Not much reading time this weekend. Well, there was reading but it was almost all for school. And there was lots of time doing research on the internet for my next school assignment, four very short–only two hundred words each–reviews of digital repositories. I found some great book sites in the process that I will post links for, and I may post one or two of my reviews as I finish them through the week.
In fun reading it seems short is good. I managed to get caught up on my Bookforum magazines, finishing April/May and the summer issue. Perhaps later in the week when I am desperate for a topic I will post a list of the books I am lusting after.
Actual book reading–I’m slowly working my way through Rosemary Sutcliff’s Sword at Sunset. It is an Arthurian epic based in historical fact. I borrowed it from the library not realizing how fat the thing is so it will take me a little while to get through. It is good, but so far a little slow since everything is getting set up. We’ve got the Companions all fairly well established and we finally have the character who in other books is known as Merlin but in this one is Gwalchmai. I have not reached the point of meeting the woman who we recognize as Guinevere. Oh yes, and he–Arthur/Artos–has already made the mistake of sleeping with his half sister. He did not know it was his sister, but she did. She drugged him and seduced him because she hated Artos’ father for using and then abandoning her mother. Artos finds all this out afterwards and is shocked and violently ill and knows that it will one day come back to haunt him. So there is that.
I am also reading When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodron. I’ve always meant to read her ever since I saw her on Bill Moyers’ PBS show Speaking of Faith a few years ago. Chodron is a Buddhist nun. Buddhism has long held a certain resonance for me. I decided to pick this up after Daphne mentioned it on her blog and because my Bookman is currently having an MS relapse that is affecting his ability to get a good night’s sleep which then just drags him down into a cycle of physical and mental fatigue that is difficult to recover from. And since he isn’t sleeping well, neither am I. The book is quite thought provoking and offers an approach to difficulties that encourages you to face them head on with eyes wide open. It is not a comforting book. It is a book that offers a path to wisdom that requires one take full responsibility for one’s personal way of being in the world. I am sure I will have much to say once I finish the book.
I’m picking up the book again tomorrow – it’s certainly an interesting perspective. I’m so sorry Bookman is having a rough go — I certainly empathize with both of you!
I also love Arthurian anything, so will be interested in how that books goes…
I can’t remember if you’ve mentioned this before but have you read The Art of Happiness? I found it quite inspirational. I’ve been meaning to read something by Pema Chodron but just haven’t gotten around to it yet. I look forward to your thoughts on that one.
Sending Mr. Bookman some healing vibes!
Daphne, thanks! I know you can relate. Sword at Sunset just got to a really good part. I think if you like Arthurian anything you will like this. I’ll let you know for sure when I’m done.
Iliana, good memory! I read The Art of Happiness at Work last summer/fall. It was quite good and helped me cope with my job until I found one at a library. And thanks for the good vibes!
I’m sorry to hear things have been difficult for your Bookman. I hope his sleeping patterns and energy levels improve. The Chodron book sounds really good. I’m interested in Buddhism as well, and I like the idea of a book about dealing with difficult times that isn’t necessarily comforting and doesn’t rush to offer easy answers. I’m looking forward to hearing more.
Strange as it may seem, last year I opened ‘When things fall apart’ and read the first seven lines (in dutch that is) about her taking a sabbatical.
After thinking ‘Okay this is what this book has to tell me’, I closed it and put it back on the shelf. Since then I try to live – within my personal circumstances and possibilities – what to me seemed the essence of those lines. Paradoxically it is – of course – hard work.
I am looking forward to your review now.