What I'm Reading - March 2013

[Dottie]

I can post the topic for March BUT I cannot close the February thread -- moderator please.
Oh yes -- The Silver Cloud Cafe has me in a stranglehold.

[Lyn]

I've picked up Money and can't say I'm enjoying it at all really, but I'm 2/3 way through and persistent enough that I'm sure I'll finish it. It is making me happier to be on the poorer side, however! I also picked up Heavy Water and Other Stories by the same author.

[John]

I've listened to the first half of The Way We Live Now (it's 32 hours total!) and can't wait for the upcoming discussion.

[Carol]

I finished Bless Me, Ultima, good novel. It is about a young boy growing up in post war New Mexico. He searches for direction in life to be his own man, through mystism, magic and paganism with the help of various colorful characters. Now I am starting a Tom Wolfe novel Back to Blood

[Ruth]

Just finished JK Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy. Much ado about very little. I suppose the mere 503 pages of this book seemed confining to Rowling after having at the sprawl of what is it, seven, volumes of Harry Potter, but it was far too many pages for me. Wow, could she have used an editor. But then again, if we stripped away all the excess verbiage we might discover how slight this book really is.

Another English village tale, brought up to date, sans Miss Marple, the vicar, and the manor house. Cast of thousands, or at least it seemed that way to me. Certainly it was the entire population of the village and then some. I might have enjoyed the story a bit more if I could have kept the characters straight. Maybe my short term memory is worse than I think it is, but I badly felt the need for a chart to keep everybody straight. As it is, I’d put this book down as a tempest in a teapot.

[Kat]

Lyn wrote: "I've picked up Money and can't say I'm enjoying it at all really, but I'm 2/3 way through and persistent enough that I'm sure I'll finish it. It is making me happier to be on the poorer side, howe..."

I found the one book I read by Amis--The Information--a grim but fascinating pleasure. The things I didn't like make me want not to read him again, but the density of his style and the force of his writing about mortality make me want to pick up another one. Very torn.

[Nicole]

So last week I finished A Prayer for Owen Meany. I really came away with negative feelings on this one. I wanted to give it a higher rating because it is quite an impressive work of fiction. Unfortunately, I had to give it 1 star. I just didn't like where the story went and ended.

[John]

The only John Irving book I've read was A Son of the Circus, which I liked, but his fans seem to almost unanimously declare: "Oh no!" None of his other titles interest me.

[Ruth]

Nicole wrote: "So last week I finished A Prayer for Owen Meany. I really came away with negative feelings on this one. I wanted to give it a higher rating because it is quite an impressive work of fiction. Unf..."

I didn't like it much either, Nicole. It's the book that made me decide, "no more Irving."

[Carol]

Ruth and Nicole, I didn't like it either, hence no more Irving for me.

[Joan]

Confession: I've never liked John Irving. Just finished Life Class Barker has made the pre and post World War I era her own especially with the Regeneration Trilogy. This novel follows that theme with its principals Paul and Elinor thrust into wartime having met at the Slade in a Life Drawing class. Paul, rejected from the army due to a “weak chest”, volunteers as an ambulance driver and orderly in France while Elinor is accepted into Lady Ottoline Morrell’s circle. A rival for Elinor’s affections, Neville, is a secondary character as is the disturbed Teresa with whom Paul had a liaison. Barker effectively portrays the time and place particularly the gruesome and depressing scenes of the wounded in France.

[Cateline]

I've only read one by Irving..A Widow for One Year and truly loved it. My reading was spurred by the film The Door in the Floor, which only covers the first third or so of the book.

I have more of his on the shelf, but keep procrastinating. Y'all's comments above make me all the more curious though. Interesting contrast.

[Carol]

Not liking Back to Blood very much. I hope it gets better soon. If not I will chuck it for a later date. I know better then to read Tom Wolfe.

[Cateline]

Carol wrote: "Not liking Back to Blood very much. I hope it gets better soon. If not I will chuck it for a later date. I know better then to read Tom Wolfe."

Wow, just read the synopsis at your link....he does fit in quite a lot of unique individuals! And...they mostly sound pretty stereotypical.

[Sue]

Joan wrote: "Confession: I've never liked John Irving. Just finished Life Class Barker has made the pre and post World War I era her own especially with the Regeneration Trilogy. This novel follows that theme w..."

I want to read The regeneration Trilogy and almost bought a copy of Life Class a while ago when I saw one very inexpensive. It definitely sounds like another book that would interest me. thanks for the summary.

[Nicole]

I am glad I am not the only one who feels off-put withJohn Irving. Based on his writing, at least in A Prayer for Owen Meany he seems very bitter and pessimistic. I could be totally wrong on this. But because of this first impression, I am not likely to read another one of his works. I would say he is a talented writer though.

[Barbara]

John Irving tends to provoke strong feelings. I've liked all of his books except Son of the Circus. However, I listened to all of them, except The World According to Garp, in audiobook productions which may have helped. Bits of his books stay permanently lodged in my brain which may be some testimony to his ability. I particularly remember parts from Garp, The Cider House Rules and Until I Find You

[Cateline]

I didn't find A Widow for One Year to be depressing or bitter, in fact, finally, it was quite uplifting. Truly spoke to the power of love.

But, to each their own kettle of fish. :)

[Jane]

I am an Irving fan, and I have his latest on my TBR pile somewhere. The title is IN ONE PERSON.

[Liz]

Time Keeper by Mitch Alborn is currently in my car's CD player.

[Cateline]

Starting The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark.

Would have put the book's name as a link, but somehow the add book/author doesn't have either on tap.
Weirdness. Must be a glitch.

[John]

Here you go: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

[Jennifer]

So I'm about 50 percent through My Dearest Cecelia: A Novel of the Southern Belle Who Stole General Sherman's Heart which I think of as a "sleeper" because I've never heard about it on GR. (That's rare!!). Only one thing to say about it so far: the male characters in this book need a high five. In the face. With a chair.

[Cateline]

John wrote: "Here you go: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"

Thanks!

[Ann D]

I'm alternating between 3 book right now (ah, the joys of retirement). On the serious front, I am making my way through Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia by Orlando Figes. I am also reading THE CORONATION, a mystery set in Tsarist Russia by the contemporary Russian writer Boris Akunin. His sleuth has been described as the Russian Sherlock Holmes. I picked up this one at the Half Price Book Store, which lately has become a bad habit. I had already enjoyed the first in the series, THE WINTER QUEEN.

For my guilty pleasure I am reading another one of Joanna Trollope's books - Brother and Sister: A Novel. This is about an adopted brother and sister who decide to search for their mothers. Trollope is good at family dynamics and all of her characters have enough flaws to make them interesting.

[Marjorie]

I just finished a great book, SUSPECT, by Robert Crais. This is a stand-alone, not one of his series with Elvis Cole. One of the best books I've read in the last couple of months.

I'm not a dog-lover, but I loved Maggie, the German Shepherd, a former military dog, who was wounded in Afghanistan when her beloved handler was killed by a sniper. Scott James, a Los Angeles police officer is reassigned to the K9 division after his partner Stephanie is killed and he is severely wounded during a confrontation with some bad guys. Both Scott and Maggie suffer from a kind of post traumatic stress syndrome from their experiences. Scott is paired with Maggie, and they make a terrific couple, who bond, help each other recover, and work to find the man who killed Stephanie.

Marge

[Marjorie]

I've just started John Irving's IN ONE PERSON. It's being discussed right now beginning March 1, in the Yahoo book group, Bookies Too. Have not read any of Irving's books, but have enjoyed films made from them.

Marge

[Gina]

John Irving's writings seem a bit uneven. I loved Cider House Rules, just couldn't put it down. I immediately read A Prayer for Owen Meany, and it wasn't as good as Cider House Rules. About a year ago, I read Until I find You which I didn't like very much. I'm surprised I stayed till the end, but I'm not one to give up on a book.

[Sue]

Ann wrote: "I'm alternating between 3 book right now (ah, the joys of retirement). On the serious front, I am making my way through Natasha's Dance: A Cultural History of Russia by Orlando Figes. I am also re..."

Ann, I know somewhere along the way I've read one or more of Trollope's books and enjoyed them but I have no idea which one(s). Can you suggest a starting point for me to give her another go at some point.

[Mary Anne]

I am still reading Kafka on the Shore by Murakami, and also listening to The Paris Wife by McLain. I'm not sure I like the latter at all, as I, like so many here, am tired of the wife books. But I will hear the author speak later this month, so I feel compelled to finish.

[Jean]

Jane wrote: "I am an Irving fan, and I have his latest on my TBR pile somewhere. The title is IN ONE PERSON."

I'm also an Irving fan and have liked all of his books, except The third Hand. Owen Meaney is one of my favorite books.

[Ruth]

Mary Anne wrote: "I am still reading Kafka on the Shore by Murakami, and also listening to The Paris Wife by McLain. I'm not sure I like the latter at all, as I, like so many here, am tired of the wife books. But I ..."

I wasn't wild about the Wife, either.

[Carol]

Ruth wrote: "Mary Anne wrote: "I am still reading Kafka on the Shore by Murakami, and also listening to The Paris Wife by McLain. I'm not sure I like the latter at all, as I, like so many here, am tired of the ..."

I found it interesting, but you had to pick through the reliability of her research.

[Book Concierge]

In The Red House Mystery, A. A. Milne (author of the beloved children’s books starring “Winnie the Pooh” and his friends) turns his attention to a mystery for adults. This is a typical “locked-room” conundrum, featuring an amateur sleuth and a cast of colorful characters. There isn’t a great deal of action but there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing.

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

[Book Concierge]

Also finished reading the YA book - Under the Mesquite– Guadalupe Garcia McCall – 5*****

This is a semi-autobiographical novel, written entirely in verse. Garcia McCall says so much with so few words! Her poetry is evocative and restrained, powerful and tender, vivid and elusive, full of sadness and joy, but mostly full of love.

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

[[deleted user]]

I have not had time for much pleasurable reading lately, so I'm relying on audiobooks and my daily commute to get my literary fix. I have just finished the Audible version of The End of the Affair, read by Colin Firth. What a treat! Next, I'll give a listen to Journey to the Center of the Earth, narrated by Tim Curry.

[Cateline]

Finished The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (meh), and have started The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin. Yes, that Justin Cronin of The Passage and The Twelve fame.
Not a vampire or apocalypse in sight though. :)

A lovely story, so far.

[Marjorie]

Thanks, Ann, for mentionng Boris Akunin's THE CORONATION, which I've added to my TBR list. I really liked Akunin's The Winter Queen.

Natasha's Dance is one I've had on my list to read for a long time. Another interesting book on Russian history from 987 - 1917 is LAND OF THE FIREBIRD; THE BEAUTY OF OLD RUSSIA by Suzanne Massie.

Marge

[Anne]

Jennifer wrote: "So I'm about 50 percent through My Dearest Cecelia: A Novel of the Southern Belle Who Stole General Sherman's Heart [bookcover:My Dearest Cecelia: A Novel of the Southern Belle Who Stole General ..." Ha. I know I'm a bit behind, but that made me snort out loud. Still feeling the same way about the male protagonist?

[Ann D]

Marge,
The Massie book sounds good. I will have to check to see if the library has it.

I am getting a bit bogged down in some aspects of NATASHA'S DANCE, mostly the parts about music and art, but a lot of it is very interesting.

[Anne]

I just finished Kafka on the Shore and I know that I enjoyed it (quite a bit!), but I'm not sure what I thought about it, really. Has anyone else read this one?

[Jane]

Marjorie wrote: "I just finished a great book, SUSPECT, by Robert Crais. This is a stand-alone, not one of his series with Elvis Cole. One of the best books I've read in the last couple of months.

I'm not a dog..."

I just finished this, too, Marjorie and loved Maggie and Scott as partners. Coincidentally, we just watched a TV documentary called GLORY HOUNDS about dogs serving in Afghanistan. I love the way that the big tough soldiers talk to their dogs.

[Mary Anne]

Anne wrote: "I just finished Kafka on the Shore and I know that I enjoyed it (quite a bit!), but I'm not sure what I thought about it, really. Has anyone else read this one?"

I am currently reading Kafka, Anne.

[Al]

Lots to comment on in this thread:

Anne: I really liked Kafka on the Shore. It was my first Murakami and maybe because of that, one of my favorites of his.

Mary Anne: I decided to abandon The Paris Wife after a fair shake and I have no regrets. I do not think it helped that I had read A Moveable Feast in the not too distant past and well, it is hard to compete with Hemmingway's writing . . .

Reaching back into the February posts a little, let me add my voice to the chorus of delight over the audio version of The Good House. I have listened to the narrator before on other books and did not love her nearly as much as on this one. It is not great literature, just a good yarn that you really get invested in - I am still missing Hildy a little.

On the John Irving front, I adored A Prayer for Owen Meany and for me none of his books have really held a candle to that, except maybe The World According to Garp.

Ann: I am curious where you come out on Orlando Figes. He has written some Russian history books that really appeal to me, but I have yet to dig in on them.

As for what I am reading. I am down in FL for a few weeks and will hit some baseball spring training games so I am on a bit of a baseball binge with Ball Four and Francona: The Red Sox Years.

I also continue to enjoy Roberto Bolaño and am particularly enjoying Woes of the True Policeman. If memory serves correctly, a lot of the character names overlap with 2666 but it is much lighter in spirit than that book.

And i am also really enjoying The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes. It is a history I know little about but am finding fascinating.

[Bahareh]

I have been really lucky with book choices lately. followed by . Can't go wrong :)

[Book Concierge]

Tina wrote: "I have not had time for much pleasurable reading lately, so I'm relying on audiobooks and my daily commute to get my literary fix. I have just finished the Audible version of The End of the Affair,..."

Off to check my library to see if they have either of these versions. Both are great narrators/ performers of audio books!

[Book Concierge]

Took a break with some easy reading
The Year of Pleasures – Elizabeth Berg – 3***
It was an enjoyable, quick read, but not a great one.

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

[Mary Ellen]

I have to chime in here as a John Irving fan. I loved Owen Meany. I remember that a passage in Widow for One Year (having to do with hedge trimming, IIRC) made me laugh out loud. Haven't read any Irving in a while.

I am currently trying to make my way through Tinkers and finding it hard going. I'm about 1/4 - 1/3 through and really wish the guy would just die already. BUT a comment on the CR discussion, that it picked up a bit as it went along, encouraged me and I will keep slogging through. Most CRs in the discussion loved it, so my reaction is clearly out of left field. (FWIW, I don't think the parts about his father are the products of the mind-wanderings of the dying George. I figure the omniscient 3d person narrator is flipping from one related tale to the other...)

[Cateline]

Mary Ellen wrote: "(FWIW, I don't think the parts about his father are the products of the mind-wanderings of the dying George. I figure the omniscient 3d person narrator is flipping from one related tale to the other...)

I read and loved Tinkers as well.
And...re above quote, agree.

Glad to hear from a WfOY fan. :)

[Kat]

I also loved Owen Meany better than any of the Irving novels except Garp. It's been some years since I read it, but I'm thinking I found it tragic but redemptive, rather than bitter and pessimistic.

Thanks for reminding me of Barker's Life Class, Joan. I enjoyed the Regeneration trilogy and also her novel Double Vision.

Finished Bring Up the Bodies, which I liked even better than Wolf Hall. Started Arcadia by Laura Goff but abandoned it after twenty pages, I'm definitely not in the mood for it. Whether I ever will be is another question.

So it's on to Charming Billy by Alice McDermott, which I'll be reading for my f2f book group.