My friend, Lynn Kaczmarek, stopped by with a note that’s perfect for the season, and this weekend. I hope you enjoy hearing from her occasionally.
*****
I’ve been thinking a lot about books lately. Perhaps it’s
the need to bury myself in something so I don’t think about how wrong things
have gone in the world. I read mysteries/crime fiction/thrillers almost
exclusively – it’s the structure, the knowing that bad things will happen, but
resolution will be achieved. And there are some wonderful books being written
these days.
the need to bury myself in something so I don’t think about how wrong things
have gone in the world. I read mysteries/crime fiction/thrillers almost
exclusively – it’s the structure, the knowing that bad things will happen, but
resolution will be achieved. And there are some wonderful books being written
these days.
My recent reading has included Lake House by Kate Morton,
The Alienist by Caleb Carr, Elizabeth George’s new book A Banquet of Consequences
and Louise Penny’s newest, The Nature of the Beast. All are wonderful examples
of fine writing, fine characters, fine plots. But Penny’s books are something
more – they are filled with horrible things couched in poetry. And as a result
they are even more frightening. But always, thankfully, they provide hope…
sometimes only a glimmer, but hope nonetheless. And for that I am eternally
thankful.
The Alienist by Caleb Carr, Elizabeth George’s new book A Banquet of Consequences
and Louise Penny’s newest, The Nature of the Beast. All are wonderful examples
of fine writing, fine characters, fine plots. But Penny’s books are something
more – they are filled with horrible things couched in poetry. And as a result
they are even more frightening. But always, thankfully, they provide hope…
sometimes only a glimmer, but hope nonetheless. And for that I am eternally
thankful.
And with Thanksgiving soon approaching, I find I am ever
more thankful for books. For those that provide hope; for those that expand the
curious mind and for those that keep the dark world at bay. May you too have
something or someone in your life for which to be thankful. As for me, I’m off
to read something remarkable on this dark, dreary, cold Wisconsin day.
more thankful for books. For those that provide hope; for those that expand the
curious mind and for those that keep the dark world at bay. May you too have
something or someone in your life for which to be thankful. As for me, I’m off
to read something remarkable on this dark, dreary, cold Wisconsin day.
Thanks for stopping by, Lynn. I hope you found something brilliant to read today!
I so agree Lynn – in these really quite frightening days here in Europe, I find myself turning more and more to comfort reading – hence the Debbie Macombers, Barbara Pyms, James Runcies and even E Nesbits are coming off the shelves once more. Daughter and I are also watching more 'comfort TV' – Inspector Lynley, Lewis, The Great Pottery Throw Down – that kind of thing, though we are also very much into London Spy, a new and very unusual thriller.
Enjoy your cosy reading today!
Rosemary
I love this posting so much! To Rosemary, have you seen River??
Hi Nan
No we missed The River – so annoying, it had great reviews. Maybe we can watch it on i-player or whatever it's called?
Rosemary
I too enjoyed reading this column. It's true, books are a safe haven when so much goes wrong around us. I'm also a huge fan of Louise Penny!
Thanks for yr comment Rosemary – I love comfort TV! My favorites include Midsomer Murders, Rosemary and Thyme and Lewis. And oh yea, Endeavor. Love them all…
I love all of those Lynn, but I struggle to persuade my daughter to watch the first two with me! Endeavour is brilliant – hope there will soon be a new series.
Liked. I have all of these books except for The Alienist. I've seen the above mentioned tv programs and loved them all. I wished there were more Rosemary and Thyme episodes.
This was lovely, thank you, Lynn.
Thanks for this – books are both wonderful as a refuge and a means of understanding/getting into the skin of others, which we need more than ever!