What’s On Your Nightstand: May 2011
5 Minutes for Books hosts this monthly opportunity to consider what you’ve read over the last month, or what you’re anticipating over the next month. Since the last Nightstand, here’s what I’ve read:
- “The Boundary” (Wendell Berry): a short story about Mat Feltner as an old man. I don’t read that many short stories, but I think this one is exceptionally good. Review here. (This was a reread.)
- Goodnight Mister Tom (Michelle Magorian): a novel about a young boy evacuated from London during World War II, and the widower who cares for him. Though this examines some dark subject matter — war and child abuse — I found it quite inspirational. Review here. (Fixed, I might add, to correct my typo that set the novel in the wrong world war. :-/ )
- Caddie Woodlawn (Carol Ryrie Brink): this was a reread and a read-aloud, but I enjoyed it as much this time as I did when I was a child. Review here.
- The Metamorphosis (Franz Kafka): A depressing tale about a man who wakes one day as a cockroach. Another reread. (What compelled me to pick this one up again??) Review here.
- The Way of a Pilgrim: an Orthodox classic on the life of prayer. Much of this was beyond me, but what I did grasp really expanded my imagination on the subject of prayer. Thoughts on my reading experience here.
The girls and I are reading The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew. It was my mother’s only book as a child, and she recently bequeathed it to my oldest daughter.
I myself have started and set aside: Remembering (Wendell Berry) and The Way We Live Now (Anthony Trollope). I’ve requested An Experiment in Criticism from the library, and when it arrives it might pull me out of the blahs. Meantime, any suggestions?
One other literary note: if you have read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, you’ll find this news story interesting. I read it at the beginning of 2011 and found it to be a real eye-opener.
What have you been reading? All are welcome to link up at 5 Minutes for Books.
9 Comments
Just Mom
I always get the World Wars muxed up – it’s like a form of dyslexia for me! The book sounds intriguing though!
bekahcubed
I still have your review of Way of the Pilgrim open in a tab–I’ve read it several times and just can’t figure out how to comment, except to think that I should comment on a post that has made me think as much as that one. Nonetheless, my thoughts are still not formed on the topic enough to comment cogently–so I guess I’ll just say “Thanks for making me think”.
As for suggestions for what to read next? I have plenty of ideas..but you already know that!
Melissa @ Breath of Life
i’ve not read any of Wendell Berry’s short stories. I’ve only read Jayber Crow. I want to read Hannah Coulter, though.
Lisa notes...
You have me thinking…maybe I should read more short stories. I rarely ever read any. The Metamorphosis—I remember re-reading it not long ago; still dark; still depressing. I’m finished with it forever. ha.
Barbara H.
Five Little Peppers was a children’s book I discovered as an adult and just loved.
I’m not sure what to suggest — your reading tastes are usually deeper, more intellectual than mine. I don’t know if something “light” would be a nice break or would be an irritant.
Amy @ Hope Is the Word
I know all about not being able to settle into a book. My solution is usually to trad another kids’ book. :-). I’ve never read Five Little Peppers, bit I take this as a recommendation (though I do hope you’ll review it for RAT). How neat (and how ridiculously spoiled it makes me feel!) that it was your mom’s only book!
Amy @ Hope Is the Word
Excuse all the typos–iPod again. :-)
Cassandra
The Way of a Pilgrim sounds REALLY interesting. I’m adding it to my to-read list. :) Have a great reading month!
Trish
Oh, I loved The Five Little Peppers and How They Grew as a child! Later on, I read one other book about them but can’t remember the exact title. Enjoy!