I haven’t had much time to blog lately, in fact I think this is the first time I’ve turned on my computer in almost a week. There hasn’t been anything major occupying my time, just the little tasks, chores and time-wasters of life that have eaten up my hours. And I’ve been reading a lot. I’ve entered an obsessive phase and can’t stop reading and reading about American women writers from the 30’s-60’s. Carson McCullers, Jean Stafford, Katherine Anne Porter, Shirley Jackson, Mary McCarthy, Sylvia Plath, etc. I’m reading their works and have printed out lots of academic articles from the databases at the library about their art and their lives. You’ll probably see more about them here in the future.
I also finished this month’s book group book, A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki, have almost finished My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff and am deliberating possibilities for Paris in July.
What are you obsessing over/reading this week?
A Certain Fondness 
I go through similar phases with the Lost Generation; Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Ford etc.. and the with post-war 50s/60s American writers like Yates adn O’Hara. So addictive.
Currently, however, I am obsessing over The Secret History, I think Donna Tartt is now my point of reference/comparison as to whether any other book is written well or not.
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Oh, I’ve definitely gone through a Lost Generation phase myself – so fascinating!
I like Donna Tartt, but can’t love her, though I did really enjoy both The Secret History and The Goldfinch.
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How come you can’t love her? Is there something that makes you take a step back from that? I have that with a lot of authors and books my friends adore.
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I think it is the drug use in her books. It is one of my pet peeves and makes me squeamish.
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I am on the final straight of my college course so finishing and revising course work is taking over all my time…including that I would usually want to spend on reading! Oh well will soon be all over and then I can read over the Summer holidays.
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Good luck, Jessica! I’m sure you probably can’t wait for your summer holidays.
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I am in a Civil War phase again, reading a book about Lincoln’s secretaries, and re-watching the PBS series. But I am starting to crave something completely different, maybe it’s time for some Mary Stewart.
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It’s always a good time for Mary Stewart! I haven’t had a Civil War phase in quite a while – I wonder if I’ll ever have one again?
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I still haven’t decided what to read for Paris in July!
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I haven’t either, JoAnn! I’m certain about Francoise Sagan and Georges Simenon, but beyond that I don’t know. My library doesn’t have many translated books, unfortunately.
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I took a moment to figure out how to read my university library’s ebooks on my iPad, and now I am obsessed with reading as many academic monographs as my university library carries. THERE ARE SO MANY I AM SO EXCITED.
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How exciting! I don’t have access to the local university’s databases or other resources, but I’ve definitely thought about paying the yearly fee to get them.
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You’re definitely on a roll there. After a mini slump I think I’m starting to get back into things. I read The Fault In Our Stars yesterday and am looking forward to whatever book I choose next. Sharing what you’ve found in the library would make a great read 🙂
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I listened to The Fault in Our Stars back when it first came out and was impressed. Any book that can make me laugh AND cry is a treat. I’ll try to gather my thought on the articles I’ve been reading – mostly about Jean Stafford – and see if I have enough to talk about without boring everyone!
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