We missed the snow today. We had a little sleet and the erst of the day was taken up with cold rain. They had snow in Mansfield and Derby – about 15 or 20 miles away but we seem to have been on the other side of an imaginary line.
Having finished the first three books in Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time I have paused. For one thing, I can do with a break. It’s never healthy to read too much of one thing too quickly as it can become too much. The other is that the Kindle version of the next three volumes costs £9.99. I am resistant to paying £10 for what is essentially a non-existent book. It’s just a licence to read a book and I don’t see that as being equivalent in value to owning a book. I can see why some writers price their books at the same level as the print copies – they are trying to earn a living or cover costs, but Powell, has long ceased to need to earn a living and I suspect his costs were covered long ago.
I have moved on to the Mrs Pargeter books of Simon Brett. I bought one a few days ago, as it provides good light relief from Powell and tonight I bought a box set – eight volumes for 99p. I’ve read quite few of his books and he’s a reliable writer of traditional whodunnits. These are much more my level of literature and though I’ve enjoyed Powell, I’m enjoying the break. Eventually I will make myself spend the money, one the next volume of Powell, but I will check in future before embarking on any major reading projects. Prices do have a regrettable habit of rising for the second volume of a set.
Apart from that – sleep in front of TV, vegetable stew, not much else to report.
Header picture is a Gadwall. One of my recent acceptances was a haibun about Gadwall. They are a quiet and unassuming duck, but very pretty in a grey sort of way. Other, flashier, ducks are available.
Mandarin Drake – Arnot Hill Park
I like a flashy duck. Reading three of the Powell books is a good effort. One was more than enough for me.
I made the mistake of blogging that I was intending to read all 12. I am finding that they are OK, but I lack the enthusiasm I have for Waugh, or Wodehouse.
I also prefer a hard cover or paperback book, and do not own a kindle.
Books are nice but my storage space is limited and my eyes work better with the lighting of a Kindle. I told Julia we should have a library when we moved. She did not agree. 🙂
I don’t read anything on kindle. But I am fortunate in having a secondhand bookshop across the street and five houses along. I visit everyday and he won’t let me pay more than $4 for any novel – that’s 2 pound. Mandarin ducks are something out of the box but in all truth I prefer the simple Mallard. He is my favourite.
If I had a bookshop that close I would visit regularly, but am currently avoiding buying more things that will need moving.
A perfectly understandable behaviour
I get most of my books from the library. Love that place! What beautiful duck. I especially like the fan of feathers under the eye.
I am currently in bad standing with the library because Julia tidied some books away and I can’t find them. When we move we will be near a library and will use it mercilessly. I am a big fan of libraries.
Good to learn more of your reading habits
Not quite as intellectual as yours, nor as well-produced (I think I have about half a dozen folio society titles).