tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post588715321330483427..comments2024-03-29T04:12:48.987+08:00Comments on The Reading Life: Reading Plans -Dec 15 to February 15, 2011-Sunday SalonMel uhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-87646609111195314332010-12-19T00:07:58.386+08:002010-12-19T00:07:58.386+08:00I read The Help and it is not "chick lit"...I read <i>The Help</i> and it is not "chick lit" at all (unless your definition of "chick lit" includes books written by women whose main character is a (young) woman). In many ways it is the story of our childhood, although life in big city FL was, I think, not quite so bound as small town MS of the same era. Maybe I'm viewing the past through rosy glasses, but I don't remember my family or my friends' families treating their black maids this way (although I do remember the maids to a certain extent behaving this way -- e.g. my mother's last maid would never come in the house through the front door but always used the back door, and I'm certain that was not on order from my mom). The arguably "chick lit" part of the story -- the romance -- serves more to illustrate the times -- the emphasis on the necessity of being married to be considered to have a happy life. I don't know if you'll like the book, but it does give some insight into the time period.SusieCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00104969464072536034noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-10015022490492774272010-12-15T22:29:31.733+08:002010-12-15T22:29:31.733+08:00pburt-I think I will read Cousin Bettie as my Balz...pburt-I think I will read Cousin Bettie as my Balzac<br /><br />Karenlibrarian-I will be starting return of the native soon-I also have Mayor of Casterbridge so may read that next year also<br /><br />Marg-I am near ready to try Help-thanks for your inputMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-26836434375259863222010-12-15T05:38:22.437+08:002010-12-15T05:38:22.437+08:00I may join you for Return of the Native -- Amanda ...I may join you for Return of the Native -- Amanda from the Zen Leaf chose for me this year in a book swap. I was underwhelmed by Tess of the D'Urbervilles but she assures me RotN is wonderful, so I'm looking forward to it. I'm also reading The Mayor of Casterbridge with my IRL classics group this year so there'll be lots of Victorians this year!Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-79467225381412933652010-12-13T13:29:04.381+08:002010-12-13T13:29:04.381+08:00I thoroughly enjoyed The Help and definitely would...I thoroughly enjoyed The Help and definitely wouldn't classify it as 'classy chic lit'. It is strong historical fiction.Marghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508430635744720721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-84804828217264152722010-12-13T10:15:01.544+08:002010-12-13T10:15:01.544+08:00I recommend Cousin Bette for the Balzac. It is one...I recommend Cousin Bette for the Balzac. It is one of my favorite books and in my regular re-read pile.<br /><br />I also enjoyed The Children's Book and was surprised because I am one of the few people who did not like Possession. <br /><br />I am also one of the few people who did not like The Help. I think it is badly written and in need of some serious editing. <br /><br />I like your list - I hope to read a lot of James Joyce next year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-18597620172109798832010-12-13T06:36:29.952+08:002010-12-13T06:36:29.952+08:00Sam-thanks for the well wishes-you might try getti...Sam-thanks for the well wishes-you might try getting into Hardy through some of the short stories you can read online<br /><br />Creations by Laurel-thanks for stopping by my blog<br /><br />ds-we have the same Bowen and Collete collections of short stories-I will start in on another of the Joyce stories soon-<br /><br />Teacher/Learner-thanks for the reference to the post-I will read it and am very happy to have The Children's Book in my read soon list<br /><br />Life Time Reader-I will be starting the Henry Green soon-I read Sand's Indiana not long ago and after a 100 pages or so I really liked it-<br /><br />Vintage Reader-I discover Bowen through her association with VWMel uhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08714473754458914681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-8620546261118581962010-12-13T04:11:27.183+08:002010-12-13T04:11:27.183+08:00I'm just discovering Elizabeth Bowen and think...I'm just discovering Elizabeth Bowen and think she is a remarkable writer. Glad you've included her in your reading plans.Vintage Readinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05971819409379613967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-84248397820850986192010-12-13T02:40:23.244+08:002010-12-13T02:40:23.244+08:00Perhaps I'll join you for a George Sand novel....Perhaps I'll join you for a George Sand novel. And perhaps Henry Green as well. I do hope you love the Byatt as much a I did. It is long and leisurely, overly loaded sometimes with symbolism and foreshadowing--but it has stayed with me in a way few contemporary novels have lately.Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09543197858284977937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-5865522469714109962010-12-13T01:26:16.841+08:002010-12-13T01:26:16.841+08:00You should definitely read this great review of Th...You should definitely read this great review of The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt @ <a href="http://readingwhilefemale.blogspot.com/2010/12/childrens-book-by-as-byatt.html" rel="nofollow">Reading While Female</a>. Emily's take on the book made me drool over it :)Teacher/Learnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13280690822570558469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-13273052953344201512010-12-12T23:33:35.374+08:002010-12-12T23:33:35.374+08:00What a great, interesting and inspiring list, Mel!...What a great, interesting and inspiring list, Mel! I have two whopping books with the complete stories of Colette and Elizabeth Bowen respectively. Have not yet read the Bowen novel you cite, but loved The House in Paris and Eva Trout.<br />Just promise me that you will read <i>all</i> of Joyce's stories. Someday ;)<br />Best of luck with this plan!dshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07616750784052488695noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-30767802391605982142010-12-12T21:50:55.099+08:002010-12-12T21:50:55.099+08:00I should read Lolita! Have only seen the movie......I should read Lolita! Have only seen the movie...<br /><br />Your plans are ambitious, but not unrealistic...I think it's great to allow space for "impulse" reads.<br /><br />Hope you enjoy your reading.<br /><br />Here's my Salon:<br /><br />http://accidentalmoments.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/the-sunday-salon-dec-12/Laurel-Rain Snowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00101090217639410913noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2023956444265128672.post-37116114011062766482010-12-12T17:59:22.881+08:002010-12-12T17:59:22.881+08:00I hope you enjoy 'Lolita'. I can't ge...I hope you enjoy 'Lolita'. I can't get on with Thomas Hardy myself, but I've never tried the one you plan to read.Sam (Tiny Library)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16375434438465319913noreply@blogger.com