Reading for Reading’s Sake

There is no excuse for not writing for so long, so I won’t even attempt to make any. On a positive side, I have been dedicating most of my free time to the pleasures of reading. I’m catching up for my recent bout of “lack of book time”. First it was work and school; then along came baby and my passion for reading took a major trip to the back burner. So now that I am pretty much adjusted to this stay-at-home mom thing I find that I don’t crash immediately when my head hits the pillow at night. I actually take an hour or two for myself. Sure I could be using this time to write- but right now, this brief respite is dedicated to the pleasure of turning pages. And oh what pages there have been! First, I went through a biography craze. It started with a recommendation from a friend on a book about Catherine De Medici. Previously I wasn’t one for biographies as the few I had picked up were dry and hard to read. Yet, I always had an interest in history and historical personages. It was just hard for me to get into those heavy encyclopedia style books that bored my brain. Luckily the book on Catherine De Medici revved up my interest in biographies by proving history can be written in a way that attracts not repels. I suppose I have always been a firm believer that truth is stranger than fiction. Reading about real people making their way through life inspires me more than an author’s whimsical creations in novels. That’s not to say I can’t appreciate a novel. Novels grant us insight into what humans can dream and create, whereas biographies show us what has been done and can be achieved. They both serve their purpose.

I have always had the intention of keeping track of books I have read by writing a short synopsis or opinion about the work. In that way I can look back on a particular book or author and instantly recall what I liked or disliked. Since I have yet to put this thought into action, I figured I can motivate myself further by posting them here on my blog. In that way I shall not only get said book project started, but will also fulfill my obligation to write on here. And I would love to hear back from others with opinions of their own or recommendations for me.

I am currently reading a novel by Alexander Dumas (one of my all time favorite authors). It’s the first in a series of books that take place in the time leading up to the French Revolution. It’s known as the Marie Antoinette series. I anticipate finishing it today and will make my notes shortly thereafter. In the meantime, I highly recommend the following historians to anyone with an interest in history. Antonia Fraser and Alison Weir. I have read quite a few books from both of these authors and love their thoroughly absorbing styles. They don’t carry the tone and weight of a textbook; instead they make for truly fascinating and enjoyable reading.