… I’d curl up in a big fat overstuffed armchair, with a pot of tea and a stack of books that have been waiting for me, and I’d read the afternoon away.
Books just finished:
The Impostor’s Daughter – A True Memoir by Laurie Sandell. This is the first ‘graphic novel’ I’ve ever read and I loooooooved it! Great story (yes, it’s really a memoir), wonderful drawings. A delicious read. I enjoyed it so much that I’ve subscribed to Laurie’s blog — she seems to lead quite the fun and happening author’s life down in the Big Apple.
Gringa by Melissa Hart. Another memoir – this one more traditional in format than Impostor’s Daughter. Engaging young female voice and story of a family divided (I’m not going to give anything away here). Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Because I am writing my own memoir, with the story confined to six of my teen-aged years, I am scarfing up any and all memoirs told with a young voice. I particularly like an uplifting finish and am pleased to say that Gringa did not disappoint me.
Mid-read:
Francine Prose‘s Reading Like a Writer. Required for school, however I enthusiastically recommend it to both writers and avid readers. With thoughtful care, Francine evaluates selected words, sentences, paragraphs, etc., of the literature she considers to be the best. After revisiting through her lens, some pieces that I read long ago, I am afraid that I have sped through way too many novels and short stories without allowing myself adequate time to ponder and fully appreciate well-written work on a cellular level. I love her list of “Books to Be Read Immediately”, found at the back of the book. It is as though she wants to share the joy and bring the reader along with her. … Francine was our visiting author this past summer at SNHU. She is terrifically smart and funny and I felt honored to spend time with her. Now that her book about Anne Frank is out, I am adding it to my memoir reading list. Her capacity for analysis and articulation of her insights amazes me.
I seem to be hanging out in the memoir section of the library and book store these days; I wonder if you have any you’d like to recommend?
No I haven’t read that one yet, Dawn. But it’s on my list! I’ve heard that Jennette Walls and I share some things in common. Thanks for mentioning it and for the lovely compliment about My Artful Life! 🙂
It’s always a treat when My Artful Life appears in my in box. Have you already read The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls? I absolutely loved it.
Hey there, friend! Yes, I’ll be sharing a pot of tea with you in a week as we herald in the month of December. Until then, Happy Birthday!
Wow. If I had a fireplace I’d probably never leave home from mid-September to mid June! I love the ideas for your reading list and may have to check some of those out. I’m especially intrigued by the Reading Like a Writer book. Hope to see you in a week!