What I'm Reading - Feb 2013

[Ruth]

Where did January go? Here's a new start.

[John]

Thanks, Ruth! I've started a novel about which I was ambivalent at first: Night Train to Lisbon. However, the sense of place (setting) is quite well done, with the "philosophy" presented in small doses among his interactions with others, so he doesn't spend long periods of time brooding. If others here try the book and like it, seems like one that might be good for a group read to me.

[Sue]

I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find myself re-reading sentences frequently.

[Book Concierge]

Sue wrote: "I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find myself re-reading sentences frequently."

I loved this book. If you can find it ... watch the movie starring Christine Lahti as Sylvie - she's wonderful in it.

[Ruth]

Sue wrote: "I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find myself re-reading sentences frequently."

I loved Housekeeping, too. But hated Home and Gilead.

[Sue]

Ruth wrote: "Sue wrote: "I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find myself re-reading sentences..."

I have Gilead on hand to read later. I've heard good and bad about it but want to give it a try.

[Carol]

I tried to read "Home", but couldn't seem to get into it. Right now I am thoroughly enjoying The Infinities

[Nicole]

I attempted Gilead...couldn't get in to it.

[Cateline]

Carol wrote: "I tried to read "Home", but couldn't seem to get into it. Right now I am thoroughly enjoying The Infinities"

I have The Infinities in my stack, don't know why I haven't gotten to it yet, I've caught up on the ones written as Benjamin Black though.

Not sure if I posted this in the January thread...I'm reading The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry.

[Carol]

Cateline "Infinities" is entertaining. I am about half way through. I also downloaded Jewish Christmas . It appears to be short stories. Jewish Christmas was quick , thoughtful and sometimes funny.

Update: Jewish Christmas is really the only story, the rest is short clips from other books the author has written.

[Sara]

Sue wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Sue wrote: "I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find myself re-read..."

A wonderful book (Housekeeping) and yes, the movie is worth seeking out--beautifully done.

[Sue]

Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Sue wrote: "I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find my..."

Book Concierge wrote: "Sue wrote: "I've started Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping. I've been meaning to read this for a long time and so glad I finally am. The writing really is lovely. I find myself re-reading sentences..."

I saw that movie years ago before i was aware of the book (!!). I know I really enjoyed it and I've always liked Christine Lahti but I think I'd like to see it again after reading the book.

[Amy]

I stayed away from Gilead for years, having heard that it was awful, but then I tried it, and it was such a jewel of a book! It is gentle and beautiful to me - a father late in life, knowing he soon will pass away and fearing his young son will not remember him, writes a long letter to him with all the things he would want to tell his son if he were able: the story of his life, thoughts on faith, and fatherly advice for the future, interspersed with descriptions of present events. Example: he sees his son and wife playing outside in the sunshine as he writes; "you may not remember this moment, but I do." It is not a fast-paced book, but it is poignant and lovely. It is one of my favorites. My father wrote a "book" for me in his later years, so that may be why it touched me so. Give Gilead a chance.

[Lyn]

I'm in the middle of reading a collection of short stories called At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories. As with most short story collections, one is more attracted to some than others, but so far the one with monkeys and the title story have really touched me.

[Susan from MD]

Still working my way through A Tale of Two Cities and tonight will start The Return of the King. So far, it's been a fun year!

[Sue]

Amy wrote: "I stayed away from Gilead for years, having heard that it was awful, but then I tried it, and it was such a jewel of a book! It is gentle and beautiful to me - a father late in life, knowing he so..."

Thanks for these nice words Amy. This is why I do intend to read Gilead in the future. I have to at least try books by authors whose writing I've enjoyed, especially where reviews are so mixed. I need to experience for myself.

[Kat]

I am a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson's novels, though HOME is not as successful as the other two, I think.

Still on Doctorow's THE MARCH, but have also started

The Brief History of the Dead. Has anyone read this?

[Sara]

Kat wrote: "I am a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson's novels, though HOME is not as successful as the other two, I think.

Still on Doctorow's THE MARCH, but have also started

The Brief History of the Dead. Ha..."

I have--loved that book, for so many reasons that are difficult to even articulate.

[Paula]

Just finished The Art of Doing: How Superachievers Do What They Do and How They Do It So Well... and I really liked it. Was very interesting.. yet. left me wanting.. more. It is a series of interviews with successful people in ALL fields (tight wire? major league baseball, cross word puzzler, etc. not just business). Although I suppose a sign of a good book is to be left wanting more.

[Santino]

Just finished 'Song of Myself' by Walt Whitman.

I currently have two books on the go:

The unlikely pilgrimage of Harold fry (which I am just about to start)

And

60 Stories by Donald Barthelme, which are short stories I am going to read when I don't have time to sit down and properly read. So that will be an ongoing thing.

I have lots of unread books to dive into after Harold fry, but I never know which one I'm going to read next!

[Jane]

Amy, I loved Gilead as well. My father died when I was young. I wish I'd had this kind of message from him. I read Gilead for a book group and the group was split--half felt it was too precious, completely unrealistic and overdone; the other half, which included me, felt it was beautifully written and poignant. So many books depend on where we are in our lives as we read, as well as our histories. Perhaps this is one of those books. I loved it.

[Susan_T.]

I need a new book!

I may read the new Alice Munro stories next.

I just finished The Boy Kings of Texas: A Memoir. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though I did think it could have been more tightly edited. Still! Good memoir. As I mentioned before, if you like the writing of Junot Diaz and Sherman Alexie, I bet you'll like this book.

I so agree with what Jane said, above: "So many books depend on where we are in our lives as we read, as well as our histories." That's why I liked Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail so much. I read it right after my dad passed away, and the memoir is about, among other things, dealing with the grief over losing her mom.

[Book Concierge]

Fences – August Wilson – 3.5***
I’ve seen this play performed and it was powerful, dramatic, and thought-provoking. But reading it … I miss all the technique and skill that professional actors bring to translating Wilson’s words and directions into a visceral experience. Wilson won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for this play. If you get a chance to see a performance, don’t miss it!

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

[Jane]

Sara wrote: "Kat wrote: "I am a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson's novels, though HOME is not as successful as the other two, I think.

Still on Doctorow's THE MARCH, but have also started

The Brief History of ..."

Sara,
I finished GONE GIRL and I liked it but didn't love it. Like you, I prefer Gillian Flynn's first book, SHARP OBJECTS.

[Sara]

Jane wrote: "Sara wrote: "Kat wrote: "I am a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson's novels, though HOME is not as successful as the other two, I think.

Still on Doctorow's THE MARCH, but have also started

The Brie..."

I really felt she was just kind of showing off in Gone Girl--Entertainment Weekly said there was no way! to guess the twist . . . and I did. :-)

[Ruth]

I've just started The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch. I hope it's as good as his first two books. I loved Finn and Kings of the Earth.

[Sue]

Ruth wrote: "I've just started The Thief of Auschwitz by Jon Clinch. I hope it's as good as his first two books. I loved Finn and Kings of the Earth."

I'll really be interested in what you think Ruth. I loved Kings of the Earth. Haven't gotten to Finn yet.

[Cateline]

I'm now reading The Music of Chance by Paul Auster.

Phew! I'd started two books in-between and only got 30(ish) pages into each before throwing in the towel. One was The Widow Spy, and while it is probably a very interesting story, true as well, it just was too full of minutiae for my taste. The other was the first Harlan Coben, an author I am fond of now. This, his first, is definitely one to stay away from.
ahh, this is it.....Play Dead.

[John]

Sara wrote: "Jane wrote: "Sara wrote: "Kat wrote: "I am a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson's novels, though HOME is not as successful as the other two, I think.

Still on Doctorow's THE MARCH, but have also start..."

You mean (view spoiler)[ that Amy has arranged it herself? I got that, too! (hide spoiler)]

[Book Concierge]

On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan – 4****
Opening line: They were young, educated, and both virgins on this, their wedding night, and they lived in a time when a conversation about sexual difficulties was plainly impossible. In an interview McEwan said he set the novel in 1962 on purpose; he needed a time frame before sex was openly discussed. One technique he uses that is very effective, is that there is very little dialogue between these two until they finally face each other on the beach. I feel so badly for them at the end of this book; I so wish they had someone to help them find a way to repair the damage they mistakenly believe to be irreparable.

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

[Sara]

John wrote: "Sara wrote: "Jane wrote: "Sara wrote: "Kat wrote: "I am a huge fan of Marilynne Robinson's novels, though HOME is not as successful as the other two, I think.

Still on Doctorow's THE MARCH, but ha..."

yep, that's what I mean. :-)

[Gina]

Last night, I finished The Round House by Louise Erdrich. I thought it was a wonderful book. The more I read, the faster I read. I didn't want to eat or sleep. I have read two other books by Erdrich. The Last Report on Miracles at Little No Horse was a page-turner and The Master Butchers Singing Club was also excellent. Has anyone read any other Erdrich books and what were your thoughts on them?

[Carol]

Gina wrote: "Last night, I finished The Round House by Louise Erdrich. I thought it was a wonderful book. The more I read, the faster I read. I didn't want to eat or sleep. I have read two other books by


I just finished The Beet Queen last week. I thought it was very good. Did you check out the discussion for Little No Horse? If not here is the link. We will also be doing the discussion for The Round House in March.


http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4...

[Celeste]

Sorry Gina, no Erdrich here, though I think all her book will show up on my TBR pile. I'm currently reading First Mother's by Bonnie Angelo, about the mother's of the presidents. I'm not much of a nonfiction reader, this is for a book club, but if you wanted to get a sense of what makes these guys tick this book will do it. Very interesting so for. Also reading South of Broad by Pat Conroy, it's my first Conroy, but it won't be my last. I love his writing.

Finished The Sense of an Ending last night. My review will be posted some time today.

[Sue]

I'm 101 on the hold list for Round House. I"m hoping to get it in time for the discussion. It will be my first Erdrich though I have others on my tbr.

[Geoff]

Gilead is a great novel; I'll add my voice to that side of the discussion.

Excited to get my Stories of J.F. Powers and Collected Stories of Ivan Bunin in the mail.

[Ruth]

Sue wrote: "I'm 101 on the hold list for Round House. I"m hoping to get it in time for the discussion. It will be my first Erdrich though I have others on my tbr."

I so disliked The Beet Queen that I attempted no other Erdich until CR did Little No Horse. I so disliked that I never finished it.

[Sue]

Ruth wrote: "Sue wrote: "I'm 101 on the hold list for Round House. I"m hoping to get it in time for the discussion. It will be my first Erdrich though I have others on my tbr."

I so disliked The Beet Queen tha..."

This will be interesting for me Ruth. I've wondered about her books for some time.

[Cateline]

I think I'm on a Paul Auster kick. Just finished The Music of Chance and have started Travels in the Scriptorium, and yeah, it's interesting.

[Cateline]

Cateline wrote: "I think I'm on a Paul Auster kick. Just finished The Music of Chance and have started Travels in the Scriptorium, and yeah, it's interesting."

Just finished, and all I can say is if you enjoyed the original Twilight Zone, you'll like Travels in the Scriptorium.

Not sure what is next. My brain is still in the TZ. :)

[Gina]

Thanks everyone for your input on Louise Erdrich and her books. I went back to read the discussion on The Last Report on Miracles at Little No Horse and found it very enjoyable, and will put The Beet Queen on my TBR list. Looking forward to March.

[Susan_T.]

I read The Beet Queen way back when and remember liking it but absolutely nothing else. That says way more about me than the book! (How I wish details would stick with me... ) Erdrich has several novels for kids/teens that people have recommended to me, too. One is The Birchbark House. A friend says the audiobook version is great.

[Cateline]

I've started The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared, interesting so far at page 67, many laugh out loud moments.

[Lyn]

I'm currently in the middle of A Partial History of Lost Causes, and am finding it very absorbing.

[Book Concierge]

Lost City Radio – Daniel Alarcon – 4****
In an unnamed South American city, Norma hosts the popular “Lost City Radio” show, where people try to reconnect with loved ones they’ve lost track of. Alarcon explores what it means to live in constant fear, trusting no one, afraid that any small slip of the tongue may mark you as the enemy.

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

[Ruth]

Lyn wrote: "I'm currently in the middle of A Partial History of Lost Causes, and am finding it very absorbing."

I thought it was beautifully written. Gave it 4 stars.

[Joan]

Just finished the compelling Shakespeare's Tremor and Orwell's Cough: The Medical Lives of Famous Writers My review: Dr. Ross, a ;physician and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School has written a fascinating study of the ailments that afflicted several famed writers such as Shakespeare, Swift, Orwell, Joyce, London, Hawthorne and others. The methods and medications that people were subjected to in earlier days range from the effective to the horrific. Effective, strangely, was the early use of hot tubs to fight the syphilis bacilli which was actually heat-sensitive. Horrific included potions such as “mummy” made from human skulls, preferably those of mummies powdered with viper blood. Ross reports on how these illnesses might be treated today, and also diagnoses those that were inaccurately recorded. He suspects that a number of these creative geniuses suffered from bi-polar syndrome (likely) or Asperger’s (which I think is questionable, as individuals in early times were raised to be reserved, especially in the upper classes, or to maintain a stoic (stiff-upper lip) attitude.

[Nicole]

Book Concierge wrote: "Lost City Radio – Daniel Alarcon – 4****
In an unnamed South American city, Norma hosts the popular “Lost City Radio” show, where people try to reconnect with loved ones they’ve lost track of. ..."

ooohhhh BC...this one really grabs on! Added it to my TBR thanks!

[Nicole]

Finished Love, Charleston 3 stars

[Sue]

Joan wrote: "Just finished the compelling Shakespeare's Tremor and Orwell's Cough: The Medical Lives of Famous Writers My review: Dr. Ross, a ;physician and associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical Sc..."

This definitely sounds like my kind of book.