What'cha readin'?

[Michael]

Chrissie wrote: "Finished Strumpet City
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I thought I would move on from the 1913 Lockout to the 1916 Easter Rebellion. 1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion s..."

I found this series to be exceptionally good, plus it gives the reader a real sense of the Irish century. I hope you enjoy it,

[Chrissie]

Michael, there is a huge difference between Plunkett and Llywelyn. I love how Llywelyn has history tied in on every page. All is so clearly explained.

Michael, how does one pronounce Llwelyn? Do you know?

[[deleted user]]

'Here we are there we go' by Jill Dobbe. An account of how the author and her husband travelled to, and taught, in different countries with their very young children.

I hope to write and post a review in the next week or two.

[Chrissie]

Finished Einstein: His Life and Universe, and I highly recommend it. Why? To meet the man, not necessarily to better understand physics. Sure, I did learn a bit about physics, but it is the man that is the most remarkable ingredient.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Starting Townie: A Memoir now.

[Jill]

Just finished TOO CLOSE by Elizabeth Krall, which I can highly recommend. Next up is Tanya Robinson's WHAT A LIFE. Both of them are books which I review swapped.

[Kirk]

Chrissie wrote: "Sol, I went to the site and read the introduction text to your first book - and I really enjoyed it. I like books that include humor. I am always saying - if you don't laugh well then you will cry!..."

Hello Chrissie,

I realize that I am responding to a very old post, but I too really enjoy books that include humor. You may be interested in my memoirs which I recently published as a set of very short stories. The entire book is a short (40 pages), fun read. It is entitled "True Stories, Honest" and is available as an e-book at the Amazon Kindle store:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D53P0VI
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00D53P0VI

[Chrissie]

Kirk, short stories don't work for me. The minute I start to like them they are over! I like looooong books.

OK, I never thought I could possibly enjoy this book: Townie: A Memoir, but I am game to try. Guess what? I really thought it was good.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Now I move on to When The Stars Fall To Earth. Because I like reading about different places and cultures AND because the book description enticed me!

[Chrissie]

I finished 1916: A Novel of the Irish Rebellion and highly recommend it to those of you who want to understand the road toward Irish Independence and enjoy historical fiction.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
What I particularly liked were all the footnotes. You knew you were being given the real facts. You know exactly what is fiction and what isn't.

Now I have begun The Legacy Of Ladysmith: A Novel, another book of historical fiction. It is about an author hired by a Scottish family to write a biography about a deceased member of the family, and his role in the Siege of Ladysmith, i.e. part of the Second Boer War. What intrigues me is if what he writes is honest or glorifies the character. I mean, he is being paid to do it! And you know at the beginning the author has to kill someone. Who? Why?

[Chrissie]

The book I have read and the one I will soon read are not comforting, but they are important.

Finsihed When The Stars Fall To Earth
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

As a person of the world and of the 21st Century this is a must read.

From one genocide to another. Now I will start Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness. I have heard such great things about this author. I spoke with a woman in my French class who was a Tutsi. She was buried alive, buried under the dead, by the people in her village, her "friends". She sat there next to me and said not a word about these experiences, until finally she started telling me.

This is set in Burundi and Rwanda too.

[Chrissie]

I have completed Strength in What Remains: A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I picked up One Man's Initiation: 1917 free from Audible. It is about WW1, but very, very short.

The first is a biography, the latter historical fiction.

[Chrissie]

Finished One Man's Initiation: 1917
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This was a freebie at Audible.

Moved on to A Thousand Sighs, A Thousand Revolts: Journeys in Kurdistan. I want to know more about the Kurds, and I want to test the author.

[Merri]

I don't *think* I've chimed in yet. If I have, take this as another plug! Ten Feet Tall, Still, by Julie Suhr is a great read by a woman who is still horse crazy in her 80's.
Read my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/582334253.
Of course I am horse crazy too, but her writing style is terrific and her stories amazing. It is out of print, so grab a copy if you see one pop up somewhere, or borrow one!

[Jo]

I finished Red Azalea by Anchee Minn, three days ago and immediately purchased her new memoir, The Cooked Seed. I just read the last sentence a few moments ago.

Red Azalea tells the story of her beginning. She was born in 1957 during Mao's rule in China At the age of 5 she was cooking, cleaning, shopping and caring for her two younger siblings. Her parents, a teacher and an astronomer, were removed from their careers - it was time for the re-education of China. The cultural revolution was just finding it's wings and all she wanted to do was please. Minn memorized slogans and sang songs that honored Mao and she dreamed of being in the Guard one day. She was a good little communist and was soon sent away to work camp to help put Mao's plans into motion. Red Azalea is about her years as a young girl growing up in a camp working 7 days a week. Deprived of affection, sanitary living conditions and nutrition. She pushed herself every single moment knowing that it would bring honor to her family and hopefully allow her a promotion within the camp. She and her fellow workers were treated by animals however she never faltered. She and I are the same age and perhaps that is what affected me the most. While I was screaming and throwing tantrums because I had to take out the trash "NOW", Anchee Minn was planting reeds in the fields, tired, hungry and desperately wanting to be with her family. Red Azalea is her first book. The book has rough spots and it's those rough spots that make you stop and think..... she knew little english when she wrote it. I loved those rough spots because it reminded me that she had to fight for every single thing she had....including learning english.

The Cooked Seed is her coming to America story and I must admit that I cried throughout the book. I wasn't sad....I was so affected by her determination. The word "Quit" was not in her vocabulary. Her integrity was unshakable. It's hard not to compare her ideals with my own. I just don't think I would have been able to do what she did. Perhaps if I had been born in her same conditions and endured what she happily endured for the love of Mao... but I wasn't. I think her experience would have broken me.

I am starting another of her books this evening and I CANNOT WAIT.

[Chrissie]

I very much enjoyed: A Thousand Sighs, A Thousand Revolts: Journeys in Kurdistan
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Now I will start To the End of the Land.

[Noodsmom]

Try reading an unforgettable autobiography "Stolen Moments" by M. Oufkir. An easy read. Amazing story of the human spirit's fortitude.

[Chrissie]

Noodsmom wrote: "Try reading an unforgettable autobiography "Stolen Moments" by M. Oufkir. An easy read. Amazing story of the human spirit's fortitude."

Noodsmom, I could not find it. There are a million books with that title and when I search by the author I don't get it either. Please attach a link.

[Chrissie]

I finished the DTB The Legacy Of Ladysmith: A Novel
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...
It has South African history in it, but is primarily a a mystery with a bit of philosophical content too. Set in South Africa at the beginning of the Second Boer War and in Scotland.

Now I will start The Enchanted April on Kindle (free at Gutenberg).

I am still listening to To the End of the Land and am enjoying it very much!

[Chrissie]

Finished The Enchanted April, which is free at Gutenberg. Setting Italy.
My reivew: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Moving on to The Surrendered. I have wanted to read this for ages. Setting Korea.

I am listening to To the End of the Land. I am absolutely loving it. How it depicts parent/child relationships is unbelievably good. In addition there is the theme of the Israeli conflict. I haven't read such good fiction in ages, but that is me. Maybe you will react differently. One bit of advice is that before you pick this you should know that the beginning has a long prologue that is set when the three main characters (Ora, Avram and Ilan) are young, sick, scared and alone in a hospital. Only later do you flip to the trip Ora and Avram take walking in Galilee.

[Cheryl S.]

Just finished "And If I Perish" and was very affected by it. The story of front line nurses during WWII. We hear a lot about the courage of women in other countries but seldom anything about the bravery of our own countrywomen.

[Chrissie]

Cheryl, that one looks good. I have added it to my shelves. Thanks.

[Chrissie]

I would like to recommend To the End of the Land to everyone. It is the best book of fiction I have read this year. Why? Because it is so close to real life, that's why.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I listened to the audiobook, and will now continue on with Speak, Memory, narrated by Stefan Rudnicki. It is autobiographical, speaks of synesthesia already in the second chapter and the writing by Nabokov is "Nabokovian" of course!

[Chrissie]

I have finished and started a couple:

Speak, Memory was fantastic, for how it is written. But it will not be every one's cup of tea.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Reading The Surrendered after To the End of the Land was not a good choice. A comparison made it totally impossible to appreciate "The Surrendered".
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Both present multiple love relationships within a historical background. In one you empathize with the characters and in the other they remain at a distance. Grossman's is fantastic.

I have begun Snow Hunters and am thoroughly enjoying it. For me HOW an author strings together his words is VERY important. This is an audiobook narrated by he author and it really works well, at least so far.

On kindle I am reading The People in Between: A Cyprus Odyssey for the history of the Cypriot conflict. The writing isn't exceptional, but the historical facts are well woven into the fictional tale. I have just begun.

[Chrissie]

Many are talking about Snow Hunters. Yup, I liked it!
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

On to Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. I have to check out this author and I prefer novels over poetry. This is part of a series but each are stand-alones.

[Cheryl S.]

Just finished "Mao's Last Dancer" . Gave it 5 stars. Made me laugh and cry and am glad it was chosen as my Memoir Book Club selection this month.

[Chrissie]

Cheryl S. wrote: "Just finished "Mao's Last Dancer" . Gave it 5 stars. Made me laugh and cry and am glad it was chosen as my Memoir Book Club selection this month."

Cheryl, hmmm, so you loved that one. I found it interesting and inspiring. I admire Li Cunxin, but the writing in the book itself wasn't my favorite. I gave the book, not the man, three stars.

[Chrissie]

The People in Between: A Cyprus Odyssey is informative historical fiction about what has been happening in Cyprus since the 50s. Yeah, I liked it. It gave me in a simple fashion the history I was looking for, but the writing is unexceptional and the fictional tale was too sweet and oh so predictable. I did complement with more info at Wiki!
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I am so proud of myself. I am reaching the end of all the paper books I have purchased but have not yet read. I bought Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette because I loved the author's Ahab's Wife, or The Star-Gazer..... which my dear mother lost! Grrr. Maybe I loved that b/c I think Nantucket is one of the best places in the whole world. Will "Abundance" be as good?

[Chrissie]

I both loved and hated Jayber Crow.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Now I will listen to Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival, because it is exciting. Or so I have been told.

[Chrissie]

Completed Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Started Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West

[Chrissie]

Phew, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West was not easy, due to its difficult subject matter. Excellently written. Excellent narration, just difficult to stomach. You think you know what has been done to Native Americans. I thought I knew, but this book really clarifies. Very glad I read this. Everybody thinks it is obligatory to know of the horrors of the Holocaust. Well this is obligatory reading too. My very short review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

I have moved on to a survival story, which in comparison offers pure relief: We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance. The setting is northern Norway.

Both are non-fiction.

[Sophia]

This book I still have sitting by me bedside. Today is the day I some up the courage to read it. Thank you!

[Chrissie]

Sophia, are you talking about Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West? It is very depressing, but it tells of history that must be remembered. Will we learn from it?

[Sophia]

Hello Chrissie. Yes I was referring to the book Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee. A friend gave it to me months ago and warned me it will depress me, I'm still curious to read it.

[Chrissie]

Sophia, what is so very hard is that promises are broken time and time and time again. After a while it weighs on you. The book is very well written. I like how the Native Americans lines are so well interpreted. I thought I knew what happened to Native Americans, and I have read a lot previously, but this book has force. It is clear and concise and all the history piled up hits you like a steam shovel. The book covers in detail what occurred between 1860-1890. It does not shy away from the horrible things done on both sides.

[Everything]

Grace’s turbulent childhood, with father’s violent temper and mother’s apathy, their divorce, and her relocation with her mother and siblings to Hawaii, where she experiences racism and violence, sets the stage for this incredible real-life tale of abuse, brainwashing, and ~ ultimately ~ the long journey to recovery.
http://everythingmarie.com/author-spo...

[Chrissie]

Well, once I started listening to We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance, I could do nothing but listen. Do you need to be cheered up? You must read it......immediately.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

So now I am on a binge of epic survival stories. How will Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster compare? Could it possible be as good as that I just finished?

[[deleted user]]

I recently finished reading Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper. This is the only memoir I've read this year so far. Last year I listened to Mary Antin's The Promised Land and Ferdinand Ossendowski's Beasts, Men and Gods. I've been reading fiction for most of my life but in my heart I know I love memoirs/biographies more that's why I joined this group. I just joined a few minutes ago and I can't wait to google some of the book titles being mentioned here. I am currently reading two fiction books but after these two I resolve to read only memoirs for the rest of the year. I already have a copy of The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls' waiting for me.

[Chrissie]

Cheryl, there are lots of good titles here, but it is so hard to pick which are the best since what will be perfect for one is different for another!

[[deleted user]]

Chrissie wrote: "Cheryl, there are lots of good titles here, but it is so hard to pick which are the best since what will be perfect for one is different for another!"
hi, chrissie.. yes, you're definitely right but i've picked one already and i got it from one of your comments above -- We Die Alone: a WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance. I've only read two books about war: 1. All Quiet on the Western Front and 2. King Rat but I have watched so many films about this period in our history. I'm sure I'm going to love We Die Alone.. I've already downloaded a copy of it this afternoon.

[Chrissie]

Cheryl, please let me know what you think of We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance.

I am not in love with Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster. So much blab about famous people and the commercialization of Mt. Everest. Just not what I was looking for. Names, names and more names. I am more interested in his experience. Heavens, being on Everest sounds terrible. Bodies are not meant to be at such altitudes, and why in the world do you do this if you don't have to?! I simply do not get it. shouldn't this be made clear? I know people get hooked, but why?

[Jo]

Just started "Me Talk Pretty Someday" By David Sedaris. Already loving it!

[Chrissie]

I finished Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I know I ought to now read The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest but I don't want to.

Have started the beginning of A Century of Wisdom: Lessons from the Life of Alice Herz-Sommer, the World's Oldest Living Holocaust Survivor and am enjoying it so far. I like what I am learning about Kafka, a friend of the Sommer family. Probably I will have to pick up a biography on him after this! Already I am looking at his books with different eyes!

[Chrissie]

Libby, thanks for the info.

[[deleted user]]

Chrissie wrote: "Cheryl, please let me know what you think of We Die Alone: A WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance.

I am not in love with Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster. So much blab ab..."

hi chrissie, i've started reading We Die Alone and I'm enjoying it. I was reminded of Ossendowski's adventure in Beasts, Men and God's though I find Jan Baalsrud's experience more suspenseful. I'm still on the part where they're preparing to smuggle Jan from his hut in Revdal to Mandal. It always amazes me whenever I read about accounts of people who go out of their way to help others and risked even their own safety which is what some people in this story actually did. I think I like this book you mentioned "A Century of Wisdom..." I'll probably look for that next. Thanks.

[Chrissie]

Cheryl, it is like this, in "Into Thin Air" people put themselves in harms way for a reason which I simply cannot comprehend. In "We Die Alone" people are trying their utmost to help others. In "A Century of Wisdom" it is NOT about people helping others but it is about people who have survived against all odds and what they have learned form that. It is about how they pulled themselves through and helped themselves. It is about their attitude toward life. Here it was luck and music and most importantly optimism. Never giving up optimism, on the other hand Alice's twin sister never had optimism and she survived too. She & co. convinced Alice to leave Czechoslovakia, to get out of there when she did! Alice was born optimistic and her twin sister wasn't, but they both did survive.

All the books are related to survival but in very different ways. And the writing tone is very different in all of the books. Did my reviews help you judge what the books offer? I hope so. I like how we help each other pick books at GR. I WISH more people would talk in this group; so few people are active. Personally bios and memoirs are my favorite genre! So I don't give up but it sure feels lonely here much of the time..... I often feel like I am talking to a wall.

[[deleted user]]

Chrissie wrote: "Cheryl, it is like this, in "Into Thin Air" people put themselves in harms way for a reason which I simply cannot comprehend. In "We Die Alone" people are trying their utmost to help others. In "A ..."

Hello Chrissie, honestly, when I picked "We Die Alone" I haven't read your review. I chose this title because it's around the time World War II happened and it's about survival. I simply feel that any book about survival during WWII is worth reading. I haven't found a copy of "A Century of Wisdom" yet but since it's an account of a Holocaust survivor, I'm sure it will be an enlightening one. As for "Into Thin Air", I've come across a copy of this book several times during my bookstore trips but somehow I did not feel very enthusiastic about buying the book.

I'm very thankful to you for actively posting here and for your reviews. I'm sure many GR members are finding them helpful. Thanks.

[Chrissie]

Well, Into Thin Air got only two stars from me, although it might fit others more! I too prefer historical books.

[Chrissie]

Having read Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West I decided to read The Native Americans: An Illustrated History. I want to know more about Native American culture, art and history.....before it was destroyed. Both North and South American tribes are covered and it goes back 20.000 years. Published in 1993. Very comprehensive and great art work.

I finished Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, which I really enjoyed. This is how I like historical fiction to be written. I like to get into the heads of historical people and see how they saw the world and events that happened around them. I like how this author writes - intelligently, beautifully and with empathy for the characters.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Michael]

reading Bones of the Master by George Crane

[[deleted user]]

Last night I finished reading We Die Alone: a WWII Epic of Escape and Endurance. Jan Baalsrud's tale of endurance and survival is truly breath-taking. You can't help but be moved by the acts of heroism of the people who helped him along the way. His account on how he was carried lying on a sledge because his feet has rendered him crippled due to frostbite on the steep Norwegian mountains is absolutely gripping. I cried a little when I reached that part where his friend Marius had to leave him alone on an isolated rock at the top of the mountain to wait for their contacts who will then take over and transport him to the border.

I'm glad I read this book. It's truly rewarding in the end.

[Chrissie]

I am glad you liked it! Cheryl, I think perhaps some readers maybe will be upset if you tell so much of the story. You can use html for the spoiler parts. Click on (some html is ok) on the top right of the message box. I know you are new here so I thought I could help by telling you of this. One can edit a message and add an html spoiler warning. You have to decide if you want to. I am just trying to help.

For me the fact that Jan (view spoiler)[was left alone on the top of the mountain, crippled, not just once but several times ....was so horrible. (hide spoiler)] I don't understand how he could take that!