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What are you currently reading?
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Werner
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Jan 30, 2019 09:54AM
Last year, I did a review of Plantation Trilogy: Deep Summer, The Handsome Road, and This Side of Glory by Gwen Bristow --from roughly 48-year-old memory, since I read it around 1970. Because I gave it three stars, one of my Goodreads friends read it, but his reaction was less favorable; he felt, in particular, that Bristow's take on slavery was more sympathetic to the "peculiar institution" than I remembered. Since I respect his opinion, and since I know I'm more sensitive to racial issues now than I was as a teen, I've embarked on a reread in order to evaluate it with a more mature perspective. I don't want to present an inaccurate review of the trilogy to other readers; so I'm prepared to correct it if need be!
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I'm reading a bunch of things, but mainly enjoying Lamentation, the sixth in the Matthew Shardlake series by C J Sansom. Historical-fiction in the Tudor period, and a mystery to solve, as always.
I've finally started reading my PDF review copy of the newly-released latest novel by my Goodreads friend (and one of my favorite authors) Shane Joseph,
Milltown. It's set in his adopted country of Canada, roughly in the present (2008, which is basically close enough :-) ). As is typical with this author, I'm already engrossed after two chapters!
I finished Lamentation, 4 stars, review to come. Started Cold Bayou, from the Benjamin January series by Barbara Hambly. I think it's number 17. This is a fabulous series, if you like historical fiction, American history, African-American history, New Orleans, mysteries, or just really great characters. : )
I have the first book of the Benjamin January series, A Free Man of Color, on my to-read shelf. Heaven only knows when I'll start on it, though; until I complete a few more of my currently "dangling" series, I don't really want to start another long one, and there are a few others on my agenda that are apt to come ahead of this one. :-( (Sigh!) "So many books, so little time!"
Oh, Werner, I hope it's not too long! This series is absolutely excellent, and the historical research & detail is perfect. I know you will enjoy them, when you do get to them. However, I certainly understand how difficult it can be to read multiple series simultaneously... That's been my modus operandi for years now! : )
Christine wrote: "However, I certainly understand how difficult it can be to read multiple series simultaneously... That's been my modus operandi for years now! : ) "Mine, too! :-) For the last three years or so, though, I've been trying to be more intentional about following through with them. Right now, I'm still juggling eight series; but until recently, the figure was in double digits, and I'm hoping to knock off (or make major progress with) three more this year and next year.
Earlier this year, my Goodreads friend Seeley James sent me Kindle e-book versions of the five books that I haven't yet read of his Sabel Security series. I call these "review" books, but he didn't actually request reviews; basically, he just gifted me with them because he's a kind friend, and knows I'm a fan of the series and its heroine, Pia Sabel. (The first two novels got five stars from me.) This morning, I started reading the third installment,
Element 42.
Just finished The House of Unexpected Sisters, another addition to the #1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.Have a couple nonfiction reads that I'm going through slowly... think I"ll be choosing something with an Irish theme for my next fiction read.
Hi Reggia! I hope you're enjoying The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency series. I read the first five, and really liked them. I had already seen the tv series, but as usual, the books are always better. : )I have to get back to the series at some point. Precious Ramotswe is such a great character!
Not wanting to sound trite, but Precious is precious! :-) I started with other series of McCall Smith's, and enjoyed them as well but this one has become very close to my heart. I'm thankful that he is such a prolific writer, I read these inbetween more serious or heavy books, and find them a great antidote to modern-day stressors. Even though they are contemporary to our day, they have that gentle, simple and witty way to them.My current selection is Only Say the Word as my Irish read for this March.
Yes, Reggia, you expressed that perfectly! I also like that, although they are "lighter" reads, underneath each book's plot they express profound yet simple themes, such as kindness, honesty, and generosity. Charlie, I'm glad you like them too! I agree, he has a delightful sense of humor. : )
I have recently finished one "Ireland" read for March: My Lady Judge, by Cora Harrison (Irish author). 5 stars! It's the first in a series with main character Mara, who is a Brehon, or judge, in medieval Ireland. Full review to come, but it was excellent.I'm currently doing a buddy-read with another goodreads friend, of Tana French's The Witch Elm. Another Irish author, and a story set in Ireland, but this book is contemporary crime fiction, with a big family mystery. Halfway through it's compelling... but the first-person, almost stream-of-consciousness narration can be "a bit much," at times.
Now, among other things, I'm pre-planning some poetry reading for April, which is National Poetry Month (USA).
Will anyone else be reading any poetry? : )
Hi Charly! I think I will add that one. I hope to read more recent Irish history (and more recent European history in general) at some point. It seems that I have read mostly US history, medieval history, Tudor/Elizabethan history, and ancient history. There are definitely gaps to fill, lol ! I've been especially interested in Welsh/Irish/Scottish history recently, as that's a large part of my ancestry.Do you read a lot of non-fiction history?
PS, Charly: sorry to have inadvertently misspelled your name, earlier. : )
Thanks, Charly! I will check to see if she has some non-fiction. : )
I've read the first couple of Llywelyn's Irish series, and enjoyed them. I found Trinity an overall good read, but his attitude toward women really shows in his writing.I've restarted How the Irish Saved Civilization.
Reggia, I've had that one on my pile for awhile now. Hope you enjoy it! I hope to get to it sometime this year...
I'm still waiting on an interlibrary loan book, J. B. Lynn's series opener
Confessions of a Slightly Neurotic Hitwoman, which will be my next read. (I've already read the third and fourth installments, so I'm wanting to pick up the two that I missed so far.) While I'm waiting, I'm dipping into another short story anthology,
Lighthouse Horrors, which I picked up a couple of years ago at a thrift store.
If you read it sometime, Charly, I'll be interested in your review.
I've finished The Witch Elm (Tana French) as a buddy-read, with a goodreads friend. It was very unique, and I'm a bit stymied with starting the review: some aspects are five-star, such as the author's use of language, which is frankly quite amazing. Other things did not work for me as well as they seemed to have, for other readers: I found the plot so frenetic that it made me feel absolutely manic, after reading for more than an hour. : ) Now I'm laughing as I read what I've just written ^^^. There's fodder for my review, right there.
Currently reading the brand-new crime-mystery, The Hunting Party (Lucy Foley), which I was lucky enough to snag from the library, "hot off the press." Very well done, so far: very gripping.
Hoping to start Becoming, by Michelle Obama, very soon. Also, having just seen the ads for the movie, The Bookshop, I grabbed the short novel from the library, in hopes of reading it soon, before watching the dvd movie.
Hoping you all are enjoying your current reads! : )
Finished The Hunting Party, which was very good. Review coming soon. Just started The Bookshop, by Penelope Fitzgerald: I want to read this short novel, before watching the dvd movie this coming weekend.
I've finished The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald. Short but remarkably well-written; I'll be reading more of her work. Just in time to watch the film of the same name, this weekend! : )
I'm reading The House on Mango Street. Although I find myself smiling at much of it, it somehow feels tedious and I ended up surfing my phone last night instead of finishing the little book.(Charly, perhaps I should've shared that on your recent "rhetorical question" thread, lol, oops!)
Usually, I read short story collections on an intermittent basis, as something to dip into while I'm waiting for other reads that for some reason I can't start right away. But yesterday, I started on Peter O'Donnell's story collection
Pieces of Modesty as a regular read. It's short, so I don't expect it to take long; it furthers my goal of making progress on some of my "dangling" series; and it'll count towards an annual reading challenge I'm taking part in over in the Action Heroine Fans group.
I started The Alienist recently, and am going back and forth with it. While taking a break from that, I've just finished Save Me from Dangerous Men, a first novel by S.A. Lelchuk. A fast-paced, interesting crime/mystery tale, but the writing quality left something to be desired. I started Wesley the Owl as an April buddy-read, but my reading partner had to pause due to family & health issues; now I'm reading it aloud, in small increments, with my dad (who has Alzheimer's). We're both loving it!I'm probably very over-ambitious, but am also hoping to start Spencer's 1000+ page The Faerie Queene, by May first (May Day). The length doesn't give me as much pause as the language: it has been awhile since I tackled Middle English. I chose an annotated copy for this reason, and will work on it from May to July or August.
Christine wrote: "I'm probably very over-ambitious, but am also hoping to start Spencer's 1000+ page The Faerie Queene, by May first (May Day). The length doesn't give me as much pause as the language: it has been awhile since I tackled Middle English. I chose an annotated copy for this reason, and will work on it from May to July or August."Actually Spenser, like Shakespeare, wrote in what linguists regard as (early) "Modern English." Middle English is the English of Chaucer's day. But Spenser's diction is still very archaic. I read The Faerie Queene back in 1999, and found it a challenging read, both because of the language and the allegory (though I read it without annotations, and those should help.) You also have to keep in mind that it's unfinished; the author wrote only six "books" of the intended twelve. My three-star review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... , if anyone's interested.
Yes, Werner, of course you're right: I'd forgotten that it's Early Modern English (like Shakespeare, same era). It's been awhile since my college English Lit days. : ) It was the Canterbury Tales that I read in Middle English, in high school, along with Beowulf in Old English (with a corresponding modern "translation" of Beowulf). I'll enjoy reading your review, but will wait until after I've finished The Faerie Queene, so as not to color my opinion. : ) I realize that it's an allegory, but I don't think that factor will be problematic. I used to really enjoy epic poems and allegories, and have always enjoyed etymology in an amateur fashion. It has been so long (other than Shakespeare) since I've read anything this challenging, so I hope to take my time and enjoy the process. : )
Christine wrote: "I'll enjoy reading your review, but will wait until after I've finished The Faerie Queene, so as not to color my opinion. : ) " That's a good policy when you're about to read something for yourself! I'll look forward to your review, as well.Today I actually started reading two books. One is a "car book" that I read out loud to Barb when we're driving together; it's
Doctor in Petticoats, the opening volume of Mary Connealy's Sophie's Daughters trilogy, focusing on three independent and strong young women making their way in the late 19th-century American West. We're not very far into the book, but I'm already liking the heroine very much!The other book I'm reading to myself. It's
Emma by Jane Austen, one of several of her novels that I've never read, even though I count her as a favorite author. (I did, though, watch the captivating 1996 movie adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116191/ .) This year, I hope to finish reading all of the Austen canon --something I owe to myself as a bona fide Janeite. :-)
Werner and Charly, I think you'll both really enjoy Emma. I'm not a "Janeite" like you, Werner, but I do appreciate her talent. : ) Happy Reading!
Christine, I'm enjoying it so far! Charly, I hope you do get a chance to read it; I'll be interested in your review.
Great, Werner, I'm glad! : )Good luck with your challenge, Charly! : )
Charly, for some reason, your review of The Order of Time doesn't show up in my "Friend's reviews" at the book link. (Your review of the other book does show.)
No need to, Charly; I found it on your profile page, and liked it.
Thanks for sharing it, Charly! Next to writing reviews, reading them is my favorite thing to do on Goodreads. :-)
Yes, I don't go in for plot summaries, either. I figure that, like me, most readers prefer to discover the plot as it unfolds in the course of their reading.
I'm also very gradually working on Wesley the Owl: The Remarable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl, by Stacy O'Brien.This started out as a buddy-read, with a goodreads friend, who then had to bow out for family illness reasons. So I began reading it aloud to my father, who has Alzheimer's. We're really enjoying it, but dad can only sustain his attention for 10-12 pages per reading session. It's slow-going, but worth it. : )
Werner, I hope you enjoy Emma as much as I did. It's moved up higher on my list... I've been listening to an audio version when I have trouble sleeping; and alternately, the movie itself. I found Alexander McCall Smith's modern retelling Emma (The Austen Project, #3) witty and endearing.Currently, I'm reading The Forgotten Road. The idea for the story is interesting enough, but the narrative seems a bit tedious. I'm sure it's too soon to judge though.
Reggia wrote: "Werner, I hope you enjoy Emma as much as I did. It's moved up higher on my list... I've been listening to an audio version when I have trouble sleeping; and alternately, the movie itse..."Reggia, I'm enjoying it very much so far!
I've just begun a memoir, Beginning French: Lessons From a Stone Farmhouse, by Goodreads author/couple les Américains.
Usually, when I'm posting about my current reading, I include a link. Right now, though, I'm beta reading a book not yet published, so it has no Goodreads link. It's a collection of seven short supernatural stories by my friend Andrew Seddon, each one focusing on one of the traditional seven deadly sins (and its supernatural comeuppance), titled The Deadliest Sins. Since it's just a bit over 70 pages long, I expect it to be a quick read.Next up, though, will be a book that does have a link: a review copy (or, at least, I'm prioritizing it like one) of
The Ulysses Man by another Goodreads friend, Shane Joseph. Shane's a European-descended native of Sri Lanka, who immigrated to Canada during the devastating civil war in the former nation, and experienced the challenge of building a new life in a strange country. This also describes the protagonist of the novel. ("Coincidence? I think not." :-) )
As a fill-in book while I'm unexpectedly between novels, I've begun dipping into
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (by, of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle).
Werner, I'm sure you'll do reviews on each book, but once you've completed your Austen reads do you plan to do one on Austen herself?
Reggia wrote: "Werner, I'm sure you'll do reviews on each book, but once you've completed your Austen reads do you plan to do one on Austen herself?"Hmmm! Not necessarily, Reggia; I read more fiction than I do nonfiction about authors --but then, I try to read at least one nonfiction book every year, and I do find authors interesting. Did you have a book about Austen to recommend?
Oops! I wasn’t very clear, sorry. I meant ‘would you write a review’ of her as an author, collectively-speaking.
Reggia wrote: "Oops! I wasn’t very clear, sorry. I meant ‘would you write a review’ of her as an author, collectively-speaking."Reggia, thanks for the clarification! That's an interesting idea; but I don't think that Goodreads actually offers any platform for writing an overall review of an author. We have to review individual books. (Although, now that I think of it, one could do a review of an omnibus edition of Austen's works, and make that a review of the author.... I'll have to consider that idea!)
Just did a quick read of Island of the Blue Dolphins, and now beginning Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine -- both of these are book club reads. I'm still unhurriedly working through a few nonfiction reads.
I have a new-to-me translation of Les Misérables, so back to reading that, too.
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