Love looking through the lists of others … and 100% aligned with the value of ‘if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing’. I have just started a new list - ‘Books for Reading While Travelling’ … I’m going to train myself to read on the iPad and I’ll create a little library on the ‘Books’ app. ‘The Summer Book’ is going on the list even though we’ll be in Scandinavia (on current plans) in September so a bit past the season. I have a Jove Jansson on my ‘Books from 1965’ list, a late coming to her words. I’m not a big reader of fantasy but the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were teenage absorptions! My dad read Asimov and the last book I gifted him was a Le Guin, Jolabokaflod last year and he passed shortly thereafter … probably before he read it so maybe he’s borrowing from her library, wherever they ended up. Anyhoo, love a reading list and this one is great, not least because your story is woven through it. Books are great, but the how and why folk read them is fascinating too.
This is a lovely comment, thank you. Books are so very personal and, as you so ably demonstrate here, have histories woven into family and time, all those connecting threads which make us the glorious weave we are. I think September in Scandinavia is perfect for The Summer Book--it is the end of summer, the changing of the seasons, and a big part of the book is about this.
These days, I do a lot of reading on my phone, mostly non-fiction, and then use my Kobo for fiction. I'd like to train myself to read on a larger tablet, but I find it a bit too heavy for that, especially for reading at night.
I agree with you--looking through the lists of others is fascinating, especially when they share the personal tales behind the why. That said, I'll also spend far too long zooming in on bookshelves in the background of photos...!
So many wonderful books there that are deeply embedded in my own psyche as well - especially Earthsea, and the Moomins, Green Knowe, the Weirdstone of Brisingamen, and T.H. White’s Sword in the Stone books. Happy days. Setting me thinking on making my own list.
Those are wonderful books, aren't they? Something about all those you mention feels timeless, strong, and rich. If, or when, you do make your own list, do give me a shout, I'd love to see that!
Thanks for your words, too, and sorry it has taken me nearly two months to reply--I'm almost caught up!
What a fascinating list! I love that it’s so personal and that the themes align with your own. The Summer Book is now on my list. We were in Finland last summer, so it appeals doubly.
Many thanks Julie! I think sharing the little tales behind each book makes it that much more interesting to read, especially when we realise we all have these personal stories about stories, the why, the when, the where, it is an endlessly fascinating thing! I hope you also love The Summer Book, it has been a source of wonder to me for years, now.
Love looking through the lists of others … and 100% aligned with the value of ‘if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing’. I have just started a new list - ‘Books for Reading While Travelling’ … I’m going to train myself to read on the iPad and I’ll create a little library on the ‘Books’ app. ‘The Summer Book’ is going on the list even though we’ll be in Scandinavia (on current plans) in September so a bit past the season. I have a Jove Jansson on my ‘Books from 1965’ list, a late coming to her words. I’m not a big reader of fantasy but the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were teenage absorptions! My dad read Asimov and the last book I gifted him was a Le Guin, Jolabokaflod last year and he passed shortly thereafter … probably before he read it so maybe he’s borrowing from her library, wherever they ended up. Anyhoo, love a reading list and this one is great, not least because your story is woven through it. Books are great, but the how and why folk read them is fascinating too.
This is a lovely comment, thank you. Books are so very personal and, as you so ably demonstrate here, have histories woven into family and time, all those connecting threads which make us the glorious weave we are. I think September in Scandinavia is perfect for The Summer Book--it is the end of summer, the changing of the seasons, and a big part of the book is about this.
These days, I do a lot of reading on my phone, mostly non-fiction, and then use my Kobo for fiction. I'd like to train myself to read on a larger tablet, but I find it a bit too heavy for that, especially for reading at night.
I agree with you--looking through the lists of others is fascinating, especially when they share the personal tales behind the why. That said, I'll also spend far too long zooming in on bookshelves in the background of photos...!
Thanks again.
The overlap with the books that shaped me and my writing (at least of fiction) is uncanny!
This does not surprise me!
The Outrun is now on my TBR list, along with The Summer Book - so thanks!
That's excellent! I am quietly confident you will also love both of these.
So many wonderful books there that are deeply embedded in my own psyche as well - especially Earthsea, and the Moomins, Green Knowe, the Weirdstone of Brisingamen, and T.H. White’s Sword in the Stone books. Happy days. Setting me thinking on making my own list.
Those are wonderful books, aren't they? Something about all those you mention feels timeless, strong, and rich. If, or when, you do make your own list, do give me a shout, I'd love to see that!
Thanks for your words, too, and sorry it has taken me nearly two months to reply--I'm almost caught up!
What a fascinating list! I love that it’s so personal and that the themes align with your own. The Summer Book is now on my list. We were in Finland last summer, so it appeals doubly.
Many thanks Julie! I think sharing the little tales behind each book makes it that much more interesting to read, especially when we realise we all have these personal stories about stories, the why, the when, the where, it is an endlessly fascinating thing! I hope you also love The Summer Book, it has been a source of wonder to me for years, now.
Thank you🩵📚💚
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed this. And sorry it has taken so long to thank you!