Well, this is that time of the year again, so I thought I would post my few resolutions. Making them public might encourage me to work more diligently in keeping them.
I will avoid bringing in politics as much as possible. In the past it's been difficult, but I think I succeeded. However, this year I may find it harder. I doubt that keeping politics out of my posts will deprive anybody for I'm sure that it will be almost impossible to escape political discussions, reports, haranguings, and tirades. So, I hope to provide an oasis here. For those curious about my position, check out my post BALANCE at http://freds-ramblings.blogspot.com/2016/11/balance.html
My second resolution is to reduce Mount TBR to a molehill, or at least start on it. That means reducing book purchases and relying more on the library. I hope this doesn't cause a recession in the publishing industry, but it must be done. I also need to redouble my efforts in encouraging the various discussion groups I'm a member of to select more books that I have at home. This, of course, will reduce the number of books to purchase and help reduce Mount TBR.
Last year was the Year of Austen in which I read everything I had by Jane Austen, which includes all of her novels, her juvenalia, and uncompleted works. It was one of the high points of the 2016 reading year. I also saw an excellent film adaption of her short work "Lady Susan." For some obscure reason the powers-that-be called it Love and Friendship. I thought it one of the best adaptations of her works that I've seen and highly recommend it.
Since that worked out so well, I have decided that 2017 will be the Year of Lawrence Durrell, during which I will reread everything I have by him, which is close to his complete output--novels, travelogues, and poetry (that will be THE problem). In addition, I have just learned that an unfinished novel of his has been published, so I will have the pleasure of not only rereading him, but of reading something by him for the first time (even if it is unfinished).
I will begin with what has to be the obligatory starting point, The Alexandria Quartet. After that, I may then revert to reading them in their publishing order, or perhaps continue on to The Avignon Quintet or The Quincunx.
You are all welcome to join me.
Ms. M studied Lawrence for her masters; i'll have to see if she'll give me some pointers; otherwise, i've read a lot more Gerald than Larry... i'll give it a shot and see what happens...
ReplyDeleteMudpuddle,
DeleteI've done just the opposite: read more Larry than Gerald. Think I've only read one by Gerald, but I can't think of the title right now.
Glad to have you come along for the ride. As I told R.T., I will start with _Justine_ in a week or so.
R.T.,
ReplyDeleteI'm going to start with _Justine_, probably in a week or two. I'm buried in two huge works right now: Dicken's _Dombey and Son_ (900+ pages) for a discussion group and Murasaki's _Tale of Genji_ (1100+ pages).
Glad to have you along for the ride whenever you can join me.
R.T.,
DeleteDid the university library have a copy?
I hope you can join me.
I've never heard of Mr. Durrell, so I look forward to hearing about him here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteThank you. Perhaps something I write may inspire you to dip into Lawrence Durrell's writings.
I do not usually make New Years resolutions but this year I also have a few bookish ones.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I have tried to only talks politics when the politics affected big global issues. Thus I did so occasionally.
As I suspect American Politics will do so more and more, I may talk about them a little more.
Happy reading in 2017!
Brian Joseph,
DeleteI try to avoid politics now, actually for the past decade or so because the discussions inevitably turn nasty.
And Happy Reading in the coming year for you.
I've been doing the same thing with reading groups for a couple of years and trying to nominate books from my TBR!
ReplyDeleteI'd going to pull Justine from the shelves and hope I can get to it around the same time as your reread. Thanks for the nudge.
madamevauquer,
DeleteI've had a little success in the past and hope to increase it this year.
I will start Justine in a couple of weeks, as I have a number of commitments for discussion groups. I will move Justine to the Currently Reading Section in the sidebar when I start.
That works well for me, Fred. Today I am starting The Leopard with Lisa and Jonathan, so I'll have time to finish it.
Deletemadamevauquer,
DeleteI've often thought of reading The Leopard myself but have never gotten around to it.
I'm now about 2/3 through Dombey and Son, so I should be done fairly soon. The group meets to discuss D&S Wednesday, and I've put Justine next in line.
I'm glad that you've watched Love and Friendship. Didn't I say it's excellent? It's 1 of the best Jane Austen adaptations. He got her spirit and everything.
ReplyDeleteAre you by any chance interested in a Life and Fate read-along? I intend to start it in summer.
Di,
DeleteIt is excellent and the best adaptation of any of Austen's works.
Give me a couple of month's warning as the local library has only an ebook copy. (sigh) I'll have to get a used copy either locally or from abebooks.
Okay. Well I'll start in summer.
DeleteDi,
DeleteIt's on my search list.