Still at work but pace is a bit slower, so have had a few daily coffee/book breaks. In the evenings there’s neither ferrying of kids to and from school/activities nor homework and having 7 days off work at the end of June to the beginning of July for Eid-ul-Fitr have helped.
I love my Kindle,yet, there is still nothing like cracking open a paper book – the smell, the feel, the look of the cover and a personalised inscription by the author. Having heard the author read from the text in your hand and give an insight into their writing alchemy heighten the thrill.
Last March, I attended the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, just as well given the …but that’s another post…maybe.
After every talk I attended, I had to know the fate of these characters, I bought the books and lined up to have the authors sign them. I was on a high for days after. Months later and reading the books, I’m having multiple highs as I lose myself in their words and worlds.
In the last few weeks I’ve read:
- Coming Home by Annabel Kantaria
- A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale
- The Kindness of Enemies by Leila Aboulela
- Me, You and Tiramisu by Charlotte Butterfield
- The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange
And though this writer was not at the festival, I got her book because the title and the cover intrigued:
- A Cupboard full of Coats by Yvette Edwards
They are all strong contenders for my recommended read to our book group when we reconvene in September.
In a couple of weeks, we’ll be heading to Blighty and I can’t wait to lose myself in Foyles in Westfield, Stratford and in the charity shops’ book sessions. I’ll treat myself to a few ‘real books’.
Until then it’s back to the Kindle.
What are you reading this summer?
Would love to read Apple Tree Yard and The Handmaid’s Tale after being engrossed in the TV adaptations.. Meet you in Foyles xx
Had a great time in Foyles – didn’t we?
My reading this summer included a bunch of heavy weights:
Who Dies (actually an in-depth look at living)
30 Lessons for Living (Biggest lesson for me was to begin to create a relationship now with my children that is intended for a lifetime. Only 20 years with them will be as children. The rest is as adults.)
Code Red (I don’t like the author’s style but the information on the power of menstruation was a must-know for every human on the planet.)
Situations Matter (Current read. Interesting read on how humans react depending on the circumstances. But also some traumatic stories included that I wish I would have been warned about before opening at bedtime.)
Really powerful stuff… Will look into the 30 Lessons for Living. Thanks Christine