!
Have a wonderful week!
So glad to hear your reading slump is over! I’ve heard wonderful things about the new Gin Phillips and look forward to reading it. Enjoy!
nomadreader (Carrie) recently posted..A People’s Read-a-long: Week 5