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What I'm Reading - May - June 2022
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Hugh MacLennan’s WATCH THAT ENDS THE NIGHT, narrated by Julian Casey (Audible edition). For me this was a 5-star read. The GoodReads description: “George and Catherine Stewart share not only the burden of Catherine's heart disease, which could cause her death at any time, but the memory of Jerome Martell, her first husband and George's closest friend. Martel, a brilliant doctor passionately concerned with social justice, is presumed to have died in a Nazi prison camp. His sudden return to Montreal precipitates the central crisis of the novel. Hugh MacLennan takes the reader into the lives of his three characters and back into the world of Montreal in the thirties, when politics could send an idealist across the world to Spain, France, Auschwitz, Russia, and China before his return home.
I cared about these characters. I appreciated the details that made them, their lives, their relationships and their world so real. I loved the writing - poetic in its rhythm and imagery. Julian Casey’s narration was fabulous.
I discovered this book by lurking in another group in which I participate from time to time - Books Almost Nobody Reads (But Should). I will search for and eventually read another book or two that Hugh MacLennan wrote. Here’s the link to his Wikipedia entry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Ma...
Young Jane Young – Gabrielle Zevin – 4****
The novel is divided into five sections, each narrated by a different character: Rachel, Jane, Ruby, Embeth and Aviva. The basic plot is that a young woman gets a job interning with a congressman, and then begins an affair with him. Can you forgive yourself your youthful mistakes? Can you recover from such a public humiliation? Will you make further bad decisions to compound the problem? Or will you be able to put it behind you and go forward with grace and dignity and courage? Will the public let you? This is a wonderful exploration of the ways in which women deal with such personal disasters.
LINK to my full review
Olga Dies Dreaming – Xochitl Gonzalez – 2.5** (rounded up)
I really wanted to like this. I’d heard the author in a virtual event and felt her enthusiasm for the story and for her characters. I liked that her focus was on two successful siblings and their rise to those positions, and on the issues of living up to expectations (our own and those of our parents and community). But I never warmed up to the characters, even though I like how Gonzalez portrayed the siblings’ relationship.
LINK to my full review
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 agree: I read this as well as The Song of Achilles and there was a marked difference in the writing. Song of Achilles was too YA-orientated for me, but Circe was a distinct improvement.
A Fall of Marigolds – Susan Meissner – 3***
A vibrantly printed scarf connects two women across a century; both lost someone in a horrific tragedy, both experience grief, guilt and PTSD. Meissner does a good job of weaving these stories together and moving back and forth in time across a century to explore the common elements. I liked Clara’s story better than that of Taryn, probably because of it’s setting on Ellis Island. Both women struggle with the ethical dilemma of what (and when, if ever) to reveal or withhold to others. My F2F book club had quite the discussion about this.
LINK to my full review
I read Salka Valka by Halldór Laxness; translated from the Icelandic by Philip Roughton.An epic novel. I enjoyed it but not as much as his Independent People. I thought it got a little too bogged down in political discourse.
Laxness has always excelled in establishing setting and character portrayals. This was no exception. His portrayal of the villagers, and especially of the young female protagonist Salka Valka, was as brilliant as ever.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished
by Lucasta Miller, which I thought was very well done - 5 stars - and…I’m almost finished with Louise Erdrich’s latest book,
- my first book that takes place concurrent with the COVID lockdown. I think it’s excellent, with a quirky but very sympathetic main character.
Tamara wrote: "I read Salka Valka by Halldór Laxness; translated from the Icelandic by Philip Roughton.An epic novel. I enjoyed it but not as much as his [book:Independent People|77..."
I loved Independent People.
Ruth wrote: "I loved Independent People..."I did, too, Ruth. I've read a couple of his other novels. All good, but Independent People is my favorite by far.
Donna wrote: "I just finished by Lucasta Miller, which I thought was very well done - 5 stars - and…I’m almost finished wit..."
Donna, I recently read Erdich's The Sentence and wasn't too keen on it. I felt she crammed too much into the book. Too many threads going in different directions. I'd be interested to know your thoughts.
On the other hand, the Keats biography looks really interesting. I love his poetry and have put the book on my TBR. Best of all, my library has a copy :)
Thanks for the recommendation.
Tamara wrote: "Donna wrote: "I just finished by Lucasta Miller, which I thought was very well done - 5 stars - and…I’m almos..."
I have been thinking similar thoughts about The Sentence from the midpoint on, Tamara. A lot going on here. I hope to see some things resolve soon.
I have a copy of Independent People on my shelf that I need to move up on the list.
Tamara, I also liked Laxness’ novel The Fish can Sing
Sheila wrote: "Tamara, I also liked Laxness’ novel The Fish can Sing"Thanks, Sheila.
I haven't read it. On to my TBR it goes!
I am currently reading Ocean State by Stewart O'Nan and Eleven Kinds of Loneliness by Richard Yates.I've also read about 300 pages of Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr and although I like it very much, I usually only read about 30-40 pages from it each day. It's a fascinating story and very well crafted, but I feel the need to take a break from it and read other books.
I'm reading Found by Danyelle Scroggins, Chi Raq by Jade Jones and Afro-Bougie Blues: A Collection of Short Fiction. So far, all three are very good.
I read Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson; translated from the Norwegian by Anne Born.A sixty-seven-year old man moves to an isolated village in Norway and reflects on his life. It was a poignant and compelling meditation on aging and loss. I loved it.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Tamara wrote: "I read Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson; translated from the Norwegian by Anne Born.A sixty-seven-year old man moves to an isolated village in Norway and reflects..."
I read that long ago. Really enjoyed it.
Ruth, I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. I'd heard so much about it. It reminded me a little of Stoner--another quiet, unassuming novel that left a great impact on me.
I hope you'll join our discussion of Out Stealing Horses in August, Tamara. It's our Reading List selection that month.
Lynn wrote: "I hope you'll join our discussion of Out Stealing Horses in August, Tamara. It's our Reading List selection that month."I had no idea it is on our reading selection for August. Thanks for letting me know, Lynn. I should follow up the group's activities a little more carefully. And, yes, I will be joining the discussion. I'm looking forward to seeing what others think of it.
Tamara wrote: "Ruth, I'm glad I finally got around to reading it. I'd heard so much about it. It reminded me a little of Stoner--another quiet, unassuming novel that left a great impact on me."Your review of Out Stealing Horses is beautiful and Stoner was a 5-star read for me, so I'm definitely adding it to my shelf, hopefully in time for the August discussion.
K wrote: "Your review of Out Stealing Horses is beautiful and Stoner was a 5-star read for me, so I'm definitely adding it to my shelf, hopefully in time for the August discussion.."Thank you, K! I hope you enjoy the novel.
I just finished this and loved it. I started with the print version, but quickly moved over to audio so I could listen on the drive to and from work. The combination of true history and the bits of fiction added by the author make for a very believable story that held my attention all the way through. It's a wild ride that is well worth the time.
The Women’s March – Jennifer Chiaverini – 4****
The novel focuses on the women who risked their liberty, and their lives, to win the vote for women, including women of color. Chiaverini focuses on three of the most important suffragists of the day: Alice Paul, Maud Malone, and Ida B Wells-Barnett, to tell the story. The chapters alternate between these three central figures, showing how each approached the issue and the unique challenges each faced. The scenes of the march itself, and the near disaster it became are harrowing. While the novel itself is interesting and engaging, I really enjoyed the author’s notes, where Chiaverini gives more details on what happened after the march. As of this writing, the Equal Rights Amendment is NOT yet ratified.
LINK to my full review
Tamara wrote: "I read Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson; translated from the Norwegian by Anne Born.A sixty-seven-year old man moves to an isolated village in Norway and reflects..."
Thanks for the write up. I am so looking forward to reading this book and I'm patiently waiting for the group read. Can I survive till then?
I am re-reading Beloved by Toni Morrison, which is my sly way of reminding you that our discussion of this book will begin on July 1 in Classics Corner. See you there!
I'm about ready to start it now, Mary Anne. I might start with the audiobook version when I'm driving back to the cabin this weekend.
Mary Anne, I'm about 1/3 of the way through. I thought had read it before but it feels like the first time -- amazing, startling writing. My son's family, with my 6 and 2 year old grandsons, with be here from the 1st through the 10th so I may not get much time to contribute to the discussion initially. But I'll try!
I just finished TransAtlantic by Colum McCann. Uneven interest level and a writing style that frequently irritated me. All those floating phrases. Those sentences bisected. I had the same ho-hum response to Let the Great World Spin so I guess McCann is just not for me.
I didn't like Let The Great World Spin either, Mary Ellen, and have been avoiding McCann ever since.
I like McCann. I never noticed his floating phrases. In fact, I rated Let the Great World Spin 5 stars. My review: I thought this book was wonderful. The year is 1974 and there's a tightrope walker going between two not-yet-finished World Trade Towers. There are stories about women who lost their sons in Vietnam, hookers, priests, artists, all so dissimilar and yet deeply interconnected.
Gina wrote: "I like McCann. I never noticed his floating phrases. In fact, I rated Let the Great World Spin 5 stars. My review: I thought this book was wonderful. The year is 1974 and there's a t..."Oh good. I have had this on my shelves for awhile.
On Kindness, for my IRL book club, I’m finding it a bit of a slog, very wordy, maybe philosophy is not for me.
Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger – Lisa Donovan – 3.5***
Donovan is a chef and award-winning essayist who has worked in a number of celebrated restaurant kitchens throughout the South. This is her memoir. Her passion and focus has been on desserts but she knows her way around the entire kitchen. Her journey from Army brat to single mother to just-another-restaurant-worker to pastry star is interesting, and she tells her story with insight and honesty.
LINK to my full review
I am currently reading Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart. Stuart was awarded the 2020 Booker Prize for Shuggie Bain, which I rated 5 stars. I am also reading Florence Adler Swims Forever by Rachel Beanland. It is a great summer read that takes place in Atlantic City in the summer of 1934. It is based on a true event in the family history of the author in which a tragic family accident is kept secret from a family member who is going through a precarious pregnancy. (This is all disclosed in the first chapter.)
I finished Homeland Elegies for a book group. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Now starting The Indigo Girl, The Lying Life of Adults, and Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law for different book clubs.
Time flies when you are reading good books. It's time to move over to the July/Aug 2022 thread!
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
The Indigo Girl (other topics)Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law (other topics)
The Lying Life of Adults (other topics)
Homeland Elegies (other topics)
Young Mungo (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Douglas Stuart (other topics)Rachel Beanland (other topics)
Per Petterson (other topics)
Per Petterson (other topics)
Per Petterson (other topics)
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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 so much that I read it twice, once in print and once in an audiobook production. I would recommend doing that. Urrea reads it and I loved the music of the language through his voice. It also helped me put the plot and characters together. We actually read this here together for a Reading List selection. The discussion is here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...