Books on the Nightstand discussion
What are you reading: February, 2011
I'm reading Room by Emma Donoghue. I'm always a few months behind the Book Addicts!:( but I'm catching up :)I'm finding Room mesmerizing. For some reason, I can't even judge it objectively, at least for the moment. I just can't stop reading it.
Reading Morozov's The Net Delusion. This book on a controversial subject is relevant now with the uproar in the Middle East. If nothing else, you see what is possible in terms of surveillance for those that use the web for social networking. Very timely, very thought-provoking. Important for democratists.
I just finished "Room" by Emma Donoghue, which I rated four stars.
I was intrigued by the teaser information offered (information which is supplied in the first few pages of the book): Five year old Jack is our narrator, and he has lived his entire life in an 11 foot by 11 foot room with his mother. Of course, as a keen student of storytelling, I immediately began to speculate as to why Jack and his mother were there and what would happen next. My speculations continued to revise themselves as the story went on. I will reveal only that the speculations I made did bear fruit, but much sooner in the book than I expected. By the time the story was 1/3 over, I was in uncharted territory, and couldn't guess where the book was headed. As to where that is, all I'll say is the ending gives closure.
The teased information would lead one to expect that this is a suspense novel. It is that, but only up to a point. I am reminded of Walter Tevis's novels, which have outlandish premises that house very down-to-earth realities. At its core, this is a book about the resiliency of human beings. It raises the question: what is "normal"? And it leaves the question unanswered.
I'm reading Room right now and really was hesitant to start it. The well discussed subject matter really put me off (sort of how I felt before I read The Lovely Bones)...but now that I've started Room, I can't put it down. There's something so compelling about the unusual unique voice of the five year old narrator. It's a very intriguing book.
It's good to read so many voices that feel as I do. I thought the captivity section would be longer & was fascinated by the adjustment section. I was also nervous reading it because of the subject matter but also because I'd read so many negative responses. And it's interesting that in reading the novel I completely understand the negative reactions while being myself absorbed in the book & unable to put it down. Well, not quite literally-it'll end up a 3 or 4 sitting read & not a one because I found I liked to take breaks & let the story "digest"-otherwise I started feeling I was having someone else's nightmare.
Sherri wrote: "I'm reading Cloud Atlas. Anyone else read this one? It's unlike anything I've ever read before."Sherri, It's in my short list of favourites! He's an amazing writer, and the plot is so original. I hope you're enjoying it. I tried to do the audible, but it was too complicated for my ears. Now that I've read it, I love to relisten.
Enjoy!
I just finished Already Deadand really enjoyed it. Apprently vampire noir is right up my alley and I have a new series to pursue. I started reading The Likenessbut was having trouble so I switched to the audio version and am enjoying it much more. Has anyone else had a time where the reading wasn't working for you but the audiobook was the better experience? I think I am enjoying the audio better because it is being read with an Irish accent so I'm getting a better overall feel of the story than I was in my head.
I read all of
Nevermore yesterday and I absolutely loved it. It starts out with a simply premise, the main character Isobel (who is very likeable DESPITE being a cheerleader) and Varen (a stone faced goth) are paired together in English class to do a very indepth report on a renowned writer from history. Their's is to be done on Edgar Allen Poe. Mixed in with the fiction is all the facts and mystery surrounding Poe, and namely his death, and mixes in this whole paranormal twist to it as well that all blended together really, really well.
I just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and loved it. I'm now staring The Hunger Games----hope it lives up to all the hype.
Misty wrote: "I read all of Nevermore yesterday and I absolutely loved it. It starts out with a simply premise, the main character Isobel (who is very likeable DESPIT..."Hi Misty - would Nevermore appeal to older folks (like me lol) or is it pretty much written for YA? It looks really good and has gotten great reviews. I'm thinking of adding it to my tbr ---- thanks.
Claire wrote: "Hi Misty - would Nevermore appeal to older folks (like me lol) or is it pretty much written for YA? It looks really good and has gotten great reviews. I'm thinking of adding it to my tbr ---- thanks. "I think so. Readers don't really have an age when the book sucks you in. :) It's easy to relate to the characters because there are so many classic and familiar themes, she puts you right in the characters shoes, and even if their view of the world is completely foreign from what you are use to, you still very much feel as though you relate and can understand this sudden insight. I really, really liked it. I recommend it.
Misty wrote: "Claire wrote: "Hi Misty - would Nevermore appeal to older folks (like me lol) or is it pretty much written for YA? It looks really good and has gotten great reviews. I'm thinking of adding it to my..."Great, thank you! I will definitely add Nevermore to the ever-growing list!
Claire wrote: "Misty wrote: "Claire wrote: "Hi Misty - would Nevermore appeal to older folks (like me lol) or is it pretty much written for YA? It looks really good and has gotten great reviews. I'm thinking of a..."Oh, and I loved Hunger Games as well though I haven't read the other books yet. Waiting till I get paid again, lol.
Reading The Return of Captain John Emmett about the period after WWI England: A man's death prompts a college friend to seek a plausible reason and he finds himself untangling a murder.
I just started Mudbound
and am already halfway through. It's set in the south during WWII. Each chapter has a different narrator. It's a book club pick; otherwise, I wouldn't have known about it. We also read The Help, and it has similarities to that one. So far, very good!
Jay wrote: "I started reading The Likenessbut was having trouble so I switched to the audio version and am enjoying it much more. Has anyone else had a time where the reading wasn't working for you but the audiobook was the better experience? I think I am enjoying the audio better because it is being read with an Irish accent so I'm getting a better overall feel of the story than I was in my head. was..."That's so interesting, because I am currently listening to In the Woods, by the same author, and I think I might want to read it too. What bothered me initially, is that the narrator doesn't have an Irish accent. Later we learn that the character telling the story no longer has his Irish accent, but still, I think some of the other voices should be more Irish. I'm enjoying the audio, but it's just a little dry at times and I find my mind wandering now and then. I think I would enjoy reading this one more than listening to it.
This discussion is of interest to me because I've wondered if the fact that my family is Irish-American has anything to do with how much I adore French's works. Many generations here so it has more to do with patterns of speech (as well as relating to others) than accents. Some things don't ever seem to assimilate!
I have The Likeness on audible as well as her other books. I love listening to them vs reading. Another author who is fabulous to listen to is Benjamin Black (aka John Banville). Irish reader, very noir. Angela's Ashes on CD started my love of audio books.
I'm not Irish, but I pretend I am!
Catherine wrote: "Becky wrote: "Catherine wrote: "
but I haven't had time to read it yet, new author to me too :) hope to start tomorrow"I have not read this one but I may make a sugge..."
I have Postmortem,Body Farm, Potters Field, Cause of Death, Black Notice and All That Remains in the Scarpetta series, in paperback, and you are welcome to them if you'd like me to send them to you. I know times are tough and you can save a few bucks. Let me know if you want to set something up, ie shipping info.
Tanya wrote: "Tanya wrote: "I just started Columbine(by Dave Cullen; narrated by Don Leslie.) It's the non-fiction account of what happened "that day," written by a journalist who reported contemporaneously to the events described in the book; but then spent another ten years doing further research. He discovered that much that went out for public consumption at the time of the shooting was incorrect and this book seeks to address the inaccuracies. This is a new-to-me narrator and so I'm having to adjust a little to his approach, figuring out how he approaches quotes, etc."
I'm in the middle of this audiobook now. A couple days ago I was looking for pictures of Klebold and Harris and came across an odd video titled, "The Boy in the Window." It showed Patrick Ireland being rescued from the second floor library of the high school. What makes the video odd is that there is clearly something wrong with Patrick; but there is no commentary or caption that might explain exactly what. Today, I listened to the section of the book about "The Boy in the Window." Now I know what is wrong. And no, I'm not going to tell you; but suffice it to say that I was in the car and I had to pull over. The video and the audio combined in my mind and I was staggered. And crying. "
I finished COLUMBINE (by Dave Cullen; narrated by Don Leslie) last week. I'm still processing exactly what it is I want to say in review; but for now I will say that it was utterly compelling. I had planned on the audio taking me two weeks to listen to; but I managed to listen to all 14+ hours in five days! I became absolutely fascinated by Columbine which, admittedly, I would have been hard-pressed to say really interested me before this audio! The narrator has a distinctive voice-over quality which was an asset for this title, though there were a couple places where narrative skills in conveying block quotes would have been nice.
Last weekend I read The Last Brother by Natacha Appanah, translated by Geoffrey Strachan.) The story is about a man in Mauritius who reflects back to his childhood when he befriended David, a Jewish occupant of a holding camp on the island. Jews fleeing the Holocaust and trying to make their way to British Palestine were deported and held on this East African island in the Indian Ocean. The exotic locale differentiated this book from other historical fiction flashback stories set in WWII and highlighted a little known occurrence from the the period. The translation was very good, with only a couple of places where the sensibility of the original text (in French) was interpreted perhaps a bit prosaically. Definitely for the lit-fic crowd.
Now I'm listening to Shakespeare's Landlord (by Charlaine Harris; narrated by Julia Gibson.) This is the story of a young cleaning woman who has a past. Her new, peaceful, well-ordered life in Shakespeare, Arkansas is threatened the night she witnesses the disposal of a body... So far, it's okay. The best thing about it so far is that there are no vampires (sorry, not a Sookie Stackhouse fan!)
I'm in the middle of this audiobook now. A couple days ago I was looking for pictures of Klebold and Harris and came across an odd video titled, "The Boy in the Window." It showed Patrick Ireland being rescued from the second floor library of the high school. What makes the video odd is that there is clearly something wrong with Patrick; but there is no commentary or caption that might explain exactly what. Today, I listened to the section of the book about "The Boy in the Window." Now I know what is wrong. And no, I'm not going to tell you; but suffice it to say that I was in the car and I had to pull over. The video and the audio combined in my mind and I was staggered. And crying. "
I finished COLUMBINE (by Dave Cullen; narrated by Don Leslie) last week. I'm still processing exactly what it is I want to say in review; but for now I will say that it was utterly compelling. I had planned on the audio taking me two weeks to listen to; but I managed to listen to all 14+ hours in five days! I became absolutely fascinated by Columbine which, admittedly, I would have been hard-pressed to say really interested me before this audio! The narrator has a distinctive voice-over quality which was an asset for this title, though there were a couple places where narrative skills in conveying block quotes would have been nice.
Last weekend I read The Last Brother by Natacha Appanah, translated by Geoffrey Strachan.) The story is about a man in Mauritius who reflects back to his childhood when he befriended David, a Jewish occupant of a holding camp on the island. Jews fleeing the Holocaust and trying to make their way to British Palestine were deported and held on this East African island in the Indian Ocean. The exotic locale differentiated this book from other historical fiction flashback stories set in WWII and highlighted a little known occurrence from the the period. The translation was very good, with only a couple of places where the sensibility of the original text (in French) was interpreted perhaps a bit prosaically. Definitely for the lit-fic crowd.
Now I'm listening to Shakespeare's Landlord (by Charlaine Harris; narrated by Julia Gibson.) This is the story of a young cleaning woman who has a past. Her new, peaceful, well-ordered life in Shakespeare, Arkansas is threatened the night she witnesses the disposal of a body... So far, it's okay. The best thing about it so far is that there are no vampires (sorry, not a Sookie Stackhouse fan!)
Mod
Mudbound was an engaging read. I couldn't find enough time to get through it as quickly as I would have like to. Now working on
Earth (the book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race
Columbine was one of the riveting non-fiction books I've ever read. I avoided it at first because, frankly, I was afraid to read anything about "that day." But then I read a little at B&N and had to buy & finish it.It had me in tears. But it was a great book & I'm glad I finished it.
And I felt totally validated in my first reaction-I thought "sociopath."
Not that that's any comfort.
I just finished In the Woods
and was so pissed off about the ending I don't think I'm going to read any more of the series. Someone slipped and told me the ending of The Likeness
already so I was planning to skip that one, but now I'm not sure I want to read the 3rd book, Faithful Place
that came out last year.
Shruti wrote: "I just finished In the Woods and was so pissed off about the ending I don't think I'm going to read any more of the series. Someone slipped and told me the ending of..."Oh ouch, that bad of an ending or that much of a cliff hanger? I know a bunch of people were put off by the ending of City of Bones and I had to assure them "TRUST ME, it is so worth continueing the series! I PROMISE". And yeah, I hate it when people spoil the ending of a book/movie/anything for me.
Yeah, Shruti, I'm curious why didn't you like it? I have it from the library and was planning on starting after I finished what I'm reading now.(and hi Misty!)
Which, btw, is Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea. North Korea is fascinating and Demick is really a gifted writer. And it's a good thing because in someone else'e hands, I think the book would just be tooooo depressing.
I love all 3 but the 2nd (The Likeness) is my least favorite. So if you're having doubts, you could go to the third Faithful Place without spoiling anything, I don't think.But then I know people who loved The Likeness & hated Faithful Place, so what do I know.
I liked Faithful Place the best, In the Woods next & The Likeness third.
But maybe French just isn't for you.
Just finished Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Three Complete Novels of the Hainish Series in One Volume--Rocannon's World; Planet of Exile; City of Illusions and glad I finished this one. The last story, City of Illusions, made it all worthwhile. I'm almost half way thru Kraken and hoping for improvement. I just hate to not finish a book.
Just starting The Oracle of Stamboul and really like this one so far.
I have given up on Kraken for now, I just couldn't do it. I've since started Double Black for the Retreat Challenge. I'm really enjoying it so far!
Vanessa wrote: "Yeah, Shruti, I'm curious why didn't you like it? I have it from the library and was planning on starting after I finished what I'm reading now.(and hi Misty!)
I'm curious, too.
And HI! ^_^ Seems like it's been a while. Was in a reading slump. How are you? And what are you currently reading? I started Catching Fire last night and am half way through with it. You've read the series haven't you? I really like it.
Ellie wrote: I love all 3 but the 2nd (The Likeness) is my least favorite. So if you're having doubts, you could go to the third Faithful Place without spoiling anything, I don't think.But then I know people who loved The Likeness & hated Faithful Place, so what do I know.
I liked Faithful Place the best, In the Woods next & The Likeness third.
But maybe French just isn't for you.
Misty wrote: Oh ouch, that bad of an ending or that much of a cliff hanger? I know a bunch of people were put off by the ending of City of Bones and I had to assure them "TRUST ME, it is so worth continueing the series! I PROMISE". And yeah, I hate it when people spoil the ending of a book/movie/anything for me.
It's hard to explain without ruining the ending for people who haven't read it, but let's just say that there's more than one mystery presented in the book, and I get upset when I read murder mysteries that don't have conclusions... ;) I will have to try out Faithful Place and see if I like that one better before I write off French, I guess.
Shruti wrote: It's hard to explain without ruining the ending for people who haven't read itThanks for the explanation, Shruti. I think I will still read it. Depending on the nature of the cliffhanger, I may or may not mind. I'm kind of a sucker for gloomy European mysteries.
Misty, doing ok. It's snowing here again which is a drag. Unbelievably, I have yet to read The Hunger Games but I'm working my way around to it. I thought about reading it last year but then the 3rd book came out and the library was out of copies of the whole trilogy. I'm reading Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea which is fantastic but there are a few pages I wish I could unread.
Just started
Enjoying the story and the authors writing style.
Shruti wrote: "I just finished In the Woods and was so pissed off about the ending I don't think I'm going to read any more of the series. Someone slipped and told me the ending of..."Shruti, I agree with you 100%. SPOILER
I was so disappointed in the end, I keep imagining other endings. Then I have to go back & doublecheck. Her other books are much better in that area, although I don't think she's really strong at endings yet. Faithful Place is probably the best-best ending, best characters, most generally completely "finished" book of the lot.I keep thinking it's my Irish-American forbears that drive me to her, especially Faithful Place. Which if you read, you'll see is not so great a statement about one's family.
The Score
Finished "The Score" by Donald E. Westlake, writing as Richard Stark. It's fifth in the Parker series.
This was my least favorite so far of the Parker novels. Once the premise is set up (Parker and his gang rob an entire North Dakota town, yet the originator of the scheme has unknown motives), it plays out like clockwork, with no surprises. Well, what the scheme's originator does is supposed to be a surprise, but I saw that one coming down sixth avenue. (You ever think you've read TOO MANY books? That you're too practiced to fool?) The most interesting part of the book comes post-heist, where Parker must cold-bloodedly decide what to do with the potential squeaky wheels.
Finished "The Score" by Donald E. Westlake, writing as Richard Stark. It's fifth in the Parker series.
This was my least favorite so far of the Parker novels. Once the premise is set up (Parker and his gang rob an entire North Dakota town, yet the originator of the scheme has unknown motives), it plays out like clockwork, with no surprises. Well, what the scheme's originator does is supposed to be a surprise, but I saw that one coming down sixth avenue. (You ever think you've read TOO MANY books? That you're too practiced to fool?) The most interesting part of the book comes post-heist, where Parker must cold-bloodedly decide what to do with the potential squeaky wheels.
I just finished The Thieves of Manhattan, by Adam Langer. It was the first book I've finished this year. I'm in a bit of a slump. Anyway, this book was different from what I normally read. I don't like plot-y books usually (I just like pretty language). This one was pretty good though. Not sure what I will pick up next.
About 100 pages in to Emperor of All Maladies. This book reminds me a little The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and another book whose title I can't remember right now about the search for antibiotics in the early 20th century. Emperor would be of interest to those who are into medical history. So far, it is not a book I would share with a friends who is diagnosed with cancer. Maybe as I read on, I'll reconsider that opinion. Another novel (as opposed to nonfictions like the previously mentioned titles) is Anatomy of Deception. Medical history and murder mystery combined.
Beth wrote: "I just started Any Human Heart by William Boyd"Flora wrote: "Just finished Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Three Complete Novels of the Hainish Series in One Volume--Rocannon's World; Planet of Exile; City of Illusions and glad I finished this one..."
Flora wrote: "Just finished Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Three Complete Novels of the Hainish Series in One Volume--Rocannon's World; Planet of Exile; City of Illusions and glad I finished this one..."
Beth wrote: "I just started Any Human Heart by William Boyd"
Beth, Thought you might be interested to know that PBS is currently running a 3 part drama of Boyd's novel. The 3rd episode will air tomorrow night. I believe you will be able to view all three episodes on-line (PBS Masterpiece Classic) once you've finished the book. Not sure how long they will be available on-line though.
Karen
Cindy wrote: "About 100 pages in to Emperor of All Maladies. This book reminds me a little The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and another book whose title I can't remember right now about the search for antib..."I am reading Emperor of All Maladies, as well. I enjoy the writing, the author is very clear in his explanations without talking down to the reader.
Kbrown wrote: "Beth wrote: "I just started Any Human Heart by William Boyd"Flora wrote: "Just finished [book:Worlds of Exile and Illusion: Three Complete Novels of the Hainish Series ..."
LOL Karen, I've been watching Any Human Heart on PBS and love it! I've had the book on my TBR forever and watching the series inspired me to move it up. I'm doing it backwards but oh well, that happens sometimes. I'm loving the book too! Thank you, though, for letting me know. I do wish I would have read the book first but when I saw that the series was on PBS I just couldn't resist watching it!
I finished Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea and I can see why it kept coming up as an award finalist. It's an excellent bit of reporting. I learned a lot but whew, I really need to change literary gears after that. I decided to go ahead and start In the Woods despite the mixed reviews above.
I have been away all week so I finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay and I loved it. What a great story and great writing. I am going to try to listen to the call in show that I missed in January. I also finished Double Black which is by a Retreat author. Now I am reading Kate Vaidenfor one of my book groups and I joined Ann and Kalen's read along of War and Peace,still on Volume I.
Netflix has a National Geographic special that is a nice companion to Nothing to Envy I am reading it also. I find it very interesting but depressing. I dip into it from time to time. Karen
Karen, I think I've seen that special if it's the one hosted by Lisa Ling. I didn't realize her sister was one of the journalists from Current TV that were held hostage in North Korea last year. The regime was really ticked about that special and mentioned it to her.The book is worth finishing (but here's a tip: if you are a dog lover, skip page 164. I won't say any more.) It's interesting to hear what became of everyone after they defected.
I'm currently about 1/3 of the way into Clockwork Angel and so far I think its even better than the Mortal Instrument series.
Vanessa - hope you end up liking it. :)Pam - glad I'm not the only one who felt that way about the ending!
Ellie - I think I'm going to skip the Likeness since I know the ending, but I will reconsider Faithful Place.
Meanwhile, I just finished The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
which I won from the First Reads giveaways and sadly didn't enjoy as much as I thought I would. I'm now starting Clara and Mr. Tiffany
.
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (other topics)The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (other topics)
The Likeness (other topics)
In the Woods (other topics)
Faithful Place (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
William Boyd (other topics)William Boyd (other topics)
William Boyd (other topics)
Emma Donoghue (other topics)
Dan Abnett (other topics)
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There is tech-speak as well as lots of world-building and battles but it is not over cooked and there are also great characterizations and humour.
The only 'problem' is that it does require slow reading and concentration and as I'm short on free-time this week it is putting a crimp in my 'book a week' schedule.
But it's worth it.