Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group discussion
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ABOUT BOOKS AND READING
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What are U reading these days? (PART SEVEN) (2011) (ONGOING THREAD for 2011)
Nina, sometimes the parents aren't aware of what the books are like.Who can keep up with it all?
Parents probably can't keep up with every book their kid wants to read, but if they're going to make a judgement, they should know what they're talking about and read that one book.Thinking back, I read Lord of the Flies when I was about 10 or 11 and that was far more graphic and very realistic. Yet that's a classic. Go figure.
Jackie wrote: "Parents probably can't keep up ..."I think parents are over-protective now. I recently unfriended a person here because he was giving 1 star ratings & going on about how some classics were from the 'Marquis De Sade school of children's literature'. He was referring to books like Black Beauty, Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, & The Yearling. Just because he'd had similar tragedies in his life, he's keeping these books away from his kids & putting them down. That means, as a GR friend with similar tastes in books, he isn't any more.
While he's certainly entitled to his opinion, I find that kind of pessimistic view of these classics & the sheltering of kids distasteful, at best. Even he agreed that the books were well written. I loved all of them & found most of them to be quite heartening in most ways. Yes, they all have bad times & teach some hard lessons, but they were pretty upbeat for the most part. They were certainly true to life & I can't think of a better way to prepare a kid for real life than reading about it.
Most people seem to want to shelter their kids so completely now that it's silly. That doesn't prepare them very well for adulthood & all its attendant responsibilities & realities. No, instead they want to stuff them full of 'feel good' pap. This at a time when most people are so far removed from nature that they can eat a burger & think that shooting a deer is wrong.
Arnieh wrote: "Same Arnie, Joy."Oh, I see, Arnie. I suspected that may have been the case.
Jim wrote: "I think parents are over-protective now. ..."I would say that if a child is brought up in a stable environment with a proper set of values, he probably won't be adversely affected by anything he reads. However, if a child has problems, those problems will affect every phase of his life and books will be the least of the causes.
Jim wrote: Most people seem to want to shelter their kids so completely now that it's silly. That doesn't prepare them very well for adulthood & all its attendant responsibilities & realities.That's my biggest problem with overprotecting children. It's irresponsible when parents don't give their children every tool, every advantage to face the adult world.
First, they're resilient and adaptable. Second, we cannot be there every moment of their lives to protect them. It's better to prepare them for the real world, to do otherwise is a disservice and detrimental to them in the long run.
Well, parenting another person's kids isn't very profitable, but I did give him a piece of my mind about giving 1 stars out to those classics. That ruined his worth to me as a GR friend. I trust my GR friends, not only to share some of my tastes in books, but to rate them properly. Saying that a book is so well written that it hurts to read it & yet giving it 1 star is just wrong, IMO. Maybe taking away a star because it hurts, but denigrating something like 'Old Yeller' as being sadistic reading for a kid is blasphemy. That book was wonderful, just had a sad ending & you knew the kid was still going to go on & be a better person for his experience, so it wasn't all a downer.
Jim, I never read Old Yeller (1956) by Fred Gipson.I see that a film adaptation was made in 1957:
http://movies.netflix.com/Search?v1=O...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050798/
"A boy brings a yellow dog home. The dog loves the family as much as they love him, but can the love last ?"
I both read & saw the film, which was well done, although not exactly like the book, as I recall. They're all well worth reading, too.
Jim, I have the film, "Old Yeller" on my Netflix queue. Glad to hear that you thought it was well done.
Nina recently mentioned the book, The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.I see that the NY Times has a review of it this week. It's at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/boo...
Excerpt:
"Indeed, the darkest and most engaging element in the novel is not the circus but the relationships between the children and their guardians, who resemble nothing so much as the kind of overattentive, hyper-achievement-oriented, controlling parents much decried in modern media."
Sounds very serious.
Joy go to Amazon.com and click on books and put in the title and you will see my son's review. He also has one of the book on goodreads. Go to Doug Peck and you can find it. Based on his review six books were purchased at our independent book store. It is supposed to be a classic and already has movie rights. I am picking up my book signed by the author, first edition tomorrow but as it is a Christmas present from my son I am saving it till after Christmas to read it. Will post my review after that.
I'm currently on the 3rd of The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay. I feel that these 3 books really could have been one long book and was stretched out to comprise three. Sadly, each book is less than the one before. They're fast easy reads so it's no hardship to finish but I'll be glad when I'm done.
Nina wrote: "Joy go to Amazon.com and click on books and put in the title and you will see my son's review. He also has one of the book on goodreads. Go to Doug Peck and you can find it. Based on his review six..."Yes, Nina, I read your son's interesting review. We'll have to keep our eye on the progress of this book. (_The Night Circus_)
Jackie wrote: "I'm currently on the 3rd of The Hunger Games series, Mockingjay. I feel that these 3 books really could have been one long book and was stretched out to comprise three. Sadly, each book is less than the one before. They're fast easy reads so it's no hardship to finish but I'll be glad when I'm done."Jackie, at least you got through the 3 books. I thought I'd be glad to be finished with The Sister by Poppy Adams, but the ending was riveting and suspenseful. So I was glad I stuck with it, even though at times I thought it was weird and I wondered where it was going. Also at times the descriptive parts bored me but I could tell that the author must enjoy describing things.
That's why I have a hard time dropping a book without finishing, it could get better and then I'd have missed out. 9 times out of 10 this isn't my experience but that 1 time makes it hard to give up on a book.
Jackie, I find it hard to give up on a book too. (I even hate to give up on that lousy movie I just talked about. LOL) ("Wings of Desire")I have to say that I learned a lot about the metamorphosis of moths and butterflies while reading _The Sister_. It's an amazing process and the book makes you realize what a miracle it is.
Jackie wrote: "That's why I have a hard time dropping a book without finishing, it could get better and then I'd have missed out. 9 times out of 10 this isn't my experience but that 1 time makes it hard to give ..."I feel the same way about some series. Between wanting to know what happens to the characters & world, it's kept me reading far longer in some than I probably should have. I've felt that way about both of Laurell K. Hamilton's series (Anita Blake & Merry Gentry). I'm still reading E.E. Knight Vampire Earth series, but not buying the books too quickly after they're published.
I'm reading Mission of Honor, the 12th book of that series. While Weber's writing is getting a bit old, the world has expanded immensely, so it's still interesting. I'm afraid to take too much of a break because there are so many characters & complications, I could easily forget.
Jim wrote: "... I'm afraid to take too much of a break because there are so many characters & complications, I could easily forget."Yes, that's a definite problem with me. I sometimes take a break from a book for several days. When I go back, I don't remember who is who, especially if the story deals with many different characters, places, and times.
Sometimes, even if I don't take a long break, I find it hard to retain all the necessary background information if the book has too many characters and time shifts.
However, I maintain that if a book is written with enough exposition and character development, I will be able to handle it.
In this case, it's a series, Joy. It's pretty obvious that there are spinoff books that should be read as well. Characters are introduced & they have a full history behind them. It's getting complicated. Lots of politics, too.
Oi, politics! Count me out. That usually makes my eyes glaze over... unless it's done in an interesting way.
PS-I think one's interest in the material makes a big difference as to whether the reader can handle it. As with all phases of life, motivation is a powerful factor. We all have different interests.
In some books, I forget the details, like Eragon; I don't know what it is about this series but I can't remember hardly anything even though I enjoyed it while reading it. What bothers me about that is when a new book to the series comes out, I have to read the previous book again so I know what's going on. And this is not a series I'd willing re-read. On the other hand, A Song of Ice & Fire series is so well written that it's complex and myriad storylines and bazillion characters are indelibly imprinted on my brain. The appendix section is approximately 100 pages of characters that I've never needed to consult. I guess it depends on what my brain wants to remember, lol
Jackie wrote: "... I guess it depends on what my brain wants to remember, lol "Jackie, I think it's also because, as you pointed out, it is "so well written".
Joy H. wrote: "Oi, politics! Count me out. That usually makes my eyes glaze over... unless it's done in an interesting way."I agree completely. These politics are somewhat interesting, though. Weber has a lot of historical & some present day politics mixed in. The Haven political system is heavily based on the French Revolution, for instance.
The 'behind the scenes' of politics are far more interesting than the politics themselves. I don't mind reading about it as long as I get the behind the scenes motivations and machinations. Lots of drama.Eragon was well written too. I don't know what it is about that series though that makes me forget. I've read it twice now and I've held off on the 3rd book and am waiting for the 4th to come out next month. I hope that's the end of the series, because I'm not reading any of it until I have the complete series in hand.
I've completed my review of The Sister. If you're interested, it's at:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I think the bit about "free will" is interesting.
Jackie wrote: "In some books, I forget the details, like Eragon; I don't know what it is about this sseries but I can't remember hardly anything even though I enjoyed it while reading it. What both..."I just rec'd an e-mail ad from the book store in Glens Falls, Dog Ate My Homework, that Inheritance #4 (by Christopher Paolini) will be out in November: Inheritance (Expected publication: November 8th 2011 by Random House ).
That's what I'm waiting for. And to see if this is the end. #3 was supposed to be the end, I had already bought it the day it was released and a friend who read it immediately told me there'd be another. As long as #4 is the end, then I'll read the whole series sometime soon. If there's more, then #4 will go on the shelf right next to #3.
Jackie wrote: "That's what I'm waiting for. ... As long as #4 is the end, then I'll read the whole series sometime soon. If there's more, then #4 will go on the shelf right next to #3."Jackie, you have a lot of patience! Your waiting was a good idea. I don't blame you.
I have at least 250 other books on my bookshelves, I can afford to wait. I've always got something to read.
Barb and I are currently reading Brisingr (#3 of the series), though it's temporarily on hold; I'm hoping to get Inheritance for her for Christmas, so we're expecting to start that one right after we finish the preceding one. I'm expecting and hoping the series will stop at four volumes --I also don't like to have long gaps of time between my reading of different volumes of a series!
Ah, then you're going to be the one to let me know if it ends, Werner. lolHow are you enjoying Brisingr? Is it as good as the other two of the series? I've heard that it is, but you and I share similar tastes, I'd trust your judgement above others.
I'm on page 82 of Fox's Earth by Anne Rivers Siddons. An impoverished ten-year old girl, Ruth, is taken in by a rich, privileged family. She marries the rich son. According to the GR description, we read about the lives of five generations of her new family. The story is told in the third-person omniscient point-of-view. It's interesting to be aware of the different types of narrative mode as we read.
Wiki says that: "Third-person singular (he/she) is overwhelmingly the most common type of third-person narrative".
Below is a link to Wiki's page on "Narrative Mode":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narrativ...
Wiki's outline is below:
1 Narrative point of view
1.1 First-person view
1.2 Second-person view
1.3 Third-person view
1.4 Alternating person view
2 Narrative voice
2.1 Stream-of-consciousness voice
2.2 Character voice
2.2.1 Unreliable voice
2.3 Epistolary voice
2.4 Third-person voices
2.4.1 Third-person, subjective
2.4.2 Third-person, objective
2.4.3 Third-person, omniscient
3 Narrative tense
3.1 Past tense
3.2 Present tense
3.3 Future tense
4 Other narrative modes
4.1 Fiction-writing mode
4.2 Other types and uses
Joy, As you know, Fox's Earth is on my shelf. I'm interested in what you think of it when you're finished. I have no idea when I might get to it.I finish The Hunger Games trilogy. It was good, although not very unique in the underlying themes.
I just started The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston. Sections are titled by the Celtic calendar, chapters by contemporary date and phase of the moon. The main character, Elizabeth, is into herblore which is of personal interest to me as I make my own medicines from herbs.
Jackie, so far I am finding Fox's Earth interesting but not compelling (i.e,. I can put the book down and not feel that I must get right back to it.) The writing needs a certain amount of concentration in parts because Siddons' style of writing in this novel sometimes seems wordy. As I'm getting into the story and getting more involved with the characters, the book promises to be a good read. The dialogue between characters is good. Also, there seems to be good character development.Some day we'll have to talk about the herbs you use as medicines. Interesting.
Joy, it sounds promising.We're so conditioned to think pharmaceuticals are better, stronger, that we disregard herbals are 'inferior'. I know I did. I was surprised when I tried it and learned just how much better herbs are. I have achieved years of relief from a one time treatment for TMJ and my burisitis is completely cured after 3 days of treatment. I'll always choose herbs now that I know better. And they have the added bonus of being significantly cheaper.
Glad to hear the herbs work for you, Jackie.
Jackie, Barb and I both have been thoroughly enjoying Brisinger, as much as we did the first book (and more than we did the second one). All the strong points of Paolini's writing are very much in evidence.Joy, Barb's into herbs, too (though she doesn't gather her own), and I take some regularly as well. We've been very pleased with the results we've had.
Werner, I like Paolini's writing. I'm pleased it's still up to par. I'd like to finish the series sometime soon.
From what I understand, Jackie, the fourth book is supposed to finish it. (We'll see. :-) )
I read Fox's Earth many years ago and I believe it is Joan Rivers Siddons first novel. It made me want to read her others and mostly I did.
Our independent bookstore owner said, "Night Circus," is the best book she has read this year and she must read hundreds. She also thinks it will be a classic along the lines of the Potter series. I have it on my coffee table but am waiting until Christmas to read it then as it is a present from my son, who has read it already on Kindle but was so enchanted he ordered the first edition hardback.
I'm still reading Fox's Earth. Haven't had much time to read because I was traveling last weekend and am now exhausted.I see that the book was first published in 1981. So it's definitely an early book by Siddons.
I've got The Night Circus on my keep-in-mind shelf. It will be interesting to see how it goes. I see that it's now #5 on NY Times Best Seller List for Hardcover Fiction.
Description: "Two young rivals at a magical circus become collaborators as they fall in love." FROM: http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-b...
I finished the sixth Harry Potter book. While waiting to borrow the seventh and last from my friend, I have started a science fiction/space opera trilogy--The Price of the Stars.A rather standard plot but well-written. Characterization a bit above average for this type of story.
Mary JL, how did you like HP & The Half Blood Prince?I wish you lived near me, I'd let you borrow my HP & The Deathly Hollows.
Jackie: I enjoyed Hp and the Half-Blood Prince very much. they glimpses into the past of "tom Riddle" and the unexpected fate of Dumbledore were great.Can't wait for the wrap up in book 7.
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I don't think this mother has the right call it 'filth'. Had she taken the time to actually read it, she'd see it's not as bad as she thinks it is. The entertainment is really a punishment for rebellion, no one is entertained, they are forced to watch their children in a battle to the death. So no, it's not 'entertainment'. Also, for all it's implied content, there wasn't much graphic violence. No more than an average dystopian novel, in fact, far less than most. Why her kid had nightmares, I don't know. If the kid paid attention, it was actually a love story.