Many thanks to Nancy who tactfully reminded me that summer is quickly approaching and it is in my best interests to have some books lined-up to maintain a focus that has been disturbingly absent so far this year. Â So with a new resolution in mind to be more organized, here are some of my possible reads for a summer that in my part of the world, looks like it’s going to pass us by.
Cirtnecce suggested a read-along of this wonderful M.M. Kaye book and how could I resist? Â I haven’t read any of Kaye’s novels in ages and summer is just the right time.
I suggested a read-along of The Gormenghast Trilogy to Cirtnecce ages ago, as I know it’s on one of her book lists. Â Will she join me? Â We shall see.
I really need to read some more novels for my rather pitiful Russian Challenge. Â This one has intrigued me for a couple of years. Â I can’t wait to read it.
I know this book is part of my The Well-Educated Mind History Project, but I want to get a start on it because I plan to go more in-depth and hopefully post a little on each figure. At least, I think I do.
Lately, I’ve been trying to target some books on my Guardians 1000 List. Â Why? Â I have no idea. Â Perhaps an impulsive scramble to look like I’m accomplishing something. Â I quite like Georgette Heyer, so this one is a good choice.
Honestly, this one is a capricious addition. Â I have no idea whether I’ll read it, but it’s always intrigued me. Â And summer is an excellent time to be capricious, wouldn’t you say?
Another addition for my Russian Challenge. Â I’ve heard good things about this novella and I’m looking forward to it.
Has anyone ever thought that I’m delusional? Â Well, this is proof. Â I’m sure I will NEVER get to this book before summer has ended, but I still dream that I might ……
And here ends perhaps hopefully my possible, potentially unplanned but feasible reads for the summer of 2017. Â Dare I look back at the end to see what I accomplished? Â Might I get someone to do it for me? Â Maybe ………… Â Ha ha!
Happy summer reading everyone!
Other Summer Posts:
Always a surprise to see which books you select!
Dunnett, Heyer, Peake and Webb are completely new for me. I will investigate them with my morning coffee. Russian classics for the challenge look very good and of course an ancient, Plutarch's Lives. That last one could be a good suggestion for me to get back on the Greek/Roman 'track', thanks!
So, are these books you wish you could read this summer, or books you're moving up your TBR queue? Because if they're just a "wish", good luck 😀
Cleo, I've been looking at Plutarch's lives….and see two translations (Loeb, Dreyden). Have you heard from other readers which translation is the way to go?
I'm always surprised at what books I select!
With 4 unknowns, I may have started you on a whole new rabbit trail! You don't have to thank me …. LOL! 😉
Thanks for the push to get this post up!
Okay, just stop it! How do you know my habits so well? LOL!
Well, the answer to your question is …… yes! Numbers 1,2 and 4 are definitely moved up and the rest are wishful thinking. It will depend on how I clear up the other reads I have going at the moment. I have a busy first half of the summer and a lazy second half, so we'll see how it goes. With my reading-life, it appears to always be a surprise! 🙂
I'm reading the Dryden translation. Loeb translations are usually for those who are first studying the language and reading pleasure comes second, so I wouldn't choose it unless you are keen to learn Latin! 🙂 In this case, I don't think the translation would be a huge issue. I worry more if the work is poetry, as in the case of Homer or Dante, or written in an unrelated language, such as Russian, etc.; then the choice is harder, but since this book is originally in Latin and it is more of an account, I don't believe you could go too terribly wrong with most translations.
Ok…thanks so much!
I'll go with the Dryden translation!
Georgette Heyer is in a class by herself; and x for the tip on translations…
Good luck with all the others: lots of fun poses a head!!
I haven't read any Heyer books in awhile so I'm looking forward to it. These are more relaxed summer reads for me than normal. I'm excited to start!
I'm excited to see what you-all make of the M.M. Kaye. Risa (not sure if you remember her, a fellow book blogger currently on hiatus) suggests it's close to Gone with the Wind. WHAT? I have it on my TBR but can't make a readalong happen right now.
Close to GWTW?!! Now I REALLY can't wait to read it! Well, perhaps if we move VERY slowly, you'll have time to catch up to us. I just had someone contact me on GRs for another read-along, so slowly through a great number of books might be my modus operandi this summer!
You have some great books lined up! Shadow of the Moon is on my TBR and I'm really looking forward to it as I've loved the other MM Kaye books I've read. I hope you enjoy the Gormenghast trilogy too – I'm planning to re-read it at some point, though probably not for a while. And the Lymond Chronicles are wonderful! I would love to know what you think of The Game of Kings, if and when you read it. 🙂
Yikes, I haven't heard of most of these, except Lives and One Day in the Life, (the later is on my summer reading list, too! — if I can finish The Brothers Karamazov, at some point).
Not quite Gone with the Wind but very close!! Jillian, we will go slow…join in!!
Ok….first of all Yay!! Can't wait to re-read Kaye with you! I will get an introductory post up soon followed by my usual historical snapshot to give some context. Will I join you for The Gormenghast Trilogy? Of course…we decided on that like ages ago! And now that I am going overboard, I will join you for the Game of Kings as well…Jane had shared a wonderful review and I really looking forward to reading it. Whats more, if I finish Dead Souls, I will as planned again, read One Day in the Life with you. Ok…now its official, I am CRAZY!! But we shall gave FUN!!
p.s. I may also give you company for Precious Bane..again Jane had done a wonderful review!! And who know Georgette Heyer as well….OK…Now I will go and book an appointment to get my head checked!
I love your list! (And can I just jump into one of those summery pictures and live there for a day?! sigh…) I've heard good things about the Gormenghast Trilogy, so I'll be quite intrigued to hear how it goes.
Please feel free to read along with Cirtnecce (Madcaphat) and I, if you like; I anticipate that Shadow of the Moon will be a wonderful read! I'm so happy to have such excellent feedback on all these books! I can't wait to get started!
Well, there you go …. a number of new books to perhaps add to your TBR list. No need to thank me! LOL 😉
You are crazy, but don't worry …. it's not a surprise! 😉 Well, this is so fun, but one at a time. First I need to acquire a copy of Shadow of the Moon which I will try to do today or tomorrow. I will let you know.
P.S. Please let me know what the psychiatrist tells you! 😉
Did you notice that I used a somewhat greenish (which often means wet) summery photo for the first one? I didn't want to shock anyone too much who lives in our neck of the woods and has been experiencing this wet and cold weather. Brrr! I will let you know what I think of Gormenghast, certainly!
If you let me know when you're ready to start I would love to read along with you and Cirtnecce! I already have my copy (the first one you pictured above).
I will let you know. I just visited the used bookstore today where I was sure I could get it and they didn't have ANY M.M. Kaye! Help! So I'm off to check Amazon ….
Hey Helen….do join us! We will have fun….I will put some posts on the historical background to give us better understanding of the times especially from an India perspective! We will have to wait till Cleo gets her book and we will close on the date!
Great! I'll look forward to it.
I watched an absolutely excellent adaptation of Precious Bane eons ago and loved it–the book is quite good too, but then I read something else by Mary Webb, which was just silly. If you like the book, search for the video as it is simply wonderful.
An Infamous Army is wonderful, but very different from most of Heyer's other works. I'm due for a reread of this myself.
I started The Game of Kings, and got bogged down, but am thinking about resuming it again now that I've read up on the region and timeframe a bit.
Happy reading and happy summer – I loved the picture you closed the post with. Summer!
Apparently I'm not receiving updates in my e mail anymore so you have been blogging and I haven't been aware of it. That is so annoying.
As regarding your list. There are quite a few books there that I haven't read or even ever heard of. I'm going to look them up and see what they are about.
Thanks for sharing your list!
I'll be interested to see how you get on with The Gormenghast Trilogy – had a friend who kept recommending it. Still not got to it 🙂 Also Plutarch – I find the Lives quite daunting so I'll be glad to see you testing the waters first 😀
I will be interested to see what you think of the Gormenghast trilogy! When I read it, I liked Titus Groan considerably better than the other two. There's a change in tone after the first one that didn't really work for me. The first one, though, is a masterpiece of Gothic literature.
Wow, I had no idea there was T.V. adaptation of Precious Bane. Hmm … perhaps I'll move it up on my list although I have a feeling I'm going to be spending much of my time on the Gormenghast Trilogy. So many books and so little reading time lately. Sigh!
Have a great reading summer too, Jane! 🙂
You're welcome, Sharon! I hope you get your updates working soon!
Wow, I am bogged down with the History of the Peloponnesian War, The Republic and City of God. I hope I can get to a read that feels like a mental break soon. Gormenghast would be good. However, I am definitely looking forward to Plutarch!
That's for the feedback, Beth. I have no idea what to expect and I've heard that it's quite unique. It will be a nice change in any case.
I just had to SHARE your inspiration (reading classics and summer books)
Here is the blogpost:
https://nancyelin.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/great-lists-tracy-brona-and-cleo-20booksofsummer/
Thanks, Nancy! Going to check it out!
Precious Bane is one of my favorites ever! And I am about to reread An Infamous Army. I had fun reading your list.
Thanks for the recommendation for Precious Bane. It makes me want to read it right away! I have a few days where I'm going to have time to read, so I hope to get started on at least one of these.