pickA selection of short stories, fairly typical to Steinbeck‘s style but seemingly lack purpose, any depth or greater exploration. Thinking back to last week when I read it I only remember two of the stories. The story of a lynching in 1930s America was confronting, and he captured a moment well - yet reading it today one wants more condemnation or understanding. It‘s a curious piece. Not where I‘d start with Steinbeck but quick enough to give a go.
pickFairly classic Tangier era Burroughs. Nothing phenomenal, nothing super Naked Lunch-esque. A short read for a short flight. Junky‘s Christmas is in this collection, the Immaculate Fix bestowed upon one who is junk sick sacrificing his potential relief being a highlight.
#DaysDevotedTo Day 2: #AllSouls with Pessoa. Here is my book haul from Livraria Bertrand in Lisbon, the world‘s oldest operating bookstore in the world, according to the Guinness World Records: https://wp.me/pDlzr-qPD
#DaysDevotedTo Portuguese #Authors while I was in Lisbon a few weeks back - at the ostensibly oldest running bookstore in the world, according to Guinness World Records - Livraria Bertrand founded in 1732.
pickMy second book by Wagamese and it certainly won‘t be my last. I loved this story about four people experiencing homelessness who win the lottery. We get to see their care for each other and how they touch the lives of those they encounter who at first see them as their circumstances and not as people. Their story is not really about sudden wealth, although that is part of it. It is about connection, compassion and the magic of sharing our stories.
pickMy first introduction to Shirley Jackson who I‘ve heard so much about! A set of 3 short stories where she offers no easy explanations or conclusions to the reader. An underlying sense of eerie-ness that persists even if we don‘t completely get what‘s going on. Great mindbenders. Definitely interested in reading more of her soon!
My husband is not a reader (aside from hunting regs & articles 😄), however he fully supports the fact that reading is not enough for me, I need to own/write in my own copies. I'm a re-reader & like to revisit the best passages that I have underlined & annotated. Anyway, he did some early shopping for my birthday & came home with these. I'm so excited - I've had Ragged Company on my TBR for so long!! And how beautiful is that Embers cover?! 😍
Day 1#sealeychallenge
A short collection of works by WCW. (I believe from a poetry swap from @batsy ?)
"Flowers by the Sea"
When over the flowery, sharp pasture's
edge, unseen, the salt ocean
lifts its form -- chicory and daisies
tied, released, seems hardly flowers alone
but color and the movement -- or the shape
perhaps -- of restlessness, whereas
the sea is circled and sways
peacefully upon its plantlike stem.
