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What I'm Reading - December 2012
message 51:
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Ruth
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Dec 07, 2012 02:06PM
Finished up Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer. This started out like a house afire. I was fascinated. Then around midbook things began to slow down and get repetitive. In the end it felt to me like he was padding. Maybe instead of a book it should have been one of those interminable New Yorker articles. Still, it was an interesting, if not profound, read.
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God help me I just read Cornwell's latest, The Bone Bed. As usual, the writing is atrocious, the book looks like it's way long, but very little happens and it's easy to skim and not miss anything, reading the whole long book in a couple of hours. But after reading it I felt like when I'd impulsively grabbed a candy bar off the rack and snarfed it, cheap chocolate and no nutrition, and actually, none of the vicarious sugar-rush thrill of that first bite of a candy bar either, just a feeling of "why did I do that again?"
Q & A – Vikas SwarupAudio book performed by Christopher Simpson
5***** and a ❤
What an extraordinary debut novel! Swarup takes us on a tour of every human emotion. Thomas is a wonderful narrator; his unfailing belief in his dreams and willingness to do whatever necessary to achieve those dreams endears him to the reader. The novel is full of gut-wrenching scenes that explore the realities of life for the poorest of the poor, and expose the worst of human behavior. But there are also scenes of tenderness and kindness, and even some occasions for humor to relieve the tension. I was completely captivated from the outset.
A few months ago, I bought THE ORCHARDIST by Amanda Coplin.The Orchardist I have read about 90 pages and I love it. The story reminds me a bit of Kent Haruf or rather the main character could easily be a Haruf character. This could be a reading list possibility!
Book Concierge wrote: "Q & A – Vikas SwarupAudio book performed by Christopher Simpson
5***** and a ❤
What an extraordinary debut novel! Swarup takes us on a tour of every human emotion. Thomas is a wonderful narrato..."
I saw the movie first, BC and was awestruck. So naturally I read the book and was very disappointed. They really made the movie a lot different than the book.
Jane wrote: "A few months ago, I bought THE ORCHARDIST by Amanda Coplin.The Orchardist I have read about 90 pages and I love it. The story reminds me a bit of Kent Haruf or rather the main character could eas..."Jane, I've been wanting to read this too. I would certainly vote for it on the Reading List.
I've been reading Far from the Tree which someone else mentioned having recently finished and I can't say how meaningful an experience it has been for me so far. My own views on being different have changed so much since I was diagnosed with MS at age 15 and I relate so much to the experiences of those with conditions that I never would have considered would bring similar lessons. I find myself constantly feeling my throat constrict on the articulating of feelings I've long had but which I rarely heard expressed. Solomon discusses the issues in all their complexity and ambiguity and the many individuals he interviews often have a poetry of their own in explaining their circumstances. I suppose I ought to wait to finish it to recommend it, but I would encourage others to consider it despite its weak first chapter. Perhaps I'm biased, but I think anyone who has ever felt different or has a parent, sibling, child or friend who is noticeably different from them in any regard could relate and find meaning in this book.
Just finished Janet Evanovich's Plum Spooky. Awful. She creates this uninteresting monkey (Carl) that easily takes up 1/3 of the plot. Hardly spooky either. I'm a big fan of hers but she let us down on this. You have the usual cooky family scenes but I expected more. The ending stinks. Don't bother
Nicole wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Q & A – Vikas SwarupAudio book performed by Christopher Simpson
5***** and a ❤
I saw the movie first, BC and was awestruck. So naturally I read the book ..."
Nicole ... I agree, the plots of the movie and the book are very different. But I think I prefer the book - less "Hollywood" (or "Bollywood")
Yulia wrote: "I've been reading Far from the Tree which someone else mentioned having recently finished and I can't say how meaningful an experience it has been for me so far. My own views on being different ha..."I recommended this to a social worker at work just on the basis of recommendations here so I'm glad to hear your heartfelt feelings as well, Yulia. I have a Hold on it at the library.
Stated reading "Maine" by J. Courtney Sullivan, but with all it's talk of summer and beach houses I'm thinking it's better to stay away from it until June or so! Makes me yearn for warmer days.
Book Concierge wrote: "Cateline wrote: "I tried to read it. I think I only managed about 30 pages or so. It seemed awfully dry to me. Is that typical Hemingway?..."Hemingway's style tends toward the simple declarativ..."
Hemingway is a man's man, and his literature reflects that IMO. I'm not enthralled with him either, although as an artist he fascinates me. I did enjoy "A Moveable Feast" but I think that's because I was on a Paris kick at the time.
Barb, it'll be great to get your thoughts when you've read it. I'm curious about your perspective as a mother and teacher. This is one of the few books I want to own in hard copy so I can lend it to others.
The Racketeer is easily one of John Grishams best. This novel is about a 43 year old black man named Malcolm Bannister. He was an innocent man who got caught up in a scheme by a tricky setup in Washington and got sentenced to 10 years in prison at what they call a prison camp.The story takes a twist when a Federal Judge by the name of Fawcett gets murdered along with his young secretary 5 years into Bannisters sentence. The guy can't keep his pants on but that doesn't come as much of a shock from a government official does it? Bannister uses the information he has to try to work his way out of prison and step into a new identity. Will it work? Bannister will come to learn that not everything is as simple as it seems.
I was happy with the ending....I was hoping it ended the way it did, but judging by a few of his past stories, I knew that he tends to end things however he pleases rather than how it "should" end...so I was pretty happy with the ending and felt it matched the rest of the book just fine.
Its more of a "puzzle" book, not too intense just a lot of figuring stuff out. And that's fun for me
I am past page 100 in The Casual Vacancy and I'm tossing in the towel. Man what a lot of words that say nothing.On the other hand, I started The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and it is turning out to be a sleeper of sorts. I am kind of liking it.
Roxanne, my wife read it and was mildly surprised by how insightful Rowling was about all the characters. I hear it's very adult -like
Finished AMERICAN WIFE, which I found fascinating and engrossing most of the time (though in the final section I thought the ruminations to plot ratio was out of balance). I may looks up other work by this author. Meanwhile, I'm beginning THE ART OF FIELDING with a certain wariness, as feelings about it have been so mixed. Also continuing with this year's Trollope, THE BERTRAMS, intriguing because a hunk of it is set among British tourists in 19th century Jerusalem, kind of interesting to picture it then and through that lens.
JackieBlueNovel wrote: "Roxanne, my wife read it and was mildly surprised by how insightful Rowling was about all the characters. I hear it's very adult -like"I agree - and that is the main reason I made it as far as I did - but just not insightful enough. Fairly obvious - and her ultra-compound sentences drive me crazy. Could be I just am not in the mood for her style right now. I'll probably give it another try later.
Thanks to CR, I found The Housekeeper and the Professor, which I just finished. It is a lovely story, and I am looking forward to the discussion here.I also recently finished The Prague Cemetery, by Umberto Eco. I had to push myself to finish it, but I am glad I did.
Then, I am returning my attention to Canada by Richard Ford, which I started all the way back in August by kept forgetting at different places. It deserves better care than I have given it up to now, and I intend on correcting that…
Roxanne wrote: " her ultra-compound sentences drive me crazy"I wasn't planning to read Rowlings' adult novel but I have to admit this mention of ultra-compound sentences attracts me! I'm a sucker for convoluted prose. (James, Bowen, Hazzard...)
Roxanne wrote: "I am past page 100 in The Casual Vacancy and I'm tossing in the towel. Man what a lot of words that say nothing.
On the other hand, I started The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and it is turnin..."
...Harold Fry was one of my favorites this year. I hope you like it as much as I did.
On the other hand, I started The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and it is turnin..."
...Harold Fry was one of my favorites this year. I hope you like it as much as I did.
Tina wrote: "Roxanne wrote: "I am past page 100 in The Casual Vacancy and I'm tossing in the towel. Man what a lot of words that say nothing.On the other hand, I started The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry ..."
What else has Fry written?
JackieBlueNovel wrote: "Tina wrote: "Roxanne wrote: "I am past page 100 in The Casual Vacancy and I'm tossing in the towel. Man what a lot of words that say nothing.On the other hand, I started The Unlikely Pilgrimage o..."
The author is
Rachel Joyce
She may have written one prior to this one. I have read about 50 more pages and it is just getting better. It was on the Booker Prize Long List I believe.
Jackie, so glad to see you liked Grisham's Rackateer. I've had it on hold at the library since Oct. 1, and am now 9th on the list. Loved his The Litigators. He's writing some good ones, after what I thought were a few duds.Marge
Just finished When the Devil Holds the Candle. Here's my review: This is the second book I’ve read of Fossum’s Norwegian mysteries. If these two are typical, her work tends more to psychological studies than traditional who-dun-its. Fossum’s insights can be penetrating as in this example of Inspector Sejer on the death of his aged mother who had been comatose for years—“Mother—he murmured. How strange to say that word out loud and never to hear an answer again. He sank back in the chair, thinking that he ought to go home. He stood up, but left the chair where it was as if it might yet keep her company. He happened to look at his watch again. It was 12:52. He did the arithmetic in his mind. Seven minutes. That’s how much time he had granted her, to thank her for everything. Seven minutes to say thank you for a whole lifetime. Take all the time you need.He started shaking. His shoulders hunched in shame. He turned around and went back to the bed, sat on the edge, picked up her gaunt hands and held them tight. For a long time.”
Joan, I love that quote. I've only read one of hers, but this makes me reconsider. I'll read another, that one in particular. Thanks. :)
I'm about a quarter of the way through Gillespie and I, which I'm enjoying though it'll take me a while to finish: art, Scotland, and a "bad seed" child!Anyone else read this one?
John, I think my mom was reading that last month. I'll check.
Started Fredrick Siedel's latest Nice Weather. I'm never quite sure what I think of Siedel, but I can't stop reading him. My friends who know poetry assure me that he's not considered serious, so I guess I'll have to think of him as a guilty pleasure.
I finished Jo Nesbo's THE BAT today. It got better as it went on. It still isn't as good as his more recent Harry Hole novels, but it is well worth reading and if you haven't read any of them, I can now recommend starting with this one.
Larry wrote: "I finished Jo Nesbo's THE BAT today. It got better as it went on. It still isn't as good as his more recent Harry Hole novels, but it is well worth reading and if you haven't read any of them, I ca..."I love Nesbo, Larry!
I am loving Heron's Park by C.K. Raggio. Super fast read about the chase surrounding a serial killer. Vivid and gripping is the plot
Read a couple of books quickly in rapid succession: Liked the title of Going Solo: The Extraordinary Rise and Surprising Appeal of Living Alone, but it turned out to be rather dry and dull (whereas I find that actually living alone is richly textured and wonderfully independent). Today I read The Road and was kind of compelled to both start and finish it, very readable, but I can't say it left me richer as a human being or anything.
Geoff wrote: "Started Fredrick Siedel's latest Nice Weather. I'm never quite sure what I think of Siedel, but I can't stop reading him. My friends who know poetry assure me that he's not considered serious, so..."I feel like that about Billy Collins' poetry, Geoff. Maybe I should try Siedel.
Joan, thank you for sharing that wonderful quote. I hadn't heard of Fossum but will be on the lookout for her and that book in particular.I started another installment in Charles Todd's Ian Rutledge books - A Fearsome Doubt but it's a challenge to find time inbetween decking the halls...
Barbara,If you do decide to try Seidel, I'd recommend Ooga Booga. But Seidel can be as off-putting as Collins is welcoming; if Collins is velveeta, Seidel is blue cheese.
Geoff wrote: "Barbara,If you do decide to try Seidel, I'd recommend Ooga Booga. But Seidel can be as off-putting as Collins is welcoming; if Collins is velveeta, Seidel is blue cheese."
Interesting, Geoff. I read the reviews at Amazon and one of them compared him to John Berryman. My son gave me a book of Berryman's poems for Christmas one year. I was constantly challenged and fascinated by them and didn't have a clue what he was saying, most of the time. I'm going to try Ooga Booga.
I'm reading Wild Thing by Josh Bazell, the sequel to the adventures of a young doctor who just happens to be in the Witness Protection Program because of his involvement in organized crime whilst a youth. Earlier exploits were chronicled in Beat the Reaper.The author is a doctor himself that graduated from Columbia. It's hard hitting and rather rough to tell the truth. Makes an interesting change.
Geoff wrote: "Barbara,If you do decide to try Seidel, I'd recommend Ooga Booga. But Seidel can be as off-putting as Collins is welcoming; if Collins is velveeta, Seidel is blue cheese."
Geoff, it would be great if you could post a Seidel poem in the Poetry section. I don't think we've had one of his before.
I just finished Heron Park by C.K. Raggio. Here's the reviewHeron Park grips you from the get go with a heart pumping plot that just flies. This serial killer thriller masters the dual view of the evil torture and murder that controls the serial killer and the view from those police/FBI members struggling for even a whisper of evidence. The sexual tension (and release) between Rick and Cassie is downright vivid and awesome.
When the serial killer turns to those close to Cassie, the story takes an even wilder turn. I loved the Izzie character...that's all I'll say without ruining it for folks. The joy I felt when they found the four traps in the water with victims clothes and maps etc...awesome.
C.K. Raggio is a master at making you feel like you're there in the snow searching for the killer. You can almost taste and smell it.
I do wish Rick fought harder for Cassie, but the whole love trio thing works hugely in Heron Park. Cassie is one complicated character that C.K. Raggio needs to keep showing us again and again.
Barbara, I don't know why I'm (now) trying to talk you out of Seidel after trying to talk you into him, but here's his page on the MacMillan site, including him reading several of his poems. I'd hate to have you hate him and then hate me by extension. You may want to have a sip before you buy the bottle:
http://us.macmillan.com/oogabooga/Fre...
I just finished Carry the One which I liked a lot more than I thought I would. My review follows:I like Anshaw’s ironic tone, her smart-ass worldview, and the quality of her prose, as well as astute observations such as “just kept spreading the cream cheese frosting over the cake like a patient in a mental institution performing a calming, repetitive task.”. The narrative of “Carry the One’ hangs on what Hitchcock called a mulligan—an incident, in this case, where following a wedding in 1983 a 10 year old girl is struck and killed by a carload of friends, the driver impaired on alcohol and drugs. The party consists of the newly married couple, the sisters of each who are engaged in a lesbian affair, the bride’s brother, a budding astronomer and drug addict, boyfriend of the driver of the car who is later jailed for manslaughter. The story traces the next 25 years of the characters’ lives. The dead girl makes brief appearances, particularly in the paintings of Alice who becomes a notable artist, but her real duty is to tie together the disparate tales. While none of the characters are particularly attractive, they are convincingly drawn as contemporary ironists who shellac their conversations with dismissive wit in order to shield themselves from the disharmony of their lives. All but Nick, who descends into a drug-ridden existence, in and out of rehab, and ultimately dying in a gutter. Anshaw captures an ambiance of urban life that one can surely identify with.
I've read a slew since the last time I posted:Out on the Cutting Edge
part of a rare series reread for me.The Last Coyote
an early offering in a series I love, one I hadn't read before. The Sweetest Taboo
nice relaxing chick-lit fluff.Casting Spells
first in a series I'll definitely read more of...The Last Man
-- Love Mitch Rapp!Currently reading
A Hoe Lot of Trouble
first in this series that I've read, although I love her Lucy Valentine and wishcraft series.The Point in the Market
-- if you're not familiar with this series, Pearce paints early 20th century Egypt so clearly the country is like a character in the book. This series is hugely underrated-- I seldom see it mentioned, and it's wonderful.
Daddy Long Legs – Jean Webster
Audio book narrated by Julia Whelan.
4****
Audio book narrated by Julia Whelan. An anonymous benefactor will pay orphan Jerusha Abbott’s college tuition on the condition she writes to him monthly relating her experiences. So begins this delightful book of letters from Judy to the man she affectionately calls Daddy Longs Legs. The reader witnesses her growth from an immature but exuberant young girl to an accomplished and delightful young woman as her horizons are broadened by all she learns. My only complaint is with the ending, which I found abrupt and unrealistic. Perhaps this is a difference in styles and expectations from the time when it was first published in 1912.
I'm reading the new Henry Fonda biography, "The Man Who Saw a Ghost." Very unusual style of presentation. Not the typical biography at all, as it is pursuing themes about America as they are reflected in Fonda's life and work, while also relating the biographical information.I'm looking forward to reading the book you've got scheduled for the January read. I just requested it from the library.
Just finished Light In August and gave it a 4/5. Interesting book about interesting characters, though it is a pretty raw, violent look at their lives.Here is my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/....
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