A really good novel
Do you have time to read books? Probably not, but the question is: do you take time to read books? I think you should. Because reading is a lovely pastime any time of the year, and perfect for summer, weather you are on vacation or just sit outside for a while during the weekend. I just finished this novel, and wanted to recommend you to check it out.
You probably already know about the book (and/or the movie) Eat Pray Love? It’s written by author Elizabeth Gilbert, one of my favorite authors. Her latest book is not another personal biography but an awesome historic novel. I really loved it, and I think you should read it, if you too are a feminist, a lover of beautiful words and old fashioned sentences and the English language…
The book has the most beautiful title ever: The Signature of All Things.
It’s about a rich little girl born in 1800, who loves learning new thing, asking questions and who wants to explore the world. Her name is Alma Whittaker. She grows up to be a researcher and naturalist, one who challenges everything but still stays unknown to the world. I will not say much about the story, because I don’t want to spoil it. But just know that this is one of those stories that will stick with me for a long time, and a book I already miss with longing. So read The Signature of All Things!
I hope Elizabeth will keep writing novels like this, but probably she will find a new genre and idea to challenge her readers again (which of course also is good thing).
Also, if you haven’t seen her newest TED-talk, Success, failure and the drive to keep creating you should take the time to watch it. It’s is almost as great as the previous one about creativity.
Wishing you a Happy Summer Solstice. What are you reading right now? Any book recommendations for me, feel free to share!
Jag läser Stoner av John Williams. Den känns välskriven och hittills intressant!
The Gates of the Alamo by Stephen Harrigan – follows sympathetic characters on opposing sides, including several strong women, through the confusion of 1835-36 that eventually led to Texas independence.
I do most of my reading by listening to audio books. The “Signature of All Things” was a terrific book. I always enjoy books where I’m not only entertained with a good story but also ones where I learn something. I just finished Neil Gaiman’s Ocean at the End of the Lane which was unusual but good. I’m currently listening to “Someone” by Alice McDermott. A little bit hard to follow as an audio book because the story jumps around in time, but I’m enjoying the story.
I do a bit of both, reading real paper books but also quite a lot of listening to audio books. Fun fact: I’m also listening to Neil Gaiman’s book right now – but I’m not that impressed…. It feels like a strange dream scenario/children’s book and I’m not really too interested in knowing the end, so I guess it’s not my kind of read.
Happy Summer Solstice to you too Hanna! I just started “The Circle” by Dave Eggers last night. 500 pages….it’s for a book group, which is a good way for me to motivate myself to plough through books that I might not otherwise read. Looks interesting, but I’m only 25 pages in so hard to say what it’s really about.
Hi Meghan, I miss having a book group! I used to be in one many years ago and it was so great. I tried one of Egger’s books but even though it was written in a cool, very talkative tone with lots of humour – I couldn’t finish it, I just kept putting it down. So then I just gave it away. I hope you like yours better.
Yes.. I keep on reading and reading for this month (June) before my studies starts in July.
I totally agree with you, Hanna, that it is a great novel. Alma’s life, her father’s story, all side characters, the historic context… I’m looking at mosses with a different eye nowadays.
I really enjoyed Signature of all Things. My favorite E. Gilbert thus far! I loved all the botanical references, and the nautical parts made me think of Ahab’s Wife by Sena Jeter Naslund. And I like moss.
I just started reading the new Joyce Carol Oates: The Accursed. It’s proving to be a slightly weird page-turner…will let you know!
Best, cortney