I checked back in with my reader's from the Summer Reading Series. Here's where they are and what they said-
An Aesthete's Lament
The one I am reading right now? I just finished (last night) "Rage for Fame," a biography of Clare Boothe Luce ... The next book I shall read is "Conversation Pieces" by Mario Praz ...
theHouse of Beauty and Culture
There is a growing stack (In House, More is More - Tony Duquette, and the new book on David Hicks among them) that I have not even had a chance to look at. This is a very bad habit. I still haven't yet read Pat Montadon's book (2007) or Kevin Sessum's Mississippi Sissy (2007). And, the books I ordered last week (Divas on Screen being among those) are due in on Tuesday! But I digress, in answer to your question I am currently reading: Madeleine Vionnet by Pamela Golbin (new), Wallace Neff and the Grand Houses of the Golden State by Diane Kanner (2005), and Mother of Sorrows by Richard McCann (2005)
There is a growing stack (In House, More is More - Tony Duquette, and the new book on David Hicks among them) that I have not even had a chance to look at. This is a very bad habit. I still haven't yet read Pat Montadon's book (2007) or Kevin Sessum's Mississippi Sissy (2007). And, the books I ordered last week (Divas on Screen being among those) are due in on Tuesday! But I digress, in answer to your question I am currently reading: Madeleine Vionnet by Pamela Golbin (new), Wallace Neff and the Grand Houses of the Golden State by Diane Kanner (2005), and Mother of Sorrows by Richard McCann (2005) JCB
Oh, I am never reading just one book! Right now: Angela Davis-Gardner, Plum Wine.
"A mystery that unfolds as beautifully, delicately, and ceremoniously as a lotus blossom. One of the most memorable novels I have read in many years." —Lee Smith, author of The Last Girls& Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Blithedale Romance. I am organizing my book week for next month...and will finally write that little piece on seasonal reading you suggested (inspired by the Paris Review interviews). le style et la matiere Books? You do mean books, don't you?
The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins (rereading - inspired by a certain LA post); The Art of Arts by Anita Albus profound reflections on painting, art, symbols of human life through an examination of Dutch art and thinkers of various cultures; Decorating is Fun by Dorothy Draper (I understand Jennifer Boles' inspiration; they are both light and breezy but get down to important brass tacks in an original way); Ghost Stories by Edith Wharton (seasonal yes, but I'd never read these and they are worth reading at anytime)...
Mrs Blandings
I am reading the Cecil Beaton biography by Hugo Vickers &
Emily Evans Eerdmann’s Classic English Design and Antiques. Can’t wait to see what else is on everyone’s bedside tables!
& Me
If nothing else-checking back in with all makes me know I am not alone. As HOBAC says of his growing stack-And undoubtedly next week I will look at the bookcase with all my unread books and think, but, there is nothing to read! Oh, the caprice of it all.
Currently reading- Clarence John Laughlin Prophet Without Honor by A.J. Meek, along with reviewing his published photography books. When I want to switch it up- I go to Ottoline Morrell: Life on the Grand Scale by Miranda Seymour.
On my groaning bedside table, next up- Journey Into The Mind's Eye by Lesley Blanch and The House of Life by Mario Praz. Both books recommended by AAL and the Lesley Blanch book by Lucindaville. On the book's jacket, Blanch writes "My book is not altogether autobiography, nor altogether travel or history either. You will just have to invent a new category." In the fiction category-Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel the 2009 Booker Prize winner..
Who's picture is the first?! I see a very familiar sight- Edith Sitwell's English Eccentrics! It's been sitting at my bedside for months, and months, and months... Her writing style is as eccentric as any of the eccentrics she writes about! I keep making the mistake of picking it up as I'm about to fall asleep. One of these days, I need to sit down with it, and a giant cup of coffee. Have you read it?
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are tingling to get hold of Wolf Hall.
ReplyDeleteGreat suggestions from many friends!
ReplyDeleteOh this is fun! So funny you are reading Laughlin book because the other day I had a sudden urge to pull my copy of "Clarence John Laughlin: Visionary Photographer" off the book shelf. I hadn't looked at his work in a long time.
ReplyDeleteVERY fun post. I'm a bit of a biblio-holic, and I'm always curious about what others are reading. An especially fine list, since it's mostly new to me. Can't wait to try some of these. Also, isn't the cover on the In House book marvelous? I love the way the type is blended into the photo. Very different.
ReplyDeleteLauren- that is my little pile. That book is really easy to read bits at a time-I just sort of roam through til she takes a turn. It is an ongoing thing with Edith Sitwell and me. G
ReplyDeletePTE- oh me too, maybe I will do that one next!
ReplyDeleteMeg-yes, good stuff.
Janet- I have been studying his photos. I was totally ignorant to his work. this book reads like a novel-one so talented-being so difficult. But I am fascinated with this photos and the descriptions-which apparently were/are not done in the art of? I hope to do a post on him- I would love your input. G
ReplyDeleteSanity- I like the In House cover too-I just got my copy in the mail Wed or Tues? It is a comfort to know I am not alone in my addiction! G
ReplyDeleteSo I'm catching up with you and now I have the references for Meek's CJL book. Looks good. Another book just came in for me - Mario Praz' House of Life - recommended by A'sL from your first post. These lists are just what I'd dreamed of. Who would recommend the right books better than all of you?
ReplyDelete