What books are you reading now? (2020) Showing 801-850 of 2,222

[Susan]

I read Proust every night for a year, as I recall. I missed him so much when I finished, but he was definitely bedtime reading.

[Roman Clodia]

That's a nice way of reading Proust, Susan. I'm more impatient to find out how things develop - now on vol. 5 The Prisoner and love that we're back in the narrator's obsessive head. Oddly, the supposedly 'slow' parts of the sequence overall are the ones that I prefer. Have to smile that the narrator is just a smidgen away from becoming a pathological stalker!

[Chrissie]

Proust wasn't for me either -- read only the first book!

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

I am currently reading Quicksand by Nella Larsen. She was an author of the Harlem Renaissance.

[Susan]

Judy was responsible for my trying Proust. I am very thankful she gave me the literary 'push.' :)

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

He's gotten a lot more attention since the 1001 Books You Should Read Before You Die came out. There was a group on Goodreads A Year of Reading Proust. I think there were many, like you Susan, who appreciated the "push".

[Roman Clodia]

I bought Proust when I was an undergrad but never got round to reading him till a year or two back when I did the first two volumes but then other stuff got in the way. It's definitely worked for me going back to him now since working from home and no commute has translated into extra reading time for me. We're clearly all different types of reader but pushing through the books in one go is working best for me - with two volumes to go, the end is in sight!

[Susan]

I did join one of the Year of Reading Proust groups, but I didn't keep up with the reading schedule. However, I did keep going and I really missed reading him, when I got to the end.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "I really missed reading him, when I got to the end."

Yes, his prose is quite hypnotic, once you succumb to the flow.

[Chrissie]

The First Mrs. Rothschild by Sara Aharoni is both about the Rothschild dynasty and the life of Jews in Frankfurt, Germany, in the 1700s. It is good. I liked it.

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

I have begun Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh. It is the first of the Sword of Honour Trilogy. Although fictional, it has to some extent autobiographical content. I am reading this b/c a number of group members have recommended it.

[Judy]

Susan wrote: "Judy was responsible for my trying Proust. I am very thankful she gave me the literary 'push.' :)"

I hadn't remembered that, Susan - I knew we read it at the same time though, and enjoyed our discussions! I was very glad to have read it too. :)

[Chrissie]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I am currently reading Quicksand by Nella Larsen. She was an author of the Harlem Renaissance."

I read Passing by Larsen and thought it was really good.

[Nigeyb]

Chrissie wrote: "I have begun Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh. It is the first of the Sword of Honour Trilogy. Although fictional, it has to some extent autobiographical content. I am reading this b/c a number of group members have recommended it."

Probably too late now Chrissie, however Sword of Honour was originally published as three separate volumes Men At Arms (1952), Officers and Gentlemen (1955), and Unconditional Surrender (1961)>

Waugh extensively revised these books to create a one-volume version 'Sword of Honour' in 1965, and it is this version that Waugh wanted people to read.

The Penguin Classics version of 'Sword of Honour', contains numerous informative and interesting footnotes and an introduction by Angus Calder, each time Waugh changed the text there is also a note. Most of sections that Waugh changed or removed was with a view to ensuring that his "hero" Guy Crouchback is perceived as more worldly and experienced than was the case in the original version of the books.

[Susan]

The Reading Gods have smiled upon us and Proust has appeared as an Audible Deal of the Day - should anyone be interested. Details in the Audible Thread.

[Chrissie]

Nigeyb wrote: "Most of sections that Waugh changed or removed was with a view to ensuring that his "hero" Guy Crouchback is perceived as more worldly and experienced than was the case in the original version of the books."

I knew the three had been published together in one, but not what you say here. So he wanted to make readers were less critical of Guy? Is this what you mean?

Could you fill me in on another thing? Is Waugh critical of the Catholic religion and / or the Roman Catholic Church? Clearly, he is critical of military powers.

I didn't have any other choice than to read each book separately, a rather typical phenomenon at Audible. I have purchased all three. I don't like the narrator--Christian Rodska. He over-dramatizes, which is to say he exaggerates to make sure the listener understands what the author's words imply. The result is you have to hear disagreeable people screeching. Part of the fun of reading a book is analyzing the author's words. I don't like this being spelled out through a narrator's interpretation..... and sometimes narrators get it all wrong.

[Chrissie]

Re Proust.

Are you interested in a funny story. When I was in Paris a number of years ago I was thinking of picking up the whole series in French. I had not read any yet, not even the first. So I asked the secondhand book dealer if the books really, REALLY, were good. Stupid of me to ask a French person, a bookseller and particularly a French bookseller. His reply was that they were magnificent. The books were expensive, so I used my head and decided to read one first, rather than immediately investing in a a whole bunch.

[Roman Clodia]

Did Waugh also change Crouchback's age? I seem to remember that in one he was 35 and in the other closer to 40 but as I started reading Men At Arms and then switched, on Nigeyb's advice, to Sword of Honour I can't remember which way round it is.

[Roman Clodia]

Susan wrote: "The Reading Gods have smiled upon us and Proust has appeared as an Audible Deal of the Day - should anyone be interested. Details in the Audible Thread."

If the narrator's right, I bet it works brilliantly on audio and could become an immersive experience.

[Chrissie]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Did Waugh also change Crouchback's age? I seem to remember that in one he was 35 and in the other closer to 40 but as I started reading Men At Arms and then switched, on Nigeyb's advice, to Sword o..."

In Men at Arms, he is thirty five at the start. Maybe somebody who has read The Sword of Honour Trilogy knows how old he is said to be there. How long is the time period covered?

[Chrissie]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Susan wrote: "The Reading Gods have smiled upon us and Proust has appeared as an Audible Deal of the Day - should anyone be interested. Details in the Audible Thread."

If the narrator's right, I b..."

It is not fun being immersed with disagreeable people though! Luckily the obnoxious person has topped talking.

[Nigeyb]

I can't remember the detail of Sword of Honour now. I doubt he would be critical of Catholicism in the book - he isn't in his other works. As a convert he seemed to retain that zeal throughout his life.

[Chrissie]

Nigeyb wrote: "I can't remember the detail of Sword of Honour now. I doubt he would be critical of Catholicism in the book - he isn't in his other works. As a convert he seemed to retain that zeal t..."

Thanks, makes sense what you say, but there are situations drawn where that intended is rather ambiguous. There was a statement about God not caring much about the continuation of an aristocratic family line. A reply is made that God cares even for sparrows. I was not sure what Waugh was trying to say. It was difficult to judge on which side he stood.

[Roman Clodia]

Chrissie wrote: "There was a statement about God not caring much about the continuation of an aristocratic family line. A reply is made that God cares even for sparrows."

I don't remember this particular exchange either but perhaps it would be helpful to think about who is speaking? Not every, or even any, character is a direct mouthpiece for the author.

I struggled with the trilogy overall as I found myself at odds with Waugh's essentially reactionary and conservative politics - but there are some hilarious scenes which still make me smile in memory: the thunderbox!

[Chrissie]

I agree. but I didn't know those speaking well enough at that point, It was of course a man of the clergy who mentioned the sparrows. In any case, I think Nigeyb is right, and I do tend to over analyze.......

YES, there are funny lines. You sort of get a British M*A*S*H!

I have just come to the "thunderbox". I am not yet clued in on what is going on.

And I should say I am now liking Christian Rodska 's narration. I do sometimes change my mind as I read, both about a book itself and its narration.

[Joy D]

Former high school football star Jack Burdette returns to his hometown of Holt, Colorado, in the 1980's, after an eight-year absence. Jack has alienated the townspeople due to his past actions. His friend, Pat Arbuckle, the local newspaper editor, tells the sad story of Jack’s rise and fall.

Where You Once Belonged by Kent Haruf - 3 stars - My Review

[Roman Clodia]

Chrissie wrote: "and I do tend to over analyze......."

I don't think we can ever over-analyse a book! :)

[Judy]

Interesting discussion - from memory, I would have said Waugh is quite critical of Catholicism at times in Brideshead Revisited, especially through the portrayal of Lady Marchmain.

[Brian E]

Joy D wrote: "Former high school football star Jack Burdette returns to his hometown of Holt, Colorado, in the 1980's, after an eight-year absence. Jack has alienated the townspeople due to his past actions. His..."

I'm a fan of Haruf's "clear, crisp" style. However, even though great writing can't totally save a badly drawn plot, it can make the trip a bit more pleasant and take a book from a 2 star to a 3 star read. Thanks for the review.

[Chrissie]

Judy wrote: "Interesting discussion - from memory, I would have said Waugh is quite critical of Catholicism at times in Brideshead Revisited, especially through the portrayal of Lady Marchmain."

Thanks. I like hearing different ideas.

[Chrissie]

I have completed the classic Men at Arms by Evelyn Waugh. It is the first in a series of three and so have continued immediately on to the next (Officers and Gentlemen).

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

[Roman Clodia]

Ah, I've finished Proust! By the time I got to the end, I understood those people who reread it endlessly, we're sort of invited to start again now that we understand the end point.

As a contrast, I'm starting Simenon's Three Bedrooms in Manhattan - something short!

[Susan]

I did download the Audible version. I am afraid, though, that if I even start to listen to it, I will get hooked... I loved it, but it's very, very long.

[Roman Clodia]

... and the audio even longer. I'd also be tempted as it would be exactly the kind of thing I'd love while commuting. I think rereading would be a different experience from reading the first time, as we know how it all fits together now. I'd be interested in how you find the narrator.

[Judy]

I've started reading Red Plenty: Inside the Fifties' Soviet Dream ready for our next group read - although I still have several previous group books on the go too.

[Joy D]

Published in 1962, this classic historical fiction provides a look at the era of "gunboat diplomacy" in China in the 1920's. Though it is focused on an American protagonist, a good number of British characters and ships are included:

The Sand Pebbles by Richard McKenna - 4 stars - My Review

[Elizabeth (Alaska)]

Joy D wrote: "Published in 1962, this classic historical fiction provides a look at the era of "gunboat diplomacy" in China in the 1920's. Though it is focused on an American protagonist, a good number of Britis..."

I almost remember the film, starring my heart throb Steve McQueen.

[Annabel]

I've just finished The Lost Future Of Pepperharrow by Natasha Pulley.

I've read all three of Pulley's novels, which are densely-plotted, slightly supernatural affairs set in the 19th century, with murky Victorian fogs and exotic foreign climes. I enjoy them a lot although they can also be frustratingly over-complicated. What I find interesting about all Pulley's books is that the main characters are always Empire-building, adventurous men. It's like reading John Buchan or Biggles. There's barely a woman to be seen and they are usually conveyed as charmless and unsympathetic. In these #MeToo times, this is very, very unusual.

On the plus side, there's also an adorable clockwork octopus.

[Chrissie]

I have completed Officers and Gentlemen, the second in a trilogy by Evelyn Waugh.

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

I have quit Waugh's trilogy after the second book and gone on to a book by Émile Zola--The Masterpiece. I am liking it a lot.

[Alejandro]

Reading Silver by Norma Fox Mazer (YA). Psychology for Dummies.

[Joy D]

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Joy D wrote: "Published in 1962, this classic historical fiction provides a look at the era of "gunboat diplomacy" in China in the 1920's. Though it is focused on an American protagonist, a good nu..."
Yes, the movie is on this weekend on TCM (for Memorial Day)! I recorded it since I've not seen it before. Talk about timing!

Just finished a book published in 1993 and set in and around the Orkney Islands. The writing is lovely. It is really a better book than my 3-star "personal enjoyment" rating implies (literary quality is excellent).

Vinland by George Mackay Brown - 3 stars - My Review

[Tania]

I've started Peking Picnic by Ann Bridge. I haven't read any of hers yet, but I've been meaning to read Illyrian Spring for a long time. I picked this one up in a charity shop shortly before they were closed down.

[Joy D]

Just finished this classic, published in 1989 and set in 1956. I am not sure how I missed reading this before now:

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro - 5 stars - My Review

[Nigeyb]

An absolute classic Joy - I love it too

[Hugh]

It has been a few weeks since I posted any reviews here. In that time, I have largely been catching up on books that have been waiting on the to-read shelf for a while, along with a couple of new ones I couldn't resist.

At Hawthorn Time by Melissa Harrison   My review

Scenes from a Childhood by Jon Fosse   My review

Saving Lucia by Anna Vaught   My review

The Loser by Thomas Bernhard   My review

Handiwork by Sara Baume   My review

Mothlight by Adam Scovell   My review

The Philosopher's Pupil by Iris Murdoch   My review

Forensic Songs by Mike McCormack   My review

Generosity by Richard Powers   My review

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara   My review

[Joy D]

Thanks for the reviews, Hugh.

I just finished this Pulitzer Prize winner published in 1974 about the American Civil War Battle of Gettysburg:
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - 3 stars - My Review

[Chrissie]

At the moment I am crazy about the author Émile Zola. This month I have read two of his and both I have given four stars. Years ago I read the wrong one. This got me off track.

My review of The Masterpiece: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

After immediately closing one book by Émile Zola, I have picked up another, this time it's The Drinking Den / L'Assommoir. I think it will be a buddy read later this year, but I didn't want to wait.

[Susan]

I am reading 1913 The Defiant Swan Song
It looks at the year from the perspective of various cities: London, Berlin, St Petersburg, Vienna, Rome, Paris and New York. It is a bit of an over-view, but very readable and enjoyable.

[Jan C]

Susan wrote: "I am reading 1913 The Defiant Swan Song
It looks at the year from the perspective of various cities: London, Berlin, St Petersburg, V..."

Another surprise on my kindle shelf.

[Joy D]

Published in 1965, this book is a deep character study on timeless themes about an American university professor's (mostly sad) life, covering turn of the 20th century until his death. It is beautifully written:

Stoner by John Williams - 4 stars - My Review

[Chrissie]

Another Zola for me. This time it has been The Drinking Den / L'Assommoir

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

Now I have begun How I Became Hettie Jones by of course Hettie Jones, a female author of the Beat Generation. Having enjoyed Come and Join the Dance by Joyce Johnson, I have wanted to try another female author of the period.