Readers and Reading discussion
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Book Miscellany
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What are you reading now? Finished recently? 4/5 through 11/6/2009
I've just started Red Mandarin Dress by Qiu Xiaolong. I'd read another mystery by this author, Death of a Red Heroine, that I enjoyed. So much information about modern China and the transition they're going through. They are so torn between the old and the new, it's painful to read about. I'll never forget that hotel we stayed in in Beijing with it's hotel shops - Chanel, Prada, Dior . . . Communism at it's best, I guess.This book has started well, a girl in a Red Mandarin Dress found murdered on a busy street corner, then another one the next Friday.
I finished up reading Debbie Macomber's Dakota Born last night. Enjoyed it very much. She made me want to live in that small North Dakota farm town if only for a minute. Next up for me is The Virgin Of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard.
Mod
Next up for me is The Virgin Of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard..."
I really liked this book..I remember that I listened to it on audio and one day had to bring the disk into the house to finish it. I thought the writing was very well-done....not too many words which is one of the things I appreciate, as you probably know.
madrano wrote: "About Age of Innocence.... Maybe it's the historian in me but when i read this book, as well as House of Mirth, my mind went to what lesser monied people were doing. Many were heading west..."POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOLLOW......
True, Deborah. At the same time, many were flooding into the cities. Newland says at one point that he can't go into politics because it is already, in the 1870s, the world of "emigrants." The world in which he had such a privileged position was small and already fading, if not dead. That sense of America driving forward, while this very small subset struggled to uphold its standards, gives the novel an underlying movement that adds to the drama. Nothing is static here, and Newland happens to be one of the individuals getting torn in two very different directions.
At the end, he seems pretty fulfilled by his life, despite his onetime longings. We don't know anything about Ellen, other than her choice to return to Europe. But it is May who may have had the most fulfilling life of the three of them. We get so much disparagement of May and her supposed limitations, but that reads to me like Wharton's indirection, sustaining that 3rd-person-limited narration in which Newland overestimates Ellen (at least IMO) and underestimates May, as events make clear to the reader in such delightful fashion.
It's interesting to reflect on how Wharton had played all three roles in her life by the time she wrote this book in her mid- to late 50s. She had been the virginal young bride like May -- only to find herself in a disappointing marriage, like Newland (but far worse). Later she had had an affair, like Ellen, and then divorced.
I have not read any of the biographies, but the detailed timeline provided by biographer Lewis in one of the editions of the novels seems to depict a difficult and demanding woman. She criticizes her publishers any time one of her books has underwhelming sales. Both her brothers evidently broke off relations with her; the friendlier of the two after accusing her of "coldness" toward his mistress-to-be-wife, whose name is.... Countess Tecla.
Even her great friend Henry James at one point refers to Wharton as "the Angel of Devastation." Yet he remains devoted to their friendship. Wharton also did tremendous amounts of war relief work, starting in 1914. I can see I am going to have to read one of the biographies.....
It's been awhile since i read the book but May seemed a mystery to me. Your comment on her apparently fulfilled life startled me, although i have no doubt it's true, in her fashion. I cannot help but wonder if it was a societal victory for which she was the standard-bearer. This doesn't necessarily mean she was happy, only content with her lot and a victor because her marriage didn't result in divorce. And she had children upon whom she could devote her time.I recently purchase Wharton's autobiography (A Backward Glance, bought used) but haven't even opened it. I usually end up wanting to read a biography of the same person after reading their autobio because i'm usually left wondering what was true & not. Her contentious relationships alert me that this will no doubt be such a book. Someday...
deborah
This morning I finished City Of Theives. This book will be among my top ten I am sure. It really is a book that both men and woman would like. Filled with suspense and sly humor. In fact,I am going to suggest it as a possible Fathers Day gift for friends with reading spouses.
Burgendya wrote: " I am reading Four Plays by Tennessee Williams. Sofar I'm done with have of the book. 2 play done and 2 more to go. I enjoyed the ones I've read. As for my second book I am reading is The Time..."
Burgundy,
I read The Time Traveler's wife a couple of years ago. I really enjoyed this book
Meredith
R. wrote: "This morning I finished City Of Theives. This book will be among my top ten I am sure. It really is a book that both men and woman would like. Filled with suspense and sly humor. In fact,I am g..."Thanks for the encouraging words on this one. I purchased it last week and now it will jump to the top of my list as soon as I finish My other two books.
I have just started 1776 by David McCullough.
Randi, 1776 was a good book. I'm amazed at how much stayed with me after reading it. I think McCullough did an excellent job in sharing the history. Enjoy!deborah
Mod
I just could not stand the author's flakiness, shallowness, drinking stories, and incessant name-dropping for one more page.
I am posting a review from Amazon (not mine) because this reviewer really nailed the reasons I hated this book:
review is by Tick Pyne "wirefox79" (New York, NY) -
This review is from: The House on First Street: My New Orleans Story (Hardcover)
I am utterly flabbergasted by the content and tone of Ms. Reed's book. I found it utterly distasteful - not the least bit charming - boring and shallow. She puts Marie Antoinette to shame. I expected to enjoy and love this memoir about New Orleans and Katrina, instead I felt throughout that it should more aptly have been named, "How I Managed to Eat Lavishly, Still Drink My Favorite Champagne and Decorate My New Mansion, as Katrina Wrecked Thousands of Lives Around Me."
Ms. Reed's book, replete with recounts of all her grand, costly Katrina gestures (such as buying dinner for 700 National Guardsmen without bothering to ask what the bill would be), and after having her jewelry stolen, remarking that the good thing about having your "serious" jewelry stolen is that "inevitably", it's been photographed at parties, so it makes it easier to trace and find it, is a primer for insensitivity, smug self-indulgence and not only bad writing, but bad taste.
Even as the dead, bloated bodies floated by her, we are subjected in pitiless detail to her merry non-stop drinking tales and her utter relief at finding sensational restaurants open so that she can eat great meals. HELLO? Perhaps she experienced some other, different Katrina as she is surely not talking about the one we all know about now.
Michael wrote: "I was going to say something about how much I liked the one Kent Haruf book I've read, which might have been Plainsong, I have to check -- but what I really need to say, to get it off my chest, is ..."I admired the book Plainsong, umpteen years ago, appreciated no punctuation, and was inspired by the relationships. Nothing more; nothing less; the humanity of it all spoke to me
Michael, did you read Evensong? I thought that was good too.
Mod
"Michael wrote: "I was going to say something about how much I liked the one Kent Haruf book I've read, which might have been Plainsong...I still haven't gotten the hang of these boards so can't find your post, Michael. I loved Haruf and read all his books. Plainsong was outstanding.
I think you might like "The Well and the Mine," a debut novel by Gin Phillips. Phillips creates characters that are endearing and believable, living and trying to survive in the South during the Depression. Very well done. However, readers who don't like chapters that change voices might not like this novel which too bad because I found it easy to follow and I think this is an author to watch. Opening sentences are "After she threw the baby in, nobody believed me for the longest time. But I kept hearing that splash."
Lois
I started The Prey by Allison Brennan yesterday and I probably have less than 1/2 the book to read. I zipped though the first half yesterday morning before going to my sister's for my BIL's BD party. Went to needlepoint today and then had lunch and went to B&N (I know bad girl I wanted the Robin Thicke CD he's been on 2 shows I've seen lately and I liked his music. So went for a CD and picked up a book on Gustave Klimt (Alias, my canvas is ordered so I'm finally getting it it's going to be a big one) So I wanted one of his books that showed a good colorful picture of The Kiss. Also picked up a few beach type reads.
I am trying out a Phryne Fischer mystery,"Murder in Montparnasse". I am only starting chapter 4 and so far so good. I guess once I get into it it will move right along, but the style is different. The author is an Australian, Kerry Greenwood. Has anyone read any of her works?
madrano wrote: "It's been awhile since i read the book but May seemed a mystery to me. Your comment on her apparently fulfilled life startled me, although i have no doubt it's true, in her fashion. I cannot help b..."I suggest as a biography: Edith Wharton: A Biography, by R. W. B. Lewis (read 20 Apr 1976) (Pulitzer Biography prize for 1976) (Bancroft Prize in 1976)
My comment thereon:
1388 Edith Wharton: A Biography, by R. W. B. Lewis (read 20 Apr 1976) (Pulitzer Biography prize for 1976) This is a masterful work, which I spent most of the month reading, with the interruptions indicated. I enjoyed this biography very much. It reminded me of Leon Edel'a superlative five-volume biography of Henry James--called by the author of this biography "probably the finest literary biography ever written by an American." Wharton was born Jan 24, 1862 and died Aug 11, 1937. She lived most of her life in France, in real luxury. Before reading this book I had read only Ethan Frome and The Age of Innocence. Nothing I read by her in April was too impressive to me except The Reef. I felt she was a lesser figure than Willa Cather, but reading this biography was a joy.
Schmerguls wrote: I felt she was a lesser figure than Willa Cather, but reading this biography was a joy. Thank you for the recommendation of the Lewis bio on Wharton, Schmerguls. That it won a Pulitzer is impressive. I know there was a more recent biography & it was the one i had on my list. Has anyone here read it?
http://www.amazon.com/Edith-Wharton-H...
Your comment about Cather is interesting. I like works by both women, having never felt disappointed by either. What impresses me more about Cather is that she wasn't raised in wealth & in a city.
deborah
Lynne in PA/Lineepinee wrote: "I am trying out a Phryne Fischer mystery,"Murder in Montparnasse". I am only starting chapter 4 and so far so good. I guess once I get into it it will move right along, but the style is different..."Lynne, I read the Phryne Fischer books when I want something ultra-light and quick. I love all of the flapper stuff and the Australian version of between-the-wars.
I started with the first one, which I loved (and can't remember the title of at the moment), and have read 6 or 7 of them. I can't remember if I've read Montparnasse or not.
Anyway, as is my relationship with a lot of series books, I love each one a little less than the one before. I'm a little worn out on Phryne's perfection. She smokes! She flies! She drives fast! She takes lovers! She solves mysteries! Cheesh. But it's a good series for what it is intended to be.
Kerry Greenwood has another series which features a contemporary bakers. I've only read one of those.
Jan O'Cat
Right now I am delving into my non fiction stash that has been growing for a few years now. Am reading Truman by David McCullough. It's a big one but great reading he was quite the character.
Kriverbend wrote: "Plainsong was outstanding. I think you might like "The Well and the Mine," a debut novel by Gin Phillips. Phillips creates characters that are endearing and believable, living and trying to survive in the South during the Depression"
Thank you for the suggestion, Lois. Another Depression-era story, is it? Still intrigued by how quickly we have turned back to those times today. Yet it can't have been quick for the writers -- they must have sensed it, as some of the books with Depression-era themes were begun five or six years ago.
Thanks for the Wharton bio review, Schmerguls. It's joined the long list of books I've collected since we moved over here to Good Reads. I love a good biography.
Now I am reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger. I am enjoying it alot sofar. The other read is "Brida"by Paulo Coelho. This is the first book I reading from Coelho. For years I've been hearing great reviews of his novel & suggested to me as crazy, so I decided to give it a try. Have any of you read these books before? =)~
Just finished listening to Plum Lovin by Janet Evanovich. These books are always a great listen on my MP3. I love the many voices of Lorelei King. She really brings these books to life.Am currently getting near the finish line with Why Sinatra Matters by Pete Hamill. This is an interesting combination of the man and the times. As a history major, this is a real treat for me and Hamill rocks as an author.
I'm reading The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte for my book group discussion. It was published in 1993. Not something I would have picked up on my own, I think, but not bad... That's one thing I enjoy about a book group, reading books that I otherwise would never have chosen. I don't enjoy all the books, but it doesn't hurt me. This one is about a European book detective (a mercenary hired to hunt down rare editions for wealthy clients). It involves the world of Alexandre Dumas's The Three Musketeers, and book collections about devil worship and the occult. A well-written book, becoming more suspenseful as it nears the end.
Just started The Ten Year Nap and sure am enjoying it. I remember having a good career going and then finding myself unable to stay away from my daugther too. It becomes otherworldly but really who you are basically. I can really empathize with the characters and it is well written. This is my first book by Wolitzer great writer... I am still on Truman but am going to take time with it as it is very intense politically and I want to be able to go into a different world too!
Carolyn (in SC) C234D wrote: "I'm reading The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte for my book group discussion. It was published in 1993. Not something I would have picked up on my own, I think, but not bad... That's one thing..."I read this one years ago and thought it was OK. I was watching The Ninth Gate the other night, a pretty dumb movie except for Johnnie Depp, and I think that's based on one of his books,too.
Mod
I finally broke down and started the Twilight series of books written by Stephenie Meyer and I must say, I am very impressed. These may be classified as 'young adult' or teenage books, but I read this 499 page book in 2 days and enjoyed it. Now I will read New Moon, the second book in the set of 4.Twilight
I still have the secon of the Twilight books to read. I played with books this morning. Went though all the pbs on one of the side sections of my big bookcase. At first I said to myself I'm going to get rid of one book on each shelve. It started out good. But I think maybe one shelve or two didn't get any outs. But 4 books are leaving. One is a double which still counts. I really have to bring what is piled up so far to Salvation army. I finished one book last night Kay Hooper's something different/Pepper's way it had two reissues in it. And I'm going to push myself to finish Scene of the Grime by Suzanne Price today. Then Start Driven to Murder by Judith Skillings. I rearranged the books on those shelves and move different ones to the front sections and my nightstand that I think I'll read sooner than later. I'm just at the stage I'm tired of looking at the same books in the front to pick from all the time. So I thought alittle moving around might help. Yesterday or the day before I went though bags of books in the extra bedroom and pulled some different books out to fill in spots and also to try and get in again sooner then later.
Carolyn, I enjoyed The Club Dumas, but not as much as I thought I would before I read it. Someone told me The Fencing Master (same author) was better, but I have never gotten around to reading it. Hope you have fun with the book.
I just finished JAYBER CROW by Wendell Berry which we read for our bookgroup. I absolutely adored it. It is not a plot driven book, but more of a character study and a book about PLACE. While reading it I was soothed and calmed. I felt like I was wrapped in a nice warm blanket on a cold night. His writing is beautiful, in fact, he (Wendell Berry) is also an accomplished poet and essayist.It revolves around small town life in Port William, KY and follows the local barber throughout his life. It laments the passing of the old ways...small farms, chores done by hand for survival, a job well done, neighbors who care,,,the old fashioned ways and morals. I am looking forward to reading other books of his also set in Port William. I feel like I know these people and I LIKE them.
Are any of you Laura Lippman fans? I listened to one of her books on CD driving back and forth to Mobile. I think the name is What the Dead Know. I thought is was OK, at least I stayed awake, but much prefer listening to a Harry Bausch escapade.
Mod
I am listening to a Laura Lippman book too...To The Power of Three. It is not one of a series like many of her other books. It is okay but I would have to agree with many of the Amazon reviews that say it is too wordy. I do like all of the Baltimore details Lippman uses....among other details, one of the shooting victims was taken to GBMC which is where my new grandson was born last week.
I finished up reading The Virgin Of Small Plains by Nancy Pickard last night. I liked it. I liked the setting of a small town in Kansas. There is a mystery of the death of a young girl that haunts the town and the people in it.Next up for me is The Secret Of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay. I have been losing things lately so the title of this book is appropriate for me right now.
Lin, i liked Pickard's book, too. I've enjoyed her series mysteries but wasn't sure i'd like the stand alone. So much better because i didn't know the people, so the character formation was nice to observe.I'm a Lippman fan, thanks to my DD. She was interested in Baltimore & introduced me to the series. However, i ended up liking her stand alones better, as there are aspects of the series i like less than other series. ANYway, the funnest part, of course, is identifying parts of the city in my mind.
deborah
Great description, Leslie! That is how it felt reading Hannah Coulter, too -- with a little touch of the bittersweet. Leslie/cloudla wrote: "I just finished JAYBER CROW by Wendell Berry which we read for our bookgroup. I absolutely adored it. It is not a plot driven book, but more of a character study and a book about PLACE. While reading it I was soothed and calmed. I felt like I was wrapped in a nice warm blanket on a cold night. His writing is beautiful, in fact, he (Wendell Berry) is also an accomplished poet and essayist.
It revolves around small town life in Port William, KY and follows the local barber throughout his life. It laments the passing of the old ways...small farms, chores done by hand for survival, a job well done, neighbors who care,,,the old fashioned ways and morals. I am looking forward to reading other books of his also set in Port William. I feel like I know these people and I LIKE them."
I am reading TWISTS AND TURNS by Janet McDonald.
I took Jayber Crow off my to-read list - guess I need to reinstate it.
Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "I took Jayber Crow off my to-read list - guess I need to reinstate it."I had planned on requesting Jayber Crow right away but I already had Never Tell A Lie by Hallie Ephron on hand and Connelly's First Family just came in the library. I guess JC will be third on my list.
Jayber Crow is one of my all time favorite novels....I loved it..I grew up in a small KY town and it touched me in so many ways..Berry is the best!
Mod
Fortunately, Grisham's ability to "spin a yarn" pulled me in and kept me reading, but it was not the usual page-turning experience I have with his books.
So disappointing.
Mod
A very thoughtful friend, soon to be a grandmother herself, gave me this recently released book. Could there be anything more perfect for my first Mother's Day as a grandmother? This book is absolutely wonderful. I love so many of the things these women writers have said. Roxana Robinson describes her just-born grandchild's eyes as "the color of new". Another says that the passion when one becomes a grandmother is just "too much to be contained." They talk of the joys of grandparenting, the freedom compared to being a parent, and the awe of having your daughter give birth to a baby. And apparently "all learn the lesson best expressed by Anne Roiphe: Seal your lips".
My first grandchild is only 11 days old so this book is sort of a road map for me, and made me realize that all of these wonderful emotions I am feeling are valid and shared with grandmothers everywhere.
I am slowly savoring each and every one of these essays and would recommend this book as a gift for anyone who is about to enter the magical realm of grandmotherhood.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I finished Grisham's The Associate last night. I wish I had liked this book more, as I had looked forward to it for so long. There was so little "meat" to this novel...and the ending ..."I'm disappointed to hear this as The Associate is now waiting for me at the library. I've heard that the reviews, in general, have not been kind. Maybe I should reconsider.
I've just finished Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay and have my own mixed review. I found it hard to read about the complicity of many French during the holocaust, and thought the writing was average, but hung in for the story.
Marcy,Sarah's Key is on my stack next to my bed, and I have only heard good things about it. I am glad to hear what you thought. I may put it off for a while.
I started Hannah Coulter but think I need a change of pace after reading Jayber Crow. Think I might pick up the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo next.
Leslie/cloudla wrote: "Marcy,... Think I might pick up the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo next. Leslie,
I count myself among the very many who loved The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and am looking forward to the 2nd in this series. The Swedish names are tough at first, but hang in there and I'm betting you love it too.
Already finished reading the last 2 books. "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger, and "Brida"by Paulo Coelho. They were both outstanding stories, and I enjoyed them alot. =)~
I have read 19 books by Grisham and from what you say I guess I can skip The Associate. Thanks for telling us of your reaction.
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WARNING: SPOILERS COULD BE DETECTED IN THE FOLLOWING!!!!!!!!!
I had a problem with that novel. What i couldn't get over was the idea that since the Male MC knew the Female MC from her youth onward, he kinda created the sort of woman he wanted. I realize a case can be made that she would be that way regardless, but the idea of him doing that (& the way he instructed her on things), left me with qualms.
deborah