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
JanOMalleycat wrote: I don't usually listen to audiobooks at all; I just don't have the concentration when I'm only listening. When I started listening to them, I thought it would be that way for me. However, it surprises me that I can pretty much concentrate on the narrative. If I do wander off, I "rewind" and listen again.
I put aside Admissions for a bit to read THE CHILDREN OF WILLESDEN LANE by Mona Golabek. It is the story of her grandmother,pianist Lisa Jura. Lisa was put on one of the Kindertransports that took over 10,000 children out of Europe right befoe the start of WWII to England. It is a well written story filled with vivid descriptions of that time in history.I have a tape of a movie on the subject of kindertransports that was on PBS a few years back called Into The Arms Of Strangers. It features an interview with the woman who was the house mother in the hostel Lisa Jura lived in.
JanOMalleycat wrote: " I suspect the difference must be when the characters and their voices are rendered so vividly that they actually take a voice of their own."I agree, Jan. When i read your question, i realized the times the voice i "hear" as i read sometimes has an accent (foreign, as well as Southern US or Bostonian). Surely this means the author has evoked characters well, as well as settings. Usually it's just ol' deb's voice i hear.
ol' deborah
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Camerandi wrote: "I just finished Anne of Green Gables and am ready to start I Capture the Castle."Is this the old book? If so, I reread it last year and enjoyed it again. There's even a movie based on it which was good, too.
I just started the new The Girls from Ames. My daughter bought it for me for Mothers Day. It is NF about a group of girls, now in their 40's who have been friends, some since Kindergarden, from Ames Iowa. Me being from Iowa, my daughter thought I would like it. I think it was on the top 10 of NF this week.Deb
I started Hot Six by Janet Evanovich last night. I am enjoying the Stephanie Plum series. These books make me hungry though. Stephanie is all the time eating something. She just picked up a box of chocolate glazed Krispy Kreme donuts!
Bunny wrote: "Camerandi wrote: "I just finished Anne of Green Gables and am ready to start I Capture the Castle."Is this the old book? If so, I reread it last year and enjoyed it again. There's even a movie based on it which was good, too."
I read Dodie Smith's book late last year, too. It was in the library of our Danube River cruise ship. Since i'd wanted to read it for years, i took advantage of the opportunity. I thought it was a winner. I saw the movie a few years ago, unaware at the time that there was a book, let alone by the author of 101 Dalmations
deborah
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And the narrator, Kate Burton, is very inconsistent with her dialect. One minute a character will have an accent and then it is gone! She also has Philadelphians talking like New Yorkers, which just is not accurate at all. Better not to do ANY dialect/accent at all than to have it not be consistent, IMO. She also mispronounces "Schuylkill" - granted, a difficult word to pronounce but a narrator should look words like this up...or at least ask the author.
I just finished First Family by David Baldacci which I enjoyed very much and have started on Michael Connelly's latest, The Scarecrow. I've been in literary Heaven. Finally.
This past week I read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.I absolutely loved the Tattoo one and have already pre-ordered the next one in the series. I thought the girl in it was one of the most fascinating characters I've come across in a long time. It is a great mystery-thriller.
The Hotel one was OK. I liked the first part the best, but thought it got repetitive towards the end, and I tired of the author telling us what the characters were thinking over and over.
The most interesting part of it was about the Japanese internment camps we had during WWII. In this day and age it is really hard to imagine the USA doing something like that. It was horrible. Those people lost everything. Interesting look into both the Chinese and Japanese cultures.
Do you ever read her column in the Sunday Inquirer? I do, or did, sometimes. Sometimes she is funny; others, it's a dud -- the same sort-of cutesey formula most times. Anyway, a month or so ago she wrote one column that was an unashamed ad for her newest book (the one you're listening to?). The whole way through.... I couldn't imagine the editors letting it run that way, but they did. Then she had her daughter write one column just a week or two later. I gave up on her after that. Guess the Inquirer has laid off all its editors.JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am listening to Dead Ringer by Lisa Scottoline and am not too impressed. The story is just okay but I have encountered several errors - which are probably only apparent to someone wh..."
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I just looked for and found copies of her columns and see that her new book (Look Again) was excerpted....oh well, I guess I am not really interested.
Leslie/cloudla wrote: "This past week I read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.I have to agree with you about the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "No, Michael, I did not know Scottoline did a column in the Inquirer. Sounds sketchy. I am not even sure what her latest book is/was. I do not think I will be reading any more of her books.FYI Scottoline's new book concerns a woman who sees a pic on a milk carton and it looks like her adopted son. The plot sounded mildly interesting so thought I might read it if I see it at the library. As a fellow resident of The Delaware Valley I read the Phila. Inquirer daily. I feel the same way you do about Scottoline's writing,JoAnn. The column appears in the Living section of said paper on Sundays. I have a friend who I see at church and is a neighbor who may come to our grad. party for #2 DD. I "think" he still works as an editor for editorial page at The Inquirer. I will ask what is up with this woman! When I have read her col. I think "hey,I could do this"!
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I would be interested to hear what an editor thinks about her writing.
I agree with the comments above about The Hotel At The Corner Of Bitter and Sweet. I did find the history parts very interesting,however.Reading reviews and an interview with the author,Lise See I think Shanghai Girls sounds like a much better book.
I read The Book of Mychal this past weekend. It's the story of Fr. Mychal Judge, the chaplain for the Fire Department in NYC who died at the World Trade Center on 9/11. There's much to learn and understand about firefighters and why they do the work they do in this book. I also found it a good book on spirituality-in-the-midst-of-who-you-are.
After this conversation, I looked for her column yesterday. It was about her struggle to sleep in hotels on her book tour. She is a cute-line machine, but maybe she's just spreading herself too thin. There was very little to it. I do seem to remember a good one about buying jeans, though, if you're looking through the archives.JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: ".....yet Scottoline's books appear to be very popular. At least it seems that I read a lot about them. Go figure.
I would be interested to hear what an editor thinks about her writing."
'NEWEST' JANE AUSTENI was not aware of Jane's epic "History of England" -- was anyone else? Here is a fascinating article on the technology that is unlocking ancient manuscripts previously unreadable. Jane's handwritten book is in the British Library, and you can see every page, and the text printed out below, in the second link here. In the main article (first link), there are other links to some famous historical texts, including Leonardo's notebooks and Mozart's copybooks. But it's the recovery of text out of scrolls too damaged even to be unfurled that amazes me most.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB12417...
http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/au...
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http://www.philly.com/inquirer/column...
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The spelling of his first name seems rather "trendy" for a man who was named so many years ago. That would seem like something a young couple today would choose to do. But I like it.
madrano wrote: "
I had to try this, too, although this isn't a new book at all. Recently i read Wiggins's THE SHADOW CATCHER, which i liked, despite the fact..."
Deborah, when I was in Seattle this month I wandered into a gallery that featured Curtis's gorgeous photographs of Native Americans and of Mount Rainier. There was even one of the subscription portfolios he produced. Having read Shadow Catcher, they meant even more to me.
Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "Deborah, when I was in Seattle this moth I wandered into a gallery that featured Curtis's gorgeous photographs of Native Americans and of Mount Rainier. There was even one of the subscription portfolios he produced. Having read Shadow Catcher, they meant even more to me."I'll have to try to get there when we visit in October. Our nephew is getting married then, but i suspect we may be too busy, as our own children intend to attend, as well. Do you recall where the gallery was, Sherry? I'm thinking i'll drag my kids there! ;-)
deborah
Michael wrote: "'NEWEST' JANE AUSTEN I was not aware of Jane's epic "History of England" -- was anyone else? Here is a fascinating article on the technology that is unlocking ancient manuscripts previously unr..."I knew she wrote a history when she was a school girl, which is considered cute. When we visited her last home the curator seemed to be more amused by it than considering it something the public would really want to read.
The tech article was fascinating. A couple of years ago i read some articles (and a book which included such material) about the process. I was dismayed at how confusing some aspects of deciphering what is written can be. From the substance the material is written on, inks used, as well as the way words are sometimes crowded together--it's the stuff of detective novels!
deborah
The Seattle gallery with the Edward Curtis photos was near Pioneer Square on First Avenue South. A Google search turned up Flury and Co. Ltd. I enjoyed the exhibit very much.
Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "The Seattle gallery with the Edward Curtis photos was near Pioneer Square on First Avenue South. A Google search turned up Flury and Co. Ltd. I enjoyed the exhibit very much."Someone had a book on Antiques Roadshow last night with the first photos by Edward Curtis taken on something called the Harriman Expedition - turned out to be a very valuable book.
I was not familiar with his work so I was checking out the book that my library has on Amazon. They noted:" Curtis's project was published in The North American Indian, a series of luxurious volumes funded by financier J.P. Morgan and President Theodore Roosevelt. These remain among the most collectible and sought-after photobooks in the history of the medium. "
http://www.amazon.com/Edward-Sheriff-...
Alias, that book is mentioned in the book i read. It turns out Curtis made little money from it, as the financiers maintained the rights. However, his fame was won.deborah
"The spelling of his first name seems rather "trendy" for a man who was named so..."
Ah. You need to read the story! He was actually baptized "Emmett." Within the Franciscans he belonged to, there were three Michaels. When he became a Franciscan, that was the name given to him. At a later point in his life, when he was "coming into his own," he changed the spelling to "Mychal" so that, on the alphabetized list of chores, he'd always follow the others.
Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "madrano wrote: "I had to try this, too, although this isn't a new book at all. Recently i read Wiggins's THE SHADOW CATCHER, which i liked, de..."
Have you read To Catch the Lightning by Alan Cheuse? It too is about Edward Curtis.
Shannon wrote: "Have you read To Catch the Lightning by Alan Cheuse? It too is about Edward Curtis."Shannon, i have that on my list, too. Actually, i think it was the Cheuse book which led me to the Wiggins book. Odd, huh? Thanks.
deborah
I just finished Hot Six by Janet Evanovich this morning. Another one that I enjoyed. I was laughing so hard last night while reading it I could barely continue on.Next up for me is Dakota Home by Debbie Macomber.
Just started The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman. I am also reading The Confessions of Max Tivoli. Will summarize after I finish them!
The last 2 books that I finished reading was "The Member of the Wedding" by Carson McCullers, and "Compulsion" by Johnathan Kellerman. Those books were wonderful.At the moment I am reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer & Bones by Johnathan Kellerman Has anyone read them before? =)~
I'm still enjoying reading about the Dust Bowl in The Worst Hard Time by Tim Egan, but the book I'm going back into and copying out passages from is a collection of essays by Wallace Stegner called Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs. The essays in general examine three topics: his personal life growing up in the West, the environment of the West, esp. in regard to lack of water, and writers who live and write in the West. I added some titles to Mt. TBR from reading these gems.Where the Bluebird Sings to the Lemonade Springs Living and Writing in the West
re Jane Austen's History of England -- Yes, Deborah, you are right; it is 36 pages of silliness in her own handwriting. Fun to look at (on British Library site, link in another post in this discussion somewhere) and read a few pages... you get the idea of her parody quickly. I especially like her N.B. on the "dedication" page.
I've begun a biography of Paul Bowles called Paul Bowles, a life by Virginia Spencer Carr, and I may dislike him very much by the end of the book. We'll see. So far, as a small boy he determined that his life goal would be to retaliate against his father (who was pretty miserable), and he conned a boy he didn't like into accepting an invitation into an imaginary club that required his being dropped two floors tied up and blind folded. So far there is no hint of compassion, understanding or even interest in other people - self absorbed is probably an understatement.Darn. I loved The Sheltering Sky and thought I'd found a soulmate!
I am reading The Beach House by Jane Green. It hasnt grabbed me like I thought, but this is the 1st book of hers that I have read. This is the 4th book I have read already this month. I an also reading the latest Trilogy by Sheryl Woods. It is A Chesapeake Shores Novel.Deb
Just finished Martin Walker's Bruno, Chief of Police, and enjoyed it very much. Bruno is the only police officer in little St Denis, in the Dordogne region of France. A bachelor, he has made a comfortable home for himself in this small town, and enjoys teaching the children tennis and rugby. But when an old man is murdered,a crime which is possibly racially motivated, Bruno is up to the task of finding out who did it, as well as protecting St Denis from bad publicity, which will damage the vital tourist trade. This book is charming.
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Michael wrote: "I especially like her N.B. on the "dedication" page." (NOTE: re. Jane Austen.) I know--how many of us identify with that? However, she gave some dates, one quite odd, although i can't recall the specifics. It was a date of a letter to one of the Kings from a name i didn't recognize. How peculiar to remember &/or note that.
As you wrote, it was silly but gave a taste of her future efforts.
deborah
Carolyn (in SC) C234D wrote: "Just finished Martin Walker's Bruno, Chief of Police, and enjoyed it very much..."Carolyn, it sounds good & i've added it to my TBR list. Hope i can find it. Thanks for sharing.
deborah
Bunny wrote: "I've begun a biography of Paul Bowles called Paul Bowles, a life by Virginia Spencer Carr, and I may dislike him very much by the end of the book. We'll see. ..."Please keep us posted on your thoughts by the end of the book. I liked The Sheltering Sky and wondered about the mind which created it...but not enough to follow up.
deborah
Please keep us posted on your thoughts by the end of the book. I liked The Sheltering Sky and wondered about the mind which created it...but not enough to follow up. deborah
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Deb, we read Sheltering Sky with Jules on the aol general after dark board. Do you keep in touch with her? If so, you should invite her to BNC.
Alias, that's right, i'd forgotten. No, i haven't heard from her since the move. deborah
Sherry (sethurner) wrote: "I'm still enjoying reading about the Dust Bowl in The Worst Hard Time by Tim Egan, but the book I'm going back into and copying out passages from is a collection of essays by Wallace Stegner called..."I just love Wallace Stegner but have yet to read that one. Every couple of years I reread Angle of Repose which is on my top ten list.
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I finished it this afternoon, and cannot remember the last time I completed a book within 24 hours. What a fantastic book (and not all of Hoffman's recent books have appealed to me). It was sad and sometimes grim, often bittersweet, but ultimately a powerful story about forgiveness and redemption.
From the Washington Post:
It's a rare year that doesn't bring a novel from Alice Hoffman, and those who follow this maddeningly uneven writer have learned to cast a wary eye on each new offering. Will it be Good Alice, poser of uncomfortable moral dilemmas and marvelously rich portraitist of family life ("Blue Diary," "Skylight Confessions")? Or will it be Bad Alice, blatantly careless plotter and outrageous overdoer of the magic-beneath-the-surface-of-our-lives shtick ("The Probable Future," "The Third Angel")?
"The Story Sisters," actually, is In-Between Alice: excessive and over-determined but ultimately so moving that it overwhelms these faults.
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That is something I never would have thought of. Great idea. Sometimes I pick up an audiobook at the library and pop it in the player on the way home; instantly I want to go back and return it to the library. Narrating books is truly an art.