Books on the Nightstand discussion
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What are you currently reading?
Mod
Strangely, Peg,
I was working for the Census and they picked me to be their receptionist at first. Since there was nothing to recept, I read books. I read 44 books in about 2 months when they gave me a different mindless job where I actually did something, but I could listen to books.
The bottom line is this is reality and I won't, probably, get as much reading done as I had been. At least it's summer and that means spending my evenings on the front porch (newly screened in) with the dog and a cool drink and a good book. And, now that the porch is enclosed, I can turn on the light when it gets too dark.
I just finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and I really liked it. It was cute. Up next is Lost & Found by Jacqueline Sheehan. I like books with dogs in them. :)
While I am finishing up The Privileges: A Novel, I have started The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers. I really appreciate the recommendation and am so far impressed with the book and the times that I have read a little bit of the book, I get totally engrossed in the book. I really like Mullen's description of the 1930s and how it is somewhat creepy, especially in light of the current economic situation that the world has been enveloped in.
I just finished Middlesex. I loved it. I really enjoy epic stories of different generations. Definitely one of my favorites of this year so far. I also finished up a cute little book I picked up on vacation from somewhere called Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen: A Novel. Very quick read, but heartwarming story.
John wrote: "...Although I have some issue or another with each of Palahniuk's books I still read them. I think Choke might be my favorite of his so far..."
I've only experienced one of Chuck Palahniuk's books so far and that was Invisible Monsters (narrated by the late Anna Fields.) When the book was over I honestly didn't know what to think and then, a few days later, out of the blue, I had an epiphany and I totally "got it!" I've now come to think of it as rather brilliant. BTW, I thought Anna Fields was the perfect narrator for Invisible Monsters. She had a deep, masculine voice and a rather sardonic style which matched the protag.
I've just finished listening to The Learners (by Chip Kidd; narrated by Bronson Pinchot.) If you like Palahniuk, I think you might like Chip Kidd. Chip Kidd isn't as "out there" as Palahniuk, but he's definitely not mainstream and; neither is Bronson Pinchot. The matchup of the author and narrator is excellent. Anyway, I thought THE LEARNERS was fast, funny and brilliant and, the only caveat I have about the production was that I found my hand flying to the volume control a couple of times. The sound tends to flirt with the red zone on the meters! That said, it seems somehow appropriate.
Now I'm uploading Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (by Karl Marlantes; narrated by Bronson Pinchot) onto my iPod.
I've only experienced one of Chuck Palahniuk's books so far and that was Invisible Monsters (narrated by the late Anna Fields.) When the book was over I honestly didn't know what to think and then, a few days later, out of the blue, I had an epiphany and I totally "got it!" I've now come to think of it as rather brilliant. BTW, I thought Anna Fields was the perfect narrator for Invisible Monsters. She had a deep, masculine voice and a rather sardonic style which matched the protag.
I've just finished listening to The Learners (by Chip Kidd; narrated by Bronson Pinchot.) If you like Palahniuk, I think you might like Chip Kidd. Chip Kidd isn't as "out there" as Palahniuk, but he's definitely not mainstream and; neither is Bronson Pinchot. The matchup of the author and narrator is excellent. Anyway, I thought THE LEARNERS was fast, funny and brilliant and, the only caveat I have about the production was that I found my hand flying to the volume control a couple of times. The sound tends to flirt with the red zone on the meters! That said, it seems somehow appropriate.
Now I'm uploading Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (by Karl Marlantes; narrated by Bronson Pinchot) onto my iPod.
Hi Ann and Michael :) I love your podcast so much! I usually save up two or three of BOTNS podcasts, and then relish them all at one time while laying in bed at night. I have learned so much from you, and all of your listeners as well! Thanks for all that you both do! :)
My one and only complaint is that I wish your podcasts were longer :) I can't seem to get enough!
Right now I am reading "Solemate: Master the Art of Aloneness and Transform Your Life" by Lauren Mackler. So far, it is an outstanding (nonfiction) book. I will review it on Good Reads after I have read it all.
Mod
Started reading The Passage Friday afternoon and I didn't get much else done all weekend. Really an engrossing novel. Scary too. Can't wait to finish it but I do have to work.... Maybe I'll read at lunch!
I bought The Passage this weekend, but I am making myself finish Wolf Hall before I start another big book.
I finished Lost & Found this weekend and started The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. I'm pretty excited to read this book as it sounds really good!
I am in the middle of The Bright Forever by Lee Martin[book:The Bright Forever|58919. His writing style is most excellent especially since he is teaching Creative Writing on the College level.
Story is set in late 60's early 70's in a small Indiana town. Story is told by 4 characters after a charming 9 year old girl sets off after dinner on her bike to return library books doesn't come home. Being told 30 years later by these characters to find out what happened.
As I watch my state being destroyed by one disaster after another, I find I want to escape into fiction set a Louisiana that doesn't mention Katrina or Oil -- or doesn't use them as key plot points. So, I've picked up a paranormal mystery by a friend of mine, C.J. Parker called Bone Dance. I read the first one in the series a while back and haven't gotten to this one yet. I hope that shape shifter living in the bayous, will distract me from what is really going on an hour or two from my home. After Bone Dance, I believe Stella Cameron has a new series set in the city of New Orleans.
I am so despondent over the oil spill. I love Louisiana and feel as helpless as you do over it.James Lee Burke's latest Dave R. is coming out mid-July. I presume the oil spill won't be part of it but don't know if Katrina will be back.
I'll check into C.J. Parker.
Tracey wrote: "I finished Lost & Found this weekend and started The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. I'm pretty excited to read this book as it sounds r..."Tracey, I just finished The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake this weekend, and I loved it, then was a little put off by it, then loved it again. It's a great book, I'm glad I read it. (thanks goodreads for the arc!)
I am starting The Angel's Game now, and I am super psyched. Carlos Ruiz Zafon is a wonderful storyteller, and I find his writing totally engrossing.
On audio, I dl'd The Strain, I'm just hoping it's not too scary for a rainy drive in to work!
Peg wrote: "I am so despondent over the oil spill. I love Louisiana and feel as helpless as you do over it.James Lee Burke's latest Dave R. is coming out mid-July. I presume the oil spill won't be part of..."
My father reads all the James Lee Burke novel. I'll have to tell him there is a new book coming out.
Just finished two books:
First, Water for Elephants (Three out of five stars)
A perfectly serviceable summer book to take with you to the beach or better yet, on a train ride. The book's charms are those of the storytelling variety. The pages turn themselves almost, and you'll be anxious to see what happens to each of the cast of characters. Does this book carry extra charms beyond its compulsive readability? Does it have issues you're going to want to discuss at a book group? Probably not. Is it stylistically unique? No. Does it seem to carry that special something that you'll only pick up on a subsequent reading? Nah. It's just a good, solid, entertaining novel.
Th characters are pretty wooden. The villains are mustache-twirling types and the heroin would be comfortable lying down tied up on the railroad tracks. The best parts are those that involve true-life circus stories that Gruen uncovered in her research and incorporated into the narrative.
Second, Collected Fictions (Five out of five stars)
Those who have enjoyed On Hundred Years of Solitude would do well to pick this up, for another sample of great South American literature. Borges was Argentinian, and his stories often dealt with paradoxes, gaucho knife fights, labyrinths, the question of identity, infinite libraries, and books which had never been written except in his imagination.
These stories are a lot like the ones in On Thousand and One Nights, except more bookish.
Now reading The Passage, which is great in a vintage Stephen King kind of way.
Also now reading The Education of Henry Adams
First, Water for Elephants (Three out of five stars)
A perfectly serviceable summer book to take with you to the beach or better yet, on a train ride. The book's charms are those of the storytelling variety. The pages turn themselves almost, and you'll be anxious to see what happens to each of the cast of characters. Does this book carry extra charms beyond its compulsive readability? Does it have issues you're going to want to discuss at a book group? Probably not. Is it stylistically unique? No. Does it seem to carry that special something that you'll only pick up on a subsequent reading? Nah. It's just a good, solid, entertaining novel.
Th characters are pretty wooden. The villains are mustache-twirling types and the heroin would be comfortable lying down tied up on the railroad tracks. The best parts are those that involve true-life circus stories that Gruen uncovered in her research and incorporated into the narrative.
Second, Collected Fictions (Five out of five stars)
Those who have enjoyed On Hundred Years of Solitude would do well to pick this up, for another sample of great South American literature. Borges was Argentinian, and his stories often dealt with paradoxes, gaucho knife fights, labyrinths, the question of identity, infinite libraries, and books which had never been written except in his imagination.
These stories are a lot like the ones in On Thousand and One Nights, except more bookish.
Now reading The Passage, which is great in a vintage Stephen King kind of way.
Also now reading The Education of Henry Adams
Eric, you described my feelings about Water of Elephants beautifully. I did find it extremely entertaining in all the says you stated. My book group did read it but not really that much to discuss.I'll be very interested on your take of The Passage.
I just finished The Passage last night (my thoughts are in my review here). It was a good monumental book to mark the halfway point of my "100 books in 2010" personal reading goal (for which I'm not counting audio books or graphic novels).Right now I am starting The Lathe of Heaven (needed a short book after spending a week on The Passage, which is almost 800 pages and would be a lot more if the print wasn't so very small), partway through Treasure Island via DailyLit, and nearly a third of the way through Doomsday Book on audio.
Mod
You should be a book reviewer. Your reviews are always original and insightful. I look forward to reading your comments - even if I don't agree with your assessment.
Joel,
100 books without counting graphics or audios???? I'm at almost 80 this year (78 or 79) but that includes 1 graphic and lots of audio. Still more book books, but I'll have to see how many more I'd have to go if I eliminated the audios.
Mod
. One of the few my book discussion unanimously agreed was an excellent read.Now I'm on to Wolf Hall
.Also finished listening to The Carnivorous Carnival (Lemony Snicket #9) and have moved on to Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris.
Peg wrote: "I am in the middle of The Bright Forever by Lee Martin[book:The Bright Forever|58919. His writing style is most excellent especially since he is teaching Creative Writing on the College level.
S..."
Hi Peg,
I finished The Bright Forever and really appreciated the writing style as well. -Karen
Linda wrote: "I finished and really enjoyed The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey. One of the few my book..."Linda good luck with Wolf Hall. I couldn't make it got 200 pages in and put it down. Am anxious to hear your thoughts. Convince me to pick it up again.
Just finished
IMO this was the best of the three. Will there be a 4th? Will some take over the writing?
Just started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and really enjoying it. I'm already looking forward to the rest of the series. I'm also reading The Titan's Curse this series reminds me so much of HP
Michael wrote: "Just finished IMO this was the best of the three. Will there be a 4th? Will some take over the writing?"I'm in the middle of it and really like having so many story lines going on - however am missing having Lisbeth not in the story as much so far.
I doubt another one will be upcoming unless they can find an author to take over for Stieg since he passed away right after delivering all 3 manuscripts to his editor.
I'm about half way through The Girl Who Played with Fire and find it much more absorbing than The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's a real page-turner.
AM wrote: "As I watch my state being destroyed by one disaster after another, I find I want to escape into fiction set a Louisiana that doesn't mention Katrina or Oil -- or doesn't use them as key plot points..."You may want to check out the Benjamin January series by Barbara Hamby. A Free Man of Color is the first book and there are about 7 in the series. They take place in 1833 and give a great feel for New Orleans and rural Louisiana.
I've been on leave from work because I had surgery. I thought I would fly through my stack of books. It's actually very difficult to read and take pain meds at the same time. Ha! Now that I'm off the meds, I've made it through The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and Await Your Reply. Now I'm starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.I really liked Await Your Reply. Dark and twisty, which is my favorite kind of book. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie fell short of all the hype for me. Flavia is a great character, but the book as a whole for me was just ok. I probably won't be reading the further installments...
Hope that I'm not let down by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Is the hype worth it? Guess I'll find out soon.
Jenn wrote: "I've been on leave from work because I had surgery. I thought I would fly through my stack of books. It's actually very difficult to read and take pain meds at the same time. Ha! Now that I'm off t..."IMO, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was just ok. It didn't seem to be an outstanding novel or anything over the top. I didn't quite get all of the hype. It wasn't bad but just not all that fantastic. But I read it because I heard the 2nd and 3rd books were so good. So I'll pick up the second one later on and read it.
Linda wrote: "100 books without counting graphics or audios???? I'm at almost 80 this year (78 or 79) but that includes 1 graphic and lots of audio."100 is my goal; I'm only a little over halfway there! If you include the audio and graphic novels, I'm actually at 78 too, so you might be surprised how on track you are to read read 100 books this year. I am counting YA, and I've also read a few novellas, but I figure as long as I throw in the occasional doorstop like The Passage or The Wind-up Bird Chronicle (Anna K. and The Count of Monte Cristo are on tap for later this year), it isn't really cheating.
Joel wrote: "Linda wrote: "100 books without counting graphics or audios???? I'm at almost 80 this year (78 or 79) but that includes 1 graphic and lots of audio."100 is my goal; I'm only a little over halfway..."
I'm trying to read 100 books this year as well. The Children's Book stalled that for a while back in April but I think I'm back on track. :)
I read about 100 books a year, but I count audiobooks and for the first time this year, I am also counting certain graphic novels (I count STITCHES by David Small and, MAUS by Art Spiegelman; but not the Hellboy comics.)
I'm currently listening to Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (by Karl Marlantes; narrated by Bronson Pinchot) which I'm throughly engrossed in; my only issue being that BP seems to have a slight problem pronouncing the word "gooks." It's not enough to make me stop listening (the book and the overall narration are too good - I've never had a book take me to a time and place so immediately and so effectively) but for some reason whenever the word comes up, it jars me a little bit.
I'm also reading an ARC of The Bells: A Novel. I'm interrupting my own reading to dnload some of the music it refers to (e.g. Vivaldi's Dixit Domenus) so it's going a bit slower than at the pace I usually read at. It's about the bastard son of a deaf-mute bell ringer who has the gift of highly attuned hearing and a beautiful singing voice. There are many parts that are dark and awful by modern sensibilities; but by the same token there are other parts that are tragically comic, not particularly absurd, just that if you don't laugh, you might cry.
I'm currently listening to Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (by Karl Marlantes; narrated by Bronson Pinchot) which I'm throughly engrossed in; my only issue being that BP seems to have a slight problem pronouncing the word "gooks." It's not enough to make me stop listening (the book and the overall narration are too good - I've never had a book take me to a time and place so immediately and so effectively) but for some reason whenever the word comes up, it jars me a little bit.
I'm also reading an ARC of The Bells: A Novel. I'm interrupting my own reading to dnload some of the music it refers to (e.g. Vivaldi's Dixit Domenus) so it's going a bit slower than at the pace I usually read at. It's about the bastard son of a deaf-mute bell ringer who has the gift of highly attuned hearing and a beautiful singing voice. There are many parts that are dark and awful by modern sensibilities; but by the same token there are other parts that are tragically comic, not particularly absurd, just that if you don't laugh, you might cry.
I am starting to read Ulysses. Why? Well, last year I read Proust, so I thought I'd take up another difficult yet supposedly amazing classic.
Am I crazy? Talk amongst yourselves.
Am I crazy? Talk amongst yourselves.
Mod
Am I crazy? Talk amongst yourselves."
Um, yeah. But that's why we love you ;)
Mod
Am I crazy? Talk amongst yourselves."
How appropriate that you mention this today - Bloomsday!
My goal this year isn't 100 books. I usually average around 50 but don't always check the count. anyway my goal this year is to only read what really interests me and takes me into another world. So far I've only digressed a little but it has also taken my count down for the year. So I'm going to quit counting.
Linda wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I am starting to read Ulysses. Why? Well, last year I read Proust, so I thought I'd take up another difficult yet supposedly amazing classic.
Am I crazy? Talk amon..."
Yes, Linda, I specifically chose Bloomsday as the day to begin this project. Hopefully I'll be done before next Bloomsday :-)
(P.S. Thanks for the love Ann -- right back at ya!)
Am I crazy? Talk amon..."
Yes, Linda, I specifically chose Bloomsday as the day to begin this project. Hopefully I'll be done before next Bloomsday :-)
(P.S. Thanks for the love Ann -- right back at ya!)
Like Tanya, I too am listening to "Matterhorn." I'm new to audio books (this is my 4th one) and am finding they enrich my daily exercise, which I otherwise despise. (Too bad there's not 3.5 hours of Books on the Nightstand each week to get me through my exercise.) I chose Matterhorn because I'm married to a Vietnam vet who has shared only bits and pieces of his experience. I want to understand more about this pivotal time in his life.
I'm more of a reader than a listener though this one might be a good one for me to try audio even if the speaker can't pronounce *gook* properly.
Peg wrote: "I'm more of a reader than a listener though this one might be a good one for me to try audio even if the speaker can't pronounce *gook* properly."
Last night, after I had already posted, I checked the OED about the pronunciation of "gook." The preferred pronunciation is the way John McCain says it (with the "oo" sound as in "moo;" the secondary pronunciation (still acceptable) rhymes with "book.") In Matterhorn, it sounds like the narrator is saying it the second way, so while he isn't wrong, to me it didn't sound right and I posted prematurely. My bad.
Last night, after I had already posted, I checked the OED about the pronunciation of "gook." The preferred pronunciation is the way John McCain says it (with the "oo" sound as in "moo;" the secondary pronunciation (still acceptable) rhymes with "book.") In Matterhorn, it sounds like the narrator is saying it the second way, so while he isn't wrong, to me it didn't sound right and I posted prematurely. My bad.
Tanya, I always thought it was more like moo than book as well. So you don't have to have "my bad".
Suzanne wrote: "I am starting to read Ulysses.I read Ulysses in 9th grade lit class - 15 or so years ago. I remember enjoying it more than I thought I would. In fact, I really liked it. We also read Great Expectations in that class and it still sticks out in my mind as being absolutely wonderful. But now that I look back, although I know they were great books, I think that that lit teacher must have just been an amazing teacher. Every book we read in her class sticks out in my memory. Thank God for good literature teachers!!!
It always helps to read one of those BIG books with a group and a leader. It has been way way way more than 15 years since I took h.s. lit. But we were always taught to only read so many chapters. Always a tough one for me. That way we could discuss what had just happened; where we thought the story was going; etc. I think we should all think about having our book clubs do something like that.
Mod
Huh! That's the way I would have said it. Guess that shows that I didn't listen to John McCain!
Tanya, if in the future I have any questions as to the proper pronunciations of racially pejorative terms, you're the first person I'll consult. ;-)
So I finished The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and I liked it but it didn't blow me away the way I expected it to. I've started Second Chance by Jane Green. I'm in a book rut.
Wrapped up Being Light, a continuation from Alison Wonderland. I love Helen's sense of humor although this one is a bit darker than her first. I recommend for a quick pleasant read.
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Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Pillars of the Earth (other topics)Eat, Pray, Love (other topics)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (other topics)
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings (other topics)
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Green (other topics)Aimee Bender (other topics)
Aimee Bender (other topics)
Jacqueline Sheehan (other topics)
Jonathan Dee (other topics)
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Up next is another BOTNS recommendation: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon.