All About Books discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
General Archive
>
What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
I've finished The Devil All the Time yesterday. What a harsh reality it portraits! What struck me most is that the only thing that sets the characters with a remaining sense of moral or human dignity apart from the ones that have lost all sense of it, is the motivation behind their actions. The actions however look almost identical. Very hard to stomach at times but equally hard to put down. It is a good book, but of the people I know, I would only recommend it to a handful to be honest.
I finished the Fire Wish yesterday and it was a pretty good read. Here's my review if anyone wants to check it out:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Do you want to laugh? Yes? Well then read Breakfast at Tiffany'sMy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Because I try to explain who the book will appeal to most. Humor is so very different form one person to another.
Greg wrote: "Finishing up (and greatly enjoying) Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov for the readalong and also reading The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood."I read The Penelopiad a while ago now, I liked it but not my favorite book by her. Are you enjoying it?
Finished The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Stories and enjoyed it immensely.
What were "the others" like, Katie? Were they similar in feel? I enjoyed The Yellow Wallpaper a couple of months ago.
I am currently reading Death Masks having become obsessed with the whole Dresden Files series and finished the previous 2 in rapid succession. Not a good time to get obsessed as I return to work tomorrow and should be planning lessons:) I'm finding them fun fast reads, very exciting but after this one may give the series a break.
Mod
I read every book she wrote (poetry & prose) up to and including The Robber Bride. I don't know which one is my favorite. The dreams in The Robber Bride were fascinating. Cat's Eye moved me deeply, but it hit a little close to home; so I've only read that one once so far. Surfacing was good. I quite enjoyed The Edible Woman and Lady Oracle. The Handmaid's Tale was good too; I recently re-read that one for the group read of another group. I haven't read any of the recent ones (like the MaddAddam trilogy that many have been raving about).
Which Atwood book is your favorite?
I would recommend Heaven and Hell: the story is set in Iceland at the end of the 19th century and tells a brief and tragic period in the life of some fishermen. Last winter I have also read Sommerlicht, und dann kommt die Nacht: Roman by the same author and I fell in love with this book, set in Iceland but nowadays. I don't know if it's translated in English...
Jón Kalman Stefánsson began his literary experience as poet, and in my opninion the first word to define these two novels is really poetic.
5 stars
Jenny wrote: "I've finished The Devil All the Time yesterday. What a harsh reality it portraits! What struck me most is that the only thing that sets the characters with a remaining sense of mora..."I read that a while back in one sitting. That type of book is what I think of as a "trash read." Not that it wasn't worth reading--it was actually pretty entertaining IMO-- but I consider that kind of thing a guilty pleasure, and certainly not too wholesome.
Greg wrote: "Katie, I agree with you. I'm enjoying The Penelopiad but it's not my favorite Atwood. I do like the faux Greek chorus with the 12 maids; the fact that Atwood is a fairly accomplished p..."Jumping in on this convo because The Handmaid's Tale is my all-time favorite book. :) Enjoyed Oryx and Crake too, the beginning of the MaddAddam trilogy. Her talent for detailed characterization is astounding.
So, since I loved The Handmaid's Tale so much, I'd like to try more of her books and hopefully one will transfix me the way Handmaid's did. But she has so many! Which would you recommend trying next?
(I guess the next book in MaddAddam would be a sensible next read, but I meant besides that. :P I do plan on reading the rest of it, but I'd also like to explore a different story.)
Mod
Mod
Shannon, maybe the one Diane is recommending (Alias Grace) is a good one to try. Looks interesting!
A dystopian premise isn't the main thing I'm interested in (though she does write those very well!) -- it was more the tone and subtle emotion of her style that I really liked in Handmaid's. I'm really intrigued by the premise for Edible Woman - was the book itself good?
Mod
Finished reading a novella by Gertrud von le Fort, The Song at the Scaffold. This is a novel set during the French Revolution and is based on the true event of the execution of the Carmelite Nuns of Compiegne. On one hand it speaks of the faith and the spirit of sacrifice of the nuns and on the other side it is a terrible indictment of the historical events that were surrounding it. If you are interested in the religious themes, this is a good book. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I completed Down and Out in Paris and London. I have read better books by George Orwell.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have finished Nausea by Jean-Paul Sartre. Fiuuuu, what a tough book! Thanks God I could enter the mind of the main character though I was scared to remain entagled by his point of view. Existentialism at its purest.I still haven't rated the book but it will be 3 or 4 stars by sure. Sartre was able to talk about the thoughts of an existentialist and this isn't easy. I think I would have liked this book much more a lot of years ago when I was younger and had a similar point of view of the character. Now I'm older and have made peace with my existence. I still agree with some things but can't agree anymore with others.
I wouldn't recommend it to everybody, just to who is fond of philosphy.
As a couple of you are wondering about reading Alias Grace, I thought it might be worth linking to my review, in case it helps you decide :)It's one of the rare novels Margaret Atwood has written based on a true series of events. Even so though, I've still hidden a little bit at the end under a spoiler tag, as there is a mystery running though the novel. I NEVER spoil anything for anyone. I hope! :D
Recently read Thieving Forest and All Good Women: A Novel, both got three stars from me.Also read Other People's Houses, four stars. My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
♪Eleonora♪ wrote: "I would recommend Heaven and Hell: the story is set in Iceland at the end of the 19th century and tells a brief and tragic period in the life of some fishermen. Last winter I have ..."
Sounds utterly tempting!!
♪Eleonora♪ wrote: "I would recommend Heaven and Hell: the story is set in Iceland at the end of the 19th century and tells a brief and tragic period in the life of some fishermen. Last winter I have ..."
Eleonora, I agree with Jenny; Heaven and Hell looks really good! I will add it to my lists. Thanks for mentioning it.
Chrissie wrote: "♪Eleonora♪ wrote: "I would recommend Heaven and Hell: the story is set in Iceland at the end of the 19th century and tells a brief and tragic period in the life of some fishermen. ..."
I have just looked for Sommerlicht, und dann kommt die Nacht: Roman in English translation in LC and British Library opac, but maybe it doesn't exist unfortunately!
♪Eleonora♪ wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "♪Eleonora♪ wrote: "I would recommend Heaven and Hell: the story is set in Iceland at the end of the 19th century and tells a brief and tragic period in the life of ..."I wish I could read German and Icelandic is too far from Swedish.
Finished reading the 'short story collection' by T. Borowski This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen. These short stories are in fact concentration camp stories for Borowski was an Auschwitz survivor. Based on his own life in the concentration camp for two years he has narrated them in the short story form. To me it looks like a must read for everyone. Here is the link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have just read Evergreen, a sad but powerful story was 5 stars for me. My sort of review :https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Pale Fire.Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I think Nabokov is a magician with words. He has great imagination, but I wanted even lore. I have given Lolita four stars, Speak, Memory five, and Pnin only two.
Greg wrote: "I haven't read that one yet Diane. I only read her books up to and including The Robber Bride.Shannon, maybe the one Diane is recommending (Alias Grace) is a good one to..."
@Shannon and Greg: I've added Alias Grace after reading Jean's review - it seems like an intriguing story :)
Hope you enjoy it when you get there, Alice ;)
I've just finished reading Imperial Woman by Pearl Buck and loved it. It's a riveting read about the last Empress of China's Qing Dynasty and the author did a good job blending historical facts with fictionalized characterization of her person, spiced up with a little romantic love.Here's my review if anyone is interested:-
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Alice wrote: "Shannon, maybe the one Diane is recommending (Alias Grace) is ...@Shannon and Greg: I've added Alias Grace after reading Jean's review - it seems like an intriguing story :)"
This was a BoTM for our group back in December - feel free to add to that discussion thread here when you read it!
the last two I finished was the velveteen rabbit and the day the crayons quit and they were both pretty good for audiobooks.
I've just finished reading The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I have it 3*. I thought it was a pleasant read but nothing amazing.
Sabrina wrote: "There is a new author, Sabrina Aleman, that is so terrific! The book is called Liars Like Me. I love how the story started out light, but then got much deeper towards the end. Was not expecting it ..."Are you the author?
We have strict rules about self promotion in this group, please see the guidelines on the group homepage.
If you would like to discuss a book you haven't written, I'm sure we would all be interested
If you would like to discuss a book you haven't written, I'm sure we would all be interested
I listened to half of The Selfish Gene and then dumped it.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Anyone read any Sarah Waters or Tana French? I never have, but they both have new releases out that I've been waiting on for a while thanks to:http://www.themillions.com/2014/07/mo....
Many have praised Sarah Waters' new The Paying Guests but I have not read it or her earlier ones! I hesitate, to be honest, due to the lgtb theme and b/c I cannot find one that might pull me in on another theme. I have heard that her character portrayals are excellent, and that is why I KEEP considering her books. There is always something that pulls me back from choosing one. Fingersmith) well depicts Victorian life from the low to the upper classes and it is not too graphic, The Little Stranger is a ghost story, another is set in a prison(Affinity...... I think if I were to start it would be Fingersmith. Tipping the Velvet is the most graphic, and some readers find Paying Guests graphic too. It is funny you should bring her up. I have just recently been discussing this author with another friend. These are the conclusions I drew with her help.
I thought I would pass them on to help others with similar hesitations as mine.
Maybe others can state how they reason?
Chrissie wrote: "Many have praised Sarah Waters' new The Paying Guests but I have not read it or her earlier ones! I hesitate, to be honest, due to the lgtb theme and b/c I cannot find one that migh..."I read about 50 pages of THE PAYING GUESTS tonight. It's real quality fiction IMO, but I was wanting something creepy and quality so I switched over to THE LITTLE STRANGER and read almost 200 pages of it. I'm pretty impressed thus far with Sarah Waters.
Chuck wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Many have praised Sarah Waters' new The Paying Guests but I have not read it or her earlier ones! I hesitate, to be honest, due to the lgtb theme and b/c I cannot f..."Most everyone who reads Waters is so impressed, and this is why I cannot get her out of my head..... Yeah, The Little Stranger is the ghost one and without the lgtb theme. Is this your first?
Her littlest stranger is one of my favorites. Their were some parts of paying guests that I had a hard time relating too. Though she is a fabulous author when it comes to characterizations. Have read all of Tana French and loved them all. They are usually dark, gritty and in your face.
Diane, glad to see you here. I have missed you!
Thanks Chrissie, I have missed being on here and keeping up with everything. Hopefully after tomorrow I can start posting regularly again.
Diane S. wrote: "Thanks Chrissie, I have missed being on here and keeping up with everything. Hopefully after tomorrow I can start posting regularly again."I am looking forward to you being on line.
Diane , I'm happy to see you are back too ! Additions to my to read list have slowed down a bit but I expect that will change - lol!
Welcome back Diane! I too hope we see you posting again :) Message me any time.And I too am curious to read some Sarah Waters.
Hi all!! It's been a few days and I've missed a lot in this group. Don't know if I can catch up on all of it.....such a chatty group (I love that)!!I've only read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and that was years ago.
As I recall, it has a mystery to be solved and is more about becoming comfortable with oneself and one's lifestyle choices.
There are a few non-descriptive (but very suggestive; you won't get the wrong idea about what's happening) lesbian sex scenes but they are not the focus of the book by a long shot.
I quite enjoyed the story, as I recall and would read more of Sarah Waters books.
Petra, oh jeeze, so I decide to not read her and then I change my mind again.... This is so typical of me. So VERY many people say she is too good to miss even if there is the lgtb theme too, and that this can be interpreted as "more about becoming comfortable with oneself", as you so aptly put it. She remains in my radar.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
All About Books
Books mentioned in this topic
Red Shoes for Rachel: Three Novellas (other topics)Kindred (other topics)
Kindred (other topics)
Kindred (other topics)
The Promise Girls (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
Octavia E. Butler (other topics)
Marie Bostwick (other topics)
Deon Meyer (other topics)
More...
It's one of my favourite books by one of my fa..."
Now here's an embarrassing confession, I've read both, but always confuse them!!! ;) (They circle a very similar theme) However they are both great so I'd say start with whichever comes your way first!