What 📔book are you reading right now?

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

Northanger Abbey has gotten TV treatment, most rrecently in 2007:

 

[Starbrow]

I just got The Atlas of Middle-Earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad, so I've been perusing it.

 

[Squint-eyed Southerner]

It's come in for a few criticisms over the years, but it's still very valuable, IMO.

Check some of the threads on it.

 

[Deimos]

It's come in for a few criticisms over the years, but it's still very valuable, IMO.

Check some of the treads on it.

But it's the only thing like it out there. I wore out my first copy...it finally just fell apart.
Current copy is not looking too well, but may yet last a while longer.
I know the first one was the second edition. Not sure what ed. my current copy is (and at the moment I'm too lazy to get up and check it 😁)

 

[Sihtric]

Currently re-reading, The Children of Hurin, one of my favorite books from a couple of years ago. I'm on hold for The Nature of Middle Earth, pretty excited to see what it'll be like!

 

[BountyHunter]

Star Trek: Collateral Damage by David Mack.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

I recently finished Black Beauty by Anna Sewell. I hadn't read it before being put off by thinking it's a book for girls who have ponies. That is true to a certain extent, but a story that starts with "translated from the original equine" was likely to be good. It's a lot darker than I expected with quite a lot of sadness and death, and it conveys the idea of a society where horses were much more important than they are now very well. I certainly didn't think it was too childish or too niche.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

I read that one also awhile back. It is good. A fine book for children and for any who like horses.

It has a lot of depth to it, which I liked, and I can handle the sadness after all, since I read Tolkien.

 

[Ent]

Current reads are on language - one on history of, one on writing, and one on editing - and then trying to work through Chronicles of Narnia finally.
A bit of a struggle for me to get through The Horse and His Boy.
Lewis writes well enough and the stories entertain. Should have read Narnia before I hit double digits in age though.
I’ll finish the set so I know what’s there then move on to some of his other works.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

What is it like to read the Chronicles of Narnia in an older age?

I would imagine given some aspects in the book, it changes your perception, does it?

 

[Ent]

it changes your perception

Mostly I notice the quality of the writing and development of characters and canvas with pleasure…but the lack of nuance and depth are obviously evident. And not unexpected.

So the purpose and focus for the reading changes. The things targeted for the “takeaway” to justify the time investment get altered.

Pretty much the same thing as happens in any other environment. Taking a thing for what it is rather than what it is not requires a good deal of flexibility, adaptability and maturity.

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

What is it like to read the Chronicles of Narnia in an older age?

I would imagine given some aspects in the book, it changes your perception, does it?

I read them all a few years ago (during lockdown mostly) and kind of just used them as an escape. They were a really easy read to me since I guess they're good for younger people to read, so I found them relaxing.

 

[Ent]

some aspects in the book

Another aspect of his writing in Narnia I appreciate is his infrequent 'reaching out directly to his reader' with an aside, quip, comment etc.
He seems to understand 'the younger audience' well, and those little asides tend to jump out and refocus attention pulling the reader closer in, in a way.
Youth has a short attention span. It's likely helpful for them.
Could be distracting for an adult. We want 'story'. But for youth? Rather a brilliant tool in the kit perhaps.

 

[Wastrel]

I'm reading Closing Time just now, well, obviously not right now, but you know what I mean It's the sequel to Catch-22 by Joseph Heller.

And I recently finished The Winter King by Bernard Cornwell. It's a novel of Arthur, incredibly good, I have the second part, Enemy Of God lined up for when I finish Closing Time. Then I have the 5th part of The Mallorean to read. So many books, so little time

Cornwell's retelling of the King Arthur saga is quite good. Arthur is presented as a consummate warrior and politician, and Merlin ... well, it's better not to say.

Right now I'm re-reading "Mistress of Mistresses" by E. R. Eddison. I'm taking it slowly. Besides all the flowery language and speeches, it's definitely for adults. I'm catching the disguised eroticism and dirty jokes that I missed the first time.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

I appreciate both of your thoughts, @The Ent , and @Erestor Arcamen ,
I just have one more question.

Without giving away much of the book and how it works, isn't Narnia a land more for children and the young? At least that is how I had remembered it. What was it like reading about all of those adventures not as a child?

You sort of already answered it, but still. I read it as a very young child, and as soon as I felt old enough. I remember fantasizing about its existence, and jumping into puddles in my backyard or searching for a wardrobe in a furniture store. It was a good time.

While I didn't love the characters themselves that much, the land was thrilling and exciting to me. Full of adventure and brimming with opportunities.

 

[Ent]

@Elbereth Vala Varda - I'll respond to this later. Worthy of some time in response..!!
Getting ready to take the entwife to "The Great Junk Hunt" at the fairgrounds.
Not that we need more junk - we've got plenty - but well, she enjoys it. So there you go.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

Nice! Have fun.

 

[Elthir]

I had The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe read to me by a Catholic nun. I loved it, but didn't know there was more, until later.

Anyway, at the moment I'm reading the history of Celebrimbor, found in HME V, Unfinished Tales, the constructed Silmarillion [1977], and the Peoples of Middle-Earth. It's for a web thingy.

 

[Elbereth Vala Varda]

I had The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe read to me by a Catholic nun. I loved it, but didn't know there was more, until later.

Interesting. Was it different reading the first book, since you had already seen The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe?

 

[Elthir]

Hmm. I had LW&W read to me, as I say, but when I found out that there was more, I think I started with my own reading of LW&W . . .

. . . and beyond that, I really can't recall the order in which I read the others (Prince Caspian next? Maybe. Or maybe The Voyage of the Dawn Treader). I'm not sure if that answers your question.