In between the trashy novels I always seem to have my nose in, I’ve read a couple of priceless books recently. In December, I read The Red Tent by Anita Diamant. I read this treasure very slowly and savored every page. The history in this book - the weaving of the tales that I grew up hearing - the voice of Dinah and her life’s journey were each very powerful and touching to me this holiday season.
I am currently reading Girl With The Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier. This book is even more interesting to me just coming back from Amsterdam. I can picture the canals and the beautiful architecture in my mind as she describes them. I am already sad about finishing this book and I am not even halfway through it. Don’t tell me how it ends or I’ll cry right this instant.
Both of these novels were like an old friend, a warm spot on the couch and coming home again. I knew I was giving myself a gift by reading them but I had no idea how extraordinary. Have you read these wonderful books? If not, I envy you. Go scoop them up now and thank me later.
What’s on your night stand right now? And what should I read next?
Funny, I posted about two books today too. One I just finished and one I just started. I’ve seen the movie, Girl with a Pearl Earring, so I know how it ends. But I’ll keep mum. Scarlett Johannsen is gorgeous. I have a girl-crush on her. I’ll have to put The Red Tent on my list. Sounds fascinating.
Tracy Chevalier is one of my favorite authors. If you liked this one, check out the rest. Each one moved me. Anita Diamant, not so much. Only the Red Tent was a good read to me.
My recommendation: Jodi Picoult. You can thank me later.
I couldn’t put Girl With a Pearl Earring down until I finished it. It’s no easy task, walking, carrying luggage, chewing gum and reading a book at the same time.
Happy reading!
The Red Tent is one of my all-time favorite books!! I just love the perspective of the relationship of the women. I think I cried a number of times throughout that book.
I loved The Red Tent as well! It remains one of my all-time favorites. Right now, in my libary book cue is Barak Obama’s “The Audacity of Hope.” I figure, if he’s going to run for the Prez…I’d better learn more about him!
I read the Red Tent several years ago and hated to finish it! I too was so caught up in the history and connections between mothers and daughters. Was this the book with the map in the front to which I was constantly referring back for family tree associations? So many generations! It would be a wonderful book for your daughter to read soon to learn how the gift of womanhood was so respected. Wouldn’t we like to just set up a tent each month and be ministered to by family and friends? I could have accepted that!
It was such a strong positive spin on the role of women and their connection to each other. It will stay with me forever! Now, I’d like to borrow The Girld with the Pearl Earring when you finish - we can cry over it together!
I posted about a book today as well. I looked at The Red Tent last night but chose the one I wrote about instead. Maybe next time I will bring it home.
Read and loved them both. I sobbed for hours after the Red Tent. Anita lives in my town and we marginally know each other, and I ran into her soon after I had read the book and told her how much it affected me, and she said that was the most common comment she gets about the book. Evidentally everyone ends up in tears after reading it.
The Girl with the Pearl Earring was great, but the movie wasn’t anywere near as good. Skip it.
A couple of years ago, I read them both and really enjoyed them.
In fact, I’d love to re-read The Red Tent.
Right now I’m reading The Atonement, by Ian McEwan. It is VERY compelling.
Oh, the drama, the angst! I hated the Red Tent. But then I have been perimenopausal for about a decade now and I’m about to go in the Guiness Book of Records as the oldest living possibly fertile woman.
Now, The Girl With the Pearl Earring- GREAT BOOK. Raehan is right- The Atonement is powerful. Right now I’m reading Krakatoa again- because I like big weather and volcanos and stuff. It’s the raging hormones.
I read Red Tent years ago and loved it! Right now I’m reading Ricochet by Sandra Brown. It’s good. I just finished the last Snicket - #13. It was terrific! I also have a Robert Parker and a Janet Evanovich on my nightstand…
Lunch sometime?
LBC
One of the best books I’ve read in years was Blessed Are the Cheesemakers by Sarah-Kate Lynch. Wonderful story, wonderful characters, wonderful writing. I just can’t say enough good things about it!
Another old favorite of mine is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. Once you get to chapter 3 it’s impossible to stop reading.
Anything by Elizabeth Berg… and if you like Red Tent, try the books by..um, I forgot, but the titles are: Sarah, Zipporah, and Ruth. Excellent and interesting - historical and all that. The author is Marek somethingorOther.
I listened to the Red Tent on tape while I worked. Loved the book, hated the Reader’s voice - and it took One Million Hours to get through.
That second book looks really good. I might just have to buy that one and put in on top of the pile of 15 other books that I’ve purchased and have yet to read.
Am reading and loving “Eat Pray Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. Perfect book if you have ever thought about running away from your life…and haven’t we all???
I tried to read the “Red Tent” but could not get into it…….that was 2 years ago. Maybe I was into something else.
The best book I have read recently is…”Don’t Leave Me This Way”or when I get better you’ll be sorry. It is a true story, about a 36 year old having a stroke and her rode to recovery. It was by far one of the best books I have read in a long time. I think I liked it especially being a nurse and seeing how the patient feels. I also loved the book my sister wrote about the passing of our brothers. I haven’t read that one in while due to the sadness of it, but have read it 4 times. I even sent a copy of it to Oprah Winfrey. But she never wrote back.
Okay…read my mind why don’t ya! Now I can’t post the blog I wrote this afternoon ’till next week or I’ll look like I’m copying! HAHA.
I LOVE to read but as I have no time anymore I’ve started listening to Audio books on my IPOD. I AM ADDICTED. (you’ll have to read the blog next week to know why
)
Current top fav’s are:
Eragon and Eldest by Christopher Paolini (Listening to Eldest this moment..GREAT GREAT GREAT series..almost over…**sob**sob**sob**))
Match Me If you Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (I read this one..GREAT modern romance..very funny)
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (Wonderful book for book lovers about book lovers..I haven’t read the sequel yet)
Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (HATED the movie…book was PHENOMENAL read.)
Okay..I’d keep going..but that’s enough. LOL.
I have Girl With A Pearl Earring. It’s on my nightstand as one of my next books to read. I had another one of her books out from the library last year. Right now I can’t think of which one it was though.
i’ve been meaning to pick that book up. The Red Tent, that is..I heard it was a good read. And while on the plane to S.Africa, I saw that movie, but only got as far as him putting the earring in her ear….gotta get that movie and watch it to the end..