When it comes to finding a good book to read, I’m a bit picky. I tend to sway towards the classics, poetry, history, and literature, but when I want to find something contemporary, it has to have a good ending. An ending that satisfies me and doesn’t leave me angry upset…if you know what I mean.
One book that I recently discovered did meet my requirement for a happy ending. It’s called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. It’s a wonderful story filled with characters that we can all relate to. As you read along in this story, you realize that each character, represents a part of a person. There truly is a moral to this story, and you should read it to find out. This book also reminded me in a way, of the Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling, however that was a collection of short stories. The Boy, the Mole, is a story of a boy’s journey where he encounters the other characters that help him along the way.
I found my copy at Target while running my errands, and I’m so happy I picked it up! This book will remain in my bookshelf as a treasure for years to come.
This post is long over due, but better late than not post at all. April’s reading list was short. I read one book, but I read it twice! The book is called Blockbusters by Anita Elberse.
I read this book twice, which was recommended. Read it once for fun, then a second time to understand the business model of how blockbuster products are made and how the entertainment industry is constructed. I came upon Anita Elberse’s book by way of her Harvard business school lecture series. Oh how I would love to sit in person and listen to her lectures! Anita is an expert in the entertainment industry and has structured several of her lectures on case studies based on popular media. I love how she explains how blockbuster products are made. Products such as movies, songs, television shows, books, and how you can tap into the competitive market.
Since I’m a huge business nerd, it was a no brainer that I would be interested in reading her book. I’m interested in studying how things work, and how I can transfer this knowledge to make my own business a success. Now it’s time to apply some of this knowledge and put it to work!
I managed to clock in reading three books, two of which were poetry. It’s interesting to read poetry when you know the author also wrote a book you love dearly.
The first book is Ariel by Sylvia Plath. “Ariel” is also a Hebrew word meaning “lion of God“—and was the name of Sylvia Plath’s own horse that she loved to ride in Devon, England when she lived there with her husband, poet Ted Hughes. It is a story that depicts a woman riding her horse in the countryside beginning at dawn. Written in the style of Sylvia Plath’s confessional poetry, autobiographical, and with clear and precise imagery.
I absolutely loved it, and made several markings so that I could remember what impressed me. I also loved the Foreword, which was given by her own daughter Frieda Hughes, and the facsimile drafts of the poem “Ariel” at the end of the book. There you can see her actual handwritten notes and scribblings which give you a great sense of her creative process. What a delight and I highly recommend for those of you who love literature.
The second book I read is called A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier.
It’s a story that takes place after the Great War where the narrator (Violet Speedwell) finds herself a “surplus woman” one of many due to the war killing so many young men. She has lost her brother, and fiance to the war, and does not want to end up a spinster taking care of her overbearing mother. Violet finds a job in Winchester, where she befriends a group of women who embroider kneelers for cathedrals.
I loved the idea of the story, but it dragged on a bit. I wish there was more of a love story involved, and to be honest, that’s why I chose this historical novel, hoping there was a fairy tale happy ending. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the writing style of Tracy Chevalier, which is always amazing.
The last book I read in March is another poetry collection titled Winning Words. I had heard about this during the pandemic when we were all shuttered in our homes. I’m happy I found it. As with a lot of people during Covid, I was searching for something inspirational and positive to read. Winning Words is a collection of positive poetry to uplift and lighten your daily life. Highly recommend.
That’s all for now. As for April I’ve already got a few books on my nightstand, and I’m really enjoying them. Until next time!
