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What I'm Reading - Jan & Feb 2021
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Stories I Only Tell My Friends – Rob Lowe – 3.5***
In general, I’m not a great fan of celebrity memoirs, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. From summer stock as a teen in Dayton, Ohio, to starring roles in the Brat-Pack films of the ‘80s, and on to The West Wing, I found his story engaging and interesting.
My full review HERE
I just finished Elizabeth George's 20th "Inspector Lynley" novel THE PUNISHMENT SHE DESERVES. I loved it. Lots of twists and turns, but the best thing was the camaraderie between Lynley and Havers. Can't wait till #21, SOMETHING TO HIDE, is published this year.Don't know what I'll read next.
Lyn wrote: "Just finished Girl, Woman, Other. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .Starting A God in Ruins for another book club. I had read the..."
I loved both these books and rated them 5*****. What a roller coaster ride.
I'm reading BRING UP THE BODIES, which I suppose most here have read. Not too far in yet, but already I'm so impressed with how gorgeous Mantel's prose is.
Kiki wrote: "I'm reading BRING UP THE BODIES, which I suppose most here have read. Not too far in yet, but already I'm so impressed with how gorgeous Mantel's prose is."That was my favorite of the trilogy, Kiki.
Robert S. McNamara’s IN RETROSPECT: THE TRAGEDY AND LESSONS OF VIETNAM. This book is a memoir, in many ways an apologia, and I read it as such. I also read some of the reviews and criticisms that were written at the time of its publication. I believe that there are lessons for us to learn from the war in Vietnam. I believe that, regardless of one’s viewpoint as to the rightness or justness of the war, there is considerable evidence that it was poorly managed and executed. McNamara made a noteworthy effort to ensure the accuracy of his recollections of the years he served as Secretary of Defense under President Kennedy and then continuing under President Johnson but in the end he wrote a very personal, almost intimate, story of those years. Stylistically, I think he repeated his central ideas and themes so often as to approach insulting the capability of his readers to grasp and remember them. I also found that his use of first names, although heightening the intimate tone, interfered with readability; I frequently had to refer to the Personae section to figure out exactly who he was referring to. In the end, I am happy to have finally read this book; it adds to my knowledge and insights about those years that were such a formative factor in my young adulthood.
I always love Kate Atkinson's complex stories that ex-detective Jackson Brodie has to untangle while generally making more of a tangle of his own life. Big Sky is the 5th in the series and is terrific!
5★ Link to my Big Sky review
Fluffles: The Brave Koala Who Held Strong Through A Bushfire is a very cute Vita Murrow picture book about the unbelievable 2019 Australian bushfires. Fluffles was rescued in South Australia.
4.5★ Link to my review of Fluffles with several illustrations
I'm enjoying Francine Proses's Reading Like a Writer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... very much. Can anyone recommend other books about reading and analysis?Also, sorry to ask a technical question, but what is the best way to embed a link to the book's Goodreads entry? I don't think I've done it the right way in my post.
Ben wrote: "I'm enjoying Francine Proses's Reading Like a Writer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... very much. Can anyone recommend other books about reading and analysis?Also, s..."
It looks fine to me.
We can see the name of the book just fine if we click on your link.If you want to have the name of the book show up in your post with a direct link when you click on the name, use the "add book/author". You will find it at the top of the reply box, across from "comment." Do a search on the name of the book or the author, and add it.
If this is clear as mud message me.
Fortunately, the Milk – Neil Gaiman – 4****
This is a delightful fantastical romp of a story. There’s so much in this book it would almost be easier to list what is NOT in the book (no broccoli … that I recall). We have pirates, spaceship abduction, a stegosaurus in a balloon, sharks, piranhas, a volcano, unpredictable time travel, vampires, and, fortunately, the milk. Great fun to read aloud to the kiddos.
My full review HERE
My grandsons loved Fortunately, the Milk as an audio book when we were on a road trip, and it was one I could enjoy listening to with them. Gaiman does his own narration, and while that isn't doesn't work so well with many authors, I enjoyed hearing him read his own work.
My local library’s annual challenge includes the category #ownvoices book. First, I had to find out what that meant. Then I had to find a book written by an author from a marginalized group who was writing from their own experience in that group. I chose Carmen Maria Machado’s memoir, IN THE DREAM HOUSE. I never would have read this book had it not been for the challenge. She writes about her experience of emotional abuse in her relationship with a lesbian partner, which started while she was a student at the University of Iowa in the Iowa Writer’s Workshop. The structure of her memoir is inventive. Her fragmented style is an effective way to tell this story. She writes beautifully. She narrated the book herself and in many ways that heightened, for me, the intimacy of the reading experience.
Pardon the interruption, but the discussion on A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II has started under the Reading List category. I hope we get participation.
Ben wrote: "I'm enjoying Francine Proses's Reading Like a Writer https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3... very much. Can anyone recommend other books about reading and analysis?Ben, I love Francine Prose's Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them. I keep it on my bedside table and consult it when I'm looking for something good that I've never read.
The only other book that I can think of like that, though not exactly the same is Herold Bloom's The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages. I hope this helps.
They broke the mould when the Artist Known as Prince came along. This is another of the Little People BIG DREAMS series. Author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and illustrator Cachetejack have produced a bright, appealing children's book
4.5★ rounded up Link to my Prince review with several illustrations
I do love a good short story, so I'm glad that Amazon is publishing originals from many different authors. In the Empty Quarter by G. Willow Wilson is a scary little cautionary tale I enjoyed. 
4★ Link to my review of In the Empty Quarter
Thanks Mary Ann. I'll look at it.For more "close reading" I should also mention the New Yorker Fiction podcast, in which writers read and analyse short stories from the 95-year New Yorker archive.
Ben wrote: "Thanks Mary Ann. I'll look at it.For more "close reading" I should also mention the New Yorker Fiction podcast, in which writers read and analyse short stories from the 95-year New Yorker archive."
I agree with you, Ben. That's a great podcast. Thanks for reminding me to prioritize it again.
Small As an Elephant – Jennifer Richard Jacobson – 3.5***
This children’s book deals with mental illness. Jack Martel emerges from his pup tent to find that his mother is missing. Eleven-year-old Jack must find his mom before the authorities intervene and separate them forever. I loved Jack; he’s resilient, intelligent, resourceful and brave. He’s also scared. But he’s determined to find his Mom and hopes he can forgive her for leaving him alone.
My full review HERE
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee – 5*****
My all-time favorite novel, which I re-read every few years. This is a singularly powerful novel that had a great impact on me when I first read it at age 13, and has never failed to move and inspire me as I’ve re-read it over the years. It’s a well-paced novel, a fast read with elements of suspense, family drama, humor and moral lessons.
My full review HERE
Return to the Most Beautiful Village in the World is a bittersweet follow-up to Japanese artist Yutaka Kobayashi's previous two picture books about a little boy who left his war-torn village in Afghanistan. Kobayashi says we must inspire the children!
4.5★ Link to my Return to ... review with many illustrations
A couple of weeks ago Gina posted her comment and 5-star rating of Colum McCann’s APEIROGON. It had been on my TBR tag list for over a year and I decided to listen to it as soon as it was my turn to download it from our library. I just finished this morning. This book is a many-faceted jewel. Powerful story. Brilliant structure. Strong emotion. Solid historical context. Beautifully written. It is based on the true story of two fathers, one Israeli and one Palestinian, both of whom have lost their young daughters to violence. It changes their lives. They become friends and allies. It made me think about a film I saw several years ago - L’autre Fils (The Other Son) - which was about two young men who had mistakenly been switched shortly after birth. The Jewish baby was raised as a Palestinian Muslim and the Palestinian baby had been raised as an Israeli Jew. For me, it is impossible to know these stories and to believe that there is any moral or religious justification for continuing the conflict between Palestinian Muslims and Israeli Jews.
This is a bit premature, but some of you know I'm an "Inspector Lynley" mystery addict. Elizabeth George's 21st Lynley mystery will be released on May 27th and is called SOMETHING TO HIDE. It involves Lynley, Havers, and Winston Nkata. The mystery is fabulous, but my only disappointment is that the characters didn't travel to a picturesque English village. I'm not promoting the book and apologize if it sounds like I am; this is just meant to be information for those who like to read the books when they come out, like I do. I feel lost without one to read.
Mary wrote: "A couple of weeks ago Gina posted her comment and 5-star rating of Colum McCann’s APEIROGON. It had been on my TBR tag list for over a year and I decided to listen to it as soon as it was my turn t..."I'm looking forward to reading Apeirogon. I listened to an interview with the author where he explained how moved he was after meeting the two fathers and how generous they were in allowing him to fictionalise their story. He couldn't get it out of his head, but he was afraid he might upset them.
Your "many-faceted jewel" comment is spot-on. McCann explained an apeirogon is a polygon with an infinite number of sides. Did he say that in the book? It's certainly aptly titled!
Heartstone is the fourth in the excellent Matthew Shardlake historical mystery series set in King Henry VIII's very bloody England. Author C.J. Sansom seems to know his stuff (excuse the academic terminology) about the wars of the time.
3.5~4★ Link to my Heartstone review
I finally read the first book of the much-loved Monkeewrench mystery series by mother-daughter duo P.J. Tracy. People and plot were every bit as good as I was told. I'm delighted there are more!
5★ Link to my Monkeewrench review
My review of A God in Ruins, which I finally finished: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .On to rereading Olive, Again for another book group.
PattyMDC, yes he talked about apeirogons a couple of times.
Lyn wrote: "My review of A God in Ruins, which I finally finished: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .On to rereading Olive, Again for another book group."
oooo lucky you! Two of my favourite authors, Lyn.
Mary wrote: "PattyMDC, yes he talked about apeirogons a couple of times."Thanks, Mary - good to know, and an apt concept for a problem that is so multi-faceted, as you said.
Lyn wrote: "My review of A God in Ruins, which I finally finished: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... .On to rereading Olive, Again for another book group."
I loved these two books from Kate Atkinson in the Todd Family Series. They were so good,
Edwidge Danticat’s BREATH, EYES, MEMORY, narrated by Robin Miles. Poignant. Sad and yet ultimately hopeful. Lyrically written. Set in Haiti and NYC. A coming of age story about Sophie, her relationship with the other women in her family (mother, aunt, grandmother), and the importance of female purity in Haitian society. This was Danticat’s 1st novel, published when she was 25; her talent shines throughout.
Six Word Story: Stories, Memoirs, Poems and Jokes all written in only six words. is the second book of clever, quirky "stories" by Doug Weller. There's a competition you can enter, too. Fun to try making them up.
4★ Link to my Six Word Story review with a few stories included
Hello Friend We Missed You won The Guardian's 2020 Not the Booker Prize competition. I liked the real Booker winner better this year - Shuggie Bain - but Richard Owain Roberts IS a good writer, and it's nice to see Wales represented.
3.4★ Link to my Hello Friend review
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Hello Friend We Missed You won The Guardian's 2020 Not the Booker Prize competition. I liked the real Booker winner better this year - Shuggie Bain - but [author:Ric..."Shuggie Bain was a great book.
Gina wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Hello Friend We Missed You won The Guardian's 2020 Not the Booker Prize competition. I liked the real Booker winner better this year - Shuggie Bain!
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Gina wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Hello Friend We Missed You won The Guardian's 2020 Not the Booker Prize competition. I liked the real Booker winner better this year - [book:Sh..."I just had to let SHUGGIE BAIN settle for a while, Patty. Now, I love it, though (view spoiler)
I just started a new thread for March and April, so this one is closing. Please continue your discussions on the new thread.
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
Hello Friend We Missed You (other topics)El hacha (other topics)
Hello Friend We Missed You (other topics)
Shuggie Bain (other topics)
Hello Friend We Missed You (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Richard Owain Roberts (other topics)Doug Weller (other topics)
P.J. Tracy (other topics)
C.J. Sansom (other topics)
Yutaka Kobayashi (other topics)
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Starting A God in Ruins for another book club. I had read the prior Atkinson book, Life After Life, but hadn't written a review for that one.
I have A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II on my Kindle, as well as Squeeze Me, and have a physical copy of Abigail from the library, but have become a little backed up in my reading lately.