Reading the newspapers at the weekend has always been a bit of a treat, taken leisurely with a cup of tea and a slice of toast! But this week I've found that I haven't been tempted even to turn over the front page. There haven't been many good or hopeful stories to be found during the week, so it felt better to take a break!
Instead, I turned to catching up with some other reading, picking novels from my terrifying large pile(s) and selecting two titles that I haven't needed to read for work, but chose because they took my fancy. And I've had a lovely time (and have some great titles to recommend to you in the coming weeks!).
These books have done just what I always hope for in a novel, lifting me out of my daily concerns and routine and inviting me into other lives, another world.
I was interested, then, to see a recent post by the author and bookseller Ann Patchett as she talked of her escapist reading this weekend..
She explained (via Instagram) that she has been waking in the night, anxious about all that's going on in the world beyond our control, with her mind racing, and, unable to go back to sleep has gone to her basement library(!) to find a book to distract her.
The title she has chosen has been 'Beowulf', translated by Seamus Heaney. I confess that I haven't read it, but may look it up based on Patchett's passionate exhortation for us all to do so. She claims reading it is 'so satisfying, it will make you feel warm and safe. It will make you understand what really matters in life, which is kindness and courage, bravery, good deeds... ' I think we all need to read it!
But I think all the books I've listed below have something to offer in helping distract us from the concerns of the world and give some comfort, hope and escape.
And we'll be meeting together in Woodbridge and Framlingham this week to discuss our impressions and responses to our two book group books. Please note that we have a change of venue in Woodbridge tomorrow, so do let me know if you are planning on coming along so that I can direct you to the correct location!
Thank you for reading.