My goal was to try and read about two books a month this year as I have many books that I had not gotten to in the past couple of years. My mother and I are always sharing cozy mysteries with each other and I let them stack up lately. My mother reads at an incredible speed which I do not. Some of them are rather older ones in a series. I pulled them from my bookshelves and have been working my way through them. You may get the impression that these are the only books I read but it is simply that I have so many needing to be read right now that I have decided to concentrate on these mysteries.
After having read three of them this month, I decided I need a break from mysteries and am rereading The Secret Garden as well as an Amish themed novel by Beverly Lewis. I want a change for next month's books. I am sure once I am feeling better, I will be up doing things and my pace of reading will slow down considerably. But for now, I rest with a cup of tea and a good book and it is not so bad at all. It is nice to see some open space again in my bookshelves for a change. It will bring me closer to my goal of adding more vintage books to my shelves if I can make more space as I pass on books to friends. 
What kind of books are on your bookshelves? Are you like me and have many on your 'to be read' shelf? Do you have a favorite classic book that you like to reread?"My test of a good novel is dreading to begin the last chapter. "
~Thomas Helm
Note to Andylynne: If you read this, can you email me once again. I cannot find your email and would love to email you back!
29 comments:
Hi Heidi, thank you for your lovely comment on my post. I hope you are feeling better again soon.
Take Care
Happy reading
Love Melanei xxxxx
Ah books. I continue to purchase them, but do not read them as much as I would like. I have stacks of unread wonders on my shelves. I finally finished The Shack which was a lovely story, though biblically debatable. I am now reading The Namesake, which finally has captured my full attention, but The Last Lecture is also tugging at my attention. So many to read, so little time. I would like to read a book a day for the next year and then I bet I will have read through my shelves.
There's nothing nice, about not feeling well and having enforced rest. But your reading and stitching are certainly as nice a 'silver lining,' as can be had. I'm so glad you're enjoying them.
And of course it's fun, to change around, doing different reading. A very good idea too. Go with what feels good to you, at the time. Even if you want to change types of books, mid month. :-)
Gentle hugs,
Aunt Amelia
I too love books and have them piled and shelved around the house. I have almost all of Debbie Macomber's books, The Shack, The Yarn Harlot's latest book (Stephanie Pearl McPhee), The Friday Night Knitting Club books and many others, all yet to read. Amazon loves me ;-)! My plan is to read a little everyday during lunch (the only time I can stay awake to read)
I'm glad that you are getting some time to read but am sorry the time is not due to better circumstances.
Hugs2U
I just finished "No Time on My Hands" by Grace Snyder - http://tinyurl.com/lqzgcn She made such amazing quilts and her story of growing up in a sod house, and living to be 100 years old is quite amazing.
thank you for visiting my blog and leaving me a message..so I could find you too!!!
My favorite books: The sercret garden en Alice in wonderland + the wind in the willows!
Writers I love are ..Adam Armstrong and Nicolas Evans ao.
At the moment I am reading Narnia from CS Lewis.
Your garden really feels like the secret garden..how did you do that?
amazing!!!
Greetings, Anna
Hi Heidi, the three cozies I see are by three of my favorite authors. I try and branch out and read other fiction but my most favorite book are the cozy mysteries. I'm happy you are finding time to read...but wish you were feeling better. I'm sending you wishes of wellness, take care and stay comfy with some warm tea a good book and maybe a little stitching. hugs, Linda
I just came back from Amsterdam, having bought there again far too many books. I have recently rediscovered my love for the Bloomsbury group and that whole period in literature and time.
Through a different blog I become aware of a printer's I had not heard from before, Persephone books. They print books written by forgotten female authors ( although a few male ones have crept in) from the first half of the 20th century. So naturally I had to get a few of those.
I am also rereading Beverley Nichols. And...I have long been fascinated by the books Debbie Macomber writes, as I have never read one. There were a few in Waterstone's, so I got one to satisfy my curiosity.
In answer to your question about the irises, you do not have to replant them. Just leave them be for most of the time, although they do benefit from some dividing every few years. The trick is not to plant them too deep, just leave the risomes on the surface of the ground. I am intrigued by your foxgloves, I would not have thought that would work, but it only goes to show, sometimes you just have to try things.
And last but not least, oh yum, macaroni cheese... That really is one of my all time favourite comfort foods!
Enjoy a gorgeously sunny weekend and do a lot of reading,
Caroline
I've recently re-read The Magic Apple Tree, which is such a delightful book and makes me long to live in an English village.
My bookshelves are a mixture of craft, cookery and gardening books, although I rarely have time to look at them these days.
Other books are a mixture of mysteries ~ I like The No 1 Ladies' Detective Series ~ travel related biographies and historical tales ~ not forgetting the complete series of Harry Potter!
Enjoy your weekend Heidi.
Marie x
Hi:
I have some very old books on my bookshelves, which will soon be coming off and I am giving them away. They are hardbacks I am keeping for who knows why.
I am reading an author right now I have not read before. Just started it. I just finished another Debbie Macomber.
Have fun reading, they are all good books.
Love you, have fun this weekend.
Hugs and kisses, Mom
I have several stacks of books waiting patiently for me to pick them up. My sister often shares a book that I "have" to read, so the stacks grow. I just finished reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It is one of the best books I have read in a while. I would highly recommend it.
I've actually just about run out of books - that's a change! Am looking for some good new ones for Summer reading. Just completed A Year of Fog - Michelle Richmond, which was wonderful, couldn't put it down.
Am now back on Michael Sanders - Families of the Vine (started earlier this year) set in Southwestern France not far from where my brother lives - interesting tale of wine and vineyards.
I was amazed at the marvelous selection of books available in England this trip - just wish I could have scooped up a suitcase full. Did pick one for the plane, Kate Atkinson's - When Will There Be Good News? Another excellent read.
Reading is so good when one is feeling unwell, you don't have to feel guilty about spending time propped on piles of comfy pillows with a cup of tea and perhap a sweet goodie - to keep up one's strength!!
Have a great weekend Heidi.
Dear Heidi, thanks for stopping by my site and commenting on my Valentine's. I love visiting with you and as you, I also wonder about the people who have sent these beautiful Romantic Notions to one another.
In regards to what I am reading you may be surprised at the book I have choosen to read at this time. Here goes--- The Lives Behind the Legend of Bonnie and Clyde by Paul Schneider. I guess I really love Gangster stories and movies, along with outlaws and deputies from the old west. When I bought the book I also bought to movie too. But, I also love The Secret Garden and Anne of Green Gables. I guess I like all kinds of stories. Enjoy your book.
Oh Heidi,
I have stacks and stacks of lovely books just waiting for my time. I sadly find little time these days for much beyond school required reading, but I squish in a page or two whenever I can!
Hugs,
Dena
Little Women is one of my old favorites; I also love a series by Laurie R. King that are additional stories about Sherlock Holmes (Mary Russell novels)--and she writes with the same voice as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And the Jane Austen mysteries by Stephanie Barron. Chronicles of Narnia is what I am reading in between the other books.
Enjoy your healing rest.
Heidi, thank you for leaving a comment, but never feel pressured. Your well being is so much more important. Focus on rest and comfort and of course your love for stitching. I really love Frances Hodgson Burnett's books, though for some reason, the Secret Garden has never resonated as much as the other two with me. Maybe I should pick it up again.
I love to read your posts. The idea of curling up with a book, tea and some stitching just relaxes me. For some reason, the word that always comes to mind when reading your blog is "welbehagen". It always is a little oasis in my day!
Ooh, I realised I was rambling a bit earlier, but these conversations are nice.
I am thrilled to hear that you read Beverley Nichols too, I always felt I was the only person in the world left to do so... I greatly enjoy his books, although I had a near miss with him, as the first one I read was Down the garden path in a Dutch translations, given to me by an aunt, a word of warning, never do that!
I have ordered my Persephone books via Bol.com as I do not have a credit card and can not order on their own website. Bol only has the paperback versions, so I fear I will loose out on the bookmarks. I love your ideas about the spare room though, that sounds truly fun.
Can not wait for the books to arrive, that will be another couple of days though, it is like waiting for your birthday to come round when you were a child.
Another ramble, but there is one last thing...maybe you know it, but if you are looking for a quick, uplifting read, there is little that can beat Allan Bennett's An uncommon reader. It is funny, yet profound and in a way quite sweet.
Enjoy all your books and try to get better soon,
Caroline
I have so many books in my shelfs that I don't have read yet... I often buy books on fleamarkets, so the shelfs are filled up a lot every spring and autumn when there is many fleamarkets. I mostly buy old classic novels and biographs. I have some favorite-books that I read mostly every year; Jane Austen-books, Astrid Lindgren's books and "Walden".
L.M. Montgomery´s novels never fail to come to life whenever I read them!
A friend just lent me Angels and Demons by Dan Brown ... can't wait to start reading it!
Hope you feel better soon, Heidi!
xo,
Lynda
Hi Heidi
I'm glad that you are able to keep busy with reading and stitching while you rest. One of my favorite books is The Shellseekers by Rosamunde Pilcher. I just picked up a copy of The Aginy and the Ecstacy by Irving Stone which I read years ago. I really liked it, so I thought I'd read it again.
Take care my friend
((hugs)) Rhondi
Hello Heidi,
I have my original paperback copy of The Secret Garden that my sister bought me one Christmas years ago.
I've also kept Sunday School prizes that I was given...I always liked school girl fiction, all about adventures at boarding school. My mum must have been the same because I've her old books and these are the same genre from an earlier generation. I really like the covers and illustrations.
Such nice reading you have to cheer your days, Heidi! I'm a great lover of books, and hubby and I have collected lots of books over the years. I appreciate the classics, and this year have been rereading many old favorites. More than any, I keep returning again and again to Jane Austen's novels--my faves! Right now I'm about to begin revisiting the Bronte sisters. SO nice to catch up with you here after having been away two weeks on our trip. Not much time for reading while away, so looking forward to that and catching up more with friends, like you. Happy Days and be taking good care... ((HUGS))
Ah I do hope your feeling up to speed very soon. Mean while what a good way to relax and enrich :). I just received, at home with Beatrix Potter, such a beautiful book. I'm reading Helen Hoover from the 60s about her living in the woods. The gift Of The Deer, The Forest Years etc. Also have read Susan Albrt, and just purchaced Old Herbacious.
I always have my nose stuck in a book. I have hundreds of books on my shelves that I haven't read yet!
AHA! That was the book I was telling Gramma to read. She passed it on to you before she read it herself! I LOVE the scrapbook mysteries! They are AMAZING!!! Right now I am reading the new Wanda Brunstetter book and the third Twilight book. :) I too LOVE to read! :) LOVE YOU!!!
Hello dear Heidi! Thanks for your lovely comment. I do really hope you are beginning to feel a little better. I have been thinking of you a great deal recently. Where would we be without our books, our escapism, fantasy, excitement, romance! I love mysteries, if they're not too gory - I love especially Agatha Christies, as much for the details on domestic life as anything else. At the moment I am reading Diary of a Provincial Lady in Wartime" by E M Delafield, which is very funny, it is one in a very funny series. I love it, just the thing to dip into before nodding off!
Take care, have a wonderful weekend
Kimx
Hello my friend :-)
Friday is here - finally!
Yes, I am the "to be read"-girl... - I have too much to do, I have to see that, I have to realize I must calm down. Perhaps books might help me do that!
But I do enjoy your love for books! - so keep on writing!
A weekend of good health I send to you!
Hugs from Tone
I love books. I love some of the authors you mention. they are called cozy mysteries here and I like them a lot. I am like you in my 40's.
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