On the Pile

What is wrong with me? Seriously.

I have three books that I have to have read in less than two weeks. So far, I’ve read about 10 pages of one. I have (had) seven library books at home, most of which won’t get read before they have to be returned. And I have piles and piles of my own books that I haven’t yet read. So what do I do?

I go to the library and get four more books.

Finished: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis. Absolutely my favorite of the series (so far). I found myself comparing Lewis to Tolkien during much of this book, perhaps because VDT most closely resembles the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Except that Lewis accomplishes a similar epic journey with a fraction of the words. His words are concise and concrete enough to create the outline for your own imagination, whereas Tolkien painted the whole picture. I think I like Lewis's approach better. I also found myself referring back to what I’ve read so far of A Short History of Myth, particularly about using myths to describe the journey back to Eden. Anyway, VDT---so very, very good.

Now Reading: The three books I have to read---L’America, Elements of Style (RIP Wendy Wasserstein), and Man of My Dreams.

On Deck: TBD. I really want to get back to A Short History of Myth, The Penelopiad, and The Odyssey. But . . . I have that pile of library books that needs reading. On top of that pile are The Golden Compass and The Mind of the Maker.

Added to the Pile:
* The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy (recommended by Mike)
* The Dog of the Marriage by Amy Hempel (chosen solely for its title)
* Plan B by Anne Lamott
* McSweeney’s Enchanted Chamber of Astonishing Stories (chosen solely because it has a story by Margaret Atwood)