"I've chosen the book for August" the email said, "It's Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati"
With tablet in hand, and the bing-bong of the email hitting my inbox still ringing in the air, I searched the catalogue to place a hold. I started reading the comments...
Fans of "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon will enjoy this series...
and
As a huge fan of the Outlander series I was so happy to find this book...
were top of the list. *Sigh* I hated the Outlander series!
A few days later, the book turns up--all 876 pages of it. ...Mutter, mutter...fat books...never reads anyone else's choice...gets us to read a blimmin' 900 page book...*groan*...
Needless to say, I wasn't looking forward to reading this big, fat, Outlander-esque book for my book-club. I used to like fat books. A good, long read that would keep you going for weeks -- so long you'd have to take it out three times maybe, like I did when I read Memoirs of Cleopatra. Books with plenty of pithy plot and scope for real character development. Books so heavy that reading in bed is a real workout.
But then I had kids, and got a job* too, and life just got too busy for fat books.
I turned the book over in my hands. Just because the cover is emblazoned with Diana Gabladon's words of praise, that doesn't mean I'll hate it, right? Just because Outlander fans love it, that doesn't mean I won't enjoy it. Better not put off starting too long, or I'll never get it finished in time. I cracked it open.
And I started to enjoy it. Right from the first chapter. Elizabeth was just a great character, so feisty! I couldn't help but like her. And that was the general feeling from my book group too. We (almost) all managed to (almost) finish it, despite the 876 pages. And we all quite liked it, though most of us aren't going to rush out and read the rest of the series.
This morning, a bright, shiny new copy of The Gilded Hour arrived here at Spreydon Library for a hold, and I think I'll add myself to the hold list.
I might even read the rest of the Wilderness series. Maybe. After all, once upon a time, I liked big books, and I cannot lie.
I put together a list of some of my favourite big books, perhaps you'll like them too, they're definitely worth the effort!
If you (unlike me) like Diana Gabaldon, you might like this If you like... list
Do you like fat books, or do you prefer a slim read? do you have a fat book to recommend?
*At the library. I know, ironic right? No time to read fat books now that I work at the library
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