Middlemarch Conquered

Middlemarch Conquered!

Finally!

4. Middlemarch [1872] by George Eliot (aka Mary Anne or Marian Evans) [Kindle].


Why did I never read this book before? It seems odd at age 50 to be reading Middlemarch for the first time. And, of course, it took me a month, mostly reading at bedtime and occasionally on weekends. Books never take a month for me to read! However, even in its length it is satisfying. How could the full essence of Middlemarch, much less the complete understanding of its characters and their relationships and inter-relationships, be understood in a shorter work? Inconceivable!

Middlemarch includes characters to admire, to entertain, to repulse, and just about every other response. The relationships (romantic, familial, neighborly, business, etc.) are complex and interesting and, at times, infuriating.  I will not be so cruel as to include spoilers here.  Clearly, this book is a masterpiece.

When I began reading this book I was also reading The Dispossessed by Ursula LeGuin. Why would I even mention that? What could these books written a century apart and of very different genre have in common? Amazingly, some of the early statements made by male characters in Middlemarch are so very chauvinistic (much to be expected in the Victorian period perhaps) that their striking similarity to statements by male characters in The Dispossessed living on the planet Urras nearly bowled me over. Some themes, even profoundly negative themes, are ridiculously universal. No doubt George Eliot would have approved Ursula Le Guin completely, given opportunity for acquaintance.

But, I digress. If you have not read Middlemarch, you should. Although reading it in short bits in the evening as I mostly did is not the suggested method!

Still reading

I am still reading several books but almost finished with the first listed.

11. The Knitting Book [2011] by Frederica Patmore and Vikki Haffenden [hardcover].
14. The Wreath [1920] by Sigrid Undset, translated by Tiina Nunnally [Kindle].

15. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up [2010] by Marie Kondo [iBooks].

I have started another book, right on the tail of Middlemarch, for obvious reasons:

16. My Life in Middlemarch [2014] by Rebecca Mead [audiobook].

This is a memoir by a journalist about how her love of Middlemarch travels with her through life. She include copious amounts of information about George Eliot, her writing, her life, and how her characters were drawn, at times, from her acquaintances. It's quite interesting so far.

Open for Suggestions!

While I started compiling a potential 2015 reading list a couple of months ago, it is not written in stone and I am open for suggestions. Several of my friends have given me specific suggestions or links to lists of excellent books. Keep them coming!

I could use something light to read or something happy...?

Books Completed in 2015

I have read (or listened to) ten books so far in 2015!Here is a list of completed books with links to their info page on Goodreads and to the reviews I have written on Goodreads and Amazon (or Audible).

1. Among Others [2011] by Jo Walton [Kindle]. 5/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
2. Knitting for Beginners [2014] by Susan Wilters [Kindle]. 2/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
5. The Story of My Life [1902] by Helen Keller [Kindle] 4/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
7. At Risk [2004] by Stella Rimington [audible.com audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible].
6. The Dispossessed [1974] by Ursula Le Guin [Kindle]. 5/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
3. Interpreter of Maladies [1999], short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri [audiobook]. [review: Goodreads]
9. The Handmaid's Tale [1985] by Margaret Atwood [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
8. The Lady Astronaut of Mars [2012] by Mary Robinette Kowal [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
10. Americanah [2013] by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche [audible.com audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible]
12. If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O [1990] by Sharyn McCrumb [Audible Audio] [review: Goodreads; Audible]
13. The Riddle-Master of Hed [1976] by Patricia A. McKillip [Audible Audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible]
4. Middlemarch [1872] by George Eliot (aka Mary Anne or Marian Evans) [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]


I suppose I also have to decide whether to number these in the order finished or in the order started? Decisions, decisions...  Numbers can be so confusing for me...

Fantastic Fantasy

Fantastic Fantasy!

Friday, I finished this audiobook:

13. The Riddle-Master of Hed [1976] by Patricia A. McKillip [Audible Audiobook]

Oh my. Much to think on. Much to consider.  There are wizards, sort of. And harpists. And shape shifters. And, all manner of odd unaccountable beings and events. It's a bit confusing at first, but parts of the story are also ordinary, such as farmers taking their goods to trade, traders moving goods from place to place, and so forth.  So many things or persons are not what they seem! Exciting!

This is my first experience with this author and it was quite enjoyable. The story is creative and compelling and the protagonist is interesting and also developing as he encounters new and sometimes completely puzzling and unusual events.

Bravo!

I listened to this book on audible and will probably read it again on my Kindle eventually to be sure I have understood the major parts before moving on in the series. This is the first in a trilogy and I will surely read all three eventually.

Still reading

I am still reading several books but almost finished with the first two listed.

4. Middlemarch [1872] by George Eliot (aka Mary Anne or Marian Evans) [Kindle].

11. The Knitting Book [2011] by Frederica Patmore and Vikki Haffenden [hardcover].

14. The Wreath [1920] by Sigrid Undset, translated by Tiina Nunnally [Kindle].

15. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up [2010] by Marie Kondo [iBooks].

Open for Suggestions!

While I started compiling a potential 2015 reading list a couple of months ago, it is not written in stone and I am open for suggestions. Several of my friends have given me specific suggestions or links to lists of excellent books. Keep them coming!

I could use something light to read or something happy...?

Books Completed in 2015

I have read (or listened to) ten books so far in 2015!Here is a list of completed books with links to their info page on Goodreads and to the reviews I have written on Goodreads and Amazon (or Audible).

1. Among Others [2011] by Jo Walton [Kindle]. 5/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
2. Knitting for Beginners [2014] by Susan Wilters [Kindle]. 2/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
5. The Story of My Life [1902] by Helen Keller [Kindle] 4/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
7. At Risk [2004] by Stella Rimington [audible.com audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible].
6. The Dispossessed [1974] by Ursula Le Guin [Kindle]. 5/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
3. Interpreter of Maladies [1999], short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri [audiobook]. [review: Goodreads]
9. The Handmaid's Tale [1985] by Margaret Atwood [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
8. The Lady Astronaut of Mars [2012] by Mary Robinette Kowal [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
10. Americanah [2013] by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche [audible.com audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible]
12. If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O [1990] by Sharyn McCrumb [Audible Audio] [review: Goodreads; Audible]
13. The Riddle-Master of Hed [1976] by Patricia A. McKillip [Audible Audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible]

I suppose I also have to decide whether to number these in the order finished or in the order started? Decisions, decisions...  Numbers can be so confusing for me...

Reading is fun. Listening is fun, too.

Reading is fun. Listening is fun, too.
I have finished a few books this week... I am now reading books on Kindle, in hard copy, in iBooks, and listening to books via Audible (mostly using my phone). Viva technology!

Americanah


I adored this book. Seriously adored it.

10. Americanah [2013] by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche [audible.com audiobook].


A colorful and tempestuous story about race, culture, immigration, family ties, finding oneself, and love, not necessarily in that order. The author paints with a kaleidoscope of words the feelings, thoughts, and actions of two young Nigerians and their families and friends, over many years. At once breathtaking, funny, extraordinary, and ordinary, it draws the reader/listener into a whole world, a whole culture, and then pulls through to the clash of cultures, and more.

A splendid book full of pulsing emotions and words of wisdom. The author reminds us that life is messy, decisions are unclear, and our paths never seem to go the way we expect.

I listened to the audiobook on Audible (Recorded Books company). The narrator is lovely and talented, using a variety of accents and voices to convey the characters across three different countries and continents.

If you haven't read this book, or listened to this audiobook, start now.

A Southern Mystery

12. If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O [1990] by Sharyn McCrumb [Audible Audio].

This is little mystery with interesting characters that might be found in any small southern town. Interesting characters, a tie to events 20 years old, a class reunion, and small town crimes. A good read.

The female characters could be better created, but the main male characters are interesting. The narrative is set in the mid 1980s but refers to events of the mid 1960s and the Vietnam War.

I listened to it on audible. The narrator was pretty good.  I have been told by others who have read many more in this series that this is the most ordinary one, and the later books are much better. This one was good enough, no doubt, not least because I enjoy mystery and Southern settings.  The series currently includes ten books.

Interestingly, this author uses a similar opening to each chapter as that used by George Eliot in Middlemarch. Each chapter opens with a quotation of some sort.


Marching through Middlemarch

Finally, I feel like I will actually finish Middlemarch eventually! Yea!

4. Middlemarch [1872] by George Eliot (aka Mary Anne or Marian Evans) [Kindle].

I have made more progress reading Middlemarch (40% read). I am mostly reading it at night in bed. Eliot spends a few chapters weaving the tapestry around a character or a few related characters then starts bringing in a new character every few chapters. This book has many many interesting characters!


Knit Wit

I am also still working my way through this knitting book, now mostly learning about techniques that are too advanced for me so far.

11. The Knitting Book [2011] by Frederica Patmore and Vikki Haffenden [hardcover].

The photos in this book are exquisite and enlightening. The instructions not so much, which might just be a reflection of my lack of knowledge.  They have inspired me to try some new knitting techniques, though.

More books

I have started several more books in various modes.

13. The Riddle-Master of Hed [1976] by Patricia A. McKillip [Audible Audiobook]

This is a book of fantasy based in a land of riddles.

 

14. The Wreath [1920] by Sigrid Undset [Kindle].

This is a book of historical fiction based on Norse sagas and folktales. I checked it out of the UAFS library and read the first chapter but my friend Margaret tells me the more modern translation is much better so I've downloaded it on Kindle. This author won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1928. This work is part of a trilogy that is sometimes printed as one book called Kristin Lavransdatter. The author was Norwegian.

15. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up [2010] by Marie Kondo [iBooks].

 

Several of my friends have suggested this book as presenting a totally different way to think about decluttering. I have downloaded it on my iPads in iBooks. The author is Japanese.  This will be a pretty quick read.

Open for Suggestions!

While I started compiling a potential 2015 reading list a couple of months ago, it is not written in stone and I am open for suggestions. Several of my friends have given me specific suggestions or links to lists of excellent books. Keep them coming!

I could use something light to read or something happy...?

Books Completed in 2015

I have read (or listened to) ten books so far in 2015!Here is a list of completed books with links to their info page on Goodreads and to the reviews I have written on Goodreads and Amazon (or Audible).

1. Among Others [2011] by Jo Walton [Kindle]. 5/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
2. Knitting for Beginners [2014] by Susan Wilters [Kindle]. 2/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
5. The Story of My Life [1902] by Helen Keller [Kindle] 4/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon].
7. At Risk [2004] by Stella Rimington [audible.com audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible].
6. The Dispossessed [1974] by Ursula Le Guin [Kindle]. 5/5 stars [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
3. Interpreter of Maladies [1999], short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri [audiobook]. [review: Goodreads]
9. The Handmaid's Tale [1985] by Margaret Atwood [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
8. The Lady Astronaut of Mars [2012] by Mary Robinette Kowal [Kindle]. [review: Goodreads; Amazon]
10. Americanah [2013] by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche [audible.com audiobook] [review: Goodreads; Audible]
12. If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O [1990] by Sharyn McCrumb [Audible Audio] [review: Goodreads; Audible]

I suppose I also have to decide whether to number these in the order finished or in the order started? Decisions, decisions...  Numbers can be so confusing for me...