Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme about books and reading, hosted by Deb:
“It’s Thanksgiving here in the U.S., so … what are you thankful for this year, reading-wise? New, favorite books? New gadget for reading? New comfy chair? Bonus time to read? Just the mere fact of BEING a reader? Having the internet to share ideas/recommendations/conversations about books?”
As I live in Sweden, I’m not celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend. (There is a Thanksgiving Sunday in our church calendar, but that was back in mid October, and it’s not a big one in our traditions.)
But of course there’s a lot to be thankful for whenever one takes the time to stop and think (as I know one or two of my blogging friends are actually in the habit of doing every Thursday). And with a theme like books and reading, and all those suggestions already given by Deb… it’s certainly not hard to join in. In fact I am very thankful for all of those things she mentions. (My chair is not new, but it’s still comfy!)
For a number of years I’ve had increasing difficulties reading printed books because of a combination of neck pain and eyesight problems. As regular followers of this blog know by now, one solution for me has been audio books (which I still much appreciate). But the Kindle Touch I bought a couple of months ago now also makes it easier for me to read a bit more “with the eyes” again – another reason to be thankful. On top of that, the Kindle also gives easy access to a lot of free classics; and as I do love English classics, that goes on the thankful list as well. As does being able to discuss and share books and reading experiences with others on the internet.
Now to some titles I’ve especially appreciated in 2012:
Kate Morton – The Forgotten Garden
Terry Pratchett – Snuff
Audrey Niffenegger – The Time Traveler’s Wife
Tea Obrecht – The Tiger’s Wife
J.K. Rowling – The Casual Vacancy
Hope Mirrlees – Lud-in-the-Mist
Mitch Albom – The Time Keeper
Mitch Albom – The Five People You Meet In Heaven
At the top of my blog is a tab My Book Reviews: there you will find links to some of my book reviews.
I don’t write a review of every book that I read. For example, I don’t usually see much point in mentioning Swedish books and authors here unless I know they’re also available in English translation. I also often find it difficult to summarize books I only listened to (one disadvantage of audio books is that it’s harder to go back and check details). So the ones I do end up writing reviews of are only a selection from my total read.
Monica, I can't imagine losing what sight I have. Pain I could write a book on.
ReplyDeleteWe all have a cross to bear. Try the Black House. Then look for the others.
Adrian, I agree. My last round of posterior vitreous detatchment back in the spring was scary, I still see flashes in the dark sometimes and in the daylight I have these black clouds darting to and fro in front of my eyes all the time. When reading on the Kindle it's easier to control them though - increasing the font I get fewer words per line and I don't have to move the eyes over the page in the same way as with a paper-book. The Blackhouse is the first of the Isle of Lewis trilogy you've been mentioning a few times now, right? I did make note of it when you mentioned it on your blog, I put it on my "wishlist" on Amazon. Maybe time to download it, just finished another Kindle book I was reading...
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, The Time Traveler's Wife is a great one to be thanful for.
ReplyDeletehttp://carabosseslibrary.blogspot.com/2012/11/booking-through-thursday_22.html
i can attest to the fact Kindle is MUCH easier on the eyes than a book, you already know I am obsessed with mine.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that I not only can read but that I have the time and facilities available to allow reading. Imagine living in a refugee camp with no access to books. Or living on the streets. I like simple novels where the good guys win and the resolution is carefully and slowly explained. Camilla Lackberg is easy reading and suitably relaxing. And biographies too. I admit to some fears when I faced losing my sight and hearing, but that was just useless emotion. I was lucky. I am thankful for that. I am thankful I live in a country with policies that respect the worth of every individual. I do not need a Thanksgiving Day because every day my glass is not just half full, but full to the brim.
ReplyDeleteMy Kindle has proved to be invaluable already in the short time since March, when it was given to me for my birthday. It goes with me almost anywhere, and through it, a whole new world of books by authors long gone has opened up to me.
ReplyDeleteSo, that is really worth being thankful for - along with many, many other good things.
"The Forgotten Garden" was a great read. Have you been to the author's website? It is full of interesting information.
Five of your eight books would be on my 'appreciated' list and the other three I haven't read. Our tastes are even more similar than I had realised. Albon - The Timkeeper and the J K Rowling are already ion my 'to be read' list so I had better add Kate Morton – The Forgotten Garden!
ReplyDeleteI shall comment on your picture because I thought the caption was very amusing. I still havent managed to finish The Time Traveller's Wife but I was very impressed by Albom - I've read both Tuesdays With Morrie and The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I'm not sure I'll get round to Snuff and I've not heard of The Tiger’s Wife.
ReplyDelete