Reading

Photo: September 1, 2016

These are the books I am currently thinking of. I have started the book by Ishiguro. It's the next one up for discussion by my book group. The other is a French book I picked up in New Brunswick and it is by and Acadian author from the area. I would like to read more French to force my brain to work a little more. And I always like to read something by someone writing about where I have been.

One curiosity I find - why do the majority of English books have the writing on the spine going from top to bottom and French books are the opposite? I did find a couple of answers.

This from Quora

The text orientation on book spines appears to follow regional standards. In most places (like the United States, United Kingdom, Benelux countries, and Scandinavia), titles are usually written top-to-bottom. In some continental European countries (like Germany and France), titles are written bottom-to-top. 

and this from Wikipedia

In the United States, the Commonwealth, Scandinavia and for books in Dutch, titles are usually written top-to-bottom on the spine. This means that when the book is placed on a table with the front cover upwards, the title is oriented left-to-right on the spine. This practice is reflected in the industry standards ANSI/NISO Z39.41  and ISO 6357.  

In most of continental Europe and Latin America, titles are conventionally printed bottom-to-top on the spine so, when the books are placed vertically on shelves, the title can be read by tilting the head to the left This allows to the reader to read spines of books shelved in alphabetical order in accordance to the usual way left-to-right and top-to-bottom.

Fact into Fiction

I am currently reading Vanessa and her Sister by Priya Parmar. The other books are on my "to be read" pile. I like books that make me look things up, to learn more about the subject - whether it is finding out more about historical situations, learning more about a country in which the book takes place or finding out about people who were included in the story. Vanessa and her Sister is a fictionalized account of Vanessa Bell and Virginia Woolf - the Stephen sisters. The many characters in the book were real people - part of the Bloomsbury group. I have searched on the internet for paintings done by Bell that have been mentioned in the book, checked on the lives of some of the people in the novel and I feel this enriches my experience of the book. So far I am enjoying it, but a piece of me wants to know how much is based on truth and how much veers from reality.

I read Us Conductors, by Sean Michaels, which is a novel about Leon Theremin. I enjoyed finding out more about who he was (the inventor of the theremin among other things) but was put off by some events in the book that were far from the truth of Theremin's life. While Michaels makes it clear that this is a novel, it bothers me that people reading it may believe these events; I had to research to separate the truths from the fiction.

At what point should an author just be writing fiction and not use the names and lives of real people - a question I ask myself as I read.

Recent Reading

I've been in a book group for 20 years. We have had our share of winners and losers but we seem to be on a better streak. The last book we read was "How to Be Both" by Ali Smith. It was a very interesting read, both in terms of the story and in the way it was written - two partly intertwined sections which can be read with either section coming first.

I'm just getting into "The Garden of Evening Mists" and so far I am really enjoying it. I find the writing very lyrical. I've watched a couple of video interviews with the author, Tan Twan Eng. It's interesting to hear some of the back story and see how the places he has lived play a role in the book.

Our group is idiosyncratic - we have been together so long and have supported each other through the many challenges life sends us. At this point we are friends first, and a book group and support group in equal parts.

Happy Reading!

Books

I love to dive into a book
Mostly fiction
Explore ideas
Visit other cultures
And linger over
Well-chosen words

My library is brimming
With stories, mysteries,
Misadventures
And tales of the  lives
Of those who have gone before

I can pore over an atlas
Imagining great adventures
Or visit the work of artists
And try to see the world
Through their eyes
One shelf is full of advice
Psychology for living

Trees flowers stars
A book for each
And photographs to
Wonder at this world of ours

My tablet is my new library
An annex to these shelves
I can carry with me
The Complete Works of Shakespeare
Or my latest books to read

I'm not ready to give up
On real world books
Turning pages
Or just flipping through
Always new discoveries
And a reason to stop a while
Time to go read

Book Spine Poem

The best laid plans
Away
After midnight

In transit
Amsterdam!
The best of life

Book Sharing

Book Sharing, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

This converted newspaper box has books inside - free for the taking. The idea is that you can take one, drop one off and hopefully meet someone near the box with whom you can discuss the book. It is a free - self-serve library. You can learn more here.

I've been buying more and more books digitally - one of the drawbacks is it is hard to share.

Book Spine Poetry

Book Spine Poetry, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

For the end of poetry month - some book spine poetry. I scanned my shelves and came up with this just for a bit of fun.

The books:
The History of Love         by Nicole Krauss
A Suitable Boy                by Vikram Seth
Fair and Tender Ladies        by Lee Smith
The Favorite Game         by Leonard Cohen
Two-Part Invention         by Madeleine L'Engle
A Proper Marriage          by Doris Lessing

Dual Purpose

Dual Purpose, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Today I had lunch at the restaurant in Osgoode Hall in Toronto. What a treat! This is the restaurant of the Ontario Law Society. The decor is from another era. The great hall in which it is located is lined with legal books. Dishes, necessary to the restaurant perch on the shelves beside them.

Large stained glass windows are located above the shelving letting light into the room. It is not uncommon to see lawyers in their robes, dining here as the courts are also located in this building.  We took the opportunity to wander around part of the building, enjoying all the architectural details. The Great Library is a jewel - with an ornate ceiling and beautiful etched class windows.


 Here is a wood carving from the Barristers' Lounge - my hommage to the Year of the Dragon. I certainly hope to go back and explore more. It is an amazing historical building.

Oh- and the food was fantastic - lobster bisque, Arctic char, a crepe filled with bananas and served with ice cream with pistachios, wonderfully brewed coffee - a feast.

Books

Books, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Looking forward. This will be a year of change. Looking for a new place to live, I will be selling the house I have lived in for the last 25 years. So many decisions. I am trying to simplify my life a bit. I have way too many books and am weeding my book shelves, boxing up those I can part with. These books, all by Canadian authors have escaped the first cull.

I keep trying to tell myself that I don't need them, that I will not be re-reading them as there are always new books to read. Each time I approach the shelves it gets a little easier to deposit some into the waiting boxes. And then - what to do with them? Fewer places are taking books. Any ideas out there? I certainly don't want to be filling up landfill with these treasures.

Ready for Children

Ready for Children, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I volunteer at the Montreal Children's Library one morning a week. In the mornings local daycare classes come to the library. They listen to stories and then come into the library to look at books. This table is ready with some books ready to tempt some inquisitive minds. It is so delightful to see the children - to watch them turn the pages, explore the pictures and talk to each other about what they see. It's a step on their road to literacy.

The teachers go off each week with a new pile of books to share in their classrooms. The books in this collection are well used.

The Joy of Reading

The Joy of Reading, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I love to read, especially well-written books. Barbara Kingsolver is a wonderful author. I found the book had a slow start but then I just got into it and loved it. Her books always send me off to learn more about the era in which they take place. In this case, I was busy not only reading the book, but learning more about Frida Kahlo (there was a wonderful exhibit of her work in London in 2005 at which I spent an afternoon.) , about Diego Rivera and other artists of Mexico, of the post war era in the U.S. I like that - when a book sends me to other sources to expand my understanding.

Anyone out there read The Lacuna? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Up to the Door

Up to the Door, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I was at the Westmount Library for a lecture. I love the idea of libraries, but I am an inveterate book buyer. I love to own books, and like a librarian, every so often I painfully have to weed books from my collection. I have stacks still unread. I know I should join a library. I'm actually a member of the provincial library (BANQ), but mainly use some online databases. It's just that I'm not good with reading to a deadline and if a book is good, I like to see it on my book shelf reminding me of the treasures lying within.

Daily Shoot: Make a photograph with a triangular composition.
I got out too late - so the triangle is somewhat obscured by the darkness.

Book and Book Mark

Book and Book Mark, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: Make a photograph of two complementary objects arranged to show their relationship to each other.
I'm reading "The Anthologist" - so far not a favourite. My bookmark keeps my place as I come back. The bookmark was given to me; it is from a Montreal organization: 60 Million Girls which supports education projects for girls in the developing world. They are hosting an event in May which will feature Greg Mortenson of the Central Asia Institute (read about him in his books: Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools)
"When you educate a girl you educate a whole family"
Good reminder as I read, how important literacy and education is to people around the world.

Sept 8/10: International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Sept 8 - International Literacy. I marvel at my good fortune to be born where I was - where education is valued and most children learn to read. And then my good fortune to be born into a family that valued books - with both parents being avid readers. My house is full of books - fiction, non-fiction, adult books and books for children. I love to read and hope my children, now adults, will continue to pass on this passion to others.

We all know that literacy raises the standard of living of people. I particularly admire Greg Mortenson who has helped build schools in areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan where literacy rates are low and where women are often denied education. Literacy begins at home. How can we then help it spread?

Apr 9/10 Heat Lamp

Apr 9/10 Heat Lamp, originally uploaded by susanvg.

My reading lamp doubles as a heat lamp for my cats. They love to sit under the lamp's glow and soak up the heat. Not sure how they can tolerate the temperature as the bulb is quite intense, but they seek it out.

Feb 10/10: I Love to Read

Feb 10/10: I Love to Read, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: We all have some sort of hobby or favorite activity. Make a photo that shows something you enjoy doing. (via @azmichelle)

I love to read, but sometimes I read (and play) music and other times it's books. I play music regularly, on my own and with others. Often when I play with others we sightread through music, sometimes returning to pieces we have played before. Each time we revisit a piece we find new layers, are able to find more meaning in the piece and we can make it more and more musical. But isn't that the case with books too? When you revisit a book you always find more layers that help your appreciation and understanding.

And with both, I often go back to my favourite composers / authors and discover more and more of what they have written to get a real sense their style and "voice". Or I venture out to new discoveries both musical and literary, expanding my horizons.

Day 293: What to read next?

Day 293: What to read next?, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I always have books going and now it is both those I read and those I listen to in the car. You can see some other books I have read on my Shelfari shelf.

The spoken books I have on the go currently are A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson and Great Expectations by Dickens. I got started on the latter because I just read Mr. Pip by Lloyd Jones and it is heavily intertwined with that book. It is my book in hand reading where I have to make my next choice. Do I go with a professional book like Teaching Visual Literacy, one that is more tenuously connected to my job, but is important nonetheless liike Shirkey's Here Comes Everybody or Wagner's The Global Achievement Gap. Or do I go for literature? Nino Ricci's The Origin of the Species looks interesting while Follett's The Pillars of the Earth taps into my interest in the middle ages. Hmm - decisions to make.

Any recommendations? Or perhaps you have another book to suggest.

Day 55: Westmount Library

Day 55: Westmount Library, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I'm giving a workshop tomorrow on Language Arts, so what better photo to represent this than a library. This one, Westmount Public Library, was built in 1898. It has undergone several renovations since that time. I am an avid reader, though I am not good at frequenting libraries. I like to buy books, and have many in my house. A neighbour, when I first moved in, looked through the window and saw all the book shelves in the family room. A child at the time, he thought it was going to be a library.

I dread the time when I move and have to part with many volumes. How can I part with the stories that have sustained me. I do "weed" the shelves from time to time and take solace in the fact that those stories will bring to others the gamut of emotions that have swept through me as I have turned page after page.

Day 14: Canadian Authors

Day 14: Canadian Authors, originally uploaded by susanvg.

There was an article in the paper saying that most Canadians could not name even one Canadian author. Here are just a few of the ones living on my book shelf. I see Rohinton Mistry's, A Fine Balance, a tale set in India, so well written I read for three days straight. And Donna Morrisey from Newfoundland, who describes the lives of ordinary people living in outposts. Michael Ignatieff, now the leader of the opposition in our government, wrote a novel, Scar Tissue, about Alzheimer's which resonated with me as I had watched my mother's decline. And Yan Martel's, The Life of Pi, which explores many philosphical issues through an engaging tale of a boy on a small boat. Michael Ondatje has woven many wonderful books - Anil's Ghost is one that stands out for me. Canada's literature is so enriched by the people from other countries who have settled here and who write about their immigrant experiences as well as stories set in their countries of origin.

Two more Newfoundland authors sit on this shelf, Annie Proulx (Shipping News) and Wayne Johnston who writes a fictional account of Joey Smallwood, the premier who brought Newfoundland into Canada. The multi-talented Anne-Marie Macdonald writes about disfunctional families in a sensitive yet devastating way. And I have spent time with so many more authors: Margaret Lawrence, Timothy Findlay, Robertson Davies, to name a few. Their turns of phrase, insights, word paintings and compelling storytelling have delighted, saddened and touched every one of my emotions and through my time with them I have grown.