A brief summary of what I’m currently reading or have recently finished, why I read it, and whether I’d recommend it. Although really, it’d have to be truly terrible for me to bother writing about a book I wouldn’t recommend……
Two Gardeners: A Friendship in Letters (Katharine S. White & Elizabeth Lawrence) – I’m not entirely certain when or where this book came across my radar, but I’m glad I didn’t miss it. Katharine White, wife of much-loved children’s author E. B. White, wrote for and later edited The New Yorker. Elizabeth Lawrence, herself a garden writer for a paper in Charlotte, saw White’s first column and wrote to encourage her in her efforts. Thus began a correspondence that lasted almost 20 years, until White’s death. Their friendship was conducted primarily through letters; they met in person only once. Their shared commiseration over the various woes of gardening and aging that they encountered felt a little bit like seeing my future, but bearing witness to their friendship was a privilege.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Jules Verne) – It may be hard to believe that it’s taken me approximately 29 years of reading to get to this classic, but I’m not the biggest science fiction fan. However, this one is well worth the time. Set in the mid-19th century, a professor of marine biology ends up as the “guest” of the skipper of a secret technological marvel of a submarine, and together with a few companions makes a trip of 20,000 leagues. It feels very much like a “there and back again” book, in that the protagonist starts in one world, travels to another, and then returns. Although the ending may leave something to be desired for those of us who prefer thorough explanations, as does the explanation of Captain Nemo’s motives, it’s a classic for a reason. If you’ve not read it yet, you might consider adding it to your bucket list of books.
The Year of Reading Dangerously (Andy Miller) – In this book I recognized bits and pieces of my own literary journey, such as it is. If nothing else, reading Andy Miller’s account of the 52 books he read in the course of a year gave me in some small way permission to read and even enjoy books that are not classics. It reminded me of the simple pleasures of books: reading them, thinking about them, and talking about them with friends; and it also reminded me that however out of habit one might feel, it’s not too late to get back into it. I won’t be reading all of the books he did, but there are a few that made their way onto my to-be-read list.
The Real James Wight (Jim Wight) – James Herriot and his books about his life as a country veterinarian in Yorkshire define the quintessential comfort read, in my opinion. When I heard that his son had written a biography of his dad, it immediately went on my to-be-read list, and I was not disappointed. Jim Wight captured the feel of his father’s books even throughout the biography, and it was truly a joy to read.
So there you have it: 4 books I’m reading right now or have recently finished. If you’ve read any of these (or decide to after reading this post), drop me a note and let me know what you thought of them! And let me know what you’re reading right now too.