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What I'm Reading FEBRUARY 2014
Just finished And the Mountains Echoed and found it touching and inspiring. I loved how realistic it was in the way that things worked out - not perfectly like a Hallmark movie but messily like real life.
I have been reading Last Night in Twisted River forever, it seems. I love Irving, and I enjoy this every time I pick it up, but I keep picking up other things instead. My current "other things":A Beautiful Blue Death by Charles Finch, a mystery featuring Victorian detective Charles Lenox. Fun so far.
San Miguel by TC Boyle for our discussion. I'm still in the first story (Maranatha) and I feel like I'm trapped on the island with her. Compelling and claustrophobic.
The Beauty And The Sorrow which I am dipping into a bit at a time, because I think the sorrow will outweigh the beauty in these lives interrupted by WWI.
Twisted River and Beauty/Sorrow are reads for the "read my own books" challenge.
Just finished James Breslin's biography of Mark Rothko. I'm so glad I took the time to read this book. I have a much better understanding of Rothko's place in time and others he was connected to, which in turn adds to my appreciation of his works and also of the works of those artists he knew, hung out with, argued with, and created with.
I’ve now finished all three novels shortlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature, celebrating finding new African authors. I’ve just finished We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo, shortlisted for the Booker Prize and the Eitisalat Prize for Literature. I really enjoyed reading this book which presents the contrasts between life in Zimbabwe and the US in a very authentic and interesting way.
I’ve also just finished Bom Boy by Yewande Omotoso. It’s a very thought-provoking book and it really makes you think about identity, adoption and what and why passes for normal human behaviour.
I’ve already read and reviewed the third shortlisted novel, Finding Soutbek by Karen Jennings. I have to admit, I have a very soft spot for this one. Karen Jennings was quite daring to forgo a happy ending when she wrote this book.
All three novels are quite contrasting and successfully highlight different aspects of African society.
Bernadette wrote: "I’ve now finished all three novels shortlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature, celebrating finding new African authors. I’ve just finished We Need New Names by No..."
Bernadette, please nominate at least one of these books for our next list. They all sound very good.
I finished The Sisterhood by Helen Bryan last night. I enjoyed it, with reservations. Here is my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I picked this book up, originally, on account of another thread here about male vs. female writers.
Really enjoyed The Beginning of Spring by Penelope Fitzgerald; it's the fourth I've read by her and may be a new favorite. Set in Russia in 1913, short and fascinating. Also recently reread Austen's Mansfield Park. Now reading The Professor's House.
Finally finished Dracula tonight - this cold evening of February. It's an amazing book and is probably the first and last vampire book I'll ever need to read. Bram Stoker did an outstanding job creating horror without overdoing it. Loved this classic novel. The best character? Renfield.
Gina wrote: "Finally finished Dracula tonight - this cold evening of February. It's an amazing book and is probably the first and last vampire book I'll ever need to read. Bram Stoker did an outst..."Gina, I believe I agree with you. Can't imagine another vampire book I need to read after this one which really has it all. My first and likely last also.
Sherry wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I’ve now finished all three novels shortlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature, celebrating finding new African authors. I’ve just finished [book:We Need New Na..."
Thanks Sherry, I will do that. Will you post a message when we can nominate a book for the list?
Bernadette wrote: "Sherry wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I’ve now finished all three novels shortlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature, celebrating finding new African authors. I’ve just finished [book..."
Most certainly. I'll post a call for nominations in the Reading List folder.
Larry wrote: "I just started Robert Littell's A Nasty Piece of Work: A Novel. Noir-ish with humor."Looks interesting. I didn't know he'd branched out.
Have you read his The Stalin Epigram? Well worth it.
Cateline wrote: "Larry wrote: "I just started Robert Littell's A Nasty Piece of Work: A Novel. Noir-ish with humor."Looks interesting. I didn't know he'd branched out.
Have you read his The Stalin Epigram? Well worth it. "
Cateline, I'm not really sure that I can recommend A NASTY PIECE OF WORK. I'm through the first half of the book, and it's okay, but just that. I am going to finish it, but I'm hoping it gets better. I'll look for The Stalin Epigram.
Bernadette wrote: "Sherry wrote: "Bernadette wrote: "I’ve now finished all three novels shortlisted for the inaugural Etisalat Prize for Literature, celebrating finding new African authors. I’ve just finished [book..."
I'll be voting for one of those. I'm glad you suggested the nomination, Sherry.
Hey ! :) I want to know if anyone can recommend a good light hearted book . Something along the lines of Matthew Quick
It is ludicrous that I keep reading Patricia Cornwell, but if nothing else, these fat books are very fast reads, though terribly written, and 98% of the novel takes place over one day (not exciting like 24, but just noting every word or redundant thought). Read her latest, Dust A Scarpetta Novel by Patricia Cornwell Do not recommend! I think I read them because I cannot believe that such a bad writer can be so popular and make millions.
Lyn wrote: "It is ludicrous that I keep reading Patricia Cornwell, but if nothing else, these fat books are very fast reads, though terribly written, and 98% of the novel takes place over one day (not exciting..."I stopped reading her a long time ago Lyn. glad to know I'm not missing anything. It is amazing she keeps getting published.
Her first few books were quite good, but when that Loup Garou showed up, I left!
John wrote: "Her first few books were quite good, but when that Loup Garou showed up, I left!"I stopped when she brought her boyfriend, the FBI guy, back to life. There are some plot points that just don't cut it. And the gratuitous violence quotient just kept building.
Has any one read the Benjamin January series by Barbara Hambly. One of my friends recommended them, but I have never heard any thing about them.
Finished David Ashton's Shadow Of The Serpent and liked the characterisation of the detective McLevy - fuller review my Blog. Then I got inundated by 3 library books I had on order arriving at the same time - typical - I haven't yet adjusted to the delivery schedules for my new library :( I have started Maaza Mengiste's Beneath the Lion's Gaze set in the time of the Ethiopian Revolution in 1974 - it is taking a little bit of getting into but now some 100 pages in and its reading better.
The other two books are Anita Amirrezvani's The Blood of Flowers which I know Dottie has read and recommended and Khaled Hosseini's And the Mountains Echoed - anyone read that one yet?
I finally broke down and got a Kindle because I travel by bus and I have San Miguel on my wait list...hope it comes before the discussion ends. I have also discovered Andre Dubus, the senior, auLast Worthless Evening brought me to tears on the bus...Has anyone read Mean Spirit. It's another one on my list....
Sue wrote: "John wrote: "Her first few books were quite good, but when that Loup Garou showed up, I left!"I stopped when she brought her boyfriend, the FBI guy, back to life. There are some plot points that ..."
I stopped reading when I began to be creeped out by the descriptions of what her killers did to women. I thought: I don't enjoy reading this, and it bothers me to think that some people might enjoy reading her books precisely because they describe horrible things done to women.
I finished A Beautiful Blue Death, Victorian mystery featuring a pleasant gentleman sleuth who drinks a lot of tea, is buddies with his butler and has many friends who are people of leisure like himself. A comfortable read that does not encourage (or reward, most likely) a lot of thought. Now I want to finish San Miguel for our discussion.
Finished reading
The King’s Speech by Mark Logue and Peter Conradi – Book on CD read by Simon Vance – 3.5*** This is a very fine biography of Lionel Logue, speech therapist to King George VI, written by Logue’s grandson. It covers far more than the movie of the same name. The audio book is narrated by Simon Vance who is simply perfect for this book. As an added bonus the audio begins with a broadcast of the famous speech delivered by King George VI announcing that Britain was now at war with Germany. Knowing the story already and hearing the King’s halting delivery gave it a much greater impact.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sheila wrote: "Finished David Ashton's Shadow Of The Serpent and liked the characterisation of the detective McLevy - fuller review my Blog. Then I got inundated by 3 library boo..."
Very much enjoyed "And the Mountains Echoed." It winds up a worthwhile meditation on the meaning of family.
I'm listening to the audio version of "League of Denial" about the head injury problems in pro football. Stunning reporting.
A Day at the Beach: Recollections was on my library ebook wishlist, and available, so I decided to download it. Fascinating memoir, but I can't help feeling that a few hits of speed might help me keep up with the wild pace!
Tx Joyce, I haven't seen too many comments about it but did enjoy Khaled Hosseini's other two so looking forward to this one
I have to laugh. From every direction I'm hearing of the new TV/Amazon show Bosch. Larry mentioned it here, I received a newsletter from Mystery Scene Magazine that advertised it, and there was another reminder....can't remember at the moment what it was though. Hah. Oh well. So, anyhow, the long and short of it is that I'm reading the first Bosch.....The Black Echo by Michael Connelly. I already had it and one of it's siblings on my kindle. It's really good, y'all. :)
I like Michael Connelly's writing too, Cateline. I've read a few of the Bosch series. Recently, I've been a fan of the Lincoln Lawyer ones -- have read the first two. The second includes Bosch as well.
I really liked the Amazon Bosch. I hope they continue with it. At Key West, Connelly talked about it a bit. He had a lot to do with it besides being Executive Producer. He actually chose the actor to play him, Titus Welliver. I think Lee Child was quite jealous, since he really didn't act especially pleased that Tom Cruise ended up being Reacher. There was a lot of good-natured joking about that casting.
Just finished The Sidmouth Letters by Jane Gardam. She's such a wonderful writer that I’d probably give her grocery list 4 stars. In this collection of short stories she inhabits a wild variety of personae and is absolutely believable in each one. I was moved to tears in several places, especially by the 2nd story in the collection, and driven to laughter in others. My, she does know how to slip in the knife, in a graceful, ladylike manner of course.
Ruth,I checked to see if my library has The Sidmouth Letters. It doesn't. However, it does have the last volume in the Old Filth series that was published in 2013: Last Friends. Terry Veneering, Filth's rival and his wife's lover, is the main character. Have you read it? I love Gardam. I think I'm going to have to read it.
I didn't like last friends nearly as well as the two preceding books.
I gave up on Last Friends. A friend who loved the first two said he finished that one, but didn't blame me for not sticking with it.
Ruth wrote, "Just finished The Sidmouth Letters by Jane Gardam. She's such a wonderful writer that I’d probably give her grocery list 4 stars..I might give this a read, altho' I have liked very few short stories. I really liked Gardam's God on the Rocks and have her Queen of the Tambourine on my TBR list.
Marge
I just finished reading The Diviners by Libba Bray. I don't particularly like young adult books, serial killer books, and paranormal books SO these were the first three things I didn't like about The Diviners. Her book dealt with horrible murders, vapid girls, and mystical and spiritual nightmarish scenarios. Bray told the story strongly and I feel she has talent, but I feel she's sold out to a popular genre. Her biography on her website was so entertaining that I really enjoyed reading it.
Just finished The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. I know, it sounds like chick lit but its more. Much more. :) Here's my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Yesterday I finished The Black Echo by Michael Connelly. Good stuff, first of a series without the usual annoying habits of first of a series. :) Here is my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished reading
An Echo Through the Snow by Andrea Thalasinos – 3***The novel moves back and forth between the 1920s story of the Chukchi peoples of Siberia and the 1993 tale of Rosalie, a young woman with a troubled past who rescues a neglected Siberian husky. I was happy to learn about the Chukchi people of Siberia; I liked watching Rosalie slowly gain confidence and begin a journey to successful adulthood. But telling two stories meant that neither was fully realized. I wish she had written two different novels rather than try to combine both stories into one book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by Nigerian authorLola Shoneyin. Sheila recommended it here on Constant Reader.I never imagine that I would get so wrapped up in a story about a polygamous family consisting of one illiterate husband and his three wives. The newest, who is a young, very depressed university graduate creates all kind of turmoil when she joins the family.Shoneyin can write both witty and poignant prose and she is one heck of a story teller. Recommended for people who really like to explore other cultures.
Sherry wrote: "I really liked the Amazon Bosch. I hope they continue with it. At Key West, Connelly talked about it a bit. He had a lot to do with it besides being Executive Producer. He actually chose the actor to play him, Titus Welliver. ..."I thought that Titus Welliver just did a great job of getting the Harry Bosch character down. Whenever I read the books now, I'll see Welliver in my mind.
Gina wrote: "Finally finished Dracula tonight - this cold evening of February. It's an amazing book and is probably the first and last vampire book I'll ever need to read. Bram Stoker did an outst..."Gina, I'm not a vampire fan either. The genre just doesn't interest me. But I did make an exception of Stephen King's 'Salem's Lot and was glad that I did ... once I got over being scared ... a few years later.
Cateline wrote: "Yesterday I finished The Black Echo by Michael Connelly. Good stuff, first of a series without the usual annoying habits of first of a series. :) Here is my review. https://www.goodre..."I just moved from one Harry Bosch book to another last year and was so sad when I got to the end of the last book ... I didn't think that they were all great. I especially thought that the one based in Hong Kong was a clunker, but I really loved the evolution of the Bosch character.
I'll try to find another place in The Constant Reader to post the following link also. But this article on the rise of GoodReads is what I'm currently reading:http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainm...
Larry, I'd forgotten all about King's 'Salem's Lot. I've only read a coke of his books, and I read that when it first came out. Thanks for reminding me that I loved it...after getting over being terrified (lol). Then I started free associating and remembered that I read all of Anne Rice's vampire books, which I also thought were pretty terrific.
Just started All We Know of Heaven, about a young Canadian man who becomes a monk. So far it's holding my interest, but the prose is pretty flat.
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Constant Reader
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I agree with you, Ann. And I definitely want to know what happens next--so in that way it's compelling. I'll stick with it.