Book blogs are a good thing and as far as I’m concerned one or two are fast becoming indispensable in my online world. With so much to read and so little time how can we find the hours to filter what’s out there in the world of the bookshop both real and virtual? And if we can’t, then who can we trust to do it for us? A good book blog is of course the answer: one where we can trust the author implicitly to guide us through the melee of what’s on offer, lead us in new pastures and off into the unexpected. Kathleen Jones’s ‘What Am I Reading?’ is just such a blog.
Kathleen has been posting at What Am I Reading? consistently since 2009. She has far reaching and diverse taste.. ‘I read very widely, everything including serious literary fiction and non-fiction, young adult, chick-lit, frothy romantic fiction, poetry, crime/thrillers (a particular addiction), politics, eco-philosophy, travel etc etc.’ Referring to Coleridge’s description of himself as a ‘literary cormorant’ Kathleen says, ‘This blog reflects my own interests and is a kind of literary serendipity – or cormorant’s lunch, if you like!’
I like to think of it more as a cormorant’s feast, as every time I dive into its enticing waters I come up with several new and often surprising catches. Currently these include recent recommendations (you will find links on Kathleen’s site) the memoir – Twelve Minutes of Love – Kapka Kassabova and S.J. Parris historical crime – Prophecy, both are on my current ‘to read’ list. But I read less than Kathleen and I’m constantly in awe of the sheer amount of reading she does. I suspect she doesn’t have a TV or else is very good at ignoring it! There are of course many more recommendations here, to suit all tastes and among them the latest e-books. There’s a very useful ‘Find Books and Topics Section,’ which is testament to the scope of the blog and a more personal list in, ‘Contemporary Books I Love.’
But perhaps what I like best about following such a longstanding and knowledgeable blog, by a writer with a passion for books and for reading and writing alike – see also Kathleen’s writing blog – This Writing Life – is the discoveries you make which you know will last a lifetime. For me the latest of these is poet Robert Hass and I have Kathleen and her wonderful blog to thank for introducing me to his work. If you take a look at Kathleen’s blog now you’ll be in time to discover Robert Hass’s The Apple Trees at Olema and who knows you might become a fan too.
Great Book Blogs 2 – will feature ‘Wendy’s Love Affair With Books’ Wendy Robertson
I too always pay special attention to Kathleen’s Book blog.. Alway so well worth reading. wx
Yes so worth reading – as is yours – your Love Affair With Books and Kathleen’s What Am I Reading? are at the top of my book blog list !