Apple’s Comments (group member since Aug 28, 2021)

Apple’s comments from the Reading with Style group.

10.9 Georgia (Apple's Task)

All the Little Liars by Charlaine Harris

It's a long time since I have read an Aurora Teagarden story, so there were some details I was a little fuzzy on, and it is not often I read cozy mysteries, so this was a kind of interesting read.

Everyone is so nice and polite and well mannered. There is an awful lot going on in a little town. And everyone know everyone else. I am not sure about where you live, but that is not the case where I live ...

In this book, a group of teenagers, including Aurora's half brother, go missing. Runaways, kidnapped? No one knows, but then a fifth teen has been kidnapped and their parents have received a ransom demand, and another teen is found dead behind the hairdressers. How are they all related, if they are related at all?

My one frustration is, and I have to base this on the audiobook timing, the story goes on for around 7 hours, and whilst there is a constant stream of action, it is only the last 40 minutes or so that EVERYTHING happens. Which is a little exhausting.

(This is probably my own limited experience with the genre, and not a criticism of the book. My other experiences of mysteries don't seem so rushed or hurried.)

A pleasant, quick and easy read overall, but not life changing.

+10 task
+10 review

Post Total = 20
Season Total = 1095

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; 10.5; 10.6 (x2); 10.7 (x5); ...; 10.9; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2 (x2); 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x3)

20.10 Letters (Owlette's Task)

The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman
Just prior to Chapter 19 is the letter that Claire wrote to Paul to tell her about her pregnancy. In Chapter 19, Caitlin tells us that Claire has added the letter to her memory book, and has brought it to Manchester with her to show Paul

This was the October read for my RL book group, so we will be discussing it (probably for about 15 minutes out of the 2 hours), in a couple of nights. I am never sure how book club books will go, they are hit and miss, but I have enjoyed the fiction more than the non-fiction.

The Memory Book is about early onset Alzheimers Disease, heartbreaking because it is genetic, and Claire and her mum had lost her father to the disease, so they know what lies ahead. He husband Greg, and her two daughters Caitlin, 20, and Esther, 3, don't know what is ahead, and the book shows them all having to navigate their way through this new world, where sometimes Claire is mum, and sometimes she is someone else who doesn't recognise them.

What the novel does that I find interesting, and I wonder how much this is true, is show Claire's awareness of when she is in the fog and losing parts of herself and her awareness, and those times when she is her fully lucid self. At all times, she has an awareness of the disease, which seems to be impacting her so very quickly.

Poignant, but not distressing (and I have had two grandparents with either dementia or alzheimers, so I am not unfamiliar with it), this was quite beautifully told.

+20 task
+5 multiple
+10 review

Post Total = 35
Season Total = 1075

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; 10.5; 10.6 (x2); 10.7 (x5); ...; ...; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2 (x2); 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x3)

10.5 October (Karen's Task)

Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

I am never sure when listening to an audiobook how much the narrator makes a text special, although I do know they can make a big difference when it is not enjoyable.

This was poetry. I had only thought of Bradbury as being a sci fi writer, and I guess fantasy, but during this time period (and I suppose even now) there was a lot of crossover. I am never sure when I pick up something by Ursula K. Le Guin which way it might go.

This is a little like reading Olive Kitteridge, but where the main recurring characters are two young brothers, Doug and Tom Spalding, and their relationship to the people in the town of Green Town, Illinois, over the summer of 1928, with other stories from other characters interspersed.

This is more beautiful than Kitteridge, even the story about being pursued by the serial killer, The Lonely One, was a lush listen, the joy of the boys listening to the Colonel and his time machine, and the poignancy of the Colonel telephoning New Mexico just to hear the street sounds! If you like Bradbury, definitely give this one a go.

+10 task
+5 oldies
+10 review

Post Total = 25
Season Total = 1040

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; 10.5; 10.6 (x2); 10.7 (x5); ...; ...; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2 (x2); 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

10.6 September (Valerie's Task)

The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
Born 15 September, 1890

I am a little confused in checking the details, this is certainly not the first Superintendent Battle story I have read, but I also felt like it was not the first one I had read featuring Lady Eileen "Bundle" Brent (which means I must have read The Secret of Chimneys and just not marked it).

This is more Bundle's story than Battle's, he is a minor character, only popping up at moments of revelation, and explores the deaths of several young men linked, somehow, with a club called The Seven Dials, and Bundle, with a couple of friends, is out to discover the how and why.

The story takes on several twists, including some obviously misleading finger pointing, as all good mysteries should, and I definitely wasn't expecting things to turn out the way they did, which makes for a better read than in most mystery cases.

I can see why Battle is not as successful or as memorable as Poirot or Marple, and perhaps Christie should have stuck with Bundle, who is very much paid tribute to in the guise of the Australian sleuth Phrynne Fisher, both being "It" girls driving Hispanos.

+10 task
+5 multiple
+10 oldies
+10 review

Post Total = 35
Season Total = 1015

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6 (x2); 10.7 (x5); ...; ...; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2 (x2); 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

15.2 Celebration of Styles x 2

Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick
Not a Novel

+15 task

Post Total = 15
Season Total = 980

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x5); ...; ...; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2 (x2); 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

10.7 Scrabble (Anika's Task)

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
37 points

I was excited to see that there was a new Percy Jackson books. It has been awhile, and I always enjoy Rick Riordan. As I make the way through the novel it becomes evident that this is going to be the first of three, as Percy is going to need 3 letters of recommendation to get into New Rome University, from various gods, obviously, and to get those letters he is going to need to go on quests.

This is a very pared down Percy Jackson. Less characters, less twists and turns, but still an enjoyable little romp. Less characters makes it easier to follow, the humour seems a little less than before, and the tensions are not so high as the longer novels, but if you are completionist you will read it and enjoy it.

+10 task
+10 review
+5 multiple

Post Total = 25
Season Total = 965

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x5); ...; ...; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

15.1 Celebration of Styles x 2

Dust by Hugh Howey
Young, born 1975

+15 task

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1 (x2); 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

10.1 Over 60

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
#27 on the list

+10 task
+5 oldies

Post Total = 15
Season Total = 925

10.1; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Post 377 Apple wrote: "20.9 Popular Science

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
MPG of science, rating of 3.9

Post Total = 20
Season Total = 665

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ..."

+5 Prizeworthy

I wasn't sure this would count as it is not specific to the book being Author of the Year?

15.10 Celebration of Styles

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Canon

+15 task
+100 finisher bonus
+50 All 7 Styles

Post Total = 165
Season Total = 905

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;15.10
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

20.4 Golden Age

Foundation by Isaac Asimov

I am glad I had read Prelude to Foundation first, and I wonder how people who read this when it first come out, with the whole of "psychohistory" not having that long explanation of Prelude behind them to acknowledge. I guess it must have been explained sufficiently, but since my reading experience was different, I have to wonder.

This novel moves fairly quickly through 4 different time periods, two years before the death of the father of psychohistory, Hari Seldon, 50 years later, 30 years later, and another 70 or so years later. What occurs at each of these time stop is referred to as a "Seldon event" , an event that will shape the future of the Foundation. I was left wondering how much the words of Hari Seldon shaped the outcomes of these events, and therefore the future, so that the strife of the Empire could be managed in one thousand years instead of thirty thousand. In this, Hari has become more of the manipulator of events than the bumbling, manipulated scholar of my previous read.

I have been waiting to receive the 6 books of Foundation, but, long story, I am pretty sure I was scammed, so I will have to find another way to complete this series, and figure out in what order I want to do that, publication or story chronology. Any recommendations?

+20 task
+5 mutilple
+5 oldies
+10 review

Post Total = 40
Season Total = 740

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4 (x2); 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

20.1 Author! Author!

Less Is Lost by Andrew Sean Greer

When I was ordering the first book in this series from the library, I accidentally ordered this instead, so ended up reading both.

I actually preferred this book to the first one, and I have seen mixed responses from other readers in regards to this so I have wondered why. I am thinking perhaps, especially having read them relatively close together, the style of writing was more familiar and therefore more accessible (I think I found it more annoying the first time around), the characters were all familiar (I think I almost liked Arthur Less this time around), and I just, in general, felt more comfortable with the book and reading experience as a whole.

I think this is also a factor in the story itself. Although still out of place, a gay author travelling through parts of America where he is less comfortable and more out of place than his home of San Francicso or New York, Arthur is more comfortable and more accepting of the joy of his experiences, which may or may not belong to him, than he was in the first novel.

Still not sure if I would read a third instalment, but pleasant enough.

+20 task
+5 multiple
+10 review

Post Total = 35
Season Total = 700

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x4); ... ; ...; 20.4; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

20.9 Popular Science

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins
MPG of science, rating of 3.9

Post Total = 20
Season Total = 665

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x3); ... ; ...; 20.4; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); 20.9; 20.10 (x2)

My in person book club rarely seem to get through the books. There are 8 of us, and apart from 2 books this year I don't think more than 2 of us have finished, and those 2 books were autobiographies of national celebrities.

However, we have a great time, and our conversations usually develop from themes in the book. It is definitely the highlight of my month.

And, because I am a digital member of around 10 libraries in my State, I get the emails from all of the other libraries also. I keep intending to join their book discussions, which take place online, and like Elizabeth's group, I have noticed some that don't have a set read, they just discuss what they have been reading. Another one does a short story, not sure if they read during the time and then discuss. If I manage to join, I will let you know.

I also feel like I am all over the place. I have read plenty, but lots of repeats, because I keep getting distracted by some shiny new, or new to me, book, and the overwhelming desire to read that instead.

I have surpassed my planed 160 books for the year, am keeping a step ahead on 10% non-fiction, am at pace for 50% women authors, so that is pleasing.

I am just over halfway on my planned 1001 target, and have plenty planned, but as mentioned, distracted.

Am also just over halfway through the number of countries / nationalities I wanted to read, so am trying to squeeze more of those in, so adding to the distraction ...

10.7 Scrabble (Anika's Task)

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
Scrabble score 49

+10 task
+5 multiple

Post Total = 15
Season Total = 645

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x4); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x3); ... ; ...; 20.4; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); ....; 20.10 (x2)

20.4 Golden Age

The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham
First published in 1953

Two books about first contact that occurs beneath the water seems like it would be something quite statistically unlikely, but it has happened!

In some ways this is a little like The War of the Worlds, perhaps because it is in the UK, and the narration is like a reportage / story told after the climax of the even, although in this case there is no resolution, and the reportage is happening all along as our lead characters, Mike and Phyl Watson work in radio broadcasting, and get the chance to tag along on lots of interesting events in the uncovering of what the situation occuring is as the story develops.

The scenes of alien attacks are unlike any that I have seen considered before, even in all the sci-fi television I have watched over the years I don't think I have seen an alien that quite matches the ones in here in their appearance or ability. It is very strange, and I can imagine would have been a bit more frightening back in 1953.

Interestingly, although the cause of environmental change in the later part of the novel is extraterrestrial in its source, it did make me think about climate change and rising sea levels. There are many places in the world, including London, that will be impacted as sea levels rise, and I think there is a sense of hope at the end, despite the devastation behind them, that the human race will find a way to regroup and survive.

+20 task
+5 oldies
+10 review

Post Total = 35
Season Total = 630

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x3); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x3); ... ; ...; 20.4; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); ....; 20.10 (x2)

20.8 Morrison

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

This was not the first time I had picked up this book, and it was quite a challenge. The first time I didn't get very far through, although it is quite short, but it really was such a hard read that I had to wait a bit to give it another go.

If you can get passed the first part, narrated by Yeong-hye's husband, then it becomes a different novel, and is not as difficult, but this part is not fun. Yeong-hye's husband is quite a piece of work before she decides not to eat meat. In fact, she becomes vegan, as she gets rid of all animal based products from her life. I found it strange that this was such a critical thing for him and her family, I have spent time not eating meat, my daughter has been vegetarian for many years, and my mum was vegetarian for around 20 years, so in our lives this is not a big thing. I wonder if it is / was a cultural Korean things, as I am guessing the attitudes to women expressed were. For me, this was probably the most horrible part (although Yeong-hye's dreams are pretty graphic and horrific).

If you can get passed this point, there is beauty in the novel, even if it is not conventional, and there is certainly a lot of madness and mental ill health going on. The art work by Yeong-hye's brother-in -law sounds beautiful, but I wonder, like Jake the other artist does, if it really needed to be sexualized. However, I am somewhat sympathetic to the brother-in-law, who seems like he is also an outsider that no one seems to understand, including other artists, and don't find him as reprehensible as his wife comes to see him.

This is certainly not for everyone, the portrayal of Yeong-hye's decline into her mental illness is quite graphic and sad, so be very careful if choosing to read this.

I am definitely going to give Han Kang another try at some point down the track.

+20 task
+10 prizeworthy (International Booker Prize 2016; San Clemente Rosalía-Abanca Prize for Foreign Language 2018)
+5 multiple
+10 review
Post Total = 45
Season Total = 595

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x3); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x3); ... ; ...; ...; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8 (x2); ....; 20.10 (x2)

10.3 Vowels

The Word for World Is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin

+10 task
+5 multiple
+5 oldies (1972)
+5 prizeworthy (Hugo Award for Best Novella (1973)

Post Total = 25
Season Total = 550

...; ...; 10.3 (x3); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x3); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x3); ... ; ...; ...; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8; ....; 20.10 (x2)

15.9 Celebration of Styles

All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
Aged, McCarthy was 89 when he passed

Post Total = 15
Season Total = 525

...; ...; 10.3 (x2); ...; ...; 10.6; 10.7 (x3); ...; ...; ...
15.1; 15.2; 15.3; 15.4; 15.5; 15.6; 15.7; 15.8; 15.9;
20.1 (x3); ... ; ...; ...; 20.5; ....; ....; 20.8; ....; 20.10 (x2)