On Reading ..and Other Things

Well, life takes some funny turns doesn't it? Here on my private blog, I happened to post a link to an interesting blog. I wonder why I did that, when this is the blog that no-one reads...yet. Well, that has all changed now, cos I got posted on their blog. Mmm...very embarrassing when you think you are leading a private life. Guess there must be some etiquette to these blogs. But thankyou anyway to justbeingjohnmichael for your kind words.

Anyway, it has been drawn to my notice that I haven't put my book list on here. Serves me right for trying to keep two blogs, one public , one private. Actually , this was a blog in practice, as I was trying for a more inspirational theme, and not just the run of the mill ordinary news that I usually post for the family and friends! So I have posted a list of some of the books that I have read...recently, or not so recently. I read so much, it is just as well I try to keep a list of them, as I would probably never have the memory to remember them all! As you can see there is no rhyme nor reason to my choices. Often it is what pops up in front of me when I go to the library. There have been many thousands of others, especially spiritual books! Unfortunately I haven't always recorded what I have read. Anyway, thankyou for asking, as I have enjoyed cataloguing this small sample of books, and remembering them as I go! I will have to try to make a list of my favourite clasical and sacred choral music. Mmm...that might take a while longer! As I write there is a favourite piece on the radio as I speak. Could it be the magical Mozart's clarinet concerto?

Biographies always catch my eye, (which is why I am so drawn to reading everyone's blogs of course)! Another source of interesting books has been the national radio program here on Classic FM in the mornings. From 10 to 11am, I have all the radios on in the house, so I can listen to Margaret Throsby interview her daily guest, as I go about my morning chores. [Sometimes I do like to just sit and listen too]! Her guests are always inspiring, and often authors are talking about their latest books. Mum and I used to rush off and buy or borrow them to read, and so we had often read the "latest" book that everyone was reading, months or even years ahead of them!

I didn't ever realise how "English" my reading habits were, until I read Out of Africa, and her comments about english literature. I'm not sure that my reading habits have changed all that much, except that I am now reading a little bit of American writing, every time I go and visit my daughter in New York. So you will come across some of the american books in the list too, if you are observant. Although the ones that I have sampled, have seemed a little "dark" to me in places, and I wonder if that is a bit of a trend in popular american writing, or is it just these books that I get drawn to?

Well, I better sign off here, as it is a little difficult to write and talk to my daughter as well! She has called to tell me the latest news from the doctors visit. All is still well for the moment in NY, praise the Lord.