June 22, 2008

My Reading Life - Bob Carr


My Reading Life By Bob Carr is written by a past Premier of New South Wales and tells the story of, as the title points out, his life of reading. The books that have moved him, the books he goes back to again and again, the books that have taught him and the books he wants others to know about.

This book is the third book I have completed for the Non Fiction Five Challenge.

I read this book over the course of a few weeks - just dipping in here and there, one of the things I enjoyed about it. It would not need to be read cover to cover and it is definitely a book I will go back to for hints on future reading choices.

I must admit that some of the books (particularly the historical and political epics) are books that I would view as being "way over my head" but I rejoiced when I read that the author had read (and enjoyed) some books as much as me, e.g. "Suite Francaise" By Irene Nemirovsky which I fell in love with when I read it last year.

I have also picked up a few books to add to my "to read" list such as "If This Is A Man" By Primo Levi and some of Shakespeare's dramas.
The author has pointed out his obvious biases in producing this book (he is a white, middle class man) but I think given the title he has a right to record and reflect on the books that mean something to him. I think it should be an inspiration to us to record our own reading lives.

1 comment:

Liz said...

I recently read your post about Irène Némirovsky and wanted to let you know about an exciting new exhibition about her life, work, and legacy that will open on September 2, 2008 at the Museum of Jewish Heritage —A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in New York City. Woman of Letters: Irène Némirovsky and Suite Française, which will run through the middle of March, will include powerful rare artifacts — the actual handwritten manuscript for Suite Française, the valise in which it was found, and many personal papers and family photos. The majority of these documents and artifacts have never been outside of France. For fans of her work, this exhibition is an opportunity to really “get to know” Irene. And for those who can’t visit, there will be a special website that will live on the Museum’s site www.mjhnyc.org.
The Museum will host several public programs over the course of the exhibition’s run that will put Némirovsky’s work and life into historical and literary context. Book clubs and groups are invited to the Museum for tours and discussions in the exhibition’s adjacent Salon (by appointment). It is the Museum’s hope that the exhibit will engage visitors and promote dialogue about this extraordinary writer and the complex time in which she lived and died. Please visit our website at www.mjhnyc.org for up-to-date information about upcoming public programs or to join our e-bulletin list.

Thanks for sharing this info with your readers. Let me know if you need any more. (exeint@mjhnyc.org)