Book Nook Cafe discussion
Books
>
What books did you get from the library, bookstore or online ~ 2022
message 151:
by
Rachel
(new)
Aug 30, 2022 03:20PM
I started reading it today and read the preface. It was long and wordy the the maximum degree. Thankfully I read a few pages of the work itself and it was much better.
reply
|
flag
I often skip prefaces and introductions until i complete a novel. They are often as you described, Rachel, and a real pleasure killer!
Pleasure killer is exactly right in this case. Sometimes I read the preface after reading the book.
Ditto. I do not appreciate spoilers, which preface writers seem to relish sharing.
Picked up The Black Echo today, first book in the Harry Bosch series. However quite a few books in progress so will start a few days later
He's a popular author. Though I've never read him.
I haven’t read that Michael Connelly series but read The Poet a few years ago. I liked it but when another in the Jack McEvoy series was published, I found i wasn’t interested. My daughter is a fan of his books, however. I hope the book grabs you, Prosenjit.
I've purchased the audiobook The President and the Assassin: McKinley, Terror, and Empire at the Dawn of the American Century, which I plan to start soon. I know there are history fans here, so asking if anyone has read it?
John wrote: "I've purchased the audiobook The President and the Assassin: McKinley, Terror, and Empire at the Dawn of the American Century, which I plan to start soon. I know there are history fa..."No, I haven't. However, I do enjoy presidential books and I also have the presidential challenge here at BNC. So I look forward very much to your review, John.
I got from the library Naguib Mahfouz’s second book, Palace of Desire, of the trilogy of colonial Egypt . The first volume was engrossing but this second on not so much. I have been led to understand that Arabic is very flowery and this book is very much so.
Rachel wrote: "I got from the library Naguib Mahfouz’s second book, Palace of Desire, of the trilogy of colonial Egypt . The first volume was engrossing but this second on not so much. I have been led to understa..."The Cairo Trilogy
Palace Walk
Palace of Desire
Sugar Street
I'm sorry to say I'm not familiar with this 1988 Nobel Prize winner in Literature, Rachel.
That's disappointing that you didn't enjoy book 2 as much as the first. Will you continue with the trilogy ?
John wrote: "I've purchased the audiobook The President and the Assassin: McKinley, Terror, and Empire at the Dawn of the American Century, which I plan to start soon. I know there are history fa..."John, i feel as though i read this book, however while on the road i’ve had trouble with accessing my Books Read list, so am unable to make certain. I like such books and i read Destiny of the Republic—Candice Millard but can’t positively say i read the McKinley book. I hope it’s worth your time.
Interesting that the second in the series would be so different. I hope something clicks for you soon, Rachel.
Alias Reader wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I got from the library Naguib Mahfouz’s second book, Palace of Desire, of the trilogy of colonial Egypt . The first volume was engrossing but this second on not so much. I have been ..."I downloaded Expensive People an early Joyce Carol Oates work on my kindle and I downloaded The Wonderful by Saskia Sarginso to listen to on my phone when I walk.
I may read the third. It seems a shame to stop in the middle. In a review somewhere it said that the second book is very transitional and so hopefully the third will have the interest of the first. One way or the other it is interesting to see how other cultures communicate.
I agree, Rachel. I don’t mean history, necessarily. Small customs, such as holidays or funeral practices, help me feel i understand a nation better, too.
Rachel wrote: I may read the third. It seems a shame to stop in the middle. ..."Yes. When the time comes, maybe give it a short leash, say 25 -50 pages. If it doesn't grab you, move on.
In my youth (50s??), i would soldier on, but now, i seldom do. Time, etc.
I agree. I will start the third one and if it isn't up to snuff I will blow it off. Tempus Fugit!.
Today I started Expensive People by Joyce Carol Oates. It is one of her earlier works and so far so good.
A book i've had on hold for some time came in days after Barbara posted her review of it on these boards. I selected Upgrade--Blake Crouch for my 100 Challenge, under the tech-related category. It didn't fail, in that i learned much about upgrading human cells via technological means, without the target knowing. This was more thriller than tech, however, but given all the science i learned, i liked it quite a bit. Set in the near future, the world is already dying and estimated to kill off humanity within 200 years. The object of the world's most brilliant scientist is to upgrade humans, beginning with her two adult children. Those two then fight one another to thwart the mother's plans.
Interesting and well written, the author explained the science quite well, including delivery systems and the state of tech. I can see why he has a good reputation for writing science novels.
Glad you enjoyed the book, deb. I'm not into science fiction but this one does sound intriguing. Do I have to add to my list of worries now that my genome may be hacked ? ! From the online review "The truth is, Logan’s genome has been hacked. And there’s a reason he’s been targeted for this upgrade."
Sounds like one that might've qualified under "Out of my comfort zone" with all that tech! Books where you feel you've learned a lot are truly special!
Agreed, John. In this case i suspect not many specifics will stick but the processes and history will.I can’t say i worried much about genome hacking previously but the book didn’t frighten me over the issue, either. Perhaps because the setting for this was in a rapidly deteriorating Earth.
I gave up on Expensive people a bit more than halfway through. Joyce Carol Oates has such a dark view. It is not my cup of tea.
Rachel wrote: "I gave up on Expensive people a bit more than halfway through. Joyce Carol Oates has such a dark view. It is not my cup of tea."Sorry to hear it didn't work for you. I see it is book 2 of a 4 part series.
I've read her We Were the Mulvaneys back in December 2012 according to GoodReads. I read the book with the old AOL Oprah message boards. Gosh, how the years fly by.
As Gretchen Rubin is fond of saying the days are long and the years are short.
Rachel, i have sampled Oates over the years and have yet to click with her work. I'm sad about that because many readers are enormous fans of her books. I suspect i'm missing a big name in literature, but there i am. :-)
Oates' story "Where are you going? Where have you been?" I found outstanding!
John wrote: "Oates' story "Where are you going? Where have you been?" I found outstanding!"Thanks, John for the title.
Here is the link.
Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?
Thanks for the link. My library does not have that one. She certainly is prolific.
The Other MotherThe Other Mother is what I am reading right now and I am listening to
The Little Stranger
I am enjoying both of them.
Thanks, John and Alias. If i ever try her again, i’ll go with that title.
Rachel, those sound good, particularly the Harper novel. Enjoy!
The Other Mother definitely brings up issues of what/who are family.
That was my conclusion when reading the GR link about it. Intriguing questions.
Even more so as I am nearing the end.
I purchased a paperback copy of The Late George Apley towards this year's 100 Challenge. The decline of the British upper class lifestyle after WW I has been written of often, but this novel does a good job of showing a similar trajectory here. Epistolary format works quite well; I can see how it won a Pulitzer Prize.
John wrote: "I purchased a paperback copy of The Late George Apley towards this year's 100 Challenge. The decline of the British upper class lifestyle after WW I has been written of often, but thi...""the novel moves from the Gilded Age to the Great Depression"
Certainly an interesting time. I hope you enjoy the novel.
For the 100 book challenge I needed for #5- Short story collection.I recalled that this one was very popular with the group back when we used to be on AOL. I started it last night and I'm enjoying the writing.
Drinking Coffee Elsewhere by Z.Z. Packer
Thanks for your comments on the Marquand novel, John. It’s on my “wanna read” list. Nice choice.
That sounds like a winner, Alias. I hope it continues to please you, as you complete another challenge.
madrano wrote: "That sounds like a winner, Alias. I hope it continues to please you, as you complete another challenge."Thanks, deb. So far I'm enjoying it.
Another book from my library holds just came in for me. So my read after Drinking Coffee will be
When We Fell Apart by Soon Wiley
Your next novel sounds intriguing. Both a murder mystery and a personal one for the main character. Enjoy!
John wrote: "I purchased a paperback copy of The Late George Apley towards this year's 100 Challenge. The decline of the British upper class lifestyle after WW I has been written of often, but thi..."My library does not have that one. I am sure it would be right in my wheelhouse. But there is another by the same author:
John P. Marquand
Point of No Return, thanks for alerting me to an author I was not familiar with.
I just finished Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life—Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. Earlier in my online life i had a buddy with whom i read science and math books. She helped me work through them because i wanted to read them but was usually lost early on. Yet together we got through & i learned plenty. Retain? Some but not most.When Florian mentioned the book, i sought it out for our 100 Challenge, under 77- A book you think would be a challenging read for you. Nguyen-Kim writes well and attempts to explain everyday chemistry to the reader by taking us through a day—breakfast, moods, toothpaste, drinking alcohol and on.
For me, at times it seemed too simple, which means I’ve retained more than i thought. Her explanations for other parts, including chemistry were good in creating parallels which helped me remember better.
Making the entire book more readable is that it isn’t strictly about chemistry. Instead she spends time explaining about different types of chemistry and life working for degrees at universities. I liked that info and felt it paced a reader’s exposure to the science presented. I never felt overwhelmed.
As Florian mentioned, the author’s goal wasn’t to teach readers about science but to let us see the scientific spirit, using Chemistry as her weapon of choice. “Scientific spirit is a love of facts and figures. This includes being aware of the biases we all have, scrutinizing our personal opinions, and being prepared to change them if the facts demand it. Facts and personal opinions mustn’t be treated as equal.”
madrano wrote: "I just finished Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life—Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. Earlier in my online life i had a buddy with whom i read science ..."Excellent commentary! 👍
madrano wrote: "I just finished Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life—Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. Earlier in my online life i had a buddy with whom i read science ..."Sounds like a good book for the lay person, to (maybe) raise an interest in science. 🙂
Thank you for your kind comments. Her enthusiasm was great, i must say.
madrano wrote: "I just finished Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life—Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. Earlier in my online life i had a buddy with whom i read science ..."Terrific review, deb. I have the book on my TBR list.
I hope you like it. There is plenty of science in relation to foods, much of which you may already know, unlike me, Alias.
Book Nook Cafe
Books mentioned in this topic
As We Are Now (other topics)The Education of Harriet Hatfield (other topics)
Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing (other topics)
A Reckoning (other topics)
To the Last Man: A Novel of the First World War (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jeff Shaara (other topics)Robin Cook (other topics)
May Sarton (other topics)
Patricia O'Toole (other topics)
Jackie Speier (other topics)
More...
