Sunday Salon | Balancing the Books

Posted by: on Sunday, August 24, 2008
10 responses
Sunday Salon

2791625351 2a620102e2 m Sunday Salon | Balancing the BooksImage by fmc.nikon.d40 via Flickr

Regular visitors to Blue Archipelago may have noticed a distinct lack of book reviews this past week – and that is because I am still reading Great Expectations! I’m enjoying the novel but it is quite heavy going – and I find it needs to be read at a time when I can settle down with no distractions – which unfortunately this week have been lacking.

I’ve probably lost out on a lot of reading time this week – I’ve certainly found myself watching a lot of pointless television while cooking dinner or those odd times when I’ve been waiting to go somewhere – Dickens just isn’t suitable for those occassions. So today I did something unheard of for me – I decided to read two books at the same time!

I ventured out in the garden – to take advantage of the late summer sun  and got myself aquainted with Jemima J. – a delightful piece of chick lit. It’s the perfect book for picking up and putting down again and I am happily back into the reading routine.

And I know just the perfect time for Pip and his Great Expectations – during the working week I settle down in an area known as the ‘comfy chairs’ in my office – free from distractions of tv and radio and life – and spend 45 minutes escaping with a book – perfect for Dickens.

Oh and if it’s not shocking enough news that I have become one of those readers who has multiple books on the go – I’m also listening to Uncle Tom’s Cabin – I’ve been doing a lot of work around the house this week and have enjoyed spending time with Tom and Eliza with my headphones on and my iPod in my pocket!

So there you have it – I finally get it – the reason why you would want to read more than one book at a time icon smile Sunday Salon | Balancing the Books

 Sunday Salon | Balancing the Books

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  1. Marg
    Reply

    I am listening to Great Expectations at the moment, and really enjoying it. I think that the skill of the narrator is a big part of it. Some of the voices are hilarious – especiallly Uncle Pumblechook (however you spell it!)

    Margs last blog post..HistoricalFiction.org is down

  2. Kristen (bookclubclassics)
    Reply

    I’m so envious you are reading GE for the first time… I can’t help but wonder what part you are at? I just love it… even after teaching it for so many years…

  3. Kerrie
    Reply

    I know lots of people read 2 or more books at once. I have a friend who leaves them in different places – the loo, her beside table, at work.. I prefer to get one over at a time although I do listen to a book in the car to and from work.

    Kerries last blog post..Sunday Salon #23 – 24 August 2008

  4. Mrs S
    Reply

    @Marg – I agree the voices help – which version are you listening to?

    @Kristen – Pip has just been taken to the home of the Pale Young Gentleman’s family – a crazy bunch on first impressions!

    @Kerrie – I used to be a one book person only – I think listening to an audio book in the car was the thing that made me realise maybe I could handle more than one story at once.

    @debnance – 5-101 wow I’m impressed – I think 3 is my limit *lol*

    @unfinishedperson – fabulous idea – the more the merrier – maybe the others here will join us too? I set up a thread as I think others will finish before me http://www.clareswindlehurst.com/bookdiscussion/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=20

  5. Ruth
    Reply

    I can’t remember I time when I haven’t read more than one book at a time. I do remember my third grade teacher warning me not to, though; she maintained that it would scramble my brain. Personally, I think it keeps me sane, especially when I’m reading classics. I love them, but I really need to concentrate on them, and I don’t always have the time.

    Ruths last blog post..Sunday Salon: Almost (But Not Quite) Monday Salon

  6. Kim L
    Reply

    Although I am not necesarily good at this skill, I do tend or at least try to read more than one book at a time. Practicality’s sake really… I want to have a book to review for my blog every few days, and the only way to do that is read a few at a time. Audiobooks are a great way to supplement!

    Kim Ls last blog post..Coraline

  7. Ruth
    Reply

    I’m actually reading more than one book for the first time since I finished school. I’m well into The PInk Forest by Dana Dorfman which is a really cool interactive fiction that really makes you think and so I read one chapter a day and sort of meditate on it before going on to the next one. But in the meantime, I need my daily dose of romance and suspense so I’ve got a couple others on the go as well now.

  8. Mrs S
    Reply

    @Ruth -
    Hi Ruth – that sounds interesting I may have to check it out – thanks for stopping by :)

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Meet the author:
Clare Swindlehurst

I love to read books - and only wish that I had more spare hours in the day to devote to this wonderful hobby. When life gets tough you'll find me with my nose stuck in a book, escaping from reality. Blue Archipelago is my reading journal, feel free to have a browse around and see if you discover something new to read, or rediscover a book that you have loved in the past.

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