What I'm Reading NOVEMBER 2014

[Lyn]

Thanks, Ann, his nonfiction book looks good, and it's on my to-read list now. I'm into another good book now, but am also still thinking of Cutting for Stone, so it was a great read that has resonated for me.

[Larry]

I've been reading Daniel Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE, in the Kindle version of the Delphi Complete Works of Daniel Defoe. About three weeks ago, I bought one of these Delphi Complete Works, starting with the ebook devoted to Vermeer's painting ... and then it was Van Gogt ... and then Rembrandt ... in one day, I bought about ten of these Delphi Complete Works devoted to a particular artist. Let me tell you right now, unless you have a Kindle Fire (or perhaps an iPad) or you want to look on the book on your Kindle for PC, you're going to be unhappy. In other words, the Delphi Complete Works in the artists series] are meant one seen in a Kindle with full color. The books tend to be about $2.99 and it's amazing what you get for that.

SO then about two weeks ago, I thought I would try the Delphi Complete Works devoted to a particular author. I started with Mark Twain, and before long I had bougt about 30 of these. The classics are there, e.g. Caesar, with many of these having English translations from the Loeb Library versions. When I got my first Kindle, I tried some of the free versions of literary writers who were out of copyright ... and generally hated what I saw. It was often bad formatting ... with bad (or no) working Table of Contents. But these Delphi Complete Works volumes are amazingly good ... and the price is truly cheap. As opposed to the Delphi Complete Works books devoted to an artist, the ones devoted to a writer work great on my Kindle Paperwhite.

Oh, and ROBINSON CRUSOE is even better than I remember it from when I first read it ever so long ago.

[Book Concierge]

Lyn wrote: "I just finished Cutting for Stone. I initially started it mainly because it was on the "just returned/available" list for Kindle books at Library2Go. At first I was a touch impatien..."

I also listed to this as an audiobook. Loved it. I've heard some criticism that there is too much medical detail, but I didn't find that at all (probably because I work in healthcare administration and read a lot of operative reports).

[Book Concierge]

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – 4****
Audio book narrated by Don O’Grady. Genetics professor Don Tillman has decided to marry – once he finds the perfect wife with the use of the extensive questionnaire he’s developed. But when he meets Rosie Jarman he sets aside the Wife Project to help her with her Father Project. As the project continues a friendship develops. This is an endearing, tender romantic comedy that had me laughing aloud in places. A delightful surprise!
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Barbara]

Larry wrote: "I've been reading Daniel Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE, in the Kindle version of the Delphi Complete Works of Daniel Defoe. About three weeks ago, I bought one of these Delphi Complete Works, starting wi..."

Larry, this complete authors series sounds great. And, you got them from Amazon? I wonder if Amazon will ever solve the illustration problem with Kindle. This summer, I got Orhan Pamuk's book Istanbul: Memories and the City on my Kindle app for travel to Istanbul. The photographs are a huge part of that experience and they were tiny while reading it on my tablet. I kept thinking I could expand them but that didn't work. Eventually, I went into a bookstore, found the book and looked through it. But, it would have been far more meaningful to look at them while reading.

[Karlyne]

Larry wrote: "I've been reading Daniel Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE, in the Kindle version of the Delphi Complete Works of Daniel Defoe. About three weeks ago, I bought one of these Delphi Complete Works, starting wi..."

I haven't read Robinson Crusoe in years and years, and every time that I watch or read A Christmas Carol, I'm reminded that I should. Maybe your reminder will spur me into it!

[Karlyne]

I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting...

[Larry]

Barbara wrote: " I wonder if Amazon will ever solve the illustration problem with Kindle. ..."


Barbara, the illustrations for either the painters series or the authors series (of the Delphi Complete Works) are great when viewed on a Kindle Fire but they are not so good in either case on the Kindles that are more oriented for reading, e.g. earlier generation Kindles or PaperWhites.

We have now bought eight (!) Kindles and still have five of them. My son and daughter-in-law have two and one broke. When people ask me if I think that they should get one, I immediately start asking them how they think they would use it. Most books are pretty straightforward, but when you get into periodicals, reading say the New York Review of Books on the Kindle Fire is radically different than reading the London Review of Books on the same device. (It shouldn't be, but it is.)

[Barbara]

I have the original Kindle DX which still works but, when I decided to upgrade, I bought a Samsung tablet, which I love, and use the Kindle app on it. I just wasn't sure that I could deal with the smaller size of the new Kindles because I use a larger font size. I still don't know if I made the right decision.

[Book Concierge]

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee – 4****
The subtitle says it all: A Biography of Cancer. Meticulously researched and explained so a layman can understand, Mukherjee has indeed crafted a biography of this disease that scares so many of us. He includes a few patient stories to make the scientific information more personal. Stephen Hoye does a fine job reading the audio version of this book.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Larry]

Barbara wrote: "I have the original Kindle DX which still works but, when I decided to upgrade, I bought a Samsung tablet, which I love, and use the Kindle app on it. I just wasn't sure that I could deal with the smaller size of the new Kindles because I use a larger font size. I still don't know if I made the right decision."

Barbara, I'm not sure that there is any right decision. Some Ereaders handle particular documents (books/periodicals/etc.) better than others. I still prefer my PaperWhite most of the time even though certain periodicals can't be read on it. For a book or for the daily newspapers, it's just hard to beat it.

The most surprising thing to me has been how quickly art books have migrated to the tablets in a pleasing way. I was showing two friends about two weeks ago our ultra-heavy art books, The Louvre: All the Paintings and The Vatican: All the Paintings: The Complete Collection of Old Masters, Plus More than 300 Sculptures, Maps, Tapestries, and other Artifacts. Each book is wonderful, but each is a monster in terms of how much it weighs. After I showed our friends those books, I showed them the Delphi Complete Works of Vermeer and the Delphi Complete Works of Caravaggio on my Kindle Fire. It's all good ... but just so different. I can see in just a few years ... having a headset, e.g. an Oculus Rift, on so that you can "walk" around the Louvre or the National Gallery virtually ... and "see" all the paintings. Nope, it's not the same thing as really being there, but it's a lot cheaper than flying to Paris or to London.

[Sue]

Larry wrote: "I've been reading Daniel Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE, in the Kindle version of the Delphi Complete Works of Daniel Defoe. About three weeks ago, I bought one of these Delphi Complete Works, starting wi..."

Good to know about these editions Larry. Thanks. I always wonder about quality. I have both a Fire and Paperwhite and have been amazed at how good art looks on the Fire.

[Sue]

Barbara wrote: "Larry wrote: "I've been reading Daniel Defoe's ROBINSON CRUSOE, in the Kindle version of the Delphi Complete Works of Daniel Defoe. About three weeks ago, I bought one of these Delphi Complete Work..."

Barbara, I've been using a Fire for a couple of years now and upgraded to an HD last year. Suddenly within the past week the images appeared in all my Goodreads posts in good size and wonderful clarity. I don't know what changed because I didn't download any update. So now I'm getting such an improved experience when I read reviews etc.

[Portia]

Book Concierge wrote: " The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – 4****
Audio book narrated by Don O’Grady. Genetics professor Don Tillman has decided to marry – once he find..."

The Rosie Project may be the book I enjoyed most in 2014. Great to read when the weather is gloomy or when it isn't.

[Portia]

Karlyne wrote: "I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting..."

Why did you choose this book, Karlyne?

[Larry]

Sue wrote: "Good to know about these editions Larry. Thanks. I always wonder about quality. I have both a Fire and Paperwhite and have been amazed at how good art looks on the Fire. ..."

Sue, one book to consider for your Kindle Fire is Julian Porter's 149 Paintings You Really Need to See in Europe: (So You Can Ignore the Others) [Kindle Edition]. The following is from the description of the book: "This essential companion to all the major European museums and galleries discusses some of the world’s greatest paintings from Giotto through to Picasso. Julian Porter’s passion for art began with the seven years he spent as a student tour guide in Europe. Since then, he has conducted countless tours of Europe’s famous galleries – The Louvre, The Prado, The Hermitage, The Rijksmuseum, the Sistine Chapel, and many others. ... In the usually pretentious arena of art connoisseurs, Porter’s voice stands out as fresh and original. He finds the best of the best, which he describes with entertaining irreverence, and spares you hours of sore feet and superfluous information."

Some may be put off by his snarky attitude. I enjoyed it.

[Ruth]

Larry wrote: "Barbara wrote: " I wonder if Amazon will ever solve the illustration problem with Kindle. ..."


Barbara, the illustrations for either the painters series or the authors series (of the Delphi Compl..."

I only have an ancient Kindle, but I have a Kindle app on my iPad. I'll have to check these out.

[Larry]

Ruth wrote: "I only have an ancient Kindle, but I have a Kindle app on my iPad. I'll have to check these out...."

Ruth, I bet that will work just fine. The Kindle for PC on my iMac displays these art books great.

[Karlyne]

Portia wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting..."

Why did you choose this book, Karlyne?"

It was recommended to me by a friend as a must-read classic (published in 1971), and it had the added attraction of being set in two different parts of the country that I've lived in. And the settings really did ring true, even though one of them was set about 130 years ago. (Idaho hasn't changed all that much in that time!) It's a book that I'm sure I'll never forget, and that's unusual enough for me that I'll probably give it 5 stars when I can finally review it.

[Ruth]

Karlyne wrote: "I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting..."

CR discussed this book, lo these many years ago. You can see it here: http://constantreader.com/discussions...

[Karlyne]

Ruth wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting..."

CR discussed this book, lo these many years ago. You can see it here: http://constantreader.com/discussions......"

Thanks, Ruth! My, the format has changed...

[Ruth]

Karlyne wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting..."

CR discussed this book, lo these many years ago. You can see it here: http://constantreader.com/disc..."

That's from our early days on Prodigy. We started over 20 years ago.

[Sue]

Larry wrote: "Sue wrote: "Good to know about these editions Larry. Thanks. I always wonder about quality. I have both a Fire and Paperwhite and have been amazed at how good art looks on the Fire. ..."

Sue, one ..."

Thanks Larry. I'm going to check it out.

[Karlyne]

Ruth wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Karlyne wrote: "I've finished Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner. Interesting..."

CR discussed this book, lo these many years ago. You can see it here: http://constan..."

Well, it's lovely and thanks again for sharing!

[Book Concierge]

The Swallows of Kabul by Yasmina Khadra – 4****
This short novel follows two couples in a Taliban-run Kabul. Khadra writes with poetic detail about a city which the residents no longer recognize as their own. They struggle to make sense of a culture that is at once familiar and foreign. This is a tragedy, and things will not end well for all these characters. But I feel that I have gained a little understanding of the situation by reading this novel, and for that I’m grateful.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Robert]

Got lost in the writing and research again. I read Maureen O'Hara's memoir 'Tis Herself and enjoyed it. Ditto with James Garner's memoir The Garner Files. Richard Fleischer's biography of his father, animator Max Fleischer, is touching and informative, if brief. When Hollywood Had a King is a biography of Lew Wassermann, who ran MCA and Universal for decades -- more a history of the mob and politics in Hollywood than a bio, actually. Informative.

[Sue]

Robert wrote: "Got lost in the writing and research again. I read Maureen O'Hara's memoir 'Tis Herself and enjoyed it. Ditto with James Garner's memoir The Garner Files. Richard Fleischer's biography of his fathe..."

Thanks for mentioning The Garner Files. I've liked him since I watched Maverick when I was young. I think I'll give this a try when I can.

[Barbara]

Me too.

[Mary Ellen]

Finished The Lowland in time for our discussion (rare event for me!) It took me about a week to read it, which is fast reading for me. Not because it is a light read, but because I found it that compelling. Looking forward to the discussion.

I recently got Cutting for Stone at a used book sale and am happy to read the good reviews here!

[Rebecca]

I am half way through Helen Garners, 'This House of Grief' which is about the trial of Robert Farquharson; It is brilliantly written but gut wrenching. I think the most horrifying fact in this terrible event is the fact that Robert Farquharson appears as an average kind of guy and yet he is a monster...A gripping unputdownable book, but have your tissues ready.

[Lyn]

I had loved Molly Gloss's The Jump-Off Creek, so I've just finished reading her The Hearts of Horses, and Falling from Horses: A Novel is next.

My favorite remains the jump-off creek one, for its indelible and very realistic portrait of a woman establishing her homestead from pretty much nothing all by herself, with amazing grit and determination, no self pity at all, and refreshing independence.

I also enjoyed Hearts of Horses for its unique female main character who happily becomes a cowgirl breaking horses her way (without the violence which many used) while most of the young men are off at war. Gloss has done her research, and there is much realism in her descriptions of western life and Oregon.

Looking forward to Falling From Horses, which was described to me as a look at how horses were used for stunts in early Hollywood. The author obviously understands and loves horses.

[Portia]

I've had a few more thoughts to add to my reaction to To Rise Again at a Decent Hour. I am sure that, as Karlyne wisely pointed out, the time of year I read it, combined with some other "personal stuff," played a large part in my reaction to the ending.

To give Mr. Ferris his due, the book reminded me of The Catcher in the Rye in that Paul O'Rourke, the main character, is coming apart at speed during the book as does Holden Caulfield in Salinger's book. The compliment that Jonathan Ferris deserves even more, though, is that the last chapter of "To Rise" reminded me of the ending of The Plague. One of the questions Ferris tackles is the same question Camus does: If there is no guarantee of reward for doing good, would we still help? Ferris pushed the "what if this is all for nothing?" button I did not want touched that day. I reacted intensely. Well played, Mr. Ferris.

[Karlyne]

Portia wrote: "I've had a few more thoughts to add to my reaction to To Rise Again at a Decent Hour. I am sure that, as Karlyne wisely pointed out, the time of year I read it, combined with some ..."

Good analysis, Portia! And, I agree that sometimes we need that button pushed, and sometimes we just can't stand it.

[Portia]

Seems to me that the Man Booker judges have found all of mine this year :-)

[Robert]

A wonderfully readable autobiography: Michael Caine, The Elephant to Hollywood. Focuses on his experiences in film. He wrote an earlier autobio, What's It All About? that I have on my list as well.

Another great memoir: Alan Jay Lerner, The Street I Live On. Memoir of his life from My Fair Lady to Camelot.

[Larry]

I'm halfway through Ken Follett's Edge of Eternity, his closing novel in his Century Trilogy. He seems to have reduced the deii ex machina problem significantly, but the characters remain wooden. Still, it's all about story-telling in this kind of uber historical novel, and Follett excels at that. He just does a great job of giving you a sense of being there at the important points in history that made our modern world what it is today. Overall, it's great is you love Follett, not so good if you have high literary standards.

The book is actually fun to read side by side with my slow read through Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. Defoe manages to capture humanity just as well with one character (I'm still pre-Friday in the book) as Follett does with his cast of thousands.

[Larry]

I''m also reading Martin Makary's Unaccountable: What Hospitals Won't Tell You and How Transparency Can Revolutionize Health Care. This is an important book that examines how some hospitals and hospital systems have improved their results ... and why some other hospitals haven't. Makary"is [the] co-developer of the life-saving checklist outlined in Atul Gawande's bestselling The Checklist Manifesto." There are a number of good ideas that individuals can glean from this book to improve their own chances at securing better results when dealing with hospital stays for themselves or for loved ones.

[Kat]

I loved Carry the One, which is set in the recent past (ending in 2008). Its three main characters, all sibs, are somewhat like people I know in my own life: a social worker who is a political activist, a lesbian artist, and an astronomer who gets high. Okay, I don't know any astronomers. But the world depicted is the world I live in. I like that and find it challenging, and it seems all too rare these days.

The novel explores the question of how people who have been at least partly responsible for a terrible event are affected by that fact over future decades. It has a jumpy style that skips large hunks of time and keeps things moving, and there's a bit of comic cultural commentary, not too strong, that I enjoyed. I felt it was very well written.

[Book Concierge]

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly – 5*****
What a magical, wonderful story! This is a quest, a fairy tale, a horror story, a coming-of-age story, and a psychological study all in one. I love David, and I loved how Connolly incorporated so many life lessons in this imaginative tale. The adventures David has while in this “other” land are familiar and yet disturbingly different. Connolly is known as a writer of mystery thrillers, and his skill at writing a fast-paced, suspense-filled narrative shows here. I was immediately engaged in the story and couldn’t put it down.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Cateline]

I've just finished missing person by Patrick Modiano, the 2014 Nobel Prize in Literature winner.
Definitely worth the read. My review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tonya]

Kat wrote: "I loved Carry the One, which is set in the recent past (ending in 2008). Its three main characters, all sibs, are somewhat like people I know in my own life: a social worker who is ..."

I read this, while I was off CR. Did not remember the title, but your description made me remember.

It was more middling to me. It was a story worth telling, and like you I recognized the people (sort of.) On the other hand, I wanted a little something more, I think.

[Ruth]

Book Concierge wrote: " The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly – 5*****
What a magical, wonderful story! This is a quest, a fairy tale, a horror story, a coming-of-age stor..."

I was enamored of the idea of this book before I actually read it. Somehow it didn't work for me. 2**

[Sue]

Cateline wrote: "I've just finished missing person by Patrick Modiano, the 2014 Nobel Prize in Literature winner.
Definitely worth the read. My review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."

I've added this one. Definitely want to read it.

[Nicole]

Cateline wrote: "I've just finished missing person by Patrick Modiano, the 2014 Nobel Prize in Literature winner.
Definitely worth the read.

I just read this also. I was surprised by how much I ended up liking it. I think I may put some of his others on my to-read list.

[Sue]

I'm currently reading Modiano's Suspended Sentences: Three Novellas and really enjoying it. He is a powerful writer, very captivated with memory, the past.

[Cateline]

Nicole & Sue.....me too, he is definitely on my to be bought list!
It seemed to grow on me, the more I thought about it.

[Sue]

Cateline wrote: "Nicole & Sue.....me too, he is definitely on my to be bought list!
It seemed to grow on me, the more I thought about it."

There is something that gnaws at the back of the brain about his writing. (Does that make sense.) It's those little bits of memory and shards of visuals that spark memory. We all have them from time to time but Modiano has found a way to write them, not just write about them.

[Nicole]

Cateline wrote: "It seemed to grow on me, the more I thought about it."

Exactly. At first I was like, well, I guess this is okay, but then as I was reading my way through, I got more and more engrossed and it seemed more and more like a serious book, and then by the end I was like, well, I'll be reading more of him.

[Cateline]

It's true, at first I was not impressed. But the more I read, the more I didn't want to put it down. I've ordered two more of Modiano's books. One of them is Sue's present read, and The Search Warrant. Sorry that's not a link, but I couldn't get GR to pull it up on the add book/author thingy. But it is listed on here.
I'm understanding more and more why he was awarded the prize. I floated along with the character and was truly enfolded by it.

[Portia]

I began reading The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher last evening. I've just finished my second reading of the story "Sorry to Disturb." I feel even more chilled by the story the second time around, especially since it is my understanding that is autobiographical, that Ms. Mantel's husband was posted to the Middle East early in their marriage and that's she had to undergo treatment for an illness when she was a young woman. Even after a second reading, I am not sure what really happened and what was induced by the chemicals the main character was prescribed. Now I'm about the read the second story, "Comma," about something in a chaise stared at by little girls. Glad I'm not home alone tonight.