This last week I just finished reading The Elegance of the Hedgehog which I picked up partly because of the particularly intriguing title and partly because of reading positive reviews about it in Bookmarks magazine. I wasn't disappointed. I was delighted when I discovered the reason behind the title, this tidbit appeared about halfway through the book. Recently translated from French, this quiet story is told from the viewpoint of a 50-something concierge and a 12-year-old tenant. Themes of Art, philosophy, beauty, literature, and meaning of life run throughout this book.
Yesterday I finished Brooklyn which is another kind of unassuming book like Elegance. I believe this is written by an Irish author. The book follows the journey of Eilis Lacey from Ireland to Brooklyn and the people she meets along the way. Ultimately it's a story of growing up and finding home. It's a gentle, flowing story with unique characters.
Plumb is one of my favorite Christian singers. I'm picky about such music. Last week I checked out Plumb's newest CD Blink and it was beautiful. Ultimately, most of the songs are lullabies that she wrote for her two young sons. But the messages and lilting melodies kept me listening. Her other CDs are much more upbeat, but I love them as well. She very often tells stories in her songs which I love.
To any of you looking for something new to read or listen to, I highly recommend these items. I'd love to hear opinions from anyone that has read/listened to these already or from those who pick them up as a result of my reviews. I don't have much opportunity to talk literature with people right now (this is my outlet), so I hope you don't mind that books come up frequently in my posts.
Happy reading and listening!
2 months ago
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5 comments:
it's funny that you mentioned Plumb, because i was just thinking about her music the other day and how much i've enjoyed it in the past. i would love to hear her new cd. her music is beautiful and also very sincere and uplifting. i was remembering when we saw her in concert at IWU. she seems like such a genuine cool person.
i am very intrigued by the Elegance of the Hedgehog book. I would really like to read it.
also, i am very much looking forward to seeing you guys this weekend!!:)
No, I don't mind at all that literature comes up frequently in your posts - in fact, I love it! I too am motivated to pick up Hedgehog - I'll add it to my stack :)
I just read The Brass Verdict, by Michael Connelly. I guess he’s a big name, but I hadn’t heard of him until a librarian recommended him. I will have to thank her: it was excellent! It's the best legal thriller I've read since some of Grisham's early works (and better than most of his later ones). I believe you enjoy Grisham, so would definitely recommend it. I could not put it down, and it had enough twists and turns to keep you guessing – but had this satisfying resolution, where you think – oh yes, I should have seen that coming. I understand that most of Mr. Connelly’s books follow a detective in this book, and are more detective mysteries (which this one was, too, but it focused more on the legal battle).
By the way, Mr. Connelly’s Wikipedia entry is very interesting, for what it’s worth! I used it to help figure out what were his first books, and have the first in the series on hold.
I want to hear the knew Plumb! I believe I have a picture with her somewhere in my drawers from that IWU concert. Good memories! :)
Guess I better try Plumb -- never heard of her. I need to get better acquainted with more music.
So, what have you been reading this week? :)
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