Book Nook Cafe discussion
What did you read last month?
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What I read March 2014
Just finished one up last night, so I squeaked one last book under the wire. I included any books that I finished this month—some of which I started earlier in the year. My reads for March were:
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth: After 20 years of carting this book from one house to another...through numerous moves across three states...I started it on Jan. 1 and finally finished it this month. Hooray! Thankfully, I really enjoyed it. Set in post-independence, post-partition India, the novel follows the story of four families over a period of 18 months (1950-1952) as Mrs. Rupa Mehra attempts to arrange the marriage of her younger daughter, Lata, with a "suitable boy." Lata is a 19-year-old college girl who is determined to have her own way and not be influenced by her strong mother and opinionated older brother, Arun. Her story revolves around the choice she is forced to make between her three suitors: Kabir, Haresh, and Amit. All of them have good qualities, yet all of them present their own unique challenges and problems. Along the way, the sweeping story also delves into various issues faced by post-independence India, including Hindu-Muslim strife, abolition of the Zamindari system, arranged marriages, the caste system, land reforms and the empowerment of Muslim women. This was one of those books where -- while at first I had to keep referring back to the genealogical chart posted on the flyleaf to make sure I was keeping each family member straight--by the end I was completely invested in each character's life. The political commentary doesn't hit you over the head, and the characters really drive the story. The author writes with a lyrical, poetic, and often humorous style that draws you in from the very first page. 4/5 stars
The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates by Wes Moore: This is a memoir about two young African –American boys with the same name who lived in the same down-on-its-luck city. One of the boys went on to be a Rhodes Scholar, a decorated combat veteran, a White House Fellow, and business leader. The other is serving a life sentence in prison. The book is told in alternating chapters that detail each boy’s childhood, schooling, family situations, etc. It’s a fascinating story of choices and what we make of what we are given. What decisions do we make that lead us down a path with no return? I liked it, but I was left wanting a bit more. 3/5 stars
Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner: This book details the decades-long friendship between two married couples, from the time they meet as young academics in the 1930s to their retirement years. It’s a quiet book – no mysteries, no scandals, no horrible secrets. It’s a book about life, about acceptance, about appreciating what you have instead of wasting your life obsessing over what you don't have. It is beautifully written and emotionally resonant, and I highly recommend it. 4.5/5 stars
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty: This book begins with a wife who finds a letter written by her husband that is labeled to be opened after his death. However, her husband is still very much alive – and very anxious to get back that letter (which contains his deepest, darkest secret—one that has the potential to destroy a number of lives). Should she open it? And what happens once she does—when you open Pandora’s Box and you can’t put the contents back inside? The book is about more than keeping secrets, however. It’s about a parent’s love for his/her child and about the lengths parents will go to in order to protect their children. It deals with right and wrong, and it deals with the thought - do we really know our spouse or significant other? I enjoyed the ride. 4/5 stars
My Name Is Memory by Ann Brashares: This is about Daniel, who can remember his past lives. He has been in love for centuries with a girl (variously named Sophie/Charlotte/Lucy, depending on her past life) who cannot. I found the whole concept of Daniel keeping his memory from one life through the others to be rather fascinating—those were the parts I liked. The love story—not so much. And the ending was ridiculous and obviously set up for a sequel which I will not read. 2/5 stars
Columbine by Dave Cullen: This was a re-read for me, as I first read it several years ago. But it came up in a discussion thread recently, so I gave it another go. It is an account of the 1999 school massacre at Columbine High that asks the questions: what drove the boys to kill, and what did the shooting do to the community? I gave it 4/5 stars the first time I read it, and I stick to that rating with a second read.
A Curious Man: The Strange and Brilliant Life of Robert "Believe It or Not!" Ripley by Neal Thompson: A biography of Robert "Believe It or Not" Ripley, the cartoonist-turned-globetrotting-millionaire who won international fame by celebrating the world's strangest oddities. It was interesting and I knew nothing about Ripley before I read it, but I got a bit bored by the end. 3/5 stars
Let's Take the Long Way Home: A Memoir of Friendship by Gail Caldwell: I’m reading this for Booktopia Vermont (April 11-13), where I will meet the author. It’s a memoir of the power of friendship, about grief and mourning, and how you can go on after losing somebody you love. 3/5 stars
A Partial History of Lost Causes by Jennifer duBois: Irina, a young professor in Boston, learns that she has inherited Huntington’s Disease, a degenerative disorder that slowly and painfully killed her father and will destroy her body and her mind. As she is struggling to cope with the diagnosis, she comes across an old letter that her father once wrote to the Russian world chess champion Alexsandr Beztov, who is now on his own fruitless and possibly suicidal quest to unseat Vladimir Putin as president. In the letter, her father asked Bezetov for guidance on what to do when the enormous certainty is upon you that you are playing a losing match. How do you go on –and SHOULD you go on—when there is only one way that something will end – with your defeat? Because Bezetov never wrote back to her father, Irina decides to travel to Russia to find him and ask him that question—and discovers that she and Bezetov are both searching for the same answer for different reasons. While there are some slow parts, the prose is beautifully-crafted and compelling and the minor problems with the narrative can be excused when you realize that this is the author’s debut novel. 3/5 stars
Amy, you had a remarkable reading month. Congratulations on finishing the tome set in India. It's good that you ended up liking it, as it would have been slow reading otherwise, i'm sure.You've listed some interesting books. I'm with you on the idea behind My Name is Memory. More about the memory sounds good but, why must romance be included to overwhelm the best parts? :-)
Thanks for sharing your titles. Good luck for April, as well.
CAROL's March 2014 reading list
1. Neverwhere--Neil GaimanMayhew, a young businessman living in London, with a demanding fiancee, stumbles over an unconscious, bleeding young girl (named Door) on the sidewalk. He brings her home, cleans her wounds. The next morning, Door has disappeared; as well as Mayhew's life. He is consigned to the low life in the sewer canals; he's fallen through the cracks of reality, and is somewhere different, known as "Neverwhere". 4 stars.
2. The Grapes of Wrath--John SteinbeckAn American classic celebrating its anniversary. A portrait of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless, of one man’s fierce reaction to injustice, and of one woman’s stoical strength, the novel captures the horrors of the Great Depression and probes into the very nature of equality and justice in America. 5 stars.
3. C'est la Vie: An American Woman Begins a New Life in Paris and--Voila!--Becomes Almost French-Suzy GershmanGershman & husband decide to leave Connecticut, and travel to Paris. Sadly, her husband was diagnosed with cancer and died very quickly. Gershman moves to Paris and begins her new life. 2 stars.
4. To a God Unknown-John Steinbeck Not your normal Steinbeck. During the depression, a struggle between those who live off the land, yet differ regarding Pagan or Christian worship. 3 stars.
5. The Cider House Rules-John IrvingExcellent story of Dr. Larch, obstetrician, founder and director of the orphanage in St. Cloud’s (Maine); addicted to ether, and an abortionist. Also the story of orphan, Homer Wells, who was never adopted yet began his life in his teens, and returned to St. Cloud to pick up where Dr. Larch left off. 5 stars.
6. The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss-Edmund de WaalThe biography of Edmund de Waal's family and the "biography" of his collection.
5 stars.
7. Write Away : One Novelist's Approach to Fiction and the Writing Life-Elizabeth GeorgeGeorge combines clear, intelligent, and functional advice on fiction writing with anecdotes from her own life, the story of her journey to publication, and inside information on how she meticulously researches and writes her novels. 3 stars.
8. Daniel Deronda-George EliotLast novel written by Eliot, it was controversial for its exploration of the Jewish Zionist movement. It was also a mixture of a love story, social satire and an exploration of the morality of Victorian society. 5/5 stars!
9. The Professor's House-Willa CatherA study in emotional dislocation and renewal. Professor Godfrey St. Peter has achieved what would seem to be remarkable success, but then something in him rebels. A very deep story with regard to aging and change. 5 stars.
10. Into the Wild by Jon KrakauerIn 1992, Christopher Johnson McCandless hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. Four months later, he's dead. An amazing story. Excellent - 5 stars.
11. Adam: God's Beloved by Henri J.M. NouwenNouwen worked with Adam, a severely handicapped young man from the L Arche Daybreak Community. Later in their relationship, Nouwen learned from Adam to a new understanding of his faith and what it means to be "Beloved of God". This is a tear jerker! 5 stars!
12. Forever Paris: 25 Walks in the Footsteps of the City's Most Illustrious Figures by Christina Henry De TessanFamous 19th century individuals biographies and their personal walks in Paris, complete with walking maps. A tiny book; perfect to put in your pocket. 4.5 stars.
13. An Unofficial Rose by Iris MurdochMurdock's novel of loss, wit and irony; insights upon the complexity of family life. Very difficult read and my first by Iris Murdoch. 4/5 stars.
14. Oryx and Crake by Margaret AtwoodFuturistic love story where Snowman (aka Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague) struggles to survive in a world where he may be the last human, and mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved. 5 stars.
15. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullersLoneliness and racial injustice are two timeless themes; great detailed characters, amazing writing for a woman of only 23 years. 5 stars.
16. The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England by Ian MortimerI truly enjoyed reading this book! Mortimer documents daily life during the Elizabethan England, for both peasant life as well as the royals; the importance of religion; war; formal education; and much more. I really felt the hardships of the poor as well as the decisions that weighed heavy on the wealthy. Loved it- 5 stars!
17. The Round House by Louise ErdrichErdrich takes the reader back to the North Dakota Ojibwe reservation. She focuses on one nuclear family—the 13-year-old Joe Coutts; his mother, Geraldine; and his father, Judge Antone Coutts—that are shattered and remade after a horrible injustice. The horrid event changes the lives of their family, especially Geraldine, who is traumatized and reluctant to reveal the details of being raped. Thirteen-year-old Joe must not only cope with his mother's slow physical and mental recovery, but he also confronts his own feelings of anger and helplessness. Questions of jurisdiction and treaty law complicate matters. Doubting that justice will be served, Joe enlists his friends to help him investigate the crime. Erdrich skillfully makes Joe's coming-of-age both universal and specific. 4/5 stars.
As I generally read YA and Teen Fiction books (although I do occasionally branch out to classics and crime novels) I get through books quite quickly. Therefore, I read quite a few books this March, despite how busy I am right now with AS Exam preparation, and I loved all of them. Cinder - 5/5 stars
The first book I read during March was Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I had reread it in preparation of reading the third book in the series, the Lunar Chronicles, and so it was fairly quick and easy to get through.
Scarlet - 4/5 stars
Therefore, the second book I read was the next book in the Lunar Chronicles, Scarlet. It was also me re-reading it in preparation, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time reading it as I did my first.
Cress - 4/5 stars
The third book I read was Cress, the third and most recent book in the Lunar Chronicle series. It was my first time reading it and I really enjoyed it, I've really loved how Meyer twists the fairytales for her bookverse in this series. I'll leave a more extensive review when I eventually get around to updating my read list.
Shadow and Bone - 5/5 stars
The fourth book I read during March was Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I'd bought it in my most recent trip to London, one book in an extensive book haul, because a youtube user called PolandBananas had gotten it and displayed that she had bought it and it's sequel in her most recent bookhaul video. As she said it had received good reviews on goodreads and that Bardugo's books are generally really good I didn't hesitate in buying it, and I really enjoyed it. It has a really cool concept, and there's a few epic plot twists that threw me for a loop as I read it, making it so I never knew exactly what to rely and believe in as I read it. I would definitely recommend it.
Ella Enchanted - 5/5 stars
Finally, the last book I read this March was Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. I had seen the film and so knew I'd be interested in reading the book - not to mention I've always loved Levine's writing and Ella Enchanted had gotten many good reviews here. It didn't disappoint and I really enjoyed it.
I've also been listening to the Game of Thrones audiobooks the last few months, and Christ it's taking a while. I'm only on something like chapter 27 of the first novel and I have been listening to it a little over a month. I've already read the first and half of the second book, but I decided to reacquaint myself with them in the form of the audiobook. Of course, it's been brilliant, just taking a long time!
Only two for me this month. I was planning on getting Cider House finished this past weekend so it could count but with my husband and kid laid low by a stomach bug I didn't get any time to relax!
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - Just your usual young man grows up and learns things along the way from Dickens. Brilliant writing, excellent characters (even the ones who annoyed me), meandered a LOT through the last 300 pages then redeemed itself at the end by making me feel way too many emotions! FOUR STARS
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - my second graphic novel of the year. An anonymous anarchist fights back against government control in a neo-Nazi pre-millennial Great Britain. This book BLEW ME AWAY, I couldn't put it down and never wanted it to end. I can't really explain why, but the character of V, his history, philosophies, regard for culture and seeming infallibility were fascinating. I could have read ten volumes detailing his antics and not got bored. FIVE STARS.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens - Just your usual young man grows up and learns things along the way from Dickens. Brilliant writing, excellent characters (even the ones who annoyed me), meandered a LOT through the last 300 pages then redeemed itself at the end by making me feel way too many emotions! FOUR STARS
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - my second graphic novel of the year. An anonymous anarchist fights back against government control in a neo-Nazi pre-millennial Great Britain. This book BLEW ME AWAY, I couldn't put it down and never wanted it to end. I can't really explain why, but the character of V, his history, philosophies, regard for culture and seeming infallibility were fascinating. I could have read ten volumes detailing his antics and not got bored. FIVE STARS.
Amy, Crossing to Safety has been on my to-read list for a while now.Carol, what a monumental reading month you had. I just finished reading Into the Wild today, and gave it four stars.
I really enjoyed The Grapes of Wrath when I read it some time ago. I also have a retro copy of To a God Unknown to read on my bookshelf. I like the sound of Daniel Deronda and The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (I love that title!) too. Many thanks.
Carol wrote: "The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss-Edmund de WaalThe biography of Edmund de Waal's family and the "biography" of his collection...."
As always, Carol, an impressive reading month. I see you are preparing for your visit overseas nicely, too. Good titles, from what i see here on GR. The above book caught my eye especially & i'm adding it to my TBR, particularly since you rated it so highly.
And, of course, i'm always tickled to vicariously revisit classics i've read when people share on these lists. As i've mentioned several times, Cather is a favorite of mine. I'm glad you shared with us.
deb
Elizabeth wrote: "As I generally read YA and Teen Fiction books (although I do occasionally branch out to classics and crime novels) I get through books quite quickly. Therefore, I read quite a few books this March,..."Elizabeth, i'm like that with YA series. It seems i just run through them, even when i tell myself "i'll only read the first one." Ha! Who am i fooling?!
As many good things as i hear about Thrones, i am just not willing to devote that much time to the series (book or tv). Still, when i read comments of others...
Also, i wasn't aware Ella Enchanted was a book. I figured it was just a clever movie. Thanks for sharing your March list.
Soph, sorry to hear about your family's ill health this weekend. I hope they are happy & healthy now.Soph wrote: "V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - my second graphic novel of the year. An anonymous anarchist fights back against government control in a neo-Nazi pre-millennial Great Britain.
..."
I really liked the movie but didn't realize it was a graphic novel. I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the title & shared enthusiasm!
While my March reading list is short, i did complete a book i started last summer, so i consider the month a winner.Life After Life by Kate Atkinson was one i waited for some months. While i wasn't disappointed & thought the writing evoked the eras, i also felt as though it stretched to be more than readers needed. The Germany part seemed to drag terribly. I suspect the purpose was to illustrate the point that some aspects of history cannot be altered. Also, i felt this was more about lives in many dimensions, rather than reincarnation or whatever theory she was working on. I will read more by her just not another in what i've since learned will be this series.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I'd earlier read Dark Places, which i found interesting and nicely written, so was eager to read this highly praised book. I thought the story developed well and was presented nicely. Unfortunately, i felt the "patsy" storyline, not her husband, was weak and marred it for me. At least it was very fast to read.
John Tyler: The Accidental President by Edward P. Crapol. This is the latest in my continued effort to read a biography of each U.S. president. It was hard to find ANY Tyler bio in my area last summer, so i was stuck with this one. As it turned out, i learned so much as i read that i couldn't complete it before we moved, so began searching for my own copy.
Well, that's the history of how i read it, here's what i liked about it. My own knowledge of US history in the mid 1800s was weak. This book filled me in very nicely, particularly about the slavery issue & how thoughtful, intelligent leaders could adhere to the belief it was the best thing for their states. Now i better understand the thinking, even though it's clear they were deluded. :-) ANYway, he was called "Accidental President" because he was the first Vice President to inherit the job when the President died in office (Wm. Henry Harrison). Many believed this was not the way the founders intended it to be, so called him "His Accidency"! Imagine.
I had an excellent reading month with even my number of 4 -- higher than I thought. I do enjoy this thread and find that I aspire to give such short and insightful reviews that the rest of you give us.I finished Bleeding Heart Square early in the month and it scored 4 stars out of 5. This story explored a world that I don't remember looking into before, London in a seedier neighborhood during the mid 1930s. A young woman leaves her abusive husband and seeks out her birth father and lives with him in a boarding house which also houses some odd characters. There's a murder to be uncovered and many secrets. It's considered a mystery but it isn't a typical run of the mill mystery.
I then picked up A Thousand Splendid Suns and was blown away. This scores a perfect 5 stars but it was tough to read. I put off reading this for a couple of years knowing after the Kite Runner that this would be tough. But it was so beautiful to read too. Does anyone else ever peak ahead in a book when things are going so dreadfully badly for the characters and you just have to see if they live through the bad moments that you are looking at? This little oddity of mine has saved me a bunch of times and it worked here. This author remains special for me and has always been a surprise. Love it.
I attempted a tough read right after this one but found that I needed some lighter reading so I read Rumour Has It. This also receives 4 stars from me but the level of seriousness is different. It did what I needed done, if that makes sense. A story of characters trying to straighten out their lives, not knowing what they need but finding each other. I wished that I was there so it was my kind of escapism.
Another lighter romance type was next -- Colorado Dawn. I found this historical romance set in 1870s Colorado to be a fun change of pace. It is part of a series about independent type women finding their mates in Colorado. I gave it another 4 stars.
I love hearing other opinions on Kate Atkinson's Life after Life. I just love her Jackson Brodie novels but haven't gotten to this big hit yet. Her writing has been wonderful in the books that I have read. I'll have to get to this one soon.
Lori, I too loved "A Thousand Splendid Suns." Glad to hear your thoughts on it.
I read:The Girl Who Played with Fire : pretty good
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; fair, but dragged a lot in places.
The Story of Edgar Sawtelle : solid story and writing, but some with slight flaws.
Tumbledown : Very good, slightly challenging, but in a good way.
Daniel wrote: "I read:The Girl Who Played with Fire : pretty good
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; fair, but dragged a lot in places.
.."
You had a solid Stieg Larsson month, didn't you, Daniel! Have you also read "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"?
Oh yes. I read that years ago and I thought I read the other two but I didn't. Haha.
Madrano wrote: "While my March reading list is short, i did complete a book i started last summer, so i consider the month a winner.Life After Life by Kate Atkinson was one i waite..."
I really liked Life After Life, but I admit the Germany part dragged. But I was just happy to get it on the day it came out. I really like the characters and their relationships. I'm going to add Gone Girl to my TBR list.
Now that the weather is better, and my yard is 4 inches deep in oak leaves, I have my work cut-out. (I blew out my shoulder, got a cortisone shot today. I will hire someone . . . HELLO -- Angie's List?!) I also have a surgery scheduled mid-April. Plus my husband has retired yesterday and my daughter has a new therapist -- so MAJOR changes!! My boys are still in Austin and loving it! But my oldest had his birthday with us by phone last week. And my youngest's bday is in the beginning in May. I hope we can fly down soon.
Anyway, I've decided to read less books each month : (
I will try to focus on specific genres & literally read less . . .OR I could go hide out at the library?!
Between the beautiful weather, and everything in the house. I need to toss stuff from the attic, basement and places where the kids kept "stuff" they didn't need. Their three 28 yr old bedrooms alone are filled with old carpets, walls in desperate need of new paint, etc.)
Soph wrote: "Only two for me this month. I was planning on getting Cider House finished this past weekend so it could count but with my husband and kid laid low by a stomach bug I didn't get any time to relax!..."Soph, I hope you stay well!!
I will have to read
David Copperfield this year, I just need to set up a schedule. (I plan EVERYTHING!) I have almost all of the books that Dickens wrote in The Oxford Illustrated Dickens collection. I really like these small, hard covers with beautiful illustrations, and the ones I've purchased are like brand new. I've been collecting them for at least a year and a half. I would love to read V for Vendetta -- I have the DVD and I think I also have the screenplay (from a writing class.) That is one of the best films I ever saw. Just amazing! I'll have to check out the library. Thanks.
Lesley wrote: "Amy, Crossing to Safety has been on my to-read list for a while now.Carol, what a monumental reading month you had. I just finished reading Into the Wild today, and gave i..."
I really liked Into the Wild, it was just sad that it ended the way it did. I have yet to finish Daniel Deronda, but I am enjoying it. There is a film version on Netflix. To a God Unknown was not as I thought it would be. But I did like his writing. I will have to put Crossing to Safety on my list, thanks Lesley!
Elizabeth wrote: "As I generally read YA and Teen Fiction books (although I do occasionally branch out to classics and crime novels) I get through books quite quickly. Therefore, I read quite a few books this March,..."I just picked a few books at the library for my daughter, who likes YA-
Entwined;
Eleanor & Park;
Extraordinary(How odd they all begin with "E?")
Lori wrote: "I had an excellent reading month with even my number of 4 -- higher than I thought. I do enjoy this thread and find that I aspire to give such short and insightful reviews that the rest of you give..."I literally have on my book case A Thousand Splendid Suns and have yet to read it, but thanks to you -- I will do it this month. (I haven't read The Kite Runner also!) I also want to read a few of Kate Atkinson's books Behind the Scenes at the Museum. I can relate to working at an art museum.
Daniel wrote: "I read:The Girl Who Played with Fire : pretty good
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest; fair, but dragged a lot in places.
[book:The Story of Edgar Sawtelle|2731..."
I also have ALL of those books on my bookcase!!
How can I help purchasing books, in excellent condition, when I can purchase them at Goodwill for $1!!! Just insane!
Wow, Carol. I never do that well at thrift stores.
Goodwill has "perfect" hardcover books for $1.00.Savers offers books at $2 each, but if you purchase 4 books you get the fifth one for free. They carry both hardcover, paperback, and very old books for less than $1. I have purchased 1943 Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights; and Crime and Punishment -- all these books are illustrated by Fritz Eichenberg - a few examples . . .
Jane Eyre hard cover -- http://www.victoriangothic.org/wp-con...
Wuthering Heights -- http://d2tq98mqfjyz2l.cloudfront.net/...
Crime and Punishment -- http://www.fulltable.com/vts/aoi/e/ei...
I worked for printers while going to University. Learned everything from lead characters (below) to computer technology today. Had my own business, and happy customers.
http://m.rgbimg.com/cache1vJjtv/users...
Daniel wrote: "Wow, Carol. I never do that well at thrift stores."Are you going to the Final Four? My boys live in Austin.
Austin huh? Cool. Do they go to school there?
They graduated from schools up north. My oldest was transferred (great opportunity) in his corporation, and my youngest just finished school, looking for a job that isn't in the mall.I hear tickets are going for $400 each.
Austin is popular for young adults, and aging hipsters.
Lori wrote: "Does anyone else ever peak ahead in a book when things are going so dreadfully badly for the characters and you just have to see if they live through the bad moments that you are looking at?..."Lori asked this about A Thousand Splendid Suns, as well as other books. I rarely do that because it ends up spoiling the book for me. I'm that kind of reader. It's hard to stop reading, so i'm up to all hours but i very, very rarely look ahead. It would ease my mind, though. :-)
I haven't heard of Kaki Warner's series but find the idea intriguing. Thank you for the titles, Lori. Thank you for sharing your list, too.
Carol wrote: "Anyway, I've decided to read less books each month : ( I will try to focus on specific genres & literally read less . . .OR I could go hide out at the library?! ..."
Carol, your life has just become so different. I was surprised at the changes in our lives once my husband retired. And that was without having any children at home any longer. Reading is a great release, of course, but i found i read less, even without doing so intentionally.
Congratulations to your husband on his retirement, Carol.
I'm impressed by all the used book/thrift shop buys. Not often do i see hardbacks for $1 and rarely recent releases. What a buy. Enjoy!We are in Dallas, where the Final 4 is going to be played. While the city is exploding with events, not many locals can afford the tickets. Free concerts will be crammed, though. I don't follow the sport but DH does & is tickled to be in the city for the games, even if he isn't going.
I had a good reading month in March. Unless audio, a mother tries to make sense of her daughter's withdrawal from her comfortable family life. 3 stars.
The First Rule of Swimming: A Novel Three generations of a Croatian family deal with the consequences of the war in Yugoslavia. I thought it was too far-fetched by the end. 3 stars.
A Modest Proposal Short political satire written in the 1700s suggesting the consumption of the poor's babies to reduce the burden on society. I get that it's a satire, but still too weird for me. 1 star.
The Tunnels of Cu Chi NF, detailed explanation of the workings of this incredible tunnel network. Very interesting. 4 stars.
The Cider House Rules I enjoyed this group read, that covered some important issues. A group read certainly makes it easier to get through such chunky books. 4 stars.
Beyond Illusions: A Novel I didn't jot down any notes on this one, but do recall a storyline of a dysfunctional marriage set against the backdrop of post-communist Saigon. The last of my Vietnamese books for a while. 3 stars.
A Moveable Feast audio, autobiography of Hemingway's early days in Paris. Lots of eating, drinking and socialising in café, but not much of it very interesting to me. 2 stars.
Madame Bovary A Radio National bookclub European classics selection, the first for the year.
Emma Bovary is a disillusioned wife in an unhappy marriage who struggles with life in a 1800s French provincial town. But its more than just about Madame Bovary, in the same way Anna Karenina covers way more than just the life of that similarly unhappy woman. I couldn't help but notice many similarities in these two classics, which were written about the same time I think. I also found similarities to Wuthering Heights in terms of the villages and bleak estates on the hilltop. I really enjoyed it and will definitely do a re-read some time down the track. 4 stars.
Them Dealing with race relations in a real-life Atlanta suburb. I felt there may have been too many stereo-types, but then I don't know. 2 stars.
Into the Wild NF, the account of a young man who, having enjoyed the freedom of wandering off the beaten track, simply didn't make it out of the Alaskan wilderness. Krakauer also mentions other young men who had similar adventures. This one had me thinking about these unprepared 'adventurers'. 4 stars.
Madrano wrote: "Soph, sorry to hear about your family's ill health this weekend. I hope they are happy & healthy now.
Soph wrote: "V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - my second graphic novel of the year. An anonymous ..."
Thanks for the good wishes Deb! They are not quite up to scratch yet but hopefully they will be by the weekend and I can do some catching up on things i.e. reading!
I really want to see the V for Vendetta film now, might try and get it on the weekend. It looks rather good! Thanks for the recommendation :)
Soph wrote: "V for Vendetta by Alan Moore - my second graphic novel of the year. An anonymous ..."
Thanks for the good wishes Deb! They are not quite up to scratch yet but hopefully they will be by the weekend and I can do some catching up on things i.e. reading!
I really want to see the V for Vendetta film now, might try and get it on the weekend. It looks rather good! Thanks for the recommendation :)
Madrano wrote: "Congratulations to your husband on his retirement, Carol. "Thanks Madrano! Yes, it's a BIG change in his life, so he is "adjusting." He worked there for 31 years. (He also misses the boys!) My viewpoint is "Yes, it is a big transition." But, if you have good health, you can go out and do almost anything. I was 41 when I went on disability, and spent most of my time in multiple hospitals/surgeries (23) and doctors. Looking back, I missed out on all those precious years with my kids, doing all things they did in middle and high school. I couldn't even go looking at colleges with my kids and my husband, due to my health. So be grateful for what you've got! :)
Lesley wrote: "The Tunnels of Cu Chi NF, detailed explanation of the workings of this incredible tunnel network. Very interesting. 4 stars...."Thanks for sharing your list, Lesley. I've liked seeing the titles of the Vietnam books you read in preparation for your visit. The above sounds like a good book, which i've added to my TBR.
I agree with your assessment of Jonathan Swift "proposal". I get that it is rich in satire but felt that i missed much of it by not knowing the times well. The outrageous notion made still makes it an often read essay, though.
Your comment about two pieces of renowned classics being somewhat similar, as well as written around the same time is a good one. Sometimes when i notice that, i wonder what was going on in their society or nation or even world that might have led to both authors writing about similar ideas & themes. An infamous case? A new philosophical debate? Something else? Sometimes there are notes which help but not always, leading me to wonder if it was just a notion in the breeze that two excellent authors picked up.
Carol wrote: "I was 41 when I went on disability, and spent most of my time in multiple hospitals/surgeries (23) and doctors. Looking back, I missed out on all those precious years with my kids ..."Carol, i'm sorry to read about your poor health & all you missed. I can only imagine how sad that must be. Still, your family was nearby to support you as they could, which is a bond never to be forgotten.
Continued improvement in your own life, Carol.
Soph wrote: "I really want to see the V for Vendetta film now, might try and get it on the weekend. It looks rather good! Thanks for the recommendation :) ..."I must add that while i liked the movie very much, my husband didn't. He's not much for that kind of film, so it took him a long time to get into it. When he did, he thought it was only okay. So, my suggestion is from a fan. :-) I hope you like it and imagine you will, thanks to having read the graphic novel.
Madrano wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "As I generally read YA and Teen Fiction books (although I do occasionally branch out to classics and crime novels) I get through books quite quickly. Therefore, I read quite a few..."I'm currently staying with people who watch Game of Thrones. There's great costumes, sets,cinematography and acting. The only problem is the content. It's full of fantasy cliches. The characters don't interest me at all.
Lori wrote: "I then picked up A Thousand Splendid Suns and was blown away. This scores a perfect 5 stars but it was tough to read. I put off reading this for a couple of years knowing after the Kite Runner that this would be tough. But it was so beautiful to read too..."I am in the middle of And the Mountains Echoed and it is just as beautiful as his other two. I have become a huge fan of Hosseini's work. Despite the tragic backdrops of his stories they are so well-told. I think A Thousand Splendid Suns is my favorite though.
Daniel wrote: "Austin is popular for young adults, and aging hipsters."How can you go wrong with music and great food? I don't think that I could live without NY style pizza. But I heard that a guy who lived in CT closed up his business (Corkys' Pizza) and he moved first to FL and then into Arlington TX selling NY style pizza. I hear he is doing a great business.
I understand that summers in TX are brutally hot . . .
Something tells me with the migration across the country in the last 10 years, you could probably find good New York style pizza in Texas Justice you could find a good Mexican food or Texas barbecue in New York :)
We went to a bar to listen to these dueling pianos, amazing talent. But someone asked me to buy pizza and the waitress said it was great. Some pizza place that delivers. And when we got it, the crust was soggy like it wasnt cooked. In my opinion, BBQ in Texas can't be beat! If we went to San Antonio, what would be a good hotel for being near the Riverwalk, and where to find a restaurant with great food?! Are their any good art museums?
Message me and I will give you the scoop! :)
Shomeret wrote: "I'm currently staying with people who watch Game of Thrones. There's great costumes, sets,cinematography and acting. The only problem is the content. It's full of fantasy cliches. The characters don't interest me at all. ..."Shomeret, welcome back! I hope all the hacking issues are corrected. That must have been awful. I received one iffy email from your email account immediately afterward, so didn't reply.
As for Game of Thrones, i've seen less than a few minutes but thought it looked rich in color. However, i knew i just didn't need to get deep in another show, particularly since it's been going awhile & a big book series is attached. Do you watch much with them?
Daniel wrote: "Something tells me with the migration across the country in the last 10 years, you could probably find good New York style pizza in Texas Justice you could find a good Mexican food or Texas barbecue in New York :) ."Daniel, i have been to NYC a number of times and cannot find good Mexican food there. Any tips? I've tried Manhattan and Queens. My daughter lives there & has abandoned hope, as well. When she visits us in the Dallas area, we eat out, at BBQ & Mexican restaurants. So much for mom's home cooked goods.
Barbeque is an iffy proposition. I have not had any from the renowned Austin area BBQ joints but what i've had in elsewhere in Texas hasn't pleased me--too sweet. (Note: later this month we will visit Lockhart, where we've been told the best Tx bbq is.) As we traveled the South we found good places aplenty, mostly with vinegar based sauces.
Plenty of good bbq in central Tx. Yes Lockart is a great place to start. Luling, Elgin, and Taylor are top stops for me. A cold Shiner beer and bbq. Dang, I will meet you there. :)
Madrano wrote: "Shomeret wrote: "I'm currently staying with people who watch Game of Thrones. There's great costumes, sets,cinematography and acting. The only problem is the content. It's full of fantasy cliches. ..."Not all the hacking issues are resolved. I'm still locked out of my original e-mail accounts.
Sorry to hear that, Shomeret. I hope it can be resolved soon. I've had, but rarely use, my original AOL account and know how important those originals can be. For me, that is where i kept most of my info. Not now but back in the day. Good luck.
Daniel wrote: "Plenty of good bbq in central Tx. Yes Lockart is a great place to start. Luling, Elgin, and Taylor are top stops for me. A cold Shiner beer and bbq. Dang, I will meet you there. :)"Sounds good! My sister is the one who filled me in on Lockhart. She's a fan. While she doesn't travel that distance just for bbq, to hear her talk, one would think that was the case. :-)
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Books mentioned in this topic
Lady of Hay (other topics)Mary Magdalene (other topics)
The Bafut Beagles (other topics)
Still Life (other topics)
The Beautiful Mystery (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Morag Joss (other topics)Jonathan Swift (other topics)
Kaki Warner (other topics)
Kate Atkinson (other topics)
Gillian Flynn (other topics)
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I appreciate that you share your comments both in this thread and your DL thread, Susan. The reading review from your thread reminds me of what i liked about the same books. And when you read something i haven't read, you whet my appetite. Thank you.