You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What are you reading and why? Jan-Jun 2014
I'm almost done with my first chunkster The City and I'm really liking it even though it's taken me a while to finish.
Because a recent chunkster that I finished The Bronze Horseman is part of a trilogy and I am so compulsive about reading that I like to remember parts as I move from one book to another, I began reading Tatiana and Alexander, the second book in Paullina Simons trilogy about WWII and Russia. Now is that a run on sentence. But a funny thing happened to me - I read almost 100 pages last night and I am actually enjoying this book. Maybe it's because WWII Russia and post war America has replaced the taste of the Belgian Congo featured in The Poisonwood Bible, or else I was just ready to learn more about the two principal characters. In any event I hope to finish First Love today and continue to read this second book and listen to This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett.
I'm reading Gifts of the Peramangk for the Australia challenge and I'm enjoying it! The author does a great job in describing the harsh life circumstances of the main characters, both in the present and in the past. I can't believe how people can treat each other with such lack of respect, with a White farm owner in the 1950s treating his Aboriginal slaves like things. Hitting 8 year old girls unconscious and refering to them as 'it' and 'things'. I keep thinking whether the author is just over exaggerating, but I'm afraid that he is not. It's insane that these things happened, and only some 50-60 years ago. I felt the same when reading Sophie's Choice and the treatment of the Jews and other ethnic groups, like they were less than anything. I just can't understand how people get those things in their minds...
Peggy wrote: "It's insane that these things happened, and only some 50-60 years ago. I felt the same when reading Sophie's Choice and the treatment of the Jews and other ethnic groups, like they were less than anything. I just can't understand how people get those things in their minds..."No, I don't think we understand how any of these world wide Holocausts occur because then again we don't have these minds. As we often say, It was man's inhumanity to man." and a group of people who went along with the wishes of one madman. And let's remember that the entire world stood by and watched as they did when the Armenians were slaughtered and Darfur occurred. One has only to walk the grounds of any concentration camps and view the artifacts to fully realize how much is lost when these events are allowed to occur.
Nancy wrote: "Because a recent chunkster that I finished The Bronze Horseman is part of a trilogy and I am so compulsive about reading that I like to remember parts as I move from one book to another, I began re..."PS books are the best I actually read Tatiana and Alexander a long time ago, but then realize that I wasn't understanding nothing... the reason you ask??? I didn't know that there was a book 1... yeah! Reading it again, and loving it!
Just finished Into the Darkest Corner
by Elizabeth Haynes Really enjoyed this psychological thriller. This is my review;www.goodreads.com/review/show/799268219
Michelle wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Because a recent chunkster that I finished The Bronze Horseman is part of a trilogy and I am so compulsive about reading that I like to remember parts as I move from one book to anoth..."Michelle - I do think publishers should let readers know somewhere, like maybe the book jacket, that there is a book #1. I am really crazy about reading books in order and make sure to check this out before I start what appears to be a trilogy or series. I also like to read trilogies more or less together to remember small details. Some authors do a fairly good job of catching up a reader if they haven't read book 1 but in the case of Tatiana and Alexander, one would be confused had they not read The Bronze Horseman.
I finished Gifts of the Peramangk and enjoyed it very much. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Next up is another chunkster: The Book Thief
Do you sometimes wonder how previous books affect your rating for your current book? If perhaps you rate it higher than you normally would if it follows a book you struggled through or hated, or lower when you thought your previous book was absolutely fantastic?
If I've been giving a lot of 5 stars or all 4 and 5 it is inevitable for someone to probably get a lower rating than if I've been on a 3 streak and vice versa so yes Peggy
Peggy wrote: "Do you sometimes wonder how previous books affect your rating for your current book? If perhaps you rate it higher than you normally would if it follows a book you struggled through or hated, or lo..."I think not as such. I rate a book according to its niche and rarely read 2 similar book in a row. So It is more all the previous books of the genre that affects my rating.
I usually try to wait a bit before I rate/review books. I find that my rating change from what I would have rated if i had done so just after reading the end. I need to let the dust settle and my cartesian mind take control. :)
I agree that other books in the genre (or by the same author) that I've read before influence my rating more than the previous book I've read but I bet I could probably find an exception some where. I often feel like I want to rerate older books I've read - a recent example of this is with Perdido Street Station which I rated 4 (4.5 maybe) stars but I also rated the other Mieville book I read a while back (Un Lun Dun) 4 stars but Perdido was much better so I feel that I want to amend the other one to 3 or 3.5 stars. Does anyone else go back and change ratings? I've never done it before (I don't think).
I have that too, that I compare it to previous books by the same author, and in a lesser degree, genre. It doesn't happen all the time that the previous book influences my rating, I think only when it was particularly bad or difficult, or exceptionally good and left a very big impression. I was thinking about this because I ended up giving Gifts of the Peramangk 4 stars, and then I wondered if that might be due to the fact that it was an enjoyable fast and easy read, which was very welcome after struggling with Sophie's Choice. Would I perhaps have given it 3 or 3.5 stars if I had read it after reading one of my all-time favourite books, or even after just any enjoyable book?
I never change my ratings either Sarah. I think. To me they reflect how I felt about them right after reading.
Sarah wrote: "Does anyone else go back and change ratings? I've never done it before (I don't think).."I have in two circumstances.
One: coz I tend to give half stars on my blog I then have to work out if I give a 4.5 book a 4 or a 5 on goodreads. Five for me is rare (although having a good run at the moment). But I have gone back once or twice and changed a 4 stars to a 5 on goodreads and a 4.5 on my blog to 5, as I realised that I could not stop thinking about the book and how much I enjoyed it, and how much others should read it, and the story and... yeah. That should have been a 5 star from the start. But sometimes I need a little bit of mulling time.
Two: because of the above and I have given a book 1.5 stars and rounded up instead of down. Or just given a book two stars and it really should be one. Mainly because I rant and rave at people about the book, and if the book makes me angry thinking about it, because it's so bad, I should rate it down. Also, i tend to be nice and give points for well written books even if subject matter/story is horrible. I have decided this is being too nice and doesn't reflect my anger. So I down rated after.
There you go. Have a rant. /rant
I think that previous books don't affect my ratings. At least it's not obvious to me. And I rarely change ratings, but sometimes happens.Just finished The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. I really wanted to enjoy it, but unfortunately I didn't.
Now startingMrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini.
Sandra wrote: "I think that previous books don't affect my ratings. At least it's not obvious to me. And I rarely change ratings, but sometimes happens.Just finished [book:The End of Your Life Book Club|1341467..."
I also had mixed emotions about The End of Your Life Book Club. Then again I've read several books with books clubs as the theme and this one just didn't appeal to me although I thought it would.
Hi Nancy,I loved the premise of The End of Your Life Book Club. I loved the idea of spend with your mom in that way her last days after being diagnosed with such a horrible disease.
My problem is that the author worships her mom so much that at some point she just seemed like a fictional character to me.
On the other hand there wasn't so much book discussion as I have wanted.
I would have imagined than knowing that I have only a few months to live I would have make a list of the books I definitively want to read no matter what. But they read books that were given as a present to them, or just books crossed their ways, like if why chose a book and not another wasn't important. This make the premise weaker IMO. Before start reading the book I was wondering which books I'd have put in my list if knowing I only have 6 month left, but this happens not to be a issue in the book.
This book has been in my TBR for so long, and I really would loved to enjoy it, but I just couldn't connect with it.
It happens...
Sandra wrote: "Hi Nancy,I loved the premise of The End of Your Life Book Club. I loved the idea of spend with your mom in that way her last days after being diagnosed with such a horrible disease.
My problem i..."
I thought the author was a man. Am I wrong?
This brings to mind that when my mom was dying and knowing how much she enjoyed Gone with the Wind I decided to read Scarlett to her. At one point, she stopped me and said, If you want me to die faster, you'll continue to read this crap to me." And we both burst out laughing. I always say there is humor in everything.
Nancy wrote: "This brings to mind that when my mom was dying and knowing how much she enjoyed Gone with the Wind I decided to read Scarlett to her. At one point, she stopped me and said, If you want me to die f...":)
Yes, the author is a man, Will Schwalbe.
Nancy wrote: "This brings to mind that when my mom was dying and knowing how much she enjoyed Gone with the Wind I decided to read Scarlett to her. At one point, she stopped me and said, If you want me to die f..."I loved your Mom's comment, but now I have to ask. I have Scarlett on audio, and I do not know anything about it. Does it not compare at all to GWtW to be worth reading? Did you quit reading it? :)
No, it hardly compares and I remember many slammed the publisher for even attempting to do this. I often now understand why harper Lee and Margaret Mitchell wrote one singular sensation. And no sequels ever, please. And yes, I did quit reading it. Sorry
Sandra wrote: "On the other hand there wasn't so much book discussion as I have wanted. I would have imagined than knowing that I have only a few months to live I would have make a list of the books I definitively want to read no matter what. But they read books that were given as a present to them, or just books crossed their ways, like if why chose a book and not another wasn't important. This make the premise weaker IMO. Before start reading the book I was wondering which books I'd have put in my list if knowing I only have 6 month left, but this happens not to be a issue in the book..."
I have this book on my TBR list and I am sure the only reason is that I want to know which books they chose to read. I thought it would be an interesting part of their time together. Not, huh?
Hi Cherie,I put it in my TBR list for the same reason. I found that there's not so much book discussion as I have expected.
In any case, the book has many good reviews, so you probably should try it. Hopefully you enjoy it more than I did.
I don't always have luck with books from the 60's but really enjoying One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
I liked the movie :) I have the book on my list for Slick's Slugs.
I am reading Awakening by S.J. Bolton
I read another book of hers recently called Blood Harvest that I could not put down
Her books have a brilliant touch of creepiness thrown in with crime thriller, extremely well written
Travis of NNY wrote: "I don't always have luck with books from the 60's but really enjoying One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"Oh no does that mean me a child of the 60's, is outdated. LOL
I shouldn't single out just the 60's its most of the 1900'sreally. Pre 1900 and more modern novels seem to be my preference although there are many exceptions in the middle I'm sure.
Thanks Sandra and Nancy for your views. Scarlet did not make it onto my 2014 challenge and maybe I will do a re-read of the original and let someone read it to me. :)
I found another book to replace The End of Your Life Book Club and just purchased it. I am going to read The Club Dumas as soon as I finish the last 30 pages or so of Sophie's Choice and then I am going back to Australia with The Road from Coorain.
Travis of NNY wrote: "I shouldn't single out just the 60's its most of the 1900'sreally. Pre 1900 and more modern novels seem to be my preference although there are many exceptions in the middle I'm sure."I don't know Travis but you must be very young. Don't discount the 1900 books or authors especially the latter part. For sure there were some very good books and authors.
Just to name a few:
John Steinbeck
Ernest Hemingway
Virginia Woolf
Michael Cunningham
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Nancy Mitford
Betty Friedan
Gloria Steinem
and on and on and on
I'm 32 F Scott Fitzgerald and I don't get along. I have some Hemingway on the shelf I just have to read them. I have yet to try Steinbeck and I would need to look up the others. I have no fear of trying new authors and nothing saying ones that don't interest me now might just what I need 10 years for now. I thinky tastes are ever expanding as I age.
Travis of NNY wrote: "F Scott Fitzgerald and I don't get along."Heh I am glad I'm not the only one who has trouble getting along with some authors. I'll check out One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Thanks Travis. It's been on my radar for about 12 years, but like you, I am hesitant of the acclaimed books of the 1900s. Some are brilliant, but some, yeah...
I too struggle with authors before 1960s-ish although there are some exceptions (I like George Orwell and recently read To Kill a Mockingbird and loved it) but I find many of the classics not that classic in my opinion! Sorry! It's the writing style I think - the stories just don't draw me in like more recent books and there isn't much action to keep me interested. A classic example of this is Lord of the Flies - I just wanted all the children to die they annoyed me so much! I have wanted to read One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for a while because it's link to mental health and the other is The Bell Jar and also Of Mice and Men
Have you ever try Virginia Woolf? I read To the Lighthouse(1927)last year and loved it.The English and style were challenging for me (I'm not a native English speaker) (probably that's pretty obvious,lol) but I just loved it. The character construction is amazing. The exploration of their thoughts and feelings is so vivid...
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest was a book that was very easy to get into. The characters were very likable even the evil nurse Ratched. The bonds formed between the most unlikely group of people . The story is told by an Indian while the main character is a fiery Irish man.I wasn't sure how it would be a story inside a mental hospital but it flows nicely. Just written in basic English without a lot of fancy talk and parts are quite humorous . Sure there is some drama but not enough to make the book depressing in any way. It ended up being a pretty quick read and I think a solid 4 stars from me.
Just finished reading Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch which was such a good read. Now I'm moving on to The Tooth Fairy which is one of the group reads in Recommended by Stephen King Group. I might start another Chunkster after that!
Im reading Heart of Stone series by DH Sidebottom
Having a bit of trouble getting through The Last of the Mohicans. Usually when a setting is nearby I can be sucked in to the story more. In this case a couple hour drive takes me to lake George which I've been a few times and even visited Fort William Henry. Unfortunately the writing is a bit of a struggle for me. Not that the vocabulary is difficult it is just written with too many words. I think modern day editing could cut this book in half. Guess they just spoke differently 200 years ago.
I finished The House on the Strand. This was a 3 star read for me because I did enjoy it (particularly the time travel/historical element) but it also fell a little short for me at times and I just didn't enjoy it as much as the other Daphne du Maurier books that I have read previously.I am now moving on to another Chunkster challenge book, We, the Drowned.
Has anyone read Zack Love's short story City Solipsism I would recommend it
I am back to listening Ann Patchett's newest book which is a series of articles. I love this gifted author and while I like what she has compiled, I am also really enjoying her narration. And if anybody is contemplating writing as a profession ,s he has a lot to say about her profession. I am now up to the part when she discussed her first book, The Patron Saint of Liars which she wrote while waitressing at TGIFridays.I am also about to begin Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen which is brand new and I am really looking forward to reading this book.
I also brought home the CDS of A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson and Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt.
Lisa wrote: "I finished The House on the Strand. This was a 3 star read for me because I did enjoy it (particularly the time travel/historical element) but it also fell a little short for me at tim..."Although I have read most of Daphne DuMaurier's books, I don't anything would ever compare to my first reading of Rebecca and most likely accounts for my love of Gothic romances at one time of my life.
Nancy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I finished The House on the Strand. This was a 3 star read for me because I did enjoy it (particularly the time travel/historical element) but it also fell a little short ..."Nancy, I have only read 3 Daphne du Maurier books to date (another 2 are sitting on my TBR pile) and Rebecca is definitely my favourite so far. It was so good! Jamaica Inn was enjoyable too.
Yes, I also enjoyed Jamaica Inn. Don't miss Don't look Now which takes place in Venice and was made into a movie with Donald Sutherland. I think this might have been the last title by Du Maurier.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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I do agree Janice but I also feel sometimes that I should give a book more than a fleeting chance. I feel guilty about lots of things but why should not reading a book be one of them? LOL