Books on the Nightstand discussion
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What are you currently reading?
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Jenn
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Feb 12, 2010 11:02AM
@ Eric - Great review of The Book Thief. I felt so similarly to you about the book. At first, I didn't want to like it. It felt like it was trying too hard. (Totally hear you on the "gangly blue eyes" thing.) But by the end it had completely won me over and made a huge impression. It definitely sticks with you over time too. Glad you enjoyed it.
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I'm reading the much praised Cutting for stone by Abraham Verghese. Enjoying it so far but it's not an unputdownable one for me yet. Beautiful cover though.
Now reading "Half Broke Horses" by Jeannette Walls. It's billed as a "true life novel", and is sort of an imagined first-person memoir of her grandmother, a tough western girl born in 1900. It's good.
I won't say that I've given up on THREE CUPS OF TEA (by Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin) but I will say that's no longer my primary read right now. Maybe I'll pick it up every once in awhile and read a couple more chapters, but the writing is so poor, it does a disservice to Greg Mortenson's achievements. The sentence constructions are poor; it contains word redundancies within sentences that inadvertently create double negatives and; the day before yesterday I was hit with a plaudit worthy of a motivational poster ("... if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything.") and which really cheapened the story being told. The only reason I want to continue this book at all is because I want to read STONES INTO SCHOOLS, the sequel if you will, which I understand is better written than Three Cups of Tea. Interestingly, Stones into Schools is written by Gregory Mortenson, *sans* co-author.
I haven't quite decided on my next read yet. I'm waiting for THE GLASS ROOM (by Simon Mawr) to come in from the library and would like to keep my reading light and easy until then. Right now the top candidates are PETER & MAX ( by Bill Wallingham) and a Regency romance novel, ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON (one of an octet of Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn.)
I haven't quite decided on my next read yet. I'm waiting for THE GLASS ROOM (by Simon Mawr) to come in from the library and would like to keep my reading light and easy until then. Right now the top candidates are PETER & MAX ( by Bill Wallingham) and a Regency romance novel, ROMANCING MR. BRIDGERTON (one of an octet of Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn.)
I've just started Louisa May Alcott The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen. I've been reading a lot of young adult books so this nonfiction will be a good change, I think.
Mod
Linda
I just finished "Cutting for Stone". I love, love love this book!! It has become my new all time best novel pick (Just bumped Posionwood Bible out of it's #1 spot with me!!) This book enabled me to add several lines to my "profound quotes" book. I'll be starting "Await your Reply" next.
Just finished Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls.
In this "true life novel", Jeannette Walls reconstructs the life of her maternal grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, in the form of a first person narrative. Lily, born in 1900, is a pistol. Carries one, too.
Lily is a tough-as-nails gal with a lust for life. She endures numerous setbacks but bounces back from each one with a resilience that ought to give pause to our current generation of crybabies. Yeah, the current economic climate is tough, but the Lily's generation has it a lot tougher. Rancher, pilot, and schoolmarm, she takes on life with an admirable authority.
Walls clearly admires her subject, but manages to poke some straight-faced fun at her as well. For example, Lily's tendency to invite strangers into her house to show off her new indoor plumbing. Or her sense of pride in her new set of dentures that compels her to pull them out of her mouth and show them to people.
In this "true life novel", Jeannette Walls reconstructs the life of her maternal grandmother, Lily Casey Smith, in the form of a first person narrative. Lily, born in 1900, is a pistol. Carries one, too.
Lily is a tough-as-nails gal with a lust for life. She endures numerous setbacks but bounces back from each one with a resilience that ought to give pause to our current generation of crybabies. Yeah, the current economic climate is tough, but the Lily's generation has it a lot tougher. Rancher, pilot, and schoolmarm, she takes on life with an admirable authority.
Walls clearly admires her subject, but manages to poke some straight-faced fun at her as well. For example, Lily's tendency to invite strangers into her house to show off her new indoor plumbing. Or her sense of pride in her new set of dentures that compels her to pull them out of her mouth and show them to people.
Mod
Hooray!
The Blessing Stone by Barbara Wood. I'm currently on page 105. My interest is gaining as thousands of referred to years are visited and left behind in the story. Although quite different in many ways, I'm reminded of the famous "Roots" where the reader is lead on a journey of change through passing generations.
I'm reading "Fever Season" by Barbara Hambly, the second in the Benjamin January mystery series. Benjamin January is a free man of color living in New Orleans in the 1830's. He's a musician and surgeon and this book has yellow fever, runaway slaves, and the ever-present danger of free people being sold into slavery.
Just finished Lark and Termite by Jayne Anne Phillips - am still pondering how she came up with Termite's point of view.
Finished "The Outfit".
From the early sixties comes this Parker novel by Donald E. Westlake, writing as Richard Stark. This one's the third in the series, and probably the most inventive one thus far in the series. Parker (a coldly logical criminal) decides he's done being stalked by The Outfit, and resolves to show them he's not to be fooled with. He sends out word to professional heist men across the country asking them to hit Outfit targets. What follows is a suspenseful vengeance tale as well as a detailed description of several of these heists. I tend to like crime procedurals better than police procedurals. The way a smart criminal sets up and executes a crime is often more interesting than how a cop solves it. That's why I like these Parker books. Parker himself? Not the kind of character you like. But it's interesting as hell to watch him work. Check out Ed Brubaker's graphic novel series "Criminal" for more such stuff.
Now onto "Without Fail" by Lee Child. Sixth in the Jack Reacher series.
From the early sixties comes this Parker novel by Donald E. Westlake, writing as Richard Stark. This one's the third in the series, and probably the most inventive one thus far in the series. Parker (a coldly logical criminal) decides he's done being stalked by The Outfit, and resolves to show them he's not to be fooled with. He sends out word to professional heist men across the country asking them to hit Outfit targets. What follows is a suspenseful vengeance tale as well as a detailed description of several of these heists. I tend to like crime procedurals better than police procedurals. The way a smart criminal sets up and executes a crime is often more interesting than how a cop solves it. That's why I like these Parker books. Parker himself? Not the kind of character you like. But it's interesting as hell to watch him work. Check out Ed Brubaker's graphic novel series "Criminal" for more such stuff.
Now onto "Without Fail" by Lee Child. Sixth in the Jack Reacher series.
Mod
On Sunday, I read MAUS, A SURVIVOR'S TALE, I. MY FATHER BLEEDS HISTORY (a graphic novel by Art Spiegelman.) Never underestimate a "comic book" not to deliver the emotional punch and pathos that a "real" novel does! This is the story of Art Spiegelman's father, a Polish Jew during WWII. The Jews are all portrayed as mice, the Nazis as cats, the Poles as pigs... and despite the reverse-anthropomorphization of species, the authenticity of the tale is clearly evident. The boards are set up somewhat meta-literarily, with the premise being Vladek (the father) telling the story to Artie, his cartoonist son. There is even a second comic section within the sequence... I can't wait to go out and get the second part, II. AND HERE MY TROUBLES BEGIN (FROM MAUSWITZ TO THE CATSKILLS AND BEYOND.
On Sunday, I also read ROMANCING MISTER BRIDGERTON (by Julia Quinn.) It's a Regency Romance and the fourth in the Bridgerton octet of novels. I read these out of order, this being the last on my list. If you're interested in this series at all, I would recommend saving this one for last as well. There's a Big Secret that's revealed and IMO, reading this book before novels #5-8 kinda takes the fun out of the rest of them. As for the book itself, I really identified with Penelope and felt for her, more so than the other protags in the series; but despite lip service to the time and place, I still came away feeling both Penelope and Colin were a little too modern in their mindsets. There are three "Scenes of Intimacy," but only one particularly explicit and that one is pretty idealistically imagined by the author.
I picked up PETER & MAX (by Bill Willingham; illustrated by Steve Leialoha) but decided against starting it right now. Literally, any day now, the library should be letting me know that a copy of THE GLASS ROOM (by Simon Mawer) is ready to pick up and I want to be able to start it right away. Since there are Holds on it, I won't be able to renew it, so I need to finish it in 20 days. I've been carting THREE CUPS OF TEA (By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin) for three days now without having read a word. Its getting easier and easier not to read this book!
On Sunday, I also read ROMANCING MISTER BRIDGERTON (by Julia Quinn.) It's a Regency Romance and the fourth in the Bridgerton octet of novels. I read these out of order, this being the last on my list. If you're interested in this series at all, I would recommend saving this one for last as well. There's a Big Secret that's revealed and IMO, reading this book before novels #5-8 kinda takes the fun out of the rest of them. As for the book itself, I really identified with Penelope and felt for her, more so than the other protags in the series; but despite lip service to the time and place, I still came away feeling both Penelope and Colin were a little too modern in their mindsets. There are three "Scenes of Intimacy," but only one particularly explicit and that one is pretty idealistically imagined by the author.
I picked up PETER & MAX (by Bill Willingham; illustrated by Steve Leialoha) but decided against starting it right now. Literally, any day now, the library should be letting me know that a copy of THE GLASS ROOM (by Simon Mawer) is ready to pick up and I want to be able to start it right away. Since there are Holds on it, I won't be able to renew it, so I need to finish it in 20 days. I've been carting THREE CUPS OF TEA (By Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin) for three days now without having read a word. Its getting easier and easier not to read this book!
Lmj wrote: "I'm going upstairs to finish the last 8 pages of THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG in between watching the men's figure skating on the Olympics. I think after that I'll start WOLF HALL. That ought to k..."I wasn't sure how I felt about Elegance of the Hedgehog as I was reading it, but after I finished it, I found that it was one of those books that stuck with me for a long time.
I've read a number of excellent reviews of Wolf Hall. I hope you enjoy it.
I read Cutting for Stone which was marvelous and am now knee deep into The Lost City of Z. Both recommends from Ann and Michael on their podcast. Thank you!
Cutting for stone got better and better as it went on. Now reading The Rapture by Liz Jensen.
Toni wrote: "Lmj wrote: "I'm going upstairs to finish the last 8 pages of THE ELEGANCE OF THE HEDGEHOG in between watching the men's figure skating on the Olympics.
LMJ -- what did you think about Hedgehog?..."
If I may butt in about Hedgehog, it is a book that you need to be in the right frame of mind for, but I enjoyed it. There is a sort of pre-quel - Gourmet Rhapsody - that is shorter and lighter and very good.
LMJ -- what did you think about Hedgehog?..."
If I may butt in about Hedgehog, it is a book that you need to be in the right frame of mind for, but I enjoyed it. There is a sort of pre-quel - Gourmet Rhapsody - that is shorter and lighter and very good.
Mod
I did like HEDGEHOG. I think the first 100 pages or so was the foundation for what followed. After that beginning, I was able to see and understand the humor. I even think I'm going to go back and read the beginning again. The writing was excellent, it was not formulaic, two very intelligent protagonists - both female - come together with a receptive male character. Sometimes the reader gets to see one situation from both viewpoints (Reneé's or Palomia's).
Instead of WOLF HALL, I'm well into A Gate at the Stairs, it's due at the library sooner than WOLF HALL which I was able to renew!!
Toni wrote: "Tanya -- did you get the recent edition of the Goodreads newsletter? They mention Winter Garden, which takes place in Leningrad during WW2. Could be another good story in the same vein as City of Thieves."
I'll be honest and admit that I pretty much ignore the Goodreads newsletters so I missed the item on Winter Garden. I did a quick peek on it over at amazon and will definitely add it to my wishlist! Thanks!
I'll be honest and admit that I pretty much ignore the Goodreads newsletters so I missed the item on Winter Garden. I did a quick peek on it over at amazon and will definitely add it to my wishlist! Thanks!
Tanya wrote: "I'm very much interested in reading more (both fiction and non-fiction) about The Siege of Leningrad"I also adored CITY OF THIEVES and have a fascination with literature about the Siege of Leningrad. I highly recommend the novel The Siege by Helen Dunmore.
Nancy wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I'm very much interested in reading more (both fiction and non-fiction) about The Siege of Leningrad"I also adored CITY OF THIEVES and have a fascination with literature about the..."
City of Thieves is a great read. It has all the elements of a good story. Friendship, hardship, funny episodes and sorrow. I also liked Beniof's earlier books.
Tracey wrote: "I've just started Louisa May Alcott The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen. I've been reading a lot of young adult books so this nonfiction will be a good change, I think."Tracey, I'd highly recommend another recent book about the Alcott's -- Eden's Outcast. An excellent look at the family Alcott, highly readable and informative -- one of my favorites from last year.
Peg wrote: "City of Thieves is a great read. It has all the elements of a good story. Friendship, hardship, funny episodes and sorrow. I also liked Beniof's earlier books. "
I saw the movie, "The 25th Hour" (directed by Spike Lee; starring Edward Norton) for which Beniof had adapted his own novel into the screenplay. I was thinking I really should read the novel as I thought the movie was only so-so. I sensed that the literary moments of the film (the whole "what if I escaped" scene) weren't a good fit for the movie format; but that it would work better in the book.
I saw the movie, "The 25th Hour" (directed by Spike Lee; starring Edward Norton) for which Beniof had adapted his own novel into the screenplay. I was thinking I really should read the novel as I thought the movie was only so-so. I sensed that the literary moments of the film (the whole "what if I escaped" scene) weren't a good fit for the movie format; but that it would work better in the book.
Toni wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "If I may butt in about Hedgehog..."
By all means, Suzanne, DO butt it! :-) Tell me more about why you liked it!
"
While I must say I didn't like the way Hedgehog ended, I otherwise enjoyed the book because of Renee and Paloma. They were great characters.
By all means, Suzanne, DO butt it! :-) Tell me more about why you liked it!
"
While I must say I didn't like the way Hedgehog ended, I otherwise enjoyed the book because of Renee and Paloma. They were great characters.
Mod
I'm now halfway through Beat the Reaper: A Novel. It's a little coarse, but has reeled me in. It's main character is unlike any I have ever read before.
Linda
I'm reading To The Nines, by Janet Evanovich and B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton. I'm in a series kind of mood.
I just finished the BotNS's highly recommended The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie.. and loved it. Flavia de Luce is one of the most enjoyable characters I've read about in a while! Now I'm re-reading The Art of Racing in the Rain, which is one of my all-time favorites.
Mod
Linda
I'm reading Cutting For Stone and really enjoying it. Getting some African history lessons as well.I'm thinking about reading Noah's Compass next, but in reading the summary, it sounds a lot like The Accidental Tourist. I love Ann Tyler, I'm just not sure if this book is really different. Any advice?
I have just finished reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, a novel based around the true story of the arrest and deportation of French Jews living in Paris in July 1942, an event known as the Vel' d'Hiv'.The historical story was fascinating but I found the writing let the book down a little for me.
Does anyone know of any other novels based on this time in French history?
Finished People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks yesterday. Started Her Fearful Symmetry.@ Abbie - The historical story was fascinating but I found the writing let the book down a little for me.
Does anyone know of any other novels based on this time in French history?
I read Pictures at an Exhibition by Sara Houghteling this winter. The book is a fictional account of the looting of art in Paris during WW2, especially with the Jewish art dealers. It left me wanting more information though. But you might check it out.
Finished up Secret of the Sands. Good book, recommended to those who like stories pertaining to ancient Egypt. Just picked up Soul Identity and having a hard time putting it back down. :)
Mod
Jenn mentioned Pictures at an Exhbition by Sarah Houghteling, which I was also going to recommend. I loved it, though as Jenn says, it makes you want to know even more about the truth behind the novel.
I was at the library yesterday and I decided to pop in the Friends of the Library Used Book Store. Right there, for $1, was a book I had mentioned wanting to get last week, THE MADONNAS OF LENINGRAD (by Debra Dean!) It was in excellent condition (French flaps and deckle edging!) and felt I was destined to get it, so I did! I read it last night and finished this morning (it's a fairly light read at about 228 pages.) The book is about a woman, in the present who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Her short term memory is shot, but her long term memory, specifically relating to the time she was a docent at the Hermitage (and when she was sheltered there during The Siege of Leningrad,) is still sharp. The author does a great job of describing what someone with Alzheimer's might be going through and; the story has it's moments of triumph and poignancy. It's similar to WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (by Sara Gruen) and THE HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET (by Jaimie Ford) in that the narrative alternates between the protag in an earlier time and a "now" time when they are old; but TMOL has a little more dignity inherent to it in that it's not as obviously emotionally provocative. I spent quite a bit of time at The Hermitage Museum web-site, checking out the art and architecture mentioned in the book. The web-site is excellent, with high resolution digital images and virtual tours; but wow! how I would love to see the place and the art in person!
Just finished Without Fail by Lee Child
I'm gradually reading the Jack Reacher books in order, and this is the sixth. After making it through nearly half the extant books, I'd have to say that the other Jack series (Repairman Jack by F. Paul Wilson) is the more consistently entertaining, that is if you don't ...mind a little supernatural horror with your vigilante action. The previous Jack Reacher outing, Echo Burning, was a superb Texas gothic tale. But this one strains credibility in a couple of ways. First, I don't buy the motivation of the villains. Second, if they're as competent as everyone in the story believes them to be, there's no way they'd telegraph their crimes the way they did. I'm going to leave it at that so as not to spoil the story. And Jack. Dude! You know how to use every weapon known to man! Please, please, please learn to operate a washing machine!
I'm gradually reading the Jack Reacher books in order, and this is the sixth. After making it through nearly half the extant books, I'd have to say that the other Jack series (Repairman Jack by F. Paul Wilson) is the more consistently entertaining, that is if you don't ...mind a little supernatural horror with your vigilante action. The previous Jack Reacher outing, Echo Burning, was a superb Texas gothic tale. But this one strains credibility in a couple of ways. First, I don't buy the motivation of the villains. Second, if they're as competent as everyone in the story believes them to be, there's no way they'd telegraph their crimes the way they did. I'm going to leave it at that so as not to spoil the story. And Jack. Dude! You know how to use every weapon known to man! Please, please, please learn to operate a washing machine!
I'm reading Little Bee by Chris Cleve.
I have a question and I'm not sure where to ask it. I'm reading Cutting For Stone and I'm keeping notes on the characters. Frequently I will do this especially when there are a lot of characters or when the names are foreign to me. But I was wondering if anyone keeps book journals and if so, what you include. I really feel like I would like to do this, but my few attempts end up being almost a book of my own. I get carried away and list web sites I've checked out regarding any topic in the book I don't know about (for example I looked up Haile Salaisse, Idi Amin - because my mind wanders - Ethopia and I checked out an anatomy site as well) and all sorts of stuff that I'm not sure is relevant or not. Also, as I'm going I write down questions and comments if I end up reading the book again. I seem to get bogged down in my notes and comments. So I was wondering if anyone else does this and what they write about. Maybe I need some kind of intervention, but I'm really just looking for advice.
Now reading Netherland by Joseph O'Neill.
Sheryl wrote: "I have a question and I'm not sure where to ask it. I'm reading Cutting For Stone and I'm keeping notes on the characters. Frequently I will do this especially when there are a lot of characters or..."
It's your book journal, ergo you can put in anything you want!
It's your book journal, ergo you can put in anything you want!
Mod
Ditto what Tanya said. I make notes like you - sometimes words to look up when I'm closer to a dictionary, another book mentioned, websites, etc. all the same as you.
Eric,
I'm looking forward to what you have to say about NETHERLAND. It's on my to-read-very-soon list.
Linda
Mod
LOL at the 'french flaps and deckle edges' comment! The book sounds like something I'd like to read. I visited The Hermitage in 1994, and didn't get to spend nearly enough time (we were running past Rembrandts, if you can believe it, so that we could see more of the permanent collection before the tour bus left).
Mod
I'm gradually reading the Jack Reacher books in order, and this is the sixth. After making it through nearly half the extant books, I'd have to say that the..."
Yeah, it's Reacher's dirty clothes that get me, too. HOw does he do it? I hadn't heard of the other 'Jack' series -- I'll check it out.
Mod
I love books that make me want to do that! I haven't ever been organized enough to keep my notes in one place -- they are usually sticky notes posted on each page where I had a comment, or else a loose sheet of paper tucked into the book.
One thing that might help with the websites is a bookmarking service like deliciou.us or Diigo (I use Diigo). As you find the websites, you can bookmark them for later and tag them under the name of the book, or in Diigo you can also create a list: sites related to Cutting for Stone. Then they are all in one place. You can also share the list/tags with others, which is helpful if you're reading for a book group.
Luann wrote: "Tracey wrote: "I've just started Louisa May Alcott The Woman Behind Little Women by Harriet Reisen. I've been reading a lot of young adult books so this nonfiction will be a good change, I think."..."
Thanks Luann! I've added it to my book list. The Alcotts fascinate me.
Abbie wrote: " I have just finished reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, a novel based around the true story of the arrest and deportation of French Jews living in Paris in July 1942, an event known as the ..."
It's not a novel, but
The Journal of Helene Berr is worth reading if you want to learn more about that period of history. I've heard it compared to Anne Frank's diary (there are parallels)and it is very good.
It's not a novel, but
The Journal of Helene Berr is worth reading if you want to learn more about that period of history. I've heard it compared to Anne Frank's diary (there are parallels)and it is very good.
Thanks to a snow day, I just finished Cutting for Stone. I loved it. It compelled me to search out more on the history of Ethiopia. All I knew about the country before I read the novel was that it suffered through a terrible famine. I also found the surgical and medical details fascinating. A couple of reviewers mentioned that the descriptions of surgery slowed down the narrative, but I felt that it added a great deal of depth to both the structure of the book and to the characters. I am still wandering through King's Under the Dome and Traffic.
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