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| Sam not reading. |
Like much of North America, we are hunkered down to endure the frigid cold. We haven't broken any record temperatures, but this is the longest sustained stretch of cold that I recall in quite a few years. With critters, we still have outside chores and checks to do, but we have more indoor time, and for me, that means more time for weaving and reading. After keeping a book list last year, I'm inspired to do another one this year. Here are the first of my entries.
Historical fiction acts as a springboard for me, as I wonder what the
historical facts actually are and what life was like in that time period and
region (in this story it's India in 1799). The book I've just started on is
nonfiction, focusing on a small "undeveloped" region in northern India.
When I'm weaving or doing other handwork, I listen to audiobooks.
While I was reading Sharpe's Tiger, I listened to G. A. Henty's
The Tiger of Mysore, also fiction, also set in the same place and time period. It gave me a slightly
different perspective and different details, which is another reason I like
historical fiction. (The link is to Librevox, where you can listen to it for free, the physical book is available here.)
I thought Henty told a good story with interesting facts, so I chose another of his works to listen to next. This one related to my interest in genealogy, Wulf the Saxon: A Story of the Norman Conquest. (That link is to Librevox. Physical copy can be purchased here.) It's interesting to hear how one branch of my family tree fought and conquered another branch. That became a springboard for what I'm listening to now, William the Conqueror by Edward Freeman (title links to Librevox, physical copy here).
While I don't usually plan my reading too far ahead, I do have the next paper book and audiobook lined up: Sharpe's Triumph, the next in the Cornwell series, and The World Until Yesterday: What Can We Learn from Traditional Societies? by Jared Diamond on CD.
How is everyone else faring the cold? Are you reading? What are you reading? Any good recommendations to share?
16 comments:
Yesterday was a balmy 28 degrees so I took the opportunity to restock our wood box under our deck. We blew through a fair amount of wood due to the cold and the fact that the wood it probably close to 10 years old since I split it. The stuff I refilled it with is only 3 years old so should burn a lot slower.
I recently read "Brave the Wild River" about the first two females to run the Grand Canyon in the name of botany and researching the plant species at the bottom of the canyon. It was a really good read. After that was "Family Reunion: Essays On Iowa" which was good but might not be as interesting to you. Currently I'm about finished with "On Old Orchard Farm" which is about a farm family that lived about 80 miles east of where I live back in the late 1800's and their life back then. I bought the recently reviewed book by Jeff Garrison "American Ramble" that will probably be the next book I tackle.
We are struggling with artic cold too. I am trying to get the house warmer right now. We have snow showers coming in today as well. I am more than ready for spring. I have been reading and cleaning. I am currently reading Run Rose Run by James Patterson and Dolly Parton. It is good and I highly recommend reading it.
Ed, you've definitely got reading weather! And you've got some interesting picks. I think you're very lucky to still live in the area of your ancestors, because of all the historical resources available. My ancestors are spread out from the coastal east to Chicago. I have yet to find good local resources.
Carol, any tips for trying to keep the house warm? I've put up heavier curtains and finally closed off my sewing room. It helps, but it makes me sad to do that!
We're colder than usual but nothing like much of the country. Still, it was unpleasant to let the fire go out yesterday so the flue could get a much needed cleaning and fresh door seal could be installed. I kindled a fire this morning and we're all starting to relax.
With my increased work hours I don't have as much time to listen to my audiobooks (or do much of anything else). Right now I'm listening to a very enlightening book on Poe, "A Mystery of Mysteries," and have added a book by Bernard Cromwell to my holds, as I love historical fiction. They send me down rabbit holes, too!
Michelle, gosh, I forgot you are working more now. I hope it's going well. Will it be a permanent situation?
Biographies are another favorite category. Usually a little dryer than historical fiction, but interesting for the same reasons
Leigh, you have often spoken of Cornwell. I will have to check him out as that time period is of interest to me as well.
Most interesting book read to date: Ultrarunning for Normal People by Sid Garza-Hillman. Not that I am taking up ultrarunning, but he talks a lot about what he learned through ultrarunning. I am always interested in what people learn through their activities.
It was actually warmer here in New Home 2.0 than New Home, which was a little surprising.
TB, enjoy your warmth! Every day I check the 10-day forecast first thing, in hopes of seeing our own temps start to go up.
I really enjoy Cornwell. He always has a good hero. I started with his Saxon series because we liked The Last Kingdom TV programs. William the Conqueror pretty much seems to complete the story of the formation of modern day England.
Yes, it's very cold here too. I'm reading about 5 books right now. Three are just small early morning reads (A Year of Positive Thinking, and two devotional books), and I am reading a fiction book while walking on the treadmill, and reading a non-fiction gardening book other wise. We also started our first puzzle ever. I have never been one to read historical books, but they do sound interesting. I also now have the ability to read books on a tablet, so I am looking forward to that on road trips, or even on the treadmill. I'm working on recovery of an injured hamstring, so my walking has been on a slower scale (hence the reading to keep it not so boring ha ha ha!).
Leigh, we just started watching The Last Kingdom. I am really enjoying it.
It's been crazy cold here, but with windchill factors as well. We are in line for Alberta clippers and snow squalls coming off the lake, so it's been very windy and snowy. Today we had a moment of sunshine and I filled the feeders. It felt glorious out side and I found out it was a balmy -11 . It's all relative to what you're used to. I've been reading a lot too, but mainly fun fluff; a series that is irreverent and funny as all get out. I've also been knitting both machine socks and by hand. It does make staying home due to heavily drifted roads and near zero visibility at times much more enjoyable.
Oh how wonderful that fire looks. It doesn’t surprise me to find a cat laying in front of it.
Kristina, a good puzzle sounds like a good idea! So does reading while on the treadmill. It's multitasking like listening to an audiobook while I weave. I do hope you get your hamstring back in good shape soon. It's never fun having an injury like that.
It's interesting that the author helped with the TV series, yet it varies quite a bit from the book series. Both are excellent stories.
RT, always! That particular cat is always the one to take advantage of the comfiest places in the house. :)
Nina, I had to chuckle about "balmy." We're not as cold as you, but it's so true that all relative to what you're used to. Do you listen to audiobooks while you knit?
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