Two days I ago, I wrote about my reading slow down. Many of you could relate and/or had advice, and I promised to tell you what I had bought on my shopping spree. Since it has been a slow down (not a full stop) I still read each night, and on the weekend a bit during the days… but I’m used to reading for a couple to a few hours each night. That’s not happening right now. Some of you suggested it may be the fact that I am getting ready to go on a trip; that I’m already distracted so I don’t need to extra distraction of reading. I am very interested in that theory! In fact, it makes perfect sense! I’m going to pay attention and see if things change when I get home and there are no more trips on the horizon (this fall has had me going across and down the country and back… and now overseas). Clever, clever, you people. Thanks!
Here are the (door-stopping) books I bought the other day: (* = released in 2011)
- Before Versailles by Kathleen Koen: It is a fictional tale about Louis XIV (the one who built Versailles), though many say it reads like a biography because of the amount of valid information. *
- Katherine by Anya Seton: The fictional account of Katherine Swynford and the Duke of Lancaster in 14th century England. The story is littered with Plantegenats… the royal line that lead to the Tudors.
- My Life in France by Julia Child (audio): This non-fiction book chronicles Julia’s time in France, and the beginning of her career as a chef. The movie Julie and Julia was partly based on this work. (I am listening to it right now in the car.)
- Harbor by John Ajvide Lindqvist: Hailed as the Swedish Stephen King, Lindqvist weaves a tale about a six year-old who vanishes into thin air on a trip to a lighthouse. Two years later the father comes back looking for clues, which people (including his mother/ the child’s grandmother) have but are reluctant to tell. * (Newly released in the U.S.)
- Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie: Biography (by Pulitzer Prize winning author) of Catherine the Great, who transformed herself into Empress of Russia by sheer determination. *
- 11/22/63 by Stephen King: What if JFK didn’t die on November 22, 1963? What if, through a portal to the past, someone went back to thwart his assassin? What would have happened next? * (See Book Riot’s coverage of reviews of this title here.)
*****
Have you read any of these yet? Are any on your to-read list? If you hadn’t thought of these before, are you adding any to your list today?
I listened to my life in france and it was great!
What a great shopping spree. Lucky you. I’d try 11/22/63, as I’m anxious to read that myself.
Some of them look fabulous. I read the biography of Catherine the Great and LOVED it.
The Catherine the Great biography is on my list to read. I’m reading her memoirs right now.
Well, you know my answer. KING, baby.
11/22/63! I read a couple fantastic reviews from bloggers who received ARCs and I am dying to get a copy.
I have Before Versailles, Katherine, and Harbor…and the Stephen King book is on the way. When I will get to them is anyone’s guess. HaHa! Let the Right One In by Lindqvist was one of my favorites so I’m thinking it likely that I will get to that one first, but we shall see. Right now, I have a lot of Christmas reading coming up, along with review books.
Great haul, Wallace! I hope you enjoy each and every one.
I’ve not read any of them, but Harbour sounds pretty good
I loved My Life in France but am also really digging on 11/22/63. It’s not your typical Stephen King and I mean that in a good way…the walls don’t bleed or anything like that.
Will be excited to see which one you pick.