Goodreads Ireland discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
What Are You Reading
message 4251:
by
Mara
(new)
Apr 23, 2015 11:56PM
Just started to listen to THE FIFTH WITNESS by Michael Connelly.
reply
|
flag
I'm rereading Transatlantic for the sheer joy of it. Well...and that it's the last book one of my classes is reading for the semester :) Every time I read it, I see something new and marvelous that McCann has done in how he's structured the novel.
Mod
I give this book 3 and 1/2 stars out of 5(rounded up to 4). Michael Forsythe leaves Ulster Ireland for the US to escape the troubles. Because he is an illegal immigrant he must find work where he can and ends up working as part of a criminal gang. The plot is believable and the Ulster dialect is readable. I did not like the parts of the book where he fantasizes about his surroundings/memories. This stream of consciousness style of writing periodic interruptions of the plot were distracting and unnecessary. I found it hard to separate the plot and his fantasies at times. If it were just memories it would have been ok
Sara, I remember you doing the Read-a-thon before, and loved your regular updates, including photos of your piles of books etc. I hope that you'll be keeping us informed again this time around!Cathleen, reading your post about the McCann novel inspired me to put the book into my Audible wishlist. I've read Let the Great World Spin at least three times, twice on audio, and know that TransAtlantic will be as rewarding in that format. Thank you!
Thomas, I have a similar memory to your review of the McKinty book, although I thought it a little far fetched. Not bad for a debut, though.
So, I'm currently reading Darran McCann's After the Lockout. Darran McCann and listening to John Boyne's latest, A History of Loneliness: A Novel, and am intrigued by the level of anti church sentiment in both so far. It's interesting for me to read of the level of influence the church had on the general lives of the population as portrayed in both the books, even though they are set at the closest point over 50 years apart. I must say that many of the individual priests portrayed don't come out too well in either novel...
I'm currently reading Mark Lawrence Prince of Fools. A dark and disturbing grimdark fantasy . On an interesting note one of the PMs I recievef from the authors used a quote from Mark Lawrence to call me a fool. ;-)
Mod
Thomas wrote: "@Allan, does McKinty continue with this style of writing in his subsequent books? If so, I am not sure I want to continue reading him."Thomas, I wasn't rushing out to read any more of McKinty's books after reading his first, but I remember picking up a remainder of Hidden River and, because of its partial setting in my hometown (I was unaware of McKinty's roots until then), went back to him, though only really for his Sean Duffy series. I did listen to another of the Michael Forsyth series last year, Falling Glass, and didn't really care that much for it.
Aim to get one of the Duffy books next if you can.
Incidentally, I downloaded a copy of The Cold Cold Ground onto my mum's iPad from the library for her the other day. She lived in her family home at 110 Coronation Road until she was married-Duffy lives at 113 in the series. I'll report back what she thinks of his portrayal in good time! :)
Emma wrote: "I know a number of people who loved A History of Loneliness Allan so enjoy. Hmm Transatlantic has been sitting on my shelf for awhile. May have to move it up the pile."
Emma, Transatlantic is an amazing book-McCann actually had the worldwide launch in Belfast, in honour of a friend who had passed shortly before its release. I was lucky enough to attend and he's such a humble guy.
Mod
I'll have less time to read then during most read-a-thons though. A trip to the gym (to finish up my 100 miles biked for the month before moving!) will necessitate listening to the audiobook ofHalf of a Yellow Sun. I'll also listen to that on a drive to Virginia for game playing/goodbye party at a friends. I think I'll sneak in a book of short pieces (Here's the Story: New Irish Writing from Solas Nua perhaps) to the party.
Prior to the read-a-thon, I hope to warm up by finishing Hild tonight.
Mod
Thomas, I wasn't rushing out to read any mor..."
Thanks Allan
Allan wrote: "Sara, I remember you doing the Read-a-thon before, and loved your regular updates, including photos of your piles of books etc. I hope that you'll be keeping us informed again this time around!Ca..."
Allan, I will have to get every single one of Colum McCann's books and read them :) I'm amazed at all of the "little" threads and details he continues from one segment of the book to the next--those little tiny details that I missed he first several times. In the section on Frederick Douglass, McCann describes Douglass's penchant for fine clothes and his publisher's disapproval of Douglass's taste. Then in the next section, there's a line about George Mitchell and his feeling of discomfort with his "bespoke" suit. I missed that particular detail the first couple of times I read the book. I love seeing patterns like that when the author weaves them throughout--the way both men viewed their clothes and what their clothes needed to convey for each man's purpose. Such fine writing :)
You'v also given me a wonderful idea. I'll look for an audio of this novel. Now that I've read it a few times, I think listening to it would be fantastic.
Cathleen wrote: "Allan wrote: "Sara, I remember you doing the Read-a-thon before, and loved your regular updates, including photos of your piles of books etc. I hope that you'll be keeping us informed again this ti..."Cathleen, having read all of McCann's novels, you will definitely enjoy those that you've yet to experience-I'd particularly recommend Zoli, This Side of Brightness and Songdogs in particular. :)
Mod
I love it, Sara! I'm looking forward to finding out how you end up getting on, and possibly seeing your cat in at least one of the photos! :)
Sara wrote: "My Pre Read-A-Thon Post complete with pictures. Allan I'm sure will notice the presence of a certain crime novelist!"Sara, I loved the photos and descriptions of each. How long does your read-a-thon last?
Mod
Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Allan my cat is currently angry with me about the upcoming move (she doesn't get to move until September), so I may not get any pictures of her, but I'll try. She does like it when I read...probably because I'm quiet and still and she can occupy my lap.
Sara, 80 pages an hour is an impressive pace to sustain-good stuff! :)
Mod
Sara wrote: "4 Hours In Update!"What a great way to spend a Saturday, Sara. Happy reading!
Mod
I'm disappointed the cat wasn't in situ with some of your reads, Sara! :) Eight hours is no mean feat-you'll be ready for the break when it arrives!
Sara I love your cat! She's so cute. If I spent that long reading, I'd prob read myself to sleep 2 hours in lol
I finished
A New York: Winters Tale by Mark Helprin and gave it 2 stars https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Thanks for the compliments on my cat Seraphina...She's definitely my baby :o).
Mod
Of my four read-a-thon reads, three were four stars and another five stars! All also strangely related back to finding a home or sense of belonging in the world...an interesting coincidence in light of my upcoming move.
I've also decided to not finish either Bohemians or An Officer and a Spy. I may read both at a future date, but I've realized that neither immediately interests me, AND they need returning to the library. After I finish Half of a Yellow Sun, my "currently reading" shelf will be at four...the lowest it's been in probably a year.
Sara, that has been one productive reading day for you! Despite our love for reading, I doubt that many of us would have the stamina to get through as much as you did today. The Guinness cupcakes sound appetising, though I may just stick to the liquid version! Shame that you didn't enjoy the Robert Harris, but at least you found plenty of other books to your taste.You're a reading inspiration to us all! :)
Sara, did you see this article in honour of your read-a-thon?http://bookriot.com/2015/04/25/readat...
Mod
"This one didn't resonate with me quite as deeply as Americanah...likely because I didn't know anything about the Nigeria-Biafra War going into reading it. It was still gorgeously written and very moving. In particular the degree of lose and the effects of the massacres on each character in the novel clearly came across and reminded me of the film Hotel Rwanda and my knowledge of other more recent historical events. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie also utilizes changing narrators and POV to great effect.
At some point in the future I definitely want to read a work of non-fiction on the Nifgeria-Biafra War.
The Nigerian Revolution and the Biafran War is a title that influence Half a Yellow Sun and might be one I look for."
Have just finished Jasper Jones which I enjoyed. The author clearly admired to kill a mockingbird and had some similar themes running through the novel. The main difference is there is no great here in this book, no atticus.Moving on to Cloudstreet, I have two days in Birmingham with work so the travel time will be handy for reading.
Sara wrote: "My review of the Half of a Yellow Sun"This one didn't resonate with me quite as deeply as Americanah...likely because I didn't know anything about the Nigeria-Biafra ..."
I wasn't aware of the history of the Biafran War til I read this either.
Having finished, and not particularly enjoyed, my latest monthly Brian Moore read, I decided to go ahead and start Star of the Sea while I'm waiting for my copy of Redemption Falls to arrive in the post.I'm not sure why I have never read this novel, or indeed any O'Connor since loving The Salesman back in 1999, but so far, I'm enjoying the unique style of the book,and can see that, despite its bulkiness, it has been labelled a page turner.
I'm also around 75% into the audiobook of A History of Loneliness, which is looking like one of our potential Quarterly Reads, and can report that Boyne, in my opinion, has written a very engaging and thought provoking novel-challenging without proselytizing-it's very interesting to see such pertinent issues portrayed from the point of view of a priest. The book will definitely have plenty of discussion points if it does end up as a group read.
Allan wrote: "Having finished, and not particularly enjoyed, my latest monthly Brian Moore read, I decided to go ahead and start Star of the Sea while I'm waiting for my copy of [book:Redemption ..."I'm pretty sure I have Star of the Sea in my bookshelves, a book I picked up sometime (??) at a used bookshop...to add to my towering TBR pile :)
I'm on a real Mildred D. Taylor kick at the moment, in the last week I've read 'Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry' 'let the circle be unbroken' and 'the well' all for the first time and Lord they are good! I keep wanting more! Roll of thunder was a masterpiece I can't wait to read Road to Memphis next!Anyone else read/reading the Logan books Too?
Well I eventually finished The Rosie Effect while on holidays. Not much time for reading with a two year old. I started the No.1 Ladies Detective Agency. While it's not grabbing me as much as the Scotland Street series, I not going to write it off as I am only a few chapters in. It could turn out brilliant so i'll give it a fair chance.
Mod
On an another note. I haven't finished a book since the read-a-thon,so I'll report on the reading habits of my Dad. He read in practically one sitting (on the train from Amherst, MA to Washington, D.C. yesterday after driving up with me Tuesday) All That Is Solid Melts into Air. It was my birthday present to him, and he loved it. His exact text to me was "Great book you gave me. Just finished. Kind of Dickens like, a novel with a cause." High praise indeed! He also has started Autobiography of Mark Twain: Volume 1, Reader's Edition.
Sara wrote: "It's interesting to me Emma that you read Roll of Thunder as a prescribed text. It seems to me that schools in Ireland (both the Republic and Northern Ireland) and England require more books by U...."Glad he liked All That Is Solid - it is a great read!
I just finished the audiobook of Fourth of July Creek. Awesome! 5 stars. I still have to do a review.
Glad to read that you enjoyed the Smith Henderson book so much, Barbara-I enjoyed the audiobook earlier in the year as well. I haven't been reading as much US based fiction recently, and will have to remedy this.In addition to my current audio title, Redemption Falls, which I'm still a little divided about, I decided to start reading Mount Merrion by Irish poet and critic Justin Quinn, which I didn't know anything about, but picked up cheaply in Easons a few months ago.
It's a book with similar themes to Unspoken, though it covers a wider time frame, and is set in Dublin rather than Limerick, but I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised by the book, which I can't remember any fuss being made of on release.
Funnily enough Mount Merrion was sitting on the table in the hallway where we were on holiday in Portugal Allan. Small world
I've been feeling scattered the past few weeks (end of semester and all that), and I haven't been able to immerse myself much in leisure reading until I picked up Unnatural Death, and I'm enjoying it a lot. I was less keen on the second Lord Peter Wimsey mystery, but this one has really captured my fancy. Thanks Trelawn and Susan for your posts about this series.
Just lost my post (:This is the absolutely busiest time of the year for me.
I just have started Tea At Four O'clock by Janet McNeill. She was born in Dublin but moved North - a bit like Jennifer Johnston.
I am listening to The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester. I meant to listen to another audiobook and started this by accident. But it is fascinating.
I still have a couple other books on the go -An Impartial Witness by Charles Todd on Kindle, and Dusk and Other Stories by James Salter. Also Here's the Story: New Irish Writing from Solas Nua for my book club next Monday.
Is the Proffesor and the Madman Fiction or non fiction. I do like an Oxford based book
Glad you are enjoying Unnatural Death Cathleen. It's a good one. I think Susan and I have gotten a little off track with our Wimsey buddy read. I'll have to get back to it.
Mod
I won Sorrow Bound, book 3 in this series, last summer, and liked it. This is book 1 in the series and the debut novel for this author. I enjoyed this one also. I give it 3.5 stars(rounded up to 4).
This book revolves around a series of murders which only Detective Aector McAvoy puts together. The 1st murder takes place in Hull and McAvoy is just outside the church/murder scene. He rushes into the church upon hearing a scream, only to be attacked by the killer.
There is some character development that helps me understand book 3. McAvoy is a tortured soul and a determined policeman, who realizes that the wrong person has been arrested. The real killer is not revealed until almost the end.
Paul wrote: "Is the Proffesor and the Madman Fiction or non fiction. I do like an Oxford based book"Paul, I thought The Professor and the Madman was fascinating. It was also called The Surgeon of Crowthorne. It's all about the making of the Oxford English Dictionary [and who wouldn't love that? ;)]. I gave my copy to a student one year...shows you how much I liked that student!
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Goodreads Ireland
Books mentioned in this topic
Band of Sisters (other topics)The Four Winds (other topics)
The Paris Library (other topics)
Lana's War (other topics)
Big Girl, Small Town (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lauren Willig (other topics)Kristin Hannah (other topics)
Janet Skeslien Charles (other topics)
Anita Abriel (other topics)
C.S. Harris (other topics)
More...
