We Like Books

This summer has provided ample evidence of our literary love. Libby and I have always read together, though not so much this summer as before. We've also been reading a lot indvidually. Some comments on our pleasures:

1. James Herriot

Libby read all of his books for the first time this summer, and found them very enjoyable. I am pleased, as they are some of my favorite light reading from my childhood. I can never read these books too many times, and I think Libby feels the same way. He has a way of finding the good and humorous in every situation.

2. Harry Potter

Libby began this series for the first time, and I've been doing my first re-read in her wake. I bought her all the first five books for her birthday, and I already had the sixth from last July. I'm really looking forward to her finishing that one, so we can talk about it. I'm not convinced their great literature, but they sure are fun. Great, interesting characters, good plots, and a strong moral system (sometimes interesting and challenging) make these books hard to put down. I am bursting for the seventh.

3. Jane Austen

I finished up her corpus this summer. My favorite is Pride and Prejudice, with Emma runner up. The rest are very, very good. Northanger Abbey provided unique Austen entertainment. Libby and I listened to that one on our way to and from the cabin in July. She also listened to Persuasion on her way to and from work, while I read it at home. Back to Northanger Abbey: funny! Great humor, but her characters were inconsistent. There is definite development in the later novels. Persuasion was similarly a bit set apart. First, it was shorter. Second, its plot arc was totally different - perhaps more mature, but I missed some of the vitality. Mansfield will probably be dull for all but those who love Austen.

Of course, much more can be said about each work. I will re-read them many, many times.

4. Cowboys

I read a bunch of Louis L'amour and a few Zane Grey (off the internet) books. They were fun, light, and quick. They're not really very good, though.

5. Hemmingway

Libby also listened to a Hemmingway novel on tape during her commutes. I don't recall the title. Farewell to Arms? I have never read it.

Currently:

Libby is working her way through the fourth Potter. She's got a lot on her plate for awhile, so that might be delayed. You know, she has a class to prepare for and run. I'm currently working through Moby Dick and Jane Eyre. Both are entertaining - I have my reservations about Jane Eyre, but it seems very good.

Perhaps more later if the muse strikes.