Books on the Nightstand discussion
What are you reading February 2014
I heard aboutI Hunt Killers on the Bookrageous podcast and got it from the library. I have been reading it every spare second I have had. It is about the son of a serial killer hunting a serial killer. It is just the right amount of creepy.
I am now reading "The Golem and the Jinni". Anyone else? I like it so far....so different.
I have read it Judi. I really found it to be a great blending of culture and religion. The story unfolds at a great pace.
I just finished The Cuckoo's Calling. The plot was a bit predictable, but I loved the characters. I visited London for the first time last summer, and I loved recognizing some of the streets Rowling described in the book. I hope this is the start of a series.
Just saw that Rowling is releasing the second book in the Striker series this June!
I'm trying to get through as many of the "Tournament of Books" books as possible. Will finish "Long Division" tonight, and start "The Luminaries" and "How to Get Filthy Rich..." tomorrow. My book club is also reading "Fragile Things" by Neil Gaiman, so I should probably read that soon too. Too many books/not enough books!
Sarah wrote: "I'm trying to get through as many of the "Tournament of Books" books as possible. Will finish "Long Division" tonight, and start "The Luminaries" and "How to Get Filthy Rich..." tomorrow. My book c..."
Trying to do as many ToB books as I can, too, Sarah. How are you feeling about Long Division? I'm next on the waiting list at the library, but have a few others to squeeze in, too (namely, A Tale for the Time Being).
Trying to do as many ToB books as I can, too, Sarah. How are you feeling about Long Division? I'm next on the waiting list at the library, but have a few others to squeeze in, too (namely, A Tale for the Time Being).
I finished
A Constellation of Vital Phenomena and loved it in all it's heart breaking beauty. I think this is one of those stories that will stay with me for a long time. For a break I am reading
The Case of the Man who Died Laughing which is much lighter. It is also set in 111degree Fahrenheit India which sounds nice right now in snowy, icy New York City!
Shannon wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I'm trying to get through as many of the "Tournament of Books" books as possible. Will finish "Long Division" tonight, and start "The Luminaries" and "How to Get Filthy Rich..." tomor..."Shannon, Long Division was good, but I feel that it required me to give it something I just didn't give it. Time, attention, a suspended belief? Maybe all of them. I do think it would make a great discussion book, as people can help draw out what the other inevitably missed.
I'll be curious to hear what you think!
Judi wrote: "I am now reading "The Golem and the Jinni". Anyone else? I like it so far....so different."
I just started it as well and am really enjoying it so far.
Mary wrote: "I just finished Stoner. Loved, loved, loved it!!"One of my favorites this year!
Finished
last night.Published in 2004 but audiblized in 2013. Nice six hour essay about the life and theories of Albert Einstein.Now listening to
.
I just picked up Larry Watson's
from my recently-acquired pile. Vintage Watson with complex, well drawn characters and plot set in the landscape of ND and East MT which is almost another character. Milkweed Editions published this last year and if you read and liked
you'll enjoy this book, too.
Absolutely essential reading for any Beatles fan.
This is the first of three books which are destined to stand as the definitive Beatles history/biography. This book covers John, Paul, George, and Ringo (and Pete, and Stu, and Brian, and George Martin) from their births up to the end of 1962.The book is packed with incident, anecdotes, and explanations. Many myths are debunked. What makes the book special is that, not only has Lewisohn exhausted all existing written sources of Beatles history, but he has tracked down dozens of people who were part of the Beatles' orbit and interviewed them. The book is rich with detail, and the conclusions Lewisohn draws seem unassailable.
The shorthand descriptions by which we always knew the Beatles (the smart one, the cute one, the quiet one, and the funny one) are turned inside out. Turned on their head. Sometimes they're the Leader, the sidekick, the kid brother, and the sickly one. Sometimes they're the clownish one, the polite one, the witty one, and the professional. The point is, you get to know them all not only in two dimensions, but as the constellations of qualities that make up the personalities of fully developed people.
I'm eagerly awaiting Lewisohn's next volume, but there may be a long wait. Lewisohn joins the ranks of George R.R. Martin and Robert A. Caro for me in that regard.
I just finished The Casual Vacancy. I slogged through the first 100 pages (and almost gave up on it). I am so glad I kept at it. The characters were so vivid and so human.I wasn't sure what to read next but picked up Lexicon by Max Berry and read the first couple pages, and now I am hooked.
Happy reading!
Eric wrote: "Absolutely essential reading for any Beatles fan.
This is the first of three books which are destined to stand as the definitive Beatles history/biography. This book ..."
Eric, did you know there is a free Coursera MOOC with U of Rochester happening right now on the Beatles? That is one of the suggested readings. I'm taking the class, it just started last week.
The professor did say that will be the definitive bio of the Beatles when complete.
I finished Elmer Gantry without much love for the book or the character. But I read to the end.I am reading a book my eight year old suggestion entitled May B. It is written in verse and should be a quick read.
I had heard about a Scottish author named Denise Mina a few years ago in a book podcast. I finally got around to reading her fist of the Alex Morrow series called STILL MIDNIGHT and I just began the second in the series called THE END OF THE WASP SEASON.
Eric wrote: "Absolutely essential reading for any Beatles fan.
This is the first of three books which are destined to stand as the definitive Beatles history/biography. This book ..."
Thanks so much for your wonderful review!! I have 2 teenage sons who are Beatles obsessed. Not a day goes by that a sentence doesn't start " Hey Mom, did you know Paul/ George/Ringo/John did or said something". I can't wait to pick this up for them.
Really enjoyed Mister Pip and now I am reading A Well Tempered Heart, the follow-up to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats.
Melissa, I plan to read A Well-Tempered Heart as soon as I finish Kent Haruf's last book.
I just finished The Martian by Andy Weir and was so happy that Michael suggested it. It is the perfect combination of science geekiness and geeky humor, the tenancity of human beings to survive, the generosity we own in times of crisis, and lots of talk about explosives! What else can a girl ask for? Can't wait for my son to read it.
I'm knee-deep into Lexicon and am totally captivated. I love the writing and the story! Thanks for the suggestion BOTNS!
Everyone read Gone Girl. I am challenging myself for he second time to finish this book. There has to be some reason why this book was so popular.
Mod
Lightning Bug yesterday and, today, am starting to listen to
Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune
As usual, my list is a little less current than most BotNists'. I did read three new titles recently--The Rosie Project, the new Flavia deLuce mystery, The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches, and my BotN Secret Elf gift, Shady Characters: The Secret Life of Punctuation--and enjoyed them all thoroughly. Am currently switching back and forth among a snore of a marketing book, Hamlin Garland's semi-autobiographical Boy Life on the Prairie (1899), and Karen Abbott's Sin in the Second City: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul. Next up: Anthony Slide's history of the Vitagraph Studios, The Big V; a collection of interviews with life-writers, Biography As High Adventure; and the first collection of Mary Roberts Rinehart's Tish stories (1916).
Just finished The Fault of Our Stars and Tell the Wolves I'm Home, so I'm looking for something else to start. With the tones of both of those books, I guess I am looking for something a little more lighthearted. Was thinking about finally getting into Blindness, which has been sitting on my bedside table for years. So many choices!
Read in FebruaryI've finished The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty and Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Reading in February
I'm listening to The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton for book club in March and to The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. I'm reading Lexicon by Max Barry.
I'm still reading A Constellation of Vital Phenomena: A Novel-- despite the subject matter (wartime, loss, violence) the language makes it one to take your time with. I'm listening to The Dinnerand am reserving judgment for the moment. It's sort of a psychological novel, not much action, lots of things going on in the narrator's mind & memory.
I just finished Lexicon by Max Barry. It was a nice read. I thoroughly enjoyed the story although I think it broke up a bit toward the end and the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall = 4 stars.Starting The Last Days of California today. Looks to be an enjoyable coming-of-age tale.
Happy reading!
I finished an ebook story called Blackbirds by Chuck Wendig. Very gritty, very rough, lots of cussing. But when I couldn't read it, I was still thinking about it.
The Expats had a good storyline but a very confusing layout. Present day narrative is interwoven into the story but made the entire book indecipherable to me. After finishing, I went back and read all the historical sections and then read the present day narrative. That allowed me to finally see the plot which was good. I don't think I would have understood this at all if I listened to the audiobook. I'm not sure if I would read another of Chris Pavone's books.
Pam wrote: "The Expats had a good storyline but a very confusing layout. Present day narrative is interwoven into the story but made the entire book indecipherable to me. After finishing, I went back and read ..."Pam, this was my problem with The Expats too. Thank you for putting it into words. :)
Susanne wrote: "Read in FebruaryI've finished The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty and Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Reading in February
I'm listening to [book:The Secret Keeper|13508..."
Shaun wrote: "Just finished The Fault of Our Stars and Tell the Wolves I'm Home, so I'm looking for something else to start. With the tones of both of those books, I guess I am looking for something a little mor..."
I just added The Husband's Secret to my to read list. Did you like it?
I am reading Don't Breathe a Word and I am absorbed by it.
I'm curious about The Husband's Secret, too. Sheila wrote: "Susanne wrote: "Read in February
I've finished The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty and Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Reading in February
I'm listening to [book:The Sec..."
Sheila & Sue, I enjoyed The Husbands Secret. It's the story of three different people/families that intersect. Two turn out to be more intertwined that the other one. I figured out the secret was before it was revealed (which is before the mid-point of the book). The ending was not what I expected (it didn't hold true [for me] based on what we know). The fall-out from the secret should have been HUGE for those involved, and it is for one person, but...but...sigh, no spoilers.
I haven't finished my other three books, but I just started an audiobook, The Martian by Andy Weir, narrated by R. C. Bray.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Well-Tempered Heart, the follow-up to The Art of Hearing Heartbeats. It had a similar feel and tone as Heartbeats (and of course some of the same characters), but it was still its own story. Very well done.
Now that I finished Chuck Wendig's Blackbirds, I've decided to start reading Jaws, by Peter Benchley. I know it's supposed to be a classic, or great, or something. But I've never read it or seen the film. So that's next on my list.
You'll have to tell us whether it's
1) a classic
2) great
3) something; or
4) other
1) a classic
2) great
3) something; or
4) other
Well, I guess I've hear that if you haven't seen the movie, you've been living under a rock. But I'm one of few people that haven't seen the movie. Not sure if it's classified as a classic or not.
Also, I am enjoying it, so I'd say that it's at least good. I'll have to decide if it's great when I reach the end.
I am reading the last of the Riders of the Appoclipse series. Great set of books and part of the price goes to great orginazitions.
Since re-shelving The Luminaries and putting aside Super Sad True Love Story (the paperback was misbound and it was unreadable after page 145, alas) I started listening to Americanah. It's my second Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie book and while she certainly revisits similar themes and stories, her writing is so incredibly lyrical and her storytelling skills so good, that it seems totally original. I listened to That Thing Around Your Neck with the same audiobook narrator, Adjoa Andoh, who really brings the writing alive. I love listening to her. I also just read the first chapter of The Two Hotel Francforts, my first David Leavitt, and I think I'm already hooked.
I just started
for another book group on here. Which is good cause it's been on my shelf since the book was released(a couple years. yikes.). I'm also reading
which is a fantastic book of shortish stories. She's one of my favorite authors and for nonfiction I'm reading
which is being really interesting so far.
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Winter People (other topics)I Still Dream About You (other topics)
Detroit: An American Autopsy (other topics)
Long Man (other topics)
The Dinner (other topics)
More...
Maureen, I see you're a neighbor. I live in Fairview Heights."
Denise, I actually grew up in the Metro East (Cahokia and Columbia). Spent many a Saturday at St. Clair Square. :)