Tuesday, December 02, 2008

Reading Therapy

So... to relax in the quiet of the evening, flat out IGNORING the rest of my boxes in my living room...

I am re-reading Agatha Christie's 4.5o From Paddington. I love Miss Jane Marple.

Just thought I'd mention my love of mystery books. I have a lovely narrow bookshelf half full of mysteries. I find them relaxing, calming and give a sense of stability; I like the predictability, humour and the othernes about them.

Would love to hear what you read to relax, for comfort or for a challenge...

9 comments:

RW said...

I just read the 13th Tale - you might like it.
I am now reading the new Rankin book.

Kassianni said...

I've never gotten into mystery books. I read a few agatha christie in school, but I guess it's just not my flavour.
hmmm. to relax. watch a movie with subtitles. blog. make a slideshow from my photos. take pictures.
I generally only read in bed. the house is always to busy and noisy and distracting for me to sit down with a book.
glad you're taking some time to relax in the middle of this move!

Anonymous said...

ooh, I love mysteries. Mostly classics, such as Sherlock Holmes. Miss Marple is wonderful, too! I also enjoyed Rex Stout's detective Nero Wolfe, although I have not read him recently.

Mimi said...

I second The Thirteeth Tale, and I'm not particuarly a mystery reader (but I do like cozies) - it has a lot to say about why we read.

I've never read an Agatha Christie, but I shoudl.

elizabeth said...

RW - I looked up the 13th tale - I think I would like it!

I have not read Ian Rankin yet... he seems to have written a lot of things... do you think I would like him? I do like PD James, but there are others who I find too well... too something! (current? violent? disturbing?)

V - those are nice things to relax... I also like taking pictures... it's intresting what books various people like! I find blogging and reading blogs relaxing as well... and connecting with people...

Tatyana - yea! another mystery classic lover! I have a two volume set of Holmes... I need to read it... I have not read N Wolfe yet, but have read some Chandler and get a kick out of Perry Mason, esp. some of the early ones... they are so different culturally!

Mimi - I would be intrested to read a blog post or a comment by you about this sentance of yours: "it has a lot to say about why we read."

I admit that I often read for stress-coping reasons, which is why I often read myseteries... and they help me relax... I feel like I have not had a lot of time to really nourish my intellect as much or stimulate it at least... it takes a lot of effort... though I usually am thinking about something...

Agatha Christie is one of the most published authors in the world right now... so it may be worth reading one... a lot of people love _ten little Indians_ and find it well constructed...

thanks everyone for their comments! I always enjoy hearing your thoughts!

E Helena E said...

Interestingly enough, I had found a copy of the Joan Didion book you mention in an earlier post at a used book sale in the summer! And I am intrigued by "Acedia & me", especially after reading your posts on that also. So these are my next books for when the exams are over. Not the "lighter" fare I usually turn to for immediate relaxation, but definitely valuable, I'm sure. (Now that I've discovered it, I am enjoying your blog in between studying :-) Thank you!

elizabeth said...

the J D book... yes... i feel like she misunderstood part of the suffereing of grief by feeling that God does not truely exist or is not really caring for us... instead of seeing how much spiritual poverty we can have when in huge crisis, she seems to think instead that it is God who is poor and lacks either existance or compassion...

I am still reading the K Norris book... it was intresting to meet her...

E Helena E said...

That is often how people interpret and feel about suffering (even some Christians). How to have faith in God suffering on the Cross, and knowing He suffers with us, and kenosis and love - that can be a leap. I guess a divine leap. I am more interested now than ever to read JD's book.

Yes, it was neat to read about you meeting KN! (I need to also re-read "The cloister walk"; didn't read it that thoroughly the first time).

elizabeth said...

J D book is a pretty good read...

I love K Norris' _Cloister Walk_! have read it a few times!