Sunday, February 28, 2010

Missing in action

Yes, I know. I've been missing in action. I have had my nose buried in this book, Cutting for Stone, for the past few days, and I'm only halfway through. Every page of this book is filled with such vivid imagery and the characters are so alive to me that I must force myself to put it down every now and then. Even though I want to skip ahead to find out what's going to happen, I'm afraid of missing something of the beautifully drawn characters, so I refuse to rush through this story. A short excerpt from the San Francisco Chronicle:
Not a word is wasted in this larger-than-life saga. ... Verghese expertly weaves the threads of numerous story lines into one cohesive opus. The writing is graceful, the characters compassionate and the story full of nuggets of wisdom.
I waited until this book came out in paperback, which was just recently, before I bought it. I cannot recommend it highly enough if you want a big (667 pages) and absorbing book to read. I'll be back when I'm done!
:-)

12 comments:

  1. I will have to add that to my upcoming reading list. I could use some wisdom to read about and I am always looking for new titles. I put them on a list at the library and they notify me when they are ready for pick up.

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  2. Uh, oh, now you've done it. Like you, once I get my nose in a good book, nothing, short of a real emergency, such as house on fire, husband suffering a serious health issue, can pull me away from it. Then, if the house were on fire, I could read while firemen are putting it out; same applies to a husband emergency, read while waiting. lol The next time I'm in Austin, I'll look for a copy.

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  3. there is nothing wrong with losing yourself in a great book, and nothing sadder than when it ends. 667 pages sounds about my style, the longer the better! I will add it to my list!

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  4. Hi Jan!

    You certainly have had a full and fascinating life so far with more to come! I am enjoying your blog, and will put it on my blogroll in a few minutes.

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  5. I'll have to add it to my list though my time to read has been cut drastically. It could be weeks before I get to anything new! Perhaps that's better because I'm one of those people who can get so absorbed in a book that I'll stay up until 4 am reading even when I've got to get up early for something...

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  6. Don't be gone long, but far be it from me to interrupt a good read.

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  7. I'm surprised you have time to do something so tame as read a book! (what with the hiking and skydiving, etc.) Wow, that borders on couch potatoism....careful!

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  8. Hahaha DJ, that's also my favorite line "Missing In Action", 'cos I often do too! That's what I hate about reading books when I start on it I can't stop it!

    AL

    PS. glad to know you liked the rows of boats on the shore...Ian Justine.

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  9. I too am surprise that you have time to read but good books do draw us in. I have one started at the moment and another being sent for me to review. If I ever get time to finish those I will take a look at this one.

    Do you have a secret to finding the time to read?

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  10. OK, I just downloaded a Kindle sample from Amazon, but I seem to read slower with each year that passes, so it will probably take me three months to read such a large book that apparently doesn't allow skimming. ;-)

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  11. I just finished reading, "The Help". It is the author's first book about what it was like for black maids in Mississippi in the 60's. It is a wonderful book. I had to wait two and a half months to get it from the library. I just ordered the one you recommended. Maybe it won't take so long if it is out in paperback, now.

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