Book Concierge’s Comments (group member since Feb 12, 2016)

Book Concierge’s comments from the Who Doesn't Love a Classic? group.

Throne of Jade – Naomi Novik – 4****
In Book two of this series, the Chinese demand the return of the dragon known as Temeraire. Novik does a great job imagining a fantasy scenario where dragons are part of the Air Corps, while also keeping the reader in a (circa) 1801 time frame. The battle scenes are exciting, and the intrigue builds suspense. I really like the growing relationship between Temeraire and Capt Laurence. This is not my preferred genre, but I think I’m hooked on the series.
Full Review HERE

First published in 1971, this is a little "young" to be considered a classic ....

A Few Fair Days – Jane Gardam – 4****
Lucy is a young girl living in a small, seaside town in Yorkshire, in the years between the wars. This is a charming collection of stories about childhood, and reminds this reader of our greatest and most valuable plaything – imagination. I loved how they played pirates, explored the abandoned estate next door, or searched the seashore for “treasure.” At least one of their escapades had me laughing aloud. Just a lovely book.
Full Review HERE

Lara wrote: "I posted the poll on our homepage. Make sure to vote!
Nov-Dec Group Read Vote!"

I want to read ALL of them!

Mark wrote: "Being with family and friends makes him look at himself, forces him to conceal his "crime" and this builds tremendous psychological pressure that explodes from him in fits of anger."

Exactly ... I don't think he necessarily feels hatred towards his family, so much as he is acting out.

By the Shores of Silver Lake – Laura Ingalls Wilder
Audiobook performed by the Cherry Jones
4****

Wilder wrote this series of autobiographical novels in the early 1900s, and they are classics of children’s literature. This is the fifth book in the Little House series, wherein the Ingalls family heads to the Dakota Territory. They family has suffered serious illness, and Laura’s older sister, Mary, is now blind as a result of a bout of scarlet fever. Laura is growing up; she’s twelve years old now and taking on more responsibility. But there is still plenty of adventure ahead of her.

I never read this series as a child, and I’m so glad I decided to begin reading them a few years ago. Wilder gives the reader a good picture of the joys and sorrows of pioneer life – the harshness of weather, the bounty of a good crop and plenty of game to hunt, the dangers of the wilderness, the joy of company, and the comfort and security of family. Life is far from easy for the Ingalls family, but they have each other and they are willing to work hard. They are blessed, indeed.

Cherry Jones is simply marvelous performing the audio books. She brings Laura to life, and through her performance the listener experiences the excitement of a first train ride, the anxiety of waiting for Pa to return, the joy of Christmas morning with the family.

These books are just a joy to read.

Full Review HERE

nomination sent

Tuesdays With Morrie – Mitch Albom – 5***** and a ❤
The subtitle is the perfect synopsis: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson. This little gem of a book is the result of Tuesdays the author spent discussing life, death, family, work, and love with his former professor and mentor, who was dying of ALS. It’s touching and inspiring.
Full Review HERE

AJ wrote: "I think I have a bit of a book buying "condition". I have bought more than 20 books in the past month, some are audio books but still."

Hmmm.... I believe that there is no cure, although the condition can (sometimes) be managed ....

It was a 5-star read for me. I've read it two (or three) times, but the last time was still before I had joined either Shelfari or Goodreads, and I wasn't in the habit of writing detailed reviews. This is all my saved review states:

July 2007
I first read this book in high school and was mesmerized. When my book club was considering reading some classics, I recommended it, and I find that I still love the book. It is a classic psychological thriller.
First reading: April 1966

I will say that reading this in high school was a significant influence on my deciding to major in psychology when I went to college.

The discussion folder has been started .... there is a separate topic for each question.

If you want to add a question, please start a new TOPIC within that discussion folder.

We set these discussion questions up with the assumption that members have read the book and are ready to discuss all aspects of it.

Feel free to read through or participate in the discussion even if you have not finished the book, but know that there will likely be spoilers.

When I think of a "villain" I think of the one person in a novel who is the cause of everything bad happening. In that sense I can't name any ONE of these characters as the villain.

However, except for Sonya Marmeladov, I would say all of them behave villainously at some point (or several points) in the story.

Mark wrote: "Did those questions get posted ? I keep looking for them."

AJ indicated that she would post them mid to late Sept ... Discussion continues through October.

The Art of Racing In the Rain – Garth Stein – 5***** and a ❤
The story could be maudlin but it isn’t. Enzo is a philosophical narrator, and also a fair one. (Though he does have a thing for the zebra demon.) There are moments of laugh-out-loud humor, sing-out-loud joy, and sigh-out-loud sadness. I listened to the CD for this re-reading. The audio is performed perfectly by Christopher Evan Welch. Have a hankie ready for the last few chapters.
Full Review HERE

Lara wrote: "I'm glad you enjoyed this one BC! This was the first novel by Wells that I ever read and I loved it. Have you ever seen the movie version they did of this in the 90s with Marlon Brando?"

No, I never saw a movie version. Can't imaging Brando in that role!

Once Upon a River – Bonnie Jo Campbell – 3***
I hardly know what to write about this novel. Very early on I was disturbed by Margo and the adults around her. I wanted to hug her and keep her safe and warm. And then I wanted to shake her till her teeth rattled. And yet … she is a compelling character and I couldn’t just turn away from her. Still, this is no Huckleberry Finn. Twain’s central character had a certain innocence about him, which Margo seems to lack.
Full Review HERE

The Island of Dr Moreau – H G Wells
Audiobook performed by Robin Lawson
4****

This classic is set on a remote island somewhere in the South Pacific. The island is inhabited by Dr Moreau, a “mad” scientist bent on experimenting with the human / animal form, his assistant Montgomery, the stranded traveler Edward Prendick (who is our narrator), and a variety of strange creatures.

I remember a commercial in the 1960s or ‘70s with the tag line “It’s not nice to fool Mother Nature!” I cannot think of a more succinct way to describe the basic theme of this book. And yet, it is so much more – a strong, philosophical and ethical argument both for and against vivisection and experimentation. A moral tale of one man’s descent as a result of his ego, and how he is able to draw others into his twisted way of thinking.

And yet, Wells clearly points out that Nature will have her way; that despite man’s meddling, Nature will win out. The journey on which Wells takes the reader to arrive at this conclusion is twisted, compelling, dark, and horrific. The tension is lessened by the story’s premise – a telling of what happened by the only survivor. Wells used a similar device in The Time Machine . Despite this, however, there is still considerable suspense.

I was struck by some of the descriptions of procedures – at least one of which I know is currently performed by plastic surgeons specializing in facial reconstruction. In fact, I read such an operative report just a week before picking up this book!

Robin Lawson does a fine job performing the audiobook. He has good pacing, and gives life to Edward Prendick’s telling of the story.

Oh, wait .... On the Beach by Nevil Shute is fantastic!

It's also short.

But it's a bit depressing ...

Darn ... what a hard choice ...

Okay ... I'll stick with my original recommendations. ... I think ...

Lara wrote: "My honeymoon is coming up next week (2 weeks in Europe!!) and I am trying to figure out what books to bring with me. The flights will be long and the hubby and I will also have some relaxing beach ..."

I vote for Mudbound and The Other Typist

Lara wrote: "So...I just noticed while scrolling through my TBR that a few of my books that I imported as READ loaded in the "to read" section and my star reviews and tags are all gone. Ugh! I found two...hopin..."

Do you still have your export file from Shelfari? If yes, you can email
support (at) gmail (dot) com
and ask for help. They may be able to retrieve some of that "lost" data for you.