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Books on the Nightstand discussion
What are you currently reading? August 2011
Kathy wrote:I, like you, have been inspired to read or re-read Hemingway's work.I can't decide what to re-read first. Have you? I'm torn between The Sun Also Rises and A Moveable Feast. I think the former because I'm interested to read the fictionalized version of that miserable trip to Spain. I read that about 20 years ago and knew none of the back story.
There's also plenty of Hemingway I've never read (not interested in his elegies to killing African wildlife which should knock the TBR pile down considerably.)
The Sun Also Rises is my favorite Hemingway and one of my alltime favorite books. More than any other it epitomizes his gift of economy. Saying more with less. And it's heart-wrenching too, but with moments of sunny splendor.
I finished two books in the last week. After a month I finally finished A Game of Thrones. It has been awhile since I tackled this many pages but I think it was worth it. My only issue right now is whether to continue onto the next 800pg plus monster. I have reached my goal of 40 books already so anything else I read is gravy. So I may take a small break and then tacke A Clash of Kings. I also finished The Gentlemen's Hour. I couldn't put this book down. Don Winslow has a simple and straightforward writing style that I enjoy and he has a way of making you really love his characters.
I'm now listening to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. I am also reading The Fairy-Tale Detectives which my daughter and niece have been raving about.
W. Joe wrote: "I recently completed Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and I was very disappointed by it"
Interesting. When I read A Visit from the Goon Squad it reminded me of Cloud Atlas. I loved Cloud Atlas the first time I read it, and reading Good Squad made me think I should read it again.
Interesting. When I read A Visit from the Goon Squad it reminded me of Cloud Atlas. I loved Cloud Atlas the first time I read it, and reading Good Squad made me think I should read it again.
I'm reading,"Heaven is For Real" by Todd Burpo. It is the best book I have ever read in my entire life!
Toni wrote:I'm trying to imagine a different actor in that role -- who can you see playing Franny?When I initially read the book, I had pictured an actress from St. Elsewhere (that's how long ago it was) but she was probably too old and I was too young to know it.
If I had to cast it today-as opposed to 10+ years ago-I'd be inclined to pick Rooney Mara (the new Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Or casting against type, I wonder what someone like Allison Brie could do with the role. Franny is so whiny she needs someone likable or strong to play her.
I've just finished a wonderful book called, "The Return of Captain John Emmett". Now I'm reading the most recent installment in one of my favorite series, "Fly me to the Morgue". It's a Rat Pack Mystery. They are just pure fun!
Martha wrote: "W. Joe wrote: "I recently completed Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and I was very disappointed by it"Interesting. When I read A Visit from the Goon Squad it reminded me of [book:Cl..."
I can definitely see the parallels between the two books. I guess I just enjoyed the characters more in Goon Squad and found them more relatable. I got lost in Cloud Atlas during the parts with futuristic genetically engineered characterizations. I just couldn't connect with those parts of the storyline.
Reading all this, I feel I'm falling behind on all the great books out there. But my life this year has been so theatre-packed, I have a lot less free time.
Eric wrote: "Reading all this, I feel I'm falling behind on all the great books out there. But my life this year has been so theatre-packed, I have a lot less free time."Well, the theatre can be just as awesome and enriching. I'm jealous!
I just finished Butchers Crossing. I loved it, it was intense and stark
Vanessa wrote: "Kathy wrote:I, like you, have been inspired to read or re-read Hemingway's work.I can't decide what to re-read first. Have you? I'm torn between The Sun Also Rises and A Moveable Feast. I think t..."
Hi, Vanessa. I agree with both you and Eric. I'm going to read The Sun Also Rises. First, I have to finish House of Sand
and Fog. Andres Debus III will be the featured speaker at a local literary festival this September, and I want to finish this novel of his before I hear him speak.
Gerald wrote:"I wanted to punch Ernest in the stomach." He would probably give you the first shot.You are right, Gerald. In fact, Papa would probably have admired me for that so I couldn't hate him for too long-until he started waxing rhapsodic about impaling bulls or shooting elephants.
Kathy, House of Sand and Fog is great!
I just finished the Norwegian mystery The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo and it was terrific. Norway has an uneasy relationship with the Nazi occupation so Nesbo was really brave to tackle the ambiguities of the subject. I'm now starting Madame Bovary for book club which is...er, this Wednesday so I hope that I can finish. One guy in the group harps on how ridiculous it is that people can't finish on time (there's always that ONE person, right?)
I'm now starting Madame Bovary for book club which is...er, this Wednesday so I hope that I can finish. One guy in the group harps on how ridiculous it is that people can't finish on time (there's always that ONE person, right?) "
I read Madame Bovary in 2009 as part of the Beowulf on the Beach Challenge and I loved Flaubert's novel. I really identified with Madame Bovary and marveled that a man had written it. At the company I work at, I was asked to proof the audiobook edition and I was happy to take the project on. The narrator, however, messed up the pronunciation of "Charles" (saying "sharls" instead of either "sharl" or Anglicizing the name to "CHarls.") As this character's name crops up over 400 times in the book, it was decided to have the recording re-done as dropping in all those edits would have created a poor quality audio. The original narrator was unavailable however, so my DH stepped up to the plate. Four days went by and no audio was forthcoming from the studio. It turns out that he *didn't get Madame Bovary* and was struggling with interpreting it! I was mortified! For days, I sulked. How could he not get Madame Bovary? That was like saying he didn't get me! Eventually, the project passed on to the more than capable Simon Vance; but I have to tell you I still haven't quite forgiven my DH!
I read Madame Bovary in 2009 as part of the Beowulf on the Beach Challenge and I loved Flaubert's novel. I really identified with Madame Bovary and marveled that a man had written it. At the company I work at, I was asked to proof the audiobook edition and I was happy to take the project on. The narrator, however, messed up the pronunciation of "Charles" (saying "sharls" instead of either "sharl" or Anglicizing the name to "CHarls.") As this character's name crops up over 400 times in the book, it was decided to have the recording re-done as dropping in all those edits would have created a poor quality audio. The original narrator was unavailable however, so my DH stepped up to the plate. Four days went by and no audio was forthcoming from the studio. It turns out that he *didn't get Madame Bovary* and was struggling with interpreting it! I was mortified! For days, I sulked. How could he not get Madame Bovary? That was like saying he didn't get me! Eventually, the project passed on to the more than capable Simon Vance; but I have to tell you I still haven't quite forgiven my DH!
I am currently reading Middlesex, Plan B, Raisng Stony Mayhall and ancestor…and re-reading random passages of zero history (which was recently released in trade paperback, yay!) I may not finish ancestor…as I'm not sure if I like it…but the rest are engaging reads. I'm also reading A Short History of Nearly Everything but I'm pretty much done.I've read The Door To Lost Pages, Napier's Bones, and This Is Where I Leave You. I recommend all three, for different reasons, but especially The Door To Lost Pages and Napier's Bones for those who love science fiction.
I'm about halfway through Lords and Lemurs: Mad Scientists, Kings With Spears, and the Survival of Diversity in Madagascar, which so far is a pleasure to read, despite the unpleasantness of some of the background history. Next up: Louis Auchincloss's posthumously published A Voice from Old New York: A Memoir of My Youth, Sinclair Lewis's Our Mr. Wrenn, and (because GoodReads assures me that as a Terry Pratchett fan I'll love her) Diana Wynn Jones' A Sudden Wild Magic.
Tanya wrote: I really identified with Madame Bovary and marveled that a man had written it.Tanya, you always have such interesting stories. Yes, not only did a guy write it but he was famous for saying "Madame Bovary, c'est moi."
I got the Lydia Davis translation because it got a lot of positive press in the last year (apparently, she also did a translation of Swann's Way that even the FRENCH approved of so I may be running out of excuses to not read Proust.)
I read the Lydia Davis translation and loved it. My review is up on Goodreads.
Amy wrote: "August proves to be a bust reading month in the run-up to back to school (MBA). I'll be finishing up The Shack and Elegance of The Hedgehog. Also I will be reading Revenge of the Radioactive Lady f..."Amy, I have finished Radioactive Lady and The Elegance of the Hedgehog in the past couple of weeks. You are in for some very enjoyable reading! Enjoy!
Currently reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, True Grit (which is the first western that I am reading), The American Heiress, and The Winter Rose.
Lil wrote: "...Also recently finished March which had been on my TBR for a looong time. It was much better than I had been expecting (apparently the Pulitzer not much of a warning for me). Brooks did an excellent job of fleshing out a complex character of Mr. March, the absent father from Little Women. It took me at least half way through the book to get over that he (and dear Marme) weren't perfect. A wonderful read...."I am reading March. It is interesting and well written but despite the themes being my type of thing I'm just not thrilled by it and progress is slow.
Gretchen wrote: ".....Last month I read my first Ann Patchett - The Magician's Assistant. I don't know if I could recommend it, a least not with a whole lot of enthusiasm. It was an enjoyable read, but a little thin in places. I think picking up Bel Canto would have been a better choice.."
I really enjoyed The Magician's Assistant. It had a melancholy gentleness that appealed to me. I have just got Bel Canto and look forward to reading it.
I'm in Denmark (I live in California) for a couple months, so I brought some appropriate reading material. I'm halfway through
, and have the translation of the Danish bestseller
lined up next. I'm planning a visit to Karen Blixen's house/museum, so a reread of
may be in order.
Just got back from vacation in Maine, and did lots of reading while I was there! I finished The Sparrow, started and finished Maine (perfect for the trip), and started Cutting for Stone, which I am LOVING.I feel like 2011 has been a remarkable year for me, reading-wise. I definitely have Books on the Nightstand and the people here on goodreads to thank for that- I feel like my reading has been elevated!
After finishing the Hunger Games series, I needed a change of mood and pace, so I picked up Good Omens, which has kept me laughing so far. Yesterday I visited my local library branch for the first time since I moved and came home with The Old Man and the Sea, Persepolis, and the Handmaid's Tale.
Callie wrote: "Just got back from vacation in Maine, and... started and finished Maine (perfect for the trip)"
LOL, I did the same thing! I wonder how many sales can be attributed to people in Vacationland buying the book while there!
LOL, I did the same thing! I wonder how many sales can be attributed to people in Vacationland buying the book while there!
Melissa W wrote: "Currently reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, True Grit (which is the first western that I am reading"I haven't read True Grit but if you like it even a little bit please pick up Lonesome Dove. It's the only Western I've ever read and it was an incredible read.
Tanya wrote: "Callie wrote: "Just got back from vacation in Maine, and... started and finished Maine (perfect for the trip)"LOL, I did the same thing! I wonder how many sales can be attributed to people in Vac..."
Tanya, I was actually a bit surprised that people weren't making more of it in town. I mean, it's a bestseller, so I guess it doesn't need the press, but even the little bookstore in town didn't have anything up about it.
Callie wrote: "Tanya, I was actually a bit surprised that people weren't making more of it in town. I mean, it's a bestseller, so I guess it doesn't need the press, but even the little bookstore in town didn't have anything up about it. "
The weird thing about the book store in the town I was in, was that there wasn't anything up for it there either; but the copies were flying off the shelf. They had a stack on a table top that had to be restocked twice while I was there over a two week period and; I overheard the clerk saying that, thank goodness, they got another shipment in from Baker & Taylor's! That said, I was still surprised to see it on the bestseller list/shelf, right up there with James Patterson, Danielle Steel and George R.R. Martin!
The weird thing about the book store in the town I was in, was that there wasn't anything up for it there either; but the copies were flying off the shelf. They had a stack on a table top that had to be restocked twice while I was there over a two week period and; I overheard the clerk saying that, thank goodness, they got another shipment in from Baker & Taylor's! That said, I was still surprised to see it on the bestseller list/shelf, right up there with James Patterson, Danielle Steel and George R.R. Martin!
Louise wrote: "I'm reading 
and 
"Oh let us know how 253 is. I have it on my TBR pile but I kind of want to save it in case I can get to London any time soon and read it on the train :)
Tanya wrote: "Callie wrote: "Just got back from vacation in Maine, and... started and finished Maine (perfect for the trip)"LOL, I did the same thing! I wonder how many sales can be attributed to people in Vac..."
Tanya, I so agree! It is not a GREAT vacation until a book is purchased while on it. Last time out I bought 3!! Enjoy the rest of summer..and winter, warm fires and more time for reading is on it's way!
Carmen wrote: "After finishing the Hunger Games series, I needed a change of mood and pace, so I picked up Good Omens, which has kept me laughing so far. Yesterday I visited my local library branch for the first time since I moved and came home with The Old Man and the Sea, Persepolis, and the Handmaid's Tale. "I cannot recommend The Handmaid's Tale enough. If you end up liking it, may I suggest Cat's Eye and The Robber Bride as well.
I finished Plan B and Raising Stony Mayhall on Friday and picked up The Fecund's Melancholy Daughter, Sarah Court and Swamplandia! yesterday. Both Sarah Court and The Fecund's Melancholy Daughter are from CHIZINE publishing, as were The Door to Lost Pages and Napier's Bones which I loved.
I just finished The Invisible Bridge which I loved so much that I didn't really want to pick up another book. It was such an incredible story that I couldn,t imagine moving on to something else. Well it was a gloomy rainy day here so I decided to curl up with a book. I started and finished Water for Elephants. I must be the only person left that hadn't read this book. I've had it for years but I wasn't too excited to read it. I'm not a circus fan and I guess that put me off, but I'm so glad I finally picked it up. Very enjoyable day curled up on the couch :)
Toni wrote:Nope, Shona -- *I'm* the only person left who hasn't read Water for Elephants.I too have yet to read that. Sometimes books get too popular and I am either leery of them and/or just sick of hearing about them.
Another example: A Visit from the Goon Squad. Not so much leery this time since Egan won the National Book Award but they've had her on NPR so MANY times now I'm weary of hearing about it.
Just finished The Nobodies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst in record time. It blew me away. I could not put it down...children unattended, hair unbrushed, eyes bleary. Wow.
Vanessa wrote: "Toni wrote:Nope, Shona -- *I'm* the only person left who hasn't read Water for Elephants.
I too have yet to read that. Sometimes books get too popular and I am either leery of them and/or just sick of hearing about them. "
There are certain books that I liked well enough when I first read them; but then come to hate when they are over exposed. Water for Elephants is one of those books. It was the book that was repeatedly selected for book clubs and online group discussions that I was involved in. Eventually, I started realizing that WFE was also the handwriting on the wall for many of the groups I was engaged in, the pojnt at which they had stopped looking for something different and started going for "safe" titles :-/
I too have yet to read that. Sometimes books get too popular and I am either leery of them and/or just sick of hearing about them. "
There are certain books that I liked well enough when I first read them; but then come to hate when they are over exposed. Water for Elephants is one of those books. It was the book that was repeatedly selected for book clubs and online group discussions that I was involved in. Eventually, I started realizing that WFE was also the handwriting on the wall for many of the groups I was engaged in, the pojnt at which they had stopped looking for something different and started going for "safe" titles :-/
Finished The Fecund's Melancholy Daughter this afternoon and was left with a "I think I'm missing something" feeling that usually prompts a reread.Still reading Sarah Court and Swamplandia!...will read some more of Sarah Court to get a feel for the plot, but I'll probably focus on Swamplandia! for a change of pace.
I won't say I hated Water for Elephants, but I found it hackneyed and predictable. Nice, old-fashioned storytelling values, though.
Eric wrote: "I won't say I hated Water for Elephants, but I found it hackneyed and predictable. Nice, old-fashioned storytelling values, though."One of the reasons I loved WFE from the start was the way she treated the elderly Jacob.
So many authors have no respect for their elderly characters. For example when the Nurse gave Jacob the fruit I fully expected him to discover he was unable to eat it because his teeth weren't up to the task.
I loved that Jacob had some oomph and got to enjoy his old age to the full.
I just finished Slammerkin, which I absolutely loved. Emma Donoghue, who wrote Room, is an excellent writer. I don't generally reach for historical fiction, especially when it is set in depressing 1760s London, but this one was worth it.
I finished March: A Love Story in a Time of War which was dissappointing and have started The Help which I like so far.
Somehow I missed Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series years ago, so I'm on book #2, Lost in a Good Book. I cannot believe it took me so long to find this author--The Eyre Affair was the perfect summer read.
I've been getting the itch to read some poetry, but I need some direction. I love Billy Collins, but sadly enough he's the only contemporary I've really read a lot of. Any suggestions?
I'm currently about half way thru Pirates of Savannah: The Birth of Freedom in the Low Country and its ok but not something that I am overly thrilled with.
Shannon wrote: "Amy, I have finished Radioactive Lady and The Elegance of the Hedgehog in the past couple of weeks. You are in for some very enjoyable reading."Shannon - I have to admit I didn't really "get" The Elegance of the Hedgehog. I enjoyed the story, but the discussion at book group was about how philosophical the little girl was. Much of that passed right over my head. I absolutely LOVED Revenge of the Radioactive Lady. How did the author come up with this plot - LOL!
Callie wrote:Callie (calliekl) | 246 comments I've been getting the itch to read some poetry, but I need some direction. I love Billy Collins, but sadly enough he's the only contemporary I've really read a lot of. Any suggestions?Callie, I love Billy Collins. He is so accessible. Have you seen his Poetry 180: A Turning Back to Poetry? It's the fruits of a program to introduce modern poetry into schools and remove fear of poetry. He picked the selections.
He's very different from Collins but I also like W.S. Merwin for contemporaries and our new Poet Laureate, Philip Levine.
Edward Hirsch (Poet's Choice) and John Lithgow (The Poets' Corner: The One-and-Only Poetry Book for the Whole Family-yes, that John Lithgow-wrote really good essay collections on poetry. The Lithgow book comes with a CD of actors reading all the selections (Glenn Close does a great job on Elizabeth Bishop's "Filling Station.")
I'm reading "Storm of Swords" in the GOT series and loving all the unexpected turn of events. I'm listening to all the Preston and Child books on CD and Still Life with Crows may be the best one yet. I just listened to your podcast for the first time and thought it was very informative and entertaining. Do you do segments on books on CD?
I finished Madame Bovary last night just in time-book club is tonight. It makes me slightly fetal to read anything proclaiming Emma Bovary as a feminist icon. It's worthy of being called a classic though (Flaubert has an admirable commitment to realism in the final chapters) and really meticulous translation by Lydia Davis. I'm now reading After Dark by Haruki Murakami. I really wanted to read something more cheerful after Emma Bovary's whiny self-immolation. I'm not sure if this fits the bill but it's due back at the library and I've been wanting to get introduced to Murakami. I think I might read Shoeless Joe next. It's uplifting, it's summery, it's....short.
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Magician King (other topics)A Clash of Kings (other topics)
The Magicians (other topics)
When the Killing's Done (other topics)
March (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Herman Wouk (other topics)Jon Clinch (other topics)
Susan Gregg Gilmore (other topics)
Jon Clinch (other topics)
Mark Twain (other topics)
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I just lent this DVD to my hairdresser (she gave me The Paris Wife) in return.