Constant Reader discussion
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Constant Reader
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What I'm Reading - March 2013
A Confederacy of Dunces is not everyone's cup of tea. I know some who were really put off by it. For me, it was absolutely hilarious, almost fall-out-of-your-chair funny. The characters were just wonderful, and so real. It's been a long time since I read it, and I have forgotten the details, but I can't think of another book that has given me so much fun.
Katy wrote: "A Confederacy of Dunces is not everyone's cup of tea. I know some who were really put off by it. For me, it was absolutely hilarious, almost fall-out-of-your-chair funny. The characters were just ..."I agree, Katy.
Just started A Death in the Family. The writing is so full of feeling between father and son in the first chapter. Now on to the sadness.Also about to begin Brideshead Revisited.
I managed to get thru 3 chapters of Confederacy of Dunces before tossing it. I didn't find any humor in it and didn't like the way he treated his mother. The main character was disgusting to me.Marge
Thanks for the confirmation. I found the rest of the characters, and the New Orleans setting, interesting and humorous. But, I mean ... a 30 year old with a Masters Degree who can't understand that shouting comments about a movie in a crowded theater, and such, is inappropriate. He's a thoroughly lazy, spoiled, obnoxious character who cares only about himself and his immediate gratification - that's funny?
I hated Confederacy of Dunces. What kind of mood does a reader have to be in to enjoy this book? The answer stymies me
Just finished Me Before You - good love story set in England in 2009. Think a lot of CRs will enjoy it. Very fast read, good beach read, not great literature.
It's on my TBR pile, though I'm leery it'll be too mushy/romantic.
I definitely do not think it will be too mushy for you John.
Finished listening to the audio of Loving Che: A Novel by Ana Menendez (performed by Adriana Sananes and Eileen Stevens)4****
The reader feels the tropical heat, smells and tastes the salty sea air, relishes in a faint breeze, and sees the soft pastels of a decaying city. The beginning and ending sections are narrated by the nameless young woman. The middle section is devoted to Teresa’s story, and told in snippets of memories – poetic, erotic, sensual, passionate, and heartbreaking.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Jane wrote: "I hated Confederacy of Dunces. What kind of mood does a reader have to be in to enjoy this book? The answer stymies me"My entire book club hated this book - including the person who originally suggested we read it. My favorite comment of the night - "This won a Pulitzer? Was the Committee on drugs?!"
I guess you'd have to overlook Ignatius' obnoxiousness? The rest of the ... action is rather silly, but not offensive.
Sadistically adding to your TBR pile potential: No Man's Lands: One Man's Odyssey Through The Odyssey.
Laura,Well you definitely qualify as a "constant" reader!
Are you reading the Robert Fagles translation of THE ODYSSEY? We read it a long time ago on Classics Corner, and I liked it very much.
The title alone of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking makes me want to read it. I hope our library has it.
The Given Day by Dennis Lehane. I threw in the towel on this one about 25% in. What a mishmash. The writing, while serviceable, is not inspired enough to make me want to carry on. I'm too old to spend time reading books I'm not enjoying. Now I'm into Benediction by Kent Haruf. His writing is so seemingly simple, but so effective.
I'm roughly halfway through the audio version of Wave - author lost her husband, parents and two sons in the Sri Lankan tsunami. Fairly tough going, even though it's a relatively short book, as her bitterness is overwhelming any sense of tragedy for me.
Ruth wrote,
Now I'm into Benediction by Kent Haruf. His writing is so seemingly simple, but so effective.
I agree completely. His books are all the more powerful for his simplistic writing style. You have inspired me to move Benediction up on my TBR list.
Now I'm into Benediction by Kent Haruf. His writing is so seemingly simple, but so effective.
I agree completely. His books are all the more powerful for his simplistic writing style. You have inspired me to move Benediction up on my TBR list.
I am currently reading "Things Fall Apart" by Chinua Achebe. I am about half way through and it is quite interesting. Of course, it has the usual dystopia ideas in it. The main character, Okonkwo, is one of those hate love sort of characters. I'll report back once I've completed the novel.
Just finished A Gate at the Stairsby Lorrie Moore. Had I ceased reading at page 100 or so, I would have dismissed this novel as a waste of time. I’ve admired Moore’s story collections, but this novel has distinct problems. Moore is a fine writer with an ear for clever dialogue—in face, some of the best scenes in this book are the wine-soaked meetings of the inter-racial parents group. The plot turns are rather sudden and the narrator Tassie is a frequently unconvincing mixture of sharp perception and obliviousness, The sophistication of Moore’s prose is enticing and while the plot is slow starting and as I judged initially implausible, as the novel picks up momentum, one realizes, yes—life is strange; Reynoldo is a member of a terrorist cell, not a Brazilian student as he pretended, Sarah and Edward were convicted of negligence in the death of \their four year old son and ultimately their new identities are uncovered and they lose custody of Mary Emma, their adopted biracial child. The final chapters are very well done. While this is not a great book, I’m glad I persevered.
Joan wrote: "Just finished A Gate at the Stairsby Lorrie Moore. Had I ceased reading at page 100 or so, I would have dismissed this novel as a waste of time. I’ve admired Moore’s story collections, but this nov..."I left a comment on your review, Joan.
Yes, I saw it and I agree. The final chapters had some saving grace. Moore's short stories are wonderful, maybe the novel is not her metier.
I loved A GATE AT THE STAIRS, though it certainly has significant flaws. Tassie wasn't one of them (for me), though, I found her convincing. My problems were more around plot issues, which were at times clunky and implausible. But I think Moore has compelling insights into her characters. Also, though I usually forget novels very quickly, I still remember this one quite well, though I read it over three years ago. That's telling, I think.
I work with fifth graders who work with Greek mythology and study the Odyllse. I loved reading No Man's Lands: One Man's Odyssey Through The Odyssey. It's got geographical detail, historical research and it's a story I can share in bits and pieces even with ten year olds. Makes me wish I had been the one to take this project on.
From the rather limited of discussion of The Round House I wonder if not that many members have read it. I liked this book even better than The Last Report On The Miracles At Little No Horse and I liked that book a lot too. In fact I think I liked this novel better than most of the other books I've read in the last several months.
I agree with you Janet. I thought that THE ROUND HOUSE was excellent. It's the best piece of fiction I have read for quite ahile, and it's a meaty book. I hope others will eventually join the discussion.
I wasn't able to get The Round House in time for the discussion. I was too far back on the waiting list. I wonder if that has happened to others. I plan to read it later.
Sue wrote: "I wasn't able to get The Round House in time for the discussion. I was too far back on the waiting list. I wonder if that has happened to others. I plan to read it later."Oh Susan, I looked to see if it was available to loan. Unfortunately not. I was going to loan it to you on the kindle.
Thanks for the thought Carol. I appreciate it.I've noticed that many kindle books lately aren't available to loan. I wonder if this is a growing trend or just the books I've been acquiring (even though they are deals they are "good" ones)
I'm still only about 36% through Ship of Fools, and have to admit some severe disappointment. I'd only seen the film, ages ago, and that seemed to have a different focus. Well, not much of a surprise there.
I missed out on The Round House because I couldn't get it at the library, either. I really enjoyed Miracles at Little No Horse, and was hoping to read this one with CR. If I ever get the book, I'll check for our discussion. Having very little time to read right now and am missing it!
I'm nearly finished listening to The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which has turned out a different experience than I recall from reading it. Not worse, just different.
I only lasted about 15 minutes on that one.
Last year I managed to finishThe Elegance of the Hedgehog through sheer stubborness (before it was put on the reading list here), but have to say it was one of the more annoying reading experiences of my life. It will be interesting to hear what others thought about it in the discussion.Spent the first two months of the year dealing with moving, so not much reading done. Trying to catch up with The Round House right now, which I'm liking very much.
Greer - I fully understand why you say that, and we shall talk during the discussion; this can be a very love/hate book.
Does anyone besides me take irrational dislikes to mere titles that keep you from ever picking up the books in question? THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG is in that category for me, along with many, many other titles.
Kat wrote: "Does anyone besides me take irrational dislikes to mere titles that keep you from ever picking up the books in question? THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG is in that category for me, along with many, ma..."Actually, they tend more to intrigue me, with the unfortunate effect of my buying even more books..... :)
Kat wrote: "Does anyone besides me take irrational dislikes to mere titles that keep you from ever picking up the books in question? THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG is in that category for me, along with many, ma..."Yes, you're being irrational, as the title is explained, and makes a good deal of sense.
Actually I agree with Cateline. I get intrigued by odd or really different titles and generally check them out.John, good to know there is a purpose or sense to the title. I haven't reached that far in my reading yet but I plan to read it.
Bear in mind that I couldn't stand the whiny girl Paloma at first, and Renee's constant philosophical musings drove me bonkers, but both characters did grow on me, so that by the end all that was worth it.
I'll keep that in mind and see how it goes.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog is one of my favorite books, but I fully understand why some people dislike it. I am looking forward to the discussion.
I just finished my first Simon Serrailler mystery, THE RISK OF DARKNESS by Susan Hill. Actually this book is the third in the series. A big thank you to Sue who recommended this series to me. I haven't enjoyed a crime fiction book this much since I started reading Peter Robinson's books.
Kat wrote: "Does anyone besides me take irrational dislikes to mere titles that keep you from ever picking up the books in question? THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG is in that category for me, along with many, ma..."I agree with Cateline. That title intrigues me and would send me to Amazon to read about the book. Even better if it's by an author I admire.
Marge
I enjoyed Elegance of the Hedgehog mildly...Just finished an odd but reasonably enjoyable story, Me, Who Dove into the Heart of the World: A Novel. Ultimately it was not terribly believable, but an unusual and engaging story.
I came down on the LOVE side of the line on The Elegance of the Hedgehog -- and while I've no clue whether I truly got everything it intended to tell the reader -- say to the reader -- I remember it quite fondly. I have not been paying attention lately is the discussion soon? Maybe I can scan and lurk -- heh.ETA -- I checked -- and I've got time to get a copy and reread -- will do my best to do so.
Lots of titles intrigue me. Lots of titles put me off. Same as covers do for other folk. (I never look at them.) I'm really the only one who has ever been put off by a title? (Not necessarily THIS title. ANY title.) I guess I should go get analyzed or something.
Just finished Louise Gluck's Poems 1962-2012. . First and foremost, I’m a huge admirer of Gluck’s poetry. What is interesting in reading from her earliest to her latest work is the consistency of her voice and style from the start. Even as a young poet, she speaks with authority.
Joan, I am truly a novice with poetry and have not been reading it much lately. But, I have loved what I've read of Louise Gluck's (a big thank you to Ruth for introducing me to it). One of my goals when I retire in about a year and a half is to read more poetry and hers is high on the list.
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Constant Reader
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3***
I really wanted to love this book, and feel so disappointed, although I did like it. The central love story is tender, touching and endearing. The story of Tin Win and Mi Mi is just so life-affirming and uplifting. But it is nested within the story of Julia’s search for her father, and I didn’t connect to that part of the book at all. I liked it; I didn’t love it.
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...