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Friday, October 03, 2008

story of a marriage



told in book titles.



Magpie Musing gave me the idea this morning. And her sister-in-law gave her the idea to give The Sorted Books Project a try.





So here is a book stack from my home and a story of a marriage.

It begins with a book I haven't read. I won it from Jenn at Juggling Life (thanks again, Jenn), a giveaway of her first paid book review.








And it ends with a library book I've also yet to read.

It just so happens I've been reading a run of novels with the theme of infidelity. It began during my summer vacation with a book on my mom's shelf, Joanna Trollope's Marrying the Mistress. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. That led me to try more Trollope.

Each one I grabbed off my local library shelf, so far, involves someone stepping outside of the marriage and the effects on everyone around them. Someone Else's Children was very good. Helpful insights for parents of blended families. I finished my third last night, The Best of Friends, but wasn't as bowled over.

At this moment, Second Honeymoon sits on my bedside table, waiting for me to start it. If anyone has read it and wants to tell me if it's worth my while, I'd very much welcome opinions.


So what story do your book stacks tell?

11 comments:

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

You are like the only other person I've ever met who is a Joanna Trollope fan--I love her.

shrink on the couch said...

Mrs G likes her too. I have long wanted to give her a try because of her ancestry (Anthony). I have a small bone to pick with her (the mother knows best theme) but I'm hoping it won't make another appearance.

Magpie said...

Oh! Thanks for playing. I don't think I've ever read that Trollope...

Vodka Mom said...

I think this is f-ing FANTASTIC! I will take a picture tomorrow. But, my books are Stephen King's On Writing; Case Histories; and several trashy, trashy books. I try to zip a pic later. you know I suck at that.

Kirsetin Morello said...

How did you get to this so fast? I'm planning on it, but it won't be today!

And, hey, I know Elin Hilderbrand! Small world. Hope you like her book.

stephanie said...

I think mine mostly say "Neurotic Worrier with Fatalistic Tendencies and/or Impossible Dreams." I'll look into it further later...

This is an interesting exercise.

Lisa Wheeler Milton said...

That's a couple of times I've heard Trollope's name come up now.

She's going on my list.

Mary said...

Yep Joanna Trollope is good - perhaps a little formulaic but good.

My book stack would say that I am desperate to be overseas again yet interested in what is being written in Australia!

AnnD said...

I have "The Marriage Clinic" by Gottman. I haven't read it yet. It was actually our Marriage class textbook! But, nobody really got to read the thing because our marriage class was a 3 week SUMMER class. Didn't really make a whole helluva lot of sense in a MFT program?!

shrink on the couch said...

magpie -- I haven't read Anthony yet, but want to.

vodka mom -- trashy works, too!

hip mom's guide -- don't forget to read jenn's review.

stephanie -- I get the neurotic worrier element. Impossible dreams, if you consider "losing 20 lbs" and how long that has been my dream (my adult life).

lisa -- I just started Honeymoon and I'm pleased. The writing, already, is much more engaging than the last two I read.

mary -- who are some good contemporary Aussie writers?

annd -- Gottman's Seven Principles is a great place to start. I use so much of his material for therapy and in my own marriage. It has saved me, I can say that.

Mary said...

Just found your question and here are a few of the top of my head

Tim Winton (see if you can find Cloudstreet or Dirt Music)
Robert Drewe
Peter Carey (I find him difficult!)
Helen Garner
Thomas Kenneally
Morris West (old fashioned but good)

There are loads more !!!