I literally forgot about the long weekend! Thankfully, Bryan clued me in when he was talking about it the other day. Normally I begin stacking my piles up in anticipation but since it surprised me, I have no stack prepared. I want something really good to read. I am in that awkward “I want something amazing but can’t seem to find it” stage.
I am 25% into Twelve Years a Slave, and it’s good and all, but it’s not a book to get all crazy excited about. I also have Euphoria started but I can tell that one is going to take a little bit of time to get going. I call this my Murakami hangover. I tend to hit a funk after reading his books. It’s like, my brain stops working and needs to be jump-started. I did read Station Eleven right after Murakami because I knew if I didn’t read something fast, I’d fall into that well of despair where nothing sounds good but even with the quick read right after, I am still feeling a little untethered.
I want a book that will make me put off everything else. A book that will make me ignore the very loud cricket that is hiding somewhere in my house. A book that will cause the laundry to pile up. A book that will have me feeding the kids cereal in lieu of cooking a meal. Do you know of any books like that? What will you be reading this weekend?
Book Chatter 
Have you heard of ‘My Struggle’ by Karl Ove Knausgaard? It is a 6 volume ‘autobiography’ and has gotten lots of buzz. I started the first one, and I have to say, even though the concept of 6 volumes sounds daunting, so far it is incredibly fascinating.
I have not heard of this one. I must look it up.
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It’s translated, but the writing is great, and somewhat strangely, it is hard to put it down. It’s not like anything I’ve read in recent memory.
I can’t think of any books right now that are like that. Hmmm. You’ve probably already read it with the Murakami, I’m thinking…as for what I’m reading, I’m working on a series of crime books from the 1970s by a Swedish couple. So far, so good. The thing is there only are 10 of them and I don’t want to gobble them all up. I’m on No. 5. The couple are Maj Sowall and Per Wahloo. The collection is called “The Story of Crime.”
I do enjoy Scandinavian crime fiction. Haven’t read any in awhile. I will look the series up.
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I’ve been in a bit of a funk, mostly just because I’ve been so busy, but I’m SO excited for the long weekend. I just started Dataclysm by Christian Rudder and I think a good, juicy piece of non-fiction right in my wheelhouse is just what I needed because I feel so ready to sink in. I hope you find something that will work for you!
I hardly ever consider non-fiction juicy but once in a blue moon, I find myself fascinated. I don’t read much non-fiction these days. I feel as if I need a fictional backdrop to escape into these days.
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I dig what you’re saying about a Murakami hangover – I’ve been there as well. I tend to read whatever catches my eye and just dig in – anything to keep my reading momentum going. I have Euphoria on the TBR list as I’ve heard great things about it. I requested Station Eleven after you mentioned it on FB, so I’m looking forward to it. Right now I’m reading My Salinger Year and I’m loving it. Hope you enjoy your long weekend and whatever books you decided to read 🙂 By the by, I read that Murakami said that he had experienced what Tsukuru had experienced – which definitely makes sense, since the book feels more personal than his others.
I will tell you a secret. Well, not really a secret since the entire world can read this comment of they wanted to, but the friend thing. It happened to me and to this day, I haven’t a clue why. So, I could relate to the story on a slightly different level than most readers. Hmmm. I may mention it if I can ever get the review written.
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I was recently riveted by The Vintner’s Daughter by Kristen Harnisch. I loved it. But I’m not sure that’s your thing, at least not to get you hyped up. Perhaps try a few short stories! 🙂 I’m juggling a few books right now, but poetry is my focus today.
I kind of want a page turner like Gone Girl, but NOT Gone Girl. I really didn’t care for that one.
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I didn’t know you didn’t like Gone Girl. I didn’t like it either. I just looked up your review on Goodreads. For me on Goodreads I’ll give a book I didn’t care for zero, one, or two stars. You gave it three, so I thought you liked it. I still want to see the movie though.
Big Little Lies will do that to you. It did it to me anyway. Also The Silkworm. I’ve just started “Wool”, and it has been slow getting into it. Not because of the book I don’t think, I’m just…nervous and busy and haven’t gotten settled yet. Got a lot of projects going at home, a friend in crisis, and two busy kids. I always tell myself things will settle, but they haven’t yet.
Oh, I forgot about Wool. I meant to get to that one but I ordered the wrong book. I don’t know, I just feel funky. Hoping it shakes off. Hope you settle down a bit as well.
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“A Tale for the Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki or “Vampires in the Lemon Grove: And Other Stories” by Karen Russell.
Vampires reminded me of Murakami and Time Being was raved about by a lot of writers I love.
Oi, crickets drive me nuts.
This cricket is like prehistoric cricket. So loud!! It is driving the pup mad.
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I just finished The Good Girl by Mary Kubica and was almost late to work because I had to finish it off before I drove in yesterday. That’s my suggestion. Enjoy the three day weekend…I am so happy to have a little break!
Not crazy excited about, but truly impressed I was by 12 Years A Slave. The writing, the vivid and eloquent account of Solomon’s ordeals, the detachment and objective descriptions and yet at certain points, emotions just pour out. This is an amazing historical first-person account of slavery. Have you seen the film?
I haven’t seen the film and as it turns out, I am going to miss my book club discussion since it conflicts with back to school night.
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It’s been a while since I’ve been lost in a book that way so I can’t think of one.
When I don’t know what to read next…I get stressed!
But I have no suggestions!
I’m enthralled with The Count of Monte Cristo! but it’s more than a chunkster – it is a supersized mega chunk. And I’m really into the audio despite the horrid narrator.
I started the audio of Euphoria and just couldn’t connect:( Hope you have better luck.
Come on Tina, time for “The Sunne in Splendour”. You won’t regret it 🙂
City of Women by David Gillham is one of my favorites
I’m looking for that, too! I’m reading a really interesting nonfiction book right now but I want something I just can’t put down.
I still have no time to read right now or in the foreseeable future, but I am super excited about some books coming out. Forgive me if I already mentioned these: Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan (already picked it up), The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell, The Children Act by Ian McEwan, and The Dog by Joseph O’Neill. It’s almost more than I can bear. Absolutely my favorite authors still producing work.
I finally cracked open my book Monday evening while my daughter watched an episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates. That was all the reading I got done this weekend. 😦
I hope you had better luck!