March 09, 2010

Time Off For Reading


I am having some minor surgery tomorrow and after that I will have a few days off work to recuperate where I will not really be able to do much but read (a chore for some but not me!). I have gazed over what is currently on my TBR pile and along with what I am currently reading I have picked out the above selections for possible good reads over this time - absorbing but maybe not too intense??


The White Garden - Stephanie Barron - Continuing on with my all things Woolf reading obsession as the moment!


Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson - This one sounds like such a beautiful read and I have heard lots of good things about it already.


The Hours - Michael Cunningham - See my point from the first book!


The Swan Thieves - Elizabeth Kostova - I have not read the author's first novel but the subject matter of this one does sound interesting to me.


What do people think? Have I made good selections? Are there other books you have read and loved recently that you might suggest?

16 comments:

verity said...

That looks like a good selection - I haven't read any of them but have seen a lot about Major Pettigrew (which just appeals to me because of Miss Pettigrew!)

I hope the surgery goes ok and you recover quickly

Anonymous said...

Great selection of books there. Good luck with the surgery, hope it all goes well and you recover soon.

Molly said...

I wish you a speedy recover! I know these glorious books will help pass the time. I loved Swan Thieves

JoAnn said...

Hope your recovery is quick! I loved The Hours, especially with Mrs. Dalloway so fresh in my mind. The White Garden and Major Pettigrew are both on my wish list.... doubt you could g wrong with any of these.

Claire (The Captive Reader) said...

A very nice selection. After reading Vanessa and Virginia, I'm also longing for more Woolf-related books. The Hours has been recommended to me, but not The Winter Garden. I have Major Pettigrew's Last Stand on hold at the library and can't wait for it to come in!

Best of luck with the surgery and may you have a speedy and uneventful recovery!

Anonymous said...

Ooooh you are going to love The Hours! I am envious of your time to read, though it's a shame it has happened because of your need for surgery...I hope all goes well and you recover speedily, and manage to enjoy your time off with your lovely pile of books.

Steph said...

They all look great! I think I might go with either of the first two you mentioned, simply because I think they're lighter and more fun than the latter two... After a surgery, minor or not, I'd hate a heavy book!

claire said...

Wish you a speedy recovery, Karen! Your pile looks wonderful. Have not read any of those but they all are titles I want to read at some point.

Unknown said...

I haven't read any of the ones you have in your pile, but am intrigued by The Swan Thieves as I enjoyed The Historian.

I hope that you recover soon having read son wonderful books.

Tara said...

Hope everything goes well - enjoy your reading time!

jspeyton said...

I think you have a great selection of books here! I seriously covet that "Major Pettigrew" book. I hope you like it. And you've reminded me that I need to get with my Virginia Woolf reading. I meant to do that at the beginning of the year and it's already March. Yikes!

I hope everything goes well with your surgery.


www.whosabiblioaddict.com

Anonymous said...

Best of luck with the surgery Karen.

The Hours is a beautifal homage to Mrs Dalloway, and a good book to read in one sitting. I enjoyed Kostova's The historian, so will be interested to hear about The Swan Thieves.

Stacy said...

I can't think of a better way to spend recovery time. Best wishes and hope you are back to 100% soon.

Anonymous said...

Good luck! I thought The Swan Thieves could've used a bit of editing, but it still held my interest.

Tamara said...

Take care of yourself Beautiful Friend. Looks like your off to a good start with this pile... let us know how it all goes.

Karen said...

Hi Verity - I must admit it was the name Pettigrew that jumped out for me with this one too!

Hi Simon - Thanks so much! All going well so far.

Hi Molly - thanks for the tip about Swan Thieves, it looks and sounds like a really interesting one.

Hi JoAnn - I'm thinking The Hours will resonate well with me too! Mrs Dalloway is definitely my favourite Woolf read so far.

Hi Claire - I did try to start The White Garden yesterday but it didn't capture my attention straight away...

Hi bookssnob - I know! It is a little sad that I have to have surgery in order to get some solid reading time!

Hi Steph - you are so right. I started out with The White Garden but ended up moving quickly over to Major Pettigrew - it was much more fitting for my reading mood and energies at the moment.

Hi Claire - thank you so much!

Hi Jackie - I was always interested in the premise of The Historian but I haven't actually gotten around to reading it as yet.

Hi Tara - thank you!

Hi jspeyton - I am absolutely loving Major Pettigrew (both the character and the actual book).

Hi adevotedreader - I am really looking forward to picking up The Hours - it will be on the agenda for the weekend I think.

Hi Book Psmith - I know, I am so glad I am a reading girl at times like this!

Hi softdrink - thanks for the tip - I thought it looked like a pretty big book!

Hi T - thank you so much for your love and support. xox