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2016-19 Activities & Challenges
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Trim the TBR—June Planning and Reporting
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MargieD2017
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May 24, 2019 05:27PM
My #30 is "In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors" by Doug Stanton. Should be a good read. Again, though, I don't have the monthly tag. Shoot!
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Book Concierge wrote: "# 30 for me: Miss Julia Renews Her Vows by Ann B RossI love this quick and easy series. Miss Julia is a hoot!"
I just finished the first book in the Miss Julia series and thought she was quite the character. I'm definitely going to continue the series.
MargieD2017 wrote: "My #30 is "In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the U.S.S. Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors" by Doug Stanton. Should be a good read. Again, though, I don't have the monthly tag. S..."I've read this and gave it 5 stars. Hope you like it too!
My #30 is The Rainmaker by John Grisham. Many years ago I read a number of novels by Grisham, but never got around to reading this one. I put it on the Trim list, since I didn't think I'd choose to read it over other books I own, so it will be great to knock it off the TBR.
Joy D wrote: "My #30 is The Rainmaker by John Grisham. Many years ago I read a number of novels by Grisham, but never got around to reading this one. I put it on the Trim list, since I d..."I have seen the movie version so often (love it) that it has obliterated my memory of reading the book.
Oh dear my #30 is The Saga of the Volsungs which I was going to take off at the middle of the year because I was just being way too ambitious when I put it on, it seems like I just keep drawing my most difficult books for some reason! I am going to attempt to read it now though.
Magdalena wrote: "Oh dear my #30 is The Saga of the Volsungs which I was going to take off at the middle of the year because I was just being way too ambitious when I put it on, it seems like I just ke..."It is short at least - 145 pages?
My #30 is Looking for Me - Beth Hoffman. A light read compared to this month's Michelangelo: A Life in Six Masterpieces
My #30 is Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett. I'm looking forward to it.
Theresa wrote: "Magdalena wrote: "Oh dear my #30 is The Saga of the Volsungs which I was going to take off at the middle of the year because I was just being way too ambitious when I put it on, it se..."One of my Brazil books was only 95 pages, but I couldn't get through 25 pages. Some of it was wacky, and some of it was so deeply brilliant I had to keep stopping to think about it.
Theresa wrote: "It is short at least - 145 pages? ."I know! After I whined about it on here I looked it up and saw how short it was and I'm very relieved. For some reason when I heard the word "Saga" I pictured a giant tome of a book.
Also, now is the time that we can re-order our trim-the-tbr lists, right?
Meli wrote: "Robin wrote: "My trim is 30. All the missing girls-megan miranda"I read this one, can't wait to hear what you think. Will withhold my comments until I see your review."
That sounds encouraging. After a strong start to the year of having some really good reads, my last several have been struggles and looking to get back to some good books.
Critterbee, I have been planning to make an announcement about that, but was waiting a few days for the discussion here to level off a bit....and for me to find a few spare minutes to post something as I am moving this weekend!I will likely post an announcement this evening, but definitely be thinking of that rearrangement.
Stay tuned....
Nicole R wrote: "Critter we, I have been planning to make an announcement about that, but was waiting a few days for the discussion here to level off a bit....and for my to find a few spare minutes to post somethin..."Thanks for the update.
Staying tuned ;P
Trim the TBR June review for book #30Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger,
307 pages, 5 stars
does not fit the monthly tag
Ordinary Grace is a beautiful example of a bildungsroman. It's a coming of age story, and the end result is usually the attainment of knowledge, important life lessons or wisdom. The book is very well written, with interesting well drawn characters and depth of emotion.
"He who loves must suffer, ... until in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom through the awful grace of God."
In the summer of 1961, a small town in Minnesota is reeling from several deaths, and at least one murder. The protagonist is a 13 year old boy who is touched in some way by each death, and he tries to solve these mysteries. His father is the minister of their church, his mother is musical director, his sister is a composer headed for Juliard, and his younger brother struggles with stuttering and stays close to his brother.
The boys in the book start out by having adventures and breaking rules. They see things they wish they hadn't, and they decide to help solved the murder. They face difficult ethical decisions, question their faith, overcome obstacles, and gain some wisdom. In addition to the mystery, the book includes grief, veterans dealing with guilt and pain, religious life, family dynamics, false accusations, and change.
Moke wrote: "30 is The Housekeeper and the Professor- but yikes! I didn’t read my May book yet!"I haven't finished my April or May books yet, so...
Susie wrote: "I’ve got If Beale Street Could Talk."That is a short incredible read! And in some ways, I think it can fit retellings...of Romeo and Juliet.
NancyJ wrote: "Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Oh my ... I think that's the longest book on my list - 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die (1200 pages). [bookcover:1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Ca..."Unfortunately the pictures - although frequent - are b&w and SMALL. There is a lot of text. Sigh........ So I have decided not to kill myself trying to finish it this month.
Theresa wrote: "Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Oh my ... I think that's the longest book on my list - 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die (1200 pages). [bookcover:1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Ca..."I've decided not to kill myself trying to finish this book in June. Instead, I'm going to try yo finish it by the end of the year. But even with seven months, I think I will take your advice and set a reading schedule or pace. Let's see....what 1200 pages divided by seven?
So, it turns out my #30 is a book of short stories. I also didn't realize that I only have one of the short stories in the book! Since I'm an admin and I'm not competing, I'm just going to go with it and it will still be my #30. What matters to me is that it's then off my tbr!
Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Theresa wrote: "Doughgirl5562 wrote: "Oh my ... I think that's the longest book on my list - 1,000 Places to See in the USA and Canada Before You Die (1200 pages). [bookcover:1,000 Places to See in..."Only about 175 pages a month. I think that is an excellent completion pace for the year. Perhaps there are specific times that will be good for reading it, like with morning coffee.
Trim the TBR #30Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
2.4 stars
256 pages
fits tag? YES!
I don't usually score any book as low as a 2, and this is not at all an indictment of Tyler as a writer or her talent, but the book failed in a few ways that really drove down the score.
First, this is a retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and it wasn't creative, neither did it add more to the original tale. Katherina and Bianca in this modern version are Kate and Bunny and fill the same rolls as shrew and demure innocent respectively as they do in the original play. This book was published quite a bit after the loose movie adaptation "10 Things I Hate About You" and Bunny seemed to be plucked right from that movie so there was no unique spin on her character at all.
Second, the plot is kinda boring. Kate's father tries to convince his eldest daughter to marry his lab assistant so he can get a green card and continue to work in the US on their autoimmune disorder project. This has no impact one way or another on Bunny as she is only 15 and far from ready to marry. That major plot point is essentially discarded. Changing the plot is not an issue, but the power struggle between the sisters and impact of Kate's decisions on Bunny is lost. (There is still a fabricated power struggle between the sisters of sorts that seemed inconsequential to me)
Third, the comedy of errors that should exist once Kate agrees to go along with this sham marriage is absent.
There is no humor, no hint of the Shakespearean comedy, nothing new or inventive to add to the story, and when I was finished I felt like I didn't gain anything from it really.
Quick read, but dull story about people that I didn't grow to care about.
Trim the TBR #30In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of its Survivors by Doug Stanton
5.0 stars
327 pages
fits tag? NO
I have never been in the military service nor have I ever been a victim of any natural disaster or severe accident; however, this book has allowed me to walk in the shoes of those that have survived a torpedoed flagship in the Pacific Ocean on July 30, 1945. For 5-6 days, only 317 men survived in shark invested waters without proper provisions fighting off hallucinations and hanging onto the hope that they would be rescued. Most of these men were afloat in life vests that would become compromised over time and another life vest would need to be taken from a sailor that had succumbed to the elements, or the sharks, to continue on with their own fight for life.
The research and interviews conducted by Doug Stanton, and the close friendships he developed as a result, has allowed him to write with respect and accuracy the harrowing experiences of these men. His sensitivity to their plight and the descriptive artistry of his writing skills have presented a book that is hard to put down once started. It serves as a personal testament of his highest esteem for these men and solicits us all to share in the same. I sure do.
Finished my Trim #30 for June:The Rainmaker by John Grisham - 4 stars
Hardcover has 434 pages (my paperback was 711 pages of tiny print and I was reminded why I prefer ebooks these days!)
Fits tag: No
More like 3.5 stars but rounded up since it was so entertaining.
Law student Rudy Baylor is graduating from law school and is ready to start working for a firm. As part of finishing his coursework, he visits a retirement center where students provide law assistance to seniors. He researches a case that becomes important in his working life. When the firm’s employment offer falls through, he finds himself in a situation with little money, no job, and the need to pass the bar exam. This is another of Grisham’s legal-related books, though more of a courtroom drama than a thriller. The villain is an insurance company and the victim a poor family whose son is dying of leukemia.
The storyline is engaging. It is filled with colorful characters. It is told in the first-person present tense by Rudy, so the reader is privy to his thoughts and motivations as he searches for a job and pursues his cases. He has a quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor. It explores legal ethics from the perspective of a new lawyer who wants to “do the right thing” while dealing with unscrupulous tactics of others. The story is entertaining and a fast read despite its length. The downsides include a bit of ageism and sexism, and a subplot related to an abused spouse does not work as well as the court case. Recommended to those that enjoy a story that engages the brain and provides an opportunity to root for the underdog
Link to My GR Review
Amy's #30The Skeptic and the Rabbi by Judy Gruen, 2 stars,
This is my personal book #30, selected both at random and by me for the Trim challenge in my main group on Goodreads. Its is a quick non fiction memoir, about a woman ascent into religious Judaism, and what she needed to do to reconcile her previous lifestyle with what was being asked of her, and what she was being drawn into and choosing.
I am often thinking of my audience when I am writing these reviews. Once in awhile I am thinking of the authors audience, and this is no exception. I am struggling to figure out who this author's audience is and should be. The author is a journalist, and interestingly my close friend who became Orthodox also in her 20's came in through that exact route - through Journalism and Media. The book doesn't feel meant to me for mainstream, and it doesn't even feel meant for the Jewish population as a whole, who I think would find it either unrelatable, or in my case, nothing I didn't know - nothing new to learn. In which case, the interesting part needs to be the emotional, the psychological, and the spiritual journey - and to be honest, that part just didn't grab me. And at various points I just began to skim. The central emotional questions of the book were these. How did losing a beloved brother at a young age raise questions about God and God's will, and how do those become reconciled? That was certainly in the book, but it just didn't grab me particularly. Rabbi Naomi Levy wrote a book (To Begin Again) that was heavily influenced by witnessing her father's murder at age 15, and she really confronts spiritually about what to do when the answers aren't sufficient, and when faith is tested by unknowable and unimaginable trauma and loss. I felt these explanations were too neat and too easily accepted.
In fact, the title was misleading. I expected the whole journey to be a larger step for the author to traverse. Please do not misunderstand. The journey to become a religious Jew is a huge undertaking, even if one grew up Jewish. It is not to be taken lightly - what one has to do to transform and take on a new identity, lifestyle, and series of beliefs is in fact tremendous. But the step for the author, to me, did not carry a whole lot of skepticism, and in the scheme of things wasn't that great. She was already a conservative progressive, social, cultural, and political Jew who observed Shabbat, kept kosher, and went to services. The jump was not that phenomenal. And calling her a "skeptic?" Not particularly. I thought she drank the tea rather easily. And even if their parents or co-workers found them fanatical or extreme, we are not talking about such a true break from a life. No one converted or was unfamiliar, and there was an entire community of support. Becoming more religious is seriously no tragedy for a family. Cancer is, loss is, alcoholism, infidelity, mental illness, lack of financial success and stability, infertility - those are problems. Growing more religious? Well good for you. I always thought the worst problem of becoming religious was inconvenience. Not easy to go on vacations, restaurants, and to have holidays with your family - and that's truly what its all about. What's the point of being religious, if your temple/synagogue and family requires you to drive and you are holding the precepts - but not with the people or community that make it holy and sacred? But that's just me.
The other moving part of the tale, was when she for a split second says no. Lets break up. And he says, were not breaking up. You are more important to me than any religion, shul, or rabbi. I don't know even if this dilemma was deeply thought through. I think they just chose a different community. That moment which was laced with possibility for deeper thought and spirituality - well it just fell flat. In fact, I didn't get a sense of this woman's inner conflict or deeper spirituality at all.
There were a few moments that were downright annoying and degrading. Just took off a star. It was supposed to be this big moment of conflict and shame when the author reveals her husband to be admitted to voting for Reagan. Really? Come on. Maybe its the current climate that is getting me so upset, but are you kidding? We don't have critical thinking about the fact that even at a time when the President is a dodo and is mentally ill, that there are reasons why people vote for each of the candidates that are deeply held. Right now the American Jews are deeply divided politically, and we need to implore that people think really critically about the issues, beyond their passions, to think extremely critically - and this woman is complaining that her husband wasn't as left as she is? And was embarrassed and afraid to reveal the secret? Right now I am fighting every single day to impore American Jews to think critically about Israel and to learn about the Issues beyond the false propaganda. Because of the Putz, we could end up with a next president who holds all the right values we care about - pro-gay, pro-women, pro-muslim, pro-latona, pro-environment and climate, pr0-education, but anti-Jew and anti Israel. For me there is only one democratic candidate, maybe two, and I fear that American Jews of all parties won't vote, and will weaken the vote, if the wrong democratic contender is ill fatally and passionately chosen. And this woman is upset about a vote for Reagan? Please. Call that an insular problem for sure.
The other deeply annoying moment is when early in their marriage on the Rabbi calls the couple in to discuss that he heard they had another couple for dinner, and that she served liver with the chicken. This leads into a whole tutoring session with an esteemed kashrut teacher. Well, that just made me furious. I would have converted out at that moment. That for me would have been the end of any hope of Orthodox Judaism. And we have thought about it (for a moment). We have walked closer to that line ourselves. But there are always things that keep us from even considering it. A moment like that is a non-negotiable one of them. The other for me is separate seating in synagogue, and that the women aren't supposed to be heard singing by men, at least individually. For me there is no spirituality without music and singing and family, and I have three sons. I am not going to temple alone, and not hiding my voice. My husband and I had our first date at a Shabbat Service, after which we went to Jake Ivory's (dueling pianos). He will state, that he fell in love with me when he first heard me sing at services. But for all her bluster about hiding hair, and separate seating, and kosher, and mikvah (a concept I love) - I didn't really feel the "rub", and she was no skeptic. Misleading title, and quite honestly, narrow audience.
To me, we have thought long and hard about how to raise our kids and our family with values, with Jewish values and experiences, and with spirituality. Everyone I know talks about it, formally or not. About how important it is to have our kids experience and love Judaism, and feel connected. We always felt that if a kid had to pick between Hebrew School and a birthday party, he would resent Judaism. Being forced to fast, or not be allowed to play baseball on a Saturday, would make them resent religion rather than embrace it. But the joy of holidays, and the experience of bar mitzvah, and summer camp, and Israel, that was the way to go. to see the spirituality and the connections, and the pride, and identity infused through their lives and ours. They see us fast and keep traditions, and when they were bar mitzvah, we told them the choice was theirs to make. We have been proud when they have chosen to fast or keep Passover on their own speed. The American Jewish Reform movement is extremely strong and vibrant. We are not as lost as the Orthodox might believe. We are often highly educated highly well read and learned, and many of us (I heard the term folk elite once) observe Shabbat regularly, and have it as a regular part of our lives. Politically, socially, spiritually, Jewish Identity does not belong exclusively to the religious. There is a whole spectrum between Twice a Year Jews and the Orthodox. The Interfaith have had to take this question extremely seriously. What does identity and choice actually mean? What is this about and how do we live it and pass it on? I just don't think in the scheme of things that this woman's leap was all that complicated or huge a chasm. We as either interfaith or reform Jews are the ones figuring it out.
My child leaves for Israel in 25 days. We have spent a lifetime preparing him for what that means. My next child has the year anniversary of his bar mitzvah in three days, and is going to High School. My youngest, is just starting out. He and the middle guy are leaving for Jewish Overnight Camp, also in 25 days. We are working this one out. The kids themselves are figuring it out. They each have their own story to write. So I applaud Judy Gruen for her story - we all have one. We are just writing and living ours too.
See What I Have Done - Sarah Schmidtt - 3 stars
Fits the tag - retelling - it's on the second page.
336 pages
I've always been interested in the Borden case and have had this on my tbr for a while, so I'm glad the generator chose #30.
I'm a UK user, so didn't know much about the case and the lead-up to the murders. This retelling was interesting to me, I didn't know that the Bordens were rich and kept a maid or about the uncle.
It was a good starting point for me and would definitely read more about this case.
Cross-posted to the retellings folder
Fits the tag - retelling - it's on the second page.
336 pages
I've always been interested in the Borden case and have had this on my tbr for a while, so I'm glad the generator chose #30.
I'm a UK user, so didn't know much about the case and the lead-up to the murders. This retelling was interesting to me, I didn't know that the Bordens were rich and kept a maid or about the uncle.
It was a good starting point for me and would definitely read more about this case.
Cross-posted to the retellings folder
Trim #30The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant
4 stars
When Addie Baum is an eighty-five year old women she tells her granddaughter the story of her life. Addie was born in 1890 and is the daughter of immigrants who settled in Boston. Her family is poor and her mother has never adjusted to leaving her old country. Addie wants to get an education, but her mother if old fashion and does not see the need for that. She wants Addie to work and then get married.
As Addie gets older she is able to meet friends, take classes and get interesting jobs. She faces hardships, learns about other people’s lives and sometimes she can help them. It is a well thought out book where Addie’s character is able to grown and try to have a better life.
The author includes things happening in the world and shows reactions to them. Addie talks about topics such as war, the depression, women’s rights, swear shops and death. It is a book with a lot of heart.
Trim #30 -
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller352 pages
4 stars - definitely fits June's 'retelling' tag and over 400 agree with me according to first page, first column of listings.
AND fits June Horizons - Greece -- a trifecta!
The title says it all - this is Patroclus' song of Achilles as he knew him, told to immortalize him, a la minstrels and storytellers like Homer. It is a perfectly wonderful retelling of the life of Achilles, Aristos Achaion, the greatest Greek warrior of them all. But it is all told from the perspective of Patroclus, his longtime companion, and here, his lover and soulmate. Patroclus is a prince, gentle, clumsy, a disappointment to his ambitious father, and as a child is exiled from his homeland for committing murder, although as an adult, Patroclus realizes that 'it was not murder that had exiled me, it was my lack of cunning." He is sent to foster in the court of Phthia, where Achilles is prince in the court of his father. The boys meet, Patroclus becomes Achilles' constant companion, and as they grow to adulthood, love enters the story.
Of course, we follow them to the Trojan Wars, meeting so many characters of Greek myth, lore, legend, Euripides, and Homer along the way - Achilles mother Thetis, Chiron, Odysseus, Ajax, Hector, Agammenon, Iphegenia, so many others. We travel to Scyros where Thetis hides Achilles for a time. We sail to Troy. We live with the army on the plains surrounding Troy. We follow the both at the end to the underworld. Patroclus' journey through life is not an easy one, and prophecy haunts him, but his love for Achilles is so deep that the decisive moment when his actions bring the final end to the Trojan War and victory for the Greeks seems right and inevitable.
Miller has a gift for bringing the gods and mortals to vivid life, as people you know and understand, hate and love. All are flawed, but also all are gifted. No one is perfect, especially not the gods. There are deep themes here - ones about parental expectation, rebellion, ego, choice, the price of fame, legacy, a mother's love (even when she is immortal - she's still a mother). But the most important theme of all is love, eternal love. Miller's incorporation of LGBTQ love is so seamlessly done, so natural, and so perfect, one cannot possibly gripe about there being nothing in classical literature to support it.
I did have a couple of reservations though. There is a section in the final third of the book, when they are all at Troy, that is just a bit too rainbows, puppies, and unicorns for me, where it was just too fantastical. I just could not suspend my disbelief enough to 'buy' it. And lyrical, beautiful as the writing was, it just did not pack the power, was not as compelling, as that in Miller's second book, Circe.
But what an astonishingly engaging debut! I can't wait to see what Miller brings us next!
June Trim the TBR: #30The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
3 stars
252 pages
does not fit the monthly tag
Leo Gursky is an 80-year-old man living in New York; he is also a refugee from Poland during WWII. When he was a young boy he fell in love with a beautiful girl named Alma. He followed her to America only to find that he was too late and she had married another man. Leo is accepting but bereft in heart and spirit.
Alma Singer is a 15-year-old girl in NYC who is missing her father who died of cancer when she was young. Her mother is perennially depressed without her beloved David. Alma's younger brother, Bird, thinks he is the Messiah and has become a social outcast. Mrs. Singer has been hired to translate a book, "The History of Love", from Spanish to English and this consumes her life. Alma, curious about the book, makes it her mission to find out about the author and the book's history. The divergent paths of Leo and Alma begin to intersect in surprising ways as the books influence over both oth their lives brings them to a touching meeting.
One thing I have learned about myself over decades of reading: I am not deep....at all. This book is so beautifully written but I have to admit that I was lost throughout most of it. It was confusing to me to try to keep Leo, Bruno, and Zvi separate. Or were they all the same person? I honestly don't know. Who wrote the book? I don't know. But I loved the characters and rooted for the eventual meeting. The end of the book is beyond lovely: "He fell in love. It was his life." What a statement.
My #30 for TRM is Major Pettigrews Last Stand.
DianeMP wrote: "My #30 for TRM is Major Pettigrews Last Stand."I loved that one! You're in for a good read.
Artemis by Andy WeirMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
305 pages
Does NOT fit the monthly tag
Jazz Bashara is one of the best smugglers on Artemis, the first city on the Moon. Although this provides her with a steady income, she hungers for more. She wants to have enough money to buy a bigger apartment, with her very own private bathroom and to enjoy a few luxuries in life and she’s willing to take some incredible risks to achieve this dream of hers. Unfortunately, her get rich quick scheme doesn’t go as planned and now someone wants her dead. She’ll have to rely on her core group of friends and family in order to survive.
In the beginning of the story Jazz’s cynical sense of humor was entertaining and a welcome break from all the science but by the end I’d honestly had enough of the foul-mouthed teenaged attitude. That’s probably just my age talking. I’ve no doubt the author knows his stuff with regards to physics and space science – but I wouldn’t know because I struggled to grasp some of the concepts and mechanics he describes in the book. Having no knowledge whatsoever in this area, I couldn’t really even visualize a lot of what took place in the book. I would be on the edge of my seat and loving every minute of it if it were a movie and I would definitely recommend it to a younger audience, but it was really just an “okay” read for me.
Walk on Earth a Stranger 2 starsTRIM # 30 436 pages
Does NOT fit Monthly Tag
Well, it was bound to happen-I have not had a 2 star read since February....
The story was there-Lee Westfall is a young girl living during the Gold Rush Era. She has the incredible ability to sense gold in her surroundings. When tragedy strikes her life, she heads west to California. WoW! this could have been so good..........unfortunately it was repetitive, boring, and with those two adjectives way too long at 436 pages.
The book is tagged Fantasy and Historical Fiction, my two top shelves. Over 1200 users tagged this as Fantasy-NOT! Although Lee has this awesome power, I thinks she uses it 2 or 3 times-WTH! It was also tagged Young Adult-this is an insult to actual young adults-it was more Middle School.
Needless to say I will not read the rest of the series-I really do not care what happens Lee. Also, if have any other of Carson's books on my shelf, they are coming off-This was so bad, she does not deserve a second chance!
Only one good thing came of reading this book-It came off my TBR shelf.
#30Circus of the Damned by Laurel K. Hamilton 3 stars
Does not fit tag
307 pages
Anita Blake is called in by the police to help solve two murders committed by a pack of vampires. Anita needs to find the rogue master vampire which involves her contacting Jean-Claude, master vampire of the city, who wants Anita for his human servant. The story has plenty of action and moves quickly through the various threads of the story. I haven't become very invested in these books and it looks like the series switches to focus mainly on sex after book five so I don't think I'll be reading more of the series.
#30In the Distance by Hernan Diaz
Does not fit tag
pp. 240
I had so looked forward to this book which is noteworthy for his nominations for Pulitzer Prize and PEN/Faulkner Award and William Saroyan International Prize for Writing for Fiction. The description sounded right up my alley a young Swedish boy journeys east from San Francisco across the United States. A coming of age and a journey combined, few plots I love more than that.
One can be easily fooled. The reviews are praise laden and the ratings are high, so in I went unsuspecting to a west of nightmarish qualities. The surreal portrait of the 19th century west could have been a Dali minus the melting clocks.
Our hero, if one can call him that is Haken, a young Swede whose parents send him to America, to New York, with his brother Linus. Haken somehow becomes separated from his brother when they change ships in Britain and after that finds himself on a ship bound for San Francisco. Haken misunderstands the relative size of the country and figures to just head east to NYC and find Linus, easy-peasy. Everybody misunderstands Haken's name and he simply becomes Hawk.
Well of course it is not so easy. It quite reminds me of a book which I read some time ago called The Heartsong of Charging Elk. While Charging Elk was set primarily in France the stories are parallel and the emotion is identical.
I'm not a person who needs sweetness and light but the inclination of the spiral wore on me. I know that others appreciated it far more.
#30Circus: A Story from Circus / Clair Battershill
3 stars
This is just one story from a book of short stories. I don’t think I realized that when I picked it up. Or, if I did, I’d forgotten by the time I picked it up to read (now)! Anyway, I can’t really do a summary because it was so short and it seemed a bit all over the place. It moved too quickly to really have any kind of plot or story. It seemed like it might have made for a nice outline of an actual novel, maybe. That’s what gave it the 3 stars (ok) from me. A nice outline for a novel. But, really, it was too short, nothing much happened (until the very end, but then it ended, so we didn’t really get to find out what that was all about!).
June Trim the TBR: #30Looking for Me - Beth Hoffman
4 stars
354 pg
Teddi and her 4 year younger brother, Josh, grew up on a farm in KY. Josh has a special connection to animals and the wild. When Teddi is 10 she drags home a chair she finds in a ditch, refurbishes it and sells it. She sees her calling in antiques. After high school she takes off for Charleston, SC with a dream of her own shop. On a summer visit home after her brother's graduation an incident ends in his heading off to the woods. He never returns.
The story mainly takes place covering the 2 years when Teddi is 36 to 38 years old. We see her early life in scenes scattered throughout the book, not necessarily in chronological order. The secondary characters are delightful. There are some lovely anecdotes and some times when a tissue might be useful. Very good.
#30
by Greg Iles
5 Stars
590 Pages
Does not fit the June Tag
Murder, mystery, twists, turns, questionable morals, deception, betrayal, desperation...
I am so used to young adult books, that it did take a little adjustment time to really get into this book. That being said, once my brain switched to "Adult Book" mode, I could not put it down! Mr. Iles did a wonderful job setting the scene, the mood and developing the characters. He is very eloquent with his words.
Marshall goes back to his hometown to help his mother with his ailing father (with whom he has been alienated from since his brother died when he was a teenager). Shortly after moving back home the man who was like a father to him when his own father gave up, is murdered. What follows is a super intense roller coaster ride. As he tries to figure out who killed his mentor, Marshall finds out that this murder is only the tip of the iceberg. Each piece he figures out just unveils another deeper layer of deception than before.
You know it's a good book when you finish it and go.. hmm what other books has this author written... I need more!
Kiki wrote: "#30 by Greg Iles
5 Stars
590 Pages
Does not fit the June Tag
Murder, mystery, twists, turns, questionable morals, deception, betrayal, desperation...
I am so u..."
I read his The Quiet Game a year or so ago and really liked it. Very well crafted. A similar plot line with a different protagonist, the first in a different series.
Hey guys, I have a question- I'm sure it's answered somewhere but I did some digging and couldn't find an immediate answer.What "happens" if we don't finish our trim book within the month? Does it matter if I finish June's book mid-July?
My goal was to do Trim/Tag/Horizons all each month, but it is seeming to cut down on my "fun reads". If I just had some extra time with Trim that might help me?
Joi wrote: "What "happens" if we don't finish our trim book within the month? "Hi Joi,
You can post the review in the next month's thread labeling the # and month. I don't know how to link back to the first comment on the thread, but check there just after the two bullet points.
Joi wrote: "Hey guys, I have a question- I'm sure it's answered somewhere but I did some digging and couldn't find an immediate answer.What "happens" if we don't finish our trim book within the month? Does i..."
Hi Joi, you can absolutely finish your book whenever you want! And, you will get the participation points for finishing it.
But, you will not get the extra participation points for it fitting the tag (has to be read during the month for that).
Still report your page numbers because it will still count to the yearly total. Unfortunately, it will not count toward the quarterly page count total, because you have to finish the book in the quarter that it was assigned. Which is April-May-June for this quarter.
Let me know if you have other questions!
June #30 The Golden SonThe Golden SonStars *****
A farmer in a small village in India is a leader of his community, and he raises his sons, especially his oldest, to fulfill big dreams. That includes becoming not only the leader of the family, but also a doctor. Anil sets his goals and follows them, all the way to the Parkland Hospital of Dallas, Tx. As Anil lands in his new life, he faces challenges to who the thought he was, and what he thought he was capable of.
At the same time, his lifelong childhood friend, Leena, is growing up in the culture of India. Her farmer parents, more modest than Anil's family, try hard to get her a good match. Once this is made, however, Leena's reality is unlike anything she expected. She learns what she is capable of and how she can survive.
Life happens, big and small, to both in their own spheres. And when fate draws them together again, they begin to see the world in yet a different way. As they grow into the people they are meant to be, we watch the journey, the maze of choices and consequences, as they fulfill their destinies.
Theresa wrote: "Kiki wrote: "#30 by Greg Iles
5 Stars
590 Pages
Does not fit the June Tag
Murder, mystery, twists, turns, questionable morals, deception, betrayal, desperation....."
I'll have to check that one out! Is it another stand alone, or is that part of one of his series?
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Play Book Tag
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