Retirement has many things to recommend it and leisure time for reading is one of those things.
Last year I discovered my newest favorite author, Anthony Trollope, and in retirement I have time to enjoy reading his books, with plots which include love interests, the lives of humble people and nobility, people in love who are separated and yearn to marry, kind people and nasty people and many more themes. I read 9 of his books last year which is a real treat.
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I do buy books at a faster rate than I can read them, but it is a good feeling to stock up. Sort of like a squirrel gathering nuts.
Here are the ten books I added to our shelves within the period of a week. All are paper copies unless otherwise noted.
1-3.The first three books by Michael Dibdin, starring police detective Aurelio Zen. I read the first one right away, Ratking, which begins as Zen is a disgraced detective and is sent from Rome to Perugia to investigate a kidnapping.
4. Kindle book "Skywalker: Close Encounters on the Appalachian Trial" by Bill Walker. I think I got this free; today it is $1.99.
5. By Its Cover by Donna Leon. This is about no. 23 in her series about a police detective in Venice. Venice seems to be a character in these novels, and food too. Brunetti investigates rare books being stolen. I read this and it is excellent, like all the others in the series.
6. The Fleet Street Murders by Charles Finch. This is set in London in 1866 with the gentleman and amateur sleuth, Charles Lenox and is the third in the series.
7. Let's Pretend This Never Happened (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson. Dark humor about her life and struggles with severe panic attacks. I am reading this one. Apparently her second book, Furiously Happy, reveals her mental health issues are even more difficult than what she shares here.
8. Ralph the Heir by Anthony Trollope. Folio edition with slipcase. Set in England in the 1870s, the owner of an estate wants to leave it to his natural son, but the estate is entailed to his nephew. Both young men are named Ralph. I think this will have humorous aspects. Trollope is my favorite author.
9. The Right Attitude to Rain by Alexander McCall Smith. An Isabel Dalhousie novel set in Edinburgh.
10. My favorite purchase is "ESV Daily Reading Bible: The Bible in One Year." What a wonderful approach to help people like me read the Bible in one year. It makes it interesting as each day has readings from the Old Testament and the New, and I spend only 15 minutes reading the day's Scripture. The Scottish pastor, Robert M'Cheyne (1813-1843) who set up the readings left us a great gift. He lived only to age 30. What a brilliant legacy.
Oopsie, can a person accidentally buy books?
Yes, I have all the signs of a bookaholic.
Since writing this post a few days ago I visited the library and got 3 more books. Oopsie indeed.
11. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, about unleashing the creativity within us. I borrowed this book; the others were all purchased. I am reading this and it is rather disappointing.
These next two were purchased at the Friends of the Library used book store which is located in the library.
12. The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. The author is Swedish, and he tells the tale of a man who escapes from his nursing home and has adventures involving nasty criminals, Sonya the elephant and is a "laugh out loud debut" according to the book cover.
13. The Hog's Back Mystery by Freeman Wills Crofts. Written in 1933 by Crofts who lived 1879-1957, The British Library Crime Classics republished this one about a country house and mysterious deaths and disappearances.
Also, to let you know, I do not read all day. Ha ha. I keep busy outside the home, and write books and garden, attend women's Bible study, attend our Christian writers group, exercise at a health club 3 times a week, etc. but reading is a special quiet time for me.
I am signing up to volunteer at a nursing home. I will share more about this when I know more. Ah, the joys of retirement and choosing what we want to do, for the most part.
25 comments:
sounds like good reading
Looks like a great volunteer opportunity, and much needed. I usually only buy one book at a time.
Oh what a dream to read so many books. I have not read a book for so long, I am going to read over your list again and see if I can find one that intrigues me Thank your for all of the great suggestions
Carol
I have three shelves of books to read!! I could get them read if I didn't keep going to the library. : )
Sounds like you are totally enjoying retirement, Terra. So happy for you. I am definitely a book addict. Books are everywhere around here. Shelves are stuffed. And in March, guess what event I plan to go to? The local Friends of the Library book sale! Ha~ Susan
I have quite a few books on my tablet, but I just like to have one paperback on my table at a time. When I finish one, I put it in our neighborhood book kiosk for someone else to enjoy.
Good selection there and at least you have them to read when ready.
Volunteers are always welcome in nursing home. It can be rewarding.
I love to read too, and you have some books that sound very good on your list.
Hooray for being a volunteer! Our residents love the volunteers. It doesn't really matter what you do, just being there to talk and spend time is what matters. :)
I probably have more books collected on my Kindle now than I'll even find time to read. I try to hold back on buying the expensive ones until I actually have time to read them, though. It's the free and special offer ones that I find it difficult to resist "hoarding" ;)
Oh I enjoy reading also, but when it's so nice outdoors, I just can't pick up a book and read...I must be doing something, like walking, or gardening, or birding.
I have three books open on my night table, at night, before bed is the only time I make for reading.
I LOVE Zen - He is the saltiness to Brunetti's sweetness. I much prefer him and, when I retire, my first reading date is with him!
You sound like a (fellow) bookaholic to me, but there's no need to guess. You can assess yourself "scientifically" at
https://lizzysiddal.wordpress.com/2007/08/17/biblioholism-tom-raabe/
I loved my visit here today! You are a book worm for sure! You've inspired me today so much and I look forward to reading future booklists of yours! I'm off to discover more of your blog. Have a beautiful day!!! Leaon
I'm so glad you popped over to visit me at my blog. It has given me the opportunity to discover yours and I really enjoyed reading it today. I, too, am a bookoholic. I confess. :-). Your volunteer opportunity sounds wonderful. I have visited several nursing homes for several years and I always feel I'm the one who has been given a gift when I leave. I'm thinking very seriously about volunteering at a local hospital. I actually stopped in the volunteer office there the other day, but no one was there the time. I'm looking forward to reading your blog more often and getting to know you better.
Blessings, Betsy
I do pray there are books in heaven if I make it that far. Funny you should mention the Bible as I have a student bible I just started re-reading but this time I started with the new testament as the old one always puts me off and I stop reading. So far I'm doing good at sticking to it but it's also pointing out my faults (like I thought I didn't have any? LOL!).
I have not read Trollope but he sounds good as I love older authors. I always write down every book you mention as I think our tastes are similar. Was Gilbert the Eat, Pray, Love author? I loved that one. Also, I'm reading Winspear right now but after that will be McCall...I started both those but dropped off and now I want to read them in order from first to last. Love the picture too! I just put in a book order...I'll post when they arrive about what I've finished and what I'll be reading next! Toodles!
Beautiful...and there is nothing wrong with being a bookaholic. Smiles
I feel the same way about buying books--like a kid in a candy store. There just aren't enough hours in a day. You have some very interesting ones here. I thought about getting the latest by Elizabeth Gilbert, I hear a lot of different reviews.
Happy Weekend!
Jane
It's nice to see another book lover. You don't know how many books I've bought and never read yet there are many I have read and given away or returned to the library, lol. If I see a good buy at the thrift store or I hear of a good book I start looking for it. Sometimes I slow down on the buying as I need to catch up to the reading. My former obsession when I was working was buying magazines and books until I realized how much that was costing. I'm not very selective about paying full price for magazines (I only like current ones). I do still buy a book now and then but only if I really want it, can't get it at the library or 2nd hand. I have given away so many books as I'm trying to downsize (another reason for not buying). But I still have far too many books (on shelves, in drawers, stacked on tables). I'm sure you do too. I also like reading the paper books rather than the kindle books. I like to snuggle with a good book somewhere. I still have the lovely Christmas book you gifted me.
Before I forget, the two men from Kenya you are praying for are recovering. I thank you for prayers and ask that you continue if you are able. Blessings, Joyful
Fabulous that you have more time for reading. Thanks for visiting Carole's Chatter
Your post made me smile with understanding. I've always loved this definition in John Carter's ABC of Book Collecting
BIBLIOMANIAC: a book collector with a rather wild look in their eye
Happy reading, Jane xx
Hi Terra, Welcome to retirement! I think I'm more busy now than when I worked. Love hearing about all your books; you may want to check into Bethany House publisher-they have the blogger program and you get to choose a book a month(from their list), read it and review it on your blog. Great way to get free books.
Hope you have a great afternoon.
Hugs, Noreen
I love Anthony Trollope too!
Patience, I am always happy to meet another person who enjoys reading Trollope. Are you on Facebook, there is an excellent group there, I am a member, I think it is the Anthony Trollope Society. A friendly group.
I am avid reader myself. I am presently reading 3, no 4. I am ready Audacious by Beth Moore, Fervent by Priscilla Shier. Invisible by James Patterson and the NLT One Year Buble. I love books about conspiracy in our government by David Baldacci and courtroom and investigations by John Grisham. I like mystery, suspense and murder. Thanks for dropping by.
I have always loved to read, now I don't have to buy books anymore I use my tablet ! That's great especially when you are going on holidays !
I really look forward to retirement reading. My husband is retiring next May and I plan to only teach online so we can move to France. I hope I have more time to read.
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