I finally have that feeling back. You know the one, when you’re reading a book and it takes over a part of your brain such that when you’re not reading, part of you remains in the world of it, with its characters, and anxious to return to the story. It’s a relief when this feeling comes back after it has been missing for a while. I always wonder if it’s gone for good. But it’s not; it always returns. So here’s a proper new post with what I’m actually excited about this week!
Just Shelved
I love reading about farm life, gardening, re-wilding and animals. (Unless they’re hurt, then I can’t bear it.) This book both was and wasn’t what I was expecting. It has all the lovely bits I wanted – wayward animals, things growing, children exploring a natural landscape – half wild themselves, and the feeling that accompanies enjoying a story that’s both muddy and cosy all at the same time. So mostly this was very good. But it had an oddly disjointed style to it. A lot of stories were introduced but then seemed to sort of just stop without a proper ending, and then weren’t returned to at any point. It covers a huge amount of time – the daughter who is born at the beginning of the book has left home by the end. Maybe this is why it feels like it hops between stories quickly. I might have preferred some longer, more fleshed-out stories covering a shorter period, I think. Maybe I just expected it to be more like other similar books I’ve read before and it will hold up better if I re-read it with more accurate expectations.
Currently Reading
Unexpectedly, A House in the Country was the book that had me by the throat and wouldn’t let go this week. I pulled it out to read whenever I had a spare moment. If I woke in the middle of the night I’d pick it up and read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. When I went to bed I didn’t want to listen to a podcast or watch a video – I wanted to find out what was happening to the characters. I’m near the end now, and expect I’ll be finishing it up this week!
Up Next
I am not entirely sure what I’ll be reading next, but I think I’ll probably continue with either another Persephone book and/or more books about nature. I’m definitely finding that my plants and animals hyperfocus is kicking in now that the warm weather is here, and I’m soaking up any gardening info and info about wildlife (mostly British as this seems to be where people write about this kind of thing – I wish there were more similar books about Canadian wildlife gardening and native plants). So we shall see, I might find something new to pick up, or I might go with one of these!
That’s my week in books! What have you guys read this week? Are you currently in the middle of a fantastic book? Which books are up next on your TBR?
A weekly post that encourages bloggers to share what they have read in the past week, what they’re currently reading and books they’ve recently added to their TBRs. Originally started by Sheila at Book Journey, it is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.
I love books that grab you like this. These days I am completely absorbed by a nonfiction title, Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert M. Sapolsky. It’s not that there are characters I’m caught up in, but rather that what I’m learning is creating a paradigm shift in how I see myself and the rest of world.
Happy reading this week.
That sounds fascinating! I love learning about human behaviour and psychology. It’s really interesting to understand why people are how they are, and what is possible to change and what is baked in! I tend to think that for most people there’s a lot more to understand if you’re paying attention, and there are patterns, too. Very interesting! I hope you’re enjoying your reading this week!
I hate it when I feel like I am simply going through the motions with a book. That happens all too often for me. I get frustrated with books that feel like they were written according to a formula; I can almost anticipate when the next jarring incident will happen. I’m so glad to hear that A House in the Country is working for you. I shall write down that title, though it doesn’t look like a book I am going to be able to find anywhere around me.
Some of my favorite nature books have been Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, American Wolf, and The Thing with Feathers. I’m always on the lookout for books about nature that I have not read yet. I want to read another Annie Dillard book soon.
Yeah, I have learned that if I feel that way about a book it’s not the right book or it’s not the right time. I have gotten better at putting it aside and moving on, and then possibly coming back to it later. I don’t tend to push myself through books I’m not feeling – life’s too short and there are too many other books waiting to be read! I finished A House in the Country and it didn’t disappoint. It doesn’t end in a formulaic fashion, so maybe not everyone would be satisfied with the ending, but I felt like it brought great character development and explored what different events and situations do to a person. It also shows how WWII impacted people and how everyday lives changed (and changed more if you weren’t wealthy, not much at all if you were). I’m marking down the three books you recommended – I’m always looking for more nature books to add to my TBR! Thank you!