What books are you reading now? (2020) Showing 751-800 of 2,222

[Roman Clodia]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "We could have our own little buddy reading corner!"

Nice idea! Sounds like there are other Zola fans here who might like to join in too.

In terms of books, I have L'Assommoir and Nana of those you'd reread.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Roman Clodia wrote: "In terms of books, I have L'Assommoir and Nana of those you'd reread."

I think those should be read in that order. What translator do you have? I'll put them on my buddy reads list. Brian are you also interested in these?

And, Brian, you can add Nana to your Brian Nelson translations for 2020, coming out June 1. Wrong. He is the editor on the 2020, edition. The translator is Helen Constantine.

[Roman Clodia]

L'Assommoire is Margaret Maulden in Oxford , and Nana is an old Penguin (from my school days!) by George Holden .

[Brian E]

I wasn't that interested in Nana but would like to do L'Assommoir, depending on my schedule at the time you read it.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Roman Clodia wrote: "L'Assommoire is Margaret Maulden in Oxford , and Nana is an old Penguin (from my school days!) by George Holden ."

Maulden translation is available at a not unreasonable price in Kindle and I will get it. I don't see the Holden available on an easy search. I see the new June 2020 translation is also reasonably priced. It might be interesting to compare translations when we get to it.

Do October and November work for you? L'Assomoir followed by Nana?

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

And, with a bit of irony, here I am volunteering to reread some Zola and neither of them are Brian Nelson translations!

[Roman Clodia]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Do October and November work for you? L'Assomoir followed by Nana? "

Sounds perfect. I've been reading so many modern/contemporary books, It'll be good to do some Zola.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Sounds perfect. I've been reading so many modern/contemporary books, It'll be good to do some Zola."

Thank you and they're on the spreadsheet!

[Chrissie]

I am now reaching the end of Germinal and my, it is exciting. Not surprised this has been filmed several times! While you were all talking bout Zola, I have been reading! I personally think Zola took the drama a bit too far in the(view spoiler)[collapsed mine where he has Etiénne, Chaval and Catherine together. Seriously, sex at this point (hide spoiler)] is more for drama than a depiction of reality.

What I am reading is I think translated by Roger Pearson. It flows pretty smoothly. Perhaps it has a contemporary feel to it. Certain phrases are repeated a bit too often; "cheek by jowl" is used many times.

Nana, did not impress me. Thérèse Raquin I preferred much more, and although I always try and separate the audiobook narration from the author's written words, I think I was influenced by actress Kate Winslet's tremendous performance of the audiobook.

I would have to say that Germinal has impressed me. The author's ability to bring such a large group of central characters, the owners, villagers and workers at the Voreux mine is extremely well done. There are about twenty and I feel as though I know them all personally. The village is extremely well depicted; I have visited villages such as this in northern France! The details are perfect and the landscapes lyrically drawn.

Because of Germinal, I will definitely be reading all I can get my hands on by Zola. I do not not want to wait until the end of the year though! My next one will be The Masterpiece. I think The Bright Side of Life after that.

[Nigeyb]

When you've decided what to do and when, then just create a buddy read thread, or ask a mod to do it. I will also add it to our list of forthcoming reads.

[Nigeyb]

Nigeyb wrote: "When you've decided what Émile Zola book to do and when, then just create a buddy read thread, or ask a mod to do it.

I will also add it to our list of forthcoming reads."

I've also created a dedicated Favourite Authors thread for Émile Zola...

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Thank you, Nigeyb. It feels odd to have had a conversation about this 19th Century author in the 20th Century group. I'm very glad to have found some kindred spirits, though.

[Nigeyb]

We're never too precious about rules here Elizabeth. I'm glad you appreciate the opportunity to wax lyrical with fellow Zola-istes

[Roman Clodia]

Chrissie wrote: "I am now reaching the end of Germinal and my, it is exciting."

I must get to this soon!

Elizabeth, am I right in thinking that Nana is Gervaise's daughter?

[Joy D]

Published in 1997 - can't believe it too me this long to get around to reading it:

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom - 5 stars - My Review

[Roman Clodia]

Following our various discussions about Palace Walk and Night of the Miraj, I'm about to start the audiobook of Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel.

[Susan]

Oh, that's a really interesting insight into Mantel, RC. I am sure you will like it.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Elizabeth, am I right in thinking that Nana is Gervaise's daughter?"

Yes.

[Chrissie]

Now here is a very good classic--Germinal by Émile Zola.

My review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have begun The Borgias: The Hidden History by G.J. Meyer. So far, it is good. So far, it is clear.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "Oh, that's a really interesting insight into Mantel, RC. I am sure you will like it."

You were right, I found Eight Months on Ghazzah Street completely gripping and fascinating aas my review explains.

Ideal reading after Miraj and Palace Walk.

[Chrissie]

Here follows what I thought of The Borgias: The Hidden History by G.J. Meyer.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Now I am reading Mary Roberts Rinehart's The Amazing Interlude. She is known best for her vintage mysteries, but this isn't one of them. The prose style is unusual. There is an underlying humor that makes me smile.

[Joy D]

Just finished this classic by George Orwell. I liked it but not as much as the other two of his I've read: 1984 and Animal Farm.

Coming Up for Air by George Orwell - 3 stars - My Review

[Susan]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Susan wrote: "Oh, that's a really interesting insight into Mantel, RC. I am sure you will like it."

You were right, I found Eight Months on Ghazzah Street completely gripping and f..."

So glad you liked it, RC. I have loved all of Mantel's books, which I have read, so far.

[Chrissie]

Mary Roberts Rinehart is an author that should be better well known. I can recommend her The Amazing Interlude. It is her mysteries that are most popular.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have begun a novella by D.H. Lawrence-- The Captain's Doll. I have noted that I particularly like the author's short pieces of writing. It is set during the First World War, as the book just completed was.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "I have loved all of Mantel's books, which I have read, so far."

What else have you read that you'd recommend?

[Joy D]

Published in 1966, this book is about three men in Haiti during the regime of "Papa Doc" Duvalier:

The Comedians by Graham Greene - My Review

[Chrissie]

The Captain's Doll by D.H. Lawrence is a shortie, but I liked it.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am about to begin Come and Join the Dance by Joyce Johnson. It belongs to the genre of beat literature.

[Tania]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1966, this book is about three men in Haiti during the regime of "Papa Doc" Duvalier:

The Comedians by Graham Greene - My Review"

That one sounds interesting, I've added it to my library list.

I'm reading A.A. Milne. His life by Ann Thwaite, which Susan recommended earlier in the thread. Really enjoying it. Also The Freaks of Mayfair by E.F. Benson, which is fun, and Greengates by R.C. Sherriff. I've really liked everything I've read by him so far.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I have started Margaret Drabble's The Millstone. I'm not quite 10% in, but like what I've read so far. As if I needed more options for books to read, I'll keep my eye out for others by her.

[Jan C]

I just finished The Mystery of Hunting's End and was going to start the next Mignon G. Eberhart's next book - From This Dark Stairway. But the copy I had was too small print for my "old" eyes - had to order a new (and hopefully) larger print copy.

[Chrissie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I have started Margaret Drabble's The Millstone. I'm not quite 10% in, but like what I've read so far. As if I needed more options for books to read, I'll keep my eye out for others b..."

Thanks for bringing Drabble to my attention;

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Chrissie wrote: "Thanks for bringing Drabble to my attention;"

I hope you find something to like, Chrissie.

[Chrissie]

I definitely enjoyed reading Come and Join the Dance by Joyce Johnson, a female author of the Beat Generation.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Thank you, Nigeyb, for bringing the book to my attention.

I have begun The Pianist: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939–45 by Władysław Szpilman. I have had it on my lists for ages but didn't know it had come out in audio format.

[Chrissie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Thanks for bringing Drabble to my attention;"

I hope you find something to like, Chrissie."

Are you still liking the Millstone? I found this--The Pure Gold Baby.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Yes, I'm still liking The Millstone. I had previously enjoyed her The Witch of Exmoor. I like her writing style and I think she does a good job with characterizations, the two elements that are most important to me. Not sure I'd pick up The Pure Gold Baby right away - another unwed mother theme.

[Chrissie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Yes, I'm still liking The Millstone. I had previously enjoyed her The Witch of Exmoor. I like her writing style and I think she does a good job with characterizations, the two element..."

That is all that is available to me. I am hoping that the good characterization and writing will make the plot OK......ETA, You're right, I think I will skip it!

[Joy D]

This one just barely squeaks into the 20th century, published in 2000, but set in the 1930's and 1940's in Canada:

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood - 5 stars - My Review

[Chrissie]

If holocaust literature interests you, you should read The Pianist: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Survival in Warsaw, 1939–45 by Władysław Szpilman-

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have begun The First Mrs. Rothschild by Sara Aharoni.

[Roman Clodia]

I've just slogged my way through volume 3 of Proust: The Guermantes Way - did anyone else have problems with this one? I enjoyed the first two volumes and have just started the fourth - I don't know if it was the fact that it was a different translator but I just had to grit my teeth and push through it in order to get to the next book which is better already.

[Joy D]

This book is a good one if you're looking for a book about the home front in the UK during WWII (1940):

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan - 4 stars - My Review

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Joy D wrote: "This book is a good one if you're looking for a book about the home front in the UK during WWII (1940):

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan - 4 stars - My..."

A member of my face to face group talked about that as one she enjoyed.

[Susan]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just slogged my way through volume 3 of Proust: The Guermantes Way - did anyone else have problems with this one? I enjoyed the first two volumes and have just started the four..."

Did that one have the interminable dinner party? I loved Proust, but there was one volume that I struggled with in parts.

[Judy]

I loved it too but also struggled with the dinner party. I read the older translation.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "Did that one have the interminable dinner party? I loved Proust, but there was one volume that I struggled with in parts."

Yes, that's the one! Thanks both - I'm glad it's not just me. That party was everlasting. Also it's the one where his grandmother dies and I expected it to trigger all kinds of memories and meditations on death... but nothing. But I think I can see why now that I'm in Sodom and Gomorrah...

[Pamela]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just slogged my way through volume 3 of Proust: The Guermantes Way - did anyone else have problems with this one? I enjoyed the first two volumes and have just started the four..."

Yes, looking back I only gave that one 3 stars. I think it was the dinner party, and Saint Loup talking (at length) about war that I struggled with. Your review was very fair, though, it reminded me of the good bits, like the Gods in the theatre.

[Roman Clodia]

Thanks Pamela - yes, that whole war discussion! Now that I've read the next volume it makes a bit more sense within the overall design of the work but I can understand why so many people abandon Proust.

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I can understand why so many people abandon Proust."

I abandoned Proust in the first volume when he talked about the sweet smell of his chamber pot after eating asparagus.

[Roman Clodia]

Haha, that definitely sounds Proustian!

[Joy D]

Historical fiction about life in the Appalachians, primarily in the late 1920’s to 1940’s. A young mother living in Charleston takes her two children and leaves her abusive husband to find her deceased father’s relatives in the Carolina mountains. Mary Seneca Steele moves into an old abandoned house and develops a romantic relationship with a cousin. It is a story of love, land, family, and finding a sense of home. This book is based on a real situation from the author’s family history, what she calls “an adventure of the heart.” It is too bad this work is not more widely known. It is wonderful piece of writing.

Refuge by Dot Jackson - 4 stars - My Review

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Haha, that definitely sounds Proustian!"

It was a level of detail I thought I could live without. ;-)