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Constant Reader
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What I'm Reading - May/June 2020
I just finished Daisy Jones & The Six. It's a fictionalized transcript of band members from a 1970s band (loosely based on Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac). I didn't think it would be that absorbing, but something about the multiple viewpoints and characters kept me reading this one.
Mary Anne wrote: "Wow. The author of the book I just reviewed in the previous post has liked my review of her book. That's pretty cool! It's never happened to me before in all my years posting here."I went to see if the Kindle version was still on sale, and what do you know--I already have it! It is nice when they acknowledge!
Mary Anne wrote: "Wow. The author of the book I just reviewed in the previous post has liked my review of her book. That's pretty cool! It's never happened to me before in all my years posting here."That’s very cool!
That happened to me once. Feels really nice.
I am reading The Reverend's Other Son by Anne Padgett, The Lake by Donna Foley Mabry and The Point of It All by Christina C. Jones. I'm on a roll right now. I've been reading historical fiction, suspense, and romance novels back-to-back.
Just finished Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. It begins in 1830 on a sugar plantation in Barbados when 12-year-old Washington is picked out of the slave ranks to serve as an assistant to the owner's scientist brother. Thus begins a rather fantastical physical journey for Wash as well as a more nuanced mental and emotional one. An imaginative story but it's necessary to suspend credulity a bit, which I happily did - 4 stars.
Because Of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo – 5***** and a ❤
DiCamillo has written a lovely book that deals with some serious issues. India and her father struggle to come to grips with their new reality now that her mother has left and they’ve moved to a new community. But with the help of a smiling dog, they begin to heal. No, everything doesn’t turn out perfect, but DiCamillo gives her readers a sense of hope that India (and her father) will come out of this period of their lives with full hearts.
My full review HERE
The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, written by Carson McCullers when she was only 23, has become a classic of the American South - 1930s Georgia. Great characters!
4★ Link to my 'Heart' review
I'm sure a lot of readers are familiar with Montessori schools, but I bet they don't know Maria Montessori was the first woman in Italy to go to medical school. Maria Montessori by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara is designed for little kids, but I learned a lot, too. 
4★ Link to my 'Montessori' review with illustrations
The Overstory – Richard Powers – 3***
I am having a very hard time pinpointing what it was about this book that I found so interesting. I tend to gravitate towards character-driven works, and this is certainly that. But nine “main” characters is a daunting task and I think it detracted from Powers’ message of environmental stewardship, and what a bad job humans are doing of that.
My full review HERE
Started Lab Girl by Hope Jahren, the CR book for June. It is really good, actually riveting. It is the story of a young woman determined to be a scientist and the difficult obstacles that she had to endure to succeed. She is a unique person whose unbelievable motivation, and superb writing give her story gripping authenticity. I am half way through and looking forward to the discussion next month. Thanks Barb for a great suggestion.
You're welcome, Katy! But, I actually got the recommendation from Jane. She talked about it during the discussion of The Overstory.
It’s a Long Story – Willie Nelson – 4****
Oh, Willie! I’ve had a long-standing crush on the “red-headed stranger” and am glad to have learned more about him, because I like him even more now. Willie lays it all out there … from childhood to stardom, the good, the bad, the ugly and the shiningly beautiful.
My full review HERE
I just bought The Murmur of Bees. I am in the mood for a great story. It's raining heavily here and very gloomy. Thanks Mary Anne.
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger appealed to me on every level. I've got a soft spot for a child's point of view, and when there's humour and terror and adventure and tragedy and romance all mixed with a hint of magic, what more could I want?
5★ My 'Peace Like a River' review
I’ve had that on my list for a long time. Guess I need a plan to prioritize my reading somehow.
Gina wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I just finished News of the World, which I think I found through one of the many book recommendations for quarantine reading. It is set in post-civil war Texas and desc..."I agree regarding the book! So good! And I'll watch for the movie.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "After Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel won the Booker Prize in 2009 and was short-listed for the Golden Booker in 2019 (best in 50 years), I figured I should read it again a..."Such a good book, as is the next book, Bring Up the Bodies.
Mary Anne wrote: "Wow. The author of the book I just reviewed in the previous post has liked my review of her book. That's pretty cool! It's never happened to me before in all my years posting here."You're kidding! You'd think authors would be watching and would be thrilled with getting a great review!
I just finished The Gift of Rain, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It transported me to a different place, time, and culture (Malayan island of Penang, 1940s), with well-drawn Chinese, Japanese, and British characters (the main character being a half British and half Chinese young man). The descriptions of nature, the sea, an island, the jungle, were especially wonderful. It takes place over several years, as the Japanese invade and the main character and his Japanese sensei navigate a changing, complex, and interesting relationship.
Donna wrote: "Just finished Washington Black by Esi Edugyan. It begins in 1830 on a sugar plantation in Barbados when 12-year-old Washington is picked out of the slave ranks to se..."Donna, I have this on my TBR list thanks for the reminder and good to know you rated it.
Shifting it virtually in my pile :)
Book Concierge wrote: " The Overstory
– Richard Powers – 3***
I am having a very hard time pinpointing what it was about this book that I found so interesting. I tend to gravitate t..."
I've been sitting on this one since we are to read it in my face to face reading group in a couple of months time. Tx for review :)
Finally got some reading done and more to the point finished, concentration has proved a challenge recently. I finished a re read Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. Even better second time round I felt. I listened to the audible version which I thought was good. Kerry Fox read it and for me she became Kathy. What struck me second time around was just how gentle the introductory section was, those memories of childhood which many people will relate to, and how precious they are. I love Ishiguro's writing it is always so smooth to read. I never find myself stumblng over a sentance which is clumsy or too long, too complex and having to re-read it for those reasons. As a result I have decided to go back and reread/listen to his first bookA Pale View of Hills which I bought when it first came out, and to get rund to reading the only one I haven't read yet although I did start once and never got far into it for life reasons The Unconsoled
The other book I have finished was Carol Shields's The Stone Diaries, which for some reason I thought I had read, but hadn't. Excellent. Presented like a biography with letters, photos etc. Incredible scene of birth carnage at the start and she takes you through this very believable life of a very ordinary woman who life journey coveres the 20th century.
I've liked all the books I've read by Shields, namely Larry's Party and Unless I don't know why I haven't read more
Sheila wrote: "Finally got some reading done and more to the point finished, concentration has proved a challenge recently. I finished a re read Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go. Even b..."
The Unconsoled is a difficult book. I did read it and in the end was very glad I did. It felt like a dream you can't escape from.
I just started Redhead by the Side of the Road, Anne Tyler's latest, on my Kindle. I'm not very far in but it seems interesting so far. The protagonist is a geeky guy (he runs an IT help service called "Tech Hermit") who lives a modest life of routines until life interrupts his comfortable existence.I also picked up Lab Girl and The Witch Elm at the library, so I should have some good reading ahead as long as I can concentrate!
Lyn wrote: "I just finished The Gift of Rain, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It transported me to a different place, time, and culture (Malayan island of Penang, 1940s), with well-drawn Chinese, Jap..."I loved The Gift of Rain and also Tan Twan Eng's other book, The Garden of Evening Mists. He hasn't finished another book since 2011 and I would love to have another to read. I rated both his books *****.
Gina wrote: "Lyn wrote: "I just finished The Gift of Rain, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It transported me to a different place, time, and culture (Malayan island of Penang, 1940s), with well-drawn ..."The Garden of Evening Mists really is a beautiful and heartbreaking book.
I’m enjoying Pachinko, a family saga spanning most of the 20th century about a Korean family living in Japan. Nothing super fancy here - just a good story, well told. It highlights the discrimination against Koreans by the Japanese.
Joyce Carol Oates’s THE MAN WITHOUT A SHADOW, narrated by Susan Hanfield. What does it mean to be unable to form new memories starting at the age of 37? What does it mean to be a neuropsychologist obsesses with your research subject? What does it mean to have a confused and unresolved childhood memory that still haunts you? JCO masterfully does what she does best - create a complex novel that is disturbing and uncomfortable to read, with deeply flawed and complicated characters, and a plot with an element of mystery that takes you to emotional places you don’t really want to go and yet you keep on reading. I can’t say I liked this book; it was not an enjoyable read, but I did appreciate JCO’s craft and willingness to explore uncomfortable topics. I greatly respect her talent.
Donna wrote: "I’m enjoying Pachinko, a family saga spanning most of the 20th century about a Korean family living in Japan. Nothing super fancy here - just a good story, well told. It highlights ..."I read that one for my F2F book club. I mostly enjoyed it, and learned. Lot, but thought it got repetitive and confusing in the latter part.
Yes, Ruth, I’ve noticed some repetition also. Some good editing could have picked that up - too bad.
You Are Lovely! by words&pictures is a clever little board book for tiny tots.
5★ Link to my review of "You Are Lovely" with illustrations
John Boyne probably broke all kinds of rules writing his new novel, A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom, so of course, I loved it!
5★ My review of 'Traveller'
Thanks, Gina and Sara. I put The Garden of Evening Mist on my to-read list, and so have another nice one to look forward to.
Thanks to Goodreads friends, I enjoyed a delightful short story, by Amor Towles who wrote the highly acclaimed A Gentleman in Moscow. This story, A Whimsy of the World, is a real treat. Trust me. Read it and enjoy!
5★ My 'Whimsy' review, with a link to the story
On a completely different note, I recently read Taboo by much-awarded Australian Indigenous author Kim Scott, about contemporary SW Western Australia. (the bottom left corner of the country) Pretty strong stuff. Australia's Black Lives Matter.
4★ My review of 'Taboo'
Lyn, I thought The Garden of Evening Mist was excellent too.Patty, thanks for mentioning “Whimsy.” I just went and found the link. Hope to read it very soon.
An Echo In the Bone – Diana Gabaldon – 3.5***
Book # 7 in the incredibly addictive Outlander series, continues the saga of Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser as the American Revolution gears up. I really enjoy the historical inferences in these books. I’ve been to Fort Ticonderoga, and reading those chapters were intensely vivid for me. On the other hand, I was not a great fan of Brianna’s chapters. And Gabaldon ends the book with several plot threads hanging. Pet peeve … please trust your readers to want to read the next book, don’t “force” us to do so by using cliff-hangers.” Lost half a star there.
My full review HERE
In addition my usual string of mysteries (I have started the first in the Phryne Fisher series, which so far is so-so), I am reading Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson, in little gulps. Given that I know where it is leading, I can't say I am "enjoying" it, but it is well put together and engaging. (A friend gave it to me after she had read it - not sure I'd have picked it up on my own.)A bit envious when CR'ers say "I got XX from the library." They are all still closed here, and no curbside pickup, at least where I live. :( Hoopla is filling in somewhat. I didn't think I'd accustom myself so easily to "curling up with a good laptop" at night, but I am. (And compared to the adjustments so many are making to Covid-19, pretty small potatoes.)
Mary Ellen wrote: "In addition my usual string of mysteries (I have started the first in the Phryne Fisher series, which so far is so-so), I am reading Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by..."Can you borrow ebooks through LIBBY?
Ruth wrote: "Mary Ellen wrote: "In addition my usual string of mysteries (I have started the first in the Phryne Fisher series, which so far is so-so), I am reading [book:Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lus..."Yes, Ruth. You link your library card to Libby. So I suppose your library has to buy into the Libby platform.
Mary Anne wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Mary Ellen wrote: "In addition my usual string of mysteries (I have started the first in the Phryne Fisher series, which so far is so-so), I am reading [book:Dead Wake: The Last Crossi..."Yes, I use Libby. I was wondering if you had it.
Douglas Adams’s THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, narrated by Stephen Fry. I’ve been meaning to read this book since the 1980’s when my husband enthusiastically recommended it. Somehow I never got around to it until now. It really is a delightful tale.
Stephen Fry is a wonderful reader.
I read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in college and adored it. Still remember the great advice: "Always bring a towel."
Of course I knew I'd enjoy a trip to Botswana with Alexander McCall Smith's Mma Ramotswe and her No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Morality for Beautiful Girls is the third enjoyable book, and there are more!
4★ My "Morality" review
Outside of my reading obsession, I am board chair of a nonprofit organization that serves domestic violence survivors. We've decided that we need to educate ourselves on the issues around racism and social justice. I've put together a substantial list of books on the subject. Anyone who would like a copy of the list, please message me your email address and I will send it along.
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
An Artist of the Floating World (other topics)A Pale View of Hills (other topics)
The Remains of the Day (other topics)
Never Let Me Go (other topics)
The Remains of the Day (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Friedrich Dürrenmatt (other topics)Patrisse Khan-Cullors (other topics)
Yōko Ogawa (other topics)
Yōko Ogawa (other topics)
Publishers Lunch (other topics)
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Cool!