What I'm Reading - March 2013

[Bridgette]

Ruth wrote: "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, v..."
So funny, Ruth - I had no desire to read it until I read your summary :)
Might pick it up from the library if I can get it .... is it much more 'adult' sounding? The Harry Potter books were great, for my kids, but I didn't like them for me.

[Ruth]

I hope you like it, Bridgette. I thought it was a big fat nothing.

[Nicole]

Susan wrote: "In March, I finished The Great Gatsby and The Hound of the Baskervilles and am now reading A Prayer for Owen Meany.

It's been a busy month at work, so a lighter reading month."

I finished that in Feb. Would be interested to hear your thoughts. A Prayer for Owen Meany

[Book Concierge]

Finished listening to the audio of The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman – 4**** (Read by Noah Taylor)

Stedman delivers a wonderfully complex psychological study of love – between a husband and wife, parent and child. Central to the plot are issues of forgiveness, loyalty, ethics, compassion, and revenge. The reader is constantly wondering … Might she …? Could he…? Would she…? What would I do in their place?
Link to my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Joan]

Just finished Elegy for Eddie. I’d previously read the first two Maisie Dobbs novels which I thought of as Pat Barker (Regeneration Trilogy) lite as they deal with the same post-WW I era and the plight of wounded veterans. In Elegy for Eddie, Maisie has become a well-to-do (via inheritance) private investigator—I’d need to read the intervening books to see exactly how that came about. This book presents two issues. 1. That in attempting to benevolently control others, one may instead become a focus of resentment. 2. The “ends justifies the means” conundrum. That three innocent people are killed for the purported notion that Hitler’s rise will endanger thousands, seen through the lens of hindsight on the part of the reader, becomes a different matter when viewed from the 1930’s perspective of the book. This makes Maisie’s acceding to this philosophy rather questionable in a moral sense. Still, few of the mystery genre pose such debates.
The writing is a bit stilted though Winspear paints what seems an authentic portrait of the period.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Joan wrote: "Just finished Elegy for Eddie. I’d previously read the first two Maisie Dobbs novels which I thought of as Pat Barker (Regeneration Trilogy) lite as they deal with the same post-WW I era and the pl..."

I really like the Maisie Dobbs books. There's a new one out, too. I need to get that.

[Book Concierge]

Joan wrote: "Just finished Elegy for Eddie. I’d previously read the first two Maisie Dobbs novels which I thought of as Pat Barker (Regeneration Trilogy) lite as they deal with the same post-WW I era and the pl..."

I still have not gotten to this series. But your review makes me think I should put it higher on the tbr priority list.

[Cateline]

Bridgette wrote: "I think I'd call it one of my favourites by him... :)
That and Garp. I'm so surprised how many people here aren't his fans, but I can see it. I didn't really like Owen Meany as much either ...."

I've ordered Garp, thanks. :)


I finished The Night Circus the other day. Interestingly written fantasy/love story.

Have now read about 100(ish) pages of Wolf Hall and am very much enjoying it. She has a no nonsense approach. I've seen that many readers are put off by Mantel's use of pronouns...and it is a bit confusing at first, at least till one gets in the rhythm of her prose. I like it. :) For me, it seems to make it more conversational.

[John]

I'm trying to get into The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, finding it kind of grim, but not so sad (or boring) to actually quit.

[Robert]

The Night Circus is pretty darn bueno.

[Susan from MD]

Nicole wrote: "Susan wrote: "In March, I finished The Great Gatsby and The Hound of the Baskervilles and am now reading A Prayer for Owen Meany.

It's been a busy month at work, so a lighter reading month."

I fi..."


Nicole, I really enjoyed A Prayer for Owen Meany - I gave it 4.5/5 stars. I liked the characterization, though didn't always like the characters! It was an interesting story, I thought, with a few parts that were a little over the top.

My comments are here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Barbara]

I am closing this topic since April 1 is here. Please go to that discussion and may the Spring talk begin!