Michelle’s Comments (group member since Dec 08, 2021)

Michelle’s comments from the On The Same Page group.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Given how this list started (see original post) I thought it would be appropriate to update you on my obsession with book lists. Yesterday I got an email newsletter from Southern L..."

Right?!! I just wanted recipes. Thats all just something different to cook for the fam. Not a whole new reading project.

Sooo helpful. Lea. Searching now.

Lea wrote: "Michelle wrote: "No, no Harry. Definitely no Harry. I have never been able to figure out by the way why my husband took such offense to the RV crowd. He is normally a very mild-mannered person, not..."

Mmm. You are helping my husband's case. And if your state parks are like ours there are often waiting lists for camping in the more popular ones.

Given how this list started (see original post) I thought it would be appropriate to update you on my obsession with book lists. Yesterday I got an email newsletter from Southern Living magazine. I like getting these for the recipes. They cover various other aspects of life (decorating, gardening etc.) but I rarely pay attention to that. Yesterday however they featured a book list - 50 Classic Books Everyone Should Read in Their Lifetime. Really? Even Southern Living is going to pump up my TBR and feed my list obsession? I want you all to know that I deleted the list.

But... not before I determined that I had read 33 of the 50.

Lea wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I'm really not that much of a dog person so I could go without the dog but I have always had the dream of getting a small camper van and seeing the country. Unfortunately, one of m..."

No, no Harry. Definitely no Harry. I have never been able to figure out by the way why my husband took such offense to the RV crowd. He is normally a very mild-mannered person, not easily offended. When I question him about the specifics, he is always vague, and it always sounds like the ideal summer job to me. It sounds like he mostly sat at the gate and let people in and out. It was a state park so I can't imagine there was a lot going on. The only thing I can come up with is that he saw one too many people back their RV into something or other causing a lot of trouble. He seems to focus on the impossibility of driving the thing. He is a very conscientious driver.

Alondra wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Getting down to business with And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

Ten people lured to a weekend..."

I actually thought I was a Poirot fan myself but I liked this approach better somehow.

Kristine wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Whew! made it through Selected Stories by Alice Munro.

An extensive selection of Alice Munro's short stories thr..."

Yes, Munro is very much worth the read if you are looking for short stories. This collection was extensive. Knowing what I know now about her writing I might opt for a book with a smaller collection of stories instead of one that encompasses decades.

Lea wrote: "I loved Travels with Charley too. It made me want to get a dog to travel the country with, but every animal I've ever had, despite my best efforts, has hated traveling in car. I had the same concer..."

I'm really not that much of a dog person so I could go without the dog but I have always had the dream of getting a small camper van and seeing the country. Unfortunately, one of my husband's summer jobs in college was working at an RV park and he refuses to become "one of those old people". It's one of the few big life things we disagree on. I may have to leave without him and the dog. Maybe he can meet me in Chicago like Steinbeck's wife did.

“When he needed to calm his mind, he opened a book. Any book. He had never failed to feel refreshed, even if the book was no good.”
― Louise Erdrich, The Night Watchman

#97 The Night Watchman Louise Erdrich pays homage to her grandfather in this fictional account of the struggle by her tribe against Washington to preserve their lands and their way to life. The events and her grandfather's role in them are true. The other characters according to Erdrich are not based on real people but the overall message of the book conveys beautifully the history and heritage of her tribe. 4 fiction teaching history stars. Audiobook. Fiction-Historical.

#98 And Then There Were None Classic Christie! Ten people receive a mysterious invitation to a secluded island. Ten people murdered one by one. 3 no Marple, no Poirot but I liked it anyway stars. Audiobook. Mystery.

#99 Travels with Charley: In Search of America I have been meaning to read this book for so long and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. This may be my new favorite Steinbeck. Yes, I read about the critics who say it didn't really happen Steinbeck just used a journey as a vehicle to convey his thought about America and Americans. I don't care. It was thoughtful, observant and timeless. Some of the details may have changed but many of his observations hold true today. Also Charley was great and I want to think about Steinbeck driving around the country talking to his dog. I listened to the audiobook which was expertly read by Gary Sinise. 3 makes me want to get an RV and see the country but my husband says he won't drive it and we don't have a dog stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction-Essay.

#100 Selected Stories Wonderful collection of short stories written by the master Alice Munro throughout her career. Each story is a little window into the ordinary life of her characters. Their relationships, passions and mistakes all displayed for the readers consideration. The stories are mundane, gossipy, honest but above all real. Munro's genius is highlighted in each one. 4 a slow read but oh so much the better stars. ebook. Fiction-Short Stories.

#101 Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism Let me say first that I did not always agree with the author but this was a fascinating book. The author's premise is that the language used is what determines whether something is a cult or not and the language used is the key factor to persuading someone to join. She discusses organizations that we would identify as cults but also some that we wouldn't such as mass marketing and fitness trends. It was well researched and made several good points regarding our current society. I would recommend. 4 good cults, bad cults and our need to belong stars. Audiobook. Nonfiction.

101 books/10416 pages
Woohoo! passing the 100 book and the 10,000 page marks at the same time!

Current:
The Olympian Affair Audiobook. Meh!
The Ministry of Time ebook. So good!
Of Human Bondage ebook. Mostly ignoring at the moment. I really wish this kid would wise up.

“A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you
control it.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

“I was born lost and take no pleasure in being found.”
― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley: In Search of America

Ioana wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Don't you want to just take off barefoot on a 50-mile run now?

No. 🤣🤣🤣"


Me neither. LOL
But it was still a great book.

Ioana wrote: "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. I had never heard of the Tarahumara Indians in the Mexico's Copper Canyon, and their abili..."

I really enjoyed Born to Run. Like you said its not really scientific but so many odd little stories. I never thought running could be that interesting. Don't you want to just take off barefoot on a 50-mile run now?

Ioana wrote: "I'm not a fan of short stories, but your review is intriguing. I might give it a try..."

Just remember to take it slow. Maybe read something else between stories. On one level the stories seem mundane or gossipy but when you think about them they seem very personal almost voyeuristic.

Whew! made it through Selected Stories by Alice Munro.

An extensive selection of Alice Munro's short stories throughout her writing career. These stories deal with people both modern day and in the past and their everyday problems and relationships. But on a deeper level Munro is able to take a sample of her characters in most workings, extract them and display them for the reader's careful examination. These little slices of soul truly display Munro's genius.

I struggled with this book not because I didn't enjoy it but just because of the enormity of the collection. So many brilliant short stories and each one deserving of careful reading and consideration. A quick, skimming read might have been entertaining, but the real joy of these stories was their depth and that required a slow and thoughtful read. The stories generally deal with the ordinary parts of life and relationships but when you dig a little deeper each one reveals a nugget of the character's thinking and motivation and perhaps commentary on the human condition in general. It is easy to see why Munro receives such acclaim for her short stories.

4 a stunning oeuvre stars.

Quotable:

“The only choice I make is to write about what interests me in a way that interests me, that gives me pleasure. It may not look like pleasure, because the difficulties can make me morose and distracted, but that’s what it is—the pleasure of telling the story I mean to tell as wholly as I can tell it, of finding out in fact what that story is, by working around the different ways of telling it.”
― Alice Munro, Selected Stories

They had found out so much about each other that everything had got cancelled out by something else.
― Alice Munro, Selected Stories

“How can you get your finger on it, feel that life beating? It was more a torment than a comfort to think about this, because I couldn’t get hold of it at all.”
― Alice Munro, Selected Stories

Motley Challenge 2024

1. A humorous book - Seven Up

2. An autobiography/ biography - All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir

3. A locked room mystery - How to Solve Your Own Murder

9. About a historical figure - The Romanov Sisters: The Lost Lives of the Daughters of Nicholas and Alexandra

10. A book with indigenous people The Night Watchman

11. A holiday or celebration story - The Exception to the Rule- Valentine's Day

12. A novella under 100 pages-Divorce Horse

14. Any color in the title-Silver in the Bone

15. A title with more than 4 words-To Be Taught, If Fortunate

16. An animal on the cover - As The Crow Flies

17. A house on the cover - The Confession Club

20. A place you always wanted to visit- Homecoming - Australia

21. Book has four or more stars on GR The Running Grave

22. Winner of the GR awards of 2023-Weyward

24. First book in a series-Bookshops & Bonedust

25. A book translated from another language One Hundred Years of Solitude

Getting down to business with And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie.

Ten people lured to a weekend houseparty on an isolated island find that they are being eliminated one by one. Will they identify the murderer or become his prey? This book apparently was originally published with a title that would be offensive today. The title in the version I listened to had been changed to the above and all references to the racial slur were changed to soldier. This really did not affect the enjoyment of the story one way or the other so I'm glad they made the change and allowed current generations to enjoy one of Christie's masterpieces.

I hate to admit this but I'm a little lukewarm when it comes to Agatha Christie. I did not feel that way about this particular story. While the plot used has become somewhat overused today, it was clear that when Christie wrote the book that was not the case. Even if it had been she handled all the plot twists like the master mystery writer that she was. You could see the genius at work in this one. This was also one of the few, if not the only Christie that I have read that did not have one of her signature sleuths following the clues and I think I liked that better.

3 Sorry Marple and Poirot but I didn't miss you stars.

Quotable:

“There was something magical about an island—the mere word suggested fantasy. You lost touch with the world—an island was a world of its own. A world, perhaps, from which you might never return.”
― Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None

“When the sea goes down, there will come from the mainland boats and men. And they will find ten dead bodies and an unsolved problem on Soldier Island.”
― Agatha Christie, And Then There Were None

I was interested in your comments about The Stranger Beside me. I also got a weird vibe when the author talked about her relationship with Bundy. My take on it was that either she really didn't know him as well as she indicated in the book, or she felt guilty that she didn't really believe it was him at the time. Either way the book pretty much made her career. To be fair to her the more disturbing relationship was the longtime girlfriend who had to have seen enough to be suspicious but claimed she wasn't. He must have been some sweet talker. You would think even if he was smooth, he would have given off an uncomfortable vibe for most women but apparently not. Even if you don't like true crime this book was worth the read. Women should pay attention and pay attention to their instincts.

Started listening to And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Still chipping away at Selected Stories and Of Human Bondage.

Loving this list as I finish The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich.

Louise Erdrich pays homage to her grandfather in this fictional account of the struggle by her tribe against dispossession in Washington during the 1950's. It was a fight to preserve their lands and their way to life. The events and her grandfather's role in them are true. The other characters according to Erdrich are not based on real people but the overall message of the book conveys beautifully the history and heritage of her tribe.

This was just a lovely, lovely book. I so enjoyed Erdrich's portrayal of her grandfather, who in addition to his tribal duties, worked as a nightwatchman and wrote letters to stay awake and to garner support for his tribe. Her portrayal of the other fictional characters was equally beautiful and reveals the love and pride she has for her heritage. Louise Erdrich is a wonderful writer and I have enjoyed everything I have read by her.

4 fiction promotes empathy when we share our story with others stars.

Quotable:

“An enemy has to be defeated in battle, but an adversary’s different. You must outwit an adversary.”
― Louise Erdrich, The Night Watchman

“When Thomas thought of his father, peace stole across his chest and covered him like sunlight.”
― Louise Erdrich, The Night Watchman

“The sun was low in the sky, casting slant regal light. As they plodded along, the golden radiance intensified until it seemed to emanate from every feature of the land. Trees, brush, snow, hills. She couldn’t stop looking. The road led past frozen sloughs that bristled with scorched reeds. Clutches of red willow burned. The fans and whips of branches glowed, alive. Winter clouds formed patterns against the fierce gray sky. Scales, looped ropes, the bones of fish. The world was tender with significance.”
― Louise Erdrich, The Night Watchman

I'm listening to The Night Watchman which is wonderful and still hacking slowly away at Selected Stories and Of Human Bondage. The latter two are going to be a challenge. Of Human Bondage is just a slow story for me. I'm not loving the MC. Selected Stories is great there are just a lot of stories. A lot.

Lea wrote: "I've got The Will of the Many on hold at the library. I hope to read it soon."

Hope you enjoy it Lea. Just so you all know. It was a very good book but my 5 star rating was partly based on the fact that they story followed the traditional orphan with a hidden past makes good at magic school trope and not the tough pixie girl with a love triangle trope. It was just a refreshing change.