Thursday, June 26, 2008

Hooked on ONE author

I often get hooked on one writer. I read one of their books, love it and I just HAVE to read everything else they’ve ever written. So, off I go to the library, check out the book and sit down in my favourite chair to be entertained. However, entertained isn’t always the case. Often when I read an author’s different books to close to each other, I get disappointed. It is probably not the book in itself; it is just me being tired of their way of writing. My solution: a system, where I write down all the books and authors I want to read, and save them for later. The list is long of writers and books I want to read, some of them are Alexander McCall-Smith, Stephen King, Philippa Gregory, Antony Beevor and the list goes on….
The Swedish author Kajsa Ingemarsson is one of the many writers I have on my list. After reading one of her books, I wanted to throw myself into all her other books, But I stopped myself and waited. It took me a couple of months before I picked up her next book and it was as good as the first one. Now I have to wait another couple of weeks (at least) before I pick up her third book.

To read one writer or one genre is good in a way, you feel safe and know what you get. But there is also the feeling of reading the same book over and over again. I think it is important to every now and then, take a chance and throw yourself into the unknown. Pick up an author or genre you haven’t read before. (I know I have used those same words, not long ago, but I really believe it) Explore the unknown, or simply do like my sister, join a book club and see what new books they will send you each month.
Josefine

My recommendations: Small yellow lemons by Kajsa Ingemarsson

Saturday, June 21, 2008

nobelprize.org

I was recommended a true treasure from a friend, the website of the Nobelprize. Here you can listen to some of the literature winners’ interviews, biographies, acceptance speeches etc. It is very fascinating to hear what they have to say about their books and their writings. I really liked Portrait of Doris Lessing.
Josefine

My recommendations:
the fifth child by Doris Lessing

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Summer reading II

It is this time of the year again. It is time for those lazy summer days spending the days in the hammock reading. Those lazy days when you have all the time in the world to enjoy a book and catching up on all the books you have neglected during the year.

My recommendation for this summer is to use your library. During the summer months at my local library, the expiration date for the books are longer, which makes it possible to go on long vacations without being stuck with late fees on my books.
Use your library to revisit old books you read in another period of your life and see what’s changed in them, or perhaps in you. If that isn’t interesting enough, take a leap into the unknown and find a new author or genre. If you can, unlike I, don’t make yourself go through a book if it is boring, put it down and find a new. This is a time for leisurely reading, not heavy plowing.
Josefine

My recommendations: The three musketeers by Alexandre Dumas