book nerd to the nth degree

Lately I've had really good luck, book-wise. I've been reading good books, stumbling across old favorites, and better than all of that, finally discovering a 'lost' book. 

January and February have been 'low' months for me, reading-wise. Here's my list of books I read during those two months: 

January

The Light Years

Marking Time

Confusion

Casting Out (The Cazalet Chronicles, all by Elizabeth Jane Howard) 

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris

Mary called Magdalene by Margaret George

Every Christmas or so, I start to crave my 'comfort reads' - which is anything set in England during the World Wars. It's either the Cazalet Chronicles or Rosamunde Pilcher, mostly, or sometimes a big dose of Maeve Binchy. This year I was delighted to realize that it's been ten years since first found the Cazalets, and how much fun it was to go through the whole series again. I ended up researching the author, Elizabeth Jane Howard, a bit and found out through Wikipedia that the Cazalet books are heavily based on her family. Very interesting stuff. 

I finally picked up The Help since I am part of the Book Lushes and boy am I glad I finally read it. It's been all the rage here in Mississippi, written by a Mississippian and all. (Though she has left us for New York City, just like Donna Tartt.) It's an amazing book, one of those you just can't stop reading. The subject matter (racism, the struggle of civil rights emerging) is not something to be proud of, but it's handled in such a thoughtful manner. You will fall in love with the characters, I promise, and laugh out loud. You might even cry. Obviously, I highly recommend it. 

A big disappointment was Mary called Magdalene. I adored Margaret George's Helen of Troy SO much - I just thought it was remarkable - so I had high expectations for Mary Magdalene. I admit that the first big chunk was very good - it was all about Mary dealing with the insidious demons creeping into her conciousness. And yes, I mean literal demons. It's after her demons are gone and she's following Jesus around that the story got a little boring, as it stayed very true to the Gospels. I ended up returning the book to the library because I just didn't care that much about finishing it. 

February 2010

These Is My Words

Sarah's Quilt (both by Nancy E. Turner)

The Book Thief by Markus Zukov

I really don't know HOW I ended up reading just three books in February, and maybe I've forgotten one? But I don't think so. Actually, I haven't quite finished The Book Thief...I really don't want it to end. 

I picked up Sarah's Quilt in a used bookstore back in the summer - when I finally FOUND a used bookstore - and then I realized that another book came before it. One day I looked up the first book on the library computer system, and requested it from another branch. I can't tell how what a wonderful read it was, and how much I didn't want it to end. It's a fascinating journey of a young, plucky woman making her way (with her family) to the Arizona Territories. Sarah hungers after knowledge like she's starving, and treasures every piece of paper with words she comes across. The second volume is good in that you really want to know what happens to Sarah and her growing family, but it's a bit exhausting. Still, I can't wait to get my own copy of These Is My Words so I can have both and read them whenever I feel the need. 

Of course, The Book Thief is just as amazing as I heard it was, and I really need to finish it as Beaux wants to read it next. Except it's overdue at the library. 

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In other book news, while I was home visiting my parents, I ended up spending some time by myself (!) poking through my favorite thrift shop where I always manage to find good deals on gently used clothes for Thomas. Then I wanted to try the coffee shop on Pine Hill, since when I go home my parents very sweetly make me (and Beaux) our own pot of STRONG coffee...but sometimes a girl needs some espresso. I got a blondie americano and sipped it while walking across the cobblestone street to an antique place/lunch spot. I climbed up the stairs and ended up in the corner with all the books. There's a slew of children's books, and I found some nearly brand new Maurice Sendak - Let's Be Enemies, A Hole is To Dig, and Open House for Butterflies - and I had to ration myself. I purposefully didn't look through all the cubby holes - leave something for future visits, I thought. 

I was sitting on the floor by a shelf of hardbacks, and a title leaped out at me - Jubilee Trail, by Gwen Bristow. I blinked my eyes and yes, it was true. I am devoted to Gwen Bristow, ever since a family friend gave me Celia Garth to read in junior high. My aunt Pat gave me my own (beautifully pristine) copy for my 16th birthday, and then I found Jubilee Trail in my high school library. I tried to buy it off them, since I was the only person to check it out in 20 or so years, but they wouldn't agree. I even had my brother check it out for me when I wanted he was still in high school and I was in college. 

Thoughout the years, I found a paperback copy of Jubilee Trail and other Gwen Bristow novels. She is the queen of historical romance. Last spring I found, while antique shopping with my Mom, another hardback copy of Celia Garth. That was like finding gold at the end of the rainbow, truly - in my all my years of searching, I've never come across a copy of Celia Garth - it's actually still in print, technically, but finding an OLD copy like my own has seemed nearly impossible. That copy was gifted to a very dear friend, since it was the most precious thing I could think of sending for a present. 

So, now I am completely happy, to have hardback copies of Celia Garth, Jubilee Trail, and Calico Palace, all on my bookshelf. My littlesambook self is deeply satisfied, indeed. 

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The book gods must be looking on me kindly, because I had another breakthrough. For years I have been searching for a book that I read (once again) in junior high. It was about a brother and sister who are evacuated from Britain during WWII and are sent to Canada. Around that same time, I read Back Home by Michelle Magorian, which is wonderful and also was made into a movie (with Hayley Mills as the mother). For the longest time I really thought this book-that I couldn't remember the title to- was also by Michelle Magorian, but every time I searched Google or Amazon, there was no such book. 

I don't know what possessed me to try again, but I ended up typing "evacuated children sent to Canada World War Two" and up popped...my book. The Sky is Falling, by Kit Pearson. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe I waited so long to try Googling the subject, but I FOUND IT, FINALLY! There's a whole series that I had to resist ordering immediately. I'm thrilled that I have tracked down the book's title, and will keep my eyes peeled for copies popping up in the right places. That's the fun of letting books come to you. Purchasing a sweet new book from the bookstore is not as satisfying, honestly, as finding a book you've been looking for to come into your ready, waiting hands. 

Comments

[Megsie]

Holy Cow Sam! You and Liz are putting me to shame! I have to say that I am SO HAPPY that Pride & Prejudice is not on your list. I think I read 5 pages or so. I feel a little guilty, but there are so many books that I want to read, I don't want to "get through" a book right now. I have The Book Thief on my night stand RIGHT NOW. Maybe I will read it now so we can chat? I have heard that it is amazing.

[bethany actually]

That last sentence I SO TOTALLY AGREE WITH. I loved this book called Behold Your Queen! in grade school that was a dramatic retelling of the book of Esther. I checked it out of my grade school library about twenty times, and looked for it at every used bookstore I ever went to. Then the internet came along, and...ta-daa! I had my very own hardback copy. It's an old printing too, from the 1960s.

I have to admit I've never even heard of most of the books you mentioned in this post. I used to haunt bookstores and libraries, and I just don't get to do that much anymore. Annalie loves stories, and being read to, but sitting and looking at books? No thank you, not when there is an outdoors to be run around in. *sigh* I think that will change when she's better able to read for herself, but for now getting to leisurely browse bookstores or libraries is a rare treat.

That British-kids-evacuated-to-Canada book you mention sounds like it would be right up my alley. So does the Cazalet series.

[lizardek]

Mmmmmmmmmmm books books books! What a lot of great book things going on! I had a super awesome long run of good books these past months, too (with 1 or 2 clunkers thrown in). Now I'm comfort re-reading for a bit. I agree, there is NOTHING like finding an old love. And also, if you liked The Book Thief, read his other stuff: SO GOOD.

[Marla]

OK, I am mostly a lurker and hardly ever comment on anything, but I just had to chime in about how much I LOVE Celia Garth! I have loved reading historical fiction for as long as I can remember; and I stumbled on Celia Garth in high school at the public library. It is one of my favorite books, ever; and I checked it out of the library over and over. I have never come across anyone else who has even read it! This has made me want to go find it and reread it (again!) and also check out Jubilee Trail and Calico Palace!!

[Fritzi Marie]

Dear Sam,
Looks like you have been really busy. Are you super excited about Parenthood tomorrow night? I agree with you about Loralai. I think the show is pretty good though. It makes me so happy to see her once a week again. Let me know if you hear anything about Amy's new HBO show. I am on pins and needles.
hugs,
Fritzi Marie

[tinker]

Seeing all the books on your list, I realized I've only managed a couple of books so far this year. Actually, one and a half. I zipped through Barbara Kingsolver's Lakuna, but am still only a little over halfway through The Book of Lost Things. Think I may need to stop reading at the computer as much...

[amy in illinois]

I love love love These is my Words. There is a third in the series called The Star Garden. It is good, as well. I reread these every few years.

[lindsey]

yes. i blame you for my gwen bristow obsession! and i've got "the help" and "the book thief" on reserve at the library. you still put my reading to shame!

xo

[christina]

Girl, you and Liz put me to SHAME with your book devouring. Still... I love reading what you're reading! Tonight I ordered books online using the money from selling books to Powells (have you done this? It's a great way to get rid of the "eh, so-so" books in your collection!) and I'm sooo excited to get them!

[Samantha L.]

Oh wow! What a great idea, selling books BACK...I definitely have some that I know I wont read again, or ever, so thanks for that tip!