Play Book Tag discussion
Footnotes
>
Trim 2020 Continuation - Announcement, Community, and Chit Chat Thread
Joanne wrote: "Over at LibraryThing, ..."Well, that is timely, eh? LoL"
She can just read the news.
Theresa wrote: "She can just read the news."LOL!
LibraryCin wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "I didn't get the books for Jan or Feb read yet and am at the beginning of my March book but my #6 for April is The Stand hahahahahaha"LOL!
Over at LibraryThing, ..."
Yikes! No thanks... I need escapist lit :P
Charlotte wrote: "I didn't get the books for Jan or Feb read yet and am at the beginning of my March book but my #6 for April is The Stand hahahahahaha"So I actually thought about re-reading this, but I recall not being able to sleep for a week after my first read (sometime back in the 80s) and now it's just too parallel to current events for me.
Meli wrote: "Yikes! No thanks... I need escapist lit :P.."I think the year-long disaster challenge was my suggestion? It wouldn't have happened if others weren't also interested.
Of course, the March Epidemic theme was chosen toward the end of last year, so we had no idea how things would pan out at this time this year!
Yea... part of me wants to read it and part of me wants to read a bunch of fun and light things.
LibraryCin wrote: "Meli wrote: "Yikes! No thanks... I need escapist lit :P.."I think the year-long disaster challenge was my suggestion? It wouldn't have happened if others weren't also interested.
Of course, the..."
Yeah, I figured. It sounds like the type of thing you have to plan in advance.
Good luck!
I never officially chose a #22, so making it a book I read in March- A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America, which I've been meaning to read for a long time, and did this month.Next up #6- The Orphan Master's Son, not quite light and fluffy. I think I'll be able to get an audio hold lined up for this month, but no promises.
I admit to starting my April pick, The Breaker, late March but I finished it 1st April (I just fancied reading a crime book). A solid 5 stars from me and Minette Walters is definitely a new favourite author.
I am moving my # 6 to # 2 and vice versa...my # 6 is a WWII book and I just cannot even wrap my head around it right now. So my new # 6 is First Lady of the Confederacy: Varina Davis's Civil War -still a war book, but more a bio of Jefferson Davis' wife. Started last night and feeling better about it then I did the original # 6 I had started April 1st and only read 10 pages of.....
I completely abandoned all planned reading a couple days ago and read a non-fiction horror book called Paperbacks From Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction and then started When Darkness Loves Us. Great escapist horror :P
Meli wrote: "I completely abandoned all planned reading a couple days ago and read a non-fiction horror book called Paperbacks From Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction and ..."Good plan Meli-read what makes you feel best-but I am giggling that for you it is horror! I am reading The Warded Man tagged as fantasy-but a lot of horror going on in it and I am only a few chapters in-you might like it
Joanne wrote: "Meli wrote: "I completely abandoned all planned reading a couple days ago and read a non-fiction horror book called [book:Paperbacks From Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction|3..."Yeah, it's weird. I have backed off a lot from horror to read other stuff, but I went full on horror mode this weekend watching bad schlocky slashers when I wasn't reading...
Just looked up that book and it does sound pretty dark.
#6The Lizard Cage- Karen Connelly -4 stars
My cat Rosie, will sit in the sink for long periods of time to watch the water drip from the faucet and that is what it felt like reading The Lizard Cage during the first 50 pages.
The prologue hooked me and I wouldn't have been able to continue except I wanted to find out about this nameless boy. This boy, an orphan is dropped off at a Buddhist monastery and he is a mystery. He is sad and the Hsayadaw (the senior Monk or teacher) is drawn to him and wants to help him:
"Once when he was wrestling with frustration, the Hsayadaw told him, “It’s all right to cry. It’s just a little water that needs to get out. We could put it in a cup if you’re worried about losing it.” The boy laughed, and his work became easier."
After we leave the prologue we are shifted to the lizard cage where Teza an imprisoned political, who was a noted singer and musician in Myanmar, resides. Teza is hungry and he spends much of his time thinking about food. Karen Connelly really slows down the action at this point and the reader focuses on the endless time dripping through the faucet while hunger gnaws.
And then something does happen and the reader is drawn in and rendered raw. Cruelty is a part of life in prison and we see it in its most primitive forms, but we are also exposed to love and hope.
This is not an easy book to read and for that I removed a star, but it is a worthwhile and perhaps transformative read. Connelly, a Canadian spent years along the Thai-Myanmar border, says that in writing the book:
"But after my research was finished, I had to go into Teza’s prison and live there, alone, in my imagination. After I started writing the novel in earnest, I wrote in tears every day for two years, distraught by the process of internalization that would make my characters and their experiences authentic in writing."
The Lizard Cage won Orange Prize for New Writers (2007), and Kiriyama Prize Nominee for Fiction (2006) .
I am happy to have read this and if my review appeals to you, I would encourage you to do the same.
Just finished by April book: Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane.I'm so happy I had this on my Trim list! I'm almost certain I saw this on one or more PBTer's top 10 from last year, and I love that I've discovered so many wonderful books here!
Link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
March Trim #22- Murder on the Orient ExpressMurder on the Orient Express is my third Christie mystery after And Then There Were None and Murder at the Vicarage. I had the misfortune to see the movie before reading the book; as the movie tickets were a surprise from a friend. My personal opinion is the book was better and I wish I would have experienced them in reverse order.
Hercule Poirot becomes embroiled in his latest mystery when his travels in Istanbul are cut short by a summons to return to London to examine new evidence related to a previous case. He obtains passage on the fully booked Orient Express via a friend and director of the railway Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits Monsieur Bouc. A series of strange occurrences ensue that first night; amongst the most crucial being American businessman Ratchett asking Poirot to protect him from received death threats, American traveler Mrs. Hubbard ringing the conductor and revealing she believes a man to be in her room and the train becoming snow-bound in Yugoslavia. The following morning it is revealed Ratchett has been murdered and Poirot is tasked by Bouc to determine the killer.
The setting of the train was unique but also provided the perfect opportunity for Christie to craft a thinking man’s mystery. I wish more books were set on trains! While some have designated this as one of Christie’s more intricately layered mysteries I find myself in disagreement and feel crucial clues are revealed early on. Overall, this was a 3 star read for me.
Christie fans, what others should I add to my must read list?
@Hayjay - I recently read the Murder of Roger Ackroyd - I highly recommend.
I just finished The Moneychangers by Arthur Hailey - 4 Stars. It was a great book to relax with and I'm glad #6 was picked. I'm still waiting for my #22 hold at the library which is Darling Rose Gold.
Joi wrote: "Ditching my #6- The Orphan Master's Son. Not in the mood for a North Korea book right now."That's the spirit Joi! LoL
#6Less by Andrew Sean Greer
3 stars
Arthur Less is seen as an average writer. He is about to turn fifty years old and after his latest book has been rejected by his publishing company he has planned an international trip. During this excursion Less will be a professor, receive an award, travel into the desert and try to edit his novel. Less is also trying to avoid hearing anything about the marriage of someone he had been in a relationship with.
Greer shows how Less feels sorry for himself. Greer has others’ opinions of Less make their way into the story and he finally sees why his novel is not working. The book has some funny parts and a variety of minor characters. Background stories are also important. Less is not always likable, but the reader slowly sees how he affects others.
Finished my #6 - China Rich Girlfriend! Here's hoping the May pick is also in my house. I actually pulled a lot of my picks from the pile in the hall - but I supposed we will see.
# 22Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
3 stars
This story revolves around Patty and her daughter, Rose Gold. Five years earlier Patty went to prison for child abuse after having been found guilty of poisoning and starving Rose Gold for most her life. Patty had been fooling everyone into thinking Rose Gold was sick. Now Patty is getting out of jail and Rose Gold is letting her mother stay with her.
Both Patty and Rose Gold are trying to be in control of the situation. The chapters alternate between their points of view. Neither of the characters are likable and both have agendas. The topic is a bit disturbing, and the child abuse part of he story is said to be based off of a real life situation. The book has suspense and manipulation; and who is lying in this thriller may not always be clear.
Are we ready for the May number or do we still have to wait for bingo and poll ballot?
I am ready, Meli, even though I have yet to read either February or March. I blame Proust and pandemic equally.
I'm ready, even though I'm still waiting for the ebook for April's pick at the library... maybe I can read May's in the meantime!
ready! I'm currently reading my march book and can't access april till library opens. But that's a graphic novel so it will be a fast read.
And the winner is.... #21!
And mine is New Boy which I am a little nervous to read because it is a retelling of Othello with the protagonist recast as an 11 year (I think) so kinda depressing potentially.
the Einstein Girl by Philip Sington. just read the blurb and it definitely won't fit comedy, so mr penumbra for the tag!
Mine is Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, which I think is meant to be a buddy read. Never done one of those before!
My #21 is Night Soldiers, which is not a book I have on hand and no way will my Library be opening anytime soon-so I am going to switch it out for something else that is on the list-not sure what though. I was going to switch it out for The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared because it fits the May Tag-but I am showing that as a buddy read-so I need to rethink what I am going to do
Heather Reads Books wrote: "Mine is Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, which I think is meant to be a buddy read. Never done one of those before!"My book club is reading this for June!
Joi wrote: "The Virgin Suicides is mine.
50/50 chance I'll read it it May, lol."
I've always wanted to read this.
My April book is The Witch Elm and I don't think I will finish. Too long, not very engaging right now. But I would try to pick it up again another time.
My #21 is Odinsbarn by Siri Pettersen. Norwegian fantasy with Nordic mythology. I've heard good things. It's available as both audio and ebook from my library. So all good. Only thing is, I am in the middle of several other fantasy series and I ought to read those first. Haha who am I kidding, I can't say no to a new shiny fantasy series! ;DIt's in a shitload of languages, except English... I've noticed this with other non-English, European fantasy: It seems to get translated to everything from Polish to Russian to Italian. Basically all over Continental Europe, but it doesn't cross the small pond to Britain or the large pond to US.
https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
Heather Reads Books wrote: "Mine is Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, which I think is meant to be a buddy read. Never done one of those before!"Heather, I have that as my #21. I don't know if anyone else is onboard with that.
It is also marked comedy, so that is really cool.
Booknblues wrote: "Heather, I have that as my #21. I don't know if anyone else is onboard with that."I'm not really sure what goes into a buddy read, but I'm up for it. And that's fantastic that it's tagged as comedy. That may save me from trying to tackle Infinite Jest next month, as that's the only other book tagged "comedy" on my TBR I could think of.
My next one is The Devil's Highway: A True Story which the library does not have in a digital format. I need to catch up on earlier ones anyhow...
Booknblues wrote: "Heather Reads Books wrote: "Mine is Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows, which I think is meant to be a buddy read. Never done one of those before!"Heather, I have that as my #21. I..."
It's my #21 as well! And I'm certainly up for a buddy read.
My #21 is Where the Forest Meets the Stars!
Ok, so the buddy read was with Nancy, and she is planning on read it (The 100 year old Man) so I am going for it too
Great that its a match for Comedy too, right?I just also want to say like I do every month, how glad i am that the Optional Trim has gone smoothly and that we've all been into it. it really does seem to self run with ease. I am also glad that erotic punjabi windows is finally up, because that was one of the few books that had like 12-15 people, and you guys will have fun. Good for Amazon too. Although Independent Bookstore order might be better if you can swing it.
@Johanne, Odinsbarn is great, same goes for the rest of the trilogy. Enjoy! 😊
@Hilde, I'm looking forward to it. I might not get to it in May but I will. This years unofficial trim is going much better than last year.
I mean I will read it, just not sure if it will be in May.
Play Book Tag
Books mentioned in this topic
Song of Susannah (other topics)The Reckoning (other topics)
Friends Like Us (other topics)
Women of the Silk (other topics)
Old Sparky: The Electric Chair and the History of the Death Penalty (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Sharon Kay Penman (other topics)
Imbolo Mbue (other topics)
Isla Dewar (other topics)
Annejet van der Zijl (other topics)
More...
Well, that is timely, eh? LoL"
I know, right!?