Book Nook Cafe discussion
What did you read last month?
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What I read in January 2011
Marialyce wrote: "Here is what I read in this snowfilled month:"
I had thought of reading the good soldier after listening to the author speak of his experience. Thanks for the review...I was trying to decide if should be a to-read
I think, JoAnn, I thought it would be a book something like: Hutterite Society, of which I said:I found this book, which is carefully researched and open-minded, surprisingly interesting. There are Hutterite colonies not too far from where I live, and I was at one once briefly, and my sister-in-law was a public school teacher at one for years. This book is a 1974 book and I wondered how much had changed since then.
When I started Mennonite in a Little Black Dress I at once saw it was not that type of book but I usually finish what I start so I finished it.
I read Little Dorrit on July 20, 2008, and my comment on it was as follows:This is the 14th volume by Dickens I've read, leaving only Our Mutual Friend and Edwin Drood as unread Dickens novels. I have read a Dickens novel each year since 2004. This one is long and often not attention-holding. I think the plot creaked and was fairly absurd, even more so than the usual Dickens plot. Some of the characters were so dislikable it was annoying to read about them: Little Dorrit's sister Fanny, e.g. Some of the eccentricities (e.g., those of Flora, Arthur's youthful love) were such one was glad when those possessing such were not on stage. I think this is one of the least enjoyable of Dickens' novels.
Schmerguls wrote: "I read Little Dorrit on July 20, 2008, and my comment on it was as follows:This is the 14th volume by Dickens I've read, leaving only Our Mutual Friend and Edwin Drood as unread Dickens novels...."
I agree!
My January list:The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. I enjoyed this very much. Enzo, the canine narrator, is a great character, and there are some interesting human characters as well. At first I didn't realize that the title referred to auto racing; I had assumed that the dog liked to run in wet weather. This is a good, well-written story, which elicited some tears but not as many as I had feared.
Verdict Unsafe, by Jill McGown. One in a series about English police detectives Lloyd and Judy Hill. I hope to read all of them eventually, have enjoyed 3 or 4 so far.
Dirty South, by Ace Atkins. This is in a series about Nick Travers, a blues historian, part-time professor, and former New Orleans Saints football player, who has some interesting experiences helping out old friends with various problems. It's the second I've read, and I'll read more if I have the opportunity.
I'm reading A Reliable Wife right now, but won't finish this month.
Marialyce wrote: "Deb, I haven't seen the film you are speaking of, but I do have the BBC DVD's which are so well done. So, if you get a chance to view those, you probably will like them greatly. I think you can get them on netflix. ..."I watched this version, too. (Sucker for "Masterpiece Theatre" films of classics.) It was good but i really liked the (even slower) pace of the earlier version, long though they were.
Almost finished another book but will have to add it to February. So here it goes --Let the Great World Spin Colum McCann This was my F2F book club choice for January. Not bad. Not great. The general opinion with which I agreed is that the author was trying to do too much so while the writing was good we wanted to know more about some of the characters. The characters were great. The scenes of NYC in the 70s true to the period. But he cut some of the characters off without a look back.
Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Greg Mortenson A follow-up to his earlier Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time Some new information. Didn't think I was going to learn anything, but must admit I did. Very repetitive. Left me with mixed emotions.
The Return of the Prodigal Son Henri J.M. Nouwen Very thoughtful -- theological -- at times slow going but I found it interesting. Saw a program on PBS about Nouwen and it led me to this book. Glad I read it.
Great Expectations Charles Dickens I've read my share of Dickens but had never read this. Somehow I enjoyed this more than I expected. Surprising twists and turns. I really really wanted to know what was going to happen next.
I did read the first two books on your list and while I liked them, I totally agree with what you said. I might some day try another Dickens and Great Expectations is the one I would read.
I also found Mortenson's first book repetitive, Bobbie. So much so that I abandoned it after getting halfway through, something I rarely do.
Bobbie57 wrote: "Almost finished another book but will have to add it to February. So here it goes --Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Greg Mortenson A follow-up to his i>
I read both these books too, and they left me stunned, more so three cups of tea. I thought stones into schools was depressing. I felt sad for a while after reading it. I wish I was storng enough to go there and help those children myself. Although it was repetative I think it is an important read. They made a teenagers wersion of three cups of tea. I think it is an important read for a younger generation to promote understanding.
Carolyn (in SC) C234D wrote: "My January list:The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. I enjoyed this very much. Enzo, the canine narrator, is a great character, and there are some interesting human characters as we..."
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Carolyn, if a person has zero interest in auto racing, would one still like this book? I've been toying with putting this on my TBR list, but the car racing theme makes me hesitate.
Carolyn, I'm glad you enjoyed The Art of Racing in the Rain. My local group mostly enjoyed it too. I was the exception, and didn't like it much at all, partially because I felt the wife's illness was exploited by the author, sort of instant sympathy. I didn't really enjoy the talking dog scenario either. For me the whole story had a feeling of a made-for-TV movie. As I said though, I was the minority opinion. Most of the readers around here loved the plot and the characters.
Elaine wrote: "I wish I was storng enough to go there and help those children myself. ..."
I am reading a novel set in Afghanistan - A Cup of Friendship and parts are shocking. It is not particularly well-written or plotted, but it is authentic.
I wanted a decently edited version of Three Cups of Tea. It seemed to be awfully raw - the repetition did not seem to be for efffect, but because his editor did a shoddy jog.
Alias Reader wrote: "Carolyn, if a person has zero interest in auto racing, would one still like this book? I've been toying with putting this on my TBR list, but the car racing theme makes me hesitate. ..."This question made me chuckle, Alias. I had to be BULLIED into reading this book by a friend, and I asked her the exact same question. LOL Not only that, I told her I hate books written in a child's voice, so I was certain a dog's voice would not appeal to me.
I loved the book! The auto racing is not really a "theme" in the book at all.
Elaine wrote: "Bobbie57 wrote: "Almost finished another book but will have to add it to February. So here it goes --Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan
Gr..."
While I would like to help the children I find myself torn with the methods that he had to use to get stuff done. Very out there.
I wanted a decently edited version of Three Cups of Tea. It seemed to be awfully raw - the repetition did not seem to be for efffect, but because his editor did a shoddy jog. Good point -- a little editing wouldn't have hurt for sure.
and you know I meant JOB, not jog. Talk about shoddy editing! LOL
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote Re:The Art of Racing in the Rain :This question made me chuckle, Alias. I had to be BULLIED into reading this book by a friend, and I asked her the exact same question. LOL Not only that, I told her I hate books written in a child's voice, so I was certain a dog's voice would not appeal to me.I loved the book! The auto racing is not really a "theme" in the book at all. "
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I recall when you read it you told us how much you loved the book. I guess since you promise it doesn't have too much racing in it, I'll give it a shot. Though you know if it does I will have to come after you with a wet noodle.
This reminds me of
The Power of One~Bryce Courtenay. I thought I would absolute hate this book as it had a pair of boxing gloves on the front. If there is one thing I detest more than car racing, it is boxing. But I read the book and it had little to do with boxing, and I thought it was one of the best books I've ever read.
Alias, JoAnn has already responded to your question but I'll add my two cents worth--The main human character is a race car driver, and the remarks about racing are rather incidental to the story, but interesting. The dog's voice was just delightful to me. It is a pretty quick read.I was so glad to read of your reaction to The Power of One. I had put off reading it for years, it just sat on my shelf, but when I finally picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I never hear much about it, but I thought it was a wonderful book (and I don't like boxing, either).
I read two books: 1."A Good Woman" by Danielle Steel in slovakian language. 2. "The Pilot's Wife" by Anita Shreve. Both books are really nice for reading.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "and you know I meant JOB, not jog. Talk about shoddy editing! LOL"Yes, I knew. LOL
January Reads......a very good month!Mudbound - Hillary Jordan. Two young men, one black and one white, return to the Mississippi delta after fighting in World War II. The black man returns to the Jim Crow south where his distinguished war record means less than the color of his skin. The white man returns to his dysfunctional family, headed by a hateful racist father. The story is told in different narrative voices and reveal the characters beautifully. I always like to start out a new year with a great book, and Mudbound was an excellent choice. A
Dirty Secret: A Daughter Comes Clean About Her Mother's Compulsive Hoarding. Jessie Sholl. When her mother became ill, Sholl had to return to the family home to care for her, and discovered that the messy house she grew up in had become the home of a hoarder. The story is as much about Sholl herself as it is about her mother and I learned a lot more about scabies than I had ever known before. Since I am endlessly fascinated by hoarders and hoarding I enjoyed this book. If you're not, you probably wouldn't. B+
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand - Helen Simonson. A retired British military officer begins a relationship with an attractive Pakistani shopkeeper, much to the dismay of the people in the small village where they both live. Despite the obstacles and their reluctance to go too far with what they envision to be a doomed relationship, I found myself cheering for them to get together. And while many of the characters are stereotypes, they all step outside those stereotypes at some point in the book. There is so much tea drinking in this novel that I found myself dipping into the Earl Grey myself. A-
The Paris Wife - Paula McLain. Ernest Hemingway married Hadley Richardson in 1921 while he was a struggling reporter and she was a nice Catholic girl from St. Louis. They moved to Paris shortly after and began their famous friendships with Gertrude Stein, Ezra Pound, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald etc, and this novel is based on those years. Hadley narrates this story and although she loves Hemingway desperately, I never got the feeling that he loved her as much. And by the end of the book, he has moved on to his second St. Louis born wife. I used to love reading about those years in Paris so I really enjoyed this book. A-
Connie, nice month.I read Pettigrew also. It was a pleasant read. Though I can't say I really saw people step outside of their stereotypes or change.
Who do you think changed?
Alias Reader wrote: "Connie, nice month.I read Pettigrew also. It was a pleasant read. Though I can't say I really saw people step outside of their stereotypes or change.
Who do you think changed?"
pettigrew? he seemed as stuffy as all of them. I thought he changed a lot.
Elaine wrote: pettigrew? he seemed as stuffy as all of them. I thought he changed a lot."
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He was old fashioned, but it was clear from the first chapter that he was attracted to the store owner. He wasn't prejudiced at all.
AS always, reading your posts is adding to my TBR. Thanks!I didn't read quite as many great books in January as I usually do. Of those I read, these are my favorites. Not all are great books but these are the ones I found especially entertaining, or insightful, from the absurd and light (Nuclear Jellyfish) to the beautiful and touching (Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away). My full reviews, sorted by date, can be found at http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/....
Original Sins by Peg Kingman
Historical fiction about an early 19th century white woman, quite independent for the times, and her friend, a black woman who escaped slavery but puts herself in danger by returning to the United States. I learned some new facts, the best part of historical fiction for me, and I was entertained. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is a translated Sanskrit poem that Grace, the protagonist, said wasn't very “decent.”
The drawstring of my skirt was already loosened;
it scarcely stayed on my hips.
And when my man came to bed
the knot came untied all by itself.
That's the last thing I knew.
The book loses one star for me because of the last 50 or so pages. There was too much dialogue, and even monologue, too much telling. Still, I very much enjoyed the characters, the story, and for the most part, the telling. I was given a hardback copy of this book by the publisher through LibraryThing.
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
This nonfiction story of a man who decides to ride out Hurricane Katrina was a real eye-opener for me, and I highly recommend it. It was a group read for Book Nook Cafe and there is a great discussion at http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4....
Nuclear Jellyfish by Tim Dorsey
“Coleman, there are three – and only three – kinds of people in this world: Those who don't know they are damaged and blame others; those who realize they're damaged and blame others; and then people like you and me, who wear damage like comfortable pajamas.”
This is a silly, fun read in the tradition of Carl Hiaasen. Not for everyone, but I enjoy reading the absurd occasionally, and I liked this one, my first Tom Dorsey book, more than I liked the last Hiaasen book I read. The book is crude and vulgar, has a bit of fairly explicit sex, some bad words, and lots of violence. And I liked it. Why? Because it is very funny, and entertaining throughout. Readers who have a sense of the absurd and aren't easily offended will enjoy it. Serge Storms is a man on a mission. He also happens to be a serial killer. His sidekick, Coleman, wouldn't be the brightest bulb in the marquee even if he weren't always drunk or stoned or, most often, both. Story, a student and a stripper, tags along for the ride. And Mahoney is a law official who has been his nemesis for years and faithfully follows his trail. Serge cannot understand why his travel advice is rejected by some of the major corporations, but he keeps rating hotels and writing his blog. Who can't use some information about the best ways to not become a murdered tourist? He offers tidbits like:
Okay, if you're staying at a budget motel that has mandatory daily maid service, they have a meth lab problem.
I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher through the Goodreads First Reads program.
Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson
I loved this book. 12-year old Blessing is used to living in a nice, modern Nigerian apartment in the Better Life Executive Homes with her mother, father, and brother, Ezikiel. Her world fell apart when her mother found her father with another woman. Mama, Blessing, and Ezekiel all went to live with Mama's parents near a little village where electricity was rare, the outhouses were swarming with flies, and drinking water had to be bought from the man who controlled the tap in the nearest village. Life gets very, very hard, and Blessing learns things no 12-year old should have to know. This is a coming-of-age story, but it is much more. It is about war and culture clash and trying to do the right thing even when there is no clear cut right and wrong. The characters have depth and heart and soul, and I loved them as much for their imperfections as for their better qualities. The writing is beautiful, lyrical without becoming flowery, and the dialogue of the people, a mixture of the proper and pidgin, with idioms like “Kill and Go” police, is striking.
The words hung in the air long after they were said, like the smell of fish long after it was eaten. They moved back and forth in our ears.
She was not enclosed by her body. She had spilled out and filled the room, the air, and my head. She was everywhere.
He is a foolish man, but a good man, and all men are foolish anyway. He is a good man.
I received an e-book ARC from the publisher for review. The quotes above may have changed in the published edition.
Endgame by Frank Brady
I enjoyed this biography of chess master Bobby Fischer because Fischer was such a fascinating person. He had a strange childhood and was undoubtedly brilliant, but he descended into an unlikeable racist and neo-Nazi. The author knew him for many years, and had insight into Fischer's life. I was given an uncorrected proof of this book by the publisher.
Original Sins: A Novel of Slavery and Freedom by Peg Kingman
Zeitoun by Dave Eggers
Nuclear Jellyfish by Tim Dorsey
Tiny Sunbirds, Far Away by Christie Watson
Endgame: Bobby Fischer's Remarkable Rise and Fall - From America's Brightest Prodigy to the Edge of Madness by Frank BradyHappy reading, everyone!
Susan wrote: "AS always, reading your posts is adding to my TBR. Thanks!I didn't read quite as many great books in January as I usually do. Of those I read, these are my favorites. Not all are great books..."
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I really enjoyed reading your reviews, Susan. Thanks so much for sharing.
The Bobby Fisher book sounds interesting.
I heard an interview on NPR with the author.
You can listen to the interview at this link
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2011...
Susan wrote: "AS always, reading your posts is adding to my TBR. Thanks!I didn't read quite as many great books in January as I usually do. Of those I read, these are my favorites. Not all are great books..."
On Nuclear Jellyfish
"The book is crude and vulgar, has a bit of fairly explicit sex, some bad words, and lots of violence. "
I like it already, my kind of book. : )
Jorge wrote: On Nuclear Jellyfish "The book is crude and vulgar, has a bit of fairly explicit sex, some bad words, and lots of violence. "
I like it already, my kind of book. : ) "
Funny, Jorge!
Alias wrote:"You can listen to the interview at this link
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/2011/fe..."
Thanks, Alias. I just listened to this interview and found it very interesting. There was more about how the author knew Fischer than there was in the book.
Glad you enjoyed the interview, Susan. :)
Susan wrote: "AS always, reading your posts is adding to my TBR. Thanks!I didn't read quite as many great books in January as I usually do. Of those I read, these are my favorites. Not all are great books..."
I love your reviews...now I have more to add on my TBR also!! Nucleur jelly fish seems like a good travel book...i may have to pick it up
Elaine wrote: "Nucleur jelly fish seems like a good travel book...i may have to pick it up"Only if you like to stay in really disgusting motels. :) However, there was some interesting Florida trivia and history.
My January reads were:Thai Die by Monica Ferris
Rating 3/5
A pleasant cozy mystery. A quick read to start the year.
Risk Poolby Richard Russo
Rating 3/5
Another excellent read by Richard Russo. His vivid descriptions make it easy for the reader to visualize the characters and their surroundings. It took me most of the month to read this book but was well worth the time.
Meredith
Meredith in the challenge thread you rated Risk Pool 5/5 ?
In January I only read two books (in the middle of some wedding planning...), The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and The Hunger Games. Gave both 4/5.
Marialyce wrote: Little Dorrit 3 starsI did enjoy this book of family deception and interesting characters that they met along the way of their lives. Pursuing the point that all life lives in a prison of sorts, Dickens takes us to the debtor's prison, the Marshalsea where the Dorrit family is residing, to the lap of luxury enjoyed by many of the Victorians of the time. Into all of this comes Arthur Clennam, a man of principle and ethics, who feels that there is something greatly amiss in his family's dealings business wise. Left a cryptic death message by his father, Arthur returns home from China and tries to pick up with a bitterly cold mother and her servants Flintwise (a true vision of meanness) and his extremely frightened wife Affrey. The house is sinister and so is the plot of what his father meant by the words "Do not forget" enclosed within a gold pocket watch.
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February 7th
It's the birthday of Charles Dickens, born in Portsmouth, England (1812), who had a relatively happy childhood until his father's debts sent the Dickens family into poverty. At the age of 12, Charles was pulled out of school and had to work in a factory pasting the labels onto shoe polish, while his younger siblings lived with his parents in debtors' prison. In some of his most famous novels, Oliver Twist (1837–38), Nicholas Nickleby (1838–39), and A Christmas Carol (1843), he revealed the plight of England's poor. After he became one of the most famous men in England, Dickens used his wealth and influence to convince the upper classes to give to the poor. He was also opposed to capital punishment and worked internationally for prison reform, helped set up a halfway house for former prostitutes, and promoted public education and better sanitation systems throughout England.
Alias Reader wrote: "Meredith in the challenge thread you rated Risk Pool 5/5 ?"The rating in the challenge thread is correct. The 3 in this thread is a typo
Thanks ! Since I want to read the book I am glad it received your top rating. :)
Connie wrote: "January Reads......a very good month!Mudbound - Hillary Jordan. Two young men, one black and one white, return to the Mississippi delta after fighting in World War II. The black man returns to ..."
Funny you should mention tea drinking Connie. I had not drank coffee for several years until I started on the books by Stieg Larrson (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and the characters drank so much coffee that I went out, bought a coffee pot and started drinking it again myself, LOL!
books i read this monthRoom
Twelve Days of Christmas
I Am David
Naughty or Nice?
got a kindle for my birthday, so slightly addicted,currently reading
Let the Great World Spin
next too read
The Lord of the Rings
Vanity Fairand
Louisa May Alcott: Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys
not all ebooks, but have got the reading bug!!
Niamh wrote: "...not all ebooks, but have got the reading bug!!"Uh-oh, Niamh. You do realize, don't you, that there is no cure for this disease? Looks like you have some great reading ahead.
Niamh wrote: "books i read this monthRoom
Twelve Days of Christmas
I Am David
Naughty or Nice?
got a kindle for my birthday, so slightly addicted,cu..."
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Welcome to Book Nook Cafe, Niamh !
Funny you should mention, Let The Great World Spin. I was talking with the leader of one of my F2F book groups just yesterday and we decided to put this book on our schedule.
Alias Reader wrote: "Niamh wrote: "books i read this monthRoom
Twelve Days of Christmas
I Am David
Naughty or Nice?
got a kindle for my birthday, so slight..."
Thanks!!! Although i am enjoying Let the Great World Spin i am finding it hard going. Its more like a book of short stories so its difficult to keep my interest in it. I am going to persevere with it.
Niamh, I hope you persevere with Let the Great World Spin/ The plot lines will converge.
My January reads were:1.The Nuremberg Interviews
2.The Odyssey
3.The Day of the Jackal
4.Remarkable Creatures
5.The Blue Notebook
6.Incident at Willow Creek
7.Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting...and Beyond
8.The Long Walk
John wrote: "My January reads were:7.Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting...and Beyond
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Thanks for sharing your reads for the past few months with us, John.
As to your #7 book, just last month I read:
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy~Donald B. Kraybill
The main focus of the book is the theme of forgiveness. Only a small portion of the book actually discussed the crime. I thought the book gave one quite a lot to think about.
I also saw the movie based on the book. The movie was a Lifetime movie that I was able to rent from my library. The movie, as you might expect, totally focused on the story of that tragic day.
The movie was quite good, too. Very sad, but good.
Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "My January reads were:7.Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting...and Beyond
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Thanks for sharing your reads for the past few months with us, ..."
Amish Grace sounds like a very similar book to Think No Evil. TNE did not spend too much time focusing on the shooting. I admire their forgiveness but I am not sure I could be as forgiving, and I would never want to be in the position to have to find out!
John wrote: "My January reads were:[i snipped...]
2.The Odyssey
..."
One of the best books, if for no other reason than it is referenced so often in literature! I hope you enjoyed it as much as i did. Have you read The Iliad? I ended up liking it more because i learned more about the ancients as i read.
deborah
Book Nook Cafe
Books mentioned in this topic
The Iliad (other topics)The Odyssey (other topics)
The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel (other topics)
The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel (other topics)
The Iliad (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Donald B. Kraybill (other topics)Richard Russo (other topics)
Monica Ferris (other topics)
Tim Dorsey (other topics)
Peg Kingman (other topics)
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0- Not fit for man nor beast. Yuck. Painful. Back away. Don't eve..."
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Thanks for the ratings. It really is helpful to know what the reader thought.
All those 3's and 4's... You had a nice reading month !