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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
John wrote: "Yes, very different. Think of those books so wonderful to a teenager/student - The Catcher In The Rye, Metamorphosis (Kafka), Steppenwolf (Hesse), for example. If I read them for the first time now I would be much less 'blown away', I reckon. Conversely, more intricate novels of subtle human relationships mean so much more now then they did then. ."That;s exactly what I feel too, John. Some people will re-read old favourites from their youth etc but not me, I've been disappointed when I have tried one.
I have also found I've changed dramatically in relation to type of genre I read. In my 20s and 30s, I read lots of crime and thrillers and also writers who write what I call 'women's fiction'. Nowadays I rarely read books like these anymore, just stories for enjoyment aren't enough for me now. I want subjects that 'matter', stories based on historical facts or true life, and biographies (usually of historical monarchy). I've also got into Holocaust based books which was a genre I had avoided in the past. Nowadays, my brain seems to crave facts.
Just finished Fahrenheit 451 and honestly, was not overwhelmed although the premise was good and I certainly understand what his mission was, which he did accomplish, I just didn't care for the writing style of the storyline. Now reading Snow.
Jenny wrote: "I've finished two excellent books today: Orlando by Virginia Woolf, which I would recommend highly to anyone who would like to try or re-try her but finds stream of consciousness inacc..."Jenny, good to know you loved Orlando - I have a printed copy that was bought at a library book sale. Hope to get to it this year!
I can highly recommend The Winter of Our Discontent, particularly to those who love cozy mysteries, comfort reads. And of course to all those of us who enjoy Steinbeck's writing. I finished it last night. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Bette, please see my message 7871. , I think we were writing at exactly the same instant and then you miss stuff.
Alice wrote: "Jenny, good to know you loved Orlando - I have a printed copy that was bought at a library book sale. Hope to get to it this year! .."Same here!
Chrissie wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "Does anyone else feel that happens to them? ."Definitely! I am pickier. I spend so much time reading now; I cannot help but compare one book against another. The more you..."
Yes, I, too, am pickier now but can sometimes get carried away by other people's enthusiasms. I agree with what you say about having experienced more, it does reflect upon your choices in books.
B the BookAddict wrote: "I agree with what you say about having experienced more, it does reflect upon your choices in books.."You have a wider base of interest! Yet, I am getting harder and harder to please; one compares with the great books you have run into.
Chrissie wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "I agree with what you say about having experienced more, it does reflect upon your choices in books.."You have a wider base of interest! Yet, I am getting harder and har..."
I didn't mean 'you' as in 'you Chrissie, choices. I meant generally I think as one ages, one's own experiences make choosing a book more difficult. I know that counts for me; I'm not happy reading for reading's sake, as I might have been when I was younger. A book has to teach me something, tell me something of merit, or be able to make me really feel.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "B the BookAddict wrote: "I agree with what you say about having experienced more, it does reflect upon your choices in books.."You have a wider base of interest! Yet, I am getti..."
Oh, now I understand. Actually, I think there are so many books I want to read, it is simply hard picking which to read first. That certainly doesn't mean I will like them all. I usually am pretty optimistic when I start though, otherwise I would not try them.
I'm always optimistic too, Chrissie; a new book is the beginning of a new reading adventure!
I've just read Station Eleven which i loved. It's a sort of literary sci-fi, very much character-led.
Finished Aesop's Fables by Aesop 4 Stars and Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris 5 Stars
Tom, was this your first reading of Aesop's Fables? I remember it being read to me when young and then later reading it myself - back in the days when childhood was uncomplicated.
Finished reading Graham Greene's Monsignor Quixote. Liked it. It is human to doubt one's faith be it faith in God or in any one of the ideologies. 4 out of 5 stars.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've just finished The Kind Worth Killing, which was chosen by someone at my book club. I had much the same reaction to it as I did to "Gone Girl". It was all a bit too far-fetched for me. I mean, if you set a story in the real world, at least make it real. I haven't decided what to rate it yet.
B the BookAddict wrote: "Tom, was this your first reading of Aesop's Fables? I remember it being read to me when young and then later reading it myself - back in the days when childhood was uncomplicated."Yes it was my first time reading it. I don't recall them being read to me specifically but rather acquiring them over the course of living life. The edition I read is public domain, but the language (as I noted in my review) is notably (for lack of a better word) old-fashioned. Not surprising as it's a 1912 edition. The language might be different but the stories' intent is the same.
The Invasion of Heaven: Part One of the Newirth Mythology Took until 44% to get to the meat of the matter, but it's creepy in a Twilight Zone-ish way. The first of three books, once the set-up is established, I'm loving it. And it really is about the Invasion of Heaven.
I cannot say The Sound of One Hand Clapping was a disappointment because I was not sure I was going to like it. The writing style gave me trouble, but it might be another's cup of tea. At least I know now I need not try more of Richard Flanagan books. I did enjoy Humphrey Bower's narration VERY, VERY much. That was a pleasant surprise. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tom wrote: "Finished Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris 5 Stars"Hi Tom, don't you miss the drawings when you listen to a storybook? If a book has illustrations I spend a lot of time studying them, even the cover gets dozens on perusals depending on how relevant it is to the story. (Which makes it too bad when ARCs don't include a cover, though my last netgalley read put a copy of the cover inside.)
Zip
Hello ,I need to read something different from my orginal route so i need little advice.
What is on my mind is Benjamin "Ben" Linus , he was a very manipulative fictional character on the ABC television series Lost.
What are other examples like him in the literature that comes to your mind?
Thanks in advance.
Have you ever read a book that opened your heart? Gave you a different perspective on life and everything in it? I just did Here is a review by Tracey: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Thank you Alice it is an exceptional book :)
Yes Chrissie and The Highland witch. !
Tracey, I wonder why so many titles? CorragIt has been on y lists forever. What has put me off is its romance. What is done with the fantasy element? Is it classified as such simply b/c of her being called a witch? What draws me to it is that many say it has beautiful lines, good descriptions.
Not romance per sae Chrissie. Corrags' romance is really with the natural world which she sees through incredibly wise eyes.
This isn't a fantasy book either it's based on real characters and real events. The names of Corrag , Charles Leslie , Dalrymple and the McDonald clan members The McCain, Iain, Alasdair and so on are real and right at the time of the massacre.
Herb lore , healing was considered witchcraft in those times, anything different was outlawed. Women were labeled witch, hag , whore it all meant the same thing. Praying was the only way to heal the sick so who were the doctors if not these women who knew the herbs to heal wounds , help with birth and death ?
Gotcha, Tracey. I knew it was based on historical events. I figured it was just readers way of classifying the witch phenomenon.
I hope when you get around to it you will enjoy it Chrissie her writing and her characters especially Corrags voice are luminous.
I really, really enjoyed The Water is Wide: A Memoir. Pat Conroy writes not only fiction.I will be trying that soon too. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A serious topic told with humor. Kids, the things they say are priceless.
I finished As I Lay Dying a couple of days ago. Faulkner is the bomb! I had a hard time reviewing this, there's so much in it, and my review doesn't do the book justice but here it is:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Petra wrote: "I finished As I Lay Dying a couple of days ago. Faulkner is the bomb! I had a hard time reviewing this, there's so much in it, and my review doesn't do the book justice but here it is:..."Petra, I really liked this one as well. Looking forward to reading something else by him sometime this year.
Jenny wrote: "Petra wrote: "I finished As I Lay Dying a couple of days ago.Petra, I really liked this one as well. Looking forward to reading something else by him sometime this year.
..."
Jenny, I hope you join us in Gill's Faulkner group reads. There is one every 2 months. I'm not sure where the scheduled books are posted but there will be updates.
I've read 2 of his books now and loved them both.
Recently finished
Eat the Dark by Joe Schreiber opn audio. An excellent production. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...And Big Little Lies
by Liane Moriarty which I just adored! I want these women (madeline, Celeste and Jane) for my friends! My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Death on the Riviera: A British Library Crime Classic by John Bude. 4 Stars from me.This is my second John Bude novel, and I am now a firm fan.
He writes with a light hand, adept characterisation, and a dry sense of humour.
Death on the Riviera starts with the secondment of Detective Inspector Meredith to the French Riviera where a counterfeit currency racket has been linked to an Englishman, Chalky Cobbett, a well known crook and forger.
Aided by Sergeant Strang and Inspector Blampignon, Meredith follows the clues to Villa Paloma, the residence of an eccentric Englishwoman and her odd assortment of guests. There is smuggling, a clandestine love affair, a wronged husband, a cad, and, of course, a body.
This is a highly enjoyable classic murder mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the gift of an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
@Petra, thanks, I am planning to join in on some!@Diane S. thanks, I haven't read this one yet, so I will pencil it down.
Petra wrote: "I finished As I Lay Dying a couple of days ago. Faulkner is the bomb! I had a hard time reviewing this, there's so much in it, and my review doesn't do the book justice but here it is:..."That he is. Even a Faulkner version of a potboiler (Sanctuary) has a lot going on. Is why he's one of my favorite authors.
Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Death on the Riviera: A British Library Crime Classic by John Bude. 4 Stars from me.This..."
Sounds good Sandy! It is nice to see some of the less-well known Golden Age authors being reissued now.
I finished Valeria's Last Stand. Thankfully, it was a quick read.....that's about the only thing it had going for it. :(Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Petra, ha ha. We both gave it one star. Not good at all.
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John, that's interesting actually. I've read Kafka's The Metamorphosis again in my late twenties. He stood the test of time without the tiniest wobble. Hesse I also imagine to be a bit trickier. I think Steppenwolf for example might still work for me (though would maybe not blow me away like it did when I was 16) but Demian for example - which I would quote from almost religiously when I was a teenager - I would be too scared to re-read. I am afraid my 35 year old me would critique it to shreds.