Books on the Nightstand discussion
What are you reading: March 2011
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is newly on my TBR pile right next to my bed. When my local independent was having its going out of business sale last month, I found the hardbound book and brought it home.
I'm reading The Memoirs of Cleopatra and, while I'm enjoying it, it's taking me forever to get through. I don't know why, but I get really daunted with huge books and I tend to find that I read them a lot slower - i.e it'll take me longer to read 300 pages in a big book than it would take me to read a 300 page novel. Anyone else find this?
Callie wrote: "I just finished Kraken, and anyone who has been reading my comments about it will be shocked to find out that I LOVED the ending. To anyone struggling through it, I say push through-..."I'm so glad to hear that Kraken gets better. I've gotten almost half way thru it and I've put it on hold. Maybe I'll pick up where I left off and try to continue.
I finished A Novel Bookstore yesterday and really liked it. I gave it 4 stars. Today is a War and Peace day and then back to Kate Vaiden for one of my book clubs. After that more BOTNS Retreat authors.
Just finished
. Wonderful. A lifetime favorite pick.
Robin wrote: "Just finished . Wonderful. A lifetime favorite pick."wasn't that something?
Becky wrote: "Robin wrote: "Just finished . Wonderful. A lifetime favorite pick."wasn't that something?"
Yes, after I read it, i listened to audio too. Wow.
I just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which I purchased and started reading in April. I found it emotionally very tough to read, so I needed lots of breaks from it. I do think it is a wonderful and important book though. I used to be a science student and so I'd heard the name Henrietta Lacks and wondered about who she was, but that isn't part of the story of science presented in college classes. She is never on the list of important figures given during the history lecture on day one of every semester. And she should be.
Robin wrote: "Becky wrote: "Robin wrote: "Just finished . Wonderful. A lifetime favorite pick."wasn't that something?"
Yes, after I read it, i listened to audio to..."
I could not bring myself to rent the movie
I had a big reading day today. I finished The Wordy Shipmates and Black Hole, and I started and finished Of Mice and Men (slow day at work, can you tell???). This was my first taste of Steinbeck, and I LOVED it. Just incredible.I have The Walking Dead Book One to start, and I need to figure out what to read next on my Nook.
Marne wrote "Now I'm in the middle of reading The Likeness, and wow! I am really enjoying it, but I feel so involved with these characters that I'm having all sorts of crazy dream..."I had some crazy dreams when I read that one too.
Becky wrote: "Robin wrote: "Becky wrote: "Robin wrote: "Just finished . Wonderful. A lifetime favorite pick."wasn't that something?"
Yes, after I read it, i listen..."
Becky wrote: "Robin wrote: "Becky wrote: "Robin wrote: "Just finished
. Wonderful. A lifetime favorite pick."wasn't that something?"
Yes, after I read it, i listen..."
Yes, I agree about the movie.
Becky wrote: I could not bring myself to rent the movie I couldn't watch the movie either, I think I would have started crying from the opening credits and not stopped until the end. That book will stay with me for a long time, and I don't know if I will ever be able to read it again.
Amy wrote: I had some crazy dreams when I read that one too. "I'm glad I'm not the only one! I finished it, it was so good, but I'm glad to be done. That was an emotional roller coaster :o)
Now I'm reading Without Fail, (Jack Reacher, number 6) for a little emotional relief.
Callie wrote: This was my first taste of Steinbeck, and I LOVED it. Just incredible.Oh, sigh. Callie, Steinbeck is my FAVORITE author. As good as Of Mice and Men is, it's not even his best. If you feel like reading more, try Cannery Row which is also short and oh so lovely.
Speaking of the early 20th century, my book club is reading This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald. After slogging through the inconsequential tale of dull and callow WASP Amory Blaine for as long as I could, I finally threw in the ascot. I'm reading SparkNotes now to prepare for the meeting and flipping through and reading random passages. Don't tell on me :)
So now I'm reading The Likeness, Tana French's second book. I really liked the dense psychological mystery of the first book, which I know wasn't universally beloved in this group. I ate it up though, including French's bold choice with regard to narrator.
I finished up The Likenesson tape and really enjoyed it. I'm excited to read the next one but first I need to slog through my book club book. I also just finished The Lincoln Lawyerwhich is great for many reasons. I had never read a Michael Connelly book and enjoyed it but I also tried a Playaway which is a little digital player with a one book downloaded to it. I really enjoyed how easy it was to use and carry around. I checked it out from the library and now I'm excited to find out what other books they have in this format.
Wow!
Sarah's Key I was hooked from the very first chapter or two. I'm only on page 80 but the book has completely captured me. I'm sure I will finish it in a few days. If I didn't have to work, it would be tomorrow.
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Kirsty wrote: "I'm reading The Memoirs of Cleopatra and, while I'm enjoying it, it's taking me forever to get through. I don't know why, but I get really daunted with huge books and I tend to find th..."I'm on p. 475 of this and really enjoying it. Not only is this wonderfully long, but each page is printed almost to the edge with no margins. I suppose the publishers were leery of printing 1500+ pages with normal margins - maybe they figure that might be a bit daunting? So, yes, every page took me almost twice as long as it normally takes me to get through a page but this book is certainly worth it for me.
I love the possibility of delving into a huge book where I can get lost in what seems like a never-ending story but I can't do it all the time. I tend to space out really big reads like this one.
I actually had to shelve this one for a few weeks. I needed to do some research for an upcoming trip but am really looking forward to jumping back in once I'm back home. I did have to wait until Caesar died before I could put it down though...hope I didn't spoil that one for you ;-)
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What does everyone think? Is it worth the effort to drop what you're reading and "slog" through those book group books? What do you see as the value of reading groups? or even discussing books on this forum?
Carol wrote: "What does everyone think? Is it worth the effort to drop what you're reading and "slog" through those book group books? What do you see as the value of reading groups? or even discussing books on this forum? "
I love the idea of book clubs: reading titles that I would probably have never picked up otherwise and getting the opportunity to discuss it with others who have read it fresh; but the reality is often far different. I found myself, more often than not, "slogging" through a book and then being disappointed in tepid discussions. Oddly and inevitably, a certain conservative streak will permeate the group and selections end up being either cozies or, novels that feature an older character flashing back to their youth (often during WWII!)
I no longer participate in live book clubs, but am involved in a Yahoo! Group. Interestingly, they've evolved from the "group read" format into a challenged-based format. Members share what they've read, reviewing and commenting on the titles that fit the qualifications of the challenges. Readers/listeners move at their own pace and participation overall is much higher.
As for other formats, I've had to scale way back on the number of challenges I accept and drop out of any read-alongs. When picking up a book starts to feel like a chore or an assignment or, threatens to make me feel panicky or guilty if I'm behind schedule, then its time to stop.
I like the social book forums like goodreads. I do actually read my friends' updates and regularly check out current threads and trending topics. Sometimes the comments will push a book up or down on my TBR stacks or, provide something to keep in mind when I do get to the book. For instance, I found the recent comments about Tana French's books very interesting. I haven't read any of them, though I have one or two lying around here somewhere.
I love the idea of book clubs: reading titles that I would probably have never picked up otherwise and getting the opportunity to discuss it with others who have read it fresh; but the reality is often far different. I found myself, more often than not, "slogging" through a book and then being disappointed in tepid discussions. Oddly and inevitably, a certain conservative streak will permeate the group and selections end up being either cozies or, novels that feature an older character flashing back to their youth (often during WWII!)
I no longer participate in live book clubs, but am involved in a Yahoo! Group. Interestingly, they've evolved from the "group read" format into a challenged-based format. Members share what they've read, reviewing and commenting on the titles that fit the qualifications of the challenges. Readers/listeners move at their own pace and participation overall is much higher.
As for other formats, I've had to scale way back on the number of challenges I accept and drop out of any read-alongs. When picking up a book starts to feel like a chore or an assignment or, threatens to make me feel panicky or guilty if I'm behind schedule, then its time to stop.
I like the social book forums like goodreads. I do actually read my friends' updates and regularly check out current threads and trending topics. Sometimes the comments will push a book up or down on my TBR stacks or, provide something to keep in mind when I do get to the book. For instance, I found the recent comments about Tana French's books very interesting. I haven't read any of them, though I have one or two lying around here somewhere.
I finished True Grit (by Charles Portis; narrated by Donna Tartt) last night. The story is about a fourteen year old girl who hires a federal marshall, Rooster Cogburn, to pursue the murderer of her father. Its a short novel set in Western Arkansas and, Eastern Oklahoma in the Indian Territory/Choctaw Nation. LeBoeuf, a Texas Ranger joins the pair in their search. The story is as much about the dynamics between the three as it is about the actual manhunt. Set in the 1870s, its a Western full of iconic images and scenes: whisky swilling lawmen, a Bible quoting pill of a girl, gunfights and blazes of glory.
The narrator, Donna Tartt, is an author in her own right who *loves* this book, as averred in her short essay at the end of the audio. I'll not fault her strong Mississippi accent; but she is not a narrator and brings no added value to the production. She lacks the fluidity required to keep the story going, drawing attention to the "he saids" and deploying pauses that even the kindest listener
could not interpret as a meaningful or dramatic. There are booth noises, an occasional mouth noise and, some of her words are clipped just a fraction of second too short. This is a great argument for not only an author not reading his or her own work;
but not reading anybody else's either.
Comparisons to the two movies is inevitable. The 1969 version is truer to the story *up to a point* but then they blow the ending so badly it's painful and negates the previous veracity to the original story. Also, the '69 version gives the Native Americans a much more politically correct treatment and; John Wayne is much older than the character should be. The 2010 version makes some deviations from the book's story lines; but does not violate the spirit of the book or change the basic story. The characters are better rendered and the oratorical, didactic style of speaking is used effectively.
The narrator, Donna Tartt, is an author in her own right who *loves* this book, as averred in her short essay at the end of the audio. I'll not fault her strong Mississippi accent; but she is not a narrator and brings no added value to the production. She lacks the fluidity required to keep the story going, drawing attention to the "he saids" and deploying pauses that even the kindest listener
could not interpret as a meaningful or dramatic. There are booth noises, an occasional mouth noise and, some of her words are clipped just a fraction of second too short. This is a great argument for not only an author not reading his or her own work;
but not reading anybody else's either.
Comparisons to the two movies is inevitable. The 1969 version is truer to the story *up to a point* but then they blow the ending so badly it's painful and negates the previous veracity to the original story. Also, the '69 version gives the Native Americans a much more politically correct treatment and; John Wayne is much older than the character should be. The 2010 version makes some deviations from the book's story lines; but does not violate the spirit of the book or change the basic story. The characters are better rendered and the oratorical, didactic style of speaking is used effectively.
Tanya- as the audiobook expert around here (at least as I see you!), I was wondering what your thoughts were on the Audie Finalists (http://www.audiopub.org/2011AudiesFin...)? Any surprises that you can see? What should I be adding to my to-listen pile?
Toni wrote: "Flora wrote: "Callie wrote: "I just finished Kraken, and anyone who has been reading my comments about it will be shocked to find out that I LOVED the ending. To anyone struggling through it, I sa...I'm in the same boat...Kraken has been on my bookshelf, half-way read, since summer. This gives me hope and makes me think I should pick it up again and finish it.
..."
I think that I will finish Tehanu, hopefully today, and then try to pick up Kraken and drag myself thru it. I certainly hope that it gets better, otherwise I will so feel like I have wasted my time.
I'm reading Soulless by Gail Carriger. I guess you could classify it as steampunk, but it feels like a supernatural romance with a mystery thrown in. I recently abandoned Life: Keith Richards. I'm trying to read popular books closer to the time that I hear about them, rather than add them to my TBR list and pick them up two years later. This memoir was my first attempt at that, but I couldn't get into it.
Carol wrote: "Is it worth the effort to drop what you're reading and "slog" through those book group books? What do you see as the value of reading groups? or even discussing books on this forum? i>
I love book groups. Currently I am in only 1, and we meet once a month, with 1 book voted on by the group. Only 1 book have I slogged through (Possession by A.S. Byatt), and regret it only because apparently there was a movie that 4 of the 7 people watched instead. It is acceptable to put the book down and not finish in my group - everyone loves books too much to waste time on something they just don't enjoy.
I do really enjoy my book group because there are selections I would have never read on my own, or would've taken me several years to get to. Also, it was a great way to meet new people when I moved to a new city. Finally, I really enjoy the social aspect of the meetings too - most of the members are not someone I would have normally met in my regular routine so it is nice having acquantances and friends with different perspectives.
Callie wrote: "Tanya- as the audiobook expert around here (at least as I see you!), I was wondering what your thoughts were on the Audie Finalists (http://www.audiopub.org/2011AudiesFinali...)? Any surprises that you can see? What should I be adding to my to-listen pile? "
There is a scene in Bridget Jones' Diary (the movie) in which Bridget is tasked with introducing "the best novel ever written" at the launch. She stands before the crowd, dutifully delivers the tag line, but then recognizes Salman Rushdie "who also wrote a very good novel" and Ian McEwan "whose book was pretty good too!"
I work in the audiobook publishing industry and that means my company is well represented on the list; but so are my family and friends who are being nominated for titles for other companies.
So, I'm afraid I'm going to have to refrain from commenting on the list (what is on it, what's not and, what my picks are) but there are other audiobook lovers in this group who can comment :-/
There is a scene in Bridget Jones' Diary (the movie) in which Bridget is tasked with introducing "the best novel ever written" at the launch. She stands before the crowd, dutifully delivers the tag line, but then recognizes Salman Rushdie "who also wrote a very good novel" and Ian McEwan "whose book was pretty good too!"
I work in the audiobook publishing industry and that means my company is well represented on the list; but so are my family and friends who are being nominated for titles for other companies.
So, I'm afraid I'm going to have to refrain from commenting on the list (what is on it, what's not and, what my picks are) but there are other audiobook lovers in this group who can comment :-/
Tanya wrote: So, I'm afraid I'm going to have to refrain from commenting on the list (what is on it, what's not and, what my picks are) but there are other audiobook lovers in this group who can comment :-/I completely understand- I guess I'm still in award season mode, and feel the need to dissect every award list that comes out! Thanks for your candor :)
Oh, a Bridget Jones shout out makes my day ("And now, I'd like to introduce the man we call Mr...Fitzherbert because that. is. his. name?") I cannot get into audiobooks for some reason-and I love podcasts which makes no sense on some level I realize-but I am very intrigued by the Donna Tartt narration of True Grit. The Secret History remains one of my favorite books and she is frustratingly non-prolific.
Carol wrote: "Is it worth the effort to drop what you're reading and "slog" through those book group books? What do you see as the value of reading groups? or even discussing books on this forum?Our group is dedicated to reading classic literature (sometimes a loose interpretation although we have a purist who has naysayed a few suggestions) so I joined to bump up my reading portfolio. Thus, I'm not stuck reading cozies or the like so there's that bonus. And, as Amy said you get to meet people who love books. I get a lot out of discussing what I've read with someone.
This is part of the reason the purist in our group gets cranky about selections. Your group might all like a book or author but it needs to be crunchy enough to provoke a good discussion. My last book club's theme was books that were turned into movies. The quality was really up and down. I'd pick Marguerite Duras, someone else would pick James Patterson, someone else would pick Sidney Sheldon. No offense to people who read them, but even if you like the books, there's not much to say.
So, I do get a lot out of the club even though an occasional reading choice hits a sour note. We read White Noise last year and I do not have a thesaurus capable of expressing all the ways I hated it. The group split 50/50 and we had lots to talk about.
I finished Hunger Games last week and just got Catching Fire today. I finished Quentins by Maeve Binchy yesterday. I enjoyed this book after reading a run of depressing books. Someone described it as a comfort book and that sums it up. A nice easy read.
Alexia wrote: "....I felt the same way about the beginning of The Gargoyle but ended up really liking the book. I'd give it a chance. ."After a while I got that the suffering had a certain religious significance but it has become a bit repetative and to be honest my mind is wandering and I'm just waiting for something to happen.
I just finished
and absolutely loved it.I'm gonna try to finish
and then start on
Hi, I'm new here and just started reading The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer. I LOVE IT. It's as good as Ann's review on the podcast. Although it's long, it's not a difficult read, and you really care about the characters. There's a hint of mystery and lots of history (sorry for the rhyme) as well.I'd also like to say that I LOVE the podcasts! I listen to them while working around the house and it makes the time so much more enjoyable. I have to keep a piece of paper nearby, though, because I always jot down at least a few titles to put on my TBR list. THANK YOU very much for your podcast and website.
Lori wrote: "I'm on p. 475 of this and really enjoying it. Not only is this wonderfully long, but each page is printed almost to the edge with no margins. I suppose the publishers were leery of printing 1500+ pages with normal margins - maybe they figure that might be a bit daunting? So, yes, every page took me almost twice as long as it normally takes me to get through a page but this book is certainly worth it for me."It's definitely worth it for me too! And don't worry, you didn't spoil it ;)
Carol wrote: "Oh no! Slog sounds so horrible. I read two to three books for book groups each month. Often I feel torn from what I want to read to the books I need to read to lead or guide the group. Sometimes, t..."I love my book groups for both the books I read for each as well as the people in them. Neither one of my groups originally were made up of people in my everyday life, although I have developed some close friendships and gotten to know members of one group very well. I love that! Most of our discussions center around the books chosen as well as others and very little personal stuff is talked about. In one group a leader chooses the book (sometimes taking suggestions) and tries to pick books that will make good discussions. Once in a while it does feel like a "slog", but the discussion usually leaves me feeling better for having read it. The other group allows anyone to nominate a suggestion which is a positive and negative. A couple of members read very narrowly and always try to pick a book from their "favorite" genre, which I don't mind except that certain genres such as mysteries don't always lend themselves to a meaningful discussion. In this group, the books don't always get finished (our most habitual "offfender" is an 80 year old retiree who is usually too busy), but the discussion goes on regardless. Overall, I am much happier with my book groups than without them and when I am behind on a selection, I love telling the family the laundry will be done after book club!
I just finished We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land by Jimmy Carter. This book gives me the beginning of an understanding of the incredibly complex issues that exist between Israel and Palestine.
I am just wrapping up Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It took me a very long time to get into it. But I now have about 80 pages left and I am hooked.
Pam wrote: "I finished Hunger Games last week and just got Catching Fire today. I finished Quentins by Maeve Binchy yesterday. I enjoyed this book after reading a run of depressing books. Someone described it ..."....Did you like it? lol
Flora wrote: "I just finished and absolutely loved it. What are the Earth Sea books about? I think I've heard of them. Are they are fantasy series or something?
HelloIm new here :-)
My name is Louise and I live in Denmark.
I'm reading Milan Kundera's "Immortality" for my book club, as well as "Dark Tyrants" a vampire the dark ages anthology.
And I'm listening to Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood in the car driving to and from work.
Misty wrote: "Flora wrote: "I just finished and absolutely loved it. What are the Earth Sea books about? I think I've heard of them. Are they are fantasy series or something?"
They are a sci fi/fantasy series. Ged is the main wizard of the world of Earthsea which is a world in some ways similar and most ways very unlike our own. Its a really good series, so far I have enjoyed all the books.
Mod
Kate also says "Once in a while it does feel like a "slog", but the discussion usually leaves me feeling better for having read it." This is the single most comment I hear from the members in our book groups. The discussions always provide new view point to the whole. To see the book through someone else's mind and heart enhances the read.
We are social creatures and book groups is one way to connect with others in our world.
Conny wrote: "Amanda wrote: "I am just wrapping up Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It took me a very long time to get into it. But I now have about 80 pages left and I am hooked."Amanda, hang in there. I had a ..."
I agree is was well worth it for the 2nd and 3rd books.
I just finished "The Weed That Strings The Hangman's Bag" by Alan Bradley.
Take one part Agatha Christie murder mystery, one part Hermione Granger, and one part P. G. Wodehouse screwball comedy, and what do you get? The adventures of 11-year-old sleuth Flavia De Luce. Flavia is an odd little duck, but she can somehow charm her way into nearly every household of Bishop's Lacey, the small English town where she lives, and where a murder seems to take place every so often. Armed with that charm and her knowledge of chemistry, she tackles the mysteries that stymie the local police inspector. This book is Flavia's second outing.
I found this book likeable, but rather bloodless (as are the two murders she solves this time). In the first book ("The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie"), we sense danger closing in on Flavia as she gets closer to the killer's identity. But in this book, no such danger materializes. There's no climax. Merely an end to information gathering, and a recitation of the solution. Also lacking in this book was a sense of the creepy pleasure Flavia takes in poisonings, stabbings, and dark doings. She's a much nicer kid in this book, and her weirdness has been sanded down quite a bit. My hope for the next book as that Flavia can once again let her freak flag fly, and for more thrills, spills, and chills.
Take one part Agatha Christie murder mystery, one part Hermione Granger, and one part P. G. Wodehouse screwball comedy, and what do you get? The adventures of 11-year-old sleuth Flavia De Luce. Flavia is an odd little duck, but she can somehow charm her way into nearly every household of Bishop's Lacey, the small English town where she lives, and where a murder seems to take place every so often. Armed with that charm and her knowledge of chemistry, she tackles the mysteries that stymie the local police inspector. This book is Flavia's second outing.
I found this book likeable, but rather bloodless (as are the two murders she solves this time). In the first book ("The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie"), we sense danger closing in on Flavia as she gets closer to the killer's identity. But in this book, no such danger materializes. There's no climax. Merely an end to information gathering, and a recitation of the solution. Also lacking in this book was a sense of the creepy pleasure Flavia takes in poisonings, stabbings, and dark doings. She's a much nicer kid in this book, and her weirdness has been sanded down quite a bit. My hope for the next book as that Flavia can once again let her freak flag fly, and for more thrills, spills, and chills.
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Year We Left Home (other topics)The Wise Man's Fear (other topics)
Hood (other topics)
Storm Front (other topics)
Storm Front (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Kathleen Grissom (other topics)Gabrielle Hamilton (other topics)
China Miéville (other topics)
Maj Sjöwall (other topics)
Rachel Cohn (other topics)
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Now I can watch my long DVR'd Sherlock "A Study in Pink" that was on Masterpiece Mystery. The friend who insisted I read ACD said to read the book before I watched the episode.
Now I'm reading This Side of Paradise for my book club. I hope it's a fast read because I have Tana French's second book on reserve and Decoded just came in from the waiting list and after Ann's recommendation and Jay-Z's riveting interview on Fresh Air, I really want to try and squeeze it in.