You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Fall 2012 - What are you reading & why?
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Nicole
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Oct 13, 2012 08:27AM
finished A Thousand Splendid Suns 4 stars! now The Lucky One and The Book Thief
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The Book Thief is wonderful, Nicole!
Chrissie wrote: "Helen, I am very curious about The Railway Man. The tale he tells is obviously gripping, but how is the pose style? How is the book as a whole? What are its weak points? Please let me know. you can..."
Review here. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It's a book that is dominated by his time as a POW and it dominates the book, with his early life being almost preparing him for that, then his later life being coloured by it. I felt it went too quickly through his later life. It seems to go from hating everything Japanese to considering forgiving the interpreter with almost unreasonable haste. he's released about page 200 & it ends at 276. 76 pages to deal with the emotional impact of 50 years didn't seem exactly fulsome to me.
the writing is clear and direct - no beating about the bush here. the language is simple and the sentence structure quite bare - no flowery prose here. having said that, you can't really hide this behind flowery text - that would make it loose it's power. Both my Grandfathers fought in WW2 and while they never experienced anything like this, I can hear them in this. It's that quite spare, understated, almost laid back delivery of the most extraordinary details that hits you for six.
Review here. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It's a book that is dominated by his time as a POW and it dominates the book, with his early life being almost preparing him for that, then his later life being coloured by it. I felt it went too quickly through his later life. It seems to go from hating everything Japanese to considering forgiving the interpreter with almost unreasonable haste. he's released about page 200 & it ends at 276. 76 pages to deal with the emotional impact of 50 years didn't seem exactly fulsome to me.
the writing is clear and direct - no beating about the bush here. the language is simple and the sentence structure quite bare - no flowery prose here. having said that, you can't really hide this behind flowery text - that would make it loose it's power. Both my Grandfathers fought in WW2 and while they never experienced anything like this, I can hear them in this. It's that quite spare, understated, almost laid back delivery of the most extraordinary details that hits you for six.
Well I did not at all like Perfume: The Story of a Murderer. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Most everybody likes it but me, but after writing my review people have joined and told me they thought as me! :0) Now I will read a non-fiction book. I need something real to fasten on to. Will start Frida: A Biography of Frida KahloIt's a biography. My favorite genre. I deserve something good after that last book.
Chrissie wrote: "Now I will read a non-fiction book. I need something real to fasten on to. Will start Frida: A Biography of Frida KahloIt's a biography. My favorite genre. I deserve something good after that last book..."That would be an interesting book! I saw the bio-pic with Selma Hayek (sp?) in the role of Frida..
Finished a couple this week: closing in on the end of a few others. Finished The Caine Mutiny
on audio-- the narrator made Queeg sound a little like Humphrey Bogart, which was kinda cool. The book was probably a little longer than it needed to be but Wouk handled Queeg subtly -- which he needed to-- so overall an effective story. Finished A Brew to a Kill
for a challenge, and also to bring me up to date with this series. One of these days I really will remember to try one of the recipes!Finished The Sister Queens
which was 500 pages long but ended only about halfway through the sisters' lives and I'd have been just as happy if it had gone farther!Started The Forsyte Saga: Swan Song
on audio and am more than halfway through. This is book 6 of 9 in this series, probably my all-time favorite series. Almost done with Secondhand Spirits
-- my first by this author but not my last.Partway through Kitty Foyle
and The Paris Wife
and just started Summer at Tiffany
.Bought a couple yesterday that look interesting: The Age of Desire
which is a historical novel about Edith Wharton, and The Shadow Queen: A Novel of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor
.
Holy smokes, Jennifer! I'm amazed.
Have finished
and was underwhelmed and am now starting
because it is on my shelf and handy... Hoping it is good but I have no idea what it is about.
Shannon wrote: "Have finished and was underwhelmed and am now starting because it is on my shelf and handy... Ho..."Shannon, I can't wait to hear what you think about Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. I keep seeing this book and it is starting to "grow on me". I may have to add it to my TBR.
April wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Have finished and was underwhelmed and am now starting because it is on my shelf..."Will let you know when I am done. The photos are fascinating (and creepy).
I thought the most interesting part of the book was the photos. You do learn about each of the children in the photos as the story unravels.
I absolutely loved: Between Love and Honor, a book of historical fiction that keeps close to he true events. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I liked this even better than Fanny Stevenson: A Romance of Destiny. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I am still reading Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo which is a biography. It is my paper book. It is a tough read, given the harrowing events of this artist's life! You have to take "breathers" occasionally.
My new audiobook is Let the Great World Spin. It pulls you in immediately, and the narration is excellent. There are several narrators to represent the different characters. This book is composed of different people's stories that are tied together.
Judy wrote: "I liked this even better than Fanny Stevenson: A Romance of Destiny.That is interesting, Chrissie. I loved Fanny S and still think about it even though I read it a couple of months ago."
Judy, then I must recommend Between Love and Honor to you!
I have decided to drop Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo. I cannot take it any more. this book is not bad, but it is not for me!
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I will start Sala's Gift: My Mother's Holocaust Story.
Shannon wrote: "Have finished and was underwhelmed and am now starting because it is on my shelf and handy... Ho..."that is a bummer to hear Shannon as I was looking forward to State of Wonder
Chrissie wrote: "I absolutely loved: Between Love and Honor, a book of historical fiction that keeps close to he true events. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I liked this even better than..."
I read the first story in Let the Great World Spin and enjoyed it Chrissie. Need to pick it back up again.
Nicole wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I absolutely loved: Between Love and Honor, a book of historical fiction that keeps close to he true events. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I liked this..."
Nicole, the writing is beautiful. Lines you want to write down and remember! Today I will begin the second story. I do not understand how the first story is related to the trapeze act or how the stories will fit together. Do you know that?
For those that were curious about what I thought about
my review is here:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It was OK. It is a story for teens. Reminds me a bit of Neil Gaiman but not written as well. I can see Tim Burton enjoying it and making it into a movie that may or may not be better than the book. It was a quick read so if you have the time or inclination - go ahead.
PS. But don't look ahead at the photos. LEt the story introduce them. You will recognize them.
Judy, I thought you would like Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight. I have read all of her books except The Legend of Colton H. Bryant. I plan on reading this soon. I have loved every single one of them. Isn't Fuller a great writer?!
Judy wrote: "Chrissie, I wasn't crazy about the present-tense for the first book, but am glad to see that Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness uses past tense. I do love her descriptive abilities. She ..."Oh, the present tense bothered you?! I never even thought about that
Shannon wrote: "For those that were curious about what I thought about my review is here:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It was OK...."
Thanks, Shannon!
Chrissie wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I absolutely loved: Between Love and Honor, a book of historical fiction that keeps close to he true events. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/......"No, I don't Chrissie.
Currently reading
because I am curious...
Nicole, now I have listened to the second story, and it is completely different, except that the writing continues to be outstanding. THIS time I understood how it connected to the trapeze acrobat! :0)
I've started Lost in Shangri-la. At first I thought it would be a yawn, but I'm so into it now, I don't want to put it down.
Did you listen to the audiobook version, Judy?
Janice and Judy, darn, the audiobook of Lost in Shangri-la is not available to me at Audible due to I assume publishing restrictions!
Chrissie wrote: "Nicole, now I have listened to the second story, and it is completely different, except that the writing continues to be outstanding. THIS time I understood how it connected to the trapeze acrobat!..."good to hear, Chrissie!
Something different next, I'll be buddy reading Mort on here, and reading Gold for my real book club.
Finished: Sala's Gift: My Mother's Holocaust StoryReview: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Starting:Farewell Shanghai
I think you would have enjoyed it too, Chrissy. I googled Margaret Hastings and the Boston Globe has 12 pictures of the survivors and players of the rescue. There's even one of Mitchelll Zuckoff. http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/galle...
The problem with audiobooks is you don't get the photos and pictures you would in a physical book.
I haven't got anything on the go. I think I'll start Mort for our upcoming buddy read and The Name of the Wind, a fantasy on audiobook.
HarperCollins has just unveiled a new video series where authors, friends of Neil Gaiman, and more, each read one chapter from Neil Gaiman’s bookCoraline. The series begins this week with Chapter One as read by Neil Gaiman, with next week featuring Lemony Snicket, the week after that featuring Natashya Hawley (i.e. Tori Amos’ daughter), and so on. (We can’twait for the Lemony Snicket one.) Watch/listen to the series over on Mouse Circus! http://mousecircus.com/coraline-video...
Chapter One as read by Neil Gaiman
Shirley wrote: "HarperCollins has just unveiled a new video series where authors, friends of Neil Gaiman, and more, each read one chapter from Neil Gaiman’s bookCoraline. The series begins this week with Chapter O..."Thanks, Shirley!
Shirley, thanks for the link. The first chapter was cute. Janice, thank you for the link too! The photos were great to see. You are right about audiobooks, their not having photos and maps do give them a disadvantage, but with friends like you I get this too! But I think audiobooks do demand also more attention than reading a paper book; I am more visual than auditory. Neither can you easily flip back to an earlier section if you forget something!
I listen and play a mindless game on my iPad. I miss things if I have to think any more - like while I'm cooking or cleaning. I haven't tried listening while sewing.
Finished: Farewell ShanghaiReview: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Starting: The Dark Side of Love
I can't listen while I work, apparently I require too much brain power for that, but I can listen whilst cross-stitching - especially big designs with huge patches of the same colour!
I think I'm going to start
(I love this Korean series and it's too bad that this one is the last book in the trilogy)and
because I want a spooky read.
WOW, I just finished Let the Great World Spin. You must either read or listen to this book - now, or very,,very soon! At least if you appreciate books with excellent writing. Books that get you thinking. This is un-rhymed poetry at its best. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I must immediately read another by this author so I have chosen Zoli
Judy wrote: "Is the Korean series for AtW, Kimberly?"Yes indeedy!
Chrissie wrote: "WOW, I just finished Let the Great World Spin. You must either read or listen to this book - now, or very,,very soon! At least if you appreciate books with excellent writing. Books that get you thi..."glad it was a good one, Chrissie! will def read this at some point.
Nicole, one is so happy when you get a whopper!. I had been considering Let the Great World Spin for ages. Silly me.
I am still reading The Dark Side of Love. It is dauntingly mammoth with 853 pages! But it is definitely good! Takes places in Damascus, Syria. I will start Amazing Grace: The Lives of Children and the Conscience of a Nation, about children growing up in the South Bronx, the poorest congressional district of the US. It is non-fiction. When I read two books at the same time they have to be completely different. This is an audiobook.
And I just finished: Zoli
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I had trouble with this in the beginning - due to my own inability to not concentrate on historical details and just let myself listen and enjoy the story. I have given it four stars. I gave Colum McCann's Let the Great World Spin five stars. This author can really, really write, but you cannot demand that you understand everything as you read. By the end you do understand.
Finished Gold. Not sure, if I'm honest. Thought it was well written, but it seemed to many things were piled into the mix to make any of them seem like real perople and not mortals cursed by the gods. I'll accept that elite cyclists probably aren;t too normal, but I would assume that some of them succeed without having massive childhood trauma, trust issues, relationship problems etc etc etc. I found it just one too many et cetera...
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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