What are You Currently Reading?

[Anne]

Finished Rainbow Rowell's Landline over vacation- it was particularly fun for me as a "comedy" girl, (obsessed with videotapes of "Barney Miller" - yes!) but I'm not sure if it's quite as deep and tight as Fangirl.

[[deleted user]]

I read Summer Sisters in one day (one day!!) which is nuts. I'd never read Judy Blume before (a deprived adolescence, I think) but I had some expectations of what to expect: humor, female friendships, family relationships, some romantic stuff. And Summer Sisters definitely had all those things, and I enjoyed it very much but maybe I was putting too much pressure on it to be a life-changing, earth-shattering, Judy-Blume-discovering event. I feel like the story was continuously ramping up to something that only really happened in the last couple pages and wasn't treated as particularly momentous. I never felt particularly attached to any of the characters or their relationships. But I also read it in one day. Which is amazing! (For me, anyway, haha.) I dunno, surely one of you nice people has read it and can offer some insight? OR let me know the last book you HAD to read in one day/one sitting?

[Stephanie]

Hannah wrote: "I read Summer Sisters in one day (one day!!) which is nuts. I'd never read Judy Blume before (a deprived adolescence, I think) but I had some expectations of what to expect: humor, fem..."

I never read Judy Blume either! Glad to hear I'm not alone, haha. Every time people gush of the fond memories I just think to myself "okie dokie, moving on, nothing for me here" :(

[annabel]

There are a few comments on Summer Sisters, including mine, over in the Guilty Pleasures thread. I haven't gotten around to seeing if I have a copy around somewhere.

[[deleted user]]

annabel wrote: "There are a few comments on Summer Sisters, including mine, over in the Guilty Pleasures thread. I haven't gotten around to seeing if I have a copy around somewhere."

Ooh thanks for the heads-up, I'll mosey on over there and see what's going on!

[Allie]

I'm reading the third book in the Discovery of Witches series. Eh. I liked the first one, and the second one was mediocre but I feel like I need to finish the trilogy to find out what happens. Beyond the whole I AM VAMPIRE YOU ARE MINE I WILL CONTROL YOU stuff.

[Stephanie]

This actually started as a reply to someone, but then I realized that I'm just generally interested in the difference between reading and listening to audiobooks. I've never tried audio, so I'm really curious about the experience. There are so many moments in reading where I have to stop and savor the writing, just take a moment to appreciate the perfection of a sentence or description or section of dialog. And moments where I had pause and put it down, to process what I had read, think about how it related to what I read 40 pages ago how it might affect the story going forward. Do you do that with audiobooks??

[[deleted user]]

Stephanie wrote: "This actually started as a reply to someone, but then I realized that I'm just generally interested in the difference between reading and listening to audiobooks. I've never tried audio, so I'm rea..."

I totally agree, reading a book and listening to a book are so so different. For me, the times when an audiobook is the better format is when the book's writing is particularly difficult. Then it helps to have a professional reading it outloud so I can really get the way a sentence works. At its best, an audiobook is like having someone read to you. It's very soothing. (Well, depending on what you're listening to, haha.) Still, it's not my preferred format, and that just comes down to the fact that I prefer to read than listen. Plus you don't have to worry about miscasting. I'd say you can still appreciate specific sentences/dialogues in audio. It's not the same, obviously, but it's not something you lose, either. I say give it a shot!

[annabel]

My Kindle tells me I am 74% through Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Signature of all Things" and I do not want it to end!! Has she written other fiction? The book she wrote about Eustace Conway was a pass-around book on family vacation ten years ago which I liked and then Eat Pray Love which I sort of liked and sort of did not, but did not read anything else until this. Something I am sort of marvelling at is how damn much research must have gone into this. It's set in the 1800s, there's a hell of a lot about botany, there are ship voyages, Tahiti, who knows what else in the last part that's waiting for me. I must go read.

[Allie]

annabel wrote: "My Kindle tells me I am 74% through Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Signature of all Things" and I do not want it to end!! Has she written other fiction? The book she wrote about Eustace Conway was a pa..."

YES! She wrote "Stern Men," which I loved. It's about lobstermen in … Maine, I think? I listened to it on audiobook, and the writing was just so deadpan. She has that way of writing fiction, that I actually prefer it to her non-fiction/memoir type stuff.

[annabel]

Just got on the list at the library, thanks!! I am originally and always at heart a New Englander so this sounds great.

[Alicia]

Stavra wrote: "Oh, you are NOT alone! I also really, really loved that book. So much. Like, it's the kind of book I want to shove in random strangers' hands to read, not mention all my friends. So subtle and lovely and real.
..."

I loved it too, although not *quite* as much as you! Subtle and lovely and real is absolutely the way to describe it!

I'm reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks - what an extraordinary story. We've come an awfully long way in a very short space of time, but I think we've got a long way to go before we can actually consider humanity civilised.

[Bonnie G.]

Hannah wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "This actually started as a reply to someone, but then I realized that I'm just generally interested in the difference between reading and listening to audiobooks. I've never tried..."

I am generally reading at least one book and listening to another at all times. I spend a lot of time in my car, and using that time to listen to good books makes it much less frustrating to sit in Atlanta traffic. For really long books I often listen to audio and read. I plan to do that soon for The Goldfinch and it was a lifesaver for 1Q84 which was a real doorstop of a book. I like both delivery methods. For audio, it is essential that you get a good reader and that it is a book conducive to reading aloud. I am listening to Outlander now, and it is wonderful on audio. Signature of All Things was another wonderful audiobook. Maybe we should have a thread on audiobooks where we rate them specifically on quality of the reader, and whether the book lends itself to audio. Hmmm....

[Bonnie G.]

annabel wrote: "My Kindle tells me I am 74% through Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Signature of all Things" and I do not want it to end!! Has she written other fiction? The book she wrote about Eustace Conway was a pa..."

It is such a beautiful book! I did not expect to like it much since I really did not like EPL. Actually, I liked "E" but the P and L sections were terrible. I hate when people co-opt eastern religious practices (actually the Kabbalah thing gets me too, so not just Eastern) and oversimplify them to help them temper their over-privileged lives. Still, I sort of liked the actual writing of EPL so I was willing to give Signature of all Things a try, and I am so glad I did. it is so complex, and beautiful, and wonderfully slow and winding. I am looking forward to her next.

[Joanie]

I just finished Fannie Flagg's I Still Dream About You and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a sweet read and had a very poignant message: none of our lives are perfect and when you get to the point where you feel there's nothing else left to enjoy in life, just hang on a moment longer...

The Tony Curtis autobiography is my new read and I'm finding it hard to put down. I love autobiographies and this one is just downright honest and well done.

[Anne]

annabel wrote: "My Kindle tells me I am 74% through Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Signature of all Things" and I do not want it to end!! Has she written other fiction? The book she wrote about Eustace Conway was a pa..."

If you like TSoAT you may want to try Andrea Barrett's books (maybe start with Ship Fever) - similar well written, strong characters and lots of early scientists. I was strongly reminded of them when I read TSoAT.

[Kristen]

I'm reading "The Member of the Wedding" by Carson McCullers. I thought I needed to get back to more literary fiction, and in true Costanza fashion, picked up the shortest novel in my bookcase. About 1/3 of the way through, and it's fantastic!

[annabel]

I just started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. This is my first Michael Chabon and so far I am loving it!!

[Bonnie G.]

annabel wrote: "I just started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. This is my first Michael Chabon and so far I am loving it!!"

One of my top 10 21st century novels (if only just barely, it came out in 2000.) I think it is dazzling. Hope you enjoy! I get so excited when people love the books I love. Is that weird?

[Bonnie G.]

Kristen wrote: "I'm reading "The Member of the Wedding" by Carson McCullers. I thought I needed to get back to more literary fiction, and in true Costanza fashion, picked up the shortest novel in my bookcase. Abou..."

We all have a little George in us, no matter how hard we try to hide it. Thanks for the rec on this. I have never read the book but there is a lovely movie version with Julie Harris. Seeing as it is so short maybe I will move it up my list. I finally read Metamorphosis for that reason (something to last one short flight was the goal) and it totally lived up to the hype.

[Leah]

annabel wrote: "I just started The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. This is my first Michael Chabon and so far I am loving it!!"

So glad to hear you're loving it!! Chabon's great - I especially loved The Mysteries of Pittsburgh!

[Sophie]

I recently started White Teeth by Zadie Smith. I tried reading On Beauty a few years ago and couldn't get into it, but White Teeth is just so fresh and funny.

[Amy]

I've been reading Christopher Isherwood's "Berlin Stories," which formed the basis of the play and film, "I Am A Camera," which then formed the basis of the film "Cabaret." So far, it's a fascinating read (it's 2 shortish novels combined).

[Sara]

I just came back from vacation and burned through two books on my flights: The Third Son: A Novel (good, although I may have overdosed on early/mid-20th century for a while) and One Lavender Ribbon (very meh, mediocre writing). I'm now happily engrossed in the Percy Jackson series, book two on current loan.

[annabel]

Sophie wrote: "I recently started White Teeth by Zadie Smith. I tried reading On Beauty a few years ago and couldn't get into it, but White Teeth is just so fresh and funny."

I remember being in a bookstore with my sister when we were on family vacation fourteen or fifteen years ago trying to find this book for our mother. She was not clear on the title, nor the author's name. I think she gave us some clues on the plot (she had had to return it to the library before finishing). Amazingly, with what little info we were able to provide, the clerk discerned that White Teeth by Zadie Smith was what we were looking for. Which was correct!! Yay!!! for all those who work in bookstores!

[Leah]

Yesterday I started Diana Chamberlain's The Silent Sister & am really enjoying it so far!

[Francy]

I am currently rereading Pride and Prejudice for the nth time. And will probably re-watch the movie for the nth time when I'm done!

[Janine]

I'm reading The Secret History for the first time and it's so good so far!!

[Charlotte]

Aaaaaaah I love The Secret History!! I'm looking forward to reading The Goldfinch eventually...

I'm currently re-reading The Man Who Was Thursday and taking it a lot slower and thus appreciating it a lot more!

[Alicia]

I'm in two Goodreads book clubs, and the "What are you reading" thread in each is *markedly* different.

[Anne]

I am rereading Dorothy Dunnett's The Unicorn Hunt and Life After Life prompted me to start Case Histories.

[Monica]

I'm about 80% through A Discovery of Witches. I got it about a year ago and it sat forever in my Kindle, forgotten. I'm so glad I remembered I had it, though, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

[annabel]

The Secret History is so great. Do not make the mistake of reading her second book; skip immediately to The Goldfinch.

[Meg]

My favorite of Kate Atkinson's is Behind the Scenes at the Museum. In fact, I think I'll reread it this fall. Thanks for the reminder.

[Shannon]

I am reading Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley. I like it but I think I prefer her earlier work, Beauty.

Oh and I'm reading A Factory of Cunning, which is a strange and unpleasing combination of bizarre and dull.

[Sophie]

annabel wrote: "Sophie wrote: "I recently started White Teeth by Zadie Smith. I tried reading On Beauty a few years ago and couldn't get into it, but White Teeth is just so fresh and funny."

I remember being in a..."

Haha! My best friend is a librarian and she's expected to perform miracles like this all the time.

[Lindsay]

I'm currently reading The Table of Less Valued Knights and loving it! very cuteand clever.

[Patricia]

Currently reading The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher. SO delightful, I can't believe I haven't read it before now.

[Alicia]

Patricia wrote: "Currently reading The Gastronomical Me by MFK Fisher. SO delightful, I can't believe I haven't read it before now."

Her writing is extraordinary. I love her!

[Emma]

Alicia wrote: "I'm in two Goodreads book clubs, and the "What are you reading" thread in each is *markedly* different."

That's really interesting. How would you describe each of them? Does this happen for other people?

[Alicia]

EmVic wrote: "
That's really interesting. How would you describe each of them? Does this ha..."

Well, the other one is the Vaginal Fantasy bookclub, which is genre (paranormal/historical/fantasy/scifi) romances, and the people who post in the "What are you reading" thread over there don't seem to stray much from that type of book. This group seems to read much more widely.

[Tawnia]

I'm currently reading Scandals of Classic Hollywood: Sex, Deviance, and Drama from the Golden Age of American Cinemawhich the Fug Girls offered in a giveaway. I would recommend it to anyone who loves their celebrity gossip with a touch of academia. Fascinating read.

[annabel]

Alicia wrote: "EmVic wrote: "
That's really interesting. How would you describe each of them? Does this ha..."

Well, the other one is the Vaginal Fantasy bookclub, which is genre (paranormal/historical/fantasy/s ..."

Well, I didn't join this group because I'm a particular fan of Romantical
Historical Fiction, I joined because I figured it would be as fun to read what the Fug Nationals have to say about books as it is to read what we have to say about celebrities and TV shows. And it is!

[[deleted user]]

Just started Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay, and so far it's really enjoyable and smart. I've never read any feminist nonfiction before (definitely not any of the key 2nd wave works), don't know why. Maybe I was worried they'd be too heavy-handed or depressing? (Not that depressing things aren't worth reading, but, you know, it's not how I like to spend my time.) Anyway, so far Bad Feminist is really enjoyable.

[Claire-Dee]

I'm almost finished reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. At first it didn't grab me, but once I got into the lives of the many characters, I was hooked.

[Claire-Dee]

annabel wrote: "The Secret History is so great. Do not make the mistake of reading her second book; skip immediately to The Goldfinch."

I agree! Go straight to "The Goldfinch!"

[Bonnie G.]

Hannah wrote: "Just started Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay, and so far it's really enjoyable and smart. I've never read any feminist nonfiction before (definitely not any of the key 2nd wave w..."

Looking forward to your thoughts on this one. I have gone back and forth on whether to read it. I was a Women's Studies minor in college a thousand years ago and I sort of burnt out on reading feminist tracts. (Andrea Dworkin will do that to you. I hate to speak ill of the dead, but what an asshat.) In addition to general burnout, and the wisdom of age, L am somewhat hesitant to read too much modern stuff because I worry that I won't like the direction the movement has taken. My strategy has been to remain ignorant, hope for the best, and fear the worst. That said, I heard an NPR interview with Gay which really intrigued me so I have been tempted.

[Bonnie G.]

Claire-Dee wrote: "I'm almost finished reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. At first it didn't grab me, but once I got into the lives of the many characters, I was hooked."

I loved the Interestings! I know some people found it dull, but the mundane is part of life, and to really know characters you have to be there when they are toting groceries up the stairs. I felt attached to their characters and their stories and enjoyed at that level, and also compelled by the meditations on the nature and value of art, the disappointment of dreams fulfilled, and the changing definitions of friendship as we age.

[[deleted user]]

Bonnie wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Just started Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay, and so far it's really enjoyable and smart. I've never read any feminist nonfiction before (definitely not any of the..."

Speaking as a youngin, I'd say feminism seems to be headed in the right direction. Or a good direction, anyway. I mean, Emma Watson's all in. Hermione wouldn't lead us astray.

As I get further into Bad Feminist, I can pretty safely say it doesn't feel like it's beating a dead horse or anything. The first couple essays are more personal, and there's one all about how she's a competitive Scrabble player and it's great. (I'm not really sure how it ties into the overarching theme of the book, but who cares, Scrabble's great.) But maybe this gives you some idea of how loose the format is? Her writing's light and fun. She takes lots of things seriously but doesn't communicate her ideas in a condescending or overbearing way. She seems to be a very understanding person, I think she tries to see everyone's point of view while still holding fast to her own experiences and insights.

[Bonnie G.]

Hannah wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Just started Bad Feminist: Essays by Roxane Gay, and so far it's really enjoyable and smart. I've never read any feminist nonfiction before (definitely..."

I love Scrabble! I'm in!

I would like to think we are moving in the right direction with feminism, and I am so impressed with Emma Watson and Emma Stone, and several other young high-profile women who have talked about feminism in ways that help to counter some of the anti-feminist rhetoric. On the flipside, I see women being diminished in pop culture more than I see them claiming their (non-sexual) power. I look at Teen mom, and Real Housewives, and the Kardashians and they reinforce every 1920s stereotype about women. And then I see the hubbub every time a well-known woman works rather than parenting full time, and the constant Aniston baby heartbreak headlines, and every Republican in Congress voting against wage parity legislation, and the difficulty getting young women involved with Planned Parenthood (I am a long time volunteer, and this is personal experience) and I despair. We joke at PP that we would like to have someone on our team who is young enough to have working ovaries. I raised my son to be a feminist, but I feel like that is not really going to change the tide. Anyway, enough about that. I am going to focus on the Scrabble :)