A New Passion

I rediscovered the joy of reading and the world of other people's imaginations some time just after I got married. John and I used to read aloud to each other. This is something I really miss in our marriage.

He opened my eyes to the world of science fiction. We read some great books. Dune, The Blue Adept Series, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and several of the Harry Potter books to name a few. While we were living in Houston I was invited to join a Book Club. Only a handful of us consistently read the books. I felt so frustrated when the discussions were pushed to the side so that most could watch the less intellectually appealing television show, The Bachelor.

Turning 35 last June has sent me on a wonderful and difficult journey to discover more of who I am and who I want to be. I've tried harder to see the heart of people and to become more aware of God's beauty in unexpected places. Two of these new places are the world of blogging and the newly rediscovered joy of reading. I can't seem to read enough right now.

This year alone I've read Pride and Prejudice, My Antonia, The Kite Runner, 1000 White Women, Case Histories, and Hour Game. I'm currently reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I can't seem to read fast enough. I'm jealous of the minutes I lose to interruptions during my short lunch break because I look forward all morning to diving back into the latest story.

I thought that from time to time it would be fun to review some of the things I've read. Some stories impact me and stay with me. Others show promise but in the end feel like a let-down. Others are a fleeting moment of entertainment and nothing more.

Of the books I've read recently, Pride and Prejudice stands alone as the best book I've read. I knew nothing about the book going into it, but quickly entered a world I didn't want to leave. The characters came alive and felt so comfortable to me. I loved each of them, even the mother who is so easy to dislike. The courage of Elizabeth to stand up to a powerful and wealthy man made me cheer out loud. Imagining Mr. Darcy later cresting the hill at Pemberley took my breath away. A must-read for every woman.

I picked up Case Histories by Kate Atkinson in the airport in February. It started off strong and immediately grabbed my attention. I think Kate started off with a great concept but the stories collided too easily and the characters lost their appeal. Not a bad book, but it certainly wasn't my favorite.

I'm in a new Book Club here in Dallas, and thankfully, the women are serious about actually reading and reviewing each book. One of the appeals of a Book Club is getting to read books you might never choose on your own. 1000 White Women by Jim Fergus falls into this category. He builds a fictional story on the non-fictional request by the Cheyenne Indians to allow them to have 1000 white women in order to marry, procreate, and become part of the white man's culture. It is an interesting story line that is well written and well researched. I enjoyed the fictional journey.

I'm currently reading Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. I recently read another of her books, The Patron Saint of Liars. I enjoyed her writing in that book but was disturbed by the main character's absence of the ability to give her heart to others. I'm half way through Bel Canto and am enjoying both her writing and the story line. I'm anxious to see where she takes me. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks for indulging me. I've been wanting to share just a small piece of this new insatiable passion to read. If you want to know about any of the other books I mentioned or any that are on my "What I've Read Recently" list, let me know. Read some of them and then let's get together and compare notes.