What I'm Reading JANUARY 2014

[Jane]

I didn't mean main character. She's the wife of the main character. Everyone else has good and bad sides but to me at least this woman is horrible. I'm going to try to finish it. I guess this means I don't like books unless I like all the characters or all the characters who move the action forward. It doesn't reflect well on me. I'll have to think about it and reread it to see if I can at least understand why she is this way.

[Cateline]

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum (Book on CD read by Coleen Marlo) – 5*****
The first time I read a book about forensic s..."

Great review, BC, I've seen it around, and thought it might be interesting.

[Joan]

There's a documentary on The Poisoner's Handbook on TV tonight.

[Sue]

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading The Poisoner’s Handbook by Deborah Blum (Book on CD read by Coleen Marlo) – 5*****
The first time I read a book about forensic s..."

I just saw part of the PBS American Experience episode based on this which aired tonight. Since I missed part I taped it on my dvr to catch the whole thing later. The special looks very good.

[Ann D]

I finished Karen Fowler's We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves yesterday. This book got some good reviews in the NYT and on NPR. I liked the wit and main character, but, for me, the message about ethical treatment of animals overwhelmed the story itself.

WARNING POSSIBLE PLOT SPOILER

***************
I also was creeped out by the siblings who considered a chimpanzee a full-fledged "sister." The boy preferred her to his human sibling.

*******

[Jane]

Sara wrote: "Joan wrote: "Mary Ellen wrote: "BC, I loved Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. I'm glad you did as well. Haunting and compelling and so re..."

Yvette's obnoxiousness (in the Gamache series) is critical, as usual

[Book Concierge]

Finished reading The Untelling by Tayari Jones – 4****
This is the second book I’ve read by Jones, and I continue to be impressed by her writing. She really explores her characters, slowly letting the reader get to know these women, who suffer from unspoken guilt and regrets. Aria narrates and that does give us a skewed perspective of her mother and sister, as well as other characters in the book. She is forever expecting things to turn out badly, and she is sometimes proven right, but she fails to see how she influences the outcome. An unexpected diagnosis is the catalyst for Aria’s finally coming to terms with her loss and facing her present and future.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

Finished reading Sixpence House by Paul Collins – 3***
Paul Collins moved his wife and baby from San Francisco to the small Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye. It is “The Town of Books” – with only 1500 residents and forty bookshops (almost all of them specializing in used / antiquarian books). This is a memoir of their family adventure. I enjoyed it but I wasn’t particularly moved by it.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kat]

TRISTRAM SHANDY, WASHINGTON SQUARE, and Salvage the Bones are now behind me. This last, about an African-American family in the bayou at the time of Katrina, was pretty gripping in spite of some stylistic excesses. There are places it reads like a YA (not saying that's a bad thing), but it's definitely not.

Next: The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald--a short novel set in Russia not long before the revolution. Any other Fitzgerald fans here? This will be my fourth of hers; I've liked them all.

[Barbara]

I've read a few Fitzgerald, Cat, and liked them all. I'm particularly interested in the setting of The Beginning of Spring. Be sure and let us know what you think when you finish.

[Mary Ellen]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my Gamache query regarding the obnoxious Yvette. Sigh; I was afraid the prospect of her disappearing was too good to be true! But I am encouraged by all your positives and will look for more in the series.

I read fewer books in 2013 than I have in quite a while, and thanks to an energy drain as 2014, leaving me with little ambition to do anything but relax with a light book, I ran quickly through the mysteries I'd picked up at the library. The final two were A Pale Horse, an Ian Rutledge novel by Charles Todd, and Uniform Justice, the 12th in Donna Leon's Brunetti series. I found both a little more satisfying than others in each series that I've read lately: the Todd, because there was actually a connection between Rutledge's efforts and the solving of the mystery; and the Leon, because she did NOT end with a crazy action-hero sequence, something I find jarring in an otherwise kind-of-cozy series.

I am trying to finish Last Night in Twisted River, by John Irving, which I have been reading off-and-on for at least a month. I enjoy it while I am reading it, but I easily stray to other books. It is long and, in some ways, repetitive (the way a spiral is repetitive) and perhaps it is the little breaks that help me enjoy it every time I pick it up.

[Sara]

Just finished My Notorious Life, which is just what historical fiction should be--loved it. Am partway through both Washington Square and Stoner and finding both sort of not holding my interest. I believe I will finish them, but perhaps not right now.

Pulled When She Woke off my shelf last night and go absolutely pulled in, so I may go with that for the immediate next read. Also started Model Home, also from my shelves, in keeping with trying to join Sherry's goal of reading books I already own. Again, totally pulled in right away, so it may be eeney, meeney, miney, moe--or just reading them both in very short order!

[Sheila]

A change of pace for me as I intersperse my normally totally fiction reading habits with some non-fiction. I am just starting Darius Cooper's The Cinema of Satyajit Ray: Between Tradition and Modernity and intend to (re)watch his Apu Trilogy alongside this. I suppose it is a consequence of now having time to reflect on my time in India and Nigeria.

[Robert]

I have that one in the queue. I just saw the Apu Trilogy for the first time this year!

[Sheila]

Robert wrote: "I have that one in the queue. I just saw the Apu Trilogy for the first time this year!"
I've only seen the first part and clips from the others but looking forward to it.

[Joan]

I am reading Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. I'm only on the third chapter so I'm not sure how much I like it. So far, the author has set the scene of Judea during the Roman occupation. He makes assumptions based on logical guesses...for example that Jesus would have been illiterate like 99% of Jewish peasants of the time. However, that also reminds me of all those who contend that Shakespeare couldn't possibly have written his plays, not coming from a cosmopolitan background...I'm withholding judgement till I finish this one.

[Marjorie]

I have Zealot on hold at the library.

I'm now reading QUARANTINE by Jim Crace. First book by Crace I've read. Fascinating. A strange re-telling of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus is depicted as a young naive, obstinate lad. The major character, however, in a group of several men and women, is a harsh bully (the devil?) who beats his wife and intimidates others. As the story starts he is dying, to the relief of his long-suffering wife. But along comes Jesus, sees the ailing bully, and, obsessed with healing, touches the old man's eyelids and says "be well." The writing is magnificent and puts you in that barren windswept desert in ancient Palestine so well, that as you read you almost find yourself covering your eyes from the dust, brushing away flies, looking for shelter.

[Kat]

I read QUARANTINE some years back. I concluded at the end that it is meant to be a post-modern explanation of how Christianity was born focused on the importance of narrative; however, not everyone in my book group agreed with me. I'll be interested to know how you see it when you're done Marjorie.

[Cateline]

I've started The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith aka J. K. Rowling. Not sure yet my reaction. I see what she is reaching for, but not quite reaching, as far as I can tell, so far. We'll see.

[Sherry, Doyenne]

Marjorie wrote: "I have Zealot on hold at the library.

I'm now reading QUARANTINE by Jim Crace. First book by Crace I've read. Fascinating. A strange re-telling of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness. Jesus is de..."

Marjorie, here is an old discussion we had of Quarantine. The formatting is unwieldy, but I remember the discussion was good.

http://constantreader.com/discussions...

[J.]

Joan wrote: "I am reading Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth...So far, the author has set the scene of Judea during the Roman occupation. He makes assumptions based on logical guesses...for example that Jesus would have been illiterate ..."

There's no scholarly analysis involved, since he's relying on guesses, rather than facts. Most likely, his guesses are those that align with his own preconceived notions, which he then calls "logical," post facto. I wouldn't waste any time on it.

[Sue]

Joan wrote: "I am reading Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. I'm only on the third chapter so I'm not sure how much I like it. So far, the author has set the scene of Judea during ..."

I have the book and I'm looking forward to the time when I can make room for it in my schedule. I understand that the author has written extensively on comparative religions and I'm very interested in his views on the early Jesus and his followers.

[Marjorie]

Thanks, Sherry, for the link to the Constant Reader discussion of Crace's Quarantine. That should be helpful.

Marge

[Marjorie]

J wrote (re Zealot) "There's no scholarly analysis involved, since he's relying on guesses, rather than facts. Most likely, his guesses are those that align with his own preconceived notions, which he then calls "logical," post facto. I wouldn't waste any time on it."

I didn't know there were that many "facts" known about Jesus. I'm looking forward to what the author, Reza Asian, has to say in the book.

Marge

[Ann D]

Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth sounds very interesting, Marge. I put it on my TBR list.

[Ann D]

I recently finished Goodnight, Nebraska for my in-person book club. Nebraska doesn't seem to get much good press, and this book doesn't help. Author Tom McNeal is from California, but spent summers in the sparsely populated northwest Nebraska and taught a year there. Goodnight is the name of a mythical very small town. A Salt Lake City teenager, from a messed up family, gets in trouble and is sent to Goodnight by a sympathetic coach to start a new life.

The characters were very well drawn and I can't forget them. From the start, you feel that it will end in tragedy but the plot takes some very interesting turns. Things do turn out for some, but not others. It's somewhat slow going in the beginning, but gets rolling after awhile, and the writing is good.

[Ruth]

Ann wrote: "I recently finished Goodnight, Nebraska for my in-person book club. Nebraska doesn't seem to get much good press, and this book doesn't help. Author Tom McNeal is fro..."

Looks interesting. Just stuck it in my amazon basket.

[Joan]

J. wrote: "Joan wrote: "I am reading Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth...So far, the author has set the scene of Judea during the Roman occupation. He makes assumptions based on ..."

Impossible, of course, to have "facts' about the historical Jesus. The only "facts" are those that are culled from Roman documents of the time. The authorship of the various books of the New Testament is murky.

I would say, that so far (only partway through, so I may change my mind) that this is the book of the statistical Jesus--and a statistic is simply an abstraction.

[Ruth]

I'm 1/3 of the way into Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink. All very interesting, but vastly too wordy.

[Book Concierge]

Finished reading Code name Verity by Elizabeth Wein (Book on CD performed by Morven Christie & Lucy Gaskell) – 4****
This is a young-adult book, a war story, a spy novel, and a story of an unforgettable friendship. “Verity” is arrested by the Gestapo in northern France. Deprived of sleep, clothes, and food, subject to various tortures, she finally begins to write her “confession.” War is never romantic, and this book certainly points that out, but it also brings to light the role that many women played in the war. And I particularly liked the way it explored a multi-faceted and deep friendship, and how the situations they found themselves in forced them to make difficult decisions in the name of that friendship. Morven Christie & Lucy Gaskell do a fine job narrating the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

Finished reading Mary Coin by Marisa Silver – 4****
Starting with Dorothea Lange’s iconic image from the Great Depression - Migrant Mother, Silver has crafted a novel that reimagines the lives of the woman and her children, as well as the photographer. The prose is beautifully simple, the images powerful, and the story poignant and haunting. So why four stars instead of five? I couldn’t get over the fact that Silver borrowed so completely from the lives of these two very real women, yet changed their names and called it fiction. There are plenty of works of historical fiction based on real people that use the real names. Why put that iconic photo on the cover and still hide the real women behind different identities?
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Ruth]

Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading Mary Coin by Marisa Silver – 4****
Starting with Dorothea Lange’s iconic image from the Great Depression - Migrant Mother, Silver has crafted a ..."

I enjoyed this one, too.

[Mary Anne]

Ruth wrote: "I'm 1/3 of the way into Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink. All very interesting, but vastly too wordy."

Ruth, I am also reading Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital, and agree that it is very, very detailed. I do think, however, that it should be required reading for all those who work in hospitals, whether dealing with creating disaster plans or tending to patients. There are many lessons here.

[Ruth]

Mary Anne wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I'm 1/3 of the way into Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink. All very interesting, but vastly too wordy."

Ruth, I am also..."

Absolutely. Nobody seemed to have a clue.

[Cateline]

Finished The Cuckoo's Calling. Better than I expected. Definite potential. Here is my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lyn]

Just finished Songs of Willow Frost. Not bad, but some of the major life decisions and situations by Liu Song do not seem emotionally logical/believable/written in for the sake of makings things more melodramatic, and the constant melodrama came off as over the top for me. Enjoyed Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet much more.

[Lyn]

I just finished Karma Gone Bad: How I Learned to Love Mangos, Bollywood and Water Buffalo, which has a catchy title and is a book about how the author learned to tolerate India for a short while as a wealthy American, occasionally going out without her designer clothes. I will take this time to recommend Shantaram instead.

[Beth]

I'm reading The Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam. It's a lovely book--a lot of pain buried beneath humor. The writing is marvelous.

[Sue]

Beth wrote: "I'm reading The Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam. It's a lovely book--a lot of pain buried beneath humor. The writing is marvelous."

That's a great book, Beth.

[Peggy]

I just finished reading The Circle, Dave Eggers' newest book, but I need to let it digest a bit before I give it a full review. I admit to being biased against him - I REALLY did not like A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, so I'm not inclined to cut Eggers any slack.

We read an excerpt from The Circle in the Short Story conference last year. This is social media taken to the nth degree. "The Circle" is a Googlesque Facebook hybrid (or hydra) that gradually takes over every aspect of society. I get the impression the Eggers thought he was writing Brave New World or Brazil (I could totally see this as a movie), but there are no surprises and the characters seem to be there just to work the plot machinery. In the end, I just didn't buy it. I know we're sheeple, lured by the siren call of Facebook to give away our privacy, but I'd like to believe society isn't so far gone that Eggers' scenario is even plausible.

[Ruth]

I'm flagging on Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital

A case of way too much information. Not sure I'll make it to the end.

[Cateline]

Ruth wrote: "I'm flagging on Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital

A case of way too much information. Not sure I'll make it to the end."

I have it, and have only skimmed parts. I think it's that sort of book. Too much to take in in one felled swoop.

[Cateline]

I've gone back to The Secret History by Donna Tartt, and am about a third of the way through. Doing better this time.

[Beth]

Sue wrote: "Beth wrote: "I'm reading The Queen of the Tambourine by Jane Gardam. It's a lovely book--a lot of pain buried beneath humor. The writing is marvelous."

That's a great book, Beth."

I'm really enjoying it!

[Rebecca]

Just finished Legacy by Susan Kay. I also loved 'Phantom.' Why hasn't this brilliant author written more books? What a shame.

[Joyce]

Winter, snow and cold have turned my thoughts toward death. Reading three books consumed by the subject: Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala, The Returned by Jason Mott and The Death Class by Erika Hayasaki.

[Sara]

Joyce wrote: "Winter, snow and cold have turned my thoughts toward death. Reading three books consumed by the subject: Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala, The Returned by Jason Mott and The Death Class by Erika Hayasaki."


I absolutely loved The Returned--a truly wonderful reading experience. An adaptation is going to be on tv in March--retitled "Resurrection", I assume because there was a French series last year with similar themes called The Returned. I don't know that the tv version will live up to the book, but I'll probably be watching.

[Sue]

Sara,just saw a preview for that show and wondered about the title because I was thinking about the book you mention. I'm glad you loved it...I'll move it up.

[Kat]

On the subject of death: I really enjoyed The Brief History of the Dead. Alternating chapters take place on a pandemic-stricken earth and in "the city of the dead." Riveting.

[Nicole]

Peggy wrote: "I just finished reading The Circle, Dave Eggers' newest book, but I need to let it digest a bit before I give it a full review.

I really, really did NOT like this book (which I also just finished, it was a Christmas present). And I was biased in Dave Eggers' favor, because I did like his memoir when I read it years ago.

Mostly, I think, the book felt lazy and slapped together. The writing wasn't very good, the character development was non-existant (a problem I find even more glaring when the main character is a woman written by a man), and there was no special insight on the technology front. Especially missing (for me) was any kind of real insight into WHY this character, or even people in general, might crave the kind of narcissistic validation that Mae is constantly looking for and getting. That might have been an interesting narrative. We see a lot of her family, but there's just nothing there.

There's also nothing insightful on the technology side: not one of the exchanges/characters was involved in the IT part of this IT revolution. Everybody worked in sales or customer service or PR or something. I gather that Eggers did not do any research before writing this book, either.

In short, I have no idea if this makes you feel better or worse, but I doubt you're giving the book less than it deserves because of a previous bias. I think it's just not a very good book. Better to spend the time watching Brazil again. :)