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Larry
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Nov 24, 2020 09:18AM
What books are you reading now--or have recently finished--that you want to share with the group? These don't even have to be books that you think are the best ... just ones that you think may interest others.
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I've got an hour or so to go of the audio edition of The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found by Mary Beard. It'll be a five-star review, especially with the terrific narration. One strength is that it differentiates Pompeii as not necessarily being an exact proxy for the Roman Empire, but a place in its own right.
John, I had a few Audible credits, so I used one to get the Vesuvius book. I find Mary Beard amazing. Her book SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome is the best book that combines history with historiography that I know of. And she's about the only historian I know of who can make historiography fun. In that book, she does such a great job of explaining what we know to be true about Rome and the Roman Empire, and as opposed to what we think we know, as opposed to what may be true, and then she explains all of that ... delightfully.
Thanks, Larry!I had been holding off on SPQR, but will put it on my wishlist for future purchase!
I purchased Michael Gorra’s study of William Faulkner.The Saddest Words: William Faulkner's Civil War
I have been wanting to get started, but have not done so. I then came across Casey Cep’s piece on it in The New Yorker. Cep is a favorite writer of mine, and so I hope to start on the book soon.
John, Faulkner's great-grandfather William C. Falkner (note the name change) recruited my great-great grandfather James A. Deaton, his brother Tom Deaton, and their father Thomas to the 2nd Mississippi Infantry regiment. Brother Tom died at the Battle of First Manassas. I'm not proud of their service in an ignoble cause, but I am still interested in aspects of that service. My great-grandfather James S. Deaton had the sense after the Civil War to leave Mississippi to move up to Indian Territory to dig wells for the railroad. His past was past.
Very interesting, Larry. I will be interested to see how Gorra ties Faulkner’s fiction to the Civil War. I have not read Faulkner deeply enough, but from what I have read, the Reconstruction Era seems to occupy a prominent place in his work.Of Faulkner’s works, I did read his last book The Reivers. I also read As I Lay Dying. At some point, I would like to get to Light in August, with its character Joe Christmas.
John, His great grandfather is used as the character Col. Sartoris in his fiction. Both are cavalry officers. When the men of the 2nd Mississippi Infantry failed to reelect Falkner as colonel of the regiment, he sulked for a while, went home, sulked for awhile longer, and then formed a Mississippi cavalry regiment of irregulars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sartoris
One of my favorite compilers of lists of great books was Dick Dabney, Here's what he had to say about Faulkner:
"Dabney’s List – Books 30-37: William Faulkner, Absalom, Absalom (1936), The Hamlet (1940), Light in August (1932), The Mansion (1960), The Reivers (1962), Sanctuary (1931), Sartoris (1929), and The Town (1957) – The best American novelist. College students are taught to despise Faulkner by being handed a copy of The Sound and the Fury and being told it’s his best work. It isn’t; it’s well-nigh unreadable. All those listed above are better than the one that’s supposed to be classic. Faulkner’s no good for skimmers, because you have to make an effort to get into his style. After that, it’s easy going, and ordinary discourse seems affected. And if Faulkner’s not for skimmers, neither is anybody else on this list."
I'll email you Dabney's list of his favorite 100 books.
Larry
Larry wrote: "John, His great grandfather is used as the character Col. Sartoris in his fiction. Both are cavalry officers. When the men of the 2nd Mississippi Infantry failed to reelect Falkner as colonel of ..."
Larry, I am going to hang on to Dabney’s list because he makes some excellent observations. I would say that The Sound and the Fury is unreadable to some degree. I am somewhat surprised he did not include As I Lay Dying. That was perhaps more accessible than many of his works. Then again, for Faulkner, I usually needed a summary before I started reading. Sounds like cheating, but an outline would help me.
Speaking of the Civil War, yesterday I started a book that I've had "on deck" for a while (finally up to bat): The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln's Ghost, which is set (roughly) in that era.
Hello,I'm currently reading The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Yergin. It's an unusual read for me in that I haven't read a book about energy before. I often read heavily in the humanities.
I can recommend this book if you want to understand the role of oil in geopolitics and the way the world map in relationship to oil is changing. Yergin writes so clearly that even someone who is new to this topic will follow. Plus the writing and the way he tells the story is interesting. Finally - if you want to understand the American Shale revolution and how it came about - it's all in this book.
Sher,I have the latest Yergin book also. How far into the book are you?
Larry
Larry wrote: "Sher,I have the latest Yergin book also. How far into the book are you?
Larry"
Larry I am 30 % done. I think you read another book by Yergin with Eileen , if I remember correctly. I remember not being interested, but since I have started subscribing to Bloomberg and I have the general environmental interests, I have wondered about oil - and I had no idea what the shale revolution was. Smile.
I am 50% done with The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better AngelsI like Jon Meacham's works, and this book is quite good. I am still formulating how I view it. It seems to be about challenges to democracy and how democracy has survived since the Republic was founded. So, far most of the American presidents are covered in relationship to their instilling of hope versus their efforts to tear down democratic institutions. Some of the history is very familiar to me, but there is enough new angle regarding how hope works in America that I am sticking with it. Plus the KKK is covered in detail and gives me much to reflect on. A lot going on in this book- a lot to think about.
You'll see there have been significant threats to democracy before--even attempts at coups, anarchy... terrifically helpful perspective in regards our present time in American government.
I would love to know what you are currently reading - please share if you will. :)I have started a book about the life of Fred Rogers. Any Mister Rogers fans here?
The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers
This book is not terribly well written, but it is heartwarming and about a man and a show I loved as a child.
Fred Rogers was a (seasonal) parishioner at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Nantucket, MA; my folks would sometimes see him at services; there is a memorial to him there in the form of a sort of icon in the sanctuary (best l way I can describe it). My favorite characters were X the Owl and Lady Elaine Fairchild. I think of the Land of Make Believe every time I run across references to a platypus.Currently reading a very quirky novel Hot Milk, which works for me but could understand folks disliking. For nonfiction, I'm working my way through a title that's been on my TBR for a while First Stop in the New World: Mexico City, the Capital of the 21st Century, which reads like a series of magazine articles, some more engaging than others.
Sher wrote: "I would love to know what you are currently reading - please share if you will. :)I have started a book about the life of Fred Rogers. Any Mister Rogers fans here?
[book:The Good Neighbor: The L..."
We are huge Mister Rogers fans. I really liked the films, WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR and A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, that came out over the last two years. We also watch the cartoon spinoff, DANIEL TIGER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, at times to discuss it with Cessy, my youngest granddaughter.
John:Thank you; I really enjoyed that tidbit about Fred Rogers. I believe he became a Presbyterian minister- though I am not that far in the book yet.
Your books sound quite different and entertaining!
Larry--what are the films you mention? Are they documentaries or redos of the show, or ...?
I heard a rumor there is a film out about Mister Rogers. Is that what you mean?
Sher wrote: "John:Thank you; I really enjoyed that tidbit about Fred Rogers. I believe he became a Presbyterian minister- though I am not that far in the book yet.
Your books sound quite different and entert..."
Sher,
First, A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD - "Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America's most beloved neighbor" Source: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/a-be...
Then the documentary: WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? :Won’t You Be My Neighbor? takes an intimate look at America’s favorite neighbor: Mister Fred Rogers. A portrait of a man whom we all think we know, this emotional and moving film takes us beyond the zip-up cardigans and the land of make-believe, and into the heart of a creative genius who inspired generations of children with compassion and limitless imagination. "
Source: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/wont...
Both worth seeing!
Larry-- this is terrific. Thanks so much; I will see both during the next few weeks.
I have a Goodreads friend who can only read one book at a time straight through, and then start the next one. We are opposites in that regard, as I can easily have up to a half-dozen books on the go at once: fiction, nonfiction, audiobook, ebook, or print book, it's all good as long as they are ones that can be differentiated. Just mentioning this in case some people wonder why I keep reporting new current reads more often than others might...There's a bit of a fad of watching YouTube videos of folks from various places trying products, mostly food, from areas with which they're not familiar. I watch two channels of Pakistanis doing so, so decided to tackle a book that's been on my TBR pile to help me understand their lives a bit better, Pakistan: A Hard Country. Reads a bit like one of the textbooks from my distant youth as an international affairs major, but I think it's interesting enough to avoid being branded as dry (if Pakistan is your thing).
John wrote: "I watch two channels of Pakistanis doing so, so decided to tackle a book that's been on my TBR pile to help me understand their lives a bit better, Pakistan: A Hard Country..."John, I reserved a copy at my library. Let me know how you like it.
Larry wrote: "John wrote: "I watch two channels of Pakistanis doing so, so decided to tackle a book that's been on my TBR pile to help me understand their lives a bit better, Pakistan: A Hard Country..."John, ..."
My former partner was from Mumbai, from a Hindu family forced from the Sindh in 1947. He, his sister and their widowed father were all fluent in Sindhi; the younger generation spoke mostly English, with Hindi as a second language (the way some Americans learn Spanish).
The Pakistanis in the videos are from villages, have rarely heard of the western products, let alone tried them before. One of them felt self-conscious about his poor teeth in not being about to eat properly as a result. These channels do A LOT to show the participants' sense of humor as regular folks.
https://youtu.be/QWh5MBkyr-0
Larry should we only mention non-fiction books? I read a lot of classics and so wondered if they should be mentioned here.
Currently I am reading A Promised Land by of course Barack Obama. I bet others are reading it too!When I say reading, I mean listening. I use audiobooks because I have poor vision.
John wrote: "Larry wrote: "John wrote: "I watch two channels of Pakistanis doing so, so decided to tackle a book that's been on my TBR pile to help me understand their lives a bit better, Pakistan: A Hard Count..."The Partition of the Indian sub-continent in August 1947 was one of the most tragic and blood-stained events of the last century. Many of the refugees on the trains were slaughtered before they arrived. Whole trains arrived in complete silence, everyone dead on board; they were known as 'blood trains'. More than a million were killed; 15 million were displaced.
You have already mentioned a fictional account of these times, I believe, John. I do not know a great deal about this. Was it thought that there would be Civil War if there was not Partition?
I have just started the end of Hainish Cycle by Ursula le Guin The Dispossessed
and also a book that has me totally captivated :
The Art of the Sonnet
Traces the art form of Sonnet throughout history classical to modern forms. Of the 100 sonnets - each has an essay and notes attached to help the reader understand the work. Just what I need right now.
Chrissie wrote: "Larry should we only mention non-fiction books? I read a lot of classics and so wondered if they should be mentioned here."Chrissie, generally no. But I'll let you to use your judgment if a work of fiction is really special. Sometimes those works of fiction lead us to other works of nonfiction. I'll just give you one example. The novel, The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is a Pulitzer-winning account of the Battle of Gettysburg. It has been assigned at Officer Candidate School by both the U.S. Army and the United States Marine Corps because of what it reveals about leadership. So a book like that may be useful to be mentioned here.
Carol wrote: "John wrote: "Larry wrote: "John wrote: "I watch two channels of Pakistanis doing so, so decided to tackle a book that's been on my TBR pile to help me understand their lives a bit better, Pakistan:..."In the last reading I did of my Pakistan book, they discussed Partition as more of an idea of the British seeing how badly the communities were getting along by the last days of the Raj. Jinnah did not really want this, strongly preferring a system of one country, two communities similar to the Dutch and French in Belgium. I believe it was an episode of Jewel in the Crown(?) which showed a death train arriving in all its gory details as the camera panned through a carriage.
Chrissie wrote: "Currently I am reading A Promised Land by of course Barack Obama. I bet others are reading it too!When I say reading, I mean listening. I use audiobooks because I ha..."
I am currently reading A Promised Land also, and doing it slowly in order to savor the experience. My husband and I became active at the grassroots level for the first time in 2008 to work for his election. I really appreciate Obama's portrayal of groundwork that went into his campaign, having seen a part of it firsthand.
Chrissie wrote: "Currently I am reading A Promised Land by of course Barack Obama. I bet others are reading it too!When I say reading, I mean listening. I use audiobooks because I ha..."
Chrissie, I am starting A Promised Land this month too so it will be fun to compare notes.
Hi Terri, Chrissie, and Eileen- great to hear from all of you! I really appreciate knowing what others are currently reading. I have _ A Promised Land_ on my list, and good to hear you are enjoying it. We recently set up a new thread for you to post what you think about what you just read -- although Obama's book may well make it into the "great" presidential biographies thread. We will see what you all think.
Terri wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Currently I am reading A Promised Land by of course Barack Obama. I bet others are reading it too!When I say reading, I mean listening. I use audiob..."
You and your husband's personal involvement from 2008 must add further to your appreciation of the book! How exciting to have ben part of the campaign!
Eileen wrote: "Chrissie wrote: ".Chrissie, I am starting A Promised Land this month too so it will be fun to compare notes."Yes, I do agree.
Larry wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Larry should we only mention non-fiction books? I read a lot of classics and so wondered if they should be mentioned here."Chrissie, generally no. But I'll let you to use your ju..."
Thank you for giving an example--I see how you are reasoning.
Sher wrote: "Hi Terri, Chrissie, and Eileen- great to hear from all of you! I really appreciate knowing what others are currently reading. I have _ A Promised Land_ on my list, and good to hear you are enjoying..."While we are reading the book, before we have completed the book and before we know how we see it as a whole, may Terri, Eileen and I share a few thoughts here in the "currently reading" thread?
Yesterday, I started I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg. It's definitely not outstanding, but he's a really interesting person.
John wrote: "Yesterday, I started I Have Something to Tell You by Chasten Glezman Buttigieg. It's definitely not outstanding, but he's a really interesting person."John, I will be interested in your final thoughts. I read and enjoyed Shortest Way Home: One Mayor's Challenge and a Model for America's Future by Pete Buttigieg.
I am currently reading Super Volcano: The Ticking Time Bomb Beneath Yellowstone National Park by Greg Breining. It is speculative nonfiction. It starts out as a travelogue on the diverse geology of Yellowstone. It then goes into the history of the set up of the national park. I am currently reading about the evolution of the idea of continental drift which is really interesting. I believe that the weakest part of the book is yet to come - the speculation of what a mega volcano in Yellowstone would do the the earth. It will most likely happen some time in the future but the book tries to suggest that it is imminent. I don't need another imminent threat to add to my plate but I do appreciate the history behind the geology and set up of the national park.
Hi Kathy-- nice to see you here. I did notice you had been reading a lot fo fiction lately, which is good too. Yes, most members have moved over here and it is nice to see you. No book read discussions here and no pressure to participate, but whenever and wherever you can - it is appreciated. Your Yellowstone book sounds trippy and interesting ... Glad you found us...
Kathy wrote: "I am currently reading Super Volcano: The Ticking Time Bomb Beneath Yellowstone National Park by Greg Breining. It is speculative nonfiction. It starts out as a travel..."Kathy, I read that and actually gave it four stars. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I do agree with you that the author is trying to worry us a little. I wouldn't worry about traveling to Yellowstone ... I'm not so sure about Naples.
Excellent review! I feel a bit sorry for the author. I get the feeling that he submitted an exceptional history on the geology of Yellowstone, and the editor said “we need to spice this up!”
Kathy wrote: "Excellent review! I feel a bit sorry for the author. I get the feeling that he submitted an exceptional history on the geology of Yellowstone, and the editor said “we need to spice this up!”"Yep, I can buy that!
Having a re-listen to the audio edition of Paul Theroux's Ghost Train to the Eastern Star, finding it truly interesting with excellent narration.
John, many people appreciate Paul Theroux. I wish there were more time for reading more books.I am currently finishing up my women's challenge that seems to get longer and longer:
* Have Just Read
A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
My Review
* Am Reading
Medicine Women: The Story of Early-American Women Doctors
Also Am Reading
Pacific: Silicon Chips and Surfboards, Coral Reefs and Atom Bombs, Brutal Dictators, Fading Empires, and the Coming Collision of the World's Superpowers by Simon Winchester
Cynda wrote: "John, many people appreciate Paul Theroux. I wish there were more time for reading more books.I am currently finishing up my women's challenge that seems to get longer and longer:
* Have Just Rea..."
Re: Theroux
Thank you for reminding me that I should mention The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari in the disappointing books thread. I wasn't wild about Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town either, but that seems to have been more individual as it proved popular.
Jyoti wrote: "Hi everyone!I am currently reading Huế 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam and this is the first time I'm reading anything focuses on war/military and is a nonfic..."
Hello Jyoti:
Thanks for sharing your current read...how are you enjoying this book so far-- especially since this is a new topic for you...? I have been reading a book about the oil industry and I am finding it slow going even though the book is clearly written, because I am not strongly into the topic...
Sher wrote: "Jyoti wrote: "Hi everyone!I am currently reading Huế 1968: A Turning Point of the American War in Vietnam and this is the first time I'm reading anything focuses on war/military a..."
Jyoti, I'm also interested in how you like the book by Bowden. I read his book Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War and thought it really brought out what urban warfare might be like in the modern age. And I bet that Bowden does the same for the Battle for Hue in the Vietnam War.
Deciding what to read next, I decided to pick a book that I wanted to read, rather than one I should tackle: SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome. Phyllida Nash's narration is of the "I could listen to her read the phone book!" caliber.
