Have you ever read book in a spectacular setting or during a seminal point in your life that makes that particular reading experience truly memorable? I don’t often remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, or what was going on in my life when I read a particular book, but on the rare occasions when this does happen, it’s a truly memorable experience.
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Linking up with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Where I Was When I Read It
My Sunshine Away by M.O. Walsh (my review)
I read the second half of My Sunshine Away (one of my favorite books of 2015) while on a weekend away with my husband in February. I holed up in the relaxation room at our hotel (where, blessedly, talking is not allowed) and finished the second half of the book while watching snow fall into the ocean out a huge window. And, it really kick-started what was, up to that point, an extremely lackluster reading year.
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One Day in September by Simon Reeve
A account of the true story of the terrorist attack on 11 Israeli athletes and coaches at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the Israeli retaliation operation, Wrath of God. And, I read this while attending an Olympics myself. One Day in September was published in September of 2000, right in conjunction with the Sydney Olympics. I was over there working during the Olympics and not only read this book while I was there, but I saw the accompanying documentary in the theater. It certainly put me a bit on edge, but imagine I’d had this experience post-9/11…
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The Heart’s Invisible Furies
Last year was a fairly mediocre reading year without an obvious best book of the year up until the very last minute. I was desperately on the hunt for a book that would stand out above the rest when I picked up The Heart’s Invisible Furies in late October. And, it not only ended up being my #1 book of 2017, but it’s my favorite book of the past few years!
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The Wife
Another kidless vacation reading experience. I read this entire book over 2 days on the beach in Miami. And it was the perfect beach read.
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This is Where I Leave You
Indiscretion by Charles Dubow (my review)
I’m lumping these two books together because they were part of the same experience. I had a roller-coaster delivery with my second child and was in the hospital twice with early contractions before finally giving birth on the third trip to the hospital. During the first two visits, I read Indiscretion, a popcorn-y page turner that turned out to be totally necessary. I was in a room with lots of other patients separated by curtains and I could hear a nearby girl in labor who had no idea she was pregnant prior to that hospital visit (I am unfortunately not joking). For the real deal delivery, I read This is Where I Leave You in between contractions and it was the perfect humor to keep me somewhat distracted.
Tell me about your most memorable reading experiences!
I’ve never heard of a relaxation room but now I want one.
In March, my husband and I visited Egypt. In between visits to pyramids and temples, I managed to read Nobel Prize winning author Naguib Mahfouz’s classic Palace Walk, the first installment of his Cairo Trilogy. I loved reading the story of this Egyptian family in the early part of the 20th century while actually in Egypt, (although the father’s control over his family- his wife wasn’t allowed to leave the house without his permission! was sad and unsettling). We even had dinner near the Cairo Bazaar at the Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant, where the author supposedly dined. A very memorable experience. It’s fun to read a story set in the place where you are. Let me add- thanks again for suggesting The Heart’s Invisible Furies- also one of my very favorites from the past few years.
That sounds so amazing! And cool to match your reading with your traveling!
So glad you loved HIF! Happy to push that one on as many people as possible!
I’m surprised you could read in a labor room with all that going on. I’d at least need ear plugs!
There’s just something about vacations/getaways that seem to make what you’re reading stand out so much more. Like you I have many books I associate with vacations, especially summer vacations: The Age of Miracles, In the Kingdom of Men, Gone Girl.
Well, it was a lot of waiting around. And I’m pretty good at tuning out surrounding noise 🙂
Agreed about vacation!
I am impressed that you read while in labor!
I don’t remember where I was for most of the books I read. Both the Outlander series and A Little Life stand out because I read them almost solely while nursing my second daughter, in the dark in her room.
The other one that stands out is this book called Nobody’s Child by Christina Noble. I read it in a little loft I slept in when I lived in Dublin–it was one of the only books my roommate had on her shelf. It’s about an Irish woman who moved to Vietnam to help the street children there.
The funny thing about it is that my roommate’s sister (who I didn’t know) happens to be a pretty famous actress and comedian in Ireland, and she later starred in a movie about Christina Noble, called Noble–it’s on Amazon Prime. It was one of the only books I read in the time I lived there, so the whole circle of it always strikes me as kind of funny.
Oh you just jogged my memory! I read The Interestings while nursing! And, oddly enough, I remember reading so much while nursing…just never having the brain power to actually write about the books I read. Haha!
I am stealing this idea! And giving you proper credit of course.
I know this is so delayed and I think you already did this, but of course! So delayed responding to my comments!!
I love the idea of this question, but honestly I can’t connect any books to any important time of my life. The best I can do is that I clearly remember where I was when reading the worst scene (for me) in A Little Life because I slammed the book shut so hard I dropped it.
Ooooh…the stairs?? That was the worst for me from that book. I think I can picture where I was when I read it….like the actual couch.
Yes. I was so horrified and upset I burst into tears. I remember exactly where I was sitting. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that.