Monday, March 17, 2008

Coming Attractions

I am so pleased because, not one, not two, but three of my favorite living writers are coming out with new books soon. One is Reeve Lindbergh whose books I love. Have you read her memoir, Under A Wing? Or her fictionalized version of her mother's declining mental abilities, Names of the Mountains? Perhaps her very best book is No More Words, A Journal of my Mother, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. She really is an exquisite writer and her kind, gentle spirit infuses each page. The new book, coming out the first of April, is called Forward From Here: Leaving Middle Age - And Other Unexpected Adventures. Since Reeve is just three years older than I, you may guess that I will read this with great interest. She doesn't live too far away, and was to give a talk about the new book at a local library this winter. We couldn't go because of (surprise) bad weather, but I just found out it has been rescheduled, and I'm delighted.

She has also written many wonderful books for children and here is an old newspaper clipping of Reeve signing The Midnight Farm for my then three-year-old son.


And Rick Bragg also has a new book coming out, The Prince of Frogtown, about his father. Just this year, I re-read All Over But The Shoutin' and Ava's Man, and again marveled over the way this man can write. It comes out in May, and I am thrilled.

The third is the latest installment in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, by Alexander McCall Smith, called The Miracle of Speedy Motors. This one comes out in April. I so love spending my reading time with Mma Ramotse, or Isabel Dalhousie, or the residents (former and present) of 44 Scotland Street.

So, a happy reading spring, indeed!

13 comments:

  1. I'm anxious to read something by Reeve Lindbergh. I know I have one or two of her books somewhere around here! What a great picture to have of her with your kiddo!

    Did you see what I'm currently reading? :)

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  2. I did, and is it the real deal or an ARC?

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  3. Here's a little piece by Anne Morrow Lindbergh that you and your readers might respond to:

    Alms

    Like birds in winter
    You fed me;
    Knowing the ground was frozen,
    Knowing
    I should never come to your hand,
    Knowing
    You did not need my gratitude.

    Softly,
    Like snow falling on snow,
    Softly, so not to frighten me,
    Softly,
    You threw your crumbs upon the ground --
    And walked away.

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  4. It's eerie, Nan, how many things we have in common. I have loved all of Reeve Lindbergh's books (I'm a huge fan of ALL the writers in the family), so I'm thrilled to hear that she has a new book coming out. Thanks for the info!

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  5. Oh, Les, which ones? I just love her and I do think you would too.
    After reading one ARC, I learned I am not an ARC girl.
    Night Stranger, beautiful, beautiful, and I thank you. I have never read it.
    It tickles me, Robin, that we share common interests!

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  6. Isn't it wonderful to have lovely new books to look forward to? Not only that, but a chance to meet the author too. I hope the weather is more compliant this time around.

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  7. Nan, I haven't heard of Reeve Lindbergh before and I've had a quick look on Amazon because of your post. She looks a writer I would like. It's great she lives near to you. I hope you can get to go to her talk.

    The No.1 Ladies Dectective Agency is coming on the BBC this Easter. I haven't read any of those books either. It seems like I've been missing out.

    By the way,it's lovely seeing pictures of your family.

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  8. I love finding kindred spirits on line--your recipes are yummy and all three of those authors are ones whose books I am anticipating as well.

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  9. I have Under a Wing and The Names of the Mountains.

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  10. Nan, thanks for letting me know about the death of Anthony Minghella - his films are among my favourites too.

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  11. Tara, her talk is in June, so I sure hope the snow is over by then!
    Margaret, I so look forward to this when it comes out on dvd. And it is, indeed, so sad about Minghella. What good work he did, and was doing.
    Beth, thanks for writing. I've been over to visit and I feel the same way.
    Les, those are both such good books.

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  12. Nan, thank you for adding me to your blogroll, I've enjoyed your page for a long time.
    I too was sad to hear about Minghella- the Detective Agency will be on TV next week in Ireland and my mother promised to record it for me. I can't wait. We were just talking about Minghella a couple of days ago.

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