What I'm Reading - Feb 2013

[Ann D]

I downloaded Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge for free this morning. It is the March discussion book for Classics Corner. It has been a long time since I read one of those meaty Victorian novels, but this one is definitely drawing me in.

[Sue]

Ann wrote: "I downloaded Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge for free this morning. It is the March discussion book for Classics Corner. It has been a long time since I read one of those meaty Victorian ..."

I just started reading the introduction in my copy Ann and I'm looking forward to this.

[Ann D]

Oh good, Sue. I'm so glad you will be joining the discussion!

[John]

I've just finished The Good House, a novel that earned a rare five stars from me, about which I'll say not much more (to avoid Raving Fanboi Syndrome), but it's one I truly feel Constant Readers would appreciate.

[Ruth]

John wrote: "I've just finished The Good House, a novel that earned a rare five stars from me, about which I'll say not much more (to avoid Raving Fanboi Syndrome), but it's one I truly feel Constant Readers wo..."

Put it on my TBR.

Just finished Sweet Tooth This is Ian McEwen’s latest. Not a spare, tight book like Chesil Beach or Saturday, but a goodsized read that should have been shorter. My, the man doth go on. Endless background and explanation that really isn’t needed. I found myself skimming huge chunks. Lots of intrigue in love and the London MI15, could have been riveting with the verbiage trimmed. And then he goes for the cheap trick, a “clever” turn at the end, the kind of thing an amateur would do trying to appear smart. I gave it a lukewarm 3 stars.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Ruth wrote: "John wrote: "I've just finished The Good House, a novel that earned a rare five stars from me, about which I'll say not much more (to avoid Raving Fanboi Syndrome), but it's one I truly feel Consta..."

His editors must have deserted him.

[John]

Sara wrote: "Well, that endorsement is moving it up my Audible wishlist! "

I got it as a library book, but had I used an Audible credit it would've ranked up there as one of my best buys - Mary Beth Hurt really shows her talent with this one!

[Sue]

I've placed The Good House on hold at the library (140th on 22 copies) but I have plenty to keep me busy. In addition to my slow read of Shadow Country (I've completed Book One and really like this novel), I've just begun The Mayor of Casterbridge, for the upcoming CR discussion, and As I Lay Dying.

[John]

I've started listening to the 32 hours of Timothy West's narration of The Way We Live Now, though I'll likely end of having to finish it closer to May 1st. I thought I'd just try a sample at of the beginning to "get used to" his style with the book, and before I knew it three hours had passed! I liked the BBC TV production starring David Suchet, but this experience is quite different. Then there's Jeremy Irons' reading of Brideshead Revisited, too! That I did manage to do the introductory portion only, so will pick up the story itself next month.

[Sue]

John wrote: "I've started listening to the 32 hours of Timothy West's narration of The Way We Live Now, though I'll likely end of having to finish it closer to May 1st. I thought I'd just try a sample at of the..."

Oh Jeremy Irons doing Brideshead probably will get me to audio. I saw his "Shakespeare" episode on PBS Sunday afternoon, the episode on the Henry plays, and it really made me want to read Shakespeare. Now I want to see the David Tennant episode on Hamlet!

[Dale]

I have no idea how I got to be this old without discovering the wonderful fiction of Walter Dean Myers. To say he's prolific is an understatement. He's technically a young adult author, but his story collection about a Harlem neighborhood, "145th Street Stories," (available on Kindle) drew me in from the first paragraph. He ranges from hilarious to heartbreaking and most points between, sometimes all in the same story. Highly recommended. http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/

[Dale]

"Lost City Radio" sounds great. I interviewed Alarcon for public radio when his first book came out, and he's a really good person besides being a gifted writer.

[Geoff]

Dale, my high school 8th graders and 9th graders like Walter Dean Myers quite a bit. I use Fallen Angels and Sunrise Over Fallujah.

[Dale]

BTW, here's the radio interview I did with Alarcon about his book "War by Candlelight." Scroll down to the fourth item on the page. http://www.wbhm.org/Tapestry/July14-0...

[Dale]

Hi, Geoff: It's encouraging to hear that somebody with Myers' gifts and sensibilities is writing fiction for young people about current events. So vital, in times like these. Just noticed on your profile that you write fiction...I look forward to reading some. BTW, my newest short-story collection has just been made available on Kindle... http://www.amazon.com/Turbos-Very-Lif...

[Carol]

Geoff, I have the hardback of Dale's book and I can recommend it with a big yes. One of my favorites is "The Conjure Woman"

[Dale]

Thanks, Carol! I first wrote "Conjure Woman" as a one-act play; it was years before I made it into a short story.

[Carol]

:-) . Glad you did.

[Robert]

Reading Gary Fishgall's bio of Jimmy Stewart; going to read Greg Benford and Larry Niven's new collaboration next.

[Ruth]

About 1/3 of the way through History of a Pleasure Seeker by Richard Mason. One of those books that jump off the shelf into your arms as you pass by. So far the protagonist is so handsome and perfect I want to kick him in the teeth. All I can do is hope for his comeuppance.

[Dale]

Ruth: LOL...I know what you mean, about wishing for a protagonist's comeuppance. (A great word, comeuppance...should be used more these days.) Carol: Speaking of stories and plays, one of the best experiences I've ever had was when a public radio station asked me to convert one of my short stories into a radio play. This was the mid 70s, when public radio was still fairly new around here. Sitting in on the casting, rehearsals, and studio recording was way too much fun, and an education in technique, besides.

[Carol]

It does sound like fun, Dale.

[Cateline]

I've started Don DeLillo's Point Omega.

[Carol]

I saw a commercial for this movie, " Bless Me, Ultima". It is a book and it sounds interesting. Has anyone read the book?Bless Me, Ultima

[Robert]

We taught it for years here at my school. It's a very good book -- a classic of Latino lit.

[Book Concierge]

Dale wrote: "BTW, here's the radio interview I did with Alarcon about his book "War by Candlelight." Scroll down to the fourth item on the page. http://www.wbhm.org/Tapestry/July14-0..."

Thank you, Dale. I'm going to share the link with my book club buddies. We really had a great discussion on Lost City Radio.

[Carol]

I entered the give-a-way here on goodreads, if I don't get it, I will get it from amazon.

[Mary Anne]

I'm listening to Faith by Jennifer Haigh, and I'm quite taken with it.

[Dale]

Book Concierge: I just started reading "Lost City Radio" about an hour ago on my Kindle. Really solid stuff.

[Danielle]

Ruth wrote: "And then he goes for the cheap trick, a “clever” turn at the end, the kind of thing an amateur would do trying to appear smart. I gave it a lukewarm 3 stars. "

Oh Ruth, I so agree with you on Sweet Tooth. I was so frustrated and annoyed with McEwen that I gave him only two stars and a grumpy review (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)!

This week I am reading Alys, Always for a book group and am finding it quite an intriguing read. I don't know where the author is going, but I am on the edge of my seat.

[Sue]

Danielle wrote: "Ruth wrote: "And then he goes for the cheap trick, a “clever” turn at the end, the kind of thing an amateur would do trying to appear smart. I gave it a lukewarm 3 stars. "

Oh Ruth, I so agree wit..."

Danielle, I thought that title was familiar. "Alys, Always" on my huge tbr as the description sounded really different when the book came out. Guess I better move it up.

[Dale]

Ruth: Sorry to hear the news about Ian McEwan's newest. I was thinking a guy who could write "Atonement" could do no wrong. Good to know we've all got feats of clay.

[Dale]

John: I'm adding Leary's "The Good House" to my TBR. I'm also going to steal your great phrase "Raving Fanboi Syndrome."

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Dale wrote: "Book Concierge: I just started reading "Lost City Radio" about an hour ago on my Kindle. Really solid stuff."

Dale, look for our discussion of it when you finish. It was a good one.

[John]

Dale wrote: "John: I'm adding Leary's "The Good House" to my TBR. I'm also going to steal your great phrase "Raving Fanboi Syndrome.""

And thanks to you, Dale, for your suggestion of Harlem stories. My family lived there from roughly the Civil War until the early 20th Century, so I feel as though it's kind of an "ancestral village" of sorts.

[Lyn]

Looking at how thick the book was, I thought reading Wonderstruck would take a bit of time, but then I started and finished it today in not too long at all, as the many pictures and simple, short worded chapters make for fast reading. It was pleasant and sweet.

[Cateline]

Well, I've started my third book..Asset by Jonathan Orvin, and while I have only read the prologue, it seems like it'll be very exciting. His opening really gets into the emotions and fears of several characters. Well done, so far.

I'm still reading bothPoint Omega by Don DeLillo and The Messenger by Mayra Montero, although the latter is a bit squishy for my taste.

[John]

Sara: The Good House had a problem that the publisher sent out incomplete audio copies to both Audible and Overdrive! I had thought my Overdrive copy had ended abruptly, finding out a couple of days later that I had missed the final four chapters! There should be just over 10 hours total. Audible has fixed it, so you could just re-download the correct one, if necessary. I ended up reading those chapters in print, which worked okay as I had Mary Beth Hurt's voice as Hildy firmly lodged in my head. I found myself incredibly invested in Hildy's life - an incredibly well-drawn character!

[Marjorie]

I usually give a book 75 to 100 pp before tossing it, but I got rid of Vince Flynn's THE LAST MAN after 25 pages. The blurb and reviews at Amazon looked as if it would be a good thriller, but the dialogue was terrible -- all tough-guy talk as in a comic book. Might be interesting to a male teenager, but not my kind of read.

[Robert]

I'm looking for suggestions for a good book for my entire high school to read this summer. Something fairly short, a bit off the beaten path, for boys with mediocre reading skills. Any ideas would be most appreciated.

[Alison]

Robert wrote: "I'm looking for suggestions for a good book for my entire high school to read this summer. Something fairly short, a bit off the beaten path, for boys with mediocre reading skills. Any ideas would..."
I've got a great story - Xp by Alison M. Bailey -(me) a western about the Pony Express - FAST paced - getting great feedback from all ages - guys and gals - I'll send a super discount - runawayhosrepress@gmail.com

[Kim]

Robert wrote: "I'm looking for suggestions for a good book for my entire high school to read this summer. Something fairly short, a bit off the beaten path, for boys with mediocre reading skills. Any ideas would..."

Have you thought about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian ? I don't know of any students (or many adults) who didn't like that book, and I'd say it's fairly accessible in terms of reading level. With older kids, you can discuss some of the more complicated social themes in greater depth.

[Ruth]

Kim wrote: "
Have you thought about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian ?. ..."

Brilliant choice.

[Geoff]

Looking forward to getting home this afternoon to a gin and tonic and a J.F. Powers story. And my cats. Oh yeah, and my wife.

[Robert]

Kim and Ruth, I will pass along the suggestion! Thanks!

[Dawn]

John, I am only 1/2 through the book: Crazy It has me reading it whenever I get a chance and covers young peoples problems in their families, from the stand point of one character that has voices in his head.

[Lyn]

Just finished Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir, light reading for sure, but pretty funny!

[Doreen]

I just re-read parts of Michael Gorra's "Portrait of a Novel"' a wonderful book about Henry James and the writing of "The Portrait of a Lady". I recommend reading the James novel at the same time, and then renting the 1968 BBC series starring a very young Richard Chamberlain (I 'm old enough to remember Dr. Kildare ). Gorra's research into the physical places in the novel is superb....as is his insight into James' family relationships and his friendships with both men and women.

[Book Concierge]

Brava, Valentine – Adriana Trigiani – 3***
Audio book performed by Cassandra Campbell

Trigiani returns to tell the continuing story of Valentine Roncalli and Angelini Shoes. Trigiani’s chick-lit books are fast reads, full of the every-day drama of life. But I wish she’s abandon all the description. Every dress, shoe, lamp, sofa, etc is described is exquisite and excruciating detail. It was lovely to read the first time, but after a while I just wanted to get to the plot.

Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Kat]

It's been quite awhile since I read J.F. Powers, but I remember him pretty fondly.