The book I'm currently reading
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- Freedom by Jonathan Franzen. It's taken me more than a week, and I put most of that down to the fact it's a physically big and hardback book, so it's a bigger deal to cart in and out of work and it's harder to find a comfy position to read it in bed. I'm enjoying it a fair bit - the complicated characters, the echoes and themes that resonate. But with 70 pages to go, I've not yet clocked why it's the next/latest Great American Novel.
The last book I finished
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- Annabel, and I posted a brief review here.
The next book I want to read
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- The Finkler Question - I've read the rest of the Booker shortlist, and think I'm good and ready for the winner now. I hope it's good, because I enjoyed Long Song and Room but found the others a bit meh, really.
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- I'm also going to be rereading American Wife in the next week or so - having pressed it on my book group girls, I want to make sure I'm really well prepped with some good questions and thoughts to prompt the chat.
The last book I bought
Scenes from an Impending Marriage - for one of my best mates. She's well up for the prospect of being married to her lovely man for ever but The Joyful Event is turning into a bit of a monster - most of my job seems to be to offer food, alcohol and a bit of mockery (as well as doing the make-up on the big day). I'm hoping she'll enjoy the story and he'll like the fact its in cartoon form...
The last book I was given
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American Wife looks fascinating - these lists are giving me so many ideas and many new blogs to look at. Mine: http://bookforgetter.blogspot.com/2011/05/one-book-two-books.html
ReplyDeleteI've had American Wife on my bookshelf for a while now - maybe it's time to move it a bit higher on the pile! I'm waiting for Freedom in paperback, but will definitely be reading it. The Finkler Question ... I'm still not sure whether or not I liked it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely everyone seems to be reading Annabel... which usually means I'll get around to it in three years' time!
ReplyDeleteI've heard some wonderful things about Annabel on a Guardian Books podcast and I absolutely love the cover for American Wife.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it terrible when happy event planning just ends up being a nightmare? We ditched our original plans midway and threw a wedding together in three weeks because I just couldn't take it any more. All the best to your friend!
Thanks for the comments, friends. I can really really recommend both American Wife and Annabel - do move them up the pile or try to get round to them soon. Both are good to read and really thoughtprovoking too.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving this survey going round all the blogs - it's interesting to see the combinations of books that it brings together, and definitely fuelling up my TBR pile a bit.
Darlene - I'm not married or expecting to be soon, but it does strike me there's an awful lot to be said for taking your parents and two best mates to a registry office then out for dinner. I love weddings and all the palaver as a guest, but I do think sometimes we end up losing sight of what matters...
I loved American Wife. I enjoyed the Franzen but just like you, could not for the life of me understand why it was being billed as the work of a Wunderkind. I mean, it was good, but not that good. I'd also like to read The Finkler Question - Tescos were carrying it when I went shopping, and I expect I'll give in next time I go...
ReplyDeleteWhat a great selection! The first book is simply yet cleverly illustrated and 'Impending Marriage' sounds like fun. All the best for your friend... they're lucky to have you on hand for support :-)
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