What books are you reading now? (2020) Showing 2,151-2,200 of 2,222

[Tania]

Great, I'll put myself in the library list.

@Nigeyb they are all rather wonderful in very different ways.

[Hugh]

I am two thirds of the way through The Good Apprentice by Iris Murdoch, and so far it is one of her more enjoyable ones. It is my 23rd of her 26 novels, and I now have copies of the remaining three and will read them over the next few months.

It has been quite a while since I posted any reviews here, so these are the ones I missed:

4*: The Quiet American by Graham Greene   My review
3*: The Ice Museum by Joanna Kavenna   My review
4*: Once Upon the River Love by Andreï Makine   My review
4*: A Thousand Years of Good Prayers by Yiyun Li   My review
4*: Mimi by Lucy Ellmann   My review
4*: The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth   My review
4*: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett   My review
4*: C by Tom McCarthy   My review
4*: Nuns and Soldiers by Iris Murdoch   My review
4*: In the Shape of a Boar by Lawrence Norfolk   My review
4*: The Idea of Perfection by Kate Grenville   My review
3*: Pincher Martin by William Golding   My review

[Ang]

That's impressive on the Iris Murdoch reading, Hugh. I have only read a few but they were excellent and I will read more I'm sure.

[Ang]

I am in the midst of finishing Anniversaries: From a Year in the Life of Gesine Cresspahl by Uwe Johnson. The very long novel covers one year made up of daily, dated vignettes which I was intending to read each day starting in August 2019 and finishing August 2020 as part of an online read along. I got behind but want to finish it before 2021 starts. I am on August 15th and it finishes on August 20th so I think I'll do it! Only 60 pages to go.

[Chrissie]

Roman Clodia wrote: "I've just finished Obama's A Promised Land which I found riveting - my review here: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3669519038

I've just started Piranesi which is str..."

I think Obama's book improves as you get into it--it has more substance. Once it got into the caucuses and his campaign I began to like it a lot. It is a clear four star for me. What about you? I do still have quite a bit left. It doesn't have a lot about his youth and background, but that 's in his earlier books.

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, it's 4-stars for me too, Chrissie. I haven't read any of his other books so enjoyed his early life - but yes, the campaign is excellent to read about.

[Chrissie]

RC, and he draws foreign leaders VERY well--Putin for example. He succinctly draws the leaders' personality types. I think his background information is neither too long not too short. Obama's writing is clear. This is very good.

[Joy D]

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart - 3 stars - My Full Review

This book explores the impact of poverty, alcoholism, and abuse on a family living in Glasgow in the 1980s. Shuggie is the young son of Agnes and Big Shug. Much of the book is focused on Agnes and the impact of her drinking. The writing is strong, and the story is heart-wrenching. There is little hope and lots of pain. I think each reader needs to evaluate how much misery he or she can handle before embarking on this book. I listened to the audio, which is brilliantly read by Angus King. It is hard for me to rate such a book. I appreciate its literary merit, but it was hard to listen to 17 hours of an innocent child’s suffering.

[Alwynne]

I finished Saraband by Eliot Bliss, one of her two novels. It was written in the early 1930s then briefly revived by Virago in the 1980s, mixed feelings but will go on to read her Luminous Isle

Link to my review:

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

[Alwynne]

I finished an excellent, short piece by Christa Wolf August

Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Chrissie]

I have completed A Promised Land by Barack Obama. I found this to be a very, very good book. I highly recommend it.

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

I will soon begin Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym. I didn't like her Excellent Women at all, but I am willing to give the author another try. Cross your fingers for me, please.

[Roman Clodia]

Wow, you finished that fast, Chrissie! It took me a couple of weeks of listening.

Do you know if he's already written the second volume, or do we have to wait?

[Jan C]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Wow, you finished that fast, Chrissie! It took me a couple of weeks of listening.

Do you know if he's already written the second volume, or do we have to wait?"

I believe it is "mostly" written. At least that's what he said in an interview in the last couple of weeks.

[Roman Clodia]

Ah, thank you, Jan - editing, proofing and production plus canny marketing will maybe mean next Christmas then.

[Alwynne]

Finished Gwendolyn Brooks magnificent Maud Martha

Linked to my review:

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

[Chrissie]

Roman Clodia wrote: "Wow, you finished that fast, Chrissie! It took me a couple of weeks of listening.

Do you know if he's already written the second volume, or do we have to wait?"

I started it early on the 9th and finished it late on the 13th--five solid days of reading. You know me, I read just one book at a time and read constantly. Did you like, as I did, his knack for drawing political leaders? In just a few words he captures their essence. I was a bit surprised about how often he throws in swear words.

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, he's an excellent writer, and a genuinely interesting, thoughtful, intelligent man. I was struck by how affected he's been by his race; and also how down to earth he is with listening to rap, playing basketball and being a bit put-upon by his kids!

[Chrissie]

Barbara Pym is a classical author of the mid-20th century. Here follows my review of her novel Jane and Prudence:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I have begun Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell. Dramatic writing pulls the reader in right from the start.

[Alwynne]

Mistletoe and Murder YA detective novel featuring two boarding-school detectives, this one set in 1935 in Cambridge over the Christmas holidays.

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

[Judy]

I've just put this in the Midnight Bell thread but thought I would put it in here too for anyone who doesn't see it there:

Alwynne and I are planning a buddy read of an unusual travel memoir, Stories of the Sahara by Sanmao which sounds like an amazing book - pop over to the buddy reads thread for more details:
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Joy D]

This book was published in 1995:
The Winter King: A Novel of Arthur by Bernard Cornwell - 5 stars - My Review

This is one of the best books I have read on Arthurian legend. It is epic in scope, and contains a wonderful mixture of history, strategy, battles, political intrigues, alliances, and relationships. All the key players are here, including Guinevere, Mordred, Galahad, Lancelot, and Merlin, though some are not in their traditional roles. It envisions them as real people living in a real time, without employing elements of fantasy or magic. It is told from the perspective of Derfel, looking back on his life as one of Arthur’s commander-warriors. Cornwell attempts to peel away the layers of myth, resulting in a tale that conveys a feeling of authenticity. Of course, warfare is almost constant, so alpha males are in the forefront, but this book is not lacking in strong female characters. I felt engrossed in the story from beginning to end.

[Chrissie]

Joy D, well I'm reading Bernard Cornwell's Stonehenge now and I am suffering. I don't go for this at all! Thank goodness it is almost over. SO much violence. I hesitate to even call it historical fiction. Basically it is an adventure story --with rape, murder, war and gore. Just letting off some steam.

[Alwynne]

Joy D wrote: "This book was published in 1995:
The Winter King: A Novel of Arthur by Bernard Cornwell - 5 stars - My Review

This is one of the best books I have read on Arthurian ..."

I might try that one, I've never read anything by Bernard Cornwall but fascinated by books inspired by Arthurian legends.

[Judy]

After enjoying our mod read, The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories, I'm reading a more recent ghost story, The Greatcoat by Helen Dunmore . I think this will be a very quick read - very atmospheric so far.

[Roman Clodia]

I loved The Greatcoat, Judy - as you say, wonderfully atmospheric and brings the ghost story into a modern context.

[Nigeyb]

Dunmore is fab 😍🥂

[Judy]

Thanks RC and Nigeyb! I was surprised to see that this is published by Hammer Horror - I had no idea they had branched out into publishing fiction. Fortunately it doesn't have the over-the-top feel of their films!

[Roman Clodia]

Yes, there was a series of Hammer Horror books a few years back where they got established authors to write a modern ghost story.

As well as Dunmore, I remember reading Sophie Hannah's The Orphan Choir and possibly something by Jeanette Winterson (?) I don't know if the series just fizzled - possibly from association with those old films!

[Judy]

Thanks for the info, RC! Not sure where I picked this book up - I noticed it on my shelf and decided the time was right. :)

[Alwynne]

I finished Kallocain first published in 1940, it's a piece of dystopian fiction by Swedish author Karin Boye.

Link to my review:

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

[Chrissie]

I have completed Stonehenge by Bernard Cornwell. Others like this author, but this book did not work for me. I explain why in my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Since this morning I have been reading and thoroughly enjoying Naturalist by Edward O. Wilson. It starts with his youth and what has shaped him to be who he is. He is an American biologist and naturalist born in 1929, commonly referred to as both "the father of sociobiology" and "the father of biodiversity".

[Alwynne]

I finished a brief childhood memoir of growing up in America in the 1900s by writer H. D., The Gift

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

[Roman Clodia]

I've finished the intense new biography of Sylvia Plath, Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath which I'd highly recommend - my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3659334797

I'm reading The Survivors by Jane Harper which is wonderfully atmospheric on small-town secrets and is at the more literary end of the crime spectrum. Book and audiobook both on NetGalley if anyone is interested.

[Chrissie]

Anybody interested in biodiversity, conservation, ecology and biographies / autobiographies of interesting people will I think enjoy Naturalist by and about Edward O. Wilson. Wilson is known as "the father of sociobiology " and "the father of biodiversity".

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

I have begun The Idiot by the contemporary author Elif Batuman. I go from a non-fiction book about a teacher at Harvard to a book of fiction about a student at Harvard.

[Alwynne]

Finished Gamel Woolsey's compelling Spanish Civil War memoir Death's Other Kingdom

Link to review:

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

[Roman Clodia]

I've started Like a Sword Wound, first book in a projected fictional quartet about the breakup of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of modern Turkey told through an extended family.

Fans of The Cairo Trilogy: Palace Walk / Palace of Desire / Sugar Street may like this, and it also reminds me a bit of They Were Counted, first book of the Transylvania trilogy which I need to get back to.

[Judy]

I've started rereading our forthcoming challenge book The House of Mirth and am reminded how much I like Edith Wharton. I must get on and read more of her books in 2021.

[Lynaia]

I have also started reading The House of Mirth. I haven’t done much reading for the last several months as we bought a house in July. We then spent 4 months doing renovations and then another month moving. We still have the library to put in so we have 43 boxes of books in a closet. I am basically limited to reading on my kindle until we get the library done and the books unpacked. Hopefully I can take more part in the discussions now though.
I am enjoying The House of Mirth so far. I too enjoy Edith Wharton although I felt The Age of Innocence dragged on a little at the end. So far that has been my least favorite by her. Looking forward to the discussion next month.

[Chrissie]

I like Edith Wharton a lot too--but not all of her books and I think her novellas are better than her longer pieces. It is wrong to make generalizations because the short Ethan Frome I really disliked. I absolutely adore theseshort ones:

*The Old Maid: The 'Fifties (my favorite)
*The Bunner Sisters
*False Dawn
*Summer

I should check out what other short one's of hers I can get ahold of......

[Roman Clodia]

I struggled with Ethan Frome, too, Chrissie - maybe because Wharton is inspired by her New York setting which was lacking there?

Thanks for the novella recommendations - I've only read her 'big' novels and a few of the stories so far.

Maybe you'll dip into our House of Mirth discussions in a few weeks?

[Chrissie]

The House of Mirth I liked but didn't love. Maybe I will join in, but I cannot promise.

[Lynaia]

I would definitely recommend Xingu. Very short but I really enjoyed it and I usually don’t get into short stories.

[Roman Clodia]

Thanks for that, Lynaia - I've heard of Xingu but not read it (yet!)

I used to struggle a bit with short stories too but have recently found them great palate cleansers and breaks between longer books. I am currently reading story collections from Lydia Davis, Clarice Lispector, and have just bought stories by Jean Rhys and Elizabeth Bowen.

[Tania]

Lynaia wrote: "I would definitely recommend Xingu. Very short but I really enjoyed it and I usually don’t get into short stories."

I loved Xingu too. Looking forward to The House of Mirth.

I finished Ancestral Voices: Diaries, 1942-1943, the first of 12 volumes of James Lees-Milne's diaries which was really good. Today I visited Nancy Mitfords grave. (She turns up a lot in the diaries), We arranged to meet my Uncle and so met at the church in Swinbrook which is halfway between us.

I'm now reading and very much enjoying The Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym and Christmas Holiday by W. Somerset Maughamwhich isn't actually very Christmassy despite the title.

[Chrissie]

Lynaia wrote: "I would definitely recommend Xingu. Very short but I really enjoyed it and I usually don’t get into short stories."

I like how Xingu criticizes social snobbery and intellectualism through humor. A message relayed through humor is doubly effective, I think. Usually I am not a fan of short stories either!

[Lynaia]

I read Xingu a few years ago but it still makes me smile when I think about it.

[Chrissie]

I have enjoyed The Idiot by Elif Batuman a lot, but I don't think it will fit everyone. It is not action-filled for example. Some may ask, where is the humor that I say I like. I explain more in my review in the hope that you can determine if the book will please you as much as it did me.

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

I am now reading Somewhere in the Unknown World: A Collective Refugee Memoir by Kao Kalia Yang. I have been waiting for it for ages. I have wanted to read it ever since I read the author's earlier two books The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir and The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father. Both of them I gave five stars.

[Alwynne]

I finished Hwang Jungeun's One Hundred Shadows

Link to my review:

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

[Judy]

I've just made a start on our next group read, A Gentleman in Moscow, as my library copy came through. It has an intriguing start but I'm not very far in as yet.

[Susan]

I hope you enjoy it, Judy. I am currently re-reading it and should finish by the end of the week. I really enjoyed Amor Towles debut Rules of Civility and so I think I was pre-disposed to enjoy his second, breakthrough novel.