I have a weird combination of reading materials right now: Hesiod's Theogony and other works; Eusebius's Ecclesiatical History (and other works); Ha Jin's Waiting (no other works there); Herodotous's The Histories (also with other works); and a translations of an interesting book about French Cathar culture of the 13th century entitled Montaillou: The promised Land of Error. It is a norm for me to have several books going at once; I kind of see it like a big buffet. If you get tired of ham, there is always roast beef. Just can't take one mmore bite of potato salad? Dig into the apple pie!
I find, however, that this particular combination of reading food on my plate has far too much the taste of religion, and the Ha Jin novel is, basically, bitter greens and flat-out depressing, so I need a dish that will lighten/brighten/frighten up a my reading palate a bit. Suggestions?
My last favorite book was Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. It is six fractured narratives divided by other stories, so it is, in and of itself, a buffet. It took me awhile to get into, but once I was in I couldn't put it down. It would make a good summer read. One book Jason and I both really liked (okay two) are The Bird Artist by Howard Norman and The Moviegoer by Walker Percy. Right now I'm reading Sight Hound by Pam Houston which is both light and heavy. How does she do it? It's quite good. It has dogs in it. And chapters written by the dog. But it still manages to be good.
ReplyDeleteHave you read the newest David Sedaris? It must be out in pb now.
ReplyDeleteTommy Franks autobiography "American Soldier"
ReplyDeleteI always like to read a David Lodge novel when I need humor. "Changing Places" and "Small World" are both hilarious accounts of academia.
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