So, What's On the Bedside Table these Days? -- Part 2

[[deleted user]]

Abigail wrote: "I remember getting swallowed up by Villette when I was eighteen, starting it on a Friday and reading day and night till I finished in the wee hours of Monday. It is my favorite Charlotte Brontë nov..."

I feel the same way Abigail. I started off reading for a couple of hours and now all I want to do is read non stop. Loving Villette.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I have read Villette twice and enjoyed it both times.

[Gyoza]

I first read Villette in high school and must have read it 5-6 times since then. It's my favorite of Charlotte Bronte's novels!

I recently discovered Norwegian author Sigrid Undset and have been reading her Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. It's excellent! I don't know why I didn't hear about this author before.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I read Kristin Lavransdatter many years ago. You are right, it is an excellent trilogy. I felt like I was living during that period in history. Right now I am reading Notre Dame de Paris(The Hunchback of Notre Dame) by Victor Hugo in French. I live in Canada, where French is one of the official languages. I have to say that the French title much more accurately reflects the contents of the book. It is very dramatic but in the first few chapters there was a lot description so it took a while to get into it.

[Gyoza]

Rosemarie wrote: "I read Kristin Lavransdatter many years ago. You are right, it is an excellent trilogy. I felt like I was living during that period in history. Right now I am reading Notre Dame de Paris(The Hunchb..."

I read books in French too, French Literature having been my second major in college. I read Notre Dame de Paris years ago, as it was one of the many French books I brought home from my junior year abroad at the University of Paris (Ah, the memories!). It’s a beautiful story, and maybe time for a re-read.

[Jess]

I'm currently reading The Death of Ivan Ilyich and Other Stories by Tolstoy. Definitely not light reading, but an extremely gratifying and thought provoking collection of short stories, the title's namesake being on subject of mortality and one's own definition of living a 'good life'. The story that followed it, The Kruetzer Sonata, was also quite interesting and provided a somewhat radical view of married life. So far I'm really pleased with it, which I was not anticipating since I am not typically a fan of short stories!

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I studied French and German literature at York University in Toronto, which at that time was on the outskirts of the city and was cold and windy during the winter. I did visit the cathedral on a short visit to Paris; the stained glass windows are impressive, but I didn't hear the bells.

Short stories are always a surprise--sometimes they are good, sometimes mediocre, and sometimes very disturbing.
Have any of you read the short, often very short stories of Saki? They are full of unexpected events and he has a wicked sense of humour.

[Hedi]

Rosemarie, if you are interested in our discussions of The Hunchback of Notre Dame which we read in the summer of 2011 see the threads in the Archive of 2011. E.g. I remember that we had a discussion about the different translations of the title.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Thanks for the info, Hedi. I just finished Notre Dame de Paris last night. What an ending!

[Deborah, Moderator]

Comment 116 deleted - duplicate

[Kritika]

Hello
I 've started reading Madame Bovary recently https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... by Flaubert. I won't lie it isn't a very easy read. May be it is also the structure of a realist text that sometimes makes it a little difficult.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Kritika, once you get used to the style it is not so bad. I studied the book in university and learned that Flaubert was a bit obsessive about choosing the correct word.
I always read more than one book at a time. If I read only one I tend to get absorbed into the book.
Two that I am reading are Martin Chuzzlewit by Dickens, which has 802 pages.
The other is the non-fiction book by Sarah Vowell called Assassination Vacation, in which she discusses and visits historical sites related to the assassination of three U.S. presidents. I have to say in this case the title caught my eye--and it was only $1.00. It is a fascinating book to read. The author admits that she is a bit(?!) obsessive about the topic.

[Abigail]

I feel for you, Kritika! I had to read Mme. Bovary in both French and English and could not enjoy it either way.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Re: Madame Bovary. I always felt sorry for Charles Bovary, and also that Emma was not terribly smart.
I enjoyed Flaubert's Education Sentimentale much more than Mme Bovary.

[Lori, Moderator]

I recently finished "The Man in the Iron Mask," the last of the D'Artagnan romances. Now, aside from the books for this group, I have some nonfiction to get through, mainly parenting books (I have a 3-year-old).

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Lori, here is some advice re the parenting books--choose what works for you. My daughter has a five year old and now realizes that not all books are created equal. When she was small I just muddled along using common sense, which reduced my stress level a lot. After she was born, I read parenting books-- but that didn't las long-- no time or too tired to read them.

[Lori, Moderator]

Yeah, I'm just reading some about highly-sensitive/spirited children, as my daughter is definitely one. Often the traditional disciplinal approaches don't work so well with these kinds of children and we have to try something else. I was recently recommended some books by parents of children who are similar to my daughter, so I'm hoping to find some good tips!

I'll also need to devote some of my reading time for language study (Persian, in my case); I'm hoping to get good enough to be a translator!

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Lori, friends with kids are always a good source of advice. Good luck and enjoy your little one.

[Lori, Moderator]

Thanks!

[Jon]

I listened to Winston Churchill's 4 volume history of WWII several years ago and found it fascinating. It was much better on the war in Europe than in the Pacific, necessarily. He is excellent at taking a complex subject and providing an understandable overview.

I've just started his History of the English Speaking Peoples, also 4 volumes. Having read a lot of history, it was fairly easy to see where WC's views verge from today's historians' consensus. Knowing little of English history, beyond that it has too many kings with similar names, I'm pleased that he is providing what appears to be a good general overview.

[Everyman]

Jon wrote: "II've just started his History of the English Speaking Peoples, also 4 volumes. ."

It and Gibbon have on my tbr shelf for years, but sadly I've never felt the time to tackle either one, though I've dipped into both here and there.

I think I need to take a slow freighter trip around the world with weeks across the oceans with no Internet or cell phone service.

[Robin P, Moderator]

Gyoza wrote: "Rosemarie wrote: "I read Kristin Lavransdatter many years ago. You are right, it is an excellent trilogy. I felt like I was living during that period in history. Right now I am reading Notre Dame d..."

I read a lot of Hugo in college as a French major but only read Notre Dame de Paris fairly recently. I was amazed that anyone could have ever thought to make a cartoon children's movie (as Disney did) from that book as I felt is was all about violence, sex, religion, repression, and cruelty. It was effective but obviously they had to change the story a lot for the movie!

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I was a substitute teacher for many years and have seen the Disney version of Notre Dame de Paris way too many times. What is sad is that many people know only the Disney version of literature and history. Not to mention the sanitized versions of fairy tales!

[aDystoPianClassic]

Besides the Group Reading (The Warden, by Anthony Trollope) I am reading The Vegetarian by Han Kang. I have completed 33 percent of the book.. And its very much like the review in BostonGlobal. I expected a weird novel and it is weird and creepy till now... And still I am pulled into it..

[Deborah, Moderator]

Note 130 deleted - duplicate

[Everyman]

Pagan Papers is going up to the bedside table tonight, thanks to Abigail.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I have a bunch of books on the go. I am really enjoying A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge. It is a trip back in time to a gentler age.

[LindaH]

I've just started reading the George Eliot biography by Jennifer Uglow. The reason I'm reading this one and not any of the zillion other Eliot bios is that I own it. Just never read it.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

That makes a lot of sense, Linda. I try to read the books I own, but I keep going to the library anyway.

[Everyman]

Rosemarie wrote: "I have a bunch of books on the go. I am really enjoying A City of Bells by Elizabeth Goudge. It is a trip back in time to a gentler age."

An absolutely glorious book. Strongly recommended to anybody who doesn't know it. I need to pull it off the shelf and re-read it.

The Dean's Watch, also by Goudge, is also well worth a read.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I am reading a book by a Toronto mystery author called Eric Wright. It is called The Last Hand and I really like the local colour. It is fun reading a book set in the place where you live.

[Gem , Moderator]

I finished A Wrinkle in Time today, but it's still on the night stand. Currently reading Rocket Boys, The Wind in the Willows, The Fellowship of the Ring, Story Engineering: Character Development, Story Concept, Scene Construction and getting ready to start A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I finished A Tree Grows in Brooklyn on the weekend. It was a reread and I had forgotten how good it is. This evening I finished a book I learned about on Goodreads. It is called Now in November. It is set on a poor farm during the depression and is very sad at times. The author describes nature in its glory and then in its depths during the drought in a very visual manner. It won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1934.

[Gem , Moderator]

I've never read it, however my Mister suggested it to me. My library seems to be lacking in the classics department, it took me weeks to get a copy.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I am fortunate that I live in a city of over 2 and a half million people ( Toronto), with one of busiest library systems in North America, with 100 branches throughout the city. I like the fact that I can search for, request and renew books on-line.
My two daughters are also readers so I sometimes read their copies of books, since we all like to share books with each other.

[Gem , Moderator]

I've been really spoiled. I lived in Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore (which had two library systems), and New Orleans (where several of the parishes had reciprocal agreements). But here in Phoenix, I've had a heck of a time getting books I want, especially classics. Sometimes the entire library system only has 1 or 2 copies, it's frustrating. Sometimes I have more luck with electronic books, but I much prefer to read a real book vs. an e-book.

[Everyman]

Rosemarie wrote: "I am fortunate that I live in a city of over 2 and a half million people ( Toronto), with one of busiest library systems in North America, ..."

Yours is big, ours is small (total island population about 8,000), but we have one of the most used library systems per capita in the state. For a population of about 8,000, we have nearly 6,000 registered library card holders (and yes, you have to be a resident to get a card, or buy a guest card for $100 per year. Most children on the island have their own cards.) And our library provides free Interlibrary Loan materials -- you can borrow up to three ILL items at a time. Most libraries charge something for ILL materials to pay for the postage and handling, but we don't; you have to do things differently on an island!

We may not be as big as your system, but we're every bit as important to the residents!

[Everyman]

Bedside table right now has Kenneth Graham's Pagan Papers, George Herbert's Collected Poems, Hemmingway's A Moveable Feast, and a Kindle loaded with classics including the complete Harvard Classics.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Re your library Everyman, it is wonderful to have a good library close at hand. I live within a fifteen minutes walk of one of the bigger branches, so I am very luckly. I also like visiting other branches and other libraries also. I was very impressed by the library in Basel, Switzerland. The most charming is in a converted railway station in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.
I visited the Detroit Library while my husband was doing some genealogical research. The main floor was very busy, but the upper floors were not air-conditioned, which was a shame. They had some fascinating books, but it was just too hot.
I got a copy of The Golden Age by Kenneth Grahame out of the library today. It looks like a fun book.

[Quirks59m]

❀✿ Gem ✿❀ wrote: "I've been really spoiled. I lived in Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore (which had two library systems), and New Orleans (where several of the parishes had reciprocal agreements). But here in Phoenix, I..."

I have most of my luck finding classics at book sales - here is a great web page to find some of the sales in your area - http://www.booksalefinder.com/AZ.html

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I like used bookstores too. Sometimes you find some real gems.

[Gem , Moderator]

Quirks59m wrote: "❀✿ Gem ✿❀ wrote: "I've been really spoiled. I lived in Miami, Kansas City, Baltimore (which had two library systems), and New Orleans (where several of the parishes had reciprocal agreements). But ..."

Awesome! Thanks for the link.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

I am reading The Golden Age, by Kenneth Grahame, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. I was glad that my library had a copy that I could borrow. Some of the more rare books need to be read in the library only.

[Linda2]

❀✿ Gem ✿❀ wrote: "I finished A Wrinkle in Time today, but it's still on the night stand. Currently reading Rocket Boys, The Wind in the Willows, [book:The Fellowship of the R..."

Every now and then, I pick up Brooklyn and reread it. Ditto The Great Gatsby

[Everyman]

Rochelle wrote: "Every now and then, I pick up Brooklyn and reread it. Ditto The Great Gatsby."

You mean there actually are people who voluntarily subject themselves to reading The Great Gatsby? And not only once, but more than once?

Egad! The mind boggles.

:)

[Linda2]

Everyman wrote: "Rochelle wrote: "Every now and then, I pick up Brooklyn and reread it. Ditto The Great Gatsby."

You mean there actually are people who voluntarily subject themselves to reading The Great Gatsby? A..."

I've learned not to get into arguments with you. I prefer to choose my battles.

[Jennifer]

I've been reading lowbrow juvenile fiction.. LOL

No, it's really not quite that bad, but I've been reading some of the Newberry medal and honor books. That age group is just so difficult to recommend books for that I've finally decided that I just need to read a lot of them.

I've been entertained by the books though, right now I have an ARC of Fuzzy by Angleberger on the bedside table. Also "Story of Mankind" which I believe was a Newberry winner/honor. I have a copy of Mark Twain's short stories sitting there that I've been slowly reading through over the last year or so. I have the new book by Boyne, the same person who wrote "Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This one is called "Boy at the Top of the Mountain." Haven't quite started it yet. Then I have the first Harry Potter book which I decided to start last night.

[Rosemarie, Moderator]

Jennifer, when I was a mom of school age daughters and then a middle school teacher, I read a lot of YA books and still do. There are some excellent books out there. I would be interested to learn your opinion about The Boy in the Striped Pyjama. I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it either.

[Jennifer]

Rosemarie wrote: "Jennifer, when I was a mom of school age daughters and then a middle school teacher, I read a lot of YA books and still do. There are some excellent books out there. I would be interested to learn ..."

I wasn't particularly wild about "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas." It was good, but, I didn't really see why it's on so many reading lists. It's just one of those YA books that gets recommended a lot, so I think my expectation for it was a bit high. "Boy at the Top of the Mountain" is also a World War II book, it doesn't seem to have much hype surrounding it now, but, I thought I'd better read it now before it ends up on some teen 'must read' list and I can't get it.

[Everyman]

Rochelle wrote: "I've learned not to get into arguments with you. "

Argue? Moi?