What books are you reading now? (2020) Showing 2,001-2,050 of 2,222

[Judy]

Whoops, haven't read The Co-Op's Got Bananas: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Post-War North yet, Nigeyb! I will be interested to hear what you think. I've just added it to my TBR to remind me to get to it soon! And have also just checked - it is on Scribd, so I will start it when I finish one or two of my other current reads.

[Joy D]

Published in 1990, this book was made into a TV serial which ran on the BBC in 1993:
The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi - 4 stars - My Full Review

Set in England in the 1970s, seventeen-year-old protagonist Karim was born to an English mother and Indian father. The first half of the book takes place in the suburbs and the second half in London. The novel is filled with 1970s pop culture references.
This is a story of a search for identity. Even in multicultural London, Karim cannot escape racial stereotyping. Once he reaches his initial goal of living the city, he finds just as much narrow-mindedness as he encountered in the suburbs. This book is well-written, witty, and, at times, bawdy. It is filled with irreverent humor. I have never read anything quite like it.

[Alwynne]

Another favourite book Joy!

Just finished Arthur Machen's The Hill of Dreams still making my mind up about this one, thought parts were outstanding, others a tiresome slog:

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

[Chrissie]

If you are curious about Sylvia Plath and/or Ted Hughes--their relationship and her suicide--then you should read Her Husband: Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath - A Marriage by Diane Wood Middlebrook. If you are an Audible Plus member it is now free. Don't pass it by, it's very good.

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

I have begun Vera by Elizabeth von Arnim. Her books continue to please me. I like how she writes. She draws interesting situations, usually adds some humor and pretty landscaped and plants fill out the stories. I am listening to the free Librivox version here: https://librivox.org/vera-by-elizabet...

If anyone knows of a good biography on Elizabeth von Arnim, please tell me.

[Alwynne]

I really like Elizabeth von Arnim too. On Plath and Hughes have you tried Janet Malcolm's The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes?

[Chrissie]

Alwynne wrote: "I really like Elizabeth von Arnim too. On Plath and Hughes have you tried Janet Malcolm's The Silent Woman: Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes?"

Yeah, Arnim's great!

Thankyou for mentioning another good book about Hughes and Plath. I will go check it out, but I have had enough of them for now,

[Nigeyb]

Judy wrote: "Whoops, haven't read The Co-Op's Got Bananas: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Post-War North yet, Nigeyb! I will be interested to hear what you think. I've just added it to my TBR to remind me to get to it soon! And have also just checked - it is on Scribd, so I will start it when I finish one or two of my other current reads"

That's very diligent Judy

Whilst enjoyable enough it's far from essential. Heading for a three star rating. I love reading accounts of growing up in the 40s and 50s, so it ticks those boxes however Hunter has included some fairly mundane details in amongst the more interesting sections.

So far, I preferred A Life in the Day, the second part of his autobiography which is primarily about his wife Margaret Forster and his enduring love for her. Sadly her recurrent bouts of cancer finally killed her in February 2016, and the final few chapters of it are about her last months. It's very moving.

[Chrissie]

Nigeny, like you, I liked The Co-Op's Got Bananas: A Memoir of Growing Up in the Post-War North, but it was no super booper winner. I gave it three stars. I have considered reading the author's Wainwright: The Biography, but am unsure.

[Nigeyb]

Great minds Chrissie

[Alwynne]

I recently finished a golden age crime novel published in 1941. It's by a relatively obscure writer Dorothy Bowers Fear For Miss Betony, It takes place during WW2 in a girls’ boarding school that's recently relocated to a gothic mansion in the English countryside. It's more focused on character and atmosphere than it is plot and slow to get going but well-crafted and enjoyable – I really liked her central character recently retired Miss Betony.

Link to my review:

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

[Tania]

Chrissie, I have heard good things about Only Happiness Here: In Search of Elizabeth von Arnim but it seems difficult to track down. Also, Elizabeth of the German Garden: A Literary Journey but again I've never come across it, I don't know if any are available on audio though. I've actually started reading Father which was one of her rarer titles until the British Library Women Writers series brought it back into print in August.

[Chrissie]

Tania wrote: "Chrissie, I have heard good things about Only Happiness Here: In Search of Elizabeth von Arnim but it seems difficult to track down. Also, [book:Elizabeth of the German Garden: A Li..."

All three books I have put on my TBR list. I have requested them at Audible too. Gosh, I would like to read them!

Thank you VERY much.

[Susan]

Alwynne wrote: "I recently finished a golden age crime novel published in 1941. It's by a relatively obscure writer Dorothy Bowers Fear For Miss Betony, It takes place during WW2 in a girls’ boardi..."

Thank you, Alwynne. Published by the same people who reprinted Donald Henderson, so have high hopes.

[Tania]

Chrissie wrote: "Tania wrote: "All three books I have put on my TBR list. I have requested them at Audible too. Gosh, I would like to read them!

Thank you VERY much."

You're very welcome. A while ago I put a like to an ebook with nearly all of her novels, including the very hard to get ones, in the Elizabeth von Arnim author thread. I'm not sure if you're exclusively audio, this might not help you. If you have any luck with audible, I'd love to read those biographies.

[Chrissie]

I am stuck with audios. The worst is that if you request an audiobook, Audible does not even tell if they do happen to make it. Anyhow I put n three requests, for the books you mentioned.

[Alwynne]

Susan wrote: "Alwynne wrote: "I recently finished a golden age crime novel published in 1941. It's by a relatively obscure writer Dorothy Bowers Fear For Miss Betony, It takes place during WW2 in..."

I haven't heard of him, would you recommend any of his in particular?

[Nigeyb]

Alwynne wrote:


"I haven't heard of Donald Henderson, would you recommend any of his in particular?"

We've got two Donald Henderson discussion threads to peruse...

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

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

He only wrote four novels I think

You can find out more at the links above

I really enjoyed the two Donald Henderson novels I have read

[Alwynne]

Thanks that's great!

[Tania]

Chrissie wrote: "I am stuck with audios. The worst is that if you request an audiobook, Audible does not even tell if they do happen to make it. Anyhow I put n three requests, for the books you mentioned."

Ah sorry about that. I hope you get lucky with Audible. Annoying that they don't let you know.

[Roman Clodia]

I'm finally reading The Hours by Michael Cunningham, a sort of homage to Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. Lovely writing and I like the way he weaves the stories together with shared images and objects - it's my real-life book group's choice so I'm keen to see what others have made of it.

[Joy D]

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - 4 stars - My Full Review

This book was published in 1989. It covers the early to mid-20th century in China and mid-to-later 20th century in the US.

This is a story of mothers and daughters, structured around the four women players of a regular game of mahjong. It starts with the mother’s life in China and proceeds to the daughter’s life in the US. One of the highlights is the portrayal of the Chinese culture and traditions. I think the author does an excellent job of putting the reader into the heads of both generations, so we understand their motivations and also see the disconnects between the generations. The novel examines the changing roles of women. I found it a delightful exploration of the value of family, memories, and identity.

[Tania]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I'm finally reading The Hours by Michael Cunningham, a sort of homage to Woolf's Mrs Dalloway. Lovely writing and I like the way he weaves the stories together with shared..."

I've been meaning to read that one for ages. One day I might actually get aroung to it, in the meantime, I look forward to seeing what you make of it.

[Chrissie]

Here's a very good one by Elizabeth von Arnim --Vera. It is available free at Libriox.

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

I have begun another one found at Librivox. This time one by Arnold Bennett--Clayhanger. I am liking the start.

[Roman Clodia]

Tania wrote: "I've been meaning to read that one for ages. One day I might actually get aroung to it, in the meantime, I look forward to seeing what you make of it."

Tania, The Hours is wonderful! I don't know why I waited so long to read it: my review is here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3637629389

[Tania]

Thanks RC. My library doesn't have it so I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

[Jan C]

I received The Hours some time ago with Mrs. Dalloway. After several attempts I did succeed eventually in reading Mrs. D. so I suppose I should read The Hours soon.

[Chrissie]

Jan C wrote: "I received The Hours some time ago with Mrs. Dalloway. After several attempts I did succeed eventually in reading Mrs. D. so I suppose I should read The Hours soon."

and others in relation to Woolf.

In Mrs. Dalloway, was it the stream of consciousness writing style that gave you trouble? I like Virginia Woolf's writing and in this book the stream of consciousness was not a stumbling block. but the upper-crust British characters were, Still I liked the book a lot, so I gave it four stars. IF I easily relate to the person whose head we are in, I am speaking of the stream of consciousness method, then the technique does NOT give me trouble, otherwise it does. In fact not all of Woolf's book use this technique.

BTW, I liked The Hours, but didn't love it, and at the start I had trouble. By the end I had come close to the characters and could relate to them.

[Ruth]

Do you know which of her books don't use stream of consciousness, Chrissie?

[Roman Clodia]

Mrs Dalloway isn't really stream of consciousness but it is focused heavily on interiority of its various characters more than on external events.

Woolf's The Voyage Out and Night and Day are more conventional narratives - and the former is where we first meet Clarissa Dalloway.

[Roman Clodia]

Interesting that The Hours grew on you, Chrissie - I loved it right from the start. I especially loved the clever way Cunningham drew the three stories together through the subtle use of motifs such as the yellow roses, a kiss, the image and language of water. I found it very emotional and moving.

[Chrissie]

Ruth wrote: "Do you know which of her books don't use stream of consciousness, Chrissie?"

The Voyage Out and Night and Day, her first and second novel, have very little stream of consciousness. You do sense that it is a step away, soon to come. Both I gave three stars--which does mean I liked them. I am restrictive with my stars.

[Chrissie]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Interesting that The Hours grew on you, Chrissie - I loved it right from the start. I especially loved the clever way Cunningham drew the three stories together through the subtle use of motifs suc..."

Well, by the end I was drawn in. In the beginning it felt split up, flipping between the different threads. I am speaking of The Hours

[Alwynne]

Just finished a novella from 1924 by Joseph Roth Hotel Savoy, I have mixed feelings about this one, it's a fascinating vision of post-war Eastern Europe but flawed as a narrative, uneven and awkward at times. But also based in the real-life Polish town of Lodz during a fascinating period in its history and contains a portrait of its long vanished Jewish communities, a community wiped out during WW2.

Link to my review:

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

[Joy D]

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne - 4 stars - My Review

An innocent nine-year-old German boy travels with his family from Germany to Poland during WWII, where his father is the commandant of a concentration camp. Their new home is nearby, and he befriends one of the incarcerated children. It is ultimately a fable of good and evil, and a heart-rending tragedy. It points to the innate ability of children to love, trust and care for each other. It shows the ability of adults to calmly engage in mass murder. Due to the way it is written, parents could use it as a starting point in communicating with their children (age 10 and up) about the Holocaust.

[Alwynne]

The second book in my selection for German Literature Month was Carl Seelig's Walks with Walser a fascinating, unorthodox memoir of a fascinating, unorthodox writer:

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

[Jan C]

Chrissie wrote: "Jan C wrote: "I received The Hours some time ago with Mrs. Dalloway. After several attempts I did succeed eventually in reading Mrs. D. so I suppose I should read The Hours soon."

and others in re..."

Not sure what the problem was. But it took me three tries. I do have one of here Common Reader books and I don't think I have the same problem with it (although I haven't picked it up lately). I had seen the movie so maybe part of the problem was I knew the story already. Although I did wind up giving it 3 stars and, per my review, parts of it I almost even enjoyed.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Nigeyb]

I'd read very postive reviews of David Sedaris on GoodReads which inspired me to try Calypso, my first book by him.


Here's my review...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4/5

Any David Sedaris fans in the group?

I look forward to catching up on his other books.

[Chrissie]

Here follows my review of Arnold Bennett's Clayhanger:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have begun This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear. While the Maisie Dobbs series doesn't appeal to me, this memoir does. Maybe I will try the Maisie books if I love this.

[Roman Clodia]

Nigeyb wrote: "I'd read very postive reviews of David Sedaris on GoodReads which inspired me to try Calypso, my first book by him."

I've also heard good things about Sedaris and have been meaning to give him a try - tempting review, thanks Nigeyb!

[Brian E]

I am reading 2008 Booker winner The White Tiger so I can finish it before the movie version of it is released by NETFLIX on January 21, 2021. The movie version is directed by Ramin Bahrani.
Author Aravind Adiga actually dedicated the book to Bahrani as they were friends at Columbia University. I know that Bahrani is hoping for better reviews than he got for his last project, the HBO remake/update of Fahrenheit 451.
https://www.indiewire.com/2020/10/whi...
I'm also reading Jeeves and the Feudal Spirit, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon and The Four Just Men

[Nigeyb]

Roman Clodia wrote:


"I've also heard good things about David Sedaris and have been meaning to give him a try - tempting review, thanks Nigeyb!"

I'm pretty sure you'd enjoy him RC

[Alwynne]

Thanks for flagging that Brian, how are you finding the Rebecca West? I was completely fascinated by it. And loved the Jeeves.

[Nigeyb]

Brian, we've got favourite author thread for both Rebecca West and PGW should you feel like sharing a few thoughts when you're ready

[Brian E]

Alwynne wrote: "Thanks for flagging that Brian, how are you finding the Rebecca West? I was completely fascinated by it."

I'm at about page 900 and I'm struggling with it. All my Goodreads friends have rated it 4 or 5 stars and speak highly of it. I thought I'd be very interested in the history and the people and really enjoyed The Bridge on the Drina. Yet I find my mind drifting while reading this book.
I'm not sure why I don't enjoy it that much. Perhaps I have difficulty with how West presents the information. Right now, she is describing Stephan Dushan and the Byzantine Empire/Ottoman Empire transition and I had to look it up on-line to determine the time frame she is talking about. I seem to crave more specificity on the historical events and stories that she relates. Also, as one travels from town to town with them, the travels become a bit redundant. There are certainly a lot of monasteries. I try to read a bit of it at least every other day.

[Alwynne]

I think it might be one of those books that works in a certain mood, I tried it two or three times and couldn't engage fully then got caught up in it. But yes it is one of those that kept sending me online to check things out.

[Jan C]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Nigeyb wrote: "I'd read very postive reviews of David Sedaris on GoodReads which inspired me to try Calypso, my first book by him."

I've also heard good things about ..."

I tried reading one of his books. It just didn't appeal to me.

[Roman Clodia]

I have picked up Sylvia Plath's letters again - which are reminding me of being a teenager again! I shall say more on the dedicated Plath thread.

[Alwynne]

Just finished a golden age crime novel The Six Queer Things wasn't sure about the direction things were taking in the earlier chapters but all became clear in the second half. Some elements were slightly grating but some fascinating aspects and very gripping towards the end. It was Sprigg's final novel, he died fighting against the fascists in the Spanish Civil War.

Link to my review

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

[Joy D]

Published in 1997 and covers several decades of the 20th century:
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - 4 stars - My Review

Fictional “memoir” of Sayuri, a geisha in Kyoto, Japan, from before the Great Depression to after WWII. This is a story of triumph over adversity. In an era that disempowered women, Sayuri endures many hardships, and tries to make the best of a situation over which she has little control. I found it easy to get drawn into the story. The writing is lovely – it evokes a sense of time and place. I especially enjoyed the depiction of Japanese culture, rituals, and traditions of the era.

[Chrissie]

I like memoirs, biographies and autobiographies, so I picked up This Time Next Year We'll Be Laughing by Jacqueline Winspear, This is her latest. She is the author of the Masie Dobbs books.

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

Leaving contemporary authors and turning to a classic, I have begun Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. It is said to be amusing.