Remember when I chose a word for the 'new year'? It was 'balance'. Well, I can report that so far I haven't been very balanced but I guess it's still something to strive for. I came down with a bad cold that lasted most of last week and all I did was read. I didn't blog much so I am behind on visiting everyone. But I read library books on my IPAD. I check ebooks out from my library and use a program called Overdrive to view them on my IPAD for 14 days. After that they disappear. So that is incentive to finish a good book.
I give the highest rating to only a very few books. And I gave it to this one. The Water is Wide by Pat Conroy was written in 1972 so maybe everyone else has read it. But it was 'new' to me! And I loved it. 366 pages that I read in a couple of days. I could NOT put it down. It's a memoir and I'll include a little quote here. "The Water is Wide is based on Conroy's experiences
of teaching on Daufuskie Island in the late 1960's (thinly disguised as
Wamacraw Island in the book). After his application was turned down
for the Peace Corps, Conroy applied for a job teaching black children on
this isolated sea island off the South Carolina coast"
Have you read it? It is AMAZING!
And if that's not enough.... this week I went to the local library and found some old Nancy Drew books in the lobby 'books for sale' to add to my small collection.
This one was published in 1937 which I think makes it the oldest one I have.
What wonderful old classic mysteries!
I'm joining Ricki Jill for Literary Friday HERE!
What are you reading this week?
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35 comments:
Yes, I have read that book and loved it. I think Pat Conroy is a great author. I also enjoyed "Beach Music". Have you read that one?
GREAT find in your Nancy Drew books. I love the pictures on the dust covers. I think Nancy Drew books are partly responsible for my love of reading. I remember spending long summer days reading them when I was in elementary school.
Glad you had such good books to help pass the time while you were fighting a cold. Hope you're feeling much better now.
I love Nancy Drew! These were among my favorites growing up and contributed to my love of reading over the years. Some people think YA books are just for teens, but I disagree with that thinking! Right now I am reading Crichton's "Sphere". I wish our library had ebooks, but they don't. I'm glad you feel better.
I'm busy this weekend with the promotion of my own book, but I am reading Nicholas Sparks' "See Me". I'm not far enough into it yet to have a feeling for it.
I haven't read any Pat Conroy books but I'm adding that to my Pinterest board. :)
Love to read and I must use the library more ~ Don't think I read Pat Conroy's book but love Nancy Drew mystery as a child ~ great that you found one to add to your collection ~
Wishing you a Happy Weekend ~ ^_^
I'm so sorry you've not been feeling well but it was a great opportunity to give yourself over to reading. I love Pat Conroy! His cookbook, which is really a book of essays, led me to read his novels and I was hooked on them. I've been turning to my bookshelves for reading lately instead of buying more new books so I think it's time to start on Water is Wide again. I do like to plow straight through an author's books when I reread them.
And how I wish I'd kept my old Nancy Drew books that Santa brought me ever year in the old days! I think I would still enjoy them now.
Feel great again soon!
Dewena
Oh I loved The Water is Wide. And Conrack, the movie of the book is pretty good as well. I really enjoy Pat Conroy's writing. He can take you to a time and place. As for Nancy Drew, I did not read those books because I was hooked on Trixie Belden and Donna Parker!! Right now I am reading a Gail Godwin book. I found she has written some new ones and I have not read her writing in a long time.
I haven't read this but after seeing your review I will add it to my list. I still have some Nancy Drew books and I'm thinking of selling them. They are just gathering dust in my home..lol!! Hope you are all better now Sis!
hugs,
Linda
Hmmm... I must see if I can find that book on Amazon or Thriftbooks. And those old Nancy Drews are wonderful! What gorgeous jackets they have! I have a few older ones, but none that old. Great find!
I have not read that Pat Conroy have read others and like his writing. Of course, Nancy Drew comes from my childhood!
Old books are often written with a slower pace and more description and character build-up. I like those qualities. It is fun to find just the right book for the slow moments of the days.
Oh, I love old books {[smile}} I just started reading "On Thin Ice" and so far it has pulled me in. It's all I can do to not sit and read all day :)
Happy weekend. Hugs!
I haven't read the Pat Conroy book, but always glad to have recommendations. Right now I'm reading a book about Ronald Reagan called Killing Reagan. I need to pick up the pace on my reading. I had a whole shelf full of Nancy Drew as a kid and we also shared and traded with friends. I loved them all and read and reread them constantly. They were mostly found at thrift stores back in the 60's they were usually the dark blue cover and book jackets were highly prized!
Thanks for the book review. I need to read more on my iPad--I like borrowing from the library that way because you don't have to return books on time, but you do have to be quick about reading. Loved seeing your Nancy Drews. Just seeing them brings an emotion to me. I think I read every one of them. Pretty soon my granddaughter will be in to them. Oh and to answer your question, no snow here, but maybe in the mountains. But we're to get an inch of rain. Cold, so feels like winter and a good day to stay in. Sorry you've been sick.
Hope you are feeling much better...... Someday......I'm gonna have time to read!
Have a great Friday
Hi Diane, great finds you have there. I love Nancy Drew. Happy belated New Year.
Sending blessings,
Marlene
I love reading old books..old books are a sweet treasure
Hugs and smiles x
Those NDs are a real find. Hard to find them with the dust jackets. Cool!
I love Nancy Drew -what great finds! I have been adding them to my childhood collection. We keep them at our lake house for fun reading. I hope you are feeling better!
Diane, That book...The Water Is Wide...was made into a movie starring Jon Vouit. (Sp) I think the kids called the teacher Conrack. Hope you enjoyed all your reading...but sorry you were sick. Please get well. Blessings, xoxo,Susie
Aww I hope you are feeling better. Thanks for recommending this book. I can't seem to find a good book to read and I will add this to my list. Take care. Hugs, Julie
Diane, I love Nancy Drew books! I think I've read the one about the Whispering Statue. Did you ever read the Trixie Belden books? Very similar to Nancy Drew.
I loved Nancy Drew. How fun to collect them.
I didn't know one could 'check out' books for the ipad. How clever.
Hope you're feeling fine now. xo
At one time I had the entire collection of Nancy Drew books but I sold them to finance new brakes on my car back in the late 1970's. Wish I had them now.
What nice books to find in the giveaway pile! I couldn't have left them there either. I have not read the book. It sounds very interesting and, because you've given it such high praise, it goes on the wishlist. Feel better...nice use of time while below decks.
I spent my childhood reading and re-reading all the wonderful nancy drew books...how i loved them!! Great find! How many do you have?i did love trixie belden as well! Did you read the maud hart lovelace books? I have read and re-read the whole series as a young girl...a teen... And even an adult! And our daughter did the same! They are just charming!!!
Oh reading now...i just finished a series of childrens books called "all of a kind family" about the life and adventures of a jewish immigrant family living in new york city in the world war one era. The author is sydney taylor. Very sweet books
I've found some great books to read from recommendations by other bloggers. Thanks for this one. Lucky to find some old Nancy Drew. I read those books over and over.
I love reading - but am so old-fashioned, only normal books, not on ipad - so far :)) I have read years ago Pat Conroy's The prince of tides. The story was terrible but the book so wonderful. In the film Nick Nolte and Barbara Streisand were fabulous, too...
Get well soon!
Iloved Nancy Drew growing up ; how nice to find this old one for your collection! :)
That sounds like a good book. I saw the movie, but always like to read the books before the movie. I will have to look for that one! Love old Nancy Drew, Bobbsey Twins and Cherry Ames books. Great find!
Cathy
I have loved everything by Pat Conroy but I think this memoir was my favorite. I'm still haunted by the fact that those little kids lived on an island and couldn't swim. Now I want to read it again. Overdrive here I come!
You have a wonderful collection of Nancy Drew!! Funny - I enjoyed collecting them, but never read them all!!
This looks like a good read. Think I should add it to my list! Thanks.
I had SO many Nancy Drews when I was young.. I think I read almost the entire series. I don't know where they all ended up...
I love Nancy Drew mysteries. I read so many of them as a child as well as Hardy Boys mysteries. The one published in 1937 must be a first edition...HOW FANTASTIC!
I have to ask: Do you have a favorite Nancy Drew mystery?
I've read several of Pat Conroy's books. He's truly a Southern Icon, isn't he!?!? Have you ever read The Great Santini? Such an amazing book.
Thanks so much for linking up to Literary Friday!!! :)
xo,
RJ
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