What I'm Reading - March 2013

[Ruth]

I liked Charming Billy a lot.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Kat wrote: "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..."

I loved Owen Meany, too. And I really like Alice McDermott, too, but haven't read her in a long time.

[Sue]

Finished Cairo: My City, Our Revolution, which was a first hand view of what was happening in Cairo and Tahrir during the revolution. Very interesting and informative.

Currently reading Raney, a southern story Susan Hill's The Pure in Heart (#2 in the Simon Seraillier series) and continuing with Shadow Country which I've neglected in the past couple of weeks. Definitely must return to the Watson story.

[[deleted user]]

Book Concierge wrote: "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."

I used to look forward to a new Elizabeth Berg book like a visit from an old friend. Sadly, I don't enjoy her work much anymore. The Year of Pleasures is the first book of hers that I did not care for, and it seems to me that every book she has written since then has been mediocre. Maybe it's me that changed as a reader, but I decided after being disappointed, yet again, by her last book that I would not read her again.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Kochery wrote: "Hi, I am the author of the book "Mena and Dreams in the Dhauladhar". The book is e published with Amazon.

I could really use your help. Below you will find quick and easy ways you can help spread ..."

Please put this in the Promotions Folder, Kochery, and welcome to Constant Reader.

[Geoff]

Read a fantastic story by J.F. Powers last night, "The Old Bird, a Love Story." I wouldn't know how to describe it in a way that would do it justice, but it's one of the best stories I've ever read.

[Lyn]

Cruised through The Diet Dropout’s Guide to Natural Weight Loss: Find Your Easiest Path to Naturally Thin this morning. It's a very slim volume and doesn't say much that is surprising (and Fuhrman is much better at saying what to eat and why), but it contains nice reminders of the sensible way to make changes that are permanent instead of yo-yo-ing.

[Sue]

Geoff wrote: "Read a fantastic story by J.F. Powers last night, "The Old Bird, a Love Story." I wouldn't know how to describe it in a way that would do it justice, but it's one of the best stories I've ever read."

Geoff, are you reading a particular story collection?

[Ruth]

Geoff wrote: "Read a fantastic story by J.F. Powers last night, "The Old Bird, a Love Story." I wouldn't know how to describe it in a way that would do it justice, but it's one of the best stories I've ever read."

Shoot. The library doesn't have it, and Amazon wants $70.

[Sue]

When I looked for this title, my library gave me "The Prince of Darkness & Other Stories." No other information available. Is this the right title Geoff? If so, my library system has 3 copies.

[Jon]

Reading The Talisman at the moment. Very very good.

[Jennifer]

Anne wrote: "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 W..."

In the second half, the male characters who were weapons-grade irritants took more of a back seat. I suspect they realized I was rounding up a suitable chair!

[Jennifer]

John wrote: "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."

That's a fabulous book, and I want to say there's a great BBC miniseries of it also.

[Jennifer]

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..."

You should check out The Brass Dolphin. It's Trollope writing under a pseudonym. Great book!

[John]

Jennifer wrote: "John wrote: "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."

That's a fabulous book, and I want to say there's a great BBC miniseries of it also ..."

I saw the TV series years ago when it was new, and loved it! Melmotte in the book is much nastier though, and it goes into detail obviously of the characters' stories. Having seen the production, I have a much better idea of picturing the self-indulgent effete "Dolly" Longstaff. Marie Melmotte is more human in the book as well; the TV series makes her seem almost robotic I thought.

[Carol]

I read The Way We Live Now last year and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Ann D]

Jennifer,
Thanks for the recommendation of THE BRASS DOLPHIN. I didn't know that she wrote under other names.

Trollope is amazingly prolific. I think I read somewhere that she is related to the 19th century author Anthony Trollope.

[Ann D]

I have started The Round House by Louise Erdrich. The discussion starts here on March 15. In the past, I have not been a big Erdrich fan, but this time she has really drawn me into the story. I feel like I am that 13 year old boy on the reservation, struggling with a vicious attack on his mother.

[Geoff]

Sue wrote: "Geoff wrote: "Read a fantastic story by J.F. Powers last night, "The Old Bird, a Love Story." I wouldn't know how to describe it in a way that would do it justice, but it's one of the best stories..."

Yes, I'm reading The Stories of J.F. Powers, which I got on alibris.com (a used books site) for about ten bucks.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

I just finished Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. This is a sequel to The Sparrow which I read over 15 years ago. I shouldn't have waited so long. It took me a while to get the characters straight (if I ever really did), but in the long run it didn't matter. Russell is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I loved her Doc and can't wait until the sequel to that one comes out.

[Ruth]

Sara wrote: "Ruth, I find a paperback of JF Powers stories on Amazon for $14.95--or were you talking about a different book? "

Different one, called The Old Bird... I'll look up your find. Does it say it includes Old Bird?

[Ann D]

Sherry,
I really enjoyed SPARROW and CHILDREN OF GOD too even though I usually have absolutely no interest in science fiction. I also read her book of historical fiction called A THREAD OF GRACE. It is set in Italy during World War II. I really admire writers who can switch genres so successfully.

I read DOC recently and it was also good. I never knew how harrowing TB could be. I suppose the sequel will finally take us to the OK CORRAL.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Ann wrote: "Sherry,
I really enjoyed SPARROW and CHILDREN OF GOD too even though I usually have absolutely no interest in science fiction. I also read her book of historical fiction called A THREAD OF GRACE. ..."

I read A Thread of Grace, too, and really liked that. Russell is on Facebook and I follow her. Her next book will be called Tombstone, and she posts a running commentary on writing it.

[Geoff]

Re: J.F. Powers: I think the stories in that book are arranged chronologically (though the book itself, oddly, doesn't make that clear). I thought the first few stories were mostly just all right; after that, it has really taken off. The other story I absolutely loved is called "The Forks."

[Book Concierge]

On the Banks of Plum Creek– Laura Ingalls Wilder – 4****
Cherry Jones is wonderful performing these books on audio. She is so expressive in conveying the excitement of a new place to explore, the joy of a small gift of candy, the fear and anxiety of being left alone as a storm approaches, and the love of a family who feels safe when they are together.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Cateline]

Sherry wrote: "I just finished Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. This is a sequel to The Sparrow which I read over 15 years ago. I shouldn't have waited so long. It took me a while to get the characters stra..."

I didn't know there was a sequel in the works for Doc. Good news indeed! I loved it, but always felt the ending was compressed and rather rushed in comparison to the rest of it.

[Ann D]

Thanks for telling me about the Russell Facebook page. I'll have to tell my in-person book club. That's the group I've read all her books with.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Ann wrote: "Thanks for telling me about the Russell Facebook page. I'll have to tell my in-person book club. That's the group I've read all her books with."

I just messaged her on FB to tell her how much I enjoyed her book. And she answered me back very quickly.

[Sue]

I don't believe I'll receive The Round House in time to read it for the discussion that begins the 15th, but I've begun The Way We Live Now and will need to locate Brideshead Revisited, which I know is around here someplace.

[John]

I'm 3/4 of the way through The Way We Live Now - you'll have a tough time putting it down. I'm also reading Brideshead Revisited, which is far more serious (as opposed to "fun").

[Cateline]

Finished with the wonderful The Summer Guest by Justin Cronin. Not sure what is next.

[Sue]

John wrote: "I'm 3/4 of the way through The Way We Live Now - you'll have a tough time putting it down. I'm also reading Brideshead Revisited, which is far more serious (as opposed to "fun")."

I recall being mesmerized by the Masterpiece production of Brideshead. Perhaps I'll try to watch that again after reading the book.

[Ruth]

Mrs. Dumpty by Chana Bloch. This book knocked my sox off. How does she manage to write with such control, yet such emotion, in a disintegrating situation? The marriage disintegrates under the pressure of something dreadfully wrong with the husband. TBI? Alzheimers? Mental illness? I must admit I'm curious just to be curious, and maybe there were more clues in the poems that I just missed. Nevertheless, I was sucked in to the point where I read the whole book from start to finish in one session, something I rarely do with poetry.(

[Joan]

Just finished In the Woods by Tana French.
Typical of many debut novels, this one is vastly overwritten, however French creates sufficient narrative interest to propel the reader onward. The voice of her protagonist is frequently unconvincing; various scenes are implausible, yet she has the sense to reject the easy tying-up-all-ends conclusion.

[Anne]

Just finished the Hummingbird's Daughter, which I can't add because I'm on my mobile device. It was really lovely and engrossing - about a local saint in the Mexican revolution, but so much more than that, too. It was excellent.

[Cateline]

Inspiration struck! I've started Katherine Anne Porter's Ship of Fools. I saw the film so many years ago I hardly remember anything but the barest of details.

[Joan]

Cateline wrote: "Inspiration struck! I've started Katherine Anne Porter's Ship of Fools. I saw the film so many years ago I hardly remember anything but the barest of details."

As I remember, that was an amazing book--I'd like to reread it.

[Barbara]

Joan wrote: "Just finished In the Woods by Tana French.
Typical of many debut novels, this one is vastly overwritten, however French creates sufficient narrative interest to propel the reader onward. The voice ..."

Joan, that's a wonderfully concise description of
In the Woods. I tried to say the same thing in my review but you did it much better.

[Joan]

Barbara, have you read any of her other books--and would you? I'm undecided...

[Barbara]

Joan, I've read Faithful Place which I liked a bit more than In the Woods. I've listened to them in audiobook productions which are very good. I would listen to more, but they are not as high on my list as some others.

[Ann D]

Actually, I thought INTO THE WOODS was the best. Her books lack the wallop ending, which I like in mysteries, but do not expect in literary fiction.

[Joan]

Thanks Barbara and Ann. Think I'll take a pass.

[Al]

Joan, I would agree with Barbara and Ann that I think In the Woods was her best, I would not bother with the rest.

[Ruth]

A Wild Surmise: New & Selected Poems & Recordings by Eloise Klein Healy. I read with Eloise last Sunday. She's the new Poet Laureate of Los Angeles, and I concur with the choice. LA is the city where I was born and grew up, and I’ve never lived more than an hour away. Healy’s Los Angeles poems sing of the color, sound, people, freeways of my remarkable city. But, this being a collection including poems from 1976 to the present, there is far more here than poems about LA. Ostensibly. Healy’s poems are so rooted in the place and the people that it’s impossible to separate the two. And who would want to?
Highly recommended.

[Sue]

Ann wrote: "Actually, I thought INTO THE WOODS was the best. Her books lack the wallop ending, which I like in mysteries, but do not expect in literary fiction."

Interesting to get this view. I haven't read any of them, haven't been in a hurry. I guess I'll continue not to be in a hurry for the moment.

[Book Concierge]

Anne wrote: "Just finished The Hummingbird's Daughter, which I can't add because I'm on my mobile device. It was really lovely and engrossing - about a local saint in the Mexican revolution, but so much more th..."

My Hispanic Professionals Book Club loved this book. I have Queen of America: A Novel, which continues Teresita's story, but I haven't read it - yet.

[Book Concierge]

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow– Rita Leganski – 2.5**
There is a nugget of a great premise here. I like how she used the innocence of a child to help the wounded adults around him heal. I wish she had spent more time developing the story, and less time expounding on Bonaventure’s unusual hearing abilities. I get that Leganski was going for an ethereal quality, but I think she went too far in that direction and forgot the story.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Book Concierge]

Finished listening to the audio of 11/22/63 by Stephen King
4****

The cover art and the title really tell the reader up front that the focus of this novel will be the Kennedy assassination. I’ll admit I was a bit frustrated that it took King so long to get to the critical events of November 1963. This is NOT to say that the book is slow. King is a master at pacing a thriller to keep the reader turning pages. However convoluted and long the journey, I’m glad I went along. Craig Wasson was superb performing this audio. He even did a fair impersonation of real figures and had reasonably good regional accents.

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

[Jennifer]

Reading Case Histories . This is the first Kate Atkinson I've read. I was a little uncertain about it on page one, but by page three I was hooked. Good book!

[Ann D]

Jennifer,
I love Kate Atkinson. I have read most of her novels and enjoyed them all.