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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
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Chrissie
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Apr 20, 2015 07:50AM
Greg, I want to thank you for your help. I might not have seen it if it were not mentioned here in this thread. Leslie was simply responding to my review of Kim in message 4831. I am thankful to both of you.
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Yesterday I finished my final read for this month Northanger Abbey which is my very first read from Jane Austen and it was a pretty good classic romance. Here's my review for it, enjoy.Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Amber wrote: "Yesterday I finished my final read for this month Northanger Abbey which is my very first read from Jane Austen and it was a pretty good classic romance. Here's my review for it, enjoy..."Hey Amber, if you liked "Northanger Abbey", you should read "Pride and Prejudice" - It's really funny and I think the story is more interesting.
Amber wrote: "Yesterday I finished my final read for this month Northanger Abbey which is my very first read from Jane Austen and it was a pretty good classic romance. Here's my review for it, enjoy..."I finished just a few days ago as well. I'll check out your review.
Awesome Charbel, I hope you enjoy it.
Terry wrote: "Amber wrote: "Yesterday I finished my final read for this month Northanger Abbey which is my very first read from Jane Austen and it was a pretty good classic romance. Here's my review..."Agree, agree, agree! P and P is her best and one of the greatest novels ever! I've read it so many times and always love it.
Here is my review of "Northanger Abbey", for anyone who wants to read it but might have missed it. I reread it just before Christmas.
I've been rather delinquent in keeping up with this thread. My new job has me at the computer a lot more and I find that I don't get to my home computer as much in the evenings. I enjoy Austin's writing. I'm the odd-ball, though, and found P&P her weakest book. I loved Sense & Sensibility. I still have Mansfield Park and Lady Susan to look forward to.
Since my last update here, I've finished these books:
China Dolls: I like Lisa See's books. They are entertaining, have some historical facts, good characters, etc. This one had the characters and the historical facts and was entertaining but it was also more superficial somehow and I wasn't drawn into it as much. I listened to the audio version and really liked how the three voices brought out the different tones and personalities of the three characters.
My review can be found here.
On Canaan's Side: I really enjoyed Lilly's story. The writing was wonderful and I look forward to reading more by this author.
My review can be found here.
My Name Was Judas: the story of Jesus told by Judas, 40 years after the death of Jesus. An earthly tale, telling the story of Jesus in human terms (no miracles). I suppose this story could be disturbing to some but its told in a warm tone and is a heartfelt story. The one thing that was "odd", I found, was the relationship between Jesus and his family, particularly his mother. An interesting book and I quite enjoyed it.
My review can be found here.
The Long Way Home: I really enjoy the Inspector Gamache series. It's not the best written but it's warm and I've become invested in the characters. I like how the Inspector and his crew solve the mysteries and how the characters stand by each other. The series is one of friendship and loyalty.
However, this book really had no big story to tell. It was important for continuing the saga of the characters but it seemed to be a lot of repetition and filler. Also, the ending was not in character and I thought it was an easy cop-out for Louise Penny.
Much as I like this series, this is not a favorite.
My review can be found here.
Petra, I have heard others complain about the last Louise Penny book also. I have been hesitant to get it from the library for that reason. Maybe I will skip it!
Leslie, it's an important book to read for the series. I recommend you read it but don't expect a good mystery. A lot happens....internally and is important and would have been more so if Louise Penny hadn't copped out on the ending.
The NightingaleFANTASTIC. And my first (not last) by this author. Really well done. Prepare to be emotional.
I finally got around to reading that John Boyne book, A History of Loneliness. I was pretty disappointed. I mean, the man can obviously write well, but I didn't care for the story very much. I gave it 2.5 stars.
Petra wrote: "My Name Was Judas: the story of Jesus told by Judas, 40 years after the death of Jesus. An earthly tale, telling the story of Jesus in human terms (no miracles). I suppose this story could be disturbing to some but its told in a warm tone and is a heartfelt story. The one thing that was "odd", I found, was the relationship between Jesus and his family, particularly his mother. An interesting book and I quite enjoyed it."This reminds me of a book I've read last year, Judas Iscariot and Others by Leonid Andreyev. It wasn't easy to say who was right and who was wrong; if Judas was really bad or if he has been pushed to behave like he did. It was an interesting read.
What I don't understand from the book you have read, is how it's possible that Judas told the story 40 years after Jesus' death seen that Judas killed himself after the condemnation of Jesus. Do they explain it in some way?
dely wrote: "What I don't understand from the book you have read, is how it's possible that Judas told the story 40 years after Jesus' death seen that Judas killed himself after the condemnation of Jesus. Do they explain it in some way? ..."Yes. I don't want to give anything away but all the pieces of the story were there and plausibly told.
Petra wrote: "Yes. I don't want to give anything away but all the pieces of the story were there and plausibly told. "Ok, this is good. Usually I don't like if something isn't historically true or credible.
Whether its true or not lies in History itself. But it's credible.
Petra wrote: "dely wrote: "What I don't understand from the book you have read, is how it's possible that Judas told the story 40 years after Jesus' death seen that Judas killed himself after the condemnation of..."I wonder if this book draws from gnostic writings such as the GOSPEL OF JUDAS?
There were a few details mentioned that were also in The Jesus Dynasty: The Hidden History of Jesus, His Royal Family and the Birth of Christianity, so I think there's an attempt to use the historical evidence and/or gnostic writings.
Mod
I enjoy Austin's ..."
Great books Petra! I should stop reading your posts: everytime I do that I add to my never ending TBR list!!!!!
LauraT wrote: "Great books Petra! I should stop reading your posts: everytime I do that I add to my never ending TBR list!!!!! ..."Thanks, Laura!
The same goes for me and everyone's super reads. My TBR list grows and grows.
I recently read 'Corrections' by Jonathan Franzen and 'American Rust' by Phillip Meyer, both these books apparently earned National Book Award in America. Regrettably, they both hurt my sensibility and decency, by their vulgarity and violence, on top of their deep despair and cynicism.What they are portraying may very well represent a part of the reality today; but, does that mean these authors have to keep hammering on those points until we become numb to them? Do they not know how to rise above these pettiness, and create characters and stories that show us some light in the darkness?
Victor Hugo was right when he said "What a writer writes reflects his soul." These writers have won National Award, but what's reflected through their writings doesn't speak highly of their soul.
On the contrary, I also read "If Beale Street Could Talk" by James Baldwin. That's a story where the characters don't give in to despair; they struggle on, hold on to their dignity till the end, even if that means being beaten down by the system. His characters and their stories inspire us, give us hope. At no point, the author takes recourse to showing extreme violence, even though one can feel that happening underneath; nor does he use an over-abundance of vulgarity or repeated obscene language.
Where are the authors like Baldwin and Victor Hugo today? I shall really appreciate if some of you can point me toward some positive and constructive writers.What do you think ?
Petra wrote: "Leslie, it's an important book to read for the series. I recommend you read it but don't expect a good mystery. A lot happens....internally and is important and would have been more so if Louise Pe..."OK but I am not in a rush to get to it.
I just finished The Harder They Come by T.C. Boyle. I heard him speak in Seattle last week. I gave it 5 stars, but I'm sure it won't be for everyone because it is about the darker side of American life. Here's a link to my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Corinne, I'm thinking about your author question. The first author that comes to mind is Jan Karon. Her Mitford series is full of hopeful people. It is fairly light in writing style, though, so I am still thinking about this and trying to come up with some more ideas.
Corinne, To Kill a Mockingbird! Pereira Maintains is another that fits the bill. Check out An Officer and a Spy maybe too?Thanks for your review, Karen.
Mod
Baldwin is by no means "light reading." His ideas challenge, and his books are sometimes violent (I'm recalling something vaguely from Giovanni's Room as I write this though it's been many years since I read that book). There is not an insincere bone in his body though. He's occasionally disillusioned (a few anguished howls in the dark), but he doesn't truly despair. I feel a nobility of spirit in his work. He believed passionately in the struggle for something better. In my opinion, that's honorable.
I'm trying to think what to recommend you, but I think I'll wait until I know your tastes better. Also much of what I read isn't contemporary.
Mod
Some great recommendations there Chrissie!
Greg, three excellent books, huh?! That I felt Corinne wanted fiction titles made it more difficult for me.
Mod
Corinne wrote: "I recently read 'Corrections' by Jonathan Franzen and 'American Rust' by Phillip Meyer, both these books apparently earned National Book Award in America. Regrettably, they both hurt my sensibility..."Corrine, maybe try Gilead by Marilynne Robinson or Mr Wigg by Aussie author Inga Simpson as a couple for starters? Books that portray hope.
Corinne wrote: "I recently read 'Corrections' by Jonathan Franzen and 'American Rust' by Phillip Meyer, both these books apparently earned National Book Award in America. Regrettably, they both hurt my sensibility..."That sounds like a couple of books I may really enjoy. I should get right on that.
It's funny people throw around words like soul, but as far as I'm concerned they have no meaning whatsoever. Nor does obscene language, AFAIAC.
Just finished What the Dog Knows: The Science and Wonder of Working Dogs. Really good, nicely written and lots of insights into canines.
I thought American Rust was excellent. Its bleakness was essential to portray the lives of the protagonists of the novel. There was hope there also.
Finished The Dream Lover: A Novel of George Sand. A generous 3 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Mod
Thanks for the great review Angela. I was curious about that one!
Thanks , Greg . I was hoping I'd like it more but it was the narrative style that turned me off a bit.
dely wrote: "Petra wrote: "My Name Was Judas: the story of Jesus told by Judas, 40 years after the death of Jesus. An earthly tale, telling the story of Jesus in human terms (no miracles). I suppose this story ..."Dely- I haven't read the book, so I might be wrong, but perhaps the Judas of My Name Was Judas was Judas son of James, not Judas Iscariot, the traitor? He was one of the apostles mentioned in Luke 6:16.
Corinne wrote: "I recently read 'Corrections' by Jonathan Franzen and 'American Rust' by Phillip Meyer, both these books apparently earned National Book Award in America. Regrettably, they both hurt my sensibility..."Cloud Atlas
Cloud Atlas has some disturbing elements, but in general the author is imploring you to stand up for what is right, do what you can to make a difference in the world - he says at the end, you may feel whatever you do is a "drop in the ocean" but if everyone does something, there are thousands of drops which make up the ocean...
Mod
Thanks for your review, Karen."
Love them both!
I've just read a gorgeously sumptuous little book - Lewis Carroll's "Little Folks' edition" of his classic, Alice in WonderlandJean's review
Macmillan are reissuing lots of treats this year in honour of the book's 150th anniversary, and this is one.
LauraT wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Corinne, To Kill a Mockingbird! Pereira Maintains is another that fits the bill. Check out An Officer and a Spy maybe too?Thanks for y..."
Mmm, good books.
Corrine, I do understand what you are talking about.
Thanks all for your suggestions. I will have a look. Don't you think that there are too many commercial fictions around (very light reading). I remember I started reading 'Skyward' by Marie alice Monroe, and I put it aside after 100 pages : no real caracters (we don't feel a life behind),the story structure is done on a model, No author's conviction, No insight to think further...That is not what I expect from a writer. That is only my point of view.Have a good day !
Corinne wrote: "Thanks all for your suggestions. I will have a look. Don't you think that there are too many commercial fictions around (very light reading). I remember I started reading 'Skyward' by Marie alice M..."Yes, and as a result I have turned to classics and non-fiction. Writing any book is difficult and an art so in fact they can disappoint too.
@Corinne I think when an author churns a books out every single year for twenty years, then you can be fairly well assured that the books will be, what I term, beach fodder.
Angela M wrote: "Finished The Dream Lover: A Novel of George Sand. A generous 3 stars . My review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."Good review Angela! I've added this to my to-read list. Have always wanted to read about George Sand.
I didn't like the first-person style of narrative with Philippa Gregory's The White Queen. But I found such style OK with Memoirs of a Geisha.
Thanks ,Alice . I didn't mind the first person narrative with either of those books but for some reason it just didn't work for me here . Looking forward to your thoughts on it .
Sandy, I second your choice of Rules of Civility! I put off reading that book, and what a mistake that was.
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