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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
message 2501:
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Darkpool
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Nov 05, 2010 11:08AM
Yayayayayayay... the 5th book in the Vampire Academy series has finally arrived from the library: Spirit Bound. It's Saturday morning here, so I'm going to put the laundry on, grab a cup of coffee, and head back to bed to read a chapter or five... *bliss!*
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I just finished Under Fishbone Clouds and it was such an amazing book, I am sure it will be my favorite for the year.
Lee wrote: "I'm about to start Blackout by Connie Willis. I hope I love it!"Is that the first book? I've been wanting to read those books!
I just started Mornings in Jenin
. I did not win in the giveaway, but the person running the giveaway sent me one anyway. It was so nice of him, and I am excited about this one.
. I did not win in the giveaway, but the person running the giveaway sent me one anyway. It was so nice of him, and I am excited about this one.
Mod
Is that the first book? I've been wanting to read those books!"
Yes, this is the first half. I wanted to wait until the second half was out before I started.
Lee wrote: "Yes, this is the first half. I wanted to wait until the second half was out before I started. "Definitely! I'm dying to read this/these.
I'm having a hard time reading at all, which is so frustrating. Starting, very slowly, a 501 page small print book for my next book club. While I think I'll love it, I'm so eager to read so many other books too.
Lisa and Gundula and all others interested in the Crow-Girl YA books, I really seem to have a different view on this book than many others....... Here follows what I thought of this book:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I could only give it two stars!
ETA: If someone DOES want to read this book, I could swap it with them. Maybe I want to read a book they want to get rid of..... Just let me know!
Now I am reading The Invisible Bridge, which I thoroughly enjoy!! I have already started a review here at GR (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...)
explaining what I like. There are no spoilers!
The Invisible Bridge is one I'm dying to read. I loved her book of short stories: How to Breathe Underwater: Stories.Chrissie, I've already seen your review and commented there.
Also while in France I read 84, Charing Cross Roadwhich I should NOT have put off so long. I usually do not like epistolary writing, but this one was very good! My GR review follows: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Thank you Hayes - I think it was you that pushed me to read this sooner rather than later......
Lisa, I don't know about Orringer's short stories. I get so frustrated with ALL short stories. Once I get invested in the characters, the story ends :0(
Several of you were curious about Passage to Ararat which I also completed while in Brittany. I gave it 4 stars and here follows why:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
While in Brittany I read several books that I have spoken of here to several of you. The only book I gave 5 stars to was The Blind Contessa's New Machine, and my GR review follows here:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... It is absolutely lovely. It IS a love story!
I also finished Passage to Ararat. For all those interested in the Armenian Genocide, you should read this book. Personally I think everyone should be informed about this issue, which in fact Hitler said everyone had already forgotten!!!! Here is my reviews for this book:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I can also very highly recommend The Door. Why? Well check out my review here at GR: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Even though I would have prefered a different ending it was a great book! I gave this too four stars!
All of these books which I have now mentioned in the last few messages are definitely worth reading - except, in my humble view, The Crow-Girl: The Children of Crow Cove. You know from the very beginning that the grandmother will die - that is no spoiler. But when she dies, the best character of the book disappears........
For all ot us who really don't NEED to add more books to out TBR mountains, I guess this is not a good message. I have discovered some books that really are too marvellous to ignore!!! Now you know of them too.
I've read quite a few books since my last post, "Let the Great World Spin", but I seem to keep losing conversation threads. Too many groups, methinks! *blushing*I just finished up Love in the Time of Cholera for a group read and just started Our Red Hot Romance Is Leaving Me Blue for a personal monthly challenge.
The Blind Contessa looks good, Chrissie. Another one for my list! But, I beg to disagree about The Crow Girl. I really enjoyed the story, and I agree that the grandmother was wonderful. I thought the second book in the series, Eidi: The Children of Crow Cove fell short of the first.
Jeanette, I KNOW I am the odd one out concerning The Crow-Girl books. For me, the characters were so mean that they broke my heart! Always it was the kids who suffered! I guess I am a baby at heart. Isn't it strange that I can read really terrifying books about history and real life experiences, but the Crow-Girl was just too much for me?!
Chrissie wrote: "Jeanette, I KNOW I am the odd one out concerning The Crow-Girl books. For me, the characters were so mean that they broke my heart! Always it was the kids who suffered! I guess I am a baby at heart..."It's funny, I am a baby at heart too, but I really loved "The Crow Girl" probably because she was able to rise above the meanness and create her own family. And, I would say that the only characters who were consistently mean were the old woman and her husband (and, maybe the entire village). And, of course, Eidi's stepfather, whom we don't ever actually meet. Other adult characters though, like Rossan, were wonderful. And, even Frid turns out to be a basically good character who simply lost his reason for a time after his wife died. He did not smash up his house because he was mean-spirited or evil, he smashed up his house in a frenzy of guilty feelings. For me, who has been going through some real-life family problems because of the fact that my family simply will not accept my boyfriend, I found this novel, with its idea that family is what you make of it, and that any group of loving and respecting people can be a family, very uplifting and comforting.
It funny how a book can effect different people in different ways. I can't read too many terrifying things, either, but I think I share Gundula's feelings about the Crow-Girl, if not Gundula's real-life experiences.
I'm glad there are so many good books out there, for all of our different tastes and experiences. I think you and your boyfriend make a great family, Gundula! :) And, you and Oscar, Chrissie!
I'm glad there are so many good books out there, for all of our different tastes and experiences. I think you and your boyfriend make a great family, Gundula! :) And, you and Oscar, Chrissie!
Jeannette wrote: "It funny how a book can effect different people in different ways. I can't read too many terrifying things, either, but I think I share Gundula's feelings about the Crow-Girl, if not Gundula's rea..."I think it would also be incredibly boring if everyone had the same reactions to books. In my opinion, a good book will often generate very different reactions in/from its readers. And, there are certainly books that I have thought of as brilliant, important and excellent that I would, however, never consider personal favourites or comforting due to the reaction I had while reading them. Case in point, I think that Elfriede Jelinek's The Piano Teacher is an amazing and very thought-provoking novel, but it is a novel that, even though a brilliant, depressing and insightful depiction of Austrian civilisation and dysfunctional family structures, I have never been able to read without feeling quite traumatised, a masterpiece, but a masterpiece of the traumas and problems of 20th century Austria (and maybe all of Western Europe).
Gundula, I do agree about Rossan! Totally! But Gundula look at your list of exceptions - the old woman, her husband, the entire village, Eidi's stepfather! Yes, Frid turned out to be good but what he did initially is so terrible that it is inexcusable. PARENTS have an obligation to THINK about how their behavior affects their children! OK, we all fail sometimes, but this was pretty darn bad! In addition, Eidi's mother, Foula, was terribly weak too. In my view, the weakness/despicability of the adults was really disgusting. OK, maybe it DOES show kids that they can be strong even when all who should help them don't. Remember when Foula was ambivalent about returning to Crow-Girl's hamlet?! Eidi had to push her Mom toward the right path. Gundula, I CAN see why you would appreciate the theme that a family can take many forms..... I understand what you are saying, that you value the "idea that family is what you make of it, and that any group of loving and respecting people can be a family"! I agree with THAT whole-heartedly. Even though I agree with you on this point, the path the book took was too wretched for me! I respect and value your point of view, but the book just didn't hit me in the same manner it did for you.
Jeanette, you have a great attitude!!! Don't forget my husband! I love him too. Not just Oscar!
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, I do agree about Rossan! Totally! But Gundula look at your list of exceptions - the old woman, her husband, the entire village, Eidi's stepfather! Yes, Frid turned out to be good but what ..."Chrissie, I think the fact that the book affected us in different ways is good. Each book affects us differently. And, I think that the book really shows how weak people are, but also how in many ways, there needs to be a support network for all people. There was no one to take care of the Crow Girl once her grandmother died (no support whatsoever) and Foula basically had no support either and had not been socialised into thinking on her own, she had been taught or dictated into having a man (husband, father whoever) responsible for her well-being, so of course, she was afraid of going to Crow Cove, she is not a negative person, but a person caught in the binding strings of patriarchal society. And, if Frid had had some help, some community support after the death of his wife, he would likely not have reacted this way. I would certainly say that the weakness of some of the characters is problematic, but it is a weakness that is in my opinion bred into a system of patriarchy, of self-determination, the attitude that everyone is responsible for only their own people, that community support, social programs, social justice is not important. If Foula, Frid, even the Crow Girl had had some support, some help from social agencies etc., this story would not have been so wretched at times.
For me (and, I know some people might consider this a communist or at least a socialist attitude), one of the main reasons I liked this book is because this book clearly and succinctly does not just show the importance of personal responsibility, but that is shows the need for community responsibility, community support, social justice and that people who have experienced trauma, have experienced loss etc. need to be cared for, need to be loved and protected. Society has as much responsibility to its members as individual members have to themselves, their families, friends etc. Sorry, if this is a bit too long, one of the reasons I have not written a review, is because there is so much that I want to write.
I think in some ways, this book makes us realise how important, how positive, the enlightened socialism in Western Europe, but especially in the Scandinavian countries is. I mean, the fact that there was no one to take care of the Crow Girl once her grandmother died, that she even had to bury her, no Children's Services, and no mental health services to provide aid and support to Frid after his wife died, is really disgusting.
I think that one of the reasons I loved the book, was because I think the author managed to show this severe failing of society as a whole without sounding preachy. And, if the strings that hold society together are broken, if society is not society, but every person for himself/herself, problems tend to arise and those who are weaker, or who have experienced too much trauma will be swept under (and, those who are mean-spirited from the onset, will often seemingly thrive and/or take advantage of the situation).
Chrissie wrote: "Jeanette, you have a great attitude!!! Don't forget my husband! I love him too. Not just Oscar!"
Of, course! :)
Of, course! :)
Wow, Gundula - I guess I hit a nerve! Sorry! Actually, being a Swedish citizen, I vote in the Swedish national elections. Way back to when Olof Palme was Prime Minister, I always, always have voted Social Democrat! Sometimes I waver and think maybe I should vote liberal, but in the end it is always Social Democrat. So I agree with you again! Nevertheless, the book did NOT work for me. Not at all.
Chrissie wrote: "Wow, Gundula - I guess I hit a nerve! Sorry! Actually, being a Swedish citizen, I vote in the Swedish national elections. Way back to when Olof Palme was Prime Minister, I always, always have voted..."Please don't misunderstand me, I have had books that everyone liked and that did not work for me at all, some of them so-called classics (with some of them, I could actually see what made the book great, but that did not mean that I had to like the book itself). You don't have to apologise, I just enjoyed discussing the book and my own feelings about it (some of the thoughts come when I'm typing which is why it tends to get a bit disjointed at times). And, again, it would be extremely BORING if everyone agreed on everything that was being read, all books would end up being the same. For me, to use it as an example again, I really felt ill reading Elfriede Jelinek's book The Piano Teacher. We had to read it for a university course on modern German fiction, and although the book was brilliant (and I have given it three stars), it was actually a book that I found very disturbing and would not read again (it would also not be a book I could imagine reading for pleasure). So, yes, I can certainly see how a book would not work for you, I was just trying to describe why I liked the book as much as I did. And, I found the discussion quite enlightening and eye-opening, it did make me rethink some of the characters.
I've been reading Star Island by Carl Hiaasen. This is the first book of his I have read and it hasn't been as good as I expected.
Chrissie wrote: "Lisa, I don't know about Orringer's short stories. I get so frustrated with ALL short stories. Once I get invested in the characters, the story ends :0( "Also, they're VERY dark.
Gundula, well I love a good discussion too! And I WANT you to remain my friend :0) Gosh, I wish your parents would lighten up on you and your boyfriend. I was thinking that too when I said that parents should be careful about how they act towards their kids........ You ARE still their kid no matter how old you may be!!!!That is so right - books hit people differently!
Lisa, I wouldn't say that Orringer's The Invisible Bridge is dark. I am terribly surprised that I like it as much as I do. It is VERY plot-driven. Such books usually do not please me. I simply always have to know what is going to happen next. I am so surprised at myself!!!! As of page 435, it has not dragged once!
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, well I love a good discussion too! And I WANT you to remain my friend :0) Gosh, I wish your parents would lighten up on you and your boyfriend. I was thinking that too when I said that par..."I wish they would lighten up as well. I mean, I know my boyfriend is not the easiest person in the world, but you know they are not even willing to discuss options, it is, we want to see you, but by yourself (I want to see them as well, but not this way, and I cannot back down because that means they have won). I know I (or we) have made mistakes as well, but for my parents is is (and always has been) "my way or the highway" and "what will people think." And, Chrissie, I don't think that you and I disagreeing on a book is a problem (or should be a problem), each person has different reactions to books, sometimes even different reactions depending on what one's mood is at the time of reading (I've noticed that with books I have reread that they sometimes hit me in a completely different way, depending on what my mood, my situation etc. is at present).
I didn't know The Invisible Bridge would be plot heavy. Her short stories are more about inner life experience, but I'm actually glad it's not so dark as the short stories. They still haunt me. Gundula, I feel so badly for you. If you and your boyfriend do decide to marry, it would be wonderful to be able to have family gatherings where everyone was getting along well. Now too!!!
Lisa wrote: "I didn't know The Invisible Bridge would be plot heavy. Her short stories are more about inner life experience, but I'm actually glad it's not so dark as the short stories. They still haunt me. G..."
We've talked about marriage, I think my parents would freak (you know they really hated the fact that we told them that we thought the idea of a prenup to be unromantic, especially because they thought that was the most important thing, only money seems to matter). I feel like I'm split in two most of the time, but I need to do what my heart tells me.
Joy wrote: "I've been reading Star Island by Carl Hiaasen. This is the first book of his I have read and it hasn't been as good as I expected."
I wasn't that impressed with the Carl Hiaasen book that I read either. I even forget the title.
I wasn't that impressed with the Carl Hiaasen book that I read either. I even forget the title.
Maybe I'll try another Carl Hiaasen book just in case. He seems to be pretty popular.
Gundula wrote: " feel like I'm split in two most of the time, but I need to do what my heart tells me. "It sounds tough. You're lucky you're loved from both sides, but it sounds stressful and unpleasant.
Joy wrote: "Maybe I'll try another Carl Hiaasen book just in case. He seems to be pretty popular."I hope you do and I hope it's just one or two of his titles, bc I have Nature Girl in my possession and I was told it was funny. I was also told he has other funny titles, but I don't remember the names.
Gundula, absolutely! The mood one is in has a huge impact on how you react to a book!!! Lisa, just to make myself really clear concerning the Invisible Bridge. Plot heavy sounds negative, and I don't mean it that way. Something is always happening and the reader really wants to know how each event will turn out. Usually such books do not appeal to me, but this one does. THAT is why I am so surprised! There is also alot of interesting details concerning architecture, dance, Hungary during WW2 and one cannot help but wonder what would I do in such a situation?!
Thanks, Chrissie. I don't think plot heavy necessarily is negative. It depends. Some character driven books aren't at all good.
Lisa, true! ANYTHING can be good when the writer picks the words perfectly!
I have read (or have had to read) way too many huge literary monsters that were basically almost entirely character analysis, description, with tangents on philosophy, history etc. I actually would not have minded this, had there actually been some story, some plot, but if nothing ever really happens in a novel of more than 600 pages, I give up. I remember reading a 19th century German novel for a course that both my mother and my aunt raved about, Indian Summer (der Nachsommer) and I was bored out of my head. Basically, the protagonist meets a girl and finally marries her, but most of the novel is spent on nature description, philosophical discussions etc., really tedious. But, I was in a rather negative mood when I read this book, so maybe I should try to read it again ...
Gundula - nooooooo! There must be tons of books that you REALLY want to read. Pick that book that is enticing to you right now at this moment! This is why I am terrible with group reads..... I never feel like reading the given book at exactly the right moment. Then with my head that thinks it is a sieve, I forget everything by the time the discussion takes place. Who cares! Read for your own enjoyment! Now you do not have to do it for school. :0) I am so disgusted with myself. I am getting kind of sick of reading just about the Armenian Genocide, and yet I have found two that look bettter than any I have read so far......
Armenian Golgotha and Black Dog of Fate: An American Son Uncovers His Armenian Past
I simply have to buy the Armenian Golgotha.
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula - nooooooo! There must be tons of books that you REALLY want to read. Pick that book that is enticing to you right now at this moment! This is why I am terrible with group reads..... I neve..."I don't think I will be reading that book anytime soon, especially since I don't have to read for school anymore. Funny, but I think that the English version of the book must have been abridged (it's only about 470 odd pages, but the German version was about 800 or more, and nothing really happens). "Armenian Golgotha" looks good, I just bought a historical fiction book on the history of Canada that looks promising, Kanata, it is about mapmaker David Thompson and his descendants, spanning a time period between 1759 and 1967 (the Centenary). Looks great, but I will have to read my interlibrary loan books first, as I cannot rnew these, sigh.
Chrissie and Gundula, I AM reading Armenian Golgotha and you must read it, although it tells a horrible story, basically an Armenian genocide by the Turks. The author, Grigoris Balakian, a priest and later a bishop, is the author of this book, first published in two parts in 1922. I cannot put it down.
Maude, I will weaken again soon. I will definitely purchase it. The funny thing is that the translator, Peter Balakian, has the same name as the author of Black Dog of Fate. I am wondering if it is the same person! I am JUST going to buy the Armenian Gogotha. Sooooo, actually I am saving money, since I will not buy both. This is how my daughter use to talk to me .....Gundula, WHO says you have to read your interlibrary loan? Just skip it! Or pick it up and then don't read it. Borrow it later when you really want to reead it! You can tell them it was so good you want to read it again! They probably will not even ask.:0)
Chrissie, I have to get out of "school mode" you know, having to read everything you've gotten from the library. My problem is that all of the titles do look incredibly wonderful, but I will not get to all of them. What I will do, though, is copy down all of the titles, so I can request them again.Right now, I am reading an excellent time-travel book for older children and young adults, Crusade in Jeans; I am enjoying this immensely, I love time travel books in general, and this one is excellent (although the beginning is a bit weak and far-fetched).
Gundula, I am glad you are reading one you like!!!!!!
Chrissie, Yes, Peter Balakian wrote Black Dog of Fate and wrote a chapter, "Reading a Skeleton" re Grigoris. I didn't know that since he notes it in his introduction to AG which I hadn't read since it is long and I am waiting til I finish the book.
Maude, OK! That was the introductory chapter that you hadn't read yet. I don't like reading them first either. I want to tackle a book with my own thoughts, but then sometimes you get curious...... I read both introductions and Epilogues (sp?) when the urge hits me.
I just finished The Invisible Bridge and I loved it. Here follows my review:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... It is historical fiction.
Now I will start Not Even My Name: A True Story. This is a memoir and it concerns ethnic clensing in Turkey. The Turks not only kicked out the Armenians, but also the Greeks at the time of WW1.
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