Books on the Nightstand discussion
What do you want us to talk/write about?
Carol wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Yes, please tell us how to get out of the reading slump! I'm in one now and struggling find something that really hooks me again."There seem to be even more of my GR & BOTNS fri..."
LOL Carol! Maybe it's election, time change, holiday blues! :-)
I would love to hear the book slump episode because I am still getting some books read, I haven't felt compelled to read in awhile. The things I have been reading aren't bad, but they certainly don't hook me in.
this sounds like a great dicussion. I have never herd the term book slump-great term.
Mod
I just read this fascinating article in the New Yorker "On Bad Endings" by Joan Acocella. I thought it might lead to an interesting discussion of endings, what makes them good or bad, what do you want from an ending, etc. http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs...
Ryan, I agree--endings would make a great topic!
Mod
was so good.
Linda/Carol....aack....now I have another book to add to my endless TBR.
Mod
Glad I could help, Janet! ; > )
For the thread "What book would you like to read again for the first time" To Kill A Mockingbird came immediately to mind. Which made me start to think about what made that book such a perfect gem, a masterpiece, that was as powerful the first time as a teen and even better when I picked it up to read a second time 40 years later. I think Ann and Michael have already probably discussed what makes a classic, but it would be fun to talk about the topic again. Is wanting to read a book again at a later stage in life one of the defining qualities of a classic?
What about a show for the best books to read aloud? I read at a senior center once a week and am always looking for good books that are of interest to them. Unbroken was great--but very long and unendingly sad. Biographies of Dick Van Dyke and Betty White were fun also. My favorite was Mamma Makes up Her Mind by Bailey White--fun, something to relate to, and in small chunks that people could miss a week and still pick up. Novels may be harder for our changing listeners.Also, read-alouds to kids are always fun, Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and The Willoughbys are two I've enjoyed.
Anita wrote: "What about a show for the best books to read aloud? I read at a senior center once a week and am always looking for good books that are of interest to them. Unbroken was great--but very long and un..."Oh, yes! My husband also reads aloud to seniors & I'd love to be able to pass along some recommendations. (But don't limit this to adult books--I used to teach middle and high school grades and was always looking for good read-alouds.)
Jena wrote: "Anita wrote: "What about a show for the best books to read aloud? I read at a senior center once a week and am always looking for good books that are of interest to them. Unbroken was great--but ve...""seniors" as in high school?
LOL. Seniors as in geezers.
Jena wrote: "Anita wrote: "What about a show for the best books to read aloud? I read at a senior center once a week and am always looking for good books that are of interest to them. Unbroken was great--but ve..."What books have been successful for your husband?
Mod
I resemble that remark!
Anita wrote: "Jena wrote: "Anita wrote: "What about a show for the best books to read aloud? I read at a senior center once a week and am always looking for good books that are of interest to them. Unbroken was ..."Anita, my husband has found reading local works a big success. I was recently in charge of a project collecting stories from seniors in town & my husband has enjoyed reading aloud from that, and said it was well received. He (and they) also reportedly likes Stephen Leacock's Sunshine Sketches of a Little Town for reading aloud, as well as other short stories.
An idea for an episode before Christmas, is the best Christmas books to read during the festive period! I always try and keep a look out for festive books, but find it a bit difficult to find. Make the list a mixture of classic and modern festive favourites.Merry Christmas x
Jena wrote: "Anita wrote: "Jena wrote: "Anita wrote: "What about a show for the best books to read aloud? I read at a senior center once a week and am always looking for good books that are of interest to them...."Thans for the tip--it was even free for my Kindle.
Anita wrote: "LOL. Seniors as in geezers."I can relate to seniors but I am not old enough to get read to.Sixty one.
Just listened to the "Our Favorite Books" episode (great episode, by the way--thanks), and it gave me an idea for a topic. How about old popular best sellers? (I was thinking about Ann's comments about Faulkner, which led me to thinking about Sanctuary, a book he wrote as a "pot-boiler," and it's pretty outrageous and fun.)Others I thought of are Wilkie Collins's Woman in White or the Moonstone (I highly recommend both--they are really fun!), the original Frankenstein, etc. Could be kind of an interesting topic.
Best to all!
Tracy
Conny wrote: "I am not sure if this is the right tab to post under. Anyhow, I was wondering if any of you - and of course, I'd like to know what you Michael and Ann think about this - have "comfort books" or may..."Conny, I once, years ago, read Gloria Naylor's Mama Day when I was sad and I found it so uplifting! Hope that helps...
Tracy
How about five books you have in your house/book case for the past year that you have been meaning to read. Why we are always tempted by the latest and newest -- the ones with buzz surrounding them, buy that book and then don't ever get to read it.
have you considered interviewing other co-workers, authors and publishers so we can hear their book recommendations? I am thrilled by the NYT weekly section called By the Book, where an author talks about several books! Check it out!
Kay wrote: "Have you ever done a podcast on finishing v. not finishing a book you are not enjoying? Do you or listeners have some rules of thumb for how long to keep reading? There are so many good books out..."I have a rule about not finishing a book and I have taught it to my children. However old you are is how many pages in the book you have to read with an open mind. After that, you may choose to continue or move on to something else. This was great when I was trying to convince one of them to read a certain book. I promised that if they just read 14, 15, or whatever their age was, pages. Then they could then choose to read it or not and I wouldn't say another word.
Kelli, that is a good idea. Curious about how often they kept reading and how often they gave up on the book
With everyone laid up with a cold or the flu, how about a segment on "Under the Weather" books? Those tomes that can so pull you in that you forget how crappy you feel?? And it would have to be something that would grab you quick, not let go, and that would be not too challenging for a virus-addled brain to cope with? Just thinking that I could use a list right now......
Vicki wrote: "With everyone laid up with a cold or the flu, how about a segment on "Under the Weather" books? Those tomes that can so pull you in that you forget how crappy you feel?? And it would have to be som..."I have a number of coffee table books that require only looking at pictures to get enjoyment but like many coffee table books I cannot remember most of the names.
I can recall some subjects in these books like baseball,firetrucks,ww2 era airplanes ect. Great for being home with an illness.ger
What about and episode about the "Books Everyone Should Read". A couple of days I found this consensus cloud (http://www.informationisbeautiful.net...), and I think it would be nice to hear the recommendations from Ann and Michael in this sense.This, in some sense, is tied with this week discussion about old books recommendations from this week. Sometimes we are focused on reading new things and we forget about exploring amazing classics from other times.
Cheers!
Mariano wrote: "Sometimes we are focused on reading new things and we forget about exploring amazing classics from other times."
Some blogger/twitter friends and I were just talking about this! A number of us are dialing back on the new releases and hitting our TBR shelves and backlist titles. :-)
Some blogger/twitter friends and I were just talking about this! A number of us are dialing back on the new releases and hitting our TBR shelves and backlist titles. :-)
Mariano wrote: "What about and episode about the "Books Everyone Should Read". A couple of days I found this consensus cloud (http://www.informationisbeautiful.net...), and ..."I love that visual. I saved that for looking at more closely later. Thanks for the link!
Some blogger/twitter friends and I were just talking about this! A..."Ann and Michael,
I also welcome the occassional recommendation for older titles - especially in the last 5 years. I have a TBR shelf of 175 books and would love to hear if any of them are your favorites, too, to help me pick my next reads. I do love hearing about upcoming books as well, so a mix would be appreciated! Thanks.
I agree, and loved the last podcast when you talked about older books! Like Ann, I had "Lonesome Dove" on my shelf for about 10 years, before my husband finally talked me into reading it. That said, I love the new books too...
I think there should still be books :-) But it looks like a really cool learning/information seeking environment!
Elizabeth wrote: "What are your thoughts on a book-less library?
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/book..."
Well, I'm one of those people that has had an eReader of one sort or another for a few years now and, in the end, really hate reading eBooks. I've stopped buying them and even when vetting mss, print out the galleys. I don't read as deeply or as critically when I read eBooks. For a long time, I thought it was just me and my inability to psychologically adapt for whatever freakish reason to the new technology and I struggled with various eReaders; but then I read the Pulitzer Award nominated book, The Shallows (by Nicholas Carr) and realized that it not's just me. Your brain's neuroplasticity changes and arguably, not for the better when you read from computer screens.
If my library abandoned traditional print, I would simply stop patronizing the library; but it would certainly justify my book hoarding!
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/book..."
Well, I'm one of those people that has had an eReader of one sort or another for a few years now and, in the end, really hate reading eBooks. I've stopped buying them and even when vetting mss, print out the galleys. I don't read as deeply or as critically when I read eBooks. For a long time, I thought it was just me and my inability to psychologically adapt for whatever freakish reason to the new technology and I struggled with various eReaders; but then I read the Pulitzer Award nominated book, The Shallows (by Nicholas Carr) and realized that it not's just me. Your brain's neuroplasticity changes and arguably, not for the better when you read from computer screens.
If my library abandoned traditional print, I would simply stop patronizing the library; but it would certainly justify my book hoarding!
YAY we need more book hoarding! Mmmmm :-) :-)
Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "Your brain's neuroplasticity changes and arguably, not for the better when you read from computer screens..."You know, I seem to have that phenomena occur with work and school items read on my computer. But reading the same items on my Kindle Fire or my husband's iPad, I do not notice the same deficiency. That said, I read most books for pleasure on my e-ink Kindle or Nook, not on the backlit ereaders - but I am definitely converted to ereaders.
I haven't noticed any difference in how well I remember or understand what I read based on what platform I am using. It is terrbile either way but I love the experience. All kidding aside, I do as much reading as I can on my e-ink ereader. I am not a big fan of reading on a computer screen or non-eink tablet. I still read paper books that I have picked up at sales but any new books I by, I get for the ereader. I would be all for trying a paperless library.
I have such a huge backload of TBR's in paper and I also have an e-reader. So I have been alternating. Reading a paper book from my stash and then a book in electronic format. Over the last couple of years, I have found that the novelty has worn off in regards to the e-reader, and I do prefer the old-fashioned paper books. That being said, the e-reader can't be beat for convenience. So I will probably continue to alternate from now on. Heaven knows my TBR pile seems to grow no matter how much I read of either format!
Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "What are your thoughts on a book-less library? http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/book..."
Well, I'm one of those people th..."
Hi Tanya,
I agree with you..it seems that my retention is negatively impacted using my e-reader...but, that said, it serves a very useful purpose.
How do your audiobook reads compare to your hard copy reads?
nancy wrote: "Hi Tanya,
I agree with you..it seems that my retention is negatively impacted using my e-reader...but, that said, it serves a very useful purpose.
How do your audiobook reads compare to your hard copy reads? "
I forgot to mention that I'm so psyched that you're listening to and into Matterhorn (by Karl Marlantes; narrated by Bronson Pinchot)! It's been a couple years since I've listened to it and I still have very vivid memories of the experience!
Since I started listening to audiobooks, my memory has improved dramatically. It's like a house is being built inside my head and each section of the house is made up of the chapters. For both audio and print, I can now "see" structures of stories and recall more detail not only of scenes (effect of the words) but of the words themselves as well. Then, I started seeing the architecture of the stories in printed books as well. For whatever reason, houses never form in my mind while I'm reading on an eReader. I see the words and register the content; but I never feel the story. I went and did a ratings comparison of books I read on an eReader vs print books. Without exception, I rated eBook titles at 2- and 3-stars and, in my notes saw that "flatness" was the most common adjective I used to describe eBook titles. I compared across similar titles over a period of two-and-a half years. For awhile, I was vetting mss on an eReader; but I found that no matter how intently I was reading, my brain seemed to be in "skim" mode. I wasn't getting enough of the feel of the book, much less able to process nuance or subtext.
Of course the downside is that I can now see when the foundations of a book aren't very strong or when a passage doesn't work. Also, continuity errors scream at me!
In terms of strict audio vs hard copy print though, I have to say I've had more experiential memories with audio than with print. I may have told you this story before, but it bears repeating: After having listening to the first chapter of Matterhorn, I had gone to bed for the night and somewhere in the middle of the night, I was in a half asleep/half awake state and dreaming. I was sweating even though it was only April, and breathing hard. I thought I was in VietNam and that there was a leech attached to my leg. I screamed and tore the leech off of my leg. It turned out that the "leech" was actually a Band-Aid. In my defense, I will say that that Band-Aid had no idea what hit it and I got it good! :-/
Good audiobooks are more likely to leave indelible memories in my mind, i.e. as if I had experienced what happened in the book rather than "just" read or listened to it.
I'm probably not explaining this very well; but hopefully well enough :-)
I agree with you..it seems that my retention is negatively impacted using my e-reader...but, that said, it serves a very useful purpose.
How do your audiobook reads compare to your hard copy reads? "
I forgot to mention that I'm so psyched that you're listening to and into Matterhorn (by Karl Marlantes; narrated by Bronson Pinchot)! It's been a couple years since I've listened to it and I still have very vivid memories of the experience!
Since I started listening to audiobooks, my memory has improved dramatically. It's like a house is being built inside my head and each section of the house is made up of the chapters. For both audio and print, I can now "see" structures of stories and recall more detail not only of scenes (effect of the words) but of the words themselves as well. Then, I started seeing the architecture of the stories in printed books as well. For whatever reason, houses never form in my mind while I'm reading on an eReader. I see the words and register the content; but I never feel the story. I went and did a ratings comparison of books I read on an eReader vs print books. Without exception, I rated eBook titles at 2- and 3-stars and, in my notes saw that "flatness" was the most common adjective I used to describe eBook titles. I compared across similar titles over a period of two-and-a half years. For awhile, I was vetting mss on an eReader; but I found that no matter how intently I was reading, my brain seemed to be in "skim" mode. I wasn't getting enough of the feel of the book, much less able to process nuance or subtext.
Of course the downside is that I can now see when the foundations of a book aren't very strong or when a passage doesn't work. Also, continuity errors scream at me!
In terms of strict audio vs hard copy print though, I have to say I've had more experiential memories with audio than with print. I may have told you this story before, but it bears repeating: After having listening to the first chapter of Matterhorn, I had gone to bed for the night and somewhere in the middle of the night, I was in a half asleep/half awake state and dreaming. I was sweating even though it was only April, and breathing hard. I thought I was in VietNam and that there was a leech attached to my leg. I screamed and tore the leech off of my leg. It turned out that the "leech" was actually a Band-Aid. In my defense, I will say that that Band-Aid had no idea what hit it and I got it good! :-/
Good audiobooks are more likely to leave indelible memories in my mind, i.e. as if I had experienced what happened in the book rather than "just" read or listened to it.
I'm probably not explaining this very well; but hopefully well enough :-)
I'm a tri-reader: e-ink ebooks, print and audio. I love all three, however since I got my nook, a couple of years ago, I only read books in print that my library does not have in ebook form. That and graphic novels or art books. While I do miss the heft and smell of print, I find absolutely no difference in my enjoyment or rentention with ebooks. I tend to be more particular about audio books as the narrator's voice or style can be a total turn off. My towering TBR pile is made up of a mix of all three formats. A good problem to have.
Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "nancy wrote: "Hi Tanya,I agree with you..it seems that my retention is negatively impacted using my e-reader...but, that said, it serves a very useful purpose.
How do your audiobook reads compare ..."
Tanya, so glad to hear from you and love your vivid description of your audiobook comprehension. I think I don't absorb audiobooks well because I'm either running or walking or driving while I listen.
Here's an example. There are so many great reviews of Beautiful Ruins. I listened to it in the car and found so many flaws in it. Was it
because I stopped and started listening too often...or that I was distracted while I read it? Do you listen to your books straight through like when you're reading print copies?
By the way..Hope you're coming to Vermont. Best, N
PS: I'm really loving Matterhorn and I'm both reading and listening to it with Kindle's whispersync technology that syncs any Kindle app equipped device with with the spot you left off at in your audiobook.
nancy wrote: "...Do you listen to your books straight through like when you're reading print copies?
By the way..Hope you're coming to Vermont. Best, N
PS: I'm really loving Matterhorn and I'm both reading and listening to it with Kindle's whispersync technology that syncs any Kindle app equipped device with with the spot you left off at in your audiobook. "
Hey Nancy!
LOL, My ears are pretty much assaulted by an audio/narrator 24/7/365, but I'll confine this comment to listening to audio outside of work and home! I listen to audios in the car, while I'm on the exercise bike and when I'm playing Angry Birds! I cannot just sit and listen to an audiobook. I have to be doing something else automatically or I fall asleep! I limit my listening to 45 minute stretches before I decompress my ears for about 10-15 minutes. I listen to an average of 6 hours of audio a day, usually across two or three different titles. Somewhere else in the goodreads/BOTNS universe we were talking about book polygamy. I think I'm able to process multiple books across different formats only because I was raised on television! Just like with TV, I can switch to different shows and pick up story lines with up to a week between episodes. Anyway, I never listen to audio when I'm walking or hiking as I'm in Black Bear/mountain biker/rattlesnake territory and I need to be able to hear my real environment. Also, there are days when I need quiet times, where the only thing I can hear is the house settling or the dogs sighing!
Except in the studio, I don't read the text while I'm listening as my reading and listening rates are too disparate. However, once I get around to Wolf Hall (by Hillary Mantel; narrated by Simon Slater) I'll be doing both at the same time. I've tried reading it and then listening to it and, I had difficulty with both formats; but I read & listened to the first chapter and it helped enormously. I have mixed feelings about bundling. I like the concept of it; but only if I can also buy the items a la carte (as it is now.) It would be even better if you got a small discount to apply to the purchase of additional components as you need/want them. What I don't want to see is a sort of cable TV approach to bundling where you have to pay for more than what you want to get what you want.
Alas, no I will not be at #BooktopiaVT. The weekend falls on my daughter's birthday weekend. I will however be at #BooktopiaWA :-)
By the way..Hope you're coming to Vermont. Best, N
PS: I'm really loving Matterhorn and I'm both reading and listening to it with Kindle's whispersync technology that syncs any Kindle app equipped device with with the spot you left off at in your audiobook. "
Hey Nancy!
LOL, My ears are pretty much assaulted by an audio/narrator 24/7/365, but I'll confine this comment to listening to audio outside of work and home! I listen to audios in the car, while I'm on the exercise bike and when I'm playing Angry Birds! I cannot just sit and listen to an audiobook. I have to be doing something else automatically or I fall asleep! I limit my listening to 45 minute stretches before I decompress my ears for about 10-15 minutes. I listen to an average of 6 hours of audio a day, usually across two or three different titles. Somewhere else in the goodreads/BOTNS universe we were talking about book polygamy. I think I'm able to process multiple books across different formats only because I was raised on television! Just like with TV, I can switch to different shows and pick up story lines with up to a week between episodes. Anyway, I never listen to audio when I'm walking or hiking as I'm in Black Bear/mountain biker/rattlesnake territory and I need to be able to hear my real environment. Also, there are days when I need quiet times, where the only thing I can hear is the house settling or the dogs sighing!
Except in the studio, I don't read the text while I'm listening as my reading and listening rates are too disparate. However, once I get around to Wolf Hall (by Hillary Mantel; narrated by Simon Slater) I'll be doing both at the same time. I've tried reading it and then listening to it and, I had difficulty with both formats; but I read & listened to the first chapter and it helped enormously. I have mixed feelings about bundling. I like the concept of it; but only if I can also buy the items a la carte (as it is now.) It would be even better if you got a small discount to apply to the purchase of additional components as you need/want them. What I don't want to see is a sort of cable TV approach to bundling where you have to pay for more than what you want to get what you want.
Alas, no I will not be at #BooktopiaVT. The weekend falls on my daughter's birthday weekend. I will however be at #BooktopiaWA :-)
thanks for the explanation..I'm the same way about listening without doing something else. I'm a professional multitasked...so I have to listen plus...sorry about vt. I was thinking of going to Michigan but maybe washington?
N
Elizabeth wrote: "I tend to be more particular about audio books as the narrator's voice or style can be a total turn off. ..."I agreed. I have had to stop listening to a couple so far. I read both in print; one I ended up liking a lot and the other I hated. Not sure what that says about my listening style yet...
Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "However, once I get around to Wolf Hall (by Hillary Mantel; narrated by Simon Slater) I'll be doing both at the same time. I've tried reading it and then listening to it and, I had difficulty with both formats;..."I responded to another comment about the 2 audio books I have had to stop listening too. One of them was Wolf Hall and it was the one I ended up hating in print too. But, a couple of people in my book club have loved it (or at least liked it strongly). Good luck!
I am currently finishing Wolf Hall (in print). It has not been an easy book. Too many characters and it is easy to get lost sometimes in the narration of the story. However, my advice is to keep on going despite of not understanding or enjoying some bits. I am still doubting in giving it 3 or 4 starts once I am done. I guess the last pages will define my verdict.
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
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Kent Haruf for instance, I loved his books and his writing and I haven't seen anything new from him for a long, long time.
Oh, I like this...I'm certain if I think about this I can come up with some.