Reading the 20th Century discussion
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What books are you reading now? (2020)
An interesting list, Hugh. I will go back and read your reviews. The only one I have read is Commonwealth.
Hell Ship by Michael Veitch is a book I wholeheartedly recommend. It kept my attention from start to finish.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have begun The Virgin and the Gipsy by D.H. Lawrence. What hits me right off the bat is its wonderful writing. I do love non-fiction but you don't get lines like this.
Chrissie- Hell Ship sounds terrific and I’m adding it my TBR! Thanks for the recommendation.
Pam, maybe it is even a five star book. It is fun spreading good books.
I have just finished another one of Chrissie's recommendations Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel. It is very good, although sometimes a little repetitive.Several library books are due back in the next week, so I need to get on and read them. Most are either from the Dublin Literary Award list or the Costa shortlists.
Val wrote: "I have just finished another one of Chrissie's recommendations Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel. It is very good, although sometimes a little repetitive.Several library b..."
I guess you were pleased since you do say it's very good. I get nervous when people read books I like and recommend, One never knows; people react differently.
I think you had read another book on the subject of animal communication which was not as good, then recommended this one as better. This one manages to give a good balance between the enthusiasm and attachment field zoologists feel for the animals they are studying and the actual observations and measurements which make up the papers they publish, and tend to sound more detached.
Val wrote: "I think you had read another book on the subject of animal communication which was not as good, then recommended this one as better. "Yep, that is what I recall too. I agree about the content balance in Safina's book. I gave it four. What have you given it?
It didn't 'amaze' me, so I would give it four stars as well.
That is how I reasoned too; I simply liked it a lot. I rate by my gut reaction.
I don't give many non-fiction books five stars. It is easier to form an emotional connection with novels, I find.
I totally agree with what you are saying! I read and like lots of non-fiction, rarely is an interesting topic going to let you down, but fiction gives you, if it is very well done, exceptional writing and the sparkle of imagination. Some books of fiction are on the other hand a total waste of time. With fiction, you put yourself out on a limb; you don't know what you will get.
Val wrote: "I don't give many non-fiction books five stars. It is easier to form an emotional connection with novels, I find."For me, nonfiction that holds my interest is 5-stars.
I have given The Virgin and the Gipsy by D.H. Lawrence five stars. I have not liked the others I have read by Lawrence anywhere near how I loved this.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I really, really must thank Greg for discussing the book with me and convincing me to read it.
Now I have begun Barnum: An American Life by Robert Wilson. I don't like people being tricked, so I don't know how I will react to this.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I have started Small Island. This will be a treat."I'm about a third of the way through and liking it
My review explains how I reacted toward Barnum: An American Life by Robert Wilson:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have begun Candleford Green by Flora Thompson. It is the third in a trilogy. Reading it is relaxing. It puts you in a good mood, and I like its humor. I like how, in a matter of fact, clear manner, it states how things were in provincial Oxfordshire, England, during the 1890s. The trilogy is considered a collection of three semi-autobiographical novels.
I have completed Candleford Green by Flora Thompson, the last book of a trilogy. They are are classified as semi-autobiographical novels, but they could just as well be considered books of social history. All of them I have given four stars, but I am not so sure they will fit all people's taste. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I have begun Father of the Rain by Lily King.
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Can't recommend this one highly enough. My review for anyone interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Susan wrote: "I have finished Apeirogon Can't recommend this one highly enough. My review for anyone interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"
I have difficulty finding contemporary authors that I fall for. Colum McCann is the exception--I think he is great.I have read everything I can get y hands o by him! Songdogs is one of my favorites by the author,
The audio version of Apeirogonwill be released in just a few days. He reads the book himself.
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Yes, an Israeli general who wrote a dissertation on Naguib Mahfouz and a Palestinian who did a PhD on the Holocaust.
As far as Colum McCann is concerned, I read Dancer
some years ago, but, you know what it is like and I just never got around to him again.
This is a stunning read. For those members who are interested in book awards, this must be on the Booker longlist, at the very least, I would have thought.
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And possibly on some of the more experimental writing prize-lists for the way it reconfigures the relationship between fact and fiction, and the 1001 sections that structure the narrative. Though I should add that form never gets in the way of story: this is one of the most readable, unputdownable books I've read in a long time. And my first McCann! Good to hear there's a back catalogue of wonderful books to explore.
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Thanks RC and Susan
I've asked for a copy from NetGalley following both of your glowing testimonies
I'll keep you posted
I read Let the Great World Spin a few years ago and enjoyed it, but have not yet read any other McCanns. I hope to get round to Apeirogon soon - I have a paper proof copy thanks to my friends at Five Leaves bookshop but have been too busy reading the Republic of Consciousness list to start it.
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I'm confidently predicting one of my books of the year. Must read more McCann.
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A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
About 20 years ago I read The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment. I can remember little about it now other than it seemed quite profound and important. Even though his basic message is very simple and somewhat ambiguous, there's something rather wonderful about listening to his musings.
The blurb states that Eckhart Tolle....
....expands on the powerful ideas in The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment to show how transcending our ego-based state of consciousness is not only essential to personal happiness, but also the key to ending conflict and suffering throughout the world. Tolle describes how our attachment to the ego creates the dysfunction that leads to anger, jealousy, and unhappiness, and shows readers how to awaken to a new state of consciousness and follow the path to a truly fulfilling existence. "The Power of Now" was a question-and-answer handbook. "A New Earth" has been written as a traditional narrative, offering anecdotes and philosophies in a way that is accessible to all. Illuminating, enlightening, and uplifting, "A New Earth" is a profoundly spiritual manifesto for a better way of life and for building a better world.
Anyone else attracted to this kind of hokum?
Nigeyb wrote: "Anyone else attracted to this kind of hokum?"No - LOL
I actually don't understand "simple" and "somewhat ambiguous" being compatible. To me somewhat ambiguous is anything but simple.
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Eckhart's musings sometimes stimulate moments of insight and, perhaps, this is when an individual starts to change. I don't know. Either way I'd still recommend it. I agree with much of what he says even though part of me wonders if it might all be hokum.
Nigeyb wrote: "Notice the space between you and your thoughts. Recognise you are not your thoughts. "I think this possibly makes quite false assumptions about what people's thoughts are. It appears to assume all people are dolts who don't have a good sense of who they are.
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Well, pardon me for believing that a depressed vagrant is not a good source for how to think about myself.
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Tolle spent his youth depressed and became a vagrant. I can see how anything from there is up, but I'm not sure that's a recommended way of doing things. After I wrote, I was remembering a book from long ago, The Power of Positive Thinking. I freely admit I didn't read it then nor since, but I've always remembered it as saying that positive thinking is powerful.It's not that I don't have negative thoughts, obviously I do or I wouldn't be thinking of Tolle negatively. It's that, for me, looking forward, seeing what's possible rather than impossible, is where I'd like to be.
I just finished a memoir titled “Reasons to Stay AIive” by Matt Haig. It’s about his struggle with severe depression and anxiety and how he dealt with his illness came out on the other end! It provides insight into the thoughts that go through the person’s mind and actions that can help. It’s an easy and hopeful/encouraging read, written like a personal conversation. I enjoyed it, especially since I have a close family member who struggles like he did. So much of the book is painfully familiar. I’m going back to fiction now and starting “Waiting for the Barbarians” by J. M. Coetzee. I loved the last book I read by him.
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Right. Thanks.
I know nothing of Eckhart Tolle's personal history.
That aspect of his life sounds very intriguing and, perhaps, something that was very profound for him. We all learn valuable insights by enduring extreme adversity.
There's more about his life here...
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profi...
Thanks again Elizabeth, that's really interesting.
I'll report back when I've finished his book. I'm attracted to books of this type, and books about philosophy, especially Stoicism, and usually find a few nuggets that help to make sense of the world and our place in it.
Pam wrote: "I just finished a memoir titled “Reasons to Stay AIive” by Matt Haig. It’s about his struggle with severe depression and anxiety and how he dealt with his illness came out on the other end!"
I read that recently too Pam - I found it very insightful. Thankfully I've yet to have deal with what Matt Haig endured.
My most recent two are about events that occurred in the 20th century (though published recently):As the title suggests, this non-fiction is about The Great Influenza pandemic of 1918-2020. It spread worldwide, but the author follows it from its source which he believes (and provides evidence) was in Kansas, US, so much of the book is set in the US. It is mostly a science of disease but also includes a good amount of history plus photos in the back.
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague in History by John M. Barry - 4 stars - My Review
This book is weirdly wonderful and is partially set in 1988 East Berlin. It's hard to describe it, best just to experience it for oneself:
The Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah Levy - 4 stars - My Review
I have completed Lily King's Father of the Rain. I like how this author writes.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Now I have picked up The Wisdom of Donkeys: Finding Tranquility in a Chaotic World by Andy Merrifield. I want to know more about donkeys and it is set in France, which is nice.
Chrissie- “The Wisdom of Donkeys” sounds really interesting! I’m going to try to find it. I’m doing a reboot on “The Andromeda Evolution” by Daniel H. Wilson. I started it earlier this year but just wasn’t in the mood for it. It’s a sequel to Michael Crichton’s “The Andromeda Strain” published in 1969. I think I’ll finish it this time!
Pam, I have not come far enough to say much. It has made me want to know donkeys better. I like their temperament--you tell a horse to do something, but a donkey you ask. This appeals to me. The dome at the top of their head is super soft.
Christie - Every time I hear about a donkey, it reminds me of a funny story with my husband and daughter at Father-Daughter Girl Scout camp. They had a memorable experience with Dominguez, the donkey who only wanted to eat the sweet grass! Couldn’t get him to budge as long as there was grass to eat.
Chrissie wrote: "Pam, I have not come far enough to say much. It has made me want to know donkeys better. I like their temperament--you tell a horse to do something, but a donkey you ask. This appeals to me. The do..."I remember that we had a donkey to keep a pony company when we were young. The pony we were happy to ride, but anyone trying to get on the donkey would be chucked off almost immediately. Still, at least the pony had company.
Tania wrote: "The pony we were happy to ride, but anyone trying to get on the donkey would be chucked off almost immediately."This is the reputation I've come to know about donkeys.
A lot of seaside resorts had donkey rides on the beach when I was a child. Most places have stopped them now because children are heavier on average. (It was OK to set an age limit, but parents complained if they set a weight limit.)
I didn't manage to read all my library books, but I read enough of each to know which ones I wanted to borrow again and which I was giving up on.
Pam wrote: "Christie - Every time I hear about a donkey, it reminds me of a funny story with my husband and daughter at Father-Daughter Girl Scout camp. They had a memorable experience with Dominguez, the donk..."They are quite stubborn--but that isn't bad! They are not stupid, they go after what they want. The problem lies with people who think they get to decide everything and have their own way.
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Cap doffed, as always