Books on the Nightstand discussion
What Are You Reading October 2013
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@ Kate and Melissa,I read In the Shadow of the Banyan and I really liked it. I found the story to unfold slowly, but the writing is so quiet in tone and exudes a serenity that is a contrast to the landscape and what is happening. I hope you stick with it Melissa for a few more pages to see if you get to like it better.
I want to thank Michael and BOTNS for reviewing Night Film. I have moved on to other books now, but I am still thinking about it. While not perfect, and brimming with italics, it was unique and creative and fabulous. I encourage other listeners to read it.
I'm disappointed.
I really enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy,
and
. Both of those books left me with a keen sense of anticipation. Unfortunately, what this book offers is anticlimax.The suspense created by the first two books is all resolved quickly, to be followed by scenes of the day to day lives of the survivors, intercut with flashbacks of the story of Zeb, brother of Adam One. Zeb's story, unlike those of Oryx and Crake, is relevant mostly to Zeb himself, and not to the world at large.
This book could have been totally dispensed with, and a brief coda added to "Year of the Flood" to resolve the main story. The book's saving grace is that there is some closure. We have an idea what happens to all the main characters, and a glimpse of where humanity is headed in the wake of the plague. The essential coincidence of why all the characters who survive somehow know each other from before the plague is never resolved. We know why Jimmy survived, but he's the only character whose survival is explained.
I've never felt let down by Atwood before, which was all the more disappointing.
Chanda2426 wrote: "Has anyone read Bellman & Black 
?I LOVED The Thirteenth Tale and was hoping for thoughts about the new one.
Thanks"
I show a release date of 11/5, so I haven't read it yet. I did pre-order it though and I look forward to it. I LOVED The Thirteenth Tale, read last December for book club.
Amy wrote: "Chanda2426 wrote: "Has anyone read Bellman & Black ?I LOVED The Thirteenth Tale and was hoping for thoughts about the new one.
Thanks"
I show a ..."
I LOVED The Thirteenth Tale too!! I am only 70 pages in to this one, but I have high hopes that it will be a good read as well. Not sure anything can measure up to her debut though.
BTW, I won this ARC on here. I'll let you know how it is if you'd like.
Do you like Wally Lamb too? I want to read his new one.
I just finished
. It was better than I expected. A bit far fetched, plot-wise, but I enjoyed it.
Just finished Black Chalk by Christopher J Yates which I loved and reminded me of The secret history. Tempted to treat myself to The Goldfinch after the positive mentions on here. The Rosie Project is great by the way.
I've just started Night Film. Been interested in reading this book since I heard about it on the podcast.
Reading
. What a freaky sandbox of a book. All the hubbub surrounding
made me want to read it, since HoL was the original book of that type.
. What a freaky sandbox of a book. All the hubbub surrounding
made me want to read it, since HoL was the original book of that type.
@ Eric,I look forward to your review on house of leaves. It certainly sounds like an eclectic book.
Chanda2426 wrote: "Do you like Wally Lamb too? I want to read his new one. ..."I do like Wally Lamb. I had pre-ordered his new one and it has shown up on my Kindle. I am really Donna Tartt's new one The Goldfinch right now. So far loving it.
Melissa wrote: "I also started Doctor SleepPerfect for Halloween."I read The Shining for Halloween... don't think I will fit in Dr. Sleep this month. Maybe I will save it for next Halloween :)
Amy wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I also started Doctor SleepPerfect for Halloween."I read The Shining for Halloween... don't think I will fit in Dr. Sleep this month. Maybe I will save it for next Halloween :)"
oh don't wait!!!
Becky wrote: "I finished 
& I started 
"What did you think of The Wolf Gift Chronicles. I ran across this in my TBR list when I was working on my 2014 reading goals yesterday.
Amy wrote: "Becky wrote: "I finished & I started "What did you think of The Wolf Gift Chronicles. I ran across this in my ..."
I liked the story line, liked the characters, some parts were a little boring to me but I did enjoy it & I look forward to reading The Wolves of Midwinter…..
I am still a bit in my reading rut, but I am almost finished with
and I'm really enjoying it. I had it on my TBR lit from somewhere - BOTNS, Bookmarks magazine, I'm not sure. But anyway, I like it a lot and haven't noticed anyone else talking about it.I see that cover is hard to read, it's You Are One of Them
I'm currently reading
and
. Next up are
and
.Also - I was just trying to reorganize my library hold queue, and had one of those terrible freak-out moments (as we do) where I realize that I'M NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO READ IT ALL! And not only that ... THEY'RE JUST GOING TO KEEP WRITING MORE! Even though I have a lot more reading time in my life than many of you. It's so not fair. I'll get over it - I always do. But I think I'm going to be a little distraught all day. :/
Reading The Goldfinch, really got hooked into it!
Ellen wrote: "Reading The Goldfinch, really got hooked into it!"Reading it now too. It is so good, though I didn't realize how long it would be (oops, downloaded it on Kindle).
I'm reading Goldfinch too. Great story .. Great characters
I just finished
. It was amazing!!! Setterfield writes ala Poe. I highly recommend this, as it comes out officially on Tuesday.Just starting
. Looks like an easy, happy read. Hope so!
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
Bellman & Black (other topics)The Rosie Project (other topics)
The American Way of Poverty: How the Other Half Still Lives (other topics)
The Faraway Nearby (other topics)
Cartwheel (other topics)
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I read In the Shadow of the Banyan for one of my book groups earlier this year. Some of us had a hard time getting into it, but felt it was worth it in the end. We have also done a lot of war books this year and our next couple of choices are less war related.