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What I'm Reading AUGUST 2015
I’m glad to have read Go Set a Watchman. Granted it could have done with some more editing, notably for some of the dialogues between Scout and her father and Dr, and adding a number of blank lines wouldn’t have gone amiss. But, I assume that without Harper Lee’s involvement (correct?) the publishers didn’t want to do this. I don’t think it clashes at all with To Kill a Mocking Bird, it’s really the same Atticus Finch but set in quite different times. In the 1930s (Mockingbird) white people were still in charge and whereas in the late 1950s (Watchman) black people were finding their voice. So things are much closer to the bone now, hence Atticus’ reaction. In the 1950s, it would have been hard to market Watchman, but I can see why, at that time, Harper Lee was encouraged towards writing Mockingbird. Watchman certainly is the more profound book, it is the book that comes from the heart. Scout’s indignation is wonderful to behold, so it is even sadder to watch her being turned around in the last few pages. I am surprised that Harper Lee didn’t write another novel, there must have been at least another novel that could have emerged from some of the themes raised in Watchman. But it didn’t happen. Was Harper Lee’s writing maybe a little bit ‘disneyfied’?
Ellen, I am applauding you! It would have been so easy to let that situation go. If one person reads the book and it makes a difference in his/her life, it's worth it.Also, I learned a while ago that librarians are not always readers. One of my favorite used bookstores was run by a retired librarian. When I asked him about books, he had rarely read them. I think he just liked all the organizational structure. It was a surprise to me.
Barbara wrote: "Ellen, I am applauding you! It would have been so easy to let that situation go. If one person reads the book and it makes a difference in his/her life, it's worth it.
Also, I learned a while ag..."
Oh, Barbara, you've made me blush. I wish I could tell you how many young black men I talk to every day, some call me from prison, some are simply (simply!) facing questionable charges and aren't sure if they should get an attorney or not. One came in last week, a young man who was in the wrong car at the wrong time, who told me he was in his second year of college, and I begged him to talk to my boss, it wouldn't cost him anything. But that's neither here nor there. It is interesting. Yes, you've put your finger right on it. Librarians are most likely people who have a wonderful sense of organization, and not necessarily bibliophiles. Maybe a bibliophile would lose her mind as a librarian? Maybe I'm closer than some people "who think they are white" (to quote its author) to the problems addressed in this book. I'm just glad I had the money to acquire the book, and that the head librarian must have so quickly acted on it when she found out what it was -- she could have put it to one side, forgotten about it, but she swiftly put it on our shelves. I'm very proud of her! It was her action, not mine, because she's the one who put it where it can do the most good. When I can afford it, and when it comes out in paperback, I'll send it to all the jails I work with. You know, you can't send hardbacks into a prison. They're considered weapons. Remember that the next time somebody dismisses a book; most people have no idea what a complete freedom and liberty books are. Well, enough from me, a lot of hot air.
Also, I learned a while ag..."
Oh, Barbara, you've made me blush. I wish I could tell you how many young black men I talk to every day, some call me from prison, some are simply (simply!) facing questionable charges and aren't sure if they should get an attorney or not. One came in last week, a young man who was in the wrong car at the wrong time, who told me he was in his second year of college, and I begged him to talk to my boss, it wouldn't cost him anything. But that's neither here nor there. It is interesting. Yes, you've put your finger right on it. Librarians are most likely people who have a wonderful sense of organization, and not necessarily bibliophiles. Maybe a bibliophile would lose her mind as a librarian? Maybe I'm closer than some people "who think they are white" (to quote its author) to the problems addressed in this book. I'm just glad I had the money to acquire the book, and that the head librarian must have so quickly acted on it when she found out what it was -- she could have put it to one side, forgotten about it, but she swiftly put it on our shelves. I'm very proud of her! It was her action, not mine, because she's the one who put it where it can do the most good. When I can afford it, and when it comes out in paperback, I'll send it to all the jails I work with. You know, you can't send hardbacks into a prison. They're considered weapons. Remember that the next time somebody dismisses a book; most people have no idea what a complete freedom and liberty books are. Well, enough from me, a lot of hot air.
There are plenty of librarians who are bibliophiles out there, though no doubt some are not. Just saying.
Kat wrote: "There are plenty of librarians who are bibliophiles out there, though no doubt some are not. Just saying."
I'm sure that's right, Kat. I'm just saying that these days there's so much to the job, I didn't mean to be dismissive in any way of librarians, but earlier I said they have to concern themselves now with information technology, shrinking budgets, physical plant, endless stuff. I have nothing but respect for someone who does a job I couldn't begin to handle.
I'm sure that's right, Kat. I'm just saying that these days there's so much to the job, I didn't mean to be dismissive in any way of librarians, but earlier I said they have to concern themselves now with information technology, shrinking budgets, physical plant, endless stuff. I have nothing but respect for someone who does a job I couldn't begin to handle.
Barbara wrote: "Ellen, I am applauding you! It would have been so easy to let that situation go. If one person reads the book and it makes a difference in his/her life, it's worth it.
Also, I learned a while ag..."
Except let me add something that I hope will be taken in the spirit in which it is offered. Mr. Coates is an erudite man, and writes about a very complex subject with great subtlety to his son, also an erudite young man. I would challenge him, imagine, to write a book geared toward those who have reading difficulties, who have emerged from our educational system unable to follow the argument Mr. Coates puts forward, his solution to the problem. Write a book that people who are victims of the system can understand without patronizing them, without writing down to them. This book is a darling of liberal "people who believe they are white"; how would Mr. Coates communicate with a young man with educational disabilities, who cannot read at the level at which the book is written?
Also, I learned a while ag..."
Except let me add something that I hope will be taken in the spirit in which it is offered. Mr. Coates is an erudite man, and writes about a very complex subject with great subtlety to his son, also an erudite young man. I would challenge him, imagine, to write a book geared toward those who have reading difficulties, who have emerged from our educational system unable to follow the argument Mr. Coates puts forward, his solution to the problem. Write a book that people who are victims of the system can understand without patronizing them, without writing down to them. This book is a darling of liberal "people who believe they are white"; how would Mr. Coates communicate with a young man with educational disabilities, who cannot read at the level at which the book is written?
I apologize. I'm mixing books and my own personal feelings. So move on! I won't do it again.
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer – 4**** WOW. I was expecting a true crime story, but got an expansive history of the LDS church, and it’s history of violence. Fascinating, frightening and totally engrossing. Krakauer is a good journalist and his research shows, but where he excels is in writing a gripping narrative. Scott Brick does a fine job narrating the audio version.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Flew throughThe Buried Giant, and I loved it. Now I am readingA Spool of Blue Thread. A look into a family through the years, brought together by aging parents, and the need to care for said parents. Bringing old hurts and jelousy's to the surface.
Today I finished Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman, daughter of the late Tony Hillerman. She picks up where her father left off in the Leaphorn/Chee series, but has a different character, Ofcr Bernadette Manuelito, at the center. I enjoyed it, but it seems a little light compared to her father's best. Still a pleasure for a Hillerman fan. If any of you are thinking of reading it, I'd highly recommend reading Tony Hillerman's A Thief of Time first, since SWD makes many references to the earlier book. (I wish I had, so I'm re-reading it now...)
Ellen wrote: "I apologize. I'm mixing books and my own personal feelings. So move on! I won't do it again."Don't worry, Ellen. I really appreciate your thoughts.
Sherry wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I apologize. I'm mixing books and my own personal feelings. So move on! I won't do it again."Don't worry, Ellen. I really appreciate your thoughts."
I do as well, Ellen. My husband is an attorney who has done a lot of criminal law and I am a retired special education teacher. We have both seen too much of exactly what you are talking about.
Also, I am sure that they are plenty of librarians who are prolific readers. I was just surprised that they are any who are not.
Book Concierge wrote: " Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer – 4**** WOW. I was expecting a true crime story, but got an expansive history of the LDS church, and it’s ..."
Good, isn't it? I really liked it.
Carol wrote: "Flew throughThe Buried Giant, and I loved it. Now I am readingA Spool of Blue Thread. A look into a family through the years, brought together by aging parents, and ..."Carol, I read the Buried Giant some months back and enjoyed it. I just finished Anna Smaill's Booker longisted The Chimes which also takes memory loss as its theme which makes an interesting parallel read I think
Thanks Sheila, I added it. Fast on the heels of Giant , I readA Spool of Blue Thread. Again , a little different , but about getting older and how the family dynamics change. Now for a change somewhat , I started The Group. Let's see how this one fares.
There is surely a recognizable logic to the books found in each community's library system; no doubt they do the best they can with the money, space, and demand they deal with. I love the libraries in Arlington, Tx, and they almost every time have whatever I search for, and usually I get it in a day.But after going back and forth on whether or not to reread The Women's Room*, I sort of thought the best way to decide was to get the book home and take it from there. And they don't have it! Call me stunned - they have several books by French, but not what I'd have thought is her most famous work.
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Ellen wrote: " Write a book that people who are victims of the system can understand without patronizing them, without writing down to them. This book is a darling of liberal "people who believe they are white"; how would Mr. Coates communicate with a young man with educational disabilities, who cannot read at the level at which the book is written? "
I've been reading Coates's blog for years and years, on and off. What keeps me coming back is how he tackles complicated subjects thoroughly, thoughtfully; always carefully providing his logic and resources. Also, of course, he's a good writer and brilliant thinker.
So naturally I think your idea is a really, really great idea. But it made me wonder if he could. In thinking about listening to people who are experts in their field, sometimes they almost effortlessly, automatically seem to know how to talk and explain at a layman's level. But sometimes it just feels like stumbling into the wrong classroom - they lack that knack of sharing things to non-experts. What I'm wondering really is, is that ability to talk at different levels instinctive for some people, something some people are able to learn, and something that some people will just never be able to tackle? (I know a woman whose husband is a PhD - something about neural network blah blah blah... let's just say egghead - and it is frustrating and fruitless to try to talk to him beyond "Nice day!") Just wondering, really...
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*Guessing, since The Women's Room was published in 1977, that I read it about 35 or 36 years ago. I remember a woman going to college, and a door with "Ladies" struck thru and replaced with "Women's." That is literally all I can remember.
Tonya wrote: "There is surely a recognizable logic to the books found in each community's library system; no doubt they do the best they can with the money, space, and demand they deal with. I love the libraries..."
Oh, what an interesting post, Marilyn French at both ends and what an illuminating discussion in the middle. Yes, I wonder if he could, myself. I do believe that, unlike economics seem to do, and as my GR friend Andrew has told me, great ideas "trickle down." But it takes SO long!
I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath. I'm single again, so the timing couldn't be better. Let's see. This year, I've reread The Golden Notebook, my first Lionel Shriver (The Post-Birthday World), The Female Man (absolutely amazing -- an atmospheric books where your mind can expand, but not a story, per se), two Elena Ferrante's, I would reread Kate Millett's Flying, one of my all time favorite books, so, so human, but every time I buy it to reread it I end up giving it away to somebody. I'm dipping in and out of Elaine Showalter's A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie ProulxI remember nothing about The Women's Room, except that I read it.
Oh, what an interesting post, Marilyn French at both ends and what an illuminating discussion in the middle. Yes, I wonder if he could, myself. I do believe that, unlike economics seem to do, and as my GR friend Andrew has told me, great ideas "trickle down." But it takes SO long!
I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath. I'm single again, so the timing couldn't be better. Let's see. This year, I've reread The Golden Notebook, my first Lionel Shriver (The Post-Birthday World), The Female Man (absolutely amazing -- an atmospheric books where your mind can expand, but not a story, per se), two Elena Ferrante's, I would reread Kate Millett's Flying, one of my all time favorite books, so, so human, but every time I buy it to reread it I end up giving it away to somebody. I'm dipping in and out of Elaine Showalter's A Jury of Her Peers: American Women Writers from Anne Bradstreet to Annie ProulxI remember nothing about The Women's Room, except that I read it.
Some books make you slow down and enjoy them. I'm one hundred pages into Ahab's Wife, or The Star-Gazer, but still my bookmark looks only about a quarter inch into this thick book. I'm wondering why she needed to attach the main character to Ahab. From the little we've seen of him so far, he's very unlike the Ahab I remember. I'm very much looking forward to finding out why Ahab even needed to be part of this story. I can feel my pulse slowing down once I get in the rhythm of reading. The language is of another era and feels very true.
Just read How to Get into the Twin Palms. Quite readable (and short), but ultimately a very depressing story.
back to some Scandinoir reading Johan Theorin's - a thriller Echoes from the Dead surrounding a missing child set twenty years after the event. Half way through and plot is holding up quite well in this slow paced build up
Just finished the latest Sara Paretsky V.I. book, Brush Back which was very fine. About to start a re-read of The Women's Room--have read it at least twice before, but I want to be in shape to start the discussion!
Ellen wrote: "I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath."It's not looking good here. I dropped by Half Price this evening and they don't have a copy either. Weird.
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Yesterday I started The Devotion of Suspect X, and altho it is too early to say for certain, I may ditch it. It seems too procedural for my tastes. Fun in a movie, less fun in a book. And I could go on to something that would help me achieve my challenge goal if I'm not reading The Women's Room. I won't make that challenge if I don't start paying attention to it.
Tonya wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath."It's not looking good here. I dropped by Half Price this evening and th..."
Just want to say that Amazon has a very nice trade paper edition for $10.56--I got one a couple of months ago. I had it in hardcover all those years ago and loaned it out, never to get it back. Since then I've bought it on the secondary market (it was out of print for a while) a couple of times to give as a gift. Anyway, it's out there, reasonably priced. Sorry, don't mean to sound like a salesperson!
Sara wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath."It's not looking good here. I dropped by Half Price this ..."
Alibris has several copies.
http://www.alibris.com/Womens-Room-Ma...
Good laugh!!
For you Edith Wharton fans, and maybe for those of you who are not, today at Lithub there is the funniest caption under a picture of her at: http://lithub.com/lithub-daily-august...
It wants you to put in your email address to see it, but just click the "X" in the upper right of the pop-up box and you don't have to do that.
For you Edith Wharton fans, and maybe for those of you who are not, today at Lithub there is the funniest caption under a picture of her at: http://lithub.com/lithub-daily-august...
It wants you to put in your email address to see it, but just click the "X" in the upper right of the pop-up box and you don't have to do that.
Not Becoming My Mother by Ruth Reichl – 5***** and a ❤What a wonderful tribute to a mother’s love and lasting gift to her child. Reichl narrates the audio book herself and she is magnificent. She conveys humor and compassion, frustration and pride, and above all a great love for her mother who helped make her what she is – and is NOT – today.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Portia wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer – 4**** Good isn't it? ..."
I couldn't stop talking about it, and now my husband is reading it.
Sara wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath."It's not looking good here. I dropped by Half Price this ..."
I started The Women's Room in mid-July because I thought we were going to start talking about it August 1st. When I realized my mistake, I put it down to read My Brilliant Friend and the new Sara Paretsky mystery. Will be starting again soon. Somehow, I missed it when it was published so the book itself is all new to me. The situations it describes, unfortunately, are not. And, my library owns it!
Barbara wrote: "Sara wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath."It's not looking good here. I dropped by Hal..."
My library system is sorely lacking. I don't even use it. The library system in the adjacent county has 5 copies, only one print though, and I no longer have access to it.
I guess if I want to read it I will have to buy it, unless my daughter has it. Still debating the issue.
I've always had respect for former President Jimmy Carter, and just read his A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety. It was interesting to learn more about his upbringing and how capable he was at several different trades prior to entering politics. The book only provided choppy bits from his Presidency, but some interesting information on Carter Center projects afterwards. I did enjoy two other books of his a bit more, A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power and especially Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis, which are extremely pertinent to our times. I'm on hold for Library2Go for my Kindle with The Virtues of Aging, and if there's anyone who can speak of creating wonderful purpose to their life in older age, it is Jimmy Carter.
Lyn wrote: "I've always had respect for former President Jimmy Carter, and just read his A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety. It was interesting to learn more about his upbringing and how capab..."Thoughts and prayers go out to the former president. He revealed today that he is undergoing treatment for cancer.
Yes, so saddened by this news. A man of remarkable character. Surely his strong faith will carry him through.
I love how, he is deeply religious (and shows it with his deeds), yet also believes very strongly in how crucial the importance of the separation of church and state in our country is. Also saddened on hearing the news of his illness.
Barbara wrote: "Sara wrote: "Tonya wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I am looking forward to The Women's Room! I am having a very feminist year, and it may put me on the warpath."It's not looking good here. I dropped by Hal..."
Barb, I totally gulped down the new V.I. book!
I am really enjoying My Brilliant Friend: Neapolitan Novels, Book One and hope to be finished by the upcoming discussion.For light reading, I have been zipping through the first 4 Poldark novels by Winston Graham: Ross Poldark, Demelza, Jeremy Poldark, Warleggan.
These books, set in Cornwall during the late 1700's, were written in the 1940's and 50's and in some ways Graham's attitudes are dated, but overall he sure knows how to write some rip roaring historical fiction.
We've been watching Poldark. My, that guy can swash a mean buckle.
I just finished a short John Barth novel, The Floating Opera. It was terrific. Also much shorter than some of his more famous hefty tomes. I'd recommend it for anyone who thinks they might like Barth but wants to dip a toe in. I also read a second Percival Everett, Assumption, also very good. It started out a little slowly; I wasn't sure I was going to like it, but it got more and more interesting as it moved along. There's sort of a huge spoiler, so I can't be more explicit, but it's not the routine mystery novel it seems to be at the beginning.
I am wrapping up The Group. I am glad I chose to read this first , before The Women's Room. This book feels like a forerunner to French's book. Women of the 20's and 30's just stepping out of traditional roles, in motherhood, education and marriages.
Nicole wrote: "I just finished a short John Barth novel, The Floating Opera. It was terrific. Also much shorter than some of his more famous hefty tomes. I'd recommend it for anyone wh..."
Oh, I remember being enchanted by Giles Goat-Boy. I must have read others by Barth, but I don't remember!
Edit: I may be beyond the age of enchantment...
Oh, I remember being enchanted by Giles Goat-Boy. I must have read others by Barth, but I don't remember!
Edit: I may be beyond the age of enchantment...
Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth – 4**** An epic story set in the mid 1700s when man had a “sacred hunger” for power and position, and entered the slave trade as a means to expand the British empire. There are two storylines and frankly, one of them bored me to tears. I would much rather have had more of the “paradise” society formed by the sailors and slaves who survived the journey, and less of the favored son’s attempts to woo a woman of the upper class. Some graphically brutal scenes where hard to read. Much food for thought.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished Mambo in Chinatown. I enjoyed Girl in Translation and expected to like this book as well. While it was a quick read, I feel like the characters were just thrown together. Throughout the reading, I kept feeling like something was missing. Overall, it was just okay to me.
Just finished Wouk's War and Remembrance. I liked Winds of War better. I found the narrator's commentary distracting and more pontificating than an enhancement of the story. The ending chapters felt hurried and superficial. Still....I don't regret taking the time to read this book.
I remember loving SACRED HUNGER, though I read it so many years ago that's the only comment I can make. Even longer ago I read WINDS OF WAR and WAR AND REMEMBRANCE, I know I enjoyed the former more than the latter. I'm trudging through EAST OF EDEN at the rate of ten pages a day. I almost wish I hadn't revisited this book. Steinbeck was my first author of adult "literature," I read many of his novels in high school. They were so accessible, with gripping story lines and humor and all that salt of the earth stuff. But I'm finding East of Eden disappointingly black and white for me, with people who are described as "monsters" and assertions that "good and evil" is the only story. I'm more of a shades-of-gray type.
Cry the Beloved Country by Alan Paton – 4**** First published in 1948, this novel has remained an international bestseller. It tells of a personal tragedy, but also of a national tragedy – apartheid. The writing is lyrical and evocative of time and place. A personal tragedy is the focus on the novel, but it is framed by the larger issues facing South Africa – the loss of tribal culture, poverty, flight to the already overcrowded city slums. Frederick Davidson does a good job narrating, but I did find his very slow pace hard to get used to.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've dipped in and out of several books the last week or so, reread The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham (again) for a group read elsewhere. It's always great to revisit. Am finally stuck into another book, non-fiction this time. Havana Nocturne: How the Mob Owned Cuba & Then Lost it to the Revolution by T.J. English. Conversationally written account of The Mob in Cuba. Great background stories of the mobsters and others. Connects a lot of dots.
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
The Ocean in the Closet (other topics)My Brilliant Friend (other topics)
The Women's Room (other topics)
A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal (other topics)
Justice Calling (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ben Macintyre (other topics)Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)
Ben Macintyre (other topics)
Robert Cormier (other topics)
Jane Smiley (other topics)
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In 1855 a gang of thieves carried out an elaborate scheme to steal a shipment of gold from a moving train. This is Crichton’s fictionalized novel based on what is known of the truth, with a good deal of conjecture and embellishment. What a rollicking good story! I was entertained from beginning to end.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...