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August 04, 2011

Speaking of Books


Since books and music are two of my dearest loves, it is a joy to discuss books with people who share an interest in reading. Terri wrote about reading on her blog Into The Mystic and her post inspired Rock Chef to write about reading on his blog The Spartan Rock Chef. Several of my regular readers posted about books since these two posts and I have been thinking of my books all along. Now I share some with you.

Some of my favorite books have been about subjects unfamiliar to me. For instance, one favorite book is "The Greatest Game Ever Played" by Mark Frost. The book about golfing could be a school textbook; however, the book is not a dull textbook. It has a thorough Index and follows the golf careers of Harry Vardon and Francis Ouimet with the results of extensive research and written so well that the reader is transformed to that era throughout the book. Students could learn much about determination and grit and dedication as well as cash in on the excellent writing ability of the author. Hubby and I each read the book and both liked it so much we rented the DVD. It doesn't work well to read a book and then see the movie; usually it means disappointment that some fun items were left out of the movie. Especially a book with so much history and information as The Greatest Game Ever Played. But the movie's passion and love of the game of golf brought the book to life.

Laura Hillenbrand's "Seabiscuit" taught me about horse racing in such detail that I never would have thought possible. The book held my interest every page and I neglected all else until I finished the book. This book is a keeper in our home. I have some absolute favorite books, some I have carried around from young adulthood, and "Seabiscuit" has joined that elite group. I have never been to a horse race in person, but when I was living alone the years before I met my hubby, I discovered the beauty of horse racing on my large plasma screen on the wall. Yes, I used to be one those and it was right before I met James that I stopped watching TV news and didn't turn the TV on every day. I was fascinated to see the beautiful colors and movement of the horses and the jockeys that were sometimes so close I could reach out and touch them. A couple years later I read "Seabiscuit", one of the best written and most interesting books for adventurous readers with a heart for real life.

A few years ago my older daughter gifted me with "One Thousand White Women" by Jim Fergus. I was captivated from the first page and limp as a noodle when I finished. Because I am interested in Native American culture, the added benefit was obvious. But the deep emotions of the book were a surprise to me and instead of being a downer, it was exhilarating. I quote Winston Groom, author of Forrest Gump:
"Jim Fergus knows his country in a way that's evocative of Dee Brown and all the other great writers of the American West and its native peoples. But One Thousand White Women is more than a chronicle of the old west. It's a superb tale of sorrow, suspense, exultation, and triumph that leaves the reader waiting to turn the page and wonderfully wrung out at the end."

"The Weeping Chamber" by Sigmund Brouwer tells a story that for me depicts Jesus the Messiah as people living in that time would have seen him. The book is in fact, about two men, one known as The Teacher and another looking for a miracle. Sigmund Brouwer is not a historian. The book "The Weeping Chamber" is a novel.

My hubby introduced Tony Hillerman's books to me in the first month of our courting. We have all of Hillerman's books on our shelves. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are now my friends, calming me with the mysteries these Navajo Tribal Policemen solve on the reservation. I say calming me because Hillerman's style is simple and clean; easy reading that incorporates native customs and traditions.

Reading is something I do throughout every day. I always have. If I had an appointment, I carried the current book with me and would disappear into what I was reading while waiting. I had audio books in the car that would carry me away from the traffic jams in California. Books have been my friends since I was four years old. One book I have had since then. It is too old and brittle to read but it is still with me.

23 comments:

Ms. A said...

I miss reading books. I read on the computer throughout the day, but haven't cracked a book in ages.

Arnab Majumdar said...

Books have a way of taking you to places that you've never visited, to a time when you didn't exist. I read a book like that recently - Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie, and it has quickly become one of my personal favourites, something that I'll surely recommend if you enjoy reading books. It gave a whole new perspective to Indian independence, and the many struggles that came along with the responsibilities.

I think every person who likes to read books has one special book that they can't leave for their whole life, however far they may wander or however old they may grow. For me, that book is White Fang by Jack London. I read it the first time some 12 years ago, and I've read that book once every year since. There's so much to learn from the simplicity and primordial nature of the wilderness.

Cheers,
Joy...

CiCi said...

Ms.A, I could do without my computer but not my books. Of course I would use hubby's computer occasionally. Ha.

Arnab Majumdar, nice to meet another book lover. You sound like a true reader, delving into the story and enjoying the adventure. Glad to meet you.

Arnab Majumdar said...

That feeling is mutual. It's always nice to meet another impassioned reader, especially someone who can word their emotions about the subject so well.

Hope to see you again :)

Cheers,
Joy...

Brian Miller said...

nice...have been an avid reader since i was little...my FIL is as well...he is the one that introed me to Hilleman...have read most as well.

♥ Braja said...

Honey, how funny our posts are the same topic...i didn't notice til I went thru my Dash....well...similar... :)

Books vs Kindle....I'm just tired of hearing of how people love books, as if having a Kindle means one doesn't any longer love the feel of a book, the treat of a book....

Gary's third pottery blog said...

yeah, Tony hillerman was fantastic, he just passed away a short time ago, sadly!

DJan said...

I love to read, too. It's been hard for me to get into a book on a computer screen. My sister loves her Kindle, but I spend enough time in front of a screen, I like to handle a book. Right now I'm reading Annie Proulx short stories (Heart Songs) and just finished reading "Shelter Me" by a new author (don't remember her name). I'm going back to read some old favorites after this...

Jeanie said...

I always have a book with me and I always love having a good one (or a few) new ones suggested to read. I will look for the ones you have written about.

Bossy Betty said...

I also enjoyed "Seabiscuit" and "A Thousand White Women" I will check out the others on your list!

Kristina P. said...

I have to admit that I really don't read anymore. I'm not sure why. I used to read constantly, and then when I started college, I just didn't have the time and never picked it back up again.

Anonymous said...

I've always been the same way about books. It's tough to find time these days, but I carve out a few minutes every morning and always carry what I'm reading with me if I'm headed to a waiting room. My greatest joy was introducing my children to my favorite books and seeing them grow into addicted readers as well.

Bill Lisleman said...

Do you prefer non-fiction? I do. Truth stranger that fiction - often turns out that way.
I just picked up a book at the library titled "Sex on six legs" by Marlene Zuk - about the strange and wonderful world of insects.

Jeni said...

Like you, I've always loved -and I do mean LOVED to read -but my reading has taken a direct hit for quite a long time now due mainly to my obsession with embroidery for the most part and recently, due to the cookbook project of our women's group at our church. Can't read and do those things simultaneously, ya know. However, in conversation on the phone with one of my cousins she mentioned "Seabiscuit" to me as well as another book too -"The Help" -both of which I am going to tell my daughters to be sure to try to search them out and they can give those books to me for my birthday -coming up about 2 months from now. Maybe I'll figure out a way to scrounge some extra reading time over the winter months? It could happen!

Unknown said...

I just love reading. Unfortunately...sometimes I put it on the back burner of things I want to do in my free time. I have no idea why. I think because I hate getting interrupted when I read, and you know the kids....forever interrupting.

Such a great books. Thanks for sharing what you are currently enjoying.

Big Dave T said...

I just don't have the patience to sit and read though my wife is a big reader--mostly women's fiction. She likes books about the old west too.

Robert the Skeptic said...

I am not the avid reader I should be. Reading is actually difficult for me as, if the story or information is not wholly compelling, my mind tends to drift. The next thing I know I have "read" several pages and have no recollection of what it is I just read. I have to go back and consciously re-read it. This has been a lifelong struggle for me.

Stacy Uncorked said...

I love getting lost in a book! When I was growing up, if you couldn't find me right away, check the pine trees out back and I'd be way up high with my nose in a book. ;) I've been able to start devouring books again since the hubby got me a Kindle for my birthday - I'll definitely be checking out some of these titles! :)

Spin: Let's Talk Cock...atiel!

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

If only my vision would let me read more. You are fortunate.

terri said...

Thanks for sharing some of your favorites! Now I have a few more to add to my "must read" list.

I just finished "A Thousand Splendid Suns" and loved it so much I bought "The Kite Runner" and am almost done with that one too.

I don't remember what book I wrote about on my blog. It was probably "The Pillars of the Earth" which was easily one of my favorite books ever.

Dave King said...

One Thousand White Women is the one which seems to commend itself to me.

Tabitha.Montgomery said...

I've loved books since I learned to read as a young girl.I will always love BOOKS and reading.I have taught this to my kids..I hope they always have books around them..even as the Ebook fab takes hold,there is always wonderful finds within the hardcover or paperback .. somewhere :)

Syd said...

Books are awesome. We have a library that houses most of our books and then other rooms have book cases. They are a huge part of our lives. I think that I would like Sea Biscuit because of my love for horses.