Welcome to this week's blog. Here's a roundup of your comments and photos from last week.
FrDuffyFighting69th said:
I am reading 'My Imitation of Christ' by Thomas A Kempis - ca 1420. It was written to provide a handbook on Christian devotion for his fellow religious brothers. However, as the foremost example of instruction on Devotio Moderna, I find it sublimely beautiful and extremely salient for modern day Christians seeking a deeper understanding of their Faith. It is one of those works that transcends the ages, and indicates that the author had spent many hours in prayer and meditation. I highly recommend it, that is if there are still any contemplative Christians out there who read the Guardian.
MythicalMagpie confessed:
My long anticipated copy of Midnight, Dhaka – a collection of poems by Mir Mahfuz Ali - has finally arrived. I had every intention of savouring this book slowly, dipping into it and letting the rich loam of his imagery soak into my mind in measured portions, but I couldn't do it. It's wonderful, every bit as good as I imagined it would be. I can't even describe how talented this man is. Insert half a dozen superlatives here...
JamesCV84 told of a fascinating WWI thriller:
Beulah Devaney was reading about the ins and outs of vampire fiction:
I've been reading Out For Blood by Margot Adler; it's a Kindle Single asking why vampires are so popular in contemporary pop culture, especially literature, and for someone who's never read a vampire book it's fascinating! Every chapter offers a different theory (Power, Sexuality, Spirituality) while linking it to Adler's own views on paganism and environmental activism. It's a really thoughtful piece and as a result Anne Rice has raced up my to-read list.
hoodedpigwoman shared:
James Stokes shared:
This week there was also a lot of chat about Nobel laureate Alice Munro. MsCarey said:
I have to confess I'm a little scared of her. There are so many collections in my library that I don't know where to start and I'm also put off by her reputation. Worried that I'm not going to get her.
To which Isabelle Leinster replied:
The great thing about Alice Munro's writing is that I don't think there is anything to get in the deep sense of the word. Her writing is very accessible and free of pretentiousness. Most of her stories are about very everyday people leading unremarkable lives yet she makes them interesting.
And goodyorkshirelass added:
I agree with Isabelle Ileinster. No need to fear Alice Munro's stories. Eloquent, wise and succinct, she observes, with deceptive simplicity, human nature with all its quirks and foibles. For me she has the defining ability to express so much in so few words. I don't think you would regret reading any of her collections, I have enjoyed them all, and was particularly cheered that, at turned 80, her magic is still evident in Dear Life.
Thanks for all your comments and also for the interesting links about different aspects of contemporary reading. We'll leave you with a lovely definition of this blog – and the painful pleasure of "to be read" lists – by TimHannigan:
A TBR list is a bit like a financial debt. It weighs on you. And then it gets out of control and you find yourself in a spiral. And this place? It’s like the pub or the bookmakers on the road between the ATM and the supermarket. I’m almost flinching away from this week’s postings: Alice Munro, did several people say? Something about midnight in the capital of Bangladesh? Something about Gujarat, and some stories from the place they now call Mumbai? Get away from me! Be gone you foul temptresses! I have a stack of unread books climbing towards the ceiling already, and work to do!
If you would like to share a photo of the book you are reading, or film your own book review, please do. Click the blue button on this page to share your video or image. I'll include some of your posts in next week's blog.
And, as always, if you have any suggestions for topics you'd like to see us covering beyond TLS, do let us know.
