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What I'm Reading JANUARY 2014
Ann wrote: "I just finished another Jo Nesbo book: Nemesis. The plotting in this one was too convoluted for me - it strained credibility. However, Nesbo does know how to write an engaging crim..."
I don't even look at the Kindle deals any more.
Kat wrote: "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."Yes! Totally loved that one as well!
Sue wrote: "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."I was really hesitant, but totally, absolutely won over.
I am reading Cry, the Beloved Country, everyone is in for a treat. It is so beautifully written. It is like reading continuous poetry.
Kat wrote: "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."What did you think of the ending? I wasn't crazy about it, but I couldn't really think of an alternative.
And as a side note, I became mildly obsessed wondering what the people in the Afterlife City did for money, and why they still worked.
Nicole wrote: "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 b..."
Hehe - yes it does make me feel better. I agree - I didn't accept the way Mae "bought into" the whole transparency concept and became its avatar (for lack of a better word). The story was almost completely one-sided and by the end of the book, I really disliked Mae. It's an interesting concept poorly executed, and a bit of a horror show for a private person like me. I'm not even Facebook friends with my co-workers. I don't care how good the benefits are -- working at a place like The Circle sounds like my own personal hell.
Peggy wrote: "Kat wrote: "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." Rivetin..."At first I didn't like the ending, then I did. I kept reading it over and over.
I agree with you, Nicole, re Dave Eggers' THE CIRCLE. I was sorry I wasted my time reading it. And I also did not think it was all that well written. Very far-fetched story. I kept waiting for Mae to become disillusioned with the organization, but she remained blind to it. How any intelligent person could not see what was happening did not make sense to me.Marge
I didn't like the short story from this book that we read on CR.However, I thought Eggers' book What is the What, a partially fictionalized account of the life of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan, was terrific. I taught Sudanese refugee kids and this gave me such an understanding of what they had been through. I also liked A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius. Obviously, Eggers is one of those writers who really stretches himself by writing very different kinds of books. I admire that, although all the books may not be equally successful.
I'm down to the last six of the 44 Rex Stout Nero Wolfe books. Picked up Nero Wolfe of West Thirty-Fifth Street by William S, Baring-Gould, which was nowhere near as amusing as his Holmes "biography." Back to movie research with The Divine Feud: Bette and Joan, which is a gossip fest.
Ann, that's a generous and charitable way of describing it. Also, you make me remember that I also liked AHWOSG when I read it, as well as the McSweeny's things that I've read. Maybe I'll give him another chance. Though not until after Stoner, at least.
Ruth wrote: "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've made it to the aftermath, with the legal testamonies, and I have to pack it in. There's still about 1/3 of the book to go!
Mary Anne wrote: "Ruth wrote: "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 vast..."That's exactly where I almost threw in the towel. But I've soldiered on, although often employing the Skim button.
Last night I finished Veritas by William Lashner, second in the series featuring Victor Carl, attorney. I wasn't aware it was part of a series as I'd bought it for kindle, on one of those 1.99 sales. But it was well worth it. My review, here... https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Right now, I'm enjoying that silence that comes after finishing a great book. In some minutes, I'll get all anxious about choosing the next one!...in fact, I think I'm going to start the "saga" "In search of the lost time", by marcel proust. Have a Nice day you all!
Felipe wrote: "Right now, I'm enjoying that silence that comes after finishing a great book. In some minutes, I'll get all anxious about choosing the next one!...in fact, I think I'm going to start the "saga" "In..."Felix, if you're up for it, we discussed Anna Karenina a few years ago. Here is a link to our discussion:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
I'll love to read it! Thanks Sherry! Beautiful story. It's incredible how the human feelings and miseries are very much the same through the centuries. I feel the same reading Balzac's books.
Having finished Paul Bowles's The Spiders House which I struggled with the middle sections of - see my review, I am now reading Orhan Pamuk's White Castle. It has some delightful narrative sections but others are heavy going as the relationship between the two characters, master and slave, is developed through their mind games. I've been meaning to read his Snow which I started years ago and got interrupted on and never got back to. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who has read more of his work as to whether the style in White Castle is typical of his other books
Felipe, I've read In Search of Lost Time with the help of some friends here. The first and last volumes were my favorites, but they are all worth the time.I've never read Balzac however. Which of his books would you recommend as a starter?
I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green in one big gulp yesterday. It was worth every minute of it. The movie was filmed here in Pittsburgh a few months ago.
Barbara, their books are amazing! One day, I'll finish reading all the "Human Comedy"! I think you should start by "The father Goriot", then "Lost Illusions", and then "The splendors and miseries of courtesans". There's a connection among these 3 books, as well as the whole "Human Comedy". You won't regret! Let me know when you start them.
Mary Anne wrote: "I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green in one big gulp yesterday. It was worth every minute of it. The movie was filmed here in Pittsburgh a few months ago."My granddaughter Lily loved that book Mary Anne. She came over here one day and announced with a very sad face: "I'm in love with a fictional character."
Mary Anne wrote: "I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green in one big gulp yesterday. It was worth every minute of it. The movie was filmed here in Pittsburgh a few months ago."I loved that book--so well done.
Sherry wrote: "Mary Anne wrote: "I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green in one big gulp yesterday. It was worth every minute of it. The movie was filmed here in Pittsburgh a few months ago."..."
Aw, Lily. Same thing happened to me with Ponyboy Curtis, from The Outsiders. I still think of him now and then, and wonder what he's up to now. :-)
Felipe wrote: "Barbara, their books are amazing! One day, I'll finish reading all the "Human Comedy"! I think you should start by "The father Goriot", then "Lost Illusions", and then "The splendors and miseries o..."Thank you, Felipe! I believe I nominated that one for our classics list at one point but it didn't make the cut. I will keep trying or just read it on my own.
Sheila,I have read Orhan Pamuk's Snow. It was slow going, but worthwhile. I was very interested in the pull between fundamentalism and secularism in modern Turkey, a subject that I knew nothing about before reading this book.
Finding "The Death Class" fascinating. Also digging into "The Interestings." Meanwhile, I'm listening to "And the Mountains Echoed." Great ways to ignore the mounting snow outside.
I finished the Queen of the Tambourine--loved it!Now I'm reading Let's Talk Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. It's not the funny Sedaris of Me Talk Pretty One Day. There's more melancholy in this one. We went to see him at the Marin Center in San Rafael, CA a few months ago and now I can't read the book without hearing his voice, which is okay with me.
And by let's talk I mean Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls. Sheesh. How quickly my memory goes.
Finished reading
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (Book on CD narrated by Rebecca Lowman) – 4**** Katey Kontent looks back on her life in New York City from 1938-1941, and how she came to be introduced to the world of the Upper East Side. Katey, the daughter of Russian immigrants, is intelligent, well-read and ambitious. But when she learns the truth of certain people’s situations, she begins to reflect on whether the “rules of civility” are nothing more than a mask. Towles has a gift for describing the city its residents: I poured myself a gin that was sized to make my apartment see less depressing. Rebecca Lowman does a fine job narrating the audio version. There are a lot of different characters and she managed to give them sufficiently unique voices.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Beth wrote: "I finished the Queen of the Tambourine--loved it!Now I'm reading Let's Talk Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. It's not the funny Sedaris of Me Talk Pretty One Day. There's more melancholy in th..."
I used to live very close to the Marin Center. Across 101 on Fair Drive.
Book Concierge wrote: "Finished reading Rules of Civility by Amor Towles (Book on CD narrated by Rebecca Lowman) – 4**** Katey Kontent looks back on her life in New York City f..."
I really enjoyed that audiobook, too, BC. One of my favorites the year I listened to it.
I confess I regretfully ditched SNOW about 100 pages in. I was greatly interested in the ideas and the culture, but the characters seemed cardboard--they didn't come to life for me--and I find it quite difficult to keep reading under those circumstances.
Sherry wrote: "Beth wrote: "I finished the Queen of the Tambourine--loved it!Now I'm reading Let's Talk Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. It's not the funny Sedaris of Me Talk Pretty One Day. There's more mel..."
How long ago did you move, Sherry?
We really don't take advantage of all they offer at the Marin Center.
Ann wrote: "Sheila,I have read Orhan Pamuk's Snow. It was slow going, but worthwhile. I was very interested in the pull between fundamentalism and secularism in modern Turkey, a su..."
The last couple of book I have been reading and the next on my immediate to read pile are all there because they address the relationship between people from different cultures. I'll kep in mind what you and Kat have said about Snow when I eventually get round to it, but it is on my Read my Own Books challege shelf!
Beth wrote: "Sherry wrote: "Beth wrote: "I finished the Queen of the Tambourine--loved it!Now I'm reading Let's Talk Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris. It's not the funny Sedaris of Me Talk Pretty One Day. T..."
Ages ago. My son was 12, now he's 37. But he's still a Niner's fan!
Let us know what you think when you get to SNOW, Sheila. I am also very interested in reading about different cultures because of my love for travel and my background in teaching ESL. It's definitely worth a read, but I think Katy is right about the characters not being that compelling. Perhaps it's more a novel of ideas rather than plot. It's been awhile since I read it.
I've finished Donna Tartt's The Secret History. It's every bit as good as The Goldfinch, although slightly drawn out, I thought. Anyhow, here is my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Reading my fifth or sixth Disney bio, The Animated Man. Meryl Streep's tirade last month sent me back to the evidence. Sexist? Yes, although that faded over time. Anti-Semitic or racist? Zero credible evidence for either charge. Conservative and right wing? No question about it after the 1941 strike caused him to move away from his socialist roots.
Cateline, your review of Donna Tart's Secret History intrigued me. I will read it.Marge
Marjorie wrote: "Cateline, your review of Donna Tart's Secret History intrigued me. I will read it.Marge"
Thanks, Marge.
The first third or so was not as interesting as the last. Although I've now seen that some people think the opposite. :) It's all perspective, I suppose.
Robert,Have you seen the film SAVING MR BANKS, about Disney's relationship with P.L. Travers, author of Mary Poppins? That portrayed Disney is very warm and empathetic, but then it was a Disney film. :-)
I am finding myself skimming San Miguel. Is anyone else having that problem? I am within a quarter inch of chucking it. I usually love Boyle's writing. :(That being said I am starting The Things They Carried. It has been on the shelf since last year.
Carol wrote: "I am finding myself skimming San Miguel. Is anyone else having that problem? I am within a quarter inch of chucking it. I usually love Boyle's writing. :(That being said I am st..."
I haven't started the Boyle yet, so I'll see how that goes, but I absolutely loved The Things They Carried.
I in finished reading Irish Ghost English Accent.. it took me 2 months to finish it though the book is just 450 pages long. .m glad I completed it. Here's my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...#I started reading The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.
Carol wrote: "IThat being said I am starting The Things They Carried. It has been on the shelf since last year."
Great book. I'm sure you'll really like it.
Carol wrote: "I am finding myself skimming San Miguel. Is anyone else having that problem? I am within a quarter inch of chucking it. I usually love Boyle's writing. :(Carol, I had some trouble with it as well. But I will save my comments for the discussion.
Managed to finish Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital by Sheri Fink.Over 500 pages of fact after fact after fact after fact. One wonders if there was anything Fink found out that didn’t end up in the pages of this book. Fascinating story, but slowed down by the aforementioned sea of facts flooding the pages like a verbal Katrina. Imagine my surprise, when the description of the events ended in the middle of the book.
What now? Well, what it turned out to be was what seemed like an almost verbatim report of the legal investigations and shenanigans. I managed to soldier on, but I can’t say I enjoyed this part of the book.
All said. Interesting. Amazing how ill-prepared the hospital was. Even more amazing how little help the hospital’s parent corporation was. But not an easy read
I just finished a really good book Paddling to Winter by Julie Buckles. An engaging tale of the 2700 mile canoe trip undertaken by a young married couple, traveling from northern Wisconsin to the Arctic circle. Buckles published this book 14 years after she and her new husband took the journey. A professional journalist and environmentalist, she describes the terrain, the rigors and joys of the trip in a page-turning style. The book is as much about the developing relationship between Julie and her husband Charly as it is about canoeing. Anyone who has ever contemplated such a trip or challenged themselves to complete a dream, as well as all armchair travelers will enjoy this book.
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
The Autobiography of a Runaway Slave (other topics)Shantaram (other topics)
The Things They Carried (other topics)
The Things They Carried (other topics)
The Things They Carried (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Orhan Pamuk (other topics)Orhan Pamuk (other topics)
Orhan Pamuk (other topics)
Paul Bowles (other topics)
Tom McNeal (other topics)
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However, Nesbo does know how to write an engaging crime novel, with lots of twists along the way. There are usually several "false" endings. So far, I have liked The Redbreast best of the three books I have read by this author. The Snowman was compelling, but I didnt'like the brutal sadism of the killer. I was glad to find that the other two books did not follow this pattern.
I also read Carol King's A Natural Woman: A Memoir. I have got to stop falling for these $1.99 Kindle books or I will never get anywhere on that Read My Own Books challenge. It was light, but entertaining. I think she left out a lot of the juicy parts, but she has had a very interesting life.