Wednesday reading roundup: September 21

Yesterday, I mentioned to my love the title of a book I wanted to read. His response: “If it’s a book, assume we already own it.” Ha. Ha. “What if it’s a new release?” I replied. He came back with, “You probably pre-ordered it. We probably already have two copies.” Ah, he knows me so well.

My thanks to Taking on a World of Words for the weekly inspiration of WWW Wednesday and to Coffee and Cats for introducing me to it!

What are you currently reading?

I’m getting very close to concluding my odyssey with The Odyssey. I’ve been sticking with Robert Fagles’ translation and am enjoying it heartily. Reading it has made me want to reread the ancient plays that tell the stories of The Odyssey’s key figures. Agamemnon, for example. What a story he had! Especially since I discovered this beautiful piece by Mary Lefkowitz on the value of reading ancient Greek dramas. Conveniently, she has a new book out called The Greek Plays: Sixteen Plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, which I’ve added to my “want to read” list.

What did you recently finish reading?

I finished Shelf Discovery: The Teen Classics We Never Stopped Reading by Lizzie Skurnick. It’s such a fun read for those of us who were unrepentant readers growing up. As I mentioned, Shelf Discovery is a collection of essays on the children’s and YA books she – and her contributors – read growing up.

What I most appreciate about the book is the combination of unabashed passion for reading and deep readings of and insights into children’s and YA novels. As a kid, I inhaled books in a day or two before plowing through the next one. Often, with my favorites, I reread them multiple times. These books – the ones I reread – have stayed with me. I remember them better than my own childhood experiences (perhaps because I only lived through those experiences once, ha). I know the books I read and reread growing up influenced me, though I’ve not always taken the time to articulate how. I love that Skurnick treats these books with respect and sees their meanings and messages.

What do you think you’ll read next?

So, last week, I said I thought I might read The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. And I might. I just might. Except … it’s almost October. And Halloween happens in October. And I love to read with the seasons and holidays. Which is to say, I might read Wharton’s Tales of Men and Ghosts instead, which is on my Nook (surprise!). Also, I enjoy Leslie Meier’s seasonal murder mysteries, and I’ve yet to read Wicked Witch Murder.

How about you? What books are in your life at the moment?