Tuesday 23 June 2009

Summer reading

I think it's safe to say that I'm going through an Austen phase right now! I really want to re-read Sense and Sensibility after Emma but book group is looming and I only have a week to read Alice Walker's The Colour Purple.

I heard Kate Mosse reviewing Stephanie Meyer's Twilight on Radio 4 today and as I like teen/adult crossover fiction this is going on my tbr list. I've also ordered Irene Dische's novel The Empress of Weekhawken which I can't wait to read.

Can't decide whether I want to read Claire Harman's Jane's Fame or not. I heard some interesting extracts on Radio 4 but I think I'd rather read books by Austen than books about Austen.
Anyone planned their summer reading?

11 comments:

claire said...

I'd also rather read books by Austen rather than about her. I've never ventured into sequels and prequels and other books inspired by her novels either. Are they worth it?

Kat at Thornfield Hall Redux said...

Ellen Moody has an excellent blog in which she often writes about Austen, and Sense and Sensibility is her favorite. Her newest blog is: http://ellenandjim.wordpress.com/

A friend loved Twilight so much she reread all the books before she went to the movie on opening day.

kristina said...

My summer reading seems slightly out-of-control, as I currently have two books on the go. But hopefully book club deadlines should sort that out soon! K x

Rachel (Book Snob) said...

I wouldn't recommend Twilight...I gave the first one a go after watching the film and thinking the books surely couldn't be worse than that pure tosh but I was wrong...so wrong...Stephanie Meyer's prose made my eyes melt!!!

I spent most of the winter reading about spinsters so I am fancying cheerier subjects for summer. I'm planning on getting started on my pile of Elizabeth Von Arnims, followed by a trip to the Deep South with Eudora Welty and the ever delightful Fannie Flagg.

Paperback Reader said...

My summer reading list is a work in progress but I should finalise and post it soon.

Funnily enough The Colour Purple may feature on it; I have the feeling that it won't take too long to read so you should be fine to read it within a week.

I am dreading one of my friends suggesting reading Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies for book group. I prefer to read books by Austen instead of about Austen (or bastardising Austen). Saying that, I did greatly enjoy the TV series, Lost in Austen.

Paperback Reader said...

I have just come across a Jane Austen challenge, which may be of interest:

http://thewrittenword.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/introducing-the-everything-austen-challenge-with-prizes/

I may read Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies, after all... *shudders*

Heather Bond said...

Hi - Nothing but fluff for me this summer. I'm currently enjoying The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie which will be followed by The Great Western Beach, Swallows and Amazons and Before Lunch, my annual Angela Thirkell. At least that's the plan now, we'll see what surprises pop up. Your Austen posts have me thinking.

Cath said...

I quite liked Twilight. It gets a lot of stick from many quarters but I found it atmospheric and quite well written.

I'm pleased because I just found a battered old copy of Thursday's Child by Noel Streatfeild, amongst my daughter's ancient books. Have you read that one? I'd never even heard of it.

Vintage Reading said...

Claire, like you I'm not into sequels and prequels but I rather liked the Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler.

Mad Housewife, I'm checking out Ellen Moody's blog right now!

Kristina, I love the social side of book groups I belong to one alumni book group and one library books group, but sometimes the reading deadlines are hard to meet.

Rachel, Eudora Welty is an author I must check out. Look foward to your reviews.

Paperback Reader, I'll check out that challenge but I draw the line at zombies!

Cath, no I've not read Thursday's Child although I am aware of that title. You must review it - what a find!

claire said...

I'll try to check the Jane Austen Book Club, thanks. :)

LINDA from Each Little World said...

Oh my, it's almost the Fourth of July here and I haven't really even thought about summer reading. I have a couple of things to review and I've got a few Civil War novels and non-fiction on the stack. But I've been spending all my free time in the garden to be honest! Whoops — just remembered I took advantage of Persephone's birthday sale, so 3 titles will be coming sometime soon.