All About Books discussion
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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
Thanks Greg! I also have a page, for my blog, on Facebook. Follow me if you are on Facebook. https://m.facebook.com/Book-Ninja-895...
Finished The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins Here is a review by Tracey: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I have just finished The Discreet Hero: A Novel, by Peruvian Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa, in my continuing effort this month to read books by South American authors. I would recommend it if you like literary fiction or books about moral dilemmas (dilemmae?). My extremely brief review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Since I just bought Works of Booth Tarkington, I definitely would be."I would like to read The Magnificent Ambersons in Feb. -- would that work for you Diane?
Yes Leslie, that is fine. Looking forward to it.
Finished reading Hermann Hesse's The Journey To The East. Liked it. Four out of five stars. Man's search for meaning of life seems to be the theme. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leslie wrote: "Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Since I just bought Works of Booth Tarkington, I definitely would be."I would like to read The Magnificent Ambersons in Feb. -- would that work for ..."
Leslie, I would like to read the Ambersons too in February. Diane, why do you like this author? Leslie, do you know anything interesting about him?
It may be hard for me in the middle of the month. Can we do it at the very beginning? I would like to do it with you two.
I know I'm in a minority with this but I was disappointed.Here is a review by Tracey: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Tracey wrote: "I know I'm in a minority with this but I was disappointed.Here is a review by Tracey: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."
I was even less impressed than you!
Chrissie wrote: "Leslie wrote: "Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Since I just bought Works of Booth Tarkington, I definitely would be."I would like to read The Magnificent Ambersons in Feb. -- would..."
I'll set up a readalong thread where we can discuss in more detail but early Feb or even end of Jan is OK with me.
Have just come back from my summer beach holiday, and this is what I read! I haven't had much of a look of all your reviews yet, I will try and catch up!Mirror Image, my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sisters Of Mercy, by a great Aussie author, my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another Aussie author, I read this while in the area that the book was set in, Heart of the Valley. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Suzanne wrote: "Have just come back from my summer beach holiday, and this is what I read! I haven't had much of a look of all your reviews yet, I will try and catch up!..."
The wonders of the internet -- I am sitting in my living room feeling a bit chilly with only three layers of clothes on (I keep my thermostat set low -- maybe too low!) when I see this. My first thought is "I misread that" but then it hits me -- you live in the southern hemisphere :)
But regarding your books, they are all unknown to me (perhaps not too surprising). I'll have to keep them in mind when my 2016 'tour of the world' brings me to Australia.
Leslie and Diane, let's say the very beginning / the first week of February. That fits all of us. Looking forward to doing this with both of you. Of course anyone else interested in joining us is welcome.Albert, do you want to read more Booth Tarkington too. Want to join us?
Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Finished Babette's Feasthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Actually, I thought you'd like that more than three. I gave ti three but only because I wanted more. Too short for me. If I were ever to be born again I would want to like making food. I mean, you have to do it three times a day. She did this for others and for the shared enjoyment of the feast. Quite beautiful.
Chrissie wrote: "Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Finished Babette's Feasthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Actually, I thought you'd like that more than three. I gave ti three but only because I..."
She did it for herself too though Chrissie. She wanted who she was to be acknowledged.. so there was some self pride there too.
Mod
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Actually, I thought you'd like that more than three. I gave ti three b..."
There's a "family way of saying" at home: when we cook using too many pots and pans we say we've made Babette's Feast! I've not read the book, but remember the film so, well - all this cooking!
Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Diane S ⛄ wrote: "Finished Babette's Feasthttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
Actually, I thought you'd like that more than three. I gave ti three b..."
Yep, I agree. What I like so much is the enjoyment, the satisfaction cooking gives to these people - to everybody, the makers and the eaters, the whole bunch.
Chrissie wrote: "Leslie and Diane, let's say the very beginning / the first week of February. That fits all of us. Looking forward to doing this with both of you. Of course anyone else interested in joining us is w..."Chrissie wrote: "Leslie and Diane, let's say the very beginning / the first week of February. That fits all of us. Looking forward to doing this with both of you. Of course anyone else interested in joining us is w..."
Thanks for asking, Chrissie. Having just recently finished Alice Adams, I am wanted to wait a bit before I work in another Tarkington. Hope the group enjoys. I will be interested in hearing what all of you think.
Albert wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Leslie and Diane, let's say the very beginning / the first week of February. That fits all of us. Looking forward to doing this with both of you. Of course anyone else interested i..."What did you think of Alice Adams?
Albert wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Leslie and Diane, let's say the very beginning / the first week of February. That fits all of us. Looking forward to doing this with both of you. Of course anyone else interested i..."I would love that you drop by the thread and tell us how you feel about the writing of Booth Tarkington, having recently read Alice Adams! Please join us. I ditto Diane's question.What did you think of that book? What do you like and what do you dislike about the author's writing. Have you found the thread?
I definitely enjoyed Can You Forgive Her?, my first by Anthony Trollope. I t will not be my last. This is the first Victorian novel I really have ever enjoyed. Great character studies and terribly amusing. It is the humor that really drew me. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chrissie, Can You Forgive Her? is the first of six Palliser novels, isn't it, so you could carry on with those idc.I haven't read them, apart from the first half of yours, some years ago, but they are now all in my reading plan for this year, having read the six Barsetshire novels last year. They are great.
And your enjoyment encourages me to start soon! Thank you.
Chrissie, I've just read your review, and realise you have the Timothy West audiobook version. So have I, for the Barset and Palliser novels, as well as the 'books'. He truly is a magnificent reader, isn't he? I often read and listen at the same time!
John wrote: "Chrissie, Can You Forgive Her? is the first of six Palliser novels, isn't it, so you could carry on with those idc.I haven't read them, apart from the first half of yours, some years ago, but the..."
I know I have added the second in the series to my wishlist. This one:Phineas Finn. Then when those are done I can do his other series. FINALLY a Victorian novel that appeals to me.
Timothy West is a fantastic narrator.
Mimi wrote: "I'm intrigued, too. Putting Can You Forgive Her? on my list...:-)Mahalo Chrissie."
Mimi, have you hated Victorian novels too? You have to like extra long books though. You see I do.
Have just finished A Game For All The Family
by Sophie Hannah. It is a book you are going to either love or hate. I can't see anyone sitting on the fence about this one! I loved it. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Leslie wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Have just come back from my summer beach holiday, and this is what I read! I haven't had much of a look of all your reviews yet, I will try and catch up!..."
The wonders of the in..."
That sounds wonderful Leslie! If you would like any Aussie recommendations let me know!!
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Have just finished A Game For All The Family by Sophie Hannah. It is a book you are going to either love or hate. I ca..."I added this on the strength of your review, Sandy! But as you probably know my 'mount tbr' is ridiculous so adding it means it might even get lost!
Suzanne wrote: "Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Have just finished A Game For All The Family by [auth..."Oh, I know the feeling all too well Suzanne! I have actually just turned down a book offered for review because my pile is just ridiculous! But what a lovely problem to have...*:D
Completed the funny little book Good-bye Mr. Chips. Liked it. Recommended for retired teachers. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
I am a big fan of Seamus Heaney. I haven't read that one yet, but I've liked everything else of his I read, both hus poetry and his wonderful translation of Beowulf.
Others may like Suttree by Cormac McCarthy but I don't. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The following is not just a moving, but a telling quote on the truth of how we know so little of even those closest to us, and it's sheer arrogance and self-centered ego tripping to think we "KNOW" a person. We are more complex than a tree, and just as dynamic. Who can say which specific leaf will fall on a particular day from a tree that they have grown up with for decades; much less to say that we "know" another human being?Here is a quote from the book, "Twelve Years a Slave":
It is a mistaken opinion that prevails in some quarters that the slave does not understand the term does not comprehend the idea of freedom. Even on Bayou Boeuf, where I conceive slavery exists in its most abject and cruel form where it exhibits features altogether unknown in more northern States--the most ignorant of them generally know full well its meaning.
They understand the privileges and exemptions that belong to it, that it would bestow upon them the fruits of their own labors, and that it would secure to them the enjoyment of domestic happiness. They do not fail to observe the difference between their own condition and the meanest white man’s, and to realize the injustice of the laws which place it in his power not only to appropriate the profits of their industry, but to subject them to unmerited and unprovoked punishment, without remedy, or the right to resist or to remonstrate."
Here is another quote from "Twelve Years a Slave"The effect of these exhibitions of brutality on the household of the slave-holder, is apparent. Epps’ oldest son is an intelligent lad of ten or twelve years of age. It is pitiable, sometimes, to see him chastising, for instance, the venerable Uncle Abram. He will call the old man to account, and if in his childish judgement it is necessary, sentence him to a certain number of lashes, which he proceeds to inflict with much gravity and deliberation. Mounted on his pony, he often rides into the field with his whip, playing the overseer, greatly to his father’s delight. Without discrimination, at such times, he applies the rawhide, urging the slaves forward with shouts, and occasional expressions of profanity, while the old man laughs, and commends him as a thorough-going boy.
“The child is father to the man,” and with such training, whatever may be his natural disposition, it cannot well be otherwise than that, on arriving at maturity, the sufferings and miseries of the slave will be looked upon with entire indifference. The influence of the iniquitous system necessarily fosters an unfeeling and cruel spirit, even in the bosoms of those who, among, their equals, are regarded as humane and generous.
Young Master Epps possessed some noble qualities, yet no process of reasoning could lead him to comprehend, that in the eye of the Almighty there is no distinction of color. He looked upon the black man simply as an animal, differing in no respect from any other animal, save in the gift of speech and the possession of somewhat higher instincts, and, therefore, the more valuable. To work like his father’s mules to be whipped and kicked and scourged through life to address the white man with hat in hand, and eyes bent servilely on the earth, in his mind, was the natural and proper destiny of the slave. Brought up with such ideas in the notion that we stand without the pale of humanity no wonder the oppressors of my people are a pitiless and unrelenting race.
A quote from the movie "The Learning Tree"Newt, I been blind for thirty (30) years. I don't know what color people are anymore. If somebody does something good or bad, I don't figure his color into it, I figure his deed ... sometimes I have a little fun, like imagining you are green with pink ears, a blue nose, purple hair. Oh, sometimes I fill my world with all kinds of colors ... And I think sometimes, if all the people in the world were made up of colors instead of just black and white, it'd be a happier world. A wonderful world all mixed up with wonderful-colored people, nobody being the same as anybody else ... Maybe your world is a lot prettier than mine uncle Rob.
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All About Books
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Maybe. I am not sure yet. Diane, so you think he writes well?