Fall 2012 - What are you reading & why?

[Chrissie]

Helen, don't feel bad. I would probably need the definitions too!

[Pragya]

Kimberly wrote: "I started Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers last night. I don't read many Canadiana Fiction so I have high hopes for this one."

That one does look great!

[Kimberly]

Pragya wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "I started Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers last night. I don't read many Canadiana Fiction so I have high hopes for this one."

Tha..."

I'm not very far into it but the writing is very good. I think this will turn out to be a really good read.

[Kat]

I've started on my first Neil Gaiman with The Graveyard Book. I'm listening to it on audio and it's got the best author narration!

[Chrissie]

I really, really did enjoy listening to The Book of Ebenezer le Page. If you cannot listen to it, then I guess you must read it instead. If you have never listened to audiobooks this is a great one to start with. I adored the lines and the humor and the people I met. It was perfect until the very last chapter. Two things were not quite right with that very last chapter, so the book went from a five to a four star book.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Have started The Bluest Eye. It will be quite hard for Toni Morrison to come up to the narrative ability of Roy Dotrice, speaking for Ebenezer! The tone is so dramatically different.

[Janet]

as a Pick it for me Challenge.
Also doing a buddy read of

[Cherie]

Kat wrote: "I've started on my first Neil Gaiman with The Graveyard Book. I'm listening to it on audio and it's got the best author narration!"

I listened to this one read by Neil himself! It was great. This is a cute story. Hope you like it, Kat!

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Kat wrote: "I've started on my first Neil Gaiman with The Graveyard Book. I'm listening to it on audio and it's got the best author narration!"

Welcome to the world of Neil Gaiman Kat! He's got a great voice hey? Sounds like Cherie agrees too.

[Janice, Moderator]

Chrissie wrote: "I really, really did enjoy listening to The Book of Ebenezer le Page. If you cannot listen to it, then I guess you must read it instead. If you have never listened to audiobooks this is a great one..."

I thought Roy Dotrice was amazing as Ebenezer, but wasn't as enthusiastic about the book as you. I gave it 3 stars, but then, I prefer a plot driven story.

How is it going with Toni Morrison narrating her book? I listened to her read Beloved and will not listen to any more books narrated by her.

[Jennifer]

Been traveling this week and teaching. And reading: Finished Painted Ladies and Sixkill , which I could hardly bear to read because Parker died and finishing his unread books gets me closer to none left, Death of a Kingfisher (probably her best book in several years), Flowering Wilderness , Maid in Waiting and Over the River , (the last 3 of the 9-volume series, my favorite series, and a rare reread), and a dazzling book called The Age of Desire . It's a novel about Edith Wharton in middle age and the writing was spellbinding in places.

[Janice, Moderator]

Wow! You managed to get a lot of reading done, Jennifer.

[Jennifer]

Janice wrote: "Wow! You managed to get a lot of reading done, Jennifer."

Long drives with audio, and long waits in airports!

[Chrissie]

Janice wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I really, really did enjoy listening to The Book of Ebenezer le Page. If you cannot listen to it, then I guess you must read it instead. If you have never listened to audiobooks th..."

She is so very s-l-o-w when she narrates. I have read one other book by Toni Morrison. I think it was Beloved and I hated it. I dumped it. I thought that since I usually like biographies I would give this a try..... It is so depressing and sad and a huge mood shift from The Book of Ebenezer le Page. Ebenezer is very much for those readers who enjoy character studies. I was in fact surprised that the plot actually took shape at the end of the novel. I didn't think that would happen. Two details of the last chapter seemed quite out of character for the rest of the book. What did you think of the last chapter - Nevil being who he was and their drive in the car together? Those two aspects were what made me reduce my star rating.

[Kimberly]

I just finished reading Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers and it was good read. I liked it but felt it lacked depth and the writing had little flow. The story once I got past that was enjoyable enough though. 3 stars.

Now I'm starting River Marked by Patricia Briggs.

[Chrissie]

Janice, the slowness of Toni Morrison narration accentuates the contrast between the stark and bare existence of the poor and the author's articulate wording. I think the narration fits the writing. But none of this is a "pleasant" experience. She perfectly describes the girls' emotions and sordid life, but I am wondering if the writing will remain purely descriptive and offer no hint of how the situation could possibly be improved. There is no humor, no hope, nothing cheerful to hang on to. Nothing. Many will say that is the way their life is. I still have a lot to go.

[Deborah]

I had a totally different experience with Beloved. I listened to it a couple of months ago and ... I don't know... I felt that I'd skimmed when I read it the first time ( Which was more years ago than I care to confess to.) I think she does perfectly a style of writing I like best, where the beauty of prose is laid over a story so ugly it hurts, one that needs that sweetening in the writing, because that is all there is.

And I hope I don't sound argumentative, because I feel that if your experience is different it's no less genuine. I loved her voice. I'd let Toni Morrison read a phone book to me!

[Janice, Moderator]

Deborah wrote: "And I hope I don't sound argumentative, because I feel that if your experience is different it's no less genuine. I loved her voice. I'd let Toni Morrison read a phone book to me!"

You don't come across as argumentative in the least. I hope I don't either, because that is not my intent. It's all about sharing experiences and differences in discussing the books and our reactions to them while still being respectful to each other. I think very highly of Chrissie's opinions, even if I don't always agree with her. :)

I was one of the few who hated Ruby Dee's narration of Their Eyes Were Watching God. Most people loved it.

Wouldn't it be boring if we all loved or hated the same thing? We've noticed in our RL book club that when we all agree on a book, there is less discussion.

[Janice, Moderator]

I am going to start reading The Great Gatsby on the plane to Vegas today. I haven't finished Lust for Life but I'm not taking it with me because it's big and heavy, and it belongs to the library. I wouldn't want something to happen to it.

That reminds me, one of my RL book club members had a stroke almost a year ago. Back in July, we read Still Alice and she had borrowed it from the library. At our recent book club meeting, she laughed as she told us that she has misplaced the book and ended up buying it from the library, "How ironic that I would be the one to lose that book!" I love her sense of humour. :)

[Chrissie]

Deborah and Janice, I didn't take any of your remarks as being argumentative! I just like talking about book; I take it as a given that people react differently.

I am having a very hard time with The Bluest Eye. DEPRESSING to say the least. An accurate bu brutal description. The author is so very articulate.

May I ask this, does the author ever hint at a solution or provide a glimmer of hope? That is what I find lacking.

[Deborah]

You guys were not argumentative at all. I just felt funny chiming in and disagreeing.

[Janice, Moderator]

By all means, chime in!!

The only book of Toni Morrison's that I have read was Beloved. It too was bleak and without hope. Perhaps it's the author's intention. To be a slave was a horrific life and the way Morrison writes brings that into sharp focus.

[Deborah]

I think it is an interesting question. Surely it is not that she had I hope to offer. She had successes and opportunities far beyond those she offers her characters - or readers.

I am trying to recall the time period in which she was most prolific and see if my theory holds up. I wonder if she was afraid to write like a girl. Afraid of the soft mushiness perceived and expected of women writers, and perhaps the lack of hope is meant to elevate the literary quotant.

That and as mentioned above that lovely contrast of beautiful writing laid like a film over an ugly world.

[Pragya]

Kimberly wrote: "I just finished reading Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers and it was good read. I liked it but felt it lacked depth and the writing had little flow. ..."

Uh oh, I was hoping it would be great.

[Chrissie]

Deborah, did you listen to the audiobook? I feel the author's narration further accentuates the hopelessness of the situation. You are right, the words so clearly pinpoint the world she is depicting. Other times they are beautiful in themselves, almost like poetry.

My feelings change as I listen to this. Sometimes I feel I cannot bear any more despondency and then 1/2 an hour later I am loving the lines.

It is fun talking with both of you.

[Chrissie]

I just finished The Bluest Eye. This is a difficult book to get through, but I am glad I tackled it.
Review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

My next audiobook will be The English Patient. I have seen the movie ages ago and now I want to listen to every word of the book.

I am also reading The Visible World, but the beginning isn't so great. I have heard it does improve.

[Kimberly]

I started Still Life With Crows by Douglas Preston. It's really good so far. I love the Agent Pendergast series by Preston & Child!

[Chrissie]

I have completed The Visible World and the audiobook The English Patient. These are my reviews:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... and
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

On the back cover of "The Visible World" the author's writing is compared to Ondaatje's. I don't agree.

I have started I, Mona Lisa. It grabs you right away! I will start Matterhorn tomorrow.

[Deborah]

I thought Matterhorn was the best thing I read last year.

[[deleted user]]

I finished The Irresistible Inheritance Of Wilberforce on audio book in the car.

Had a long, scary day's training so I might be giving Human Traces a miss for tonight. I'm enjoying it, but it's very densely written and not an easy read. Something nice and comforting and reassuring - like a hug in a book - is in order tonight.

[Kimberly]

I've started Killer of Men by Christian Cameron

[Chrissie]

Deborah wrote: "I thought Matterhorn was the best thing I read last year."

Nice to know I have started a good one. Everyone says the narration by Jeff Harding is well done. I really do love it when I start another book or audiobok. I always believe I will love them, but sometimes I don't.

[Deborah]

It's true! I listened and thought it was wonderful.

I had trouble with the first chapters. I think though that reflects that I'd just listened to something wonderful and very different and had trouble changing gears. (Might have been Lonesome Dove.)

[Chrissie]

Deborah, I have trouble with all the jargon that is unfamiliar to me. And the names, but even Waino Mellas has trouble keeping track of all the people. I have only listened to one chapter. Every time I start a book, I always think I will have trouble keeping track of everything.

[Deborah]

Yeah. I think, and don't tell anyone I said this, I think maybe it's not a great first chapter.

But it is a really wonderful book.

[Chrissie]

Deborah, I don't mind telling people how I reacted to the first chapter! I wrote a bit about it on my review page. Here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

It is nice to know you reacted as I do.

[Dem]

Just finished The Twelve this is my review;
www.goodreads.com/book/show/13281368

[Janice, Moderator]

Kimberly wrote: "I started Still Life With Crows by Douglas Preston. It's really good so far. I love the Agent Pendergast series by Preston & Child!"

I really enjoy this series too. Did you finish the book?

[Janice, Moderator]

Let's see... while on vacation, I finished The Strain, started and finished The Great Gatsby and started The Sandcastle Girls. Today, I started The Shadow of the Torturer.

[Chrissie]

Janice, I was rather disappointed with the Sandcastle Girls. I am wondering what you think of it and your reaction to the audio narration. I do recommend Armenian Golgotha which coves the same topic.

[Janice, Moderator]

Chrissie wrote: "Janice, I was rather disappointed with the Sandcastle Girls. I am wondering what you think of it and your reaction to the audio narration. I do recommend Armenian Golgotha which coves the same topic."

I'm reading it in ebook format. I'm about 1/2 way through. I wish she would have just told the story without throwing in the autobiographical part every few chapters. At first those chapters confused me until I realized what they were. I will finish the book though.

[Chrissie]

Janice wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Janice, I was rather disappointed with the Sandcastle Girls. I am wondering what you think of it and your reaction to the audio narration. I do recommend Armenian Golgotha which co..."

Chris Bohjalian is a guy. As a kid I hated having a boy's name; that is why I insisted on Chrissie. It seems to be a rage to to use a modern and a historical thread. I don't like that either.

[Janice, Moderator]

ROFL! I don't know what made me think he was a woman. I'm going to have to go back and re-read the prologue and biographical chapters.

Most "Chris's" I know are women and I thought his style of writing was feminine. Maybe that had a lot to do with my interpretation.

[Roz]

I've never read anything by him but I haveSkeletons at the Feast on a shelf and plan on reading it soon. Has anyone read it? Impressions?

[Deborah]

I agree that Bohjalian's writing style and themes are very feminine. If I didn't know he was male and only went by his books I'd have assumed he was a woman.

[Chrissie]

Roz, I gave five to Skeletons at the Feast! My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

To The Sandcastle Girls I gave only two stars. My reivew: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Janice and Deborah, now that you point it out, I do see why you think of his writing as feminine! Absolutely!

[Kat]

I always thought he was a woman until I went to his blog a few months ago!

Roz, I thought Skeletons at the Feast was very good when I read it a couple of years ago.

[Deborah]

Kat what's his blog like? Is the testosterone more evident?

[Kat]

Not really, no LOL. I don't read every post but he does have some interesting topics at times.

[Deborah]

I'm sure he's very manly. Can hold his liquor, grow a beard. All that.

If not it doesn't matter. He's a very talented writer.

[Almeta]

In the book Someone to Run With there is a character who lived all of her adult life in isolation. She taught herself by reading encyclopedias and textbooks, etc. One day she decided she had missed her childhood and adolescence and so to get that persective, she read several children and young adult books.

I missed these books myself, growing up not interessted in reading, so I ordered all that were listed (except David Copperfield Dickens and I have issues.☺).

I am reading:
Lobengula Of Zimbabwe Not sure of her reference.
Daddy Long Legs I remember this movie.
NADA the Lily She called it "Zulu King" but I think this is what she meant.
Pinocchio Only know the Disney version.
Nine-In-One, Grr! Grr!: A Folktale from the Hmong People of Laos
The Wind in the Willows I'm sure that I have seen an animation of this, because I'll never forget Toad and his reckless driving!
Winnie-the-Pooh To me a weekly cartoon.
The Creature From the seventh Grade: Boy or Beast This is an odd one, because "Run with" was pushed in 1983, how did this book get in the text when it wasn't published until Oct 2012? I think the title may have been "Monster" or "Beast" from the Seventh Grade, I don't remember...but "Creature" is the only edition I found that comes close. There is I Was a Seventh Grade Monster Hunter published in 2011. STRANGE!!! Does anyone remember an older book with a similar title?