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)
I just finished listening to an audio version of the book, The Memory of Running (1999), by Ron McLarty. I gave it only two stars but there were other readers who gave it 4 or 5 stars. I always wonder about this difference in preferences.I almost gave up on this story but decided to go back to see where it went and how it ended. I wanted to see what other people saw that I didn't see. My review explains my feelings about the book. My review is at:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It's interesting to note that this book was originally recorded as an audio and only later (4 & 1/2 years later) became a printed book. Perhaps it was edited before being printed. This may have made a big difference. I dunno.
At the end of the audio book, an announcer states that this was "the first ever novel brought to the reading public exclusivley in audio format."
PS-Below is a link to Stephen King's article about this book, urging people to listen to it (before it was printed):
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,48475...
Finished with Harry Potter #5, I am starting a new Sf book by John Barnes, Patton's Spaceship an alternate worlds novel concerning wars over different timelines.So far, fun. Nothing profund--but a pleasant book to pass away a few hours on.
Hi Mary JL. There's nothing wrong with having fun while you're reading. That's why we do it.The Goodreads description of _Patton's Spaceship_ says that it combines "the suspense of the detective thriller with the awesome wonder of space/time adventure". Sounds compelling. It also says that John Barnes is one of "SF's rising stars" (per the Washington Post). Enjoy the book.
I finished reading She's Come Undone (1992) by Wally Lamb. My review is at:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The book kept me interested even though I didn't find it compelling. I gave it 3 stars.
Part of my review includes the following from another GR review:
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"... Wally Lamb has totally tapped into how it feels to be a teenage girl, an abused girl, a girl coming into a woman, a woman having her heart broken for the first time by the man of her dreams, and a woman making it on her own after all of these things. ..."
-from the GR review of Melissa McAllister at:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
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Finished Patton's Spaceship yesterday. Stated on book 2 of the trilogy,Washington's Dirigible. Fun, exciting adventure.
Mary JL, sounds like you like John Barnes writing. I wish I could enjoy SF like you do.
Joy: Perhpas you may someday find a few Sf writers that you like. I admit however that almost everyone I know who reads SF stated between the ages of say 10 and 15.Maybe it is just an acquired taste--most people seem to find Sf between the age of 10 and 15.
However, I probably would do better to expand my reading tastes a little as I read SF and Mysteries a lot for pleasure. I do occasionally read some history or biography--but not often.
Mary JL wrote: "... I read SF and Mysteries a lot for pleasure. ..."Mary JL, I had a history professor in college who told us that her hobby was reading mysteries. So you're in good company. :)
I've often wondered what accounts for people's different tastes in reading. Surely our youthful reading experiences make a big difference. Perhaps it has something to do with the development of brain pathways. I don't seem to have developed a brain pathway for SF. :)
I'm drawn to biography, especially where I get to see behind he scenes. For example, I'm enjoying reading about John Cheever's heated disagreements with his short story editor, William Maxwell, at the New Yorker about what should be edited out or left in. Also about how he agonized while waiting to hear if his story was accepted or not for the magazine. He needed the money.
It's also interesting to read that Cheever got his story ideas from the lives of people he associated with. Some people would be upset when they found themselves as characters in his stories, renamed, of course, but recognizable nevertheless. Cheever wasn't always very complimentary. He had a gift for cynical derision or mockery. He could really skewer people!
Joy: If you are drawn to biography, one of the best I have ever read isBenjamin Franklin: An American Life.I've always had a fascination with Benjamin Franklin.Philosopher, scientist, political leader---with a sense of humor and a bit of eccentricity. The book is full of neat information. Very few Americans know, for example, that Franklin's son was a Tory (Loyalist) and sided with the British. This caused an estragement for many years.
My second favorite boigraphy isAmerican Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964. Douglas MacArthur was not quite as charming a character as Franklin--nor do I admire him as much--but William Manchester wrote a good biography here.
Thanks, Mary JL. I've put those biographies on my "keep-in-mind" shelf.I just returned No Regrets: The Life of Edith Piaf to the library because it was overdue and not renewable. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to read it because I've been busy with other books. However, when I browsed through it, I could see that it might be interesting but wouldn't be compelling. I skimmed through it quickly and got a gist of her life. I was surprised to read that she had had a romantic affair with Yves Montand. She wrote the French lyrics to the song "La Vie en Rose". I listened to it at the following YouTube pages and the song IS compelling! ===>
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwkjWJ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ32WW...
I hope to watch a Netflix DVD of the film, "La Vie en Rose" (2007), soon:
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/La_...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450188/
It's the story of Piaf's life.
PS-Couldn't resist adding this interesting bit which I read about in the book about Edith Piaf (referred to above). When Edith Piaf first got the inspiration for the song, "La Vie en Rose", she quickly started writing down some lyrics (in French, of course). At a certain part, she used the words "en rose", combined with the word "chose" (which is French for "thing"). Her friend, who was with her at the time (in a restaurant?), suggested that Piaf use the words "la vie" instead of "chose". Thus an unforgettable song was conceived. (The melody was written by Louis Gugliemi.)I've always been interested in lyrics and how they came about. (I'm a bit of a verse writer myself.) In fact I own an interesting book called Reading Lyrics: More Than 1,000 of the Century's Finest Lyrics--a Celebration of Our Greatest Songwriters, a Rediscovery of Forgotten Masters, and an Appreciation of an by Robert Gottlieb. I love it! I think lyric writers are under-rated. (See anecdote below.)
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This anecdote is about the song "Old Man River" (music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein). One day, Mrs. Kern and Mrs. Hammerstein were together when Mrs. Kern told someone "My husband wrote 'Old Man River.'" That's when Mrs. Hammerstein snapped "He did not. Your husband wrote 'dum dum dum dum.' My husband wrote 'Old Man River.'"
FOUND AT:
http://www.songtale.com/onestop/pilot...
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Oscar_Ha...
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In case anyone is interested, I started a thread here called "About song lyrics...".It's at: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
Finished book 2 of the Timeline Wars Trilogy (Washington's Dirigible) and finishing up with Book 3--Caesar's Bicycle.
Mary JL, can you tell us something about John Barnes' style of writing? For example, are his plots complicated or are they easy to follow? Is he wordy or is he economical with words?
Joy, John Barnes varies a lot. His Kaleidoscope Century was so convoluted I hven't figued out what happend yet.The Timeline Wars series that I am curretnly reading is much simpler--a straight adventure story. A bit light--like Star Wars and the Time Tunnel combined.
I'd really like to turn you on to SF, Joy. There are so many good books out there. But there are also a lot of poorly written Sf which would turn you away from the subject.
I might suggest starting with science fiction short story collections, as I did when I began sceince fiction many years ago.]The Science Fiction Hall of Fame 1 may be a good start.
The Science Fiction Writers of America voted on the top Sf stories up through 1964 and these stories were the top 17 selected. You might not like all the stories, but try a few--if you like the auhtor, you could then try a novel.
I would not recommend John Barnes to a newcomer in SF. He's good, but a bit convoluted.
Joy: Isaac Asimov and Martin H. Greenberg wrote a series:Isaac Asimov Presents the Great Science Fiction Stories and did Volumes for every year from 1939 to 1963. Just pick a year!
Or try any of the many The Year's Best SF Stories for any given year.
Thanks very much for your recommendations, Mary JL. I'll follow up. I've added them to my "keep-in-mind" shelf. I'm sure I'll find a story I'll like among the collections. I just have to keep trying.
I'm reading A Storm of Swords, 3rd in GRR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. They're really long books so my book challenge is taking a beating, lol But I don't mind, this series is excellent, a must-read for anyone who loves epic medieval fantasy.
Jackie wrote: "I'm reading A Storm of Swords, 3rd in GRR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series. They're really long books so my book challenge is taking a beating, lol But I don't mind, this serie..."Wow, Jackie, the GR description says: "Magic, mystery, intrigue, romance, and adventure fill these pages and transport us to a world unlike any we have ever experienced. Already hailed as a classic, George R. R. Martin’s stunning series is destined to stand as one of the great achievements of imaginative fiction."
As you say, the series is great for those who love epic fantasy. Wish I did!
PS-I guess the words "imaginative fiction" describe one of the genres used in the book world. Would you say that's a synonym for "fantasy"?
Joy wrote: I guess the words "imaginative fiction" describe one of the genres used in the book world. Would you say that's a synonym for "fantasy"? I sure would. The best part of A Song of Ice and Fire series is the intricate world-building and truly realistic characters. Good world-building is a must in Fantasy , at least for me it is. It transports me to that world, and I love that. Good characters are even better, whether they make me love them or hate them, the emotional investment makes it worth it.
This series is exceptional. For those that don't want to read such long books, you can watch the first book-turned-TV-series on HBO's Game of Thrones, which is spectacular. The comparison from book to series is favorable, they've done a fantastic job. It's already renewed for the second book to come alive, A Clash of Kings.
Jackie, thanks for mentioning the book series and the TV series.Below are some links to web pages about the TV series, "Game of Thrones" (TV Series 2011) (adapted from Martin's book, A Game of Thrones):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/
"Kings, queens, knights and renegades use schemes and swords to battle for the throne."
IMDb Trivia: "Author George R.R. Martin was asked if he had a resolution or ending to the seemingly endless conflict. He replied that the end would be a cloud of dust or snow being driven by the wind across a vast graveyard full of tombstones." (Well, that doesn't really tell you much.)
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Gam...
"Originally airing on HBO, this live-action fantasy series -- based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels -- charts the violent efforts of competing noble families to gain control of the vacant Westeros throne." (Not yet available from Netflix.)
About Season 1, Netflix says:
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"When a power vacuum emerges in the mythical land of Westeros following mighty King Robert's death, several noble families, including the Starks, Lannisters and Baratheons, wage war against each other for control of the vacant Iron Throne. Full of political and sexual intrigue, this fantasy series, based on George R.R. Martin's "A Song of Ice and Fire" novels, also chronicles the rise of an ancient evil, which threatens the entire kingdom."
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Here's a link to the Slant Magazine's review. (It's a long article.):
http://www.slantmagazine.com/tv/revie...
"...Game of Thrones, a 10-part series based on George R.R. Martin's wildly popular fantasy saga A Song of Ice and Fire..."
This part of the review is wildly inaccurate:...is swarming with (feudal lords, traitorous schemers,) prostitutes, women the lords treat like prostitutes, and women the show runners treat like prostitutes, nearly all of whom, children included, are protecting devastating secrets and itching to slit somebody, anybody's, throat.
The part about prostitutes, women and children. I really don't understand why most reviewers still have jobs with their outright lies.
More inaccuries: married off to the king of a barbaric foreign tribe called the Dothraki in what looks like a scene from a Penthouse adaptation of The King and I.
I didn't bother reading the rest of the review, since the reviewer has lost all credibility with his inability to see what's right in front of him. I don't know how he can read such things into it.
How do these reviews come up with this crap? Do they just make it up in their heads? I don't care if a reviewer doesn't like a show, but it should be based on what is and not what they imagine.
In the NY Times review, the idiot who reviewed it called it a 'global-warming plot gone wrong'. What? Totally out of left field and global-warming nothing to do with the series. She also said, 'Sex was thrown in for women because they wouldn't watch it otherwise'. So much for her idiotic thoughts, because the response from women fans blasting the reviewer was so great they had to shut down the comments section of the article. I really wish they'd have reviewers who actually knew what they were talking about doing the reviews. All the inaccuracies can hurt the series. But the good news is there's enough loyal fans and newcomers to the series to prove GOT is one of the best epic fantasies of all time. GOT was renewed for a second season by it's second episode. So much for all the trash talk by clueless idiots.
Jackie wrote: "This part of the review is wildly inaccurate: ..."That's a shame, Jackie. Sounds like the reviewers had already made up their minds about the series before they even watched it. Maybe they based their review on rumors or remarks from other people who didn't have a clue either. I can empathize with your feelings about this sort of misrepresentation. But, as you say, there are enough loyal fans to overcome it.
Maybe part of it is the reviewer just doesn't like Fantasy and just doesn't get what Fantasy is all about. But then, that's the wrong person to do the review.
Jackie wrote: "Maybe part of it is the reviewer just doesn't like Fantasy and just doesn't get what Fantasy is all about. But then, that's the wrong person to do the review."Jackie, then are you saying that reviewers must like the genre they're reviewing? How can one critic like so many different genres? Wouldn't they all have preferences? I think that a good reviewer should be able to see things objectively, whether he likes a genre or not.
Joy wrote: I think that a good reviewer should be able to see things objectively, whether he likes a genre or not. That would be the ideal situation. Unfortunately people bring their prejudices into their reviews. And there aren't any good professional reviewers for that very reason, (at least, none that I've read).
I'm saying liking the genre helps.
For example, I don't like chick-flicks, I don't care how good a CF-lover thinks it is, I think they're idiotic, mundane and predictable. I've only liked 3 chickflicks out of thousands. I wouldn't be able to give a good review of a chickflick. Reading my review would make people not want to see it. And that's not fair to those who love/like the genre, nor to the movie itself.
However, if I were to review Fantasy, I'd know good fantasy from poor and would be able to tell you. Just because I love Fantasy doesn't mean I like everything in the genre, I just have a better handle on it than Fantasy-haters and I'm better equipped to make that judgement. Same as a chick-flick lover would be better at judging a chick-flick than I would be.
I think there's enough reviewers that they could choose which movies, books and TV they want to review, rather than be forced to watch something they'll hate just by nature of genre.
Again, back to how I choose which reviews to follow here on goodreads. I makes sense to me to read reviews of people with similar tastes, I trust can their judgement.
Jackie, I see your reasoning. I wonder how Roger Ebert would respond. He probably has to watch a lot of movie genres he doesn't like. Certainly a professional reviewer should know something about the genre he/she is reviewing.
Roger Ebert is not of the same class as most reviewers, he is far above and beyond them. I think he does a good job and is fair. I may not always agree with him, but when he speaks about movies, he understands what he's talking about, he doesn't make wild assumptions. He doesn't display a hatred for any genre in particular, if he doesn't like a genre I can't tell and that shows professionalism.
I didn't read the reviews, but from the parts that Jackie posted, I'll have to agree they're completely off base. The only thing like "The King & I" is the shaved head on one barbarian. He's more like Genghis Kahn than Brenner as a Siam king. A world where winters come & go over generations has nothing to do with global warming. I haven't even read the books & can see how far off that is.
Today I finished reading Pardonable Lies (2005) by Jacqueline Winspear. It's the 3rd in a series of cozy mysteries with Maisie Dobbs as the investigator. I liked the first book in the series better [[book:Maisie Dobbs|462033] (2003)]; in fact it was an award winner. I listed the awards at my review.My reviews are at:
PL - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
MD - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Both books are easy reads, but _Pardonable Lies_ had a few flaws* in writing style which I mentioned in my review. The first book, _Maisie Dobbs_ probably had them too but the plot was good enough to make me overlook them. There was more of an emotional pull in the first book.
*The flaws were: too many names and too wordy at times (but otherwise a pleasant read).
Both books take place in the early 1920s. World War One and its effects play a big part.
A short story that is up for a Nebula award was just posted. It's free to read & well worth it, IMO. It's everything an SF story should be. The future & moral dilemma is very near & recognizable. The story is masterfully crafted & the ending is a cool twist, although the clues are all there, so it's not a shocker.Anyway, it is called "Conditional Love" & is written by Felicity Shoulders:
http://felicityshoulders.com/fiction/...
Jim wrote: "A short story that is up for a Nebula award was just posted. It's free to read & well worth it, IMO. It's everything an SF story should be. The future & moral dilemma is very near & recognizable..."Thanks, Jim. I've saved the link in my files under "Stories to read on my computer". As I mentioned, I'm busy trying to get used to using my new Facebook website. I can understand how it can become obsessive after a while. Truly amazing, especially if you're talking to people you've known in the past. Otherwise Goodreads is better because we can center our talk about books. At FaceBook they talk about ANYTHING. I just enjoy sharing photos of relatives. I have a lot of relatives. My sisters have over 50 grandchildren for me to keep up with... and great grandchildren too.
That's a lot of family, Joy. Good luck! ;-)
Glad you liked it, Jackie. That's the best story I've read there yet. "Ponies" was too depressing & there was another, "The Ghosts of NY" that was just OK, but this one really grabbed me.
Jim: I didn't find "Ponies" depressing. I thought it delivered a good lesson about giving up parts of ourselves just to be accepted by other people. Since the pony was imaginary, I was able to see it as such. Of course if the pony had been real, it would have saddened me.The lesson the short story taught was impressive enough to stay with me as an insight.
“When what we are is what we want to be, that's happiness.” -Malcolm S. Forbes
I have started a new book,House Rules. It is the story of a family dealing with an older son who has Asperger's syndrome. Aspbergers is a high functioning form of autism, where the boy has a good intellect but poor social skills and other emotional problems.He is fascinated (this year) on forensics. So he is really into crime scenes and crime. Then, he is indicted for murder....(no spoilers--that's on the book jacket).
The difficulty of his single mother coping with a disabled child--the problems of his younger brother in dealing with all of this--all are making an excellent story.
Mary JL, thanks for telling us about that book. I've read a couple of books which deal with Aspberger's syndrome. Here's a link to my Autism shelves. Let's see if it works:http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
(It worked for me.)
I have finished House Rules which was excellent.After such a long book , I will relaxthe rest of this weekend with a Star Trek book,STAR TREK: DOUBLE, DOUBLE.
Star Trek is comfort food for my head after I have read a long, thought-provoking book. It is a quick light read--no surpises, just enjoying a visit with old friends.
Hi Mary JL. You've just reminded me of author Jodi Picoult. She wrote both House Rules and My Sister's Keeper, which was another heavy read. However, I had never wanted to see the movie because the story was so dark. Now I think I'll put the movie on my Netflix queue, just to see how they adapted the book.My Sister's Keeper (2009)
http://movies.netflix.com/Movie/My_Si...
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1078588/
"Anna Fitzgerald looks to earn medical emancipation from her parents who until now have relied on their youngest child to help their leukemia-stricken daughter Kate remain alive."
Stars: Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin and Alec Baldwin
If I remember correctly, I think that the movie didn't follow the book as far as the ending was concerned. But I'm not sure.
I wonder if all Jodi Picoult's books are heavy reading with dark themes.
Enjoy your light read with the Star Trek book.
PS-Here's my review of _My Sister's Keeper_:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I said: "This book was slow torture right to the very end. I wish I had never read it."
Having finished reading the second installment of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series, Eldest, to Barb, we've now started on the third one, Brisingr. (We actually started it this past Thursday, but until now I've been too distracted with other things to post about it!)
Werner - Talk about distracted... I got on Facebook and started talking to long-lost relatives! Now I have no time to read! LOLAnyway, here's Christopher Paolini's author profile. I'll look him and his books up.
Yes, Joy, I can readily see how Facebook could become a time-devourer! But I'm happy for you that it's let you re-connect with family; that's something precious!I know you're still something of a newbie to fantasy fiction, and that you aren't that certain if it's your cup of tea; but you might like Paolini's work. It's a lot longer than Brooks' Magic Kingdom novels, though, and much more serious in tone and more textured.
Werner, thanks for the recommendation. Which book of Paolini's would you recommend as a starter?
You'd have to start with Eragon, it's the first book in the only series he's written. Honestly, I don't see it as your type of book, Joy, dragons and magic, classic fantasy, good vs evil type of thing.
Thanks, Jackie. You're probably right. At least I'm aware of it and will put it on my "Keep in Mind" shelf.Eragon
I just figured I'd metion what kind of book it is because I don't like reading books of genres I don't care for. It's a waste of time if I'm not getting full satisfaction out of my reading time.I'm buddy-reading A Storm of Swords, #3 in George R.R. Martin's fantastic epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire. But I have to say, at times, I want to choke this author, he has no problem killing off main characters and there's been a long series of bad things happening. It's starting to get to me. With that said, he's still an amazingly talented author and these books are exceptional. I just want a little bit of good to happen...and soon. Or at least kill off the characters I despise.
Jim. I finished, "Lord of Misrule," and mostly didn't like it. The characterzation was good but I didn't like any of the characters or the theme or the setting. I think if it's horseracing there are better books to read starting way back when I first read, "Black Beauty."
Jackie, the idea of buddy-reading sounds like it could be fun. Unfortunately, I can never fit my reading schedule in with somebody else's. I don't have a routine; I just go the way the wind takes me.
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"Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre." ... Howard remains a highly read author, with his best work endlessly reprinted. He has been compared to other American masters of the weird, gloomy and spectral, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Jack London."
FROM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E...
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"Robert Ervin Howard was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. Howard ... is especially noted for his memorable depictions of 'a sombre universe of swashbuckling adventure and darkling horror.'
"He is well known for having created — in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine "Weird Tales" — the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond."
FROM: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
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PS - At Howard's Wiki page, there are 5 pictures of the different covers of the magazine,
"Weird Tales". So eerie and preternatural!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E...