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What books did you get from the library, bookstore, online? - 2020
madrano wrote: "I have four ebooks awaiting me on my machine.The Cabinets of Barnaby Mayne--Elsa Hart, which is set in the early 1700s. I'm a sucker for cabinets and this was th..."
I also read the above, which was serviceable but nothing to write home about. I suspect a series is coming but i didn't like it enough to pursue. What i did like, of course, was the description of the cabinets, which filled a mansion in England in 1703. The owner died and the heir, friends and others are out to see what they can get from the estate. Unfortunately, as much as i liked reading about the cabinets and some of their items, it feel short in that area.
The mystery was fine and it was only near the end that i realized who it had to be. That's always nice. :-)
madrano wrote: "In Message #139 i mentioned getting four books from the library. I've completed two and thought i'd share here.First of all, thank you to John for the title [book:The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating..."
Thanks for the mention! Snail is one that I felt folks here would truly appreciate.
madrano wrote: "I also finished David Heska Wanbli Weiden's mystery, Winter Counts. Winter counts are pictorial calendars/histories in which tribal records were recorded by Native..."This looks interesting.
Barbara, i could have used a few more traditions myself, but i what was shared were relevant. John, i agree. I think many here would like it. Alias, i thought of you while reading Snail because, in some ways, her writing reminded me of the May Sarton books we read together. The appreciation of nature is similar and both are excellent writers.
madrano wrote: "In Message #139 i mentioned getting four books from the library. I've completed two and thought i'd share here.First of all, thank you to John for the title [book:The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating..."
I posted in the eBook thread that Amazon has the eBook on sale for $2
Good deal. She mentions a couple of fiction pieces in the book. Today Dan brought home Patricia Highsmith's short story collection, Eleven. It had both the stories referenced in Elisabeth Tova Bailey's book.The first was The Snail Watcher (The Snail-Watcher and Other Stories), about a man who is fascinated by snails and brings some into his home. The second was The Quest for Blank Claveringi, about a professor who seeks giant snails on a remote Pacific island. I can see why they entertained Bailey.
madrano wrote: I've read much contemporary Native American literature. This is one of the most honest depictions of life on a reservation that i've read. e..."Thanks for sharing.
madrano wrote: ".. Alias, i thought of you while reading Snail because, in some ways, her writing reminded me of the May Sarton books we read together. The appreciation of nature is similar and both are excellent writers.."I did enjoy those Sarton books.
Went to the bookstore on Sunday and picked up The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Needed some fiction and I'm excited to read both!
Chuma wrote: "Went to the bookstore on Sunday and picked up The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Needed some fiction and I'm excited to read both!"
I LOVED Eleanor Oliphant. I hope you do, too !
Alias Reader wrote: "Chuma wrote: "Went to the bookstore on Sunday and picked up The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Needed some fiction and I'm excited t..."
Ditto in Eleanor Oliphant - I enjoyed it too1
While i haven't read Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost, which i thought was well written. Having seen the movie based on The English Patient, i had no interest in reading the book. Probably another good reason not to see the film first, eh?Enjoy your new selections, Chuma. We look forward to reading your thoughts on the books.
Earlier this week i checked out & began reading Pearl S. Buck's Pavillion of Women. This was selected for my Determination List for a book "Set in China". I was immediately immersed in the story. Madame Wu, after over 20 years of marriage, turns 40. On that birthday she informs her family that she is going to find a concubine for her husband...and they are stunned. Has he been unfaithful? A bad husband? Nope, she just wants to assure she will not become pregnant again but understands his duty to continue to provide children for the family.What a start. I'm almost halfway finished already and still liking it. Buck shares her appreciation for Chinese ways and tells the story well. A new character has been added, a large white priest/monk and i fear the direction the book will take. We'll see.
madrano wrote: "Earlier this week i checked out & began reading Pearl S. Buck's Pavillion of Women. This was selected for my Determination List for a book "Set in China". I was immedia..."I'll bet some ladies elsewhere would consider this approach. 😀
madrano wrote: "Earlier this week i checked out & began reading Pearl S. Buck's Pavillion of Women. This was selected for my Determination List for a book "Set in China". I was immedia..."A friend who loves Buck always recommends,
The Child Who Never Grew: A Memoir by Pearl S. Buck
At times i could see the appeal. But, Barbara, it's been fascinating to watch what develops as her decision has repercussions with all the Wu family members!
Alias, Buck broke ground with that book. I read the Wiki bio of the author and was reminded of how vast her life was.
Borrowed
Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman from the library for a group read. While I was there I bought two books from the sale table by the Australian author Joy Dettman I love her writing and haven't read her since I left Australia far too many years ago.
Ripples on a Pond
The Tying of Threads
It's neat that your library is having group reads, Sandy. I hope you like the book. Lippman can write well.Lucky you to find two books from the sale table at the library. Our library not only isn't selling books right now, they also are not accepting donations. Horrors!
I was enjoying this book and decided I need to purchase a hard copy to write in and have the ability to slowly ponder. I truly am trying not to buy books, but I think this one is a keeper. I am listening to the audio book.
Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment---Robert Wright
Writing in one's own books is one of those secret pleasures readers don't often mention. When the books are as full of ideas and tips as this one sounds, the hard copy is terrific. Enjoy, Alias! Consider it your "house-warming" gift to yourself.
madrano wrote: "Writing in one's own books is one of those secret pleasures readers don't often mention. When the books are as full of ideas and tips as this one sounds, the hard copy is terrific. Enjoy, Alias! Co..."Deb, I am hoping it will help me be more consistent with my mediation. A much needed endeavor in these trying times.
My daughter says meditating has helped keep her sane this year as much as her daily runs/walks.
madrano wrote: "My daughter says meditating has helped keep her sane this year as much as her daily runs/walks."I don't doubt it. It helps quite the mind. What I am finding interesting is seeing where the mind goes when it's suppose to be in the present counting breaths. Does it go to the past, future, fantasy, worry, etc. I take note, and then go back to my breath. Later on I can notice a pattern or concern. That is why I like the Wright book. He explains this in detail. I found it quite helpful.
Interesting note to share. I guess it wouldn't occur to me to consider patterns. Neat.
Upthread, message 165, i mentioned that i began reading Pearl S. Buck's novel, Pavillion of Women. I finished it last week and wanted to say it was a mixed bag for me. In my original post i mentioned the introduction of a non-Chinese character, a sort of priest, which i feared would alter the feeling of the book. He did but, fortunately, not in the way i thought.First of all, i believe Buck writes masterfully about the details, characters and beings in her books. In this one, the character development of Madame Wu was very well presented. When she turned 40, she arranged for a concubine for her husband, ostensibly so she would not become pregnant this late in her life. In actuality, she really wanted to be left alone.
It all went well until she hires a man from the US to help educate her son. Madame soon has hired him to help her learn about the wider world. Her curiosity is a delight to behold, as is the way her thinking alters. It turns out the man was not a religious man, as in with an organized religion, but one with respect for all life.
I reread comments by a couple of others here who read this book in 2016 (Petra & Julie) and agree there was some dragging of the story in places. There was also what i viewed as possible mental illness, as Madame begins having conversations with a dead person. This part of the story was iffy for me but, as it helped with her growth, i managed to keep it in that context.
Overall, i liked the book. Upthread Alias mentioned Buck's book, The Child Who Never Grew, which i hope to read this year, as well. My e-version of the book held photos of Buck, her family and shots she took in China, all of which i appreciated, too.
Two other books i finished recently but neglected to mention here, despite my intentions. The first was a cookbook with a topic i find bizarre, yet this is the second i've read about it, Perre Coleman Magness's The Southern Sympathy Cookbook: Funeral Food with a Twist. Do northerners just not have special dishes for funerals? The earlier book i read was Being Dead Is No Excuse: The Official Southern Ladies Guide to Hosting the Perfect Funeral, in which authors Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays shared recipes, including 5 or 6 different ones for Pimento & Cheese, for pity's sake!Still, they were fun to read. In this Magness book she shares recipes i've heard about but never read, including how to bake a complete ham, bake a chicken in a paper bag and how to make "Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter Hummus". Who doesn't want that?!
The other book is a novel mentioned by John, Kitchens of the Great Midwest--J. Ryan Stradal. Talk about a contrast! There are recipes in this one, too, but, for the most part they are plain simple "you probably already have the recipe" sorts, to make points about the characters.
The book also, however, takes jabs at the other end of the spectrum, today's "foodies" who delight in being able to tell you the organic source of all their recipe ingredients. This part of the story is delightful and when they sorta "clash" one is challenged to pick a side...or so it seemed to me.
The story is really relating the first 25 or so years of Eva Thorvald, who develops an intriguing business. We witness her growth as other characters and their cooking/recipes are introduced. They cumulate in a delightful description of a final meal of the book. In all, a somewhat surprising book. She creates recipes and unique venues in which to serve them at ever-increasing prices for the consumers.
I have been to very few funerals, but the ones I've been to have been either at restaurants afterwards (my grandmother and great aunt), or in my father's case my mother arranged for a catered event after his memorial service months later.I recall the southern TV chef on PBS Nathalie Dupree doing an episode on funeral food as part of her series.
I haven't been to many funerals either, John. I remember that there was food but nothing that stood out. When my brother-in-law and, 18 months later, my nephew died in suburban Dallas, neighbors brought food for post-service but most came from Costco & like. However, neighbors did provide meals for the remaining family for a couple of weeks, which was quite helpful. Most of those were their own family favorites and every one included dessert. These neighbors even had a sign up sheet, so that my sister wasn't flooded with food immediately, then abandoned. It was well accomplished.
The most recent family post-funeral meal was in a restaurant but it was presented as a Covid-thing. I'm not sure how much safer it was, but i think restaurants are the way to go.
madrano wrote: "Upthread, message 165, i mentioned that i began reading Pearl S. Buck's novel, Pavillion of Women. I finished it last week and wanted to say it was a mixed bag for me. ..."Nice review, deb !
madrano wrote: "Two other books i finished recently but neglected to mention here, despite my intentions. The first was a cookbook with a topic i find bizarre, yet this is the second i've read about it, [author:Pe..."I've been to restaurants after a funeral. One was in a home but they had it catered by a restaurant.
Interesting to have a cookbook dedicated to funeral foods. I have heard about bringing casseroles and such to the bereaved to eat later in the week.
Good idea to have the restaurant cater in someone's home. That way there the bereaved can be comfortable in their own way.
For my Determination List's "Book About Music", i've been reading Thad Carhart's The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier. He shares his personal story of learning to play the piano as a child, then resuming as an adult, all in Paris. His dad was stationed in Paris, which is why his story began there, however, this tale encompasses much more, including the history of pianos, some who have taught him music and that li'l left bank piano shop of the title. I'm liking the book, as it's sharing much.As some here may recall, i am not a person who can listen to tv or music while reading. However, last night i did so, beginning with this YouTube video of Yeol Eum Son playing Beethoven's "Hammerklavier sonata", which Carhart mentions while relating the story of pianos themselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3xWy...
It was quite nice because i didn't know any of the music, so wasn't "singing along" with it. After that we listened to Paul Barton's rendition of the Anna Magdalena Notebook by Bach. Quite a contrast. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRyE7...
madrano wrote: "For my Determination List's "Book About Music", i've been reading Thad Carhart's The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier. H..."I have that book noted in my TBR list. Thanks for the review.
When searching for a book about music, i ran across a biography of folk singing great, Odetta: A Life in Music and Protest. While reading the above piano book, i read a couple of these chapters from Ian Zack's book and continued after finishing the piano one. This is the second biography i read this year which contains more quotes about the subject than from herself. It's a tad frustrating but, like Rosa Parks (subject of the other bio), Odetta was private about her off-stage life. The result is i still feel as though i don't know much about her life.
There are plenty of songs listed, and details about the albums she released. The author also quoted quite often from reviews of many of her performances. Frankly, my impression was that he had a page-number requirement & this is how he reached it.
There was talk about how she influenced more famous singers, such as Bob Dylan but not much from him directly. Joan Baez credited Odetta for her own pursuit into music & was quoted directly. Overall, i was disappointed but, since i knew nothing about her life, felt i knew more about her, at least. My real takeaway from the book is that i have a great list of songs she recorded and/or performed live, many new to me.
madrano wrote: Overall, i was disappointed but, since i knew nothing about her life, felt i knew more about her, at least. My real takeaway from the book is that i have a great list of songs she recorded and/or performed live, many new to me..."That does sound a bit frustrating. Though on the plus side you now have hours of music to enjoy.
Most excellent point, Alias. I thought i knew all the folk music standards but was far from it. One thing i learned is that sea shanties have long been connected in the folk music world. I wasn't aware of that.
madrano wrote: "Most excellent point, Alias. I thought i knew all the folk music standards but was far from it. One thing i learned is that sea shanties have long been connected in the folk music world. I wasn't a..."Speaking of folk music. My favoritePete Seeger is currently heard in a Volvo commercial singing "Hard times in the Mill". While it's always nice to hear Pete, I wonder if he would have approved of this.
The Volvo XC90 | For Everyone’s Safety
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fcsM...
You ask a good question. He figured in the Odetta bio because he appreciated her singing long before she figured in the folk music world.
Last night i finished reading Rumaan Alam's Leave the World Behind. Over the years i've read plenty of science fiction with a bend toward every day life. As a result, i found this less interesting than those who read little about such things. The scifi aspect is minimal, it's mostly about two families facing an uncomfortable night together.A white family of four from Brooklyn have rented a house on Long Island for a week. The first several chapters of the book introduce them and their activities/feelings while on holiday. Then, the African American elderly owners of the very nice home arrive with a story that NYC, where they live in a high rise, has experienced a blackout & they'd like to stay in the basement overnight. After plenty of discomfort, it's agreed they'll stay.
I could not tell if it was the mother of the family which failed to engage me or the author's writing. Regardless, for me, it began with a sort of disconnect. However, i liked reading about the children and the older couple quite a bit. When events alter, the story was more engaging.
I had two concrete problems with the author's work. First of all there are two characters with first names which have the first name. Because the author moves from one character's thoughts & actions to another's, i found myself confused about which "R" character i was reading about until a disconnect sentence occurred, such as feeling her age. So, i had to backtrack.
That switching from one character to another, expressing their feelings was disconcerting, too. Alam was often unclear in his writing that a character was only thinking she'd learned something, when in fact she was imagining what could have happened. This repeated several times, confusing the flow of the story.
As i wrote, i've read better but found myself eager to see what had happened in the world. Those who were disappointed in Cormac McCarthy's The Road will be disappointed for the same reason in this book. (I hope that was vague enough.)
madrano wrote: The scifi aspect is minimal,"Those who were disappointed in Cormac McCarthy's The Road will be disappointed for the same reason in this book. (I hope that was vague enough.)
I was happy to hear that there was little sci-fi as that is not a favorite genre of mine. However, I was in the minority of really disliking The Road. That and your mention of the difficulty following characters, is enough to make up my mind. I'll take a pass.
Alias, i want to be fair to the author. The problem with following the characters happened several times but not enough to distract from the story line. I was frustrated but not enough to stop reading or even think about it. However, i certainly do not plan on reading another book by him.
madrano wrote: "Alias, i want to be fair to the author. The problem with following the characters happened several times but not enough to distract from the story line. I was frustrated but not enough to stop read..."For whatever reason I have a big problem following books with a lot of characters and non linear plots. So I am sure I wouldn't have the patience.
There are times i do too. This one didn't seem as bad as some (such as the one i'm reading now, Seishi Yokomizo's The Honjin Murders, which has a list of characters at the front). Usually, though, if a book is more character study, as the Alam novel pretty much was, i can keep track of characters. I just couldn't do so with two, who were decades apart in ages. Of course it's possible i was the problem but i don't think so. It seemed to me the author had a good story, command of the language but not a very good editor. Maybe using italics would have helped with the "thoughts"...or something.
Honjin took a while, but I managed to recall who was who without much effort (if not quite automatically) after a few chapters.
I have my suspicion but, unlike so many, i'm enjoying the ride. The tiered telling of the story through the writer is enjoyable. I will be disappointed if it's the person i think it is, i must add. The drawing of the murder site, the cast of characters and the lists of things noted are a terrific touch.
I completed the Seishi Yokomizo mystery last night. Somehow i failed to realize that this is an old book which is only now in translation for English speakers/readers. And, John, you are right, after a few chapters (& non-interrupted reading time), the characters came to mind easily.The puzzle was a good one & i liked it. Amusing is the fact that our storyteller apologizes for what he suspects might have misled readers. Did Agatha Christie ever do that? I'm pleased someone finally translated this goodie.
I want to add that the book also reinforced all i learned when i read William Scott Wilson's Walking the Kiso Road: A Modern-Day Exploration of Old Japan. Both discussed honjins, their owners and status, as well as bits about the Road system itself. I think it'll stick now!
madrano wrote: "I completed the Seishi Yokomizo mystery last night. Somehow i failed to realize that this is an old book which is only now in translation for English speakers/readers. And, John, yo..."Well... had you guessed the solution correctly? I sure didn't - talk about complex!
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In this book Virgil Wounded Horse seeks to help his nephew & ward, Nathan out of a legal problem. Nathan, who is 14, was found to have illegal pills in his school locker. From there, the story plays out.
I've read much contemporary Native American literature. This is one of the most honest depictions of life on a reservation that i've read. Nothing profound, just lives lived in the 21st century on land which once belonged to all, and how those lives have survived.