Constant Reader discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Constant Reader
>
What I'm Reading - Nov & Dec 2017
message 101:
by
Mary Ellen
(new)
Dec 14, 2017 10:26AM
I just finished The Carter of 'La Providence', the second of Simenon's Maigret novels and the first that I've read. I gather it is atypical in that it is not set in Paris, but in and along a canal system. A great intro to the culture of life in that area in the early 1930s, but not a very compelling mystery. Probably better suited for those who already know & love Maigret well.
reply
|
flag
Ellis Peters’ THE DEVIL’S NOVICE, #8 in the Cadfael series. I enjoyed this one a lot - plot, character development, suspense.
My exercise companion for the last week has been Jeffery Deaver’s THE STEEL KISS, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. I liked this one in the Lincoln Rhyme series quite a bit although some of the denouement details seemed a little too contrived. The narrator’s performance was very good.
Mary Ellen wrote: "I just finished Fludd, a short, early novel by Hilary Mantel. It is no WOLF HALL, that is certain. It is set in a dreary English village in the late 1950s and affords Mantel ample opp..."I enjoyed that novel, Mary Ellen. I would find comparing it to Wolf Hall difficult, since it was "straight" and historical, and Fludd was satiric and of its own time, or nearly so. Without a doubt more readers would (and have, and do) enjoy the former, while the latter will not be to everyone's taste. But for myself, I enjoyed both.
I enjoyed watching Celeste Ng's characters try to deal with the Little Fires Everywhere that they lit without considering the consequences.
4★ Link to my review
Paul Coelho’s THE ALCHEMIST, brilliantly narrated by Jeremy Irons. This book is not the sort I usually read so I approached it somewhat skeptically. I adored it! It is a wonderful, simple, entrancing allegory and I am delighted it crossed my path.
Happy 75th Birthday to acclaimed Aussie author Helen Garner! To celebrate, Text Publishing has released two collections of short works (which I love). Stories: The Collected Short Fiction is classic Garner Real people, loving, fighting, hurting.
4.5★ Link to my review
Happy Birthday also to John Greenleaf Whittier, who had about the coolest name a poet could have, and to a more lively (80 today) Pope Francis I.
I tried to read Justine by Lawrence Durrell. I'm so disappointed with myself that I couldn't just "buck up" and finish this book. At 82 pages in, I finally gave up. I felt I went round and round in a swirl, only to be caught up in another and another swirl. I read on page 82 what I read on page 5. Nothing seemed to change. My bad, I'm sure.
I just finished Chemistryby Weike Wang. Sherry mentioned how much she liked it earlier on this thread.I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has wit, novelty, sprinkles of interesting scientific tidbits throughout, family conflict, and a love story of sorts. The humor and verbal cleverness alone were enough to win me over.
If you've ever been in grad school, had to deal with parental pressure, or wondered what the heck you will ever do with your life, you can probably relate to this.
On the other hand, if you prefer linear, plot-driven stories with clear resolution, you may want to skip this one.
Ann D wrote: "I just finished Chemistryby Weike Wang. Sherry mentioned how much she liked it earlier on this thread.I thoroughly enjoyed it. It has wit, novelty, sprinkles of ..."
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Ann.
I recently finished Golden Hill by Francis Spufford, a book of historical fiction that has been on lots of yearly best lists. The plot revolves around a young Englishman who comes to New York in 1746 to collect on a kind of promissory note. It took me awhile to get into, due to the very detailed descriptive passages (just not my thing) which the author uses to set the scene at the beginning of the book. But once the book got going, it really kept me interested.
It's very clever and witty, tightly constructed, with a number of unexpected plot twists. Not your usual historical novel, but it does put you squarely in a fascinating time and place.
Ann D wrote: "I recently finished Golden Hill by Francis Spufford, a book of historical fiction that has been on lots of yearly best lists. The plot revolves around a young Engli..."
This is good to hear--just downloaded the audiobook this morning!
Mary wrote: "Paul Coelho’s THE ALCHEMIST, brilliantly narrated by Jeremy Irons. This book is not the sort I usually read so I approached it somewhat skeptically. I adored it! It is a wonderful, simple, entranci..."I was listening to this on our drive down to Texas. Just finished it. Jeremy Irons is a fantastic narrator!
Finally read a Kent Haruf novel, and I have to say, Our Souls at Night was as good as I'd hoped. I wanted to throttle their kids, though!Our Souls at Night 5★ Link to my review
Lyn wrote: "Just read Mudbound, absorbing and very well written. Recommended."I read it several years ago--just excellent. Heartbreaking, but a great book.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Finally read a Kent Haruf novel, and I have to say, Our Souls at Night was as good as I'd hoped. I wanted to throttle their kids, though!Our Souls at Night. Glad you enjoyed it too.
My exercise and cooking companion for the last several days has been Lisa Scottoline’s CORRUPTED from her Rosato and DiNunzio series. Kate Burton did a lovely job of narrating. I like these 2 characters and am happy to catch up with them from time to time. This story did not disappoint - true to format with enough plot development and intrigue to keep me interested.
Sara wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Just read Mudbound, absorbing and very well written. Recommended."I read it several years ago--just excellent. Heartbreaking, but a great book."
I completely agree. I am wondering about the Netflix movie but I always hesitate when a book has been so well done.
After 7 years, I am rereading (well actually listening to) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society again. The narration is so well done, that I am immensely enjoying it and I am not usually an audiobooks type of reader.
Sara wrote: "Lyn wrote: "Just read Mudbound, absorbing and very well written. Recommended."I read it several years ago--just excellent. Heartbreaking, but a great book."
Excellent book!
Love, Life And Elephants – Daphne Sheldrick – 4****
Subtitle: An African Love Story. This is a wonderful memoir that takes the reader from Sheldrick’s birth and childhood through her teen years, and first love, on to the love of her life, David Sheldrick, and the work they accomplished together. She writes in a frank and open manner, describing her missteps as openly as her triumphs.
LINK to my review
Sara wrote: ". This is good to hear--just downloaded the audiobook this morning! ..."Ann D wrote: "I recently finished Golden Hill by Francis Spufford, a book of historical fiction that has been on lots of yearly best lists. ."
I thoroughly enjoyed that book and reviewed it a while back, if you're interested. No spoilers, I promise. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
After loving Aussie author Jane Harper's debut novel, The Dry, I was really looking forward to her second one, Force of Nature, which takes place in the wet.
3.5★ My review
Just finished Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet Can Tell Us About Who We Really Are. This book does not live up to its lofty title. The only data result tidbit I noted was that when applying for a loan, people who said they "will pay" and used the word "God" were far more likely to not repay the loan.
At one point near the end, the author says "I have not been verbose." Wow. He proved his point, that everybody lies. He spent dozens of pages on analysis of a baseball score, or similar things I don't care about.
Lisa A ⛄ wrote: "After 7 years, I am rereading (well actually listening to) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society again. The narration is so well done, that I am immensely enjoying it and I am not usual..."II loved this book. I felt like I was reading letters from a friend. The subject was so serious yet the Guernsey people were so spunky.
Thanks for your link to Golden Hill, Patty. It was definitely a very original book, and I very much enjoyed all the twists and turns after the story finally got underway. Gina, I also really liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
This morning I finished Nightwood by Djuna Barnes, a great Modernist novella. I'm deep into Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind and Theodore Sturgeon's Selected Stories. Today I'm starting Aldous Huxley's Island.
I very recently finishedNervous Conditions a coming of age story of an early teenage girl in what is now called Zimbabwe. The story is set during the late 1960s, as she begins to see the realities of the world around her in her homestead, her efforts for education, everything within a very patriarchal state newly moving out of colonial life but with strong colonial and African patriarchal traditions. I recommend this to anyone interested in reading a strong African voice. The book has been highly praised by African critics and readers.
Sue thanks for the recommendation of Nervous Conditions I checked it out and added it to my to be read list
Sheila wrote: "Sue thanks for the recommendation of Nervous Conditions I checked it out and added it to my to be read list"Let me know if you read it Sheila. I'd love to know what you think especially, if I remember correctly, given your familiarity with many African cultures.
Sue wrote: "I very recently finishedNervous Conditions a coming of age story of an early teenage girl in what is now called Zimbabwe. The story is set during the late 1960s, as she begins to see ..."I've never heard of it, Sue, but I think I'll look for it - thanks!
I've just finished Jacob M. Appel's sometimes funny, sometimes touching contemplation of suicide in Millard Salter's Last Day.
Link to my review
Ann D wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation of Nervous Conditions. I've added it to my TBR lists too."PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Sue wrote: "I very recently finishedNervous Conditions a coming of age story of an early teenage girl in what is now called Zimbabwe. The story is set during the late 1960s, as she be..."
Patty and Ann, I wouldn't have known of it either if I hadn't maintained my membership here in the group Great African Reads. Every time I think I should cut back a group, I have a really good reading experience and then decide to stay. I don't read with them all of the time, just when I have the opportunity and can find the book.
Sue Ann me too re other boards I am a silent member but dip into their reading occassionally I further checked out Nervous Condition it’s only available in U.K. as a proper book sadly no ebook
Sue wrote: "Ann D wrote: "Thanks for the recommendation of Nervous Conditions. I've added it to my TBR lists too."PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Sue wrote: "I very recently finished[book:Nervous Cond..."
Same here with the groups. I "belong" to a bunch but am only marginally active in some. And like you, as soon as I think I'll leave one, something interesting crops up!
I'm a sucker for short stories, and some of these were good. Pure Hollywood: And Other Stories by Christine Schutt, who has won prizes for other works.
3.5-4★ Available on NetGalley until March Link to my review
Margaret Atwood’s HAG-SEED, narrated by R.H. Thomson. I have read some mixed reviews of this book and so I approached it with a fair amount of skepticism. I struggled a bit with the first third or so - it just didn’t hold my attention and it felt contrived, an author accepting a challenge and not enjoying it very much. But as the direction of the story became clearer and the main character began to interact with others I did find interesting, I became more involved, wondering how the plot would progress and what would happen to the characters. By the end, I was satisfied - it was a very good book, a well-executed response to the challenge of writing a novel that re-tells Shakespeare’s THE TEMPEST.
Just read Stay with Me. Engaging, opening up Nigerian culture to some extent, while delivering surprising twists and turns.
Lyn wrote: "Just read Stay with Me. Engaging, opening up Nigerian culture to some extent, while delivering surprising twists and turns."I'm hoping to read that, Lyn. I've enjoyed the Nigerian fiction I've read this year.
NOT your run-of-the-mill autism book about your brain and wiring and special skills, etc. This is a practical book that all school libraries and teachers should have and provide for students with autism. It speaks to the kid. We all learn differently. Check my review of Autism and You: Learning in Styles by Diana Friedlander and see what your own learning style might be. And tell parents! ]
5★ Link to my review
Taylor Branch’s PARTING THE WATERS: AMERICA IN THE KING YEARS 1954-63. Excellent. If you’ve not read it, do. I look forward to moving on to the 2nd volume of this trilogy.
I read Long Man by Amy Greene. I listened to this on audiotape and Dale Dickey does a great job narrating the book. I thought the language was beautiful, and the based-on-true-event story was intriguing. It was a thoughtful take on the price of progress paid by powerless people - Appalachian farmers losing their land so the Tennessee Valley Authority could harness more electricity. I rated this 4.5 stars.
I loved Ahab's Wife, but just could not keep reading Four Spirits by Sena Jeter Naslund. Her many characters were wooden, and I didn't care about any of them. All of them were cliched - really really bad or, by golly, almost saintly. She missed such a wonderful opportunity to tell this important story. Even though I'm at 112 pages, I decided not to waste my time finishing it.
Picked up an account of one man's three years of homelessness over 25 years ago, the book being published first in 1993 and republished with an update in 2013. The man traveled with his dog from Austin, Texas to Hollywood, California and back again twice, accompanied by his dog, Lizbeth. Clearly written, with a unique perspective. Travels with Lizbeth: Three Years on the Road and on the Streets.
Chris Matthews’ BOBBY KENNEDY: A RAGING SPIRIT. Adequate. The last 1/3 made it worth my time because I learned more about how RFK evolved after his brother’s death. I found Chris Matthews recurrent comments about tangential connections to his life unnecessary, intrusive and annoying. I listened to the audio version, which was narrated by the author.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Happy 75th Birthday to acclaimed Aussie author Helen Garner! To celebrate, Text Publishing has released two collections of short works (which I love). Stories: The Collected S..."</i>I'm a little behind in my CR reading... But Garner's [book:The Spare Room was one of my favorite reads a few years back. I still remember much of the book vividly.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
Two Moons (other topics)Queen of the Air: A True Story of Love and Tragedy at the Circus (other topics)
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis (other topics)
The Spare Room (other topics)
Travels with Lizbeth: Three Years on the Road and on the Streets (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Helen Garner (other topics)Sena Jeter Naslund (other topics)
Amy Greene (other topics)
Diana Friedlander (other topics)
Christine Schutt (other topics)
More...
