I am cheating and picking a song – Rapture by Blondie (1981), as it has been going through my head since Kate chose this month’s book. I used to be a big Blondie fan and this song is considered significant because it was the first rap song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Rapture’s lyrics are random and include, “Take a tour through the sewer,” which reminds me of Joan Aiken’s Midnight is a Place (1976). It contained some graphic scenes set in the sewer that unnerved me, although I am a big fan of her books.
The title of Still Midnight by Denise Mina (2009) refers to the violence that interrupts an immigrant family in Glasgow. This is the first book in a series about detective Alex Morrow but I never really warmed to her. I am surprised to see I read all five books in the series!
In While Still We Live by Helen MacInnes (1944), one of my favorite WWII stories, Sheila Matthews, a sheltered young Englishwoman becomes trapped in Poland as war is breaking out. When she assists in some Polish underground work, she is suspected by the Germans of being a spy. Even in these dangerous moments, Sheila realizes she must seize every opportunity, including falling in love.
In contrast, Still Life by Louise Penny (2005) refers to how the “still life” of individuals is shattered when a murder takes place. Two of the most prominent characters are artists as well so I suppose there are other hidden meanings I do not recall.
A more carefree life is captured in Julia Child’s memoir, My Life in France (2006). When she first arrived in France in 1948 with her husband, Paul (whom she had met during WWII), she spoke no French and knew nothing about the country itself. But as she dove into French culture, buying food at local markets and taking classes at Le Cordon Bleu, she started sharing her passion (can I say rapture?) with French cooking with friends in Paris and, eventually, Americans back home.
Off the Blog: I am in the Netherlands this week! More to come!
5 comments:
Very creative using the song and it's further link! I love Louise Penny's Gamache books.
Enjoy the Netherlands, I would love to visit there one day. I'm going to look for the Julia Childs book I think. My son is very into cooking at the moment so it's pretty on topic for us in my house
That is a nice chain with lots of different countries featured. I have Still Midnight by Denise Mina but haven't read it. I read one book each from two of her other series.
The Netherlands sounds like a good place to visit. Have fun!
What a great idea to start with a song. I will remember that the next time I get stuck. ;)
This is my list: https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/05/six-degrees-of-separation-rapture.html
And where in the Netherlands are you?
Finally a list that doesn't sound like it came from a college lit course. Bravo.
Late to the party but finally got my chain up.
Rapture
Post a Comment