New books!
The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate. Nancy Mitford. Am I the only one who's never read a book by a Mitford?
Darkmans. Nicola Barker. I know some thought this one should have beat out the Enright for the Booker.
The God Delusion. Richard Dawkins. I'm glad I waited for the paperback; Dawkins responds to negative reviews the hardback received in a new preface. No mention of Marilynne Robinson's smackdown, however. . .
The Country of the Pointed Firs. Sarah Orne Jewett. For one of my many reading challenges.
Goldberg: Variations. Gabriel Josipovici. Josipovici's name has shown up on various blogs the last couple of years and in a manner that's always left me feeling intimidated. I decided to see if that intimidation is warranted.
An Absolute Gentleman. R.M. Kinder. A review copy. I've read the first few pages and am waiting for time to pull a marathon reading session. I have an impression it's that sort of book.
The People of the Book. Geraldine Brooks. It's gorgeous!
I just picked up Brooks's novel as well. And now Barker's is on my list! You have some great reading ahead of you.
ReplyDeletePut me down as another never having read a Mitford book...great looking stack of books.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to get my hands on The People of the Book.
ReplyDeleteDo I remember correctly that you recently read Tree of Smoke? I can't find any posts about it. I received a copy for Christmas and it's waiting on my nightstand.
Yes, I read it in December and then got involved for awhile (in comments on another blog) in a ridiculous argument over whether Johnson was racist (as Myers had said) for having a black character named Black Man in the book. I maintained he wasn't, and that I liked that character, two views which evidently reveal what an awful awful person I am.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to reread portions of Tree of Smoke after I read The Quiet American.
Lucky lucky you to be a Mitford virgin. What delights await you! I must have read "Love in a cold climate" a dozen times over the years. The delightfully, fluffy-with-an-edge first half is especially wonderful. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it! I've got Hons and Rebels on hand to read as well.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great stack of books! I'm very curious about the new Brooks book. And there's absolutely no need to be intimidated by the Josipovici -- it's really not a difficult read.
ReplyDeleteI'm another who's never read a Mitford book. In fact, I'd never even heard of her until about two minutes ago. Again, I'm going to echo Sam and say that I think you have a great looking stack of books there. I didn't know THE GOD DELUSION was out in paperback. I'm going to have to look into that. Happy reading!
ReplyDeletePretty books! I haven't read a Mitford books either so you are not alone! I hope you like Country of the Pointed Firs. I think you will.
ReplyDeleteDid you get Darkmans here in the US? I ILL'd it, but they didn't give enough time for me to read the whole thing (no renewels--very bad of them). The Brooks is a lovely book, and you're going to love Mitford! I think I will have to order something by Josipovici as no one locally seems to have him and my library only has his criticism. Don't you love getting books in the mail!
ReplyDeleteYes, Darkmans is out in the US now. I ordered it online since I had gift certificates, but I spotted it in Borders last week.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not the last to read the Mitfords and particularly glad to hear that Josipovici isn't going to be too much for me.
I've never read Mitford either, but then that's one reason I love coming here: the inspiration alone is worth the trip!
ReplyDeleteI have the same Mitford book, and I admit to buying it because it was pretty (and the name is intriguing!). I read the first work in it, but before I read the rest I intend to study the Mitfords more first. It seems like most of her work was somewhat of an inside joke based on their family, and that knowledge of their family history is needed to fully appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteIsn't there an entire Mitford industry? I spotted a new book of Mitford correspondence when I was in Borders earlier in the week.
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