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Constant Reader
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November: What Are You Reading?
I read about one book a week because I also do a lot of writing.
Wilhelmina wrote: "Katie wrote: "I'm a little over half way through Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I'm not entirely sure what to make of it, and it's reminded me that postcolonial literature defini..."I didn't particularly like it, but that doesn't stop it from being a rather clever book which does what it sets out to do very well. There were moments that I really enjoyed: the folk tales worked into the story and the wonderfully logical defence of polytheism. However, the protagonist was too brutish and unlikeable for me to particularly care that things fell apart for him, especially as it is at least partially his own fault.
I've now moved on to One Hundred Years of Solitude which is another new author and new reading area for me. It seems promising so far and is definitely a style of writing which I prefer.
Since I went back to work, it's only 1-2 per week. I envy you, Marialyce.
About 10 years ago, a health condition limited my activities to reading in a chair or in bed. And because I love to read, this wasn't a bad thing. But for most mass market paperbacks, I could read one and a half between the time my husband left in the morning and came home in the evening. Of course that was the same time my book buying got out of control. On the few good days I had, he'd take me to the bookstore and I'd load up on books to read. Now I'm trying to break that habit.
So sorry to hear that you were not well, K.B. I do hope that you are better now. Do you use your library at all? I find it such a treasure to have one so wonderful and of course it does save me a ton on buying books. If I read one I love, I do go and buy it so I have it in my collection as one I own and can reread at any time.
Thanks, Marialyce. It took several years for me to accept that "normal" just isn't what I want it to be. But once I accepted that, things seemed much better. Anyhow, at the time, the library system here stunk. In the past five years or so, the county invested a lot of money in the libraries and they're pretty good now. So I use them more now than I did then. Plus, a few years ago I found out about book rental groups. And that has cut my reading expenses considerably. I've moved beyond the need to keep my books, so only a precious few remain after I've read them. But I've still got an enormous stockpile of books to get through.
I just finished "1984" as an audiobook (loved it in audio format!). I'm now continuing to read "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen and just started "American Psycho" by Brett Easton Ellis as an audiobook. Not sure how I'll do with all the violence I know is part of the book, but this is one of those books I've always wanted to try to read. It came out when I was in college and I never got around to it.Marialyce, I noticed in your profile that you used to be a math teacher. Have you ever read The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa? I just read this for my book club and it was a really enjoyable book. The Professor in the story was a math teacher and math plays prominently. I don't want to give anything away. Just thought you might enjoy it.
Paul wrote: "I just finished "1984" as an audiobook (loved it in audio format!). I'm now continuing to read "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen and just started "American Psycho" by Brett Easton Ellis as an audioboo..."I have, Paul, and I loved it. I actually was able to see it on a DVD at my library. It, too was just fantastic. Thank you for thinking of me.
I have read Freedom and loved it, but right now am having trouble with his The Corrections.
Good to hear, Marialyce. It was such a fun book to read.I am enjoying "Freedom" and I also liked "The Corrections" though not as much.
K.B. wrote: "Thanks, Marialyce. It took several years for me to accept that "normal" just isn't what I want it to be. But once I accepted that, things seemed much better. Anyhow, at the time, the library system..."K.B., all of us have, or will eventually have, something that causes us to feel "not normal." I think "normal" is something that defies definition when it comes to describing a human. I'm glad you're feeling better now. Trips to the bookstore are depressing for me because I can't find the books I like there, outside of the classics.
I'm reading Helen Dunmore's The Betrayal and Rose Tremain's Trespass. Two of my favorite authors, and two of my favorite locales - St. Petersburg in the former and the Cevennes region of France in the latter.
Paul wrote: "I just finished "1984" as an audiobook (loved it in audio format!). I'm now continuing to read "Freedom" by Jonathan Franzen and just started "American Psycho" by Brett Easton Ellis as an audioboo...""
The Housekeeper and the Professor sounds very interesting. I just added it to my list.
And now I know how to add titles!!
I just checked one of my favorite blogs for a criticism of the recent Alice Munro short story in the New Yorker (he runs a critique of them all). I like the comments at the end also.http://perpetualfolly.blogspot.com/20...
Sylvia wrote: "I just checked one of my favorite blogs for a criticism of the recent Alice Munro short story in the New Yorker (he runs a critique of them all). I like the comments at the end also.The Munro story truly was a treat, wasn't it? And, I like Cliff Garstang's blog too. I just forget to read it sometimes. I finally asked me to be my goodreads friend so that I would get notice of his reviews on my Home page.
I am reading "Mudbound" by Hillary Jordan. I'm only about 50 - 60 pages in but it's good so far. It's sort of a history, romance book that deals with racism post WW II, set in the south. It's told from six different charecters. I read in one critique that said the land also becomes a charecter. I'll have to wait and see how it goes. So far, so good.
Brian, I was blown away by Mudbound. Just a great read. I hope she writes fast, because I'm really looking forward to the next one.
Sara wrote: "Brian, I was blown away by Mudbound. Just a great read. I hope she writes fast, because I'm really looking forward to the next one."Sara,I've heard "Mudbound" is good. I was looking at Jordan's website not long ago and it sounded as though back earlier in 2010 that she was well on her way with another novel. I know this is her first book but has she written others?
I also thought that Mudbound was excellent. She did a beautiful job with the diverse, multiple points of view.
I just looked at it and it sounds interesting. On my list it goes.
Mudbound is a book I almost bought, but didn't. Too many books to read right now. I'm glad it's good. I'll remember that for the future.
Sounds like this one, from Laura Hillenbrand, is about to explode. I enjoyed Seabiscuit: An American Legend. The article linked below shows there are really two amazing stories to this new one. Unbrokenhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...
I can't read anything about horse racing. Horse racing is too cruel to the horses. I will never read anything about horse racing. That's another topic, though.I'm finding Trespass by Rose Tremain to be a beautiful, beautiful novel. Much darker than most of her work, and I like that darkness, and of course I love the setting in the French Cevenol. The characters are fascinating, though not all are likable.
I'm with Sara and Mina. I read Mudbound when it came out in hardback, several years ago, and recommeded it to everyone I could find.
Sarah wrote: "I'm with Sara and Mina. I read Mudbound when it came out in hardback, several years ago, and recommeded it to everyone I could find."Another GR group I belong to read this over the summer and the description left me ambivalent. But judging by the praise you all are heaping on it, I'll guess I'll look at it again.
Gabrielle wrote: "I can't read anything about horse racing. Horse racing is too cruel to the horses. I will never read anything about horse racing..."Well, no one will be making you. But Seabiscuit was only partly about horseracing, Gabrielle. How could someone write 400 fascinating pages about five years in a racehorse's life? There is a lot, a lot more in the book. It's all about the '30s in the USA, at several crisscrossing socioeconomic levels.
The new book, though its title might sound horse-y, is about an Olympic sprinter and his extraordinary experiences in WWII, and after, I presume.
Btw, horseracing is the opposite of cruel. At reputable tracks, the horses are pampered and treated like kings -- how else could one expect to get their fastest run? The one place that can get bad is when a horse gets too old or too ouchy to race anymore. Some get homes, become jumpers, or pets; but not all, alas. I don't know how much different that is from the life of a farm horse, though. Meanwhile, there are groups working hard to find homes for old racehorses -- there are many touching stories in that regard.
I read Mudbound for my face to face book club. The responses from all twenty-two of us was most favorable. It was quite a well written book and it was my understanding that it took Ms. Jordan seven years to put it together. I am always impressed when first time author writes something that is quite thought provoking.
K.B. wrote: "Thanks, Marialyce. It took several years for me to accept that "normal" just isn't what I want it to be. But once I accepted that, things seemed much better. Anyhow, at the time, the library system..."K.B., I just wanted to put a shout out for you. I hope you are dealing and growing within your "new normal", I too an trying to find my place with in that same concept. Also, I live for my local library, not sure what I would do with out it.
Michael wrote: "Gabrielle wrote: "I can't read anything about horse racing. Horse racing is too cruel to the horses. I will never read anything about horse racing..."Well, no one will be making you. But Sea..."
No, no one can or will make me, Michael, but several people (none in this group) do try. I'm glad Seabiscuit contains so much information about 1930s America. I have heard it's very well written.
I have a cousin who married a multimillionaire whose hobby is horseracing. Now it's hers, too, though growing up, she was terrified of horses and wanted nothing at all to do with them. They own several race horses and are deeply involved in the activity.
Brian said: "I hope you are dealing and growing within your "new normal", I too an trying to find my place with in that same concept."Brian, it truly is taking me years to get over my expectations for myself. Making the adjustments on a personal level have been much easier than the ones on a professional level have been. I suspect acknowledging chronic health issues is similar to an addict admitting to having a substance-abuse problem--if you can't face it, it becomes the 800-pound gorilla in the room who can't be evicted. I hope you're doing a much better job with your gorilla than I've done with mine.
I am having trouble concentrating on reading this month. I pick up a book and can only read a page or two. I hope this is not a prevailing trend.
Kitty, I am sure you have just not found a book that garners your interest. Perhaps a buddy read would help! :) It keeps you going as yo discuss the book.
I am discussing The Children's Book in another group. I think I am in the doldrums. Maybe I should start Freedom. The title along encourages me to be free. So I freed myself from everything .hee hee
Now that I've had my Kindle for close to a year, I'm getting around to reading the user guide a little more carefully. Like a typical kid with a new toy, I wanted to dive right in and start reading novels when I first got my device. Just by playing around with it I was able to discover nice features. Yet, it's amazing; I'm finding even more things about it I like by taking the time to read through the guide book.
Kitty wrote: "I am discussing The Children's Book in another group. I think I am in the doldrums. Maybe I should start Freedom. The title along encourages me to be free. So I freed myself from everything .hee hee"I Really Liked
Freedom, Kitty. Might be enough to get you out of the doldrums. :)
I just finished Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos and am starting Disquiet by Julia Leigh. It's a novella so I will be on to something new tomorrow I am sure.
I'm really enjoying The Magicians. I'm also enjoying The House of Mirth. I'm having a bit of a harder time with The Inheritance of Loss so I've temporarily back-burnered it. I think having more than one book going at a time can help sometimes.
I'm really enjoying Trespass. It's almost like being back in France, and I dearly love France (but not Paris). Rose Tremain's writing is so evocative of place and I love the darkness of this book. It's much darker than any of her other works. (It was longlisted for the Booker.) When I finish this, I'll probably start The Inheritance of Loss.
Susan, I really enjoyed The Magicians as well, although it left me pretty melancholy. Looking forward to the next book.
K.B. wrote: "Brian said: "I hope you are dealing and growing within your "new normal", I too an trying to find my place with in that same concept."Brian, it truly is taking me years to get over my expectati..."
Brian, K.B., and anyone else who, like me, lives with chronic illness, a wonderful new book,
How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers by Toni Bernhard is the best I've read for specific techniques for adjusting the "new normal." You don't have to be Buddhist to use these techniques. Here's my review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Gabrielle wrote: "I'm really enjoying Trespass. It's almost like being back in France, and I dearly love France (but not Paris). Rose Tremain's writing is so evocative of place and I love the darkness of this book..."Gabrielle,
This is completely off topic, but how could you not love Paris? Please respond in the "Anything Goes" topic.
Wilhelmina wrote: "K.B. wrote: "Brian said: "I hope you are dealing and growing within your "new normal", I too an trying to find my place with in that same concept."Brian, it truly is taking me years to get over m..."
This sounds very interesting Wilhelmina. As an OT when I'm working, and having just spent this year recovering from mono, I've learned a lot about my body. Some of the most important have been essentially wrapped up in your review of this book (plus a regular routine of massage and craniosacral therapy). Wholistic and person-based does help. While it may not cure, it helps you be able to live where you are---and read all those books!!!
Elegies for the Brokenhearted: A Novel and Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City and Leprechaun in Late Winter. One of them out loud ;)
Jane wrote: "Gabrielle wrote: "I'm really enjoying Trespass. It's almost like being back in France, and I dearly love France (but not Paris). Rose Tremain's writing is so evocative of place and I love the dar..."My reply is in "Anything Goes," Jane and I love Trespass by Rose Tremain, which takes place in the Cevenol region of France. It can be difficult to find good contemporary books set in France, I think.
Gabrielle wrote: "Jane wrote: "Gabrielle wrote: "I'm really enjoying Trespass. It's almost like being back in France, and I dearly love France (but not Paris). Rose Tremain's writing is so evocative of place and I..."I just read a summary of Trespass on the Barnes & Noble site. It sounds very interesting.
Tracy wrote: "I just finished Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos and am starting Disquiet by Julia Leigh. It's a novella so I will be on to something new tomorrow I am sure."Tracy, I'd be interested in what you thought of Disquiet.
Susan wrote: "Gabrielle wrote: "Jane wrote: "Gabrielle wrote: "I'm really enjoying Trespass. It's almost like being back in France, and I dearly love France (but not Paris). Rose Tremain's writing is so evocat..."I'm finding it very interesting, Susan. It's not a long book and it's much darker than Tremain's other works, but I love the darkness of it. The two most intriguing characters, for me, are the French brother and sister, Aramon and Audrun.
Let me know what you think if you read it. :)
It sounds different than anything I've read and I've never read anything else of hers. I noticed it's not long. I'll be looking it up.
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
The Count of Monte Cristo (other topics)Princess Academy (other topics)
Little Bee (other topics)
The Inheritance of Loss (other topics)
The House of Mirth (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Marcia Muller (other topics)Daphne du Maurier (other topics)
Geraldine Brooks (other topics)
Danielle Evans (other topics)
Jaimy Gordon (other topics)
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Things Fall Apart is one of my favorite books - I thought that it was brilliant. The author, Chinua Achebe, was recently awarded the 2010 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, one of the largest and considered by many to be one of the most prestigious awards in the arts. Here's a link about it:
http://www.cp-africa.com/2010/10/28/c...