Reading the 20th Century discussion
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What books are you reading now? (2020)
I enjoyed Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe. The author wrote not only Robinson Crusoe but also this. Finally, a Georgian novel I like! It paid off to keep searching. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am about to begin a reread of The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
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Up The Junction
...in readiness for our read in February
It's a collection of dialogue driven short stories about the same young Londoners. It must have been quite shocking when it was first published in 1963.
I look forward to discovering what my fellow RTTC'ers make of it
Tomorrow is Nell Gifford's funeral at Gloucester Cathedral, so I thought it a good time to start reading her autobiography Josser: The Secret Life of a Circus Girl
. Gifford's Circus is a traditional, Edwardian style circus that tours the Cotswolds and beyond every summer and is always one of the highlights of summer when I manage to get tickets before they sell out.I'm also reading
Not at Home by Doris Langley Moore one of the new Furrowed Middlebrow titles released this month. Very good so far.
Here is one I have enjoyed a lot.I have done a reread of The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. I am glad I did. It is a truly gripping story.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It is a classic worthy of being categorized as a classic.
Last night I began another by Arnold Bennett. This time it will be Helen with the High Hand - An Idyllic Diversion. The writing appeals to me from the start. It is set in Bursley, one of "Bennett's five towns". I am curious since it is less well known than his others. I love how authors in the past took the time to intricately draw characters' appearances. I like the detail.
ETA: I am loving this. It is utterly hysterical.
Here is a short, quick, fun book by Arnold Bennett--Helen with the High Hand - An Idyllic Diversion. I enjoyed it a lot.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Now I have begun Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis.
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A Kind of Loving by Stan Barstow
It's started very promisingly.
As you probably remember, A Kind of Loving was joint winner in our poll to determine which book to discuss for next month's group read theme - Working Class Writing
A Kind of Loving is the first of a trilogy, published over the course of sixteen years, that followed hero Vic Brown through marriage, divorce and a move from the mining town of Cressley to London.
The other two parts are The Watchers On The Shore and The Right True End.
Here's the synopsis....
All about love, lust, and loneliness, the book introduces Vic Brown, a young working-class Yorkshireman. Vic is attracted to the beautiful but demanding Ingrid, and as their relationship grows and changes, he comes to terms the hard way with adult life and what it really means to love. The influence of Barstow's novel has been lasting the literary label "lad-lit" was first applied to this book, and over the years it has been adapted for radio, television, and the big screen.
Originally published in 1960, this popular novel about frustrated youth laid the groundwork for contemporary writers such as Tony Parsons and Nick Hornby.
A Kind of Loving by Stan Barstow
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Be careful, the Audible audiobook version narrated by Richard Huw is abridged!
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#retroheaven
This very edition....
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I just finished Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Rivalry That Unravelled the Middle East
It really was a fascinating and illuminating read, which I highly recommend to anyone interested in politics, or history.
I am reading The Professor's House. I am pleasantly surprised because I did not especially care for her O Pioneers!.
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How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong by James O'Brien
The blurb...
Every day, James O’Brien listens to people blaming benefits scroungers, the EU, Muslims, feminists and immigrants. But what makes James’s daily LBC show such essential listening – and has made James a standout social media star – is the careful way he punctures their assumptions and dismantles their arguments live on air, every single morning.
In How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong, James provides a hilarious and invigorating guide to talking to people with faulty opinions. With chapters on every lightning-rod issue, James shows how people have been fooled into thinking the way they do, and in each case outlines the key questions to ask to reveal fallacies, inconsistencies and double standards.
If you ever get cornered by ardent Brexiteers, Daily Mail disciples or little England patriots, this book is your conversation survival guide.
‘I have had a ringside seat as a significant swathe of the British population was persuaded that their failures were the fault of foreigners, that unisex lavatories threatened their peace of mind and that ‘all Muslims’ must somehow apologise for terror attacks by extremists. I have tried to dissuade them and sometimes succeeded… The challenge is to distinguish sharply between the people who told lies and the people whose only offence was to believe them.’ James O'Brien
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I have completed Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. It annoyed me, but that was I think its point.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I will begin Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves by Frans de Waal because I picked it up on sale.
I’m reading a variety of genres: Non-fiction- Superbugs by Matt McCarthy and Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
Graphic Novel- The Witcher vol 1-3
Fiction: Us Against You by Fredrick Backman.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I am reading The Professor's House. I am pleasantly surprised because I did not especially care for her O Pioneers!."I loved this book. I ho[e you continue to enjoy it, Elizabeth.
Chrissie wrote: "I have completed Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. It annoyed me, but that was I think its point.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I will begin [boo..."
Great book! I couldn't stop reading parts to my husband.
Barbara wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I am reading The Professor's House. I am pleasantly surprised because I did not especially care for her O Pioneers!."I loved this book. I hope you continue to enjoy it, Elizabeth."
Thanks, Barbara. I did love it. My review.
Barbara wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I have completed Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. It annoyed me, but that was I think its point.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
..."
I had immense trouble with it. I know though that that was its point.
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How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong by James O'Brien
He is brilliant isn't he?
His way of gently asking people why they think what they think is so powerful
As he says, it's extraordinary that people call a radio phone in and don't seem to have done this themselves, and wait until over a million people are listening
Also depressing how few politicians and newspaper editors are called to account in the same way
Nigeyb wrote: "I'm underway with....How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong by James O'BrienHe is brilliant isn't he?..."
Thanks so much for mentioning this. I checked my local library's website and it's on the shelf so I'm popping in there later to pick it up. Then I looked for LBC online and am currently listening to his show.
I'm laughing out loud already! He's talking about how many people parachute for charity and how common it is to have some sort of accident. They can cost the NHS thousands, with broken bones and what have you. Apparently on average every pound raised for charity costs the NHS £13.75!! I know it's not exactly funny when I put it like that, but he is hilarious!
So not only have you cheered up my wet and windy Thursday morning but I've managed to put off the housework for another half hour....
;-)
A few years ago, my sons thought a parachute jump would be fun. My husband who has had hip replacements wasn't interested but I thought I would like to try. I mentioned it in passing to my doctor and he said it was up to me, but he had lots of patients that end up with broken legs and severe back trouble after jumping. He said whatever they tell you just keep your legs up and let the buddy take the weight. This certainly made me change my mind about it, and eventually my sons too.
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My brother was in a trampoline club as a teenager. One of the boys fell just wrong, broke his neck and died. No trampolines for us!
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Happy to help Sue!
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Very wise, Elizabeth!
My elder daughter belonged to a trampoline club for a while, before she switched to diving. The trampoline club was very safety conscious and there were no serious accidents (although there were a few grazes and a twisted ankle), but diving seemed more dangerous when someone bumped their head on the board and fell into the pool unconscious. They were quickly rescued and fine afterwards, but it was potentially a very serious injury. I wouldn't like to suggest children shouldn't play sports, but a lot of them do risk being injured.
My husband's hip replacements where done in his 40's , and we put that down to his Judo and Karate , so I actively discouraged that for both my sons.
Val wrote: "I wouldn't like to suggest children shouldn't play sports, but a lot of them do risk being injured."I think just about any activity has its risks as well as no activity having risks.
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How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong by James O'Brien
Click here to read my review
4/5
I have started Bring Up the Bodies, but as I know this will be a slow read for me, I have also started A Kestrel for a Knave. I had read Up the Junction years ago and do not have A Kind of Loving, so the Barry Hines seemed like a good alternative
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In addition to A Kind of Loving, which I am reading in readiness for our group read in February (and really enjoying), I have just started listening to....
Light Years (1975) by James Salter
...which is my real world book group's latest selection
Anyone come across it?
Or James Salter?
I've never had the pleasure before
I'm on chapter 4 and, to be honest, I'm finding it a bit dull so far. Well written, but dull. I'm hoping it picks up soon.
Here's the blurb...
This exquisite, resonant novel by PEN/Faulkner winner James Salter is a brilliant portrait of a marriage by a contemporary American master. It is the story of Nedra and Viri, whose favored life is centered around dinners, ingenious games with their children, enviable friends, and near-perfect days passed skating on a frozen river or sunning on the beach. But even as he lingers over the surface of their marriage, Salter lets us see the fine cracks that are spreading through it, flaws that will eventually mar the lovely picture beyond repair. Seductive, witty, and elegantly nuanced, Light Years is a classic novel of an entire generation that discovered the limits of its own happiness—and then felt compelled to destroy it.
This evening I finished The Cabinet of Curiosities which was recommended by a family member and which I really enjoyed. My first 5-star in a while.https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I've got three non-fiction books next.
Why We Get the Wrong Politicians
How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong
Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life
I finished my first book of the year yesterday - Tinseltown: Murder, Morphine, and Madness at the Dawn of Hollywood. I apparently started it in 2015. But when I picked it up this time I was only at about page 35-50.
I'm guessing that you don't like giving up on books completely, so kudos for perseverance.
I enjoyed the book, I just hadn't gotten back to it. Of course, I still do hope one day to get back to The Spanish Civil War by Hugh Thomas, which I started in college in the '70s.
That really would be outstanding perseverance. Smiley face.
I have ompleted Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves, my second book by Frans de Waal.The topic is interesting, but how it is told gave me some trouble. I explain in my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have begun another by Willa Cather. This time- Alexander's Bridge. She has quite a few that are little known. I can recognize from the start that it is a Cather book--from the writing and the vitality and strength of the women characters. Wishy-washy they are not. Ii like it; I am intrigued. It is set in Canada I believe.
Chrissie wrote: "I have ompleted Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves, my second book by Frans de Waal.The topic is interesting, but how it is tol..."
Your review explains very well Chrissie. It is a subject I am interested in too, but I don't think I will choose that book.
Val, pick one of the other ones, mentioned at the bottom of the review. Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel is excellent--often I have worried that I should have given it five stars!
Chrissie wrote: " .I have begun another by Willa Cather. This time- Alexander's Bridge. She has quite a few that are little known.."When you finish Alexander's Bridge, that should make it that you've read all 12 of Cather's novels, I think.
Brian wrote: "Chrissie wrote: " .I have begun another by Willa Cather. This time- Alexander's Bridge. She has quite a few that are little known.."When you finish Alexander's Bridge, that should make it that yo..."
Yep, I have also read her novella--My Mortal Enemy, but it wasn't very good.
Chrissie wrote: "Val, pick one of the other ones, mentioned at the bottom of the review. Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel is excellent--often I have worried that I should have given it five..."Thanks Chrissie. It does look a much better choice.
Nigeyb wrote: "I hope you like A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines. I loved it.In addition to A Kind of Loving, which I am reading in readiness for our group read ..."
Have finished A Kestrel for a Knave, and really enjoyed it. I was so engrossed in it I read it in a day, so would like to thank you for making me finally pick it up.
Val wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Val, pick one of the other ones, mentioned at the bottom of the review. Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel is excellent--often I have worried that I should h..."I LIKE leading people to good books. It irritates me like mad when people love everything.
Reading the 20th Century
Books mentioned in this topic
Anna of the Five Towns (other topics)Riceyman Steps: A Novel (other topics)
Anna of the Five Towns (other topics)
Riceyman Steps: A Novel (other topics)
The Namesake (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
P.G. Wodehouse (other topics)Jhumpa Lahiri (other topics)
Arnold Bennett (other topics)
Vladimir Nabokov (other topics)
Arturo Pérez-Reverte (other topics)
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My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...