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What I'm Reading - May - June 2022
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Mary Anne
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May 01, 2022 05:29PM
I just finished the book Sandy Hook by Elizabeth Williamson, and it was just as hard to get through as you might imagine, but well worth it. Believe it or not, there is a thru-line from those hoaxes to those of today.
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Ugh. Not surprising. People seem intent on adopting whatever dumbness lies in their path. I just finished Watergate: A New History which was fascinating. Now off to something lighter — and shorter!
Mary Anne wrote: "I just finished the book Sandy Hook by Elizabeth Williamson, and it was just as hard to get through as you might imagine, but well worth it. Believe it or not, there is a thru-line ..."I recently read Columbine and I agree: These books are emotionally draining, but, in the hands of a good author, the social reverberations of these atrocities remind us of both the strengths and weaknesses of our society.
I read Columbine and A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy and found both to be riveting, valuable reads, Dan.
I am currently about halfway through Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and find it just as intriguing as the author's two previous books.I also plan to begin Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano.
I came across a short story by Donna Tartt titled
The Ambush and read it yesterday. I liked the time it was set in, the Vietnam Era in the early 70's. It resonated with me because I was close to the same age as the narrator in the story.
K wrote: "I am currently about halfway through Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and find it just as intriguing as the author's two previous books.I also plan to ..."
K: How does Sea of Tranquilitiy compare with Station Eleven?
Dan wrote: "K wrote: "I am currently about halfway through Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel and find it just as intriguing as the author's two previous books.I als..."
So far, Station Eleven is an all time favorite of mine, so I'm a little partial to it, although that could change when I'm finished reading this one. Emily St. John Mandel is one of the most unique storytellers I have ever read. For instance, reading the book jacket synopsis of The Glass Hotel made me think I wouldn't be interested, but I read it because of Goodreads Reviewers whose opinions generally reflect my own. I absolutely loved it! I was drawn in immediately! It's the same for me with this book. I'm not sure how this story will all come together in the end, but I'm completely engaged. There is a bit of science fiction in this one, a genre that usually doesn't interest me, but in the hands of St. John Mandel, I am hooked. I'm not a fast reader, but I should be done in a few days. I'll reply back to you with how I compare it to Station Eleven with a more definitive answer.
I read Three Apples Fell from the Sky by Narine AbgaryanThe author grew up in Armenia, but now lives in Moscow. The book was a prize winner and a best seller in Russia.
The book revolves around the village of Maran, a small mountain village in Armenia. It has one of the most unusual openings I have ever read. The most important character, Anatolia, lays out her good clothes for her funeral, and lies down and waits to die from terrible weakness, nausea, and bleeding. She is ready to go. Her village has undergone horrible disasters, including a huge mudslide that wiped out half of the village and its inhabitants, an awful famine which killed most of other half, followed by a 7 year old war which killed more people and even destroyed Anatolia’s beloved library. Only a small group of old people remain. At 58, Anatolia is the youngest.
This sounds bleak indeed, but rest assured that there is a turnaround and the book actually ends happily for villagers who unexpectedly find love.
I like to read about other cultures. I wish I could taste those delicious dishes described in the book. The villagers have interesting stories and, along with all the sad stories, there is also some humor. The book is like a fable, and there are instances of magical realism.
I enjoyed this one, Tamara. Thank you for recommending it.
Ann, this sounds really good and I’ve just added it.
I recently read Wingwalkers by Taylor Brown which I really enjoyed. It’s set in the American South with two storylines. The first begins in Oxford Mississippi with a boy named Bill Falkner watching a balloonist along with his brothers. The second begins in eastern Georgia with a barnstorming pilot and his wing walking companion performing for change or fuel during the depression. The story moves back and forth, eventually bringing the two threads together. If you have enjoyed William Faulkner at all or like Southern lit and adventure, this may work for you.
Jennifer wrote: "I read Columbine and A Mother's Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy and found both to be riveting, valuable reads, Dan."Columbine was an interesting study of hatred, and what the constant feeding of violence can do to the brain. One boy hated the world, the other just himself.
I also finished John Boyne's A History of Loneliness. This is the book for our May discussion, which starts on the 15th. The novel revolves around the Irish Catholic church's scandalous handling of the many instances of pedophilia amongst its clergy. The main character is an Irish priest who is innocent of any crimes himself but represses acknowledgment of what was going on around him. How serious are those sins of omission? More important, how could the higher ups in the Church continue to repeatedly reassign the guilty to new parishes and absolutely refuse to acknowledge the sexual abuse when parents complained.
I am a lapsed Catholic of many years standing, so this book might hold more interest for me than for others. I had a hard time putting it down. I found the story, which also involves the priest's family and friends in the seminary, to be very compelling.
Ann, I was totally captivated by this book, even though I usually hate religious books. Our discussion will be very interesting, I think.K, I just read The Ambush. It was a strange story, but very effective. I enjoyed it very much. Thanks for recommending it. I love Donna Tartt. So many interesting books to read - not enough time.
Send For Me – Lauren Fox – 3***
This is an historical fiction work set both in 1930s Germany and in contemporary Wisconsin, that tells the one family’s story. There were parts of the novel I really liked, when I was completely engaged and caught up in the story. But there were other parts that just fell flat for me. I think this is my fault; I am just so over the dual timeline in historical fiction.
My full review HERE
Ann D wrote: "I enjoyed this one, Tamara. Thank you for recommending it.."You're welcome, Ann. I'm delighted you enjoyed it.
I've read three books in quick succession as they were all due at the same time at the library. The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang. A story about an abusive father, Chinese immigrants, racism, the struggle to become an American, a murder and a lost dog. It was enjoyable and I rated it three stars. And nothing happens to the dog.
I also read Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. This was an okay book that I forced myself to continue reading. Part of it were very good, but it was filled with so many social issues, it became a little unfocused. A little too long, a little too repetitive and too many characters made it confusing. I think this writer has talent so maybe there will be improvement in the next book. If anyone else reads it, let me know what you think. I wondered if I was being too harsh. I rated it two stars.
Then I read A History of Loneliness for our discussion May 15 discussion. I've already rated it five stars. Looking forward to that.
I'm in the middle of The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. As someone else mentioned in the March-April thread, it involves a ghost in a bookstore in Minneapolis, but it's so much more. I hadn't realized just how recently Erdrich wrote it - it reflects both the COVID pandemic and the George Floyd tragedy. If nothing else, a Constant Reader should want to read it for the books that are mentioned. I lost track of all the wonderful books Tookie and the other characters mention, but Erdrich has conveniently provided a long list of Tookie's favorite books at the end of the book. It would be interesting to compare it against our Reading List and Classics Corner choices over the years - there would be a lot of crossover.
I just finished Hervé Le Tellier's The Anomaly which Tonya recommended on one of our Zoom calls. Really enjoyed it, not one I'd have come across otherwise, a intriguing read a cross between speculative fiction, thrilller and a treatise on human nature. Read My Review
This sounds great. My library actually has 7 copies!
Sheila wrote: "I just finished Hervé Le Tellier's The Anomaly which Tonya recommended on one of our Zoom calls. Really enjoyed it, not one I'd have come across otherwise, a intrig..."This novel sounds so intriguing! I just put it on my "To Read" list.
K wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I just finished Hervé Le Tellier's The Anomaly which Tonya recommended on one of our Zoom calls. Really enjoyed it, not one I'd have come across othe..."I just went to add it to my "Want to read" list at the library website and discovered it's already on my list. So much for senior memory :-)
Lynn wrote: "I'm in the middle of The Sentence by Louise Erdrich. As someone else mentioned in the March-April thread, it involves a ghost in a bookstore in Minneapolis, but it's so much more. I..."I loved this book. I already think I need to reread it. I told someone about it today and hardly ever do that.
I just finished British author Sunjeev Sahota's 2021 Booker longlisted novel China Room , which I definitely recommended , see My Review
L.A. Weather – María Amparo Escandón – 3.5*** Rounded up
This is a funny, engaging, endearing novel that looks at a year in the life of one affluent Mexican-American family. It starts with a near tragedy and the characters (and reader) hardly have time to recover from that event when yet another crisis looms, and before long everyone in the family is spinning and bouncing from issue to issue, like balls in an out-of-balance pinball machine. The winds, drought and fires add more tension to the family’s internal strife, and ultimately help them focus on the things they CAN change, rather that what they have no control over. They still make bad decisions, and there is no HEA ending, but I was completely invested in these characters by the end, and I want more!
My full review HERE
I seem to be on a roll lately of reading three books in a row by Turkish women. I finished White on White by Aysegül Savas. This was a quiet novel that sneaks up on you. The narrator is a dispassionate, objective observer. Readers who enjoyed Rachel Cusk's Outline will probably enjoy this. I thought it was excellent.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Power Of One – Bryce Courtenay – 4****
A challenge to travel the world combined with a challenge to read a book that “made-me-cry” brought this one to my attention, and am I ever glad it did! I’m not the writer Courtenay is, so can’t really do justice to the plot of this coming-of-age story. But the writing grabbed me from page one and I was sorry to see it end. I was cheering for Peekay throughout. And while I’m no fan of boxing, I even enjoyed the lessons on strategy and technique.
My full review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: " The Power Of One
– Bryce Courtenay – 4****
A challenge to travel the world combined with a challenge to read a book that “made-me-cry” brought this one to ..."
I read this years ago. In fact I have a feeling that it was an official Reading List selection. Does anybody else remember?
I
Ruth wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: " Yep, here's the discussion: http://constantreader.com/discussions...
I just finished a re-read of The Paper Menagerie - still a heartbreaker, but reminded me of how much I cherish the magic way of seeing the world that I learned from my own mama.Currently reading the 2nd installment of the Det. Matthew Venn series The Heron's Cry for my in-person book club. It's a new club where everyone gets to read whatever they want from the New Books section of our local library. It's been a fun group so far!
Molly wrote: "I just finished a re-read of The Paper Menagerie - still a heartbreaker, but reminded me of how much I cherish the magic way of seeing the world that I learned from my own mama.Cu..."That was my itroduction to Ken Liu, loved it :)
I read The Return of Faraz Ali by Aamina Ahmad. I read this book after I read a review in the New York Times which called it a "stunning" debut and emphasized the mystery involving the death of a 12 year old sex worker in the red light district of Lahore in 1968. The mystery is interesting, but is almost a background to some of the other themes, including identity, discrimination, class dominance, war, and the history of Pakistan.
Ahmad is an excellent writer. This was a 5 star book for me.
See my review at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Sometimes you just need a diversion ....
Tooth And Claw – Jo Walton – 4****
What a fun romp of a story! It’s a typical regency (or Victorian) romance, but all the characters are dragons. I was captured from the first page and enthralled and entertained throughout.
My full review HERE
Book Concierge wrote: "Sometimes you just need a diversion .... Tooth And Claw
– Jo Walton – 4****
What a fun romp of a story! It’s a typical regency (or Victorian) romance, but a..."
I read Jo Walton's Among Others, which played along the gray edge between realism and fantasy--in this case, "fairies." What I remember most was Walton's narrator was so literate in science fiction, quoting and noting both well- and little-known authors of the genre. It was an interesting work. I may look into this one, though "dragons" really aren't my thing...
Sheila wrote: "Molly wrote: "I just finished a re-read of The Paper Menagerie - still a heartbreaker, but reminded me of how much I cherish the magic way of seeing the world that I learned from my..."I haven't read any others by him - can you recommend another good one? I also recently listened to it on LeVar Burton Reads... I love listening to him!
Book Concierge wrote: "Sometimes you just need a diversion .... Tooth And Claw
– Jo Walton – 4****
What a fun romp of a story! It’s a typical regency (or Victorian) romance, but a..."
This sounds really fun! I've added it to my list!
Dan wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Sometimes you just need a diversion .... Tooth And Claw
– Jo Walton – 4****
What a fun romp of a story! It’s a typical regency (or Vic..."
I loved Among Others, especially all of the SF books mentioned, as you noted, Dan. Also, I’ve read and liked her Small Change trilogy, an alternate history series beginning with Farthing. The series imagines what life would be like had England capitulated to Germany at the beginning of WWll.
What We Keep – Elizabeth Berg – 4****
Do we ever really know our parents? Would we still love them if we did? Could we forgive them their mistakes? Berg writes family relationships so very well. All the ways in which we rely on and trust one another, show our love and loyalty, and hurt or betray one another. There are always two (or more) sides to any story, and it takes a mature person to wait to pass judgment until all parts are known. My heart broke for all the family members, and my loyalties shifted as I learned more.
My full review HERE
Eat Cake – Jeanne Ray – 4****
Ruth Hopson likes to bake cakes. She finds comfort in comforting others, and lately everyone – including Ruth – needs some comfort. I have loved every book I’ve read by Jeanne Ray, and this one is no exception. Her writing reminds me of Anne Tyler and Elizabeth Berg. Her characters experience everyday life, with all its joys, crises, heartaches and triumphs.
My full review HERE
I finished This Is Happiness for a book club, and though it had some beautiful introspective language, it often just felt long-winded.Almost done with The Reckless Oath We Made, which is creative and well done, just like Bryn Greenwood's first book, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things.
Joan, I think it was you who mentioned some time ago that you were reading The Enigma of Clarence Thomas and finding it interesting. I added it to my TBR list then and finally got around to reading it. Thank you for suggesting it. I can’t say I enjoyed this book but I definitely found it very interesting. And alarming. And disheartening. And informative.
The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel – Renee Nault / Margaret Atwood – 5*****
I’ve read and reviewed Margaret Atwood’s novel previously, so will confine this review to the graphic novel adaptation. Nault’s interpretation of Atwood’s novel is marvelous. Her imagery is even more vivid and memorable than some of the same scenes as described in the original novel. I do not recommend that you skip Atwood’s novel, but this is a great introduction.
LINK to my full review
"Molly wrote: "I just finished a re-read of The Paper Menagerie - still a heartbreaker, but reminded me of how much I cherish the magic way of seeing the world that I learned from my..."I've been looking at the translation work Ken Liu has been dowing much of which is to bring Chinese Science fiction writing into English and so to a wider audience. You can find some of thee in Clarkesworld, Uncaany, Lightspeed and the like .
His website https://kenliu.name/ provides a pretty good place to start depending on where your tastes lie - fantasy v scifi.
He translated the novel by Waste TideChen Qiufan which I've read a few chapters of and is on my TBR pile. He translated his shert story The Fish of Lijiang which won the 2012 Science Fiction and Fantasy Translation Award for a Short Story https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/chen...
Hope you read and like more, let me know how you get on
Molly , you might also want to tak a look at https://www.freesfonline.net/authors/... which lists a number of his stories available for free online
The House of Broken Angels – Luis Alberto Urrea – 3.5***
A large Mexican-American family plans a get-together for the patriarch’s birthday. I have read two of Urrea’s novels previously and am a fan of his writing. He peoples the work with a wide variety of characters and balances tender scenes against highly comic ones or anxiety-producing tragic occurrences. I do wish I had had a family tree handy, however.
LINK to my full review
Sheila wrote: "I've been looking at the translation work Ken Liu has been doing much of which is to bring Chinese Science fiction writing into English and so to a wider audience."I read The Three-Body Problem a few years ago. Crazy interesting stuff, and in the end I did enjoy it, but it was a bit of a battle. At times I felt that I was just not smart enough to grasp some of the concepts the book was exploring. I guess this is something that I can forgive a book because I did persevere!
Circe – Madeline Miller – 5*****
In this marvelous work of literary fiction, Miller, tells us the story of Circe, daughter of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, and possibly best known for turning Odysseus’s men into swine. I studied the classics in high school so was familiar with the basic story line, and some of the family connections, but Miller gives me so much more detail and really fleshes out these characters. Miller’s writing wove a spell that completely enthralled me. I was so beguiled that a part of me wished the novel itself were immortal, and that I could keep reading forever.
LINK to my full review
Book Concierge wrote: "The House of Broken Angels
– Luis Alberto Urrea – 3.5***
A large Mexican-American family plans a get-together for the patriarch’s birthday. I hav..."
I loved this book BC, but you're right, you do need a family tree. There are SO MANY characters.
Book Concierge wrote: " Circe
– Madeline Miller – 5*****
In this marvelous work of literary fiction, Miller, tells us the story of Circe, daughter of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of..."
I love your review, BC. I’m moving this up on my list!
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