In case you haven’t heard, there are a whole group of people who read with intent. It’s true! They plan ahead. They make lists – and then they stick to them.
I’ve never been such a person.
I’m more the lone wanderer. I meander aimlessly amongst isles of books – viewing covers, reading backs, analyzing their weight in my hands – hoping to find that hidden treasure. Sure, I keep an ear out for recommendations; but mostly I choose as I go. As of late, however, I’ve begun to see the value of preparing ahead. Perhaps it stems from the inspiration of Mandi and her 200 books - perhaps it stems from the fact that the older I get, the harder it is to recall books I was considering. Whatever the reason, I found a great way to merge the laid back with the organized over at Pancakes and French Fries.
I like it because it’s wee. Fifteen books (or seventeen, since I’ve grouped a couple) – leaving room for, you know, whatever. I also like the idea of choosing something from my shelf. There are vintage books I purchased because they were pretty. There are books that mysteriously appeared. Now they will be read. So without further ado … my reading list for fall 2009 …
New books I plan to take in (buy, beg, or borrow)…
- Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
- Perelandra/That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
- The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
- Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
- Persuasion by Jane Austen
- Family Roundabout by Richmal Crompton
- The Woman Warrior/China Men by Maxine Hong Kingston
- When You are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
- Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
And books currently upon my shelf …
- Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
- The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
- Surly Tim and other stories by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace
- The Sonnets by William Shakespeare
- Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
As always, I welcome suggestions for future lists, or, you know, to squish in here or there …
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5 Comments
You already have a copy of Perelandra and That Hideous Strength (remember?). And you can count on me for the Maxine Hong Kingston volume and The Handmaid's Tale.
I'm so proud and happy…
It's true. I do. Technically I also have Les Mis. But I came into all three recently, so I didn't feel they belonged on the other list. Let's go ahead and call it creative license, shall we?!
And thank you so for offering to lend me books!!!
haha. I can't wait to talk to you about Robinson Crusoe. It can be summed up in a brief, tidy sentence which we can write once you've finished reading it. (btw: LOVE Steinbeck. LOVE LOVE LOVE.)
Hmmmm… the intrigue …
neverwhere! -great! and ofcourse, the C.S. Lewis triology you know I love