Blue Archipelago

24 Aug, 2008

Sunday Salon | Balancing the Books

Posted by: Clare Swindlehurst In: Sunday Salon

NatureImage by fmc.nikon.d40 via Flickr

Regular visitors to Blue Archipelago may have noticed a distinct lack of book reviews this past week - and that is because I am still reading Great Expectations! I’m enjoying the novel but it is quite heavy going - and I find it needs to be read at a time when I can settle down with no distractions - which unfortunately this week have been lacking.

I’ve probably lost out on a lot of reading time this week - I’ve certainly found myself watching a lot of pointless television while cooking dinner or those odd times when I’ve been waiting to go somewhere - Dickens just isn’t suitable for those occassions. So today I did something unheard of for me - I decided to read two books at the same time!

I ventured out in the garden - to take advantage of the late summer sun  and got myself aquainted with Jemima J. - a delightful piece of chick lit. It’s the perfect book for picking up and putting down again and I am happily back into the reading routine.

And I know just the perfect time for Pip and his Great Expectations - during the working week I settle down in an area known as the ‘comfy chairs’ in my office - free from distractions of tv and radio and life - and spend 45 minutes escaping with a book - perfect for Dickens.

Oh and if it’s not shocking enough news that I have become one of those readers who has multiple books on the go - I’m also listening to Uncle Tom’s Cabin - I’ve been doing a lot of work around the house this week and have enjoyed spending time with Tom and Eliza with my headphones on and my iPod in my pocket!

So there you have it - I finally get it - the reason why you would want to read more than one book at a time :)

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Here are some Christmas Gift ideas you might find useful.

Related posts:

  1. Sunday Salon | Between Books
  2. Sunday Salon | Let’s talk about books
  3. Sunday Salon | Books into movies
  4. Sunday Salon | It’s all about the books
  5. Currently Reading | Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

10 Responses to "Sunday Salon | Balancing the Books"

1 | Marg

August 24th, 2008 at 9:19 pm

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I am listening to Great Expectations at the moment, and really enjoying it. I think that the skill of the narrator is a big part of it. Some of the voices are hilarious - especiallly Uncle Pumblechook (however you spell it!)

Margs last blog post..HistoricalFiction.org is down

2 | Kristen (bookclubclassics)

August 24th, 2008 at 10:07 pm

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I’m so envious you are reading GE for the first time… I can’t help but wonder what part you are at? I just love it… even after teaching it for so many years…

3 | Kerrie

August 24th, 2008 at 10:28 pm

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I know lots of people read 2 or more books at once. I have a friend who leaves them in different places - the loo, her beside table, at work.. I prefer to get one over at a time although I do listen to a book in the car to and from work.

Kerries last blog post..Sunday Salon #23 - 24 August 2008

4 | debnance

August 25th, 2008 at 12:42 am

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I couldn’t tell you how many books I usually have going at once…5-10, I’d guess. I like to drift from book to book as the mood takes me.

debnances last blog post..Sunday Salon: Reading about Reading

5 | unfinishedperson

August 25th, 2008 at 2:32 am

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I hope you don’t mind, but once we’re done reading this book, I invited folks over to your reading club to come and discuss Great Expectations. I’m reading it too…I just think it’s odd that so many of us are all reading this at the same time.

unfinishedpersons last blog post..The Sunday Salon: The Dickens, we say!…and the week in review

6 | Mrs S

August 25th, 2008 at 9:47 am

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@Marg - I agree the voices help - which version are you listening to?

@Kristen - Pip has just been taken to the home of the Pale Young Gentleman’s family - a crazy bunch on first impressions!

@Kerrie - I used to be a one book person only - I think listening to an audio book in the car was the thing that made me realise maybe I could handle more than one story at once.

@debnance - 5-101 wow I’m impressed - I think 3 is my limit *lol*

@unfinishedperson - fabulous idea - the more the merrier - maybe the others here will join us too? I set up a thread as I think others will finish before me http://www.clareswindlehurst.com/bookdiscussion/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20

7 | Ruth

August 25th, 2008 at 10:47 pm

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I can’t remember I time when I haven’t read more than one book at a time. I do remember my third grade teacher warning me not to, though; she maintained that it would scramble my brain. Personally, I think it keeps me sane, especially when I’m reading classics. I love them, but I really need to concentrate on them, and I don’t always have the time.

Ruths last blog post..Sunday Salon: Almost (But Not Quite) Monday Salon

8 | Kim L

August 26th, 2008 at 4:29 am

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Although I am not necesarily good at this skill, I do tend or at least try to read more than one book at a time. Practicality’s sake really… I want to have a book to review for my blog every few days, and the only way to do that is read a few at a time. Audiobooks are a great way to supplement!

Kim Ls last blog post..Coraline

9 | Ruth

August 28th, 2008 at 2:25 am

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I’m actually reading more than one book for the first time since I finished school. I’m well into The PInk Forest by Dana Dorfman which is a really cool interactive fiction that really makes you think and so I read one chapter a day and sort of meditate on it before going on to the next one. But in the meantime, I need my daily dose of romance and suspense so I’ve got a couple others on the go as well now.

10 | Mrs S

August 30th, 2008 at 8:31 am

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@Ruth -
Hi Ruth - that sounds interesting I may have to check it out - thanks for stopping by :)

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About Blue Archipelago

I'm working my way through 75 books this year - and writing a review of each one as I finish it. You can share your thoughts in the comments section.

My rating system

5/5 Loved it - highly recommended
4/5 Enjoyed it - can recommend
3/5 Okay - not too exciting
2/5 Not worth the effort
1/5 Hated it
0/5 Didn't even finish it


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