Constant Reader discussion
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2010 Personal Reading List
Oh, I'm excited about your reading The Bone People. I love that book, and have read it three times. I'm not going to do a reread with you, but make sure you go to the archives and look at our discussion when you're done.
Capitu:We have some overlap in our reading lists for the year. I'd be totally game for joining you and discussing the following:
Disgrace
Blood Meridian Or the Evening Redness in the West
The Bone People
And I also want to try something by Colm Toibin
So if at all possible let's try to coordinate.
I don't really make reading plans, don't want to spoil the spontaneity of my visits to the library and the bookstore, but there are a few books I know I will be reading this year.
2666, starting today or tomorrow. The Aeneid, because I read The Iliad and Odysseia last year. And The Discoverer, the last book in Jan Kjærstad's Jonas Wergeland trilogy. Disgrace might be up for a reread before I see the movie.
2666, starting today or tomorrow. The Aeneid, because I read The Iliad and Odysseia last year. And The Discoverer, the last book in Jan Kjærstad's Jonas Wergeland trilogy. Disgrace might be up for a reread before I see the movie.
Capitu wrote: "In a post somewhere else, Carol mentioned her growing 2010 Reading List. I had to smile because I too have been compiling a mental list of books/authors to read this year. I don’t know if I will ..."While disappointed that you haven't included my book, Widow's Walk, I do like your list. One, which I have read and particularly loved, is Out Stealing Horses. Blood Meridian may take you the entire year if you need pauses between CM books. It is perhaps the most intense of his works, including The Road. I think I would say that I gasped my way through it.
I am up for Blood Meridian. The sole copy my library carries finally came back and is in my possession. I have been eyeing it, trying to assess my mood. When is a good time to tackle this intensity? Perhaps the three of us could coordinate our efforts. I'm sure I will need some fellow discussants.Capitu, I just finished Elegance and really loved it. I highly recommend it.
I, too, like the spontaneous aspect of either library runs or perusal of my bookshelves. My reading moods are "shifty" and I need different things from my novels at different times. However, I do plan on including the following this year:
Spooner by Pete Dexter
Possession by A. S. Byatt
The Outlander by Gil Adamson
Debt to Pleasure by Lanchester
Plague of Doves by Erdrich
Someone Knows My Name by Hill
as well as several different mystery authors that are new to me, and recommended by CRs (Indridason, Stiegg, Block, Lovesey, Wan, and Barnard).
The depressing thing about my "reading plans" is that there are more books even on the recent TBR list than I could ever manage in a year, even as fast as I read. And this doesn't include all the new recommendations that I know you folks will come up with. Darn it.
My own reading pile, the books accumulate until read except for those from the library, which sit in the next pile and get faster use, is a strange mix of the books I hear about (for example hear), non-fiction that intrigues (right now I'm finishing up a biography of Alex de Tocqueville) novels written by friends (especially other writers whose books are published by All Things That Matter Press) and some old-fashioned escapism (currently P.D. James The Private Patient, an English mystery) So I have been perusing this topic looking for suggestions to put into the mix.
The only reading I plan is the books for this group. The rest is more spontaneous, including those who jump off the shelf at the library.Al and Sarah, CR did Blood Meridian quite awhile ago. I tried to get the link to the discussion here, but it seems not to be working. It was my first Cormac McCarthy, and I agree with Kenneth, it's the most dark and intense.
Most of my reading is spontaneous as well, except for the selections that I plan to read in connection with this group, the Literary Fiction by People of Color group here on GR, and my church book group, if it manages to revive itself. I Usually intersperse lighter reading like mysteries with the more serious books. (I suspect that Half of a Yellow Sun will require a couple of light books afterwards!) I do have several books I hope to include this year, and, if not, there's always next year:Blindness by José Saramago;
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan;
Big Machine A Novel by Victor LaValle;
Out Stealing Horses A Novel by Per Petterson (you have all been VERY convincing!);
A People's History of Christianity The Other Side of the Story by Diana Butler Bass;
Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward; and
The Way Home by George Pelecanos.
Too many books; too little time.
Hmm, well, 2010 reading....Some books to be released this year, that I'm eagerly anticipating:
The Farmer's Daughter by Jim Harrison
Canada by Richard Ford
Driving on the Rim by Thomas McGuane
There's this other book due out in September that I'm eagerly anticipating, but I'm not gonna talk about that....
And some that I hope will be highlights:
Dance with Snakes by Horacio Castellanos Moya
Underworld by Don DeLillo (actually, this year will have much DeLillo reading, I think)
A heavy dose of Alice Munro, including Too Much Happiness.
Al and Sarah (and any others) I would love to read all or any with you. My only problem is that I cannot commit to it until the middle of March. I am really intent on reading 2666 right now, and I will be gone for 2 weeks in February for sure, and still in the plans is a last minute trip at the end of January. I also do all the accounting for our farm, and this is a busy time with taxes just around the corner. I should be back reading just in time to lead the discussion on Sheltering Sky. I don’t want to hold you back from reading any books. But if you don’t mind to wait, it would be great to have others to discuss any of those books. I read The Book of Negroes (Someone Knows my Name) earlier, and I too recommend it. And Possession by Byatt is another book that should make my 2010 list. Oh, so many books...
Ruth, if and when I get to Blood Meridian, I will try to find the discussion. Thanks for letting us know that the discussion does exist though.
Mina, Blindness requires some light reading afterwards too.
Capitu:Your timing works well for me. I'm about to polish off War and Peace and then dive into 2666. The Sheltering Sky will be a re-read for me and I'm away in March on a vacation that gives me lots of reading time so I'd be psyched to dive into one on our collective list then - maybe Disgrace or The Bone People - but we have time to think about it.
A.J.:
Underworld is one of my all time favorites. I should warn you that in my opinion, it is DeLillo's masterpiece and I've yet to read another book by him that measures up - I still enjoy him and have read a lot of his work, but that is just a friendly warning. And I am totally up for reading any Munro with you - just name the time!
Well, I'll read Underworld last, then. I'm on White Noise right now.
If I had to do it over, that is probably what I would do too. I also really liked Libra and The Body Artist.
Mina, Big Machine is on my list as well. I heard his interview with Teri Gross last year and have meant to pick it up since then.
Here's the link to our Blood Meridian discussion:http://web.archive.org/web/2007082306...
Of course, by the time you all get to it, you will have forgotten where this link is. Just remember, go to the folder "Archives" and then follow the link in "Old Book Discussions." Then go down the list of names until you find McCarthy.
2010 reading - well for the first time ever I actually have a list. Only because I am restricted mainly to ebooks and audiobooks that I have brought with me and I've got them all listed here on Goodreads :) It is a bit of a hotchpotch of classics, modern, detectives, ones I missed out on reading when they first came out, recommendations from colleagues here on CR and elsewhere. Unfortunately I couldn't find Don Casmuro or 2666 in either format before I left, so I'm missing out on those, sadly as I have the Don on my TBR shelf back home :( Happy reading everyone.
Thanks for posting the link to Blood Meridian, Sherry. For some reason the site wasn't working at all when I tried to get there via google.
Not that any of us needs another reason to buy books, BUT for those interested in new books in 2010 here is The Millions' "Most Anticipated 2010" list. http://www.themillions.com/2010/01/mo...
I just down loaded the whole list. I see several books coming out to add. My list was just a guide line for me. I have about 75 on it. Now thanks to Erika I will have about 175.hahahahahahahahaha
I'm definitely a sucker for Boyd. Also, very interested in Orringer and Haslett and David Mitchell. I would also include the Sonya Chung novel, McEwan, Chang Rae-Lee, and Peter Carey's new one looks interesting. I already have Robert Walser on my mental list for this year, either the NYRB Collected Short Stories or The Tanners, so I might as well add this one as well.
Some of these of course must go on the long list.
Can't look, can't look. Too many books already.
Just a little peek. Looks like good ones. hehehehe
Yesterday I pre-ordered The Infinities by John Banville. :)
I'd already pre-ordered Larsson's last entry in his trilogy a couple of weeks ago.
And...hand to forehead.....I predict a pre-order of David Mitchell's new one. :)
I can't finish the list! Can't!
I'd already pre-ordered Larsson's last entry in his trilogy a couple of weeks ago.
And...hand to forehead.....I predict a pre-order of David Mitchell's new one. :)
I can't finish the list! Can't!
Oh, good! A new Ron Rash short story collection! I do love his writing. I only looked briefly, but did this list seem to seriously lack diversity? (I'm not counting Ralph Ellison - he's been dead too long to count. I mean real, living people of multicultural backgrounds.)
Which list Wilhelmina. Maybe they both are lacking in diversity. Sadly I am lacking diversity also, only because I am just discovering other writer's from around the world. What an adventure I am having. Please feel free to recommend.
I'm not that coordinated, to plan too far ahead for my reading. I am too easily sidetracked I suppose. I wish I could plan that far ahead. /sigh/
My list will change as the moon waxes and wanes. I flow with the tide.
carol (akittykat) wrote: "Which list Wilhelmina. Maybe they both are lacking in diversity. Sadly I am lacking diversity also, only because I am just discovering other writer's from around the world. What an adventure I am ..."Oops, I think that, while you were posting about The Guardian, I was responding to The Millions list. I just now peeked at The Guardian, but I already see a book I'm excited about - Andrea Levy has a new one coming out in February, "The Long Song". I loved her last book, Small Island: A Novel. I'm almost afraid to look any further. As far as I can see, none of us will be leaving the house this year!
I know what you mean. Maybe I should not have made my list .It is so daunting. I want to read quality not quantity this year. I wish I had photographic memory with speed reading. (sigh)
I'm excited about the Roberto Bolano books. But I'll probably get to them in about ten years. I'm always so behind.
I have an ongoing list that I add books to all the time, but I don't follow it item by item. But I do consult it for ideas for what to read next. It's an Excel spread sheet :)
I do sometimes stack a few books, eight at the moment, on the side of the computer. They are books that I really, really want to get to next. The other day I finally changed out the stack...shelved the losers, and added some different to this particular stack. Shuffle, sometimes it feels like that's all I do.
Pontalba, I have a similar method (which is in addition to the 'method' of buying interesting looking books at sales and having them on my overflowing shelves). I have a running list of recommendations and grab some from the library every time I go. The stack is by my bed for the next selection, based on my mood. If a book lingers in the stack overlong, I remove it and replace it with a new recommendation.
That is why I made my next up reading list so I would not have books everywhere. hahaha
carol (akittykat) wrote: "That is why I made my next up reading list so I would not have books everywhere. hahaha"
Right, so the lists can be all folded up in your purse or wallet and when the Library Sale, Borders 75% off Sale, or second hand book store just happen to come into your sight you'll have it ready. /nodding/ I know those lists. :)
Oh, and be sure to print out your Amazon Wish List too. You know, just in case.
Sarah, the stacks are a losing battle. However, we are not alone in the battle of the stacks. My OH has the same disease, although he is ever so slightly less afflicted. So far.
Right, so the lists can be all folded up in your purse or wallet and when the Library Sale, Borders 75% off Sale, or second hand book store just happen to come into your sight you'll have it ready. /nodding/ I know those lists. :)
Oh, and be sure to print out your Amazon Wish List too. You know, just in case.
Sarah, the stacks are a losing battle. However, we are not alone in the battle of the stacks. My OH has the same disease, although he is ever so slightly less afflicted. So far.
How did you know I did that with both of them . Were you sitting on my shoulder Pontalba?
I know a fellow bookworm when I see one. :)
Of course I could have been doing a Johnny Carson routine,"I predict..." :)
Of course I could have been doing a Johnny Carson routine,"I predict..." :)
"Carnac the Magnificent" Carol and Pontabla are......
...are sisters and about to embark on a journey that will lead them to the nearest, cheapest book sale.
I miss Carson. :)
I miss Carson. :)
Howze about this weekend, I wouldn't mind missing the way below freezing weather we're having. Sheesh, this is SE Louisiana, not the North Pole!
It is not snowing there is it? It was nice here today for a change. I was not cold.
No, it rained most of the afternoon, a cold, slanted rain, and it was only in the 40's, going down to 23F tonight.
We hardly ever get snow, although last year we had TWO FEET of the stuff. I've never, ever seen that here in my lifetime. And hope never to again. The most I've seen every 25 years or so is a light dusting.
We hardly ever get snow, although last year we had TWO FEET of the stuff. I've never, ever seen that here in my lifetime. And hope never to again. The most I've seen every 25 years or so is a light dusting.
We moved from Ohio to get away from the white stuff, I have not been back since(50 years)
Except for hurricanes we do fine. :):) I'm far enough north of N.O. to not get the brunt of most storms.
I guess I will go to my tome 2666 an try to catch up with everyone.
Erika wrote: "I'm definitely a sucker for Boyd. Also, very interested in Orringer and Haslett and David Mitchell. I would also include the Sonya Chung novel, McEwan, Chang Rae-Lee, and Peter Carey's new one look..."Hello all – I am equally overwhelmed by my 2010 to-read list. I am still working on my 2009 list (Doctorow, Jim Harrison, Kate Christensen, Tash Aw, DF Wallace, Petterson, second half of Bolano…)!
Thought I’d poke my head in here, though, since Erika mentioned above my novel (LONG FOR THIS WORLD) which comes out in March. I’d be happy/delighted to do an author discussion group here at CR if anyone would be interested in that.
http://sonyachung.com/books/
This was an interesting exercise. I have a TBR list in the back of mind that I believed was realistic--until I wrote it down. I'm in trouble this year because I want to read everything on CR's lists, plus a few that I keep hearing about here:Plague of Doves
Blindness
Someone Knows My Name
The Known World
and (att: Capitu and Al): something by Colm Toibin
and things that have been on my TBR list for years:
Grapes of Wrath
Moby Dick
Lolita
Then I do things like go to the used bookstore to find Sheltering Sky, which they didn't have, and come away with three things not on my list:
The Unbearable Lightness of Being
A Country Called Home
Laughing Boy by Oliver La Farge
This is at odds with my New Year's Resolution (or Suggestion) which is to NOT read more than 25 books in 2010.
Oh, and the last two books by Stieg Larsen. And, and... and that seems to be the problem.
Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
Blood Meridian, or, the Evening Redness in the West (other topics)The Bone People (other topics)
Brooklyn (other topics)
Disgrace (other topics)
Brooklyn (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Colm Tóibín (other topics)Colm Tóibín (other topics)
Colm Tóibín (other topics)
Andrea Levy (other topics)
José Saramago (other topics)
More...
Disgrace, by Coetze (because it is about time I read it)
Out Stealing Horses A Novel (because so many CR’s have mentioned it on their best reads list)
At Swim, Two Boys A Novel (same reason as above)
Blood Meridian Or the Evening Redness in the West (Although I love Cormac, I can only take his books every few months apart, but I am now ready for more)
The Sheltering Sky (yes, i nominated it here, but I have never read it)
The Elegance of the Hedgehog (this one end up being nominated in my offline bookclub, and I am glad about it because someone I trust recommended it to me)
The Invention of Morel (because serendipity keeps pointing this book in my direction)
2666 Part B (so glad that CR is discussing it, because it has been in my TBR pile for quite a while)
The Bone People (it was so highly recommended here on CR, so I bought it and it has been sitting on this shelf just waiting impatiently for me)
Go Down, Moses (because I never read Faulkner and the discussion here is a good reason to do it)
Then, I also want to read something by
Colm Toibin – I am not sure which book yet.
Any others out there with 2010 reading plans?