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What I'm Reading JUNE 2015
All the Light We Cannot See I wasn't going to read this, because I didn't want to purchase it. The library only has 2 copies for the entire county, so my chances of getting it anytime soon was nil. I broke down and bought it , and so glad I did.
Carol wrote: "All the Light We Cannot See I wasn't going to read this, because I didn't want to purchase it. The library only has 2 copies for the entire county, so my chances of getting it anyti..."I'm just starting it.
Sherry wrote: "Carol wrote: "All the Light We Cannot See I wasn't going to read this, because I didn't want to purchase it. The library only has 2 copies for the entire county, so my chances of ge..."I read it several months ago. Forgot it was on the list. Hope I remember enough to be coherent.
I've never been much of a fan of short stories - I feel I invest too much in the beginning for such a limited reward. But I loved Olive Ketteridge. It's one of my favorite books.
"All the Light" was a fine book but WAY over-hyped.
Re: All the Light We Cannot SeeMy library system has 22 copies. On May 5th when I put in my request I was #48. At this moment I am #12.
Is there anything worse than a slow reader? Yes, 47 slow readers!
Tonya, who is reading it on the Kindle.
Donna, this comment is a reply to your post in the May thread. I heard an interview with David Axelrod on Fresh Air which made me think about reading his book. I'm so glad to read your positive review. I'll add it to my TBR and maybe I'll actually get to it some day.
Ellie wrote: "Am starting Karl Ove Knausgaard's My Struggle: Book 4. The opening, at least, is great."I've been on the fence about whether to plunge into this series. I assume you've read the first three? I read the free sample from Book One offered by BN and was very much drawn in--then very bored. I listened to a panel on the work. Three of out the four panelists loved it but even one of those admitted you have to plough through some boring stuff to get to the good stuff. (Also, apparently Knausgaard himself says the opening pages of the first book are of a higher standard than the rest of the work!) So I keep waffling. But I still might go for it, a bit later on this summer.
Mary wrote: "Donna, this comment is a reply to your post in the May thread. I heard an interview with David Axelrod on Fresh Air which made me think about reading his book. I'm so glad to read your positive rev..."Don't let the length put you off, Mary. It's a fast and fascinating read.
That's on my TBR for summer. I've heard it's wonderful
Kat wrote: "Ellie wrote: "Am starting Karl Ove Knausgaard's My Struggle: Book 4. The opening, at least, is great."I've been on the fence about whether to plunge into this se..."
There are some dull patches but mostly I loved it. And it's kind of addictive, I think.
I’ve just finished Widows & Orphans by Michael Arditti. It’s a wonderful, subtle look at relationships, full of flawed but very recognizable characters. You really want the main, if flawed, protagonist Duncan, proprietor of the ailing Mercury, to find happiness with Ellen. His mother Adele and her gay carer Chris, his son Jamie, Ellen’s son Neil, and his ex, Linda, all drawn from life, and represent parts of contemporary society. Many social concerns, the state of schools, youths running wild, and others are cleverly woven into the story. Setting the novel against the backdrop of a struggling local newspaper, (the office banter is captured very well, as are its hilarious editorials) Mercury, in a seedy seaside resort makes it really a book of this time, as well as a very enjoyable read.
Finished Erik Larson's In the Garden of Beasts. I've been slowly working my way through a biography of Hitler in which Ambassador Dodd was mentioned so I decided to read this book and learn more. Glad I did. It was a relief to read about someone who actually saw Hitler for who he was and tried to sound an alarm.
At the library today I came across "Abroad at Home: The 600 Best International Travel Experiences in North America" (National Geographic, 2015). Seems like it could be pretty fun. The selections for my state, Connecticut, focus on the Italian pizza places in New Haven--which are great!Fiction-wise, the Chilean writer Alejandro Zambra's "My Documents," a short-story collection, is next on my reading list. I loved "Gone Crazy in Alabama," a kids' novel by Rita Garcia-Williams in which three NYC sisters end up down south for the summer with their grandmother and great-grandmother. New to me this year were the autobiographical graphic novels of Lucy Knisley; I read two of them: "Relish: My Life in the Kitchen" and "Displacement: A Travelogue." The latter broke my heart & is so poignant and a little funny, too; it's about a cruise that Knisley took with her very elderly grandparents.
Mary wrote: "Finished Erik Larson's In the Garden of Beasts. I've been slowly working my way through a biography of Hitler in which Ambassador Dodd was mentioned so I decided to read this book and learn more. G..."I thought it was so fascinating that no one wanted to believe Dodd. The truth was SO inconvenient.
I'm reading A BEAUTIFUL BLUE DEATH by Charles Finch. This is the first in his Charles Lennox mystery series. I love the author's descriptions of Victorian London where the books are set. I've read the later books in the series but had missed this one. Charles is still a bachelor living next door to his friend since childhood, Lady Jane Gray. Charles is an amateur detective and Lady Jane has asked him to look into the death of a young woman whom she had been very fond of when she was Lady Jane's naid. Very good seriesMarge
Marge, I read that one a year or so ago and enjoyed it. Is the quality of the series consistent? It is always a happy day when I find a new series to enjoy!Speaking of which, I treated myself to a quick trip to the library to pick up a couple of mysteries: one Brunetti mystery by Donna Leon and an Armand Gamache "Three Pines" mystery by Louise Penny. (I feel like I am playing hooky from the read-my-own-books challenge!)
True Grit by Charles Portis – 5***** 14-year-old Mattie Ross hires Marshall Rooster Cogburn to track the man who killed her father. As Mattie tells the tale we see her outmaneuver, out bargain, and outsmart the hard men and women she encounters. Her indestructible vitality and basic innocence by turns amuse, horrify and touch the reader. Donna Tartt does a fine job narrating the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am reading Far from the Madding Crowd. Looking forward to seeing the new movie, however I prefer to read the book first. Not sure I was in the mood for a Thomas Hardy novel at this time and am pleasantly surprised to be enjoying a lot more than I thought I would.
Jane wrote: "I am reading Far from the Madding Crowd.... Not sure I was in the mood for a Thomas Hardy novel at this time and am pleasantly surprised to be enjoying a lot more than I thought I would. .."I had that exact same reaction when I reread Madding Crowd a couple years ago for my f2f book group. I'd forgotten what a good story teller he is, he really drew me in.
Just finished Early Warning As Smiley broadens the panorama of her family epic begun in “Some Luck”, the stories become increasingly episodic.The intensity and focus of Some Luck, especially on the characters of Walter and his son Frank are lessened in the sequel. Sections devoted to young children are the least interesting and I missed the details of farming that were so engaging in Some Luck. Only Joe and Jesse remain on the family farm while the other characters disperse across the nation. Early Warning concludes with the discovery of Charlie, the illegitimate son of Tim who was killed in Vietnam. The saga highlights the events of the era—Vietnam, the Jim Jones debacle, the assassination of Bobby Kennedy, Nixon’s trip to China and so forth, occasionally dropping characters into such primary scenes (Janet is a devotee of Jones, but fortunately declines to go to Guyana). In one sense, Early Warning is a summary of the 50’s to the mid-80’s framed through the experiences of an extended family.
Mary Ellen asked if the quality of the Charles Lennox mystery series was consistant. In my opinion, it is, and gets even better later on. I really liked A Burial at Sea - excellent research and writing. You feel as if you were really on board that ship. Also A Death in the Small Hours. What I really enjoy about these novels is that you get so enthralled with the Lennox family and their friends and reading about that era in London. I look forward to reading Finch's latest book, The Laws of Murder, very soon.Marge
Joan wrote: "Just finished Early Warning As Smiley broadens the panorama of her family epic begun in “Some Luck”, the stories become increasingly episodic.The intensity and focus of Some Luck, e..."Several of us have a discussion going on on this one, Joan. It's here. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Carol wrote: "Contemplating God Help the Child, has any one read it yet?"I haven't, Carol. The reviews I read felt it wasn't up to Morrison's best work. Not sure whether I should let myself be swayed by that or not--I do let some reviews influence me, and others not, still puzzling out the whys. (By the way, when I say "reviews" I mean reviews by authors and critics, not people on GR or other user sites.)
Serena by Ron Rash – 5***** In 1929 George Pemberton brings his new wife, Serena, back from Boston to North Carolina, where they plan to make their fortune in timber. Lady MacBeth has nothing on Serena. I can’t remember when I loved reading a book about a character I disliked so much. Serena is fascinating. I liked how Rash incorporated the history of the era, giving the novel a strong sense of time and place. Phil Gigante does a wonderful job performing the audio book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Book Concierge wrote: " Serena by Ron Rash – 5***** In 1929 George Pemberton brings his new wife, Serena, back from Boston to North Carolina, where they plan to make their fortune in timber. L..."
We discussed this book for the Reading List in 2009. You might be interested in reading our discussion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I read 15 books while traveling in Colombia during May. FUN! FUN!Two Rivers. This book had the making of a great novel. It's the beginning of the Great Peacemaker story, the tale of the man who made the League of the Five Nations (Iroquois) possible. I don't like "series" book much, and felt the author should have made the story more historical and full, relying less on romance as filler.Zoe Saadia
The New York Times Practical Guide to Practically Everything: The Essential Companion for Everyday Life. This book had some interesting information for everyone. However, you would never remember where to reference the information again or why you wanted it in the first place.Peter W. Bernstein
Island Beneath the Sea. This great book tells a story from present day Haiti to New Orleans, very rich in character development. Isabel Allende
Blue Nights. I loved the second half of the book - on aging and realising the beginning of frailty. I want to read it again. Joan Didion
Katie Up and Down the Hall: The True Story of How One Dog Turned Five Neighbors into a Family I liked the story but disliked the celebrity interview content. Who cares about these people? Evidently Plaskin does. Now, I DO understand doggie love. Glenn Plaskin
Kalorama ShakedownKalorama Shakedown (The Harry Reese Mysteries, #3). An enjoyable and humorous tale of an insurance adjuster and his crazy wife who leads him on many wild goose chases during his investigations. Great for vacation. Did't have to think. Robert Bruce Stewart
The Luck of the Weissensteiners. The story of a Jewish family in Brataslavia surviving the Holocaust: German soldiers, Russian soldiers, etc. One great quote from the story is: “In the end we are all gambling with our lives in this war : Killed by the Germans, raped by the Russians or shot by friendly fire.” Thought it was a good book. Christoph Fischer
Song of the Mountain. This book is a good young adult morality tale about honor, dragons, friendship and courage. YA. Easy reading with distractions. Michelle Isenhoff
How (Not) to Kiss Your Dog. Cute and sweet story of a Jack Russell terrier told from the point of view of a 12 year old girl. A YA book. Susan Lash
All My Love, Detrick. A nice story about a German man and a Jewish woman's love. I felt it should have more fact and less romance. Roberta Kagan
Imhotep. I didn't last long on this one. Walk into an Egyptian tomb and get caught in the distant past. I'm too old for such nonsense.Jerry Dubs
Breaking Twig. Not sure what to think about this book - a very dark tale about incest, rape, abuse, mental institutions, etc. Was there nothing good in this girl's life? Only her step-father/lover? Did I say DARK?Deborah Epperson
The Yellow House. A pretty good novel about the Catholic/Protestant conflict in Ireland in the early 1900's. Not an outstanding book. Patricia Falvey
City of the Sun. This book had an interesting concept about the Jewish community in Cairo during WW2. I felt the author could have done more with the material than actually happened. The reporter seemed almost a stylized image from old movies. Juliana Maio
All the Light We Cannot See. Wonderful book. It keeps you on the edge of your seat every minute, yet thrills you with joy to read it. Can't wait for the discussion. Anthony Doerr
Busy lady, and I thought I was on a streak.
Quite a variety of books, Gina! How did you choose them?And how was Colombia??
Ann wrote: "Quite a variety of books, Gina! How did you choose them?And how was Colombia??"
Most books were free or cheap on Kindle. I didn't want to carry any real big books.
Colombia was exciting and beautiful. They are not totally ready for tourists. It was very difficult to find people who could speak English. And the food was bland - except along the Caribbean coast - then a lot of good seafood. Thanks for asking!
Colombia sounds exciting, Gina, although I would have trouble with the language problem. Did you just go for adventure, or were you visiting someone?
Finished The Green Mile by Stephen King the other day, my review here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...King certainly has a wonderful turn of phrase, and there isn't the least bit of "horror" in this story. Economical and elegant writing.
I've started The Buried Giant, so far, so good. :)
Marjorie wrote: "I'm reading A BEAUTIFUL BLUE DEATH by Charles Finch. This is the first in his Charles Lennox mystery series. I love the author's descriptions of Victorian London where the books are set. I've rea..."I really enjoyed this book as well. It's a very nice series.
Ann wrote: "Colombia sounds exciting, Gina, although I would have trouble with the language problem. Did you just go for adventure, or were you visiting someone?"My husband was in the Peace Corps there 48 years ago. He's always wanted to visit again. We went to Manaure, where he served. When he was there, there was no electricity or running/potable water, but that has changed. Now, there's one hostel and a bucket bath was available. We also visited all the big and some small towns in Colombia. It really was an adventure.
I used to teach ESL to some Colombian students. The pictures from their country were beautiful. How wonderful that your husband was able to revisit where he volunteered!
Sherry wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Serena by Ron Rash – 5***** We discussed this book for the Reading List in 2009. You might be interested in reading our discussion: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... ..."
Thanks for that link. Great discussion. Operatic, indeed! My F2F book group is discussing this next week.
Gina, what a list of books to get through on your travels. Must have been fun and yet strange for your husband to go back and see how places had changed. Was he able to meet up with tpeople he knew from there and then? Tres interesante! I'd love to hear more. Tienes fotos?My reading has been simple and straighforward. I needed a no brainer book so went with Hakan Nesser's The Mind's Eye" from another of Scandanavia's powerhouse of crime writers. As I said straightforward easy read.
I'm reading Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, which is terrific. I'd forgotten what a good writer she is. Apocalyptic fiction which deals with issues of genetic engineering and climate change. Skillfully structured, creepily inventive, with convincing characters and, um, life forms.
Kat wrote: "I'm reading Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood, which is terrific. I'd forgotten what a good writer she is. Apocalyptic fiction which deals with issues of genetic engineering and climat..."I listened to this one. It was a good choice, because they sang the hymns. It really added an extra dimension to it. Loved it. The next one in the trilogy wasn't quite as good. I have the third one, but haven't read it yet.
Kay and Sherry, I too loved Oryx and Crake. I've read all 3. Didn't care for the last one at all.
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I just started Philip Caputo's The Longest Road: Overland in Search of America, from Key West to the Arctic Ocean. It covers his 2011 wandering journey across America, from Key West to Deadhorse, Alaska. "Wandering" probably is an understatement, because before he is at his endpoint, he has covered 16,000 miles. Some of my favorite travel books often aren't by the best writers. Since Caputo is a great writer, I hope that the opposite doesn't hold true.