Books on the Nightstand discussion

In the latest episode of the podcast we discuss what Krista here on Goodreads called "guilt trip books." You know, those books that have been on your shelf forever, that you just never seem to get to.

Ann and I committed to each reading one of our guilt trip books and we loved them! What book has been waiting patiently on your shelf and will you "open that book?"

Sometimes I just close my eyes and reach for something on one of my bookshelves and read that. I want to read all of the books I have, (if I should live long enough). Generally I read the newer hardcovers first, becasue they will still be sought after by others, I trade books online on several sites, and demand falls off after a while.

I have several "classics" on my bookshelf that I hope to get to some day - A Tale of Two Cities, Vanity Fair, Swann's Way (I'm ambitious, no?)
I did pull "Star of the Sea" by Joseph O'Connor off of my bookshelf last week -- it's been there for a few years and I probably started it at some point, but I guess since I was just in Ireland a few weeks ago I became more interested in the subject matter.

I have a funny "guilt trip book" story. I'd been meaning to read Madame Bovary for years so I packed only two books for a two week vacation to Spain, Atwoods Orxy and Crake and the guilt-laden book, figuring I would have to read it, at the very latest on the airplane ride home.

So we get to Spain, I read most of Oryx and Crake on the plane (I loved it!) and then I spent the next couple days struggling through the first chapters of Madame Bovary. Then, to my relief while searching for a mailbox in the town we stumbling across a English bookstore. I happily sold the Atwood book and Madame Bovary and bought two more- which I throughly enjoyed for the remainder of the trip.

The next book I'm planning to tackle this week is Mists of Avalon by Bradley- anyone read it? Will it grab me early?

Krista, that is a great story!

Krista-- if you enjoy the Merlin tales of other writers, I think Bradley's version from the women's point of view will draw you in very quickly. It did for me -- I was immediately on the lookout for the clues as to viewpoint and the story naturally wrapped itnself into that.

Krista, your story is exactly what I would have done!

And I loved Mists of Avalon -- you will probably love it, too. I haven't read it in years, but it is one of those books that I give to people all the time.

I have two books that I've been passing up for awhile now...Northanger Abbey and Deception Point by Dan Brown. I think it's because they are older books that were recycled to me and the cover's aren't pretty. I have been known to judge a book by it's cover - I just can't help it!

Pride and Prejudice is my guilt read - I have seen many screen adaptions, but have never read it!

Oh, Karen, please read Pride and Prejudice. You will be so glad you did.

My two guilt reads are Ulysses by James Joyce and Robert Fagles translation of The Iliad. Both are sitting on my shelf glaring at me. I bought both when I had great groups to read them with who would help me understand them. And, I just couldn't do it. Joyce's change of voice in each chapter defeated me. Just when I got into the rhythm of one, it was gone. And, I loved Fagles' translation of The Odyssey. He made it a lovely fantasy read, truly understandable. But, The Iliad is so full of war and gore that I just couldn't make it through.

Barbara wrote: "Oh, Karen, please read Pride and Prejudice. You will be so glad you did.

My two guilt reads are Ulysses by James Joyce and Robert Fagles translation of The Iliad. Both are sitting on my shelf ..."

I agree that Pride and Prejudice was a terrific book...Ulysses by Jmaes Joyce is also on my shelf, but somehow I do not feel guily because I don't think that I have ever met anyone who has auctually read it!! Haha. My guilt book is All Men are Mortal by Simone de Beauvoir. Ah perhaps someday it will make its way into my hot little hands :)

Karen wrote: "Pride and Prejudice is my guilt read - I have seen many screen adaptions, but have never read it!"I remember bringing along this book to read on vacation in AZ - it was 1996. I was with my mom, we were at a remote cabin and it was all I had. I absolutely had to FORCE myself to get through the first 50 pages! ("This is so utterly stupid--this brown-nosing, status seeking woman and her unending quest to marry off her 5 daughters!!") Then, somehow, I relented and decided it was a different time, different culture/society and began to enjoy the nuances of Austen's story. Funny. I loved Pride and Prejudice after that -- the A&E movie version is quite good.

I think the A&E movie version is the best one I've seen. i didn't like the recent movie with Keira Knightly - I thought the actor playing Darcy was weak. Of course, you have to take my opinions with a grain of salt, as I've admitted to not having read the book! I am resolved to do so, and will not give up in the 1st 50 pages!

I had a terrible time with Ulysses. Ulysses and Tale of Two Cities are two books I doubt I'll ever finish.