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Fiction- What are you reading? Part 2
message 1451:
by
Norton
(new)
Oct 30, 2018 06:51PM
I just picked up The Crossing by Michael Connelly. I'm a big.fan. Right next to it was Game of Ghosts by John Connolly. I think they'll both be good reads.
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Not really; I prefere fiction stories, even about famous persons or happenings!
I've just started A Murder in Time as my next audiobook. The prologue hooked me but I'm having difficulties getting invested in the characters during the first few chapters. I'll give it a few more chapters but may dnf. Anyone read this one?
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Not really; I prefere fiction stories, even about famous persons or happenings!"
Me too Laura
I have started Harriet Hume. I have not read a book by Rebecca West in a long time and I thought I needed to remedy that.
I'm currently reading Infiltration: A Novel by Yehoshua Kenaz. I am just a few pages in, but it seems very good already.
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LauraT wrote: "Together with Patria, I've started yesterday to listen to The Eustace Diamonds and Are you reading through the whole series? I think the next one, Phineas Finn, was my favorite. Lady Glencora becomes quite a character as the series develops.
I'm currently reading Treasure Island, which I am extremely thrilled about. Treasure Planet has been one of my favorite animations from the time I first saw it years ago, to when I'm watching it now! Very beautiful, amazing and intriguing characters.
I feel like it's ages since I've read a book which I've loved, so I am hoping that The Summer of the Bear will be that book! I have read about 13% on my Kindle so far, and so far, so good. Has anyone else read this?
LauraT- I’m hoping to get my hands on a copy of The Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books... How is it?I just finished The Poet X, (YA novel written in a prose format), one of the GR Choice Award nominees. I’m currently reading Children of God, the sequel to Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow. I’m having a hard time finishing anything! 😫
Andreea Beatrice wrote: "I'm currently reading Treasure Island, which I am extremely thrilled about. Treasure Planet has been one of my favorite animations from the time I first saw it years ago, to when I'm wat..."This is such a great classic! I read it growing up and enjoyed it just as much when my kids and I listened to the audiobook--good for most ages.
I will not read Light Fell. I will open this book another day.
Nichole wrote: "I will not read Light Fell. I will open this book another day."What happened to change your mind?
Karin wrote: "Andreea Beatrice wrote: "I'm currently reading Treasure Island, which I am extremely thrilled about. Treasure Planet has been one of my favorite animations from the time I first saw it y..."Yess, I think that even "grown-ups" would love it! That is how I feel towards the movie as well. It has a lot of deep messages, behind the plot! Very nice piece of literature!
I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!
dely wrote: "I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!"Oh God, what a coincidence! I am also reading Of mice and men, between other things! I think I will have it finished in an hour from now! It is lovely!
I really recommend John Steinbeck! He is a classic!
Especially The Winter of Our Discontent and East of Eden. But all of his books are incredible! I read a lot of his books, so trust me, I know!
Have a nice read!
Andreea Beatrice wrote: "dely wrote: "I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!"Oh God, what a coincidence! I am also reading Of mic..."
Actually I feel a little bit ashamed that I've waited so long to read him. It's a very short book so I think I will finish it today. Sadly I know how it will end because as usual I'm too stubborn and I've read the introduction. Trust me, I've sent a lot of curses to who wrote the introduction (and then also to myself because I'm just not able to skip introductions)!
dely wrote: "Andreea Beatrice wrote: "dely wrote: "I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!"Oh God, what a coincidence!..."
Don't be!
I actually regret that I read them at 15, when I was but a child. I think they will be so different for me now...
So, I'm finished! I did not read the introduction before, I knew I would like it because it's Steinbeck, after all. And just... what happened!!!? I was no expecting that!
You'll be so bewildered!
dely wrote: "I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!"I cannot believe you have not picked up Steinbeck before this! You are starting with an excellent one. He has so many.
Read introductions at the end instead. I detest being told what to think. That is as bad as being told what happens.
Andreea Beatrice wrote: "You'll be so bewildered! "Yes, a lot. But I however enjoyed the book because I couldn't know the reasons that led to that ending.
It is a short but powerful book.
Chrissie wrote: "Read introductions at the end instead. I detest being told what to think. That is as bad as being told what happens. "
The introduction was talking about the translation and Steinbeck's style, so I couldn't know that suddenly they added also the ending!
I haven't read a lot of American authors. Let's say that I have never read a lot of books set in the US because usually I've always preferred settings that are in Asia or Russia. I'm more attracted by those countries. But I will surely read more of Steinbeck's books. I could find Of Mice and Men as a daily deal on Amazon for 99 cents. I can't afford to buy new books too often, so I have to find them in second hand bookstores or on Amazon's daily deals.
dely wrote: "Andreea Beatrice wrote: "dely wrote: "I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!"..."I'm glad to see that you have ventured into Steinbeck land! He's a wonderful author! I'm planning on reading 2 or 3 more of his books next year. I recently discovered he has a book on King Arthur, which I hope to find!
Re: introductions - I sometimes skim for info on the author or time period but immediately stop when they start talking about the plot! Like Chrissie said, just read them afterwards! A lot of times they are (apparently) written assuming the reader is familiar with the story. But, if that is the case, why would you be reading it?!
Pam wrote: "dely wrote: "Andreea Beatrice wrote: "dely wrote: "I started reading Of Mice and Men. My first Steinbeck though many of his books are in my wishlist since several years!"..."I'm glad t..."
The one about King Arthur I have bought on kindle a few days back and will totally enjoy reading it! Especially since I have been looking for arthurian legend retellings.
Andreea Beatrice wrote: "...The one about King Arthur I have bought on kindle a few days back and will totally enjoy reading it! Especially since I have been looking for arthurian legend retellings."That's great! My library doesn't have it so I will have to do an ILL search. Who knew that Steinbeck wrote about King Arthur?? I hope you enjoy it! I will look for your comments, since I plan to read it, also.
Pam wrote: "Andreea Beatrice wrote: "...The one about King Arthur I have bought on kindle a few days back and will totally enjoy reading it! Especially since I have been looking for arthurian legend retellings..."I actually became so interested after I re-watched a tv series from my childhood, Merlin.
I searched for a long time for anything that sounded good about King Arthur, but didn't find anything intriguing! Everything is about Merlin, and magic. I wanted something only centered on Arthur, and hopefully this will be the book for it!
Also, I wait for your opinion and review when you finish it! Have a nice read!
Esther wrote: "Nichole wrote: "I will not read Light Fell. I will open this book another day."What happened to change your mind?"
The writing was even heavier than that of the two previous reads. Too heavy. I need easier prose at this point to offset the seriousness. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is that lighter book. It's a keeper. I will open Light Fell some other day.
Andreea Beatrice wrote: "Pam wrote: "Andreea Beatrice wrote: "...The one about King Arthur I have bought on kindle a few days back and will totally enjoy reading it! Especially since I have been looking for arthurian legen..."Thanks! I have several Arthurian legend books to read in 2019. Another one is The Unknown Arthur: Forgotten Tales of the Round Table. I love the cover:
Have you read the The Mists of Avalon series? That's my favorite series ever!
I went a little crazy at the library and put a bunch of holds on books, not thinking that they would all come in at the same time! I picked up 6 of them today and started the one I am the most excited about - Invisible Planets: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation edited by Ken Liu. Liu is my favorite SF author and some of his stories are included in this book. The essays at the end (on the history of Chinese SF) was fascinating to me, as a SF fan!
Pam, I actually have Mists of Avalon on my kindle, ready to be read! So it really is worth it?? That is good to know, it might just be my next read! I'm in love with the legend so I want to read as much as I can about my favorite king! Haha
Yes, Andreea! It’s fabulous, even better than The Once and Future King, in my opinion! I hope you love it as much as I did. 💕 It’s a different perspective, from the POV of the women. Now, I want to reread it! I read it 20+ years ago.
Mod
I quite liked it too Pam and Andreea!
Pam wrote: "I'm glad to see that you have ventured into Steinbeck land! He's a wonderful author! I'm planning on reading 2 or 3 more of his books next year. I recently discovered he has a book on King Arthur, which I hope to find! "I will surely read more by him though I don't know why.
Pam wrote: "Yes, Andreea! It’s fabulous, even better than The Once and Future King, in my opinion! I hope you love it as much as I did. 💕 It’s a different perspective, from the POV of the women. Now, I want to..."Yess! I love reading from the perspective of the anonymous or how women were considered back in the day! I will definitely read it and come back to it, let you know what I thought!
dely, you know that my having left America and moved to Europe many years ago also has me appreciating literature other than American. We share our love of Russian literature, but Steinbeck is an American author better than others.......of course depending upon one's taste.To give you an idea of I compare his book, the followng might help you.
Here in order of preference are the books by Steinbeck which I have read:
Of Mice and Men 5 stars
The Grapes of Wrath 5 stars
Travels with Charley: In Search of America (4 stars)
The Moon Is Down (4 stars)
Cannery Row (4 stars)
The Winter of Our Discontent (3 stars)
The Pearl (3stars)
Sweet Thursday (2 stars)
East of Eden (2 stars)
Mod
Are you reading through the whole series? I think the next one, [boo..."
Actually I'm Re-Reading it. I love Trollope, especially his Barset and Palliser Novels!
Mod
I do agree on your first two, but not on East of Eden, that I've recently finished and loved almosta as much as The Grapes of Wrath!
I am reading The Consuming Fire.I was supposed to be reading other things but as soon as it arrived in my post box I couldn't resist.
I enjoy Scalzi's writing so much it is always a comfort read. Another 5 stars I suspect.
Chrissie wrote: "dely, you know that my having left America and moved to Europe many years ago also has me appreciating literature other than American. We share our love of Russian literature, but Steinbeck is an A..."Thanks Chrissie, that's very helpful! I've heard good things about The Grapes of Wrath and East of Eden (though you rated it only with two stars, but this makes me even more curious to read it), and I should read Cannery Row for my Novel-Cure-Challenge.
dely, I loved The Grapes of Wrath, but if you read it in Italian, be sure to grab a copy of the latest translation which came out a couple of years ago (if I'm not mistaken). The old translation was heavily edited by Fascist censorship, but somehow it was still the only Italian version available until the new one came out. Unfortunately, I read the old translation. I hope to read it again in English one day, although I don't plan on doing it soon.
LauraT wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "dely, you know that my having left America and moved to Europe many years ago also has me appreciating literature other than American. We share our love of Russian literature, but ..."I am glad you are liking all of them. I did not like East of Eden b/c I felt he was pounding in his message.
Marina (Sonnenbarke) wrote: "dely, I loved The Grapes of Wrath, but if you read it in Italian, be sure to grab a copy of the latest translation which came out a couple of years ago (if I'm not mistaken). The ol..."Thanks for telling me! I will be careful to take a copy with a new translation.
Mod
I can immagine that Steinbeck was not particularly loved by our Mascellone!!! I usually read English and American literature in English, but I can immagine the difference!
Laura, I too read in English books that were written in that language - unfortunately in that case the book was given to me as a present, so I had no choice.
Whew only one more book to read to complete the Name challenge for 2018.I just finished and greatly enjoyed The Return of the Native reading and listening to an audiobook narrated by Simon Vance - he did an outstanding job of giving the many characters distinctive voices. I can't wait to visit The Silent Woman Pub just outside Bere Regis, Dorset England - I'll order a shandy and imagine I'm waiting for Eustacia.
I'm currently binging on Dell Shannon's Lt. Mendoza crime stories. After re-reading a few that I found on my shelves and dusted off, I enjoyed them so much that I've been buying the e-books for my Nook. I have a question for everyone: Do you also have a problem getting the Date Read column to update on your Currently Reading screen? It shows up in the internal details, but not on the first screen, which I find annoying. It worked for a while, but has not for a long time.
Mod
Same happens to me also with books that were my mom's or my dad's - and they are from the 50s!!!!
LauraT wrote: "Same happens to me also with books that were my mom's or my dad's - and they are from the 50s!!!! "I read Lolita in a translation from the 1950's. Quite horrible translation, let me tell you.
Mod
I read Lolita in a translation from the 1950's. Quite horrible transl..."
Translations of those years are so terrible that soemtimes are funny! I remember - and that I couldn't read in original language sionce it's German! - the one of the La montagna incantata by Thomas Mann, where, as usual for those periods, also the name were translated: Hans became "Giovannino" AARGGG
Same for a David Copperfield where Little Em'ly was rendered as Emilietta!!!!!
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