As I’ve mentioned, I made my colonoscopy prep day into a “mini-reading retreat.” It worked out GREAT. I read everything I had planned to, and more. Let’s start at the beginning…
When I woke up on Sunday, I went for a quick run and then had two pieces of toast. I was allowed to have a “light breakfast,” but from then on I was fasting. I also abdicated all grocery shopping and food prep responsibilities, and it’s amazing how much time that seemed to open up! Here I am, settling down on the couch with my tea and books…
All I needed was a cat…
The two main books I read were Anne of Green Gables and Comfort Me With Apples, and I finished both of them! Unintentionally, I picked two books that were polar opposites- I didn’t realize Comfort Me With Apples is horror. And Anne is the MOST CHARMING AND DELIGHTFUL BOOK IN THE WORLD!
I absolutely loved it. I loved the writing style, I loved the fact that it takes place in Canada, I loved the time period, and I loved all the characters, especially Anne. I MEAN HOW COULD YOU NOT LOVE ANNE??? I loved it so much I’m considering reading on in the series- but I’ve heard some of the other books aren’t as good. What do you guys think?
Comfort Me With Apples is also good, in a completely (and I do mean COMPLETELY) different way. It’s a short, creepy mystery that definitely falls into the horror genre. The ending is weird, but I enjoyed it and I’m still thinking about it.
My other goal was to read part of each of these nonfiction books:
I did it! I read part of all three. The only one I’ll go on to finish is Big Time. I liked Eat Your Ice Cream, but I could probably just skim it and get the nuggets that will help me. A Swim in a Pond… it’s a book about writing. Saunders takes Russian short stories and analyses what makes them great. I read the first one, and I would have enjoyed it more if I were just reading it, and not having it analyzed at the same time. I’ll even go a step further and say that, not to sound like a philistine, I don’t want to read Russian short stories at all. Sorry, Chekhov.
Anyway! That was my day of reading. Oh, and I saved the end of Comfort Me With Apples for when I was drinking the second dose of my prep, because a horror novel pairs perfectly with that experience.
Have you read any of these? Should I go on to read more of the “Anne” books?
23 Responses
I haven’t read any of these, the idea of spending a day with cat and book without household duties sound like soooo luxurious!!!
It really was nice! I have to figure out a way to do this periodically, without having to get a colonoscopy.
Anne IS a delightful book and I’m glad you loved it so much! The other books are ok but of course not as good as the first one. Things are just different when she gets older. If you have other books lined up I’d take something else, but perhaps keep Anne for another time if you’re up to it.
I think I’ll read a couple other books, and then if none of my library holds are in I’ll read the second Anne book. I want to find out what else happens to her!
I see a life hack! Read a horror book during the “action” part of colonoscopy prep! Brilliant.
But seriously, I’m delighted that you got to spend a day with Anne. I haven’t read the other books since I was a young ‘un so I don’t remember them but I have ambitions to revisit them as an adult.
I read Big Time and of course loved it, and I’m listening to the audio book of Off the Clock right now.
Yes, I definitely want to finish Big Time. Maybe we can do a buddy read/book club experience with the second Anne book!
“Oh, and I saved the end of Comfort Me With Apples for when I was drinking the second dose of my prep, because a horror novel pairs perfectly with that experience.” I LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AT THIS JENNY.
I love the first Anne book, but lots of other books in the series are great, too. Anne of Avonlea is amazing; so is Anne of the Island. I did NOT like Anne of Windy Poplars and overall don’t like any of the later books as much as the first three (Rilla of Ingleside is very good, too, which is part of the series and mostly about one of Anne’s daughters!), but I would 10/10 recommend reading at least the next two in the series. Things get darker over time as Anne gets married/has kids and that overlaps with war times. But the first three are relatively light and wonderful.
I LOVED Big Time and should re-read it soon. I also want to pull Best Laid Plans off my shelf, too, in prep for 2027.
Okay, I’m going to get my hand on Anne of Avonlea and read it soon! I’m excited.
Anne is a delight and there are so many wonderful books in that series! I don’t care for Windy Poplars or Ingleside, but Anne of the Island is absolutely delightful – she has a girl gang! My all-time favourite, although it’s super sad, is Anne’s House of Dreams.
Lololol, a horror novel DOES go with colonoscopy prep! It’s not for the faint of heart.
Okay, I’m definitely reading on in the series! I have to see what happens (although, I do know a couple things coming up, just because I’ve heard other people talking about the books).
I haven’t read any of these but I usually prefer nonfiction these days, and the book about writing sounds boring so I’d probably pick the other two!
It sounds like a lovely day though, minus the colonoscopy prep. But at least you were able to relax and read!
Yep! I can’t really complain about a day of relaxing and reading- I really didn’t even miss eating that much. It wasn’t till I actually had to start taking the prep that things got a little dark, but that didn’t happen till evening.
Obviously, the cats were a Very Important Part of your day. I’ll bet they loved that you were stationary for such long stretches of time.
Yes, I’m sure the cats were thrilled! They’re probably annoyed that I normally move around so much.
Ha ha! I listened to that Saunders book and the Russian “short” stories were ENDLESS. However, I did think Saunders’s criticism and commentary was perfect, so I was super happy I took the time with it. Saunders is delightful and his adoration of the source material was charming.
Look, I think I’m the only one on the planet who struggles with Anne of Green Gables. I get through a chapter and just…can’t? I really need to push through. I remember reading it as a child and enjoying it. Maybe child NGS was more whimsical?
Maybe it’s just not for adult NGS. And- maybe I’ll give the Saunders book another try and read one more story. The truth is- I was pretty nauseous when I read it and maybe didn’t give it a fair chance.
I love the first Anne book and liked many of the others but haven’t re-read them. I did re-read the first Anne book years ago when a friend turned 40 as she asked people to read it to help her celebrate 40. She has an October birthday (today, actually!) so it was a great season to re-read it!
I need to read Big Time at some point. I have a physical copy so should make it my hardcopy read when I finish the book I’m currently reading. I like to have a non-fiction book that I can read while the boys watch their nightly 30 minute pre-bedtime show.
October is a great season to read Anne! I’m going to read the second book soon (just got it from the library). That’s so sweet that your friend asked people to read Anne to help her celebrate her birthday!
Hooray for having this test behind you (nice you of behind, eh?) and not having to do it again for 10 years. I’m cracking up that Comfort Me with Apples was not a comforing read. I don’t think I’ve read any of these. I mabye read Anne years ago – or maybe I read it to my kids, wait – no I read them Sarah, Plain and Tall.
Saran, Plain and Tall is another one of heard about but haven’t read! And… Comfort Me With Apples is NOT a comforting book! It’s weird and creepy! But good.
I had my 2nd colonoscopy in August, and I totally get your comment about the 2nd round of prep. The rest of it wasn’t too bad, but it was hard to get that down!
I love Anne of Green Gables! You might enjoy the others in the series just to know the rest of the story, but I agree that the first one is the best. Have you read Jane of Lantern Hill? It’s my second favorite LM Montgomery book.
No, I haven’t read that! The only other LMM book I’ve read is The Blue Castle, and I really loved that one.
I know- that second prep. The worst thing is that you have to get it down AND THEN drink two huge glasses of water within the hour (at least, with the version of prep that I did). I was nauseous, so that was a very unpleasant hour.
I found colonoscopy prep was a breeze because of being a long distance runner – yup, I can force weird liquids down myself at any time and I’m used to having stomach “upsets”. One advantage …
The Anne books are lovely but a lot of cats lose their lives quite casually in the later ones, which you might not like.
I hope all was clear and fine on the day / with the results.