Book Nook Cafe discussion
What did you read last month?
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What I read November 2011
Madrano wrote: I liked your review, Stephanie. It's an interesting idea for a book, too, even if it did lose it's appeal toward the end. AND it's neat to realize you aren't alone in your pleasure or disdain for certain products. My family laughed at my pure delight when liquid laundry detergent caps were redesigned to empty the drips back into the container._____
I just did laundry today, and I laughed when the last drips of laundry detergent rolled back into the neck of the bottle through the little hole around the edges. :-)
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "I hope you reconsider, JoAnn. I think it really adds to the discussion and helps with the flow. I was serious that I enjoyed reading your post. It was not a waste at all. ...."-----------
Could you copy and paste?
Sometimes what I do is as I make an email to myself after each read with my comments. Then at the end of the month I just copy and paste it to this thread.
Alias Reader wrote: "Could you copy and paste?Sometimes what I do is as I make an email to myself after each read with my comments. Then at the end of the month I just copy and paste it to this thread. .."
I probably could but I would still have to do the link for the book.
And why should I when someone could just click on my link?!?!?!!?
I guess we will just have to disagree on this, JoAnn.Reading the post as you did it this month is just a nice way to get the discussion going.
If I just wanted to see what you read, I also could just check your book shelf. But that really wouldn't make me post about what I see. Just like clicking on the link doesn't. It's just the way it is I'm afraid.
This is more of a conversation starter and friendlier to post as you did this month. We are one of the few boards who do it this way. Other boards, people just click on a person's avatar and check out their bookshelf and reviews.
So what did the rest of you all read in November ?
Just want to add that I really enjoy everyone's brief but informative reviews for the month. It is where I find most of my books to add to my TBR, and I enjoy the discussions/opinions that follow too.
Thanks, Lesley. I enjoy reading what people read last month, too.
I'm thinking I must have forgotten to record something that I read this past month, because I only see two titles in my reader's journal, and I'm always reading something.The Postmistress --2* -- I had looked forward to reading this, but was disappointed. I found it disjointed, and couldn't see the point of much of it. The European experiences of Frankie Bard were the most interesting parts, I think. The doctor's leaving his new wife, whom he seemed to love very much, was difficult to understand. We discussed this in our local book group, and quite a few members felt it was poorly written. I just didn't get the author's point, I guess.
Twilight - 2* - This book annoyed me, although I did finish it. I had read another by this writer several years ago, and although I cannot remember the title, I recalled liking it. This one, apparently, is the 10th in a series featuring Jenny Cain, who runs a foundation in a small New England town. Some of the characters just didn't ring true to me, and there was a lot of repetition.
I must have read something else between these two titles, but darned if I can remember. Not a great reading month, apparently.
Carolyn (in SC) C234D wrote: "I'm thinking I must have forgotten to record something that I read this past month, because I only see two titles in my reader's journal, and I'm always reading something.[book:The Postmistress|6..."
Thank you Carolyn, I really appreciate your comments which tell a whole lot more than a simple rating would.
Carolyn (in SC) C234D wrote:The Postmistress --2* -- I had looked forward to reading this, but was disappointed. I found it disjointed, and couldn't see the point of much of it.
------------
My library group read this. I couldn't get past the first few chapters. Since I didn't choose this book myself, I just gave up on it. The main character, Frankie, just didn't ring true to me.
These are actually my October and November reads. I'm way behind on my book-housekeeping!Shanghai Girls - Lisa See. Two teenage sisters in Shanghai are married off to American men in repayment of a debt their father owed to the mens' family. Their journey to the US is dangerous and troubled, as is their adjustment to life in a new world. An okay read but nothing special. B-
State of Wonder - Ann Patchett. A medical researcher travels to the Amazon jungle to find out what happened to her coworker who died after being sent down there earlier to investigate the work being done by a doctor whose research was funded by the company they work for. I started out not wanting to read this book, and not liking it much at first, but as I got deeper into the story and deeper into the jungle, and then later as I discussed it with friends, it turned out that I liked it very much after all. A-
Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case - Debbie Nathan. There's a lot of evidence in this book that would have one believe that the original story of Sybil was a mass of fabrications and lies. True or not, the original story was fascinating and true or not, this book also held my interest. B+
Dark Places - Gillian Flynn. A woman whose brother is in prison for murdering her mother and sisters years ago becomes involved with a group of true crime enthusiasts who are trying to prove that the brother is innocent. Even though Libby witnessed the crimes and testified against her brother in court, she begins to wonder if her memories are real. I enjoyed this book, but it reminded me of why I don't read a lot of mysteries. It's always about "who done it" and if you read closely, you probably can figure it out early on. At least I did. B
Mildred Pierce - James Cain. A big juicy read set in Los Angeles in the 1930s where Mildred divorces her ne'er-do-well husband, opens her own business, sleeps around, fails to see how evil her daughter is, succeeds in running a chain of restaurants until.......well, read the book. It's much better than the movie, but it was good to be able to picture Joan Crawford in some of the important scenes. There's some really good atmospheric writing here and now I can add the word "varlet" to my vocabulary. A.
Fiction Ruined My Family - Jeanne Darst. A mostly funny memoir from a former St. Louisan whose father moved the family to New York where he intended to write the Great American Novel and support them in the style to which they hoped to become accustomed. But that never happened. Instead the father stumbled through life, the mother drank too much, and Jeanne herself became an alcoholic. None of this sounds very funny, and although it was painful to read at times, I did enjoy Darst's skewed way of looking at the life she lived. My favorite line comes when her mother sneaks vodka into her bottle of contact lens solution which her father mistakenly squirts into his eye. On being accused she says, "We don't do drugs, sweet pea. We're from Ladue." (You might have to be from St. Louis to appreciate that!) A-
Shanghai Girls
State of Wonder
Sybil Exposed: The Extraordinary Story Behind the Famous Multiple Personality Case
Dark Places
Mildred Pierce
Fiction Ruined My Family
I read the first two, Connie. I agree with what you said about them both. I was disappointed in Shanghai Girls though.
Thank you Connie for all your great comments. Just had to add State of Wonder and Mildred Pierce to my TBR list...sigh, I was hoping to shrink it.
Connie, I totally agree on Shanghai girls. Nothing special. Actually, you were kinder than I was. As always, I enjoyed reading your reviews.
I have been interested in State of Wonder. Thanks Connie.
Alias, clicking on the link to someone's books would hardly deter me from commenting on the books she read that month. Why would it?I often put links to articles in my posts, and that has never stopped anyone from commenting on/discussing the article.
JoAnn I really don't know what you want me to say. I've tried to explain my point of view. You disagree. If you rather not create a post and just give a link than that's fine. It's certainly better than not posting at all.
Nothing to be said....laziness just makes me pissy. I understand your POV. Do you understand mine, though? Let's go after the 850+ so-called members here who never post. That laziness makes me pissy too. LOL
When Joan Didion wrote The Year of Magical Thinking there was so much hoopla about what a great author she was the I decided to read it. Then she wrote Blue Nights recently about the death of her daughter. I fail to understand the following that this woman has in the book world. I find her to be very self-absorbed and needy. I knew little of her husband in the first book, only that he died suddenly of a heart attack. Most of that book was about Joan, all of the famous friends she had, all of the aspects of her privileged life, etc. It was advertised that she would talk about her daughter, Quantana Roo's mental health issues and death in her next book, Blue Nights so I got the book hoping I would like it better than the first one. I read the whole book waiting for her to discuss her daughter's 'issues', etc., but again, most of the book was about Joan Didion, how she is aging, her health issues, blah blah blah. I will not read another book written by her.
RNOCEAN, I could not have said it better (what you wrote about Didion). So I will just say "ditto".JOANN
I thought maybe Blue Nights would be better and felt that I could identify since I lost a daughter the same age as her daughter. I hoped to gain some insight into how she dealt with her grief and compare it to mine. I think that through all of her loss, she is only focused on herself and does not have the ability to find compassion other than for herself.
RNOCEAN wrote: "I thought maybe Blue Nights would be better and felt that I could identify since I lost a daughter the same age as her daughter...."I am so sorry to hear this.
I think Didion is selfish and self-centered.....probably in all aspects of her life.
Alias Reader wrote: "I hope you reconsider, JoAnn. I think it really adds to the discussion and helps with the flow. I was serious when I said that I enjoyed reading your post. It was not a waste at all. ..."For what its worth, I enjoyed it too. Easier than clicking on every one of your review links.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I often put links to articles in my posts, and that has never stopped anyone from commenting on/discussing the article...."I ignore links very often. Especially when I am at work.
It's So Easy: and other lies by Duff McKagan. Not full of dirt on his GNR days. Much of the book is about his recovery from addiction. But, overall, it was a surprisingly well written, introspective memoir. Now that he's a father of two girls, I can understand why he wants to be more circumspect about the GNR days.
The Haunting of Hill Houseby Shirley Jackson. 182 pages. One of my favorite Halloween, haunted house-type books. This is the third time I've read it; I drag it out about once a decade. Still enjoy it. If you haven't read it, plan to next Halloween. But don't read too much about it- no reviews or comments- spoilers would ruin it.
Love and Warby John Jakes. My main objection to this series- and pretty much every single John Jake book I've read- is that they are needlessly smutty. I guess, if you think about it, sex sells and at least he's selling history along side it. Parts of this book are slow moving- portions could have been edited out. Overall, a solid if unspectacular book.
Openby Andre Agassi. 388 pages. Celebrity biographies and memoirs. They are one of those guilty pleasures for me. I find that I mostly focus on "nostalgia" figures- people from my "youth", I guess. I grew up loving and playing tennis. Even so, Agassi was not one of my favorite players. I'm more old fashioned about my tennis, I suppose. But, living in Vegas, you can't help but admire Agassi and the work he has done on behalf of children in this city. So, I decided to read the book. I was surprised- this is one of the best celebrity memoirs I've read. Almost on par with Keith Richard's Life. A caution, he spends a lot of time, of course, describing tennis matches. A 4 star book, which is a rare, high rating for me for a memoir.
Past Perfectby Leila Sales. 322 pages. This was a book that came up on my GR Recommendations page. I've seen it, but I had no real desire to read it until it came up as a recommended book. Then, I thought, I'd read it to see how "good" the GR recommendations are. I actually really liked it- somewhere between a 3 1/2 and 4 star book. My main objections- wow, the language is bad for a YA book. I think I prefer the "F" word to "GD" which is just very, very uncalled for.
Rafa: My Story by Rafael Nadal. 272 pages. What does it say about us as a society, or me in particular, that renders "nice" into boring? Nadal is one of the tennis world's "gentleman" players. He also just seems like a nice guy and good son- the kind of son any mother would be happy to have. Yet, overall, this book is a snoozefest compared to Agassi's Open.
Beauty, Disrupted: A Memoir by Carre Otis. Written by the woman who was married to Mickey Rourke. Sad that this is even how I think of her. Hers is a compelling and interesting story. One thing that was really disturbing: pictures included in the book that are from the time where she's considered a "Plus-sized" model. She looks good- fit and normal. What a completely screwed up society we are!
The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan. 279 pages. This is not great writing in my opinion. But, in being pretty middle of the road, something for everyone, fluffy-type read, Riordan also doesn't use a lot of bad language or have sex. Both big pluses, to me, in a YA series.
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. I really wanted to love this book. It's set in Scotland and, well, that's enough to interest me in a book. It's a time slip/travel book that bounces between the present and one of the Jacobian Uprisings. I found the present day story boring- plus, when a love triangle developed I just about wanted to throw the book across the room. I found myself thinking, I hope the chapters set in the present day are short, let's get back to history. The historical side was wonderful. So, basically, I spent half the book bored and half the book enthralled. I guess that averages out to a 3 star rating, right?
I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution by Craig Marks. 384 pages. It works as a nostalgia piece for those of us who remember the "Golden Years" (80's, very early 90's) of MTV. Where else could you get interviews/quotes from a range of musicians from Limahl (of Kajagoogoo) to Dave Mustaine to Simon Lebon, etc.?
City of Whispers by Marcia Muller. I'm still fond of the main character and this series even though it's not quite as good as it used to be. I still read every single book in the series, but I'm not rushing out to buy it.
A Race to Splendor: A tale of rivalry, redemption, and the rebuilding of a devastated city by Ciji Ware. I have tried to read this book half a dozen times. I just couldn't get past the first chapter or even the first few pages. However, this book fit perfectly for a challenge. So, I forced myself to keep reading. Really glad I finally did. It picks up quite quickly after the first chapter. (It is about the San Francisco Earthquake and the author gets to it rather quickly.) I'm really glad I gave this book a 7th chance. My main problem with the book- the romantic elements and sex scene. Just didn't work with the book about a turn of the century career woman.
Second Grave on the Leftby Darynda Jones. One of the little subplots of this book- Charley finding Reyes, bores me completely. I like the private detective aspects of the book. The rest I find tedious. A 2 star book. I'm not going to let myself be talked into reading the next in this series.
11/22/63by Stephen King. 849 pages. I stayed up late finishing this book. I didn't like parts of the ending, but highly recommend this book. I think this will eventually rank up there with his best books.
A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. I'm not sure how to rate this book, I'm thinking 3 1/2 stars- so should I round up or down? Parts of this book reminded me of the best of Dickens- messy, funny, sweet, sentimental in a wonderful way. Other parts- boring, boring, boring. Like War and Peace, the author just kills the momentum of the book by introducing some dry side story. I guess it must have been overall good, right? I made it through 1349 pages- some of which went quite quickly.
American on Purpose by Craig Ferguson. He was one of my favorite characters on the Drew Carey Show. I've never seen his talk show- too late for me. His book was enjoyable and funny. Interesting tidbit from the book- in his less famous days, he dated an actress who went to school with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie. And he reports they were nice to him, an unknown.
Flip This Zombie by Jesse Petersen. This was a series that I thought was going to be really lame, but I ended up enjoying. Urban fantasy with zombies, but cute.
Eat Slay Love by Jesse Petersen. Such a cute series, which is saying something considering it features zombies.
Fortune's Favorites by Colleen McCullough. The series is now veering into "standard" Roman history- the time and people most familiar- Caesar, Pompey, Crassus. I appreciate how she started this series a few generation back to give some background. The series is as good as I remember and is probably one of my favorite historical fiction series.
I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley. I wasn't wild about the last book in the series. Sometimes, mystery series just start going bad- maybe the author gets tired of writing them, maybe they let the storylines stagnate, etc. So, I was surprised that this one was so enjoyable. Hopefully, this will be a series that will stay enjoyable for a long time- I do hope it becomes a long running series.
Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Overall a good book although the last chapter read like an extended ad for Apple products. Learned some interesting things, but quite a bit was a rehash of fairly well known "Steve Stories". Not quite sure how to rate this book... must think on it.
New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer by Bill Maher. I don't like TV, so I don't really watch a lot of it. I also don't get to watch a lot of it except for Spongebob and other kid type things. So, my husband cancelled my premium cable channels and the only things I miss are Bill Maher and Dexter.
Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid by Denis Leary. I love Dennis Leary. Is anyone old enough to remember his great "rants" on MTV- what was it 2 decades ago? I'm also working through some of my "I hate Christmas" type feelings right now.
Into the Wildernessby Sara Donati. Parts of it were wonderful, not much historical fiction about this time period so the book is welcome in that respect. The ending, though, totally corny and trite. Just ruined a lot of the book for me. I'll have to wait awhile to start the sequel- it was that bad an ending.
Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. Kept hearing about this book, so I had to read it. I've been in the mood for some light, humorous books, so this seemed to fit that. It was funny- kind of more men humor, Three Stooges funny, though.
True Grit by Charles Portis. I don't like Westerns, in general. Movies or books. I did, however, like this book. It's like Lonesome Dove, westerns for people who don't normally like westerns.
Well Shay, you know how I feel about Open and I agree. It was one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. Loved the new King book just because it made me imagine for a time what could have been. I am in the midst of Winter Sea and yes, it is more romance inspired than historical. ....and the Jobs book was fascinating but in a way it was all Apple wasn't it? So glad to see you here.....
Marialyce wrote: "Well Shay, you know how I feel about Open and I agree. It was one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. Loved the new King book just because it made me imagine for a time what could have be..."I think it will be a while before we get a definitive Steve Jobs biography. Isaacson admits he knew Jobs was sick, dying. Admits to an admiration for him. I think that Jobs is so idolized and demonized that it will take a few years to analyze him objectively. Not that Isaacson left out the dirt and bad stuff, but I felt that he also subscribed to the "genius forgives all things" theory a little too much.
Shay, love your reviews. I also really enjoyed Open, as I am a tennis fan, and admire Andre, Rafa and Roger. I have read ordinary reviews of Rafa's book so have passed on that one. I have, however, recently bought this one for my father; Strokes of Genius: Federer, Nadal, and the Greatest Match Ever Played.
Shay, what wonderful reading you did. Unfortunately I've now increased my TBR list. Although I was never a great fan of Andre Agassi this does look like a good read.
I absolutely loved reading your November reads, Shay. Thank you so much for sharing with us.I totally agree with you about
Open~Andre Agassi. I am not a tennis fan, but I thought this book was a terrific read. I gave it a top rating.
Regarding, The Haunting of Hill House~Shirley Jackson I don't think I read it. I know I read The Lottery. I should re-read that one again. I read it ages ago when I was in school.
American on Purpose~Craig Ferguson
I have this on my TBR list. Glad to hear you liked it. He is one of the creators of my favorite show, Doc Martin. I seldom catch his show, as it goes on too late.
Beauty, Disrupted: The Carre Otis StoryCarre Otis
I have to say the movie, The Pope of Greenwich Village is one of my favorites. Micky Rourke and Eric Roberts (brother of Julia) are great.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087932/
We had a Buddy Read of 11/22/63.
If you want to check out and comment on it in that thread.
Thanks again for sharing and welcome to Book Nook Cafe. I really look forward to reading your posts.
RNOCEAN wrote: "but again, most of the book was about Joan Didion, how she is aging, her health issues, blah blah blah. I will not read another book written by her. ..."People have seemed fascinated by her for decades, so it doesn't surprise me that she writes so much about herself. There has always been a creepy aspect to her, which is why i have read a couple of her books. Long ago i read an article in Cosmpolitan magazine and it just made their family seem unlikable, which is why i have been baffled by the appeal for her & her work. If she is a good writer, it's beyond me. However, as i mentioned elsewhere, i didn't dislike Magical Thinking but didn't love it, either. I didn't notice the name dropping but i don't follow celebrities enough, so suspect i didn't realize she was name dropping until JoAnn told me. I thought she was just giving shout-outs to friends, a way to express her appreciation for their thoughts in her time of need.
However, i don't intend to read her latest. She's not worth the effort anymore. I just don't "get" what moves others to want to know more about her. That written, i cannot imagine surviving all she's had to endure in losing the two most important people in her life. I suspect the book was therapy & friends in the publishing industry would publish her regardless of what they think. With her, i trust other readers here.
It's been great to read all the lists here. JoAnn, i understand your frustration to a degree. I write out my comments for my own book journal, not online. When i copy & paste, there is still all the tedious title & author linking, which is time consuming. All i can say is i surely do appreciate when people take the time to share that way, but understand why you'd rather link. I am all about doing what works best for you. Or you can alternate, as your mood strikes.
deborah
Julie wrote: "JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I often put links to articles in my posts, and that has never stopped anyone from commenting on/discussing the article...."I ignore links very often. Especially when I am at work..."
Well, you miss a lot if you do that! IMHO, of course.
I just got the audio of Craig Ferguson's book from the library. He also is the reader and I am looking forward to listening to it. He is really the only "late night guy" I like.
I'm late to the party this month, I know, but I've had a busy few weeks. Hopefully things will die down around Christmas!I have to agree with JoAnn on the links issue. I don't think people should have to spend 15 minutes writing everything out if people aren't willing to take one minute to click on a link. This took me half an hour to do.
My Review I was caught by the story, but there were so many things that just didn't add up. 4/5
My Review A boyfriend book! Interesting thoughts at the basic about ethics and what to do cloaked in capes and red underwear. 3/5
My Review A really interesting photography book comparing various families around their world and the foods that they eat. It talks about the family life and culture as well; very educational and fascinating. 3/5
My Review Classic. Love how London personifies Buck in the story. 3/5
My Review Shallow with lots of plot holes. But this is the second book of the series and I did read it voluntarily, so I'm not sure what that says. 2/5
My Review Such a thought-provoking book about language and the effect of other cultures on one another. 4/5
My Review A lovely dystopian where love is a disease and kids are cured at 18. A fun concept, though the book was a lot like a few other dystopians I've read of late. Still, 4/5
My Review I liked how this book turns stereotypes on their heads and calls out authors on their typical fantasy writing, but I didn't connect much with the main character and therefore didn't care much about what happened to her. 2/5Speak My Review The story of the fallout of a rape rather than the actual event. Finding one's voice. 4/5
My Review LOVED this book up until the very end, and would have loved it forever if it hadn't been for the last chapter. Still, four stars for it up to that point. 4/5
My Review A book of poetry from the perspectives of several kids at rehab. It was difficult to read at first because of the blank verse and the lack of clarification when first person narration was switched, but I've never read a book quite like it. 4/5
My Review My roommate bugged me enough for me to read the second. I picked it up and kept reading, expecting something to happen, but it was just angsty vampire politics. Ick. 2/5
My Review Such a sweet tale for such difficult lives! It deals with incest, which I'm not sure how I feel about, and ends in the only way it can. 4/5
My Review More YA research. I can see why people like it, but the message it conveys to young women is just terrible. 2/5
My Review A book I wanted to keep reading on my lunch breaks. It's got a great voice and it's a fun story. I'll probably read the next one. 4/5
My Review Strange new fairy tales. A little more from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter world. 4/5
My Review It felt like the book has very little heart and very little point. It tells a marvelous little tale, but it drags on; things happen with little point to the story but happen as they would in the events of a real life. The book was still quite charming and I did really like the story. But it dragged far too much and it wasn't fascinating enough to continually hold my interest. 
My Review Based on a fairytale I was unfamiliar with at the time, I thought this was still a sweet tale. A bit young, and the heroine was a bit faint of heart, but fun nonetheless. 4/5
My Review Not my favorite. It was a group read about a world of women and made for interesting discussion, but I didn't relate well to it. 3/5
My Review Started out well, then went into paranormal and was okay. It had a good sense of humor. 3/5
My Review Interesting concept, a bit rambling, but okay. 3/5Ingenue My Review Horrible. Do not read. 1/5
My Review Read as part of my YA research. Many have called it the book Twilight should have been, but I thought it had the same problems and issues as a young romance. 3/5
My Review I was swept away by this story. Book two of two. I may not have loved the ending, but the story and the emotional fights caught me in the tides. 5/5
My Review A very leaping, complex story about how once you're not longer simple, you can't go back. 4/5
My Review Really interesting in the discussion of language. 3/5
I enjoyed reading your list, Maree. Perhaps instead of linking to your review, you could just say if you want to read more check out my bookshelf and click there. Then it would take you half the time to create your post.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "RNOCEAN, I could not have said it better (what you wrote about Didion). So I will just say "ditto".JOANN"
I have to agree. Didion is an interesting, but ? self absorbed woman.
Alias Reader wrote: "I absolutely loved reading your November reads, Shay. Thank you so much for sharing with us.I totally agree with you about
Open~Andre Agassi. I am not a tennis fa..."
Agassi's book was one of the best tennis auto's I've read. I should say, that my husband read to me. I bought the book for him and he delighted in reading passages to me (and our tennis friends) at every opportunity.
Maree ♫ Light's Shadow ♪ wrote: "Interesting thoughts at the basic about ethics and what to do cloaked in capes and red underwear. 3/5..."Funny comment, Maree, about Kingdom Come, an unfamiliar title. Thanks for taking the time. I'm one who probably wouldn't read go beyond the board to read review if i had no idea what the book was. Your efforts are appreciated, this i know for a fact.
deb
Stephanie wrote: "I just did laundry today, and I laughed when the last drips of laundry detergent rolled back into the neck of the bottle through the little hole around the edges. :-) ..."I hope my observation/memory continues to bring a smile to your mind, if not your lips, during all your launder beginnings, Stephanie. Next i'll relate the joy of not needing to lick stamps before sticking them onto envelops!
deb
Scarlett wrote: Agassi's book was one of the best tennis auto's I've read. I should say, that my husband read to me. I bought the book for him and he delighted in reading passages to me (and our tennis friends) at every opportunity.-----------------------
I totally agree with you about Open~Andre Agassi The book was co-written by J.R. Moehringer. Moehringer, declined to take credit on the cover. He is the author of The Tender Bar, a book I absolutely loved.
The Tender Bar~J.R. Moehringer
Sorry I am so late with this but here is what I read:My House in Umbria 4 stars
I love William Trevor and his understated way of letting us get up close to his characters and yet maintain a certain aura around them. He never disappoints me in that he can make the mundane look and feel ever so real and true to life in all its pain and glory.
Of Mice and Men 5 stars
As usual, Steinbeck hits us with few words but such a powerful message of friendship, loyalty, and love. I adore anything this man has written.
Rebecca 3 stars
While I did like the gothic nature of this novel, I did not love it the way I thought I would. Blame for that lies with out heroine. She could not seem to be able to stand up for herself and needed a very long course on how to develop self esteem. The novel does seem dated although the writing and description are quite wonderful. The surroundings are described to a tee and one could feel themselves transported back to Manderlay as well as our no name heroine. Strange that du Mauier chose not to give her a name. It was almost as if she lacked identity which of course she did as she meandered through the house and took on the evil Mrs Danvers and the shortly dead Rebecca.
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer 2 stars
This novel was in a word weird. It had a very novel concept as its main idea, but the book did seem to drone on and on as we discover our protagonist and his special gift for sensing, separating, and internally knowing smells. His gift so to speak moves the novel and the character along a macabre and sometimes sad road. Never accepted and often shunned, Grenouille, the protagonist, uses his gift to initially survive and then move beyond that to an obsession to own human scents. He is compelled to follow his nose so to speak and finds himself apprenticed to a perfumer and learns to master the art of mixing flowers, herbs, and oils.
11/22/63 4.5stars
I absolutely loved this book and found it to be one that you just can't put down. How wonderful to see that Mr King had such a passion for this topic. He actually wanted to write it in the seventies, but gave it up at that point. Suffice to say, that having lived this era, the book brought up many emotional elements historically for me. The book is written in a preciseness that sometimes Stephen King is not known for. I really think he got it right in this book and though the topic is almost fifty years old, it still fascinates those who lived through those emotionally wrecking times.
A Town Like Alice 2 stars
I know, I know...how could I rate this book that so many loved, raved about, and rated so very highly a lowly two? Well, I do admit it started out quite well, with the introduction of our heroine, Jean Paget, the war, and the brave women who marched across Malaya in search of a prison camp to contain them. It involved tragedy, death from disease, and many moments of bravery. It was exciting, thrilling, and a real page turner at that point. Unfortunately, for this reader, that did not continue.
The Prophet by Brent Knowles not here on GR but got it as a free Kindle option and liked it surprisingly. It was a short book about the future. 3 stars
Steve Jobs 5 stars
This was a fantastic book about a man who changed the face of technology. Steve Jobs was an amazing man, driven by goals and actions which to many might seem manical. He was a man who never gave into the wants and needs of others, but followed his own path. He was definitely an innovator and one who never took no for an answer. He was a hard, seemingly ruthless thinker who oftentimes treated others including family and friends like dirt. He was opinionated, selfish, and driven by odd habits and needs. You see the real man is this novel and besides his brilliance there was not (imho) much to like.
I am also 70% through both Bleak House and Our Mutual Friend. Hope to finish them up by 12/31 in order to have completed by 150 book challenge.
Thank you Marialyce for your thoughts on the books you read in November. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, you have convinced me to add a few to my TBR file, My House in Umbria and 11/22/63, which I swore that I'd never get after the disappointments of so many of his books. But such is life and I guess I'm allowed to change my mind and give King yet another chance.I too love Steinbeck's Mice and Men. Several years ago I read and loved Rebecca. Often wonder if I'd have the same opinion now but don't want to take the chance of ruining my memory of the book now.
Marialyce wrote: "Sorry I am so late with this but here is what I read:My House in Umbria 4 stars
I love William Trevor and his understated way of letting us get up close to his characters and yet..."
---------------
Thanks for this title, Marialyce. I am always on the lookout for books set in Italy.
As to Rebecca, if your library has the movie, I found it to be quite enjoyable. Though I haven't seen it perhaps in 20 years.
Thanks for sharing your November reads with us. You had a nice reading month.
The author of the Steve Jobs book is on tonight on Book TV at 8pm. You can check the full Book TV schedule in the thread for when it repeats.
Marialyce, i always enjoy reading your thoughts on the classics, more so since that is probably my favorite genre. That you are now reading two Dickens novels impresses me, as i'm sure i would get the characters confused. Heck, i do that when i'm reading a fiction & nonfiction book in the same few days! Thank you for sharing your list.deb
Marialyce, I read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer earlier this year. Your review reflects my thoughts on it completely. I did enjoy the setting of Paris but that was all I got from it. Thanks for your reviews. I haven't read a Steinbeck yet, but will start with The Grapes of Wrath.
Lesley wrote: I haven't read a Steinbeck yet, but will start with The Grapes of Wrath. ----------------
I love Grapes !
If you can find a Critical Library, Viking edition of Grapes I highly recommend it.
There are some really good footnotes and commentary included in the book.
The Grapes of Wrath: Text and Criticism
Alias Reader wrote: "Lesley wrote: I haven't read a Steinbeck yet, but will start with The Grapes of Wrath. ----------------
I love Grapes !
If you can find a Critical Library, Viking edition of Grapes I highly reco..."
On my new year's must reread list...
Lesley wrote: "Marialyce, I read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer earlier this year. Your review reflects my thoughts on it completely. I did enjoy the setting of Paris but that was all I got from it. ..."The point where the novel failed for me was when the MC could "smell" across hills and mountains, i believe it was. Up until then, i rather enjoyed the book in all its unusual ideas but that was the step too far.
Grapes is one of my favorite all-time books. For me the beginning was almost like reading a Whitman poem, so crisp was the picture. I came to it because my nephew told me the ending (accidentally, he presumed i'd read it in high school, as he'd just done), which intrigued me no end. Of course the fact i'm from Oklahoma didn't hurt at all.
deb
As far as the classics go, if someone asked me to quickly name the top 3 that I loved, I would have to say,The Grapes of Wrath~John Steinbeck
A Tale of Two Cities~Charles Dickens
Uncle Tom's Cabin~Harriet Beecher Stowe
What are your favorite classics ?
East of Eden by John SteinbeckWuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
are the three that come to mind.
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Edith Wharton (other topics)
Robert M. Pirsig (other topics)
John Steinbeck (other topics)
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I guess I just do not like having to spend 15 minutes so others don't have to go to the "trouble" of clicking on a link!