Goodreads Ireland discussion
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What Are You Reading
I think I may have read some of his short stories in college but not his novels, so I can't compare. It is an interesting read but I am not sure I would go so far as to say great. I think Jay Gatsby is a complex character and I also liked Nick but the rest of the cast were vapid and largely forgettable. I know they were reflective of the age that produced them but even so I just could not really warm to any of them.
I just finished the Fifth Season which I know Sara read last year and it blew me away. So good. As well structured a fantasy book as I've read in a while. Great setting and story too.
Over the two weeks I have been reading Down Under by Bill Bryson. While it is quite funny in parts I am also finding it very informative. I know next to nothing about Australia but this book is giving me a real feel for the climate, geography, dangerous wildlife and other aspects of Australia's singular make up. I am glad I read this before the Australia challenge because it has given me a basic understanding to go into the challenge with.
Trelawn wrote: "Over the two weeks I have been reading Down Under by Bill Bryson. While it is quite funny in parts I am also finding it very informative. I know next to nothing about Australia but this book is giv..."Trelawn I enjoy Bill Bryson too even though I'm not a fan on non fiction - he is very funny. Might keep that one in mind for Australia.
I love him. I have read 4 of his books in the last few months and have another lined up
Trelawn wrote: "I love him. I have read 4 of his books in the last few months and have another lined up"Have you read A Short History of Nearly Everything? That was great.
She bought me that as a pressie a few years ago.
No not yet Margo. I have read a few of his travel books, his biography of Shakespeare, One Summer and At Home. I would recommend any and all of them
Trelawn, I went to Australia once and had a great time. As they are part of the UK, they drive on the same side of the road as you do. After a 19 hour flight, the blurry Americans got off the flight and lined up for the bus. Of course, we were all on the wrong side and couldn't figure out why there was no door. That's jet lag for you. My favorite things were going to Steve Irwin's zoo and holding a koala, which is not as cute as you would expect. They have very long nails they like to scratch you with.I love Bill Bryson and am usually laughing until I cry when I read one. Our book club is reading his one on language next month. Recommended by me. Maybe we should nominate a Bryson for next month's read.
Sounds like an idea. I love him, I read his Notes from a Big Country when I was 18 and have been laughing out loud with him since then. He is so intelligent and observant it's scary.
Trelawn wrote: "No not yet Margo. I have read a few of his travel books, his biography of Shakespeare, One Summer and At Home. I would recommend any and all of them"Oh Trelawn you have to get a lone of it back off him - it's really interesting ;)
I love Bill Bryson's writing, too. I remember reading his book on Australia, and he had a whole section on how many different ways a middle-aged, pasty-white American guy could die in Australia. Everything from the surf to scorpions and snakes. I couldn't stop laughing.I want to read his new one. I've actually been thinking about breaking my book buying ban for it.
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@ Cathleen his new one is really good, definitely worth breaking a book ban for :-)
Trelawn wrote: "@ Cathleen his new one is really good, definitely worth breaking a book ban for :-)"As it just so happens, I've just gotten a book certificate, a gift from my sister. So I guess the ban will be broken :). That didn't take long!
You're not paying your sister is so you won't be breaking the ban :)
You're not paying your sister is so you won't be breaking the ban :)
Colleen wrote: "You're not paying your sister is so you won't be breaking the ban :)"I like the way you think, Colleen :)
Cathleen wrote: "Colleen wrote: "You're not paying your sister is so you won't be breaking the ban :)"I like the way you think, Colleen :)"
Yeah, that definitely isn't breaking your ban. If it doesn't cost it doesn't count ;)
I have finally got around to starting Outlander which I bought last year. I'm a bit wary of it because of all the hype - don't want to be disappointed!
I hope you love it as much as I do, Margo.
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I am now reading Lilac Girls a NetGalley review book.
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Thankfully nothing quite so cold here. Still a bit nippy though
I hate to mention it but we were 71/21 today. The daffodils are out and my tulips from Holland are starting to come up. Still we could use some more rain. Thomas, where are you that it is 0? I shivered just reading that.
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Thomas, where are you that it is 0? I sh..."
North Tonawanda, near Niagara Falls
No wonder. You're near the Canadian border. I heard on the news that Toronto was hoping for a high of 4. Brr.
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I wish we had some of your 70 degree weather, Susan. Yesterday it was -10 here and this morning it was -6. Brrrr.
I saw in the paper today pictures of people bundled up freezing. I really can't imagine -6. I wouldn't leave the house. Today it is supposed to be 80. We need rain though.Have you had a chance to read any of those Geraldine Brooks books? I am anxious to hear your opinion.
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I've finally finished my listen/read of The Complete Sherlock Holmes. It took me almost 5 months to listen to the entire 56 hours on and off. I have mixed opinions about it. On the one hand the cases are usually tightly constructed and well plotted. On the other hand there's not as much character development/growth as I typically like in my books. Watson doesn't seem to grow over time. He's incredibly dense even after years of working with Holmes. I was also frustrated with the casual racism and stereotyping Sir Arthur Conan Doyle engages in. In general I feel like the short stories are better the novels.
Susan wrote: "I saw in the paper today pictures of people bundled up freezing. I really can't imagine -6. I wouldn't leave the house. Today it is supposed to be 80. We need rain though.Have you had a chance to..."
I started reading Caleb's Crossing, and I'm loving it. She's quite the writer! I'm not too far into it yet, (trying to finish The House of Silk) but her descriptions of Martha's Vineyard are spot-on. Gorgeous writing. And it's a nice complement to The Scarlet Letter. I just finished that one.
Sara wrote: "I'm having roughly the same weather here in the Western part of the state Cathleen. Today's warmer than yesterday though and tomorrow the temperature takes a huge jump up into the lower 50s...at le..."Yes, we're supposed to get mild temps tomorrow--but right now it's snowing. Crazy New England weather :). I think it's cool that you've read all of Sherlock Holmes--one of those reading goals that I've had for awhile. It's interesting what you've noticed about the character development and the stereotyping, racism. It makes me less compelled to push it to the top of the tbr list.
Don't you think the racism is part of the times, Sara?
I would agree Susan. There are books you read and, when picking them up, you have to remember that they are of their time. Older books will have ideas and opinions that are now outdated and no longer acceptable but I wouldn't mark a book down on that account. They are a product of their times, be informed by them. I wonder what readers in a hundred years' time will find distasteful in our contemporary and popular fiction.
I've read some of doyles short stories aswell and agree the character development doesn't progress but feel it's not that kind of a book anyway. It's about the mysteries and the big reveal which I really enjoy and how bizarre Sherlock is in his genius.
It is part of that time period. I still need to read volume 2. Character development wasn't much of a goal plus when large continuity problems what do you expect. xD.
Sara wrote: "I'm having roughly the same weather here in the Western part of the state Cathleen. Today's warmer than yesterday though and tomorrow the temperature takes a huge jump up into the lower 50s...at le..."Have to agree with your assessment of Doyle Sara. I was never a fan of the original series, so I was pleasently surprised by the Horowitz treatment. The original works were pleaged by the ism's of the victorian era which are hard to stomach for the modern reader. And Watson couldn't have been that dense!! If so why did Holmes spend so much time with him? Unless as a foil to his own brilliance - which though incredibly conceited, is in keeping with the character.
Cathleen wrote: "Susan wrote: "I saw in the paper today pictures of people bundled up freezing. I really can't imagine -6. I wouldn't leave the house. Today it is supposed to be 80. We need rain though.Have you h..."
I loved this book and read it twice! My neighbor in Boston was Wampanoag and I met various tribal members, so this book was very interesting from the history of the tribe point of view.
I like Geraldine Brooks period. That's why Catherine's Secret Santa inundated her with Brooks' books. I couldn't pick just one. I hoped she would like Caleb's Crossing as it's in her back yard.
About 30% into the audiobook Outlander and still to form an opinion. I was expecting it to be more mystical.Starting Jasper FfordeThe Eyre Affair tomorrow on kindle.
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My review, 4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have started Oblivion by Sergei Lebedev I am finding it slow going. It is a GR giveaway.
So I have also started a NetGalley review book Murder in an Irish Village
Susan wrote: "I like Geraldine Brooks period. That's why Catherine's Secret Santa inundated her with Brooks' books. I couldn't pick just one. I hoped she would like Caleb's Crossing as it's in her..."Yes, I do. And I can't wait to get to March because I think that really is in my backyard :).
I had a very, very generous Secret Santa! ;).
Cathleen wrote: "Susan wrote: "I like Geraldine Brooks period. That's why Catherine's Secret Santa inundated her with Brooks' books. I couldn't pick just one. I hoped she would like Caleb's Crossing ..."Not only generous but available for all flower girl duties as requested!
Margo keep us posted on how you get on with the Eyre Affair. Emma I am in the same position as you, with one thing and another I have barely read anything in a week. I have a couple of short books picked for the Africa challenge so I think I'll get started on those and then I'll be ready for Wuthering Heights in March. I think I'll take my time with that and read it over the entire month.
Emma wrote: "Thankfully my work should be less busy for the next month or so. Once ice reset my brain I'll be ready for Wuthering Heights in March.For anyone interested Trelawn and I are planning a buddy read..."
I'm not going to reread WH, but I'll certainly be interested in following the thread!
I have started the Africa Continental Challenge segment. I also am listening to a Louise Penny mystery. She is Canadian and the mystery is set in Quebec so I am going to count if for North America but will definitely read something additional when we get to that challenge.I have to finishing reading Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates by next Saturday for a book club. I may pack A Star Called Henry for my trip to Edinburgh.
Barbara, you international jet setter. You're going to Edinburgh? When? For anything special? I love Edinburgh.
Susan wrote: "Barbara, you international jet setter. You're going to Edinburgh? When? For anything special? I love Edinburgh."It's our spring break week and I am going to the Edinburgh Yarn Fest which is Thurs-Sat.
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I've always considered Gatsby one of the greatest American novels and definitely the best thing Fitzgerald ever wrote. It's a portrait of a doomed romantic so obsessed with the illusion of love that he cannot see how shallow Daisy is in reality. Gatsby, so shrewd in many ways, becomes a truly tragic figure in his refusal to abandon his ideals.