I am reading them on my Kindle Fire. I finish one and just download the next one from the library's ebook collection. I read for 30-45 minutes or so each night before I go to sleep.
Now, because I am reading on a screen, I feel as if I am reading one long book. There is no sense of beginning and ending. Since each volume averages maybe 250 pages, that means I am enjoying a 2500-page book (so far).
I have a friend who quit reading so many books on his Kindle because he said he never felt like he was making any progress.
Now I know what he means. I just keep reading and reading and reading...but so enjoy being in this world created by Mr. McCall Smith.
Bingeing on these books all in a row gives me such an appreciation for the philosophy of living that comes through in Mma Ramostwe's thoughts and actions. If one is looking for a North Star to follow in order to live A Good Life, these books offer a shining one.
The characters do often muse on the dangers of everything from adultery and other trashy behaviors to witchcraft (not the things one would want to incorporate into his or her life). But, more importantly, the reader gets a dose of the old Botswana ways of being honest, taking care of family, being kind, being thankful, respecting one's elders, revering the wisdom of one's ancestors, and above all drinking many cups of tea.
Drinking tea gives one a chance to slow down and think. To let one's thoughts wander where they will like the Limpopo River that flows through Botswana on its way to the Indian Ocean. And a slice of cake with one's tea is also good for the soul. That is a well known fact.
Of course, these principles are universal and not original to Botswana. I am sure most of us were taught them growing up. I know I was, but I may not have always followed them to the letter...so the books are a gentle reaffirmation of these ideals.
The natural world of Botswana is almost another character in the stories. The weather plays a big role in these tales. The weather is something one can do nothing about. It is either dry or wet; hot or cold. These conditions offer a lesson in developing patience and an attitude of 'this too shall pass.'
These books are perfect for a reading marathon. They are humorous, entertaining, and offer good examples of dignified living. Even though I have read them before, it is fun to be delighted anew.
Have you recently 'read' a marathon? If so, what were the books or the author you enjoyed and how did it feel when you crossed the finish line...or in this case, read the last page?
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Belle, The one that comes to mind is “Mapp and Lucia Compendium” all of the collected stories by E. F. Benson about that wonderful English village and the two protagonists, great fun, but by the final hurdle I was starting to flag a little.
ReplyDeleteTullik, I have read one of the Mapp and Lucia books. I see that there was a television series (it is on DVD at Netflix). I really must read all six of the novels that Benson wrote. Thanks for the reminder. I will read them one at a time with space in between - a sprint.
DeleteI started the first of this series when it first came out and couldn't get into it. Your post makes me think I should get them another try.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your friend that reading on the Kindle can be frustrating. I started reading The Count of Monte Cristo on my Kindle and had to finish it as a real book. It's 1,462 pages long in my Penguin Classic and I felt I wasn't getting anywhere with it on my Kindle. I needed to see the bookmark moving through the book to keep me reading.
I guess these are not for everyone, but I find them to be entertaining and soothing.
DeleteI remember reading 'The Three Musketeers' on my Kindle (about 700 pages) and it drove me crazy not being about to see how far I had read and how much further I had to go. I think the Kindle is ideal for short books/quick reads. Although it is convenient for bedtime reading as it is much easier to handle than a fat, perhaps unwieldy book.
What a wonderful way to spent your time, and an interesting observation about reading on Kindle. It's interesting how you can feel a people (here, the Botswana) through a long series of reads. I did have a marathon of sorts last winter with Laura Snelling and a series of Norwegian settlers.They were more of a comfort read, but, gave a good perspective of settling in the Red River Valley, the hardships, the courage . . . and I drank a lot of coffee and ate molasses cookies. Happy 4th of July, Belle.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a Pop! Bang! Crack! Fourth of July celebration, Penny,
DeleteComfort reads and cookies sound wonderful to me. It is sometimes fun to just immerse oneself in a time and place through a series of tales.
I think the Kindle is better for a sprint - those books that are short and quick to read and that one wouldn't necessarily want to keep on the bookshelf. Most of the mysteries that I read are like that. So the ebook does have certain advantages.
I have only read the first of the Ladies' Detective Agency series, but they sound like perfect summer reading. The Nook gives page numbers; the Kindle usually goes with the dreaded percentage.:) But sometimes there are page numbers. Bring back page numbers! I did read all of The Alexandria Quartet- but that is my only series this year. (Well, in which I've read all))
ReplyDeleteHi, Kat. Yes. We want page numbers. But even with those there is still nothing quite like a bookmark showing progress in a real book.
DeleteI keep reading good things about "The Alexandria Quartet". I have only read Mr. Durrell's travel book "Bitter Lemons". On the other hand, I have read his brother Gerald's "My Family and Other Animals" which is a hoot.