It’s been quite the weekend here at the So Many Books household. Had a nice lunch on Saturday with a couple of good friends. Crammed all my homework into Saturday morning and afternoon so I could have time to do other things like, I don’t know, read. I also waited for the end of the world but we all know that didn’t happen. What a disappointment. And I sat glued to the radio for about an hour this afternoon because there was a tornado in Minneapolis and I had to make sure it wasn’t heading my way. It wasn’t, it stayed north of downtown and I am south of downtown, but I have several friends, one of whom I had lunch with on Saturday, who live north. All my friends have not yet managed to check in so I am mildly worried while at the same time feeling sure that they must all be fine.
I did get to read this weekend. I have two books that I am supposed to be finished with by the end of next weekend but did I spend much time with either of those? Of course not! What I read instead, blew through really, was Shakespeare Wrote for Money by Nick Hornby. It is his last collection of Believer “What I’ve Been Reading” columns. I love his first two and requested this one from the library on a whim. I picked it up Thursday night and tried to parcel it out, but darn it, I just couldn’t.
I love Hornby’s essays, not because he talks about such good books, he does, but his reading taste tends to be a little different than mine and I’d say about half the books he writes about I have no interest in reading. But I like the way he writes about them. He loves books and reading and he has a marvelous sense of humor. I think it must be his sense of humor that I find so appealing.
That is not to say there aren’t a few books I have added to my TBR list after reading Hornby’s book. Here are the ones I thought sounded like I might like them:
- Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert. The book is about global warming and none too cheery.
- Fun Home by Alison Bechdel. This is a graphic novel memoir and Hornby raved about it so enthusiastically I have to give it a go.
- 1599 by James Shapiro. The book is nonfiction about the year 1599 not just in Shakespeare’s life but, by the sound of it, the social and political happenings of the time too.
- The Rights of the Reader by Daniel Pennac. It’s a book about the things adults do that discourage children from reading.
Has anyone read any of those books?
From Hornby I also learned about the Alex Award. These are ten books written for adults that might also appeal to young adults 12-18. The award is given every year and I can’t believe I haven’t heard of it before. The 2011 winners are up.
There is a little bit of weekend still left so I am off to enjoy it. Hope all of you had a good weekend!
I’ve read Fun Home and it is a fantastic memoir, clever, funny and touching. Definitely rave-worthy. I’ve been a fan of Bechdel for years and have a whole pile of Dykes To Watch Out For books, which I keep on a high shelf so as not to confuse visitors.
I tried to listen to 1599 but nonfiction is hard to follow on audio and anyway I found it a bit too speculative, like “Shakespeare may have eaten here…” I think I’d rather just read a straight history of the period. But perhaps I didn’t give the book enough of a chance.
I’ve a couple of Nick Hornby’s on my TBR boxes. Thanks to your post, now I know about The Believer magazine. I just clicked on its ‘Readers Survey’ and there’s this long list of ‘best novels’ voted by readers and the editors. So, now my TBR list is going to grow much longer very soon. In case you’ve missed it, here’s the link to their book list: http://www.believermag.com/issues/201005/?read=reader_survey
I hope your friends are all well.
The Rights of the Reader sounds interesting indeed. As a teacher I am interested in things people do to discourage learners. I have had teachers step between the chalkboard and firmly announce to the children that they don’t the content which I just wrote, much in the fashion a judge would direct a jury to strike testimony. Students often learn things beyond their ‘level’, telling them they don’t know something seems of ‘down the rabbit hole’ to me. Of course the students can decide for themselves if they know it or not. I’m hoping to have children of my own and I want them to be free of unneccesary discouragements.
’1599′ is the best non-fiction book I have ever read.
I’ve only read Fun Home (which I loved), but the others are on my tbr list because of Hornby as well. I miss reading his essays. He’s been writing for The Believer again, so I really hope there will be a fourth book at some point.
Sylvia, I couldn’t figure out why Bechdel’s name sounded so familiar but now I know it’s because of Dykes to Watch Out For! Personally, I’d keep those collections lower down on the shelves just to make people wonder
Glad to hear the graphic novel is really good. I think I must put in a request for it at the library now.
Arti, I had not seen that list so thanks for the link – I think
Bikkuri, thanks! They are slowly checking in and so far so good. It is interesting how people discourage learning however much they mean well and most of the time they have no idea the damage they are doing.
Annie, you know, as I reading Hornby’s gush about the book I thought, I bet Annie has read this! I am glad you have and that you found it to be so good!
Nymeth, two votes for Fun House. I will definitely have to get it from the library now! I was kind of sad when I finished Shakespeare Wrote for Money because I do like his essays so much. I am glad to hear he is writing for the Believer again and I will keep my fingers crossed for a new collection in the future.
I’m adding the Hornsby to my list. He’s a favorite anyway, but the title is also a draw.
Also like the sound of The Rights of the Reader!
Oh, I’m glad to hear someone else sits down with one of those Nick Hornby collections, planning to parcel it out, and has no self control. The Bechdel is probably my all-time favorite graphic work (if I don’t think too hard about which I like better: it or books in the Sandman collection).
I just sent you an email; glad you are okay!! All these sound so good. I didn’t enjoy her comic, but I am interested in Fun Home. I always like Hornby.
I hadn’t heard of any of those books other than Hornby’s but they’re going on my TBR list as well.
Oftentimes reading about a book is better than reading the book, oddly enough.
Jenclair, isn’t it a great title? The Rights of the Reader has a great appeal to it just from the title!
Emily, heh, I should have known I wouldn’t be able to parcel out Hornby. I wasn’t able to do it with the other ones. I suspected you had read Fun Home but I couldn’t remember for sure. It is on its way to me from the library even as I type.
Daphne, we’re good! Thanks for thinking of us!
Carrie, oh, do give the Believer collections a go. There are three of them and they are all lots of fun. I know exactly what you mean about how reading about a book is sometimes more fun than actually reading the book itself.
I think we have several more end of world possibilities coming up in the next few months in case you’re feeling too depressed.
I like Nick Hornby, too, and I also don’t always agree with his reading choices (rather he’s panned some of my favorites), but it’s still fun to read what other readers have to say about books–there is that shared experience of reading that brings people together even if actual favorite books, don’t. I’d love to read 1599–especially after seeing that other readers here loved it.
Pfff! It has been a while since I made a proper visit to your blog; I’m still catching up on posts (it sounds like my eternal song!). I’ve been thinking about you though, thinking about how excited you must be about the end of your course and your new freedom…
Daniel Pennac! He’s a great writer! I remember studying one of his novels when I was 13. That was a bit unconventional and the teacher’s principles resembled Pennac’s in many ways. She certainly did her best to make us enjoy the books we were studying. She actually begged us not to read the third chapter of Notre-Dame de Paris because she was worried we wouldn’t be able to read any further otherwise.
I look forward to hearing your comments on Pennac’s book.