Reading Again

I just finished another interesting novel, "Tulip Fever" by Deborah Moggach. A few years ago I went through a period when I just couldn't find anything good to read. I asked some friends for tips at the time, and ended up with a long list of books to read. It must be about six years ago now, and I still take to that list when I'm looking for inspiration. I got some really nice and interesting suggestions at the time.

One friend suggested rereading Jane Austen, which I did a couple of years ago. All of the novels, except for Emma, were on board Europa, and I read them on the crossing from Cape Horn to the Cape of Good Hope. I don't know why, but I can reread those books over and over again. Good stories and characters, the language is Wonderful and so is the humour. The same friend made me go back to Lord Peter Wimsey and his Harriet. Again, I love the stories and the humour, but in this case it is mainly the characters. I am a great fan of both Peter and Harriet. Maybe I was influenced a little by the wonderful tv adaptation which starred Edward Petherbridge and Harriet Walter, two of the best British actors. I always have them in my mind when I think of Lord Peter and his wife.

And she gave me a book that always makes me smile when I think of it. "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith is just such a perfect novel. It has atmosphere, eccentricity, great characters and a wonderful story. The kind of book you want to read over and over again just to recapture the great joy of it. A film was made of it not too long ago, but that just didn't capture the magic of the novel. I'd rather read it because it sparks my own imagination.

Another friend sent me a recommendation that did exactly the same for me, she got me to read Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. A story that is on the edge of fantasy and reality, that keeps moving all over the place and always manages to take you with it. Whenever I talk to friends about the islands north of Norway these novels come to mind. And again, I don't necessarily need to see the play or the film, I like the images I have in my own mind. I know Pullman has written a lot more, and I will get round to reading more.

The friend who recommended this one to me was also the one who sent me to "Tulip Fever" and to "Girl with a Pearl Earring", two books about my own country and about painting. I know Delft very well, so reading about Vermeer I recognised the environment without any problems. And I know Amsterdam well, so I could also move about the city with the main characters in "Tulip Fever".

The lists my friends sent me is almost finished now, just a few more to go, and then I'll have to start thinking again. Or maybe ask my friends again. But, any suggestions anyone?