LET'S READ

Lists, Loves, and Things to Remember about the Books I have Read

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Listening

I thought that listening to books on CD while cross-stitching was a very good idea. However, it really has turned into listening to books while driving to and from work. How restful, relaxing, and engrossing this has been. It all started with Emma.

This is one of the Jane Austen novels that I had not read, but recently I saw the BBC mini-series version and it was fabulous. The CD was too. Listening to books you "read" differently. I heard things I might have passed while reading.
Next was a book I had read. Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri. I loved this book of short stories when I read it and it was on my Top 10 list that year. Listening to the stories after reading them was so interesting. It really sealed my opinion that the first short story in this book needs to be the basis for a novel. The main characters are a father and his daughter. I found them to be endlessly intriguing.
So, after finishing Unaccustomed Earth I went back to the library and browsed through the books on CD. I was kind of looking for something "easy" to listen to and something set in modern day. Maybe something by Harlen Coben.

I saw the title The Painted Drum. I had not read anything by this author Louise Erdrich, but having recently become very interested in Native American culture I thought I would give this a try. I mean, what did I have to lose?

It turns out that listening to The Painted Drum was one of the best "reading" experiences I ever had. The story was wonderful and the characters were endearing. I really would have liked to stay in their company much longer. The author is a superb writer and I hope to read all of her books now.

The reader on this CD was Anna Fields. Wow. Wow. Wow. She was fabulous. She did all of the characters; and her reading of the male characters' parts was just genius. Her accents were so interesting. As I neared the end of the CDs her reading made me feel the story deep in my soul. Her description of the mother/daughter relationship had me sitting in the car with tears running down my face before going into work one morning.

I so wanted to send her an e-mail to let her know what her reading meant to me. I looked her up on the internet and was so shocked and so very saddened to learn that she had died in 2006 at the age of 41. I was really shaken up by it for the rest of the day. I so wanted to let her know how I felt about her.

Reading, writing, listening, talking about books, feeling the feelings they all engender..........what a miracle of life.

8 comments:

Annie Joy said...

Hi, Laura,
Our library system also has audio books that can be downloaded from the system's website. I notice that we have some favorite authors in common. I'll come by often to see what you have to say! Annie

Jennifer Richardson said...

Oh how wonderful
...so glad I glanced your way.
This is richly satisfying stuff,
your blog:)
Deeply comforting,
like devouring a cook book
while eating raisin bran
(high praise....really)
I will return again.
And again.
-Jennifer

Relyn Lawson said...

It seems we haven't "talked" in ages. How are you, my friend? I miss you. And, oh how glad I am that you loved Emma. Wasn't it wonderful?

Relyn Lawson said...

It's Thanksgiving day and we are all piled up watching the parade. So, I have the perfect time to drop by and visit friends. I wanted to tell you that one the things I am thankful for today is blogging and the way it has made my world so much bigger. Thank you for the friendship and the inspiration I have found here. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, my friend. Happy Thanksgiving!

Relyn Lawson said...

Hey, you. Whatcha readin' now.

Relyn Lawson said...

It's Christmas evening and we are having a lull while we prepare Christmas dinner. I wanted to stop by and wish you the merriest of Christmases. May you and your family enjoy laughter, love and peace. May you feel all the love that we feel for you. May you truly know you are blessed. Sending you much love! ~ Relyn

DebbieSFL said...

One of my most favorite books is one that I "read" as a download from my library---The Book Thief. The story is heartbreaking, but good.

peggy said...

Hi Laura, we were just talking about you and how much we like "Little Bee". I miss hearing from you and hope everything is okay.