Weekly Reading Round-Up
Since I’m not fit for much except sprawling on a couch today anyway, it seemed a good time to catalog books. This week’s reads have been:
— An Old Fashioned Girl, Louisa May Alcott
This is a traditional Thanksgiving re-read for me. This may be heresy, but I like it even better than Little Women.
— Sex and the City, Candace Bushnell
About as far as one can get from Louisa May Alcott. Much darker and more dystopian than the HBO series.
— The Waitress, Melissa Nathan
I was hooked on Melissa Nathan’s books from the moment I stumbled on Pride, Prejudice and Jasmin Field in the British imports section of the late, lamented Wordsworth Books in Harvard Square. The best of all possible British chick lit.
— Don’t Tempt Me, Loretta Chase
Light, fun Regency by one of my favorite historical romance authors.
— The Reluctant Heiress, Eva Ibbotsen
A crumbling castle, an unhappy entrepreneur, and a princess who runs away to join the opera. Who could ask for anything more? Oh, yes. Comic side characters. There are plenty of those, too. And true love, of course.
— Bright Lights, Big Ass, Jen Lancaster
Yes, the Jen Lancaster obsession continues. I don’t know what I’m going to do after I’ve read the last one.
What have you been reading this week?
I read Fantastic Mr Fox, in anticipation of the movie. But you’re tempting me with a complete Melissa Nathan re-read, so many good books! I really miss her.
In Louisa May Alcott’s lifetime An Old Fashioned Girl was her most popular book. Lots of people think its better than Little Women. I think they’re her two best.
I am starting to read Eloisa James for the first time. Much Ado About You and Enchanting Pleasures.
Lauren, I love the way you talk about books. I find your recommendations helpful.
Oh finally rereading These Old Shades yet again I love that one.
You! I tore through “Black Tulip” on Thanksgiving Day (stayed home curled up on the couch with a heating pad) and I’m trying to pace myself through “Emerald Ring” today, but it’s not working out so well.
Also, Chase’s Don’t Tempt Me (fun, but no “Mr. Impossible”), two of the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron, and finished reading “Amelia Peabody’s Egypt” by Elizabeth Peters, et al.
Was “The Reluctant Heiress” originally called “Magic Flutes”? And there’s a production of “The Magic Flute” in it? If so, it’s the first Eva Ibbotsen I read, and I loved it.
I’m reading Henry James’s “The Golden Bowl” (which I loved on Masterpiece Theatre years and years ago) and “A Place of Greater Safety” by Hilary Mantel, about Danton, Desmoulins, and Robespierre, partly for research both both my writing and because I’m giving a presentation on pre-French Revolution culture next weekend to a group putting “Les Liaisons Dangereuses.”
I just finished Susan Wiggs’ “At the King’s Command” and “The Maiden’s Hand,” part of her recently reissued Tudor Rose trilogy. Yesterday I picked up “Tolstoy Lied” (http://bit.ly/83Pxb0) by Rachel Kadish, and so far so good!
Just finished the Reluctant Heiress myself like 10 min ago. Starting Arabella by Georgette Heyer here in a few min after i finish the trashy novel based on the TV show Castle, The book is called Heat wave. its kinda like the show only worse, but is providing giggles so far.
Don’t Tempt Me sounds fantastic! I believe I shall have to look for it sometime soon. Recently I have read 84, Charing Cross (by Helene Hanff), which was a delightful quick read providing a true account of letters passing back and forth between a British antique book shop and an American woman. I also read Nancy Mitford’s In Pursuit of Love & Love in a Cold Climate, and reread the ever amusing Bridget Jones Diary.
Oh Cho, you have to read the sequel, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, it’s even better than the original and one of the best books I’ve read this year.
I finished the Sequel to The Chestnut Tree, The Wind Off The Sea by Charlotte Bingham and started reading the 3rd book in the Patriot Series by J.M. Hochstetler.
I’m a brand-new fan—spent my lounging-around-instead-of-shopping Black Friday zipping through the Pink Carnation and loved it! Am trying to pace myself and not run right out for the Black Tulip—some things should be savored. (We’ll see how long I stick with that…) So I wandered here and found your lovely booklists: I thought I was the only person under 60 who’d even HEARD of Trade Wind, let alone loved it. I’ll be doing my yearly re-read of Julie Andrews’ Mandy soon…
I’m currently reading The Time Traveller’s Wife, and I’m really enjoying it!! I recommend Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld- I lent it out recently and my friend told me it was one of the best books she’s read in a while 🙂
Read The Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen, A Bride Most Begrudging Deanne Gist and The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotson if you love historical fiction like me, these are my favorites along with Pink novels of course!
I have “discovered” the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer after having turned my nose up at it for a long time. This was not so much because I’m a lit snob, but because of the vampire theme. (Although, I had read a few quotes from the first book and thought they were laughable.) Now I have egg on my face since I am into book 3 and it’s really good storytelling.
Lauren, I was just wondering if you have read them and what you think of them? Also, how do you read so many books in a week and manage to write novels, too? I’m so envious!
I read the Twilight books and enjoyed up till the 4th book. Had a really hard time with it, was not very good in my opinon, they tried to hard to make it dramatic when to me it came across rather creepy. The first three were not bad. Just finished the Princess and the Hound, kinda a retelling of Beauty and the Beast where the princess is the beast. It was really really good.
I also loved Heyer’s Arabella and just may have to go buy a few more of her books!