PBK Summer Reading List

[Ruth]

This list has a lot of good suggestions. Has anybody read any of them?

http://www.pbk.org/infoview/PBK_InfoV...

[Sherry, Doyenne]

I haven't read any of them, but of course the Boo is my to-read-next book.

[Ruth]

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

It's really good.

[Carol]

I haven't read any, but there are a couple that I do want to read.

[Greer]

No - but thanks for the link as I'll put some of these on my TBR list...

[Ken]

I am Oh-fer on that list. Then again, no Greek words have ever been associated with me or my reading habits. Yet, anyway. (Greece springs eternal....)

[Lynn]

I'm on the waiting list for The Interestings on my e-library site and hope to get it sometime this summer.

[Barbara]

Great list, Ruth. I haven't read any of them yet, but a number of them are on my TBR list.

[Sara]

Ruth wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

It's really good."

As previously mentioned, on my TBR mountain, along with The Interestings & Daily Rituals:How Artists Work. I already own the first two.

[Sara]

Sherry wrote: "I haven't read any of them, but of course the Boo is my to-read-next book."

I know I'm a lily-livered chicken, but I simply cannot face that book. I am going to follow the discussion and see if I can gird my loins--I'm sure it's a great read, but I imagine pretty distressing.

[Sara]

Ruth wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

It's really good."

Hey Ruth, and all: just saw that Adichie will be on NPR's Fresh Air tomorrow.

[Kat]

I'm putting QUESTIONS OF TRAVEL on my TBR list. I've read a couple other novels by this author, and found one of them THE HAMILTON CASE, memorable and provocative. I'd also like to read the Wolitzer--I've never read her before, but read a review of THE INTERESTINGS that made me feel I may have been missing something I would value highly.

[Ann D]

Ruth,
I'm glad you mentioned Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It kept me company on a long plane ride back from Europe recently. I thought it was great - good plot, thought provoking ideas, witty writing. For me, it had it all. Keep in mind that I love reading about other cultures and am interested in social issues. It might not be such a pleasure for everyone.

The book centers on young Nigerian woman who moves to America, where for the first time she has to confront the issue of race. She writes a very successful blog about being black in America from a non-American's point of view. But she has a compelling personal story too, including several romances and lots of problems with cultural dissonance,including when she returns to her home country.

It certainly kept me engaged, which was a good thing because the airplane's movie system was completely out of commission.

[Ruth]

I'm planning on nominating it for the next Reading List. I think it'd make a good discussion book, don't you?

[Ann D]

Yes, I think it would be great.

[Kat]

Ah, yes, I remember a review of this one, also. It does sound interesting. Where in US does she live, do you recall?

[Sue]

I'm currently reading Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity for the discussion. Certainly not an easy read, but then is any Indian book that deals with contemporary issues "easy".

I want to read a couple of others on the list too.

[Ann D]

Kat,
Currently Adichie divides her time between the U.S. and Nigeria. She was educated at east coast universities in the U.S. I'm not sure where she lives now.

I haven't liked a book as much as hers for a long time.

[Tango]

I haven't read any but out of interest Questions of Travel just won the Miles Franklin Award, Australia's top literary award.

[Sara]

Sara wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

It's really good."

Hey Ruth, and all: just saw that Adichie will be on NPR's Fresh Air tomorrow."

Here's a link: http://www.npr.org/programs/fresh-air/

wonderful interview.

[Michael]

Americanah
The Interestings
Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity
will be three of my July read but I may try and read some of the other from the list as But I have a few classic I want to get through also.

[Ann D]

Sara,
Yes, Adichie's interview was very impressive. I caught most of it, but will try to catch up on the whole thing through the podcast.

[Mary Ellen]

I was able to get Boo's book from the library (somehow the reserve list evaporated!) so I'll be getting to that soon. I do approach it with a little bit of trepidation but it sounds good.

Adiche's interview was great, so that book is on my mountainous TBR.....

[Barbara]

I downloaded the Fresh Air podcast and listened to the Adiche interview as well. I've heard her talk before but never in an interview situation. I'm impressed by her humor and intelligence. She also meshed really well with Terry Gross.

I'm hoping that you will all read Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. The reviews have been universally outstanding.

[Ann D]

You talked me into it, Barb. I'm on the hold list for Behind the Beautiful Forevers, but if it doesn't come in soon, I will get the Kindle edition.

I'm not having much luck with the library. It only has one copy of the Painted Veil, and it's checked out.

I did find Questions of Travel by Michelle de Kretser, which is on the PBK list, and have started reading it. So far, so good. She certainly is a clever writer. with phrasing that makes you stop and take notice. I can't figure out where the story is going yet. It involves an ungainly and homely Australian girl and a Sri Lankan guy. The stories are completely separate, so far, but I imagine they will converge at some point.

De Kester is originally from Sri Lanka, but immigrated to Australia when she was 14. She was a travel editor for the Lonely Planets books, so she has some good background for a story involving travel.

[Barbara]

Oh good, Ann. I'm going to finish Queen of the Tambourine this weekend and then will download the Kindle edition. I think you will particularly like this one with your interests in other countries and cultures.

[Sue]

I've started Boo's book and it is good, though occasionally difficult to read. Some of the details remind me of Mistry but that certainly makes sense.