Welcome to Fireside Friday. Cosy chats, reflections and musings by the fireside, for a calm start to the weekend.
Here is an emergency reading list to escape real life this weekend. And oh, since this is a free post, you might want to repost it or forward it to a fellow book worm.
"Books are the nearest thing to a time machine humans have ever made." - James Clear
Do you know James Clear, by the way? Let’s start with a book by him. He has written one of the most useful self help books: Atomic Habits. (The quote above is from his latest newsletter which I love and recommend subscribing to. It’s short, sweet and to the point.)
Here are some of my “time machine” books, books to transport you to another time and place:
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
Victorian England, prostitutes, and people to fall in love with. Fall in love here.
The Apple by Michel Faber
Short stories about the same people that you’ll fall in love with reading The Crimson Petal and the White, because I know you’ll be itching to know what happened to them later. You’re welcome. Look it up here.
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
For me, this was both traveling in time to the 50s and to India, which I’ve never visited, but I find fascinating to read books from. Travel to India here.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
How can you resist a book that starts with “Here’s a simple fact. You’re going to die.” Get it at your local library or find it here.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Travel back in time to WW2. In France. And the terrifying ordeal of hiding British pilots and getting them to safety. Get ready to bite your nails here.
James by Percival Everett
This one is next on my reading list. Apparently it’s based on the characters in the classic Huckleberry Finn. I can’t wait! Read it at the same time as me! Right here.
And finally, a novel about time travel:
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
If you don’t count the Outlander series, this is the best novel I have read about time travel. It’s been a while since I read it but it still haunts me sometimes. Get your goosebumps here.
Thank you those are oldies! I get the same Atomic Habits newsletter! The author lives in my town :) I need to tell you my recent experience related to an earlier post of yours: silver hair contrasting with skin tone I had a cataract removed: what a world I had been missing: ground in dirt on my floors:) I had missed when cleaning; kindof olive skin with many lines; some sort of waddle beneath my chin; and an astonishing mismatch of hair color with that greenish skin. Took me about 24 hours to get used to the new view. I warmed up my makeup, found a shirt with a collar, and since I couldn't bend or pick up heavy objects for a while, my husband cleaned all those floors. How long can I get away with that excuse???