Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel
Let the Great World Spin Colum McCann
New Collected Poems Eavan Boland
Prizes: The Selected Stories of Janet Frame Janet Frame
Carver: Collected Stories Raymond Carver
Don Quixote Miguel de Cervantes (with Stu at Winston's Dad's blog)
The Prime Minister Anthony Trollope
Middlemarch George Eliot (with Nymeth)
That's just the tip of the iceberg. I really don't even want to tell you how many books are on my totally unrealistic, quixotic summer reading list.
Finally, a pop quiz: I hear the siren song of the e-book. What do you think, dear readers? Do you have an e-book? If so, Kindle or Nook? Do I succumb during the dual temptations of summer and a price war between the two brands? Do I really just need someone to talk me down?
28 comments:
"Note to self: pay attention to husband." You are too funny.
Great summer reading list. I love Middlemarch.
As far as an ereader, I secretly want a nook. But when it really comes down to it, if you can choose a book from your huge TBR list or to download a new one on your ereader, what would you choose? After I took a look at the 20+ books on my night stand, I decided I didn't need an ereader just yet.
You know you're reading too much when your husband starts to whine for attention! They usually are so good at living in their own worlds!
I am excited to see if you like the the girl with the dragon tattoo!
I cannot get used to my I-pad which I have had for about a month and even though I have downloaded the kindle and e-reader free apps and so many free classics, I still have not used it. I miss the feel of the book.
I am really struggling with whether or not to get a Nook. Of course, I have over 500 books on my shelves still waiting to be read, so I just can't justify it.....
I...do not like e-books. I love books as an art-form, and the rise of e-books seem to herald their death.
Doesn't help that I plan on becoming a librarian. ;)
I love Don Quixote, I really hope you will enjoy reading it!
As for the ereaders, I received a nook as a christmas gift this past year. Because of this, I'm not one to tell you if the price is worth it, but I can say that mine froze (on the first page of my really exciting book) within two months of receiving it. A friend has one too and she had to get hers replaced within a few months, as well.
I can say that I did read an entire book on the nook, and after the first 40 pages I eventually got used to the format. In the end, the story transcends the format.
I'm an old fashioned girl. I need the feel of a book in my hands, going to the library, getting that email that tells you your reserved book is in! I like having my bookcase well stocked, a few stacks on the nightstand. I just don't get what you do with those books after you pay,download and read. Then what, can't pass them to a friend!
Enjoy Don Quixote. It can be a slow read at times, but well worth the effort. I've been hypnotized lately with e-book readers as well. I never could see myself using one, but I've been playing with them in the stores and while visiting with my parents (my dad got a Sony Reader last Christmas). I'm starting to understand the appeal of being able to carry around a hundred books in something the size of a small notebook. We shall see...
I will be so interested to read your review of Columbine! And oh, the e-book debate. I never thought I'd want one... until recently! My husband and I are going on a month-long road trip and I just really don't want to pack a month's worth of reading in the car. A nook would make things so much easier... I'll be curious to hear what you decide!
I just purchased a Nook and I am glad I did! There's just no more room on the shelves. I chose the Nook over the Kindle for the following reasons:
Nook has a battery that you can remove and replace yourself. With the Kindle it seems you would have to send it to Amazon for them to do the work.
Nook has an SD slot which means that you can expand your memory beyond the 2g that came with it. Stick up to a 16g card in there, and you have room for way more than you will probably read in your lifetime. A daunting yet comforting thought, lol.
Nook has a brick-and-mortar store attached to it. If you use the Nook in a B&N you can use their Wi-Fi, get coupons and offers, etc.
On Fridays they offer a book for free download. You can't choose the title, but free is free and it maybe something that you might like.
So far I have been really enjoying using the Nook. I don't intend on completely getting rid of buying books traditionally, but it will certainly help with un-cramming my shelves. The E-Ink technology is excellent and looks amazingly like paper. And you can change font size and style to your liking.
If you do decided to go with the Nook, you should consider buying the extended warranty (2 years) since it can only be bought at the time of purchase. If you damage your Nook by accident (spills, drops, etc.) you're covered and can get a replacement, whereas with the regular, 1 year warranty, you only have coverage for internal technical/mechanical issues.
Hopefully you find this helpful. Good luck in your e-reader search :)
Whew - that's an ambitious list! I'd say that given the bulk of some of those books on your list, an e-reader might be a good idea for you, simply for your physical health! ;)
(Good luck with Middlemarch - never tried it, but I've heard from others that it's quite the test of wills.)
My husband bought me a kindle and they are fabulous for when you are traveling--lightens the load! Problem is, I love real books so much that I don't really use it unless I'm on vacation, and if I love a book I need a hard copy of it. I warned my husband that it could get expensive. :)
I'm so glad my husband is a bookworm too otherwise I'd have to make notes to self about paying attention to him too :)
Good luck with Don Quixote. I've only managed to read through the first part but sort of lost steam with the rest.
And, no e-book here although I do want one.
I just assigned my student middlemarch and so i will be marching along through eliot too. i love trollope and have been wanting to re-read Can You Forgive Her--one of my favorites. Super list!
@Brenna-this will be my third time w/ Middlemarch! @Lisa-my hubby is that rare exception-he really loves talking to me ;)
@BookQuoter-I'm only 150 pages in, but so far I like Girl with the Dragon Tattoo very much
@Julie P-I think it is the portability that seems so enticing!
@smellincoffee-I am a devout book lover (and lover of libraries!) a Nook would be in addition to my book collection;)
@Krista! I have been a little intimidated by the idea of Don Quixote!
@Lori-with the Nook you can actually loan a book to a friend (another selling point)!
@Pete-I think you would find an e-book a great solution to the availability issue with books in China-and think of what you would save in shipping/luggage costs!
@Katie-portability is definitely a selling point with the Nook. It would save me from packing so many heavy books when I travel. I have wanted to read Columbine for the longest time; maybe it is best to read it when I am away from school...
@Oohagh-Fey-I am pretty much decided on the Nook, now I just have to decide whether to wait to see if the price comes down. Word is that the price will probably come down again before Christmas....
@Greg-would you believe this will be my 3rd time around with Middlemarch? It is one of my top ten. By the way, I hold you responsible for much of my TBR list, since your reviews always seem to add to that list!
@Melody-I'm glad you like the kindle for traveling-that is one of the reasons it seems like such a good idea. I'm leaning toward the Nook, though.
@Iliana-I don't know if I will be able to finish Don Quixote, but I'm going to at least begin it, finally!
@Priya-I love Can You Forgive Her? One of Trollope's best!
I LOVE my Kindle. I use it regularly and would recommend it to anyone.
That being said, I still read and purchase good old fashioned BOOKS, mostly from author's I have already established as favs. The Kindle is great for trying out new writers.
The Kindle makes reading in bed SO MUCH EASIER...
Great list. I'm reading The Passage now and loving it, although it certainly doesn't make for a light purse.
I just received a Sony Pocket Reader as a gift, and I'm torn between loving it and hating it. I love the concept - and I love being able to read books for work, or from NetGalley for review - but I'm not sure what books I would actually purchase on it. For books I want to read, I generally like to own a physical copy to add to my shelves and lend to friends, and for books I already own, I don't want to purchase something I've already paid for. Therein lies the conundrum!
Smart to get in on it during the price wars, though...
@Brian-the e-reader/books question is definitely not either/or. I will always have books!
@Kerry-NetGalley is one reason why I want an e-reader!
Heehee, your hubs sounds like mine. I now don't read past 8 pm unless he is as well, we must remember our hubbies ;) I try to find good thrillers for him so we can read together.
I want to read Wolf Hall too. I'm curiously awaiting your review.
I have the Kindle (2nd version); a new one is due out that is supposed to be improved. Go to kimkomando.com and read her take on ereaders. Kindle has some features Nook does not including access to the Web, which I like. I have a life long love affair with books and thought I would not like an ereader but I love being able to take several (many!) 500-900 page books in my purse without the weight and awkwardness of the real thing. I also like being able to get a book any time, night or day. I still buy books too--always will. :)
Judy
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Your's great! I'm adding it to my Google Reader right now.
Been gorging myself. Just finished "A Children's Book" today - fat & simply wonderful.
Great to meet you!
:) Melissa
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