Whatcha readin’?

With frigid temperatures and barren trees outdoors at this time of year, I turn to the comfort of a cup of tea and a good book regularly. Here’s what’s been on my bedside table recently:

Mrs. Miniver

I’ve posted about this novel, one of my all-time favorites, before. It’s one I read years ago, somehow forgot about, received a copy for my birthday one year, and now I re-read every year. Published in book form in 1939 (originally serialized for the The Times, London) by Jan Struther, “Mrs. Miniver” is a masterpiece of observations about the everyday life of a wife and mother. Struther’s ability to capture the carefully choreographed workings of relationships and inner life of the mind reminds me of Jane Austen. Though the story is set in the early portion of WW II, everything Mrs. Miniver says and does resonates with me in 2016. Love, love, love.

Murder On a Girls’ Night Out

Can’t resist a cozy mystery, especially a series with excellent characters who develop over time. The entire series of “Southern Sister” mysteries by Anne George has a permanent place on my shelf. Doesn’t matter if I remember whodunnit when I re-read. I just love revisiting the main characters, who have become my friends over the years.

Jane Eyre

Recently re-read this classic, and was struck by not only the over-the-top melodrama, but the feminist themes in something written so long ago (1847). This past weekend, Middle and I watched the 2011 film version – a great adaptation, though it dropped a couple of themes I found important in the novel.

Next up for my bedside table…I’ve reserved “Isaac’s Storm” by Eric Larson from our library. I think it’s the only one of his I haven’t read, and I love the way he combines intense research with fascinating narrative.

So – what have you been reading lately?

 

 

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