What Are You Reading - December 2011

[Kevin]

I am so busy teaching my first year I am only reading what is required for my students. I am almost done with "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Crucible". Next I will be reading "The Odyssey" and "To Kill a Mockingbird." I have been pecking away to try and finish "The Book Thief," but it has been slow.

[Deborah]

Kevin, consider Lombardo's translation. It's very modern in some ways, and yet, I think very true. He's really wonderful.

Translation of the Odyssey, that is :)

[Ellen]

I'm currently reading Oblomov for my Russian Lit fix and Poison to satisfy my pre- renaissance curiosities. Both are interesting

[Deborah]

I just started Lonesome Dove. I don't understand. How did I miss this?
It's smart, and funny. The voices of the characters are so articulated and the writing is gorgeous. He does what more writers need to do - to show the world without it feeling like you're buried in details.

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

I've decided to start Reamde

[Laurin]

I received Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope for Christmas, so I'm starting this.

[Ruth]

I've finished The Handmaid's Tale. I'm still plugging along with Imajica and Thus Spake Zarathustra. I'm enjoying both of them, it's just taking a while to get through them. :) Also reading The Doll's House

[Philippa]

Just started on Room it seems very interesting although I think the narrator will take a little getting used to.

Got a few books stacked up for over Christmas as the plan is to have a couple of days during my 10days off just for me to relax with my feet up and a book. Although I don't really help myself much as a brief trip to the library to return just one book saw me come home with 3 :S

[Logophile]

I'd be interested to hear what you think of Reamde when you're done, K.L. I haven't read any Neal Stephenson, though Cryptonomicon has been on my to-read list for a while. But I've heard good things about Reamde, so I'm wondering if I should start there instead?

I'm currently reading In the Night Garden for another GR group, and I'm happy to have been introduced to it! I'm also lingering over Unconquered Countries: four novellas by Geoff Ryman. I've finished three and want to make the book last so I haven't started the fourth. I forgot how much I like Ryman.

And, lest I get pegged as a genre-only reader, I'm also reading Sergeant Getulio, by the Brazilian author João Ubaldo Ribeiro. I can highly recommend The Lizard's Smile by him, which I read quite some years ago. I'm only a few pages in to Getulio. I think I might not have the stomach for it until after the holidays are over.

[Booksy]

Just finished another wonderful instalment in the Harry Hole (Oslo Police detective) series - "The Devil Star" -by Jo Nesbo (I thought it was the best so far).
Returned from our library with the whole heap of new books (as if I needed those!!! I still have a few eBooks that I started and need to finish).
Started reading "The Hunger Games" (Suzanne Collins), it's not my type of a book and yet I wanted to read it as the main theme intrigued me. We'll see.
I am also in the middle of reading a few magazines ("Good Reading", "The Monthly").

[Marlene]

I just finished The Handmaids Tale and am starting to re-read the Hungergame-series as well. :)

And then comes christmas...

[Zino]

i just started with a grain of wheat i am suffring with it no references no analysis i wish i could find a help

[Janice]

I just startet with The Tiger´s Wife and over Christmas break I´ll be reading a book about Tolkien and C.S.Lewis and a French book (le voyage d´Hector ou la recherche du bonheur, I don´t know if anyone is familia with it), for school I´ll be reading The tempest by Shakespeare and then, of course, there will be various books I can expect for Christmas ...that should be a stressful but great time :)

[MountainAshleah]

Ellen wrote: "I'm currently reading Oblomov for my Russian Lit fix and Poison to satisfy my pre- renaissance curiosities. Both are interesting"

What do you think of Oblomov? it's on my near term list.

[MountainAshleah]

Listening to The Gambler on CD, reading Petersburg and crawling very slowly through Dostoïevski. All first rate.

[Karen]

Philippa wrote: "Just started on Room it seems very interesting although I think the narrator will take a little getting used to.

I loved Room. I read it in one day. It's been a long time since I read something I absolutely did not want to put down.

it took me a while to decide to read it because I was put off by the idea of a child narrator, but I ended up surprised at how quickly I got over that. How are you faring with it?

[Kim]

Haven't found much time to read lately but I finished Ready Player One and Artemis Fowl and have started Lies My Teacher Told Me About Christopher Columbus: What Your History Books Got Wrong.

[The Pirate Ghost]

I finished up 1984 by Orwell, the list of those i my last post including Bubba and the Missing Woman now I've started on The Altman Code by Robert Ludlum.

[Zino]

Hugh (A.K.A. Hermit the Curmudgeon) wrote: "I finished up 1984 by Orwell,a friend of mine suggested 1984for me i did not read it yet but i am planning to is it that good novel

[Marlene]

1984 is AMAZING. I really liked it, when we had to do it as group read!
I´m trying for Jane Eyre - again. Never got around to reading it, but with two week without school... ;)

[The Pirate Ghost]

If you've read 1984, I have a review on it somewhere (on the book I think) if you haven't read it, the review's a spoiler.

but i liked it a lot! Deep.

[Lawyer]

December's reads have been especially enjoyable. "The Postman Always Rings Twice," for "Pulp Fiction Group," Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock," a sheer pleasure, Brad Gooch's fine biography of Flannery O'Connor, "Flannery," and, my belated discovery of Donald Harington's first Stay More novel, "Lightning Bug." I can't say enough about how good an author Harington was. He remains a relatively undiscovered American treasure.

For a complete change of pace, I'm approximately 3/4 done with Max Allan Collins' Hard Case Crime edition of "The First Quarry," concerning Quarry's first hit. "Quarry first appeared in "The Broker," in published in 1976. Collins is a prolific author, perhaps best known as the creator of "The Road to Perdition," first appearing as a graphic novel. He has since written two novel sequels to the Perdition story. Significantly, Collins has completed a number of Mickey Spillane novels unfinished at Spillane's death. Collins is well worth the read if you are a fan of noir, crime, of hard boiled detective fiction. Reviewing Collins' novel "True Crime" featuring historical detective Nate Heller, the New York Times review says, "The liveliest thing about ''True Crime'' is the dialogue, which doesn't quite have the percussive music of that of a master like Elmore Leonard but nevertheless crackles with low-life meanness and cynical humor."

Finally, Christmas came a few days early. The Library of America's first volume of the works of Raymond Chandler, "Stories and Early Novels" was delivered today. As soon as I'm done with Quarry, I'm on to "The Big Sleep" chosen as January's Pulp Fiction group read.

Still to follow, "Never Let me Go," for Literary Explorations' January group read.

As we near the end of the year, I think our moderators deserve a huge round of applause. Their work in keeping this group going is surely a labor of love.

While books have been my beloved companions since childhood, the groups in which I participate, the friendships I have established have made my reading an even greater pleasure.

My thanks to all who share their thoughtful opinions on books, reading, writing, You're a special group of folks.

[Melki]

Hear, hear, Mike. Well said. This is a special group. So glad to have found it.

[MountainAshleah]

Mike wrote: "December's reads have been especially enjoyable. "The Postman Always Rings Twice," for "Pulp Fiction Group," Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock," a sheer pleasure, Brad Gooch's fine biography of Flan..."

Nice comments.

[M.L.]

Yes, nicely put :)

Another one for the year, enjoying The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - great effect with such economy of words.

[Kim]

Finally finished The Handmaid's Tale. What a great book to finish on Christmas Eve :P

Thank you Mike and Melki. KL must be thrilled with how this group is progressing and we're lucky to have such great members. We should all thank KL for starting this group :)

There's not much left of December so I'm not going to start any new books, just try and finish the ones I have going. Then get started on the pile of books for January.

[Tanya]

I'm listening to my first audio book ever ' A Long Long Way ' by Sebastian Barry, and I'm reading 'Hellfire ' by Mia Gallagher, I'm only through the first chapter or two but feeling I will enjoy it. Wishing everyone a peaceful christmas.

[MountainAshleah]

Tanya wrote: "I'm listening to my first audio book ever ' A Long Long Way ' by Sebastian Barry, and I'm reading 'Hellfire ' by Mia Gallagher, I'm only through the first chapter or two but feeling I will enjoy i..."
"Wishing everyone a peaceful christmas." That's a very nice thought, Tanya. Thank you.

[Sonali]

Flash Beagle wrote: "Yes, nicely put :)

Another one for the year, enjoying The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - great effect with such economy of words."
The movie is a classic too. All of le Carre's novels are good reads.

[Sonali]

Mike wrote: "December's reads have been especially enjoyable. "The Postman Always Rings Twice," for "Pulp Fiction Group," Graham Greene's "Brighton Rock," a sheer pleasure, Brad Gooch's fine biography of Flan..."

Absolutely agree.

[Sonali]

Shall be visiting one of my favourite bookstores, 'Crossword', here in Mumbai, tomorrow, to buy the Ishiguro book for the January read, and some of the others that KL has compiled.

[The Pirate Ghost]

I've been reading The Altman Code by Robert Ludlum. It's not the same as vintage Ludlum like the Parcifal Mosaic, the Borne Trilogy, or the Holcroft covenant, but it's an enjoyable read.

[Wendy]

Tanya wrote: "I'm listening to my first audio book ever ' A Long Long Way ' by Sebastian Barry, and I'm reading 'Hellfire ' by Mia Gallagher, I'm only through the first chapter or two but feeling I will enjoy i..."

Hope you are enjoying Hellfire, I love this book. Picked it up in the library a while back really because i liked the cover and after reading it had to buy it. Its not really the kind of book i would normally read but so glad i did. Would love to read it for group reads.

[Kim]

Just finished Snow Crash and am now reading The Improbable Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, a Sherlock Holmes short story collection by some great authors.

Wandered around the massive Powell's Books in Portland today and picked up a small pile :)

[Laurin]

Just finished The Seven Dials Mystery, The Sign of Four, and Freaks.

[The Pirate Ghost]

I just finished The Altman Code by Robert Ludlum and before that the crown jewl of the Bubba Snoddy line.. Bubba and the Missing Woman by C.L. Bevill

[M.L.]

I must be having an end of year flurry :) I'm reading - The Return of Sherlock Holmes (short story collection) - wanted a nice solid protagonist and of course with his amiable Watson; Planesrunner (read a review about it in the LA Times and was looking for a quick moving science fiction - http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/...) by Ian McDonald - and I found it - and What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Murakami, Haruki, so readable, enjoyable, and insightful.

[Lawyer]

Deborah wrote: "Kevin, consider Lombardo's translation. It's very modern in some ways, and yet, I think very true. He's really wonderful.

Translation of the Odyssey, that is :)"

Ah, I like the Fagles translation. But, I'll have to look at the Lombardo.

[Deborah]

Mike wrote: "Ah, I like the Fagles translation. But, I'll have to look at the Lombardo."

Good! I hope you won't have a Big Yellow Taxi experience. I mean Counting Crows did a nice job with that song, but better or worse, it's not the same as when Joni Mitchell does it.

[Lawyer]

Deborah wrote: "Mike wrote: "Ah, I like the Fagles translation. But, I'll have to look at the Lombardo."

Good! I hope you won't have a Big Yellow Taxi experience. I mean Counting Crows did a nice job with that so..."

Here's an interesting read,Ransom byDavid Malouf. Priam enters the Greek camp to ransom Hector's body. You'll be Joni Mitchell satisfied that they did not pave paradise to put up a parking lot. *grin*

[Deborah]

Mike wrote: "Here's an interesting read,Ransom byDavid Malouf. Priam enters the Greek camp to ransom Hector's body. You'll be Joni Mitchell satisfied that they did not pave paradise to put up a parking lot."

And it's on Kindle!

[The Pirate Ghost]

Mike wrote: "Deborah wrote: "Mike wrote: "Ah, I like the Fagles translation. But, I'll have to look at the Lombardo."

Good! I hope you won't have a Big Yellow Taxi experience. I mean Counting Crows did a nice ..."

Wow, it's too early in the morning for me to Channel my inner Joni Mitchel without a cup of coffee.
(;={D>)

[Deborah]

I actually like Counting Crows better than Joni Mitchell. But not that song. There's an expectation with that song.

[The Pirate Ghost]

Well, the last time that "...Mr. Jones and me went strollin' through the Barios, and we'd look at the beautiful women..." She really was lookin at me... but I digress... what was talking about? I need a double expresso.

I belong in the service of the Rain King anyway.

Or something like that.

(Yes, I actually like Counting Crows better too.)

[Sonali]

Am almost at the end of Muriel Spark's Memento Mori.Having crossed 50,death and mortality does figure quite a lot in my mind.So this book with all the characters, except two, being over 70, is pretty interesting.
I bought 2 Hakan Nesser,the latest P.D.James,Morpurgo's Private Peaceful,John Connelly's The book of lost things;but sadly I did not get any of the ones we are going to read here, not even the Ishiguro.Hope I'll get it from the local library.

[Philippa]

Karen wrote: "Philippa wrote: "Just started on Room it seems very interesting although I think the narrator will take a little getting used to.

I loved Room. I read it in one day. It's been a ..."

Karen, I really enjoyed Room in the end although I can see how the narrator could be a bit annoying. In the end I sat down and read about 75% of it in one sitting. I got to a certain point really where I just couldn't put it down until it was finished. I think in some ways that helped with the narrative style as well I didn't have to go away and get back in to it again. I just tried to 'go' with it.

I was really busy earlier in the week so didn't get as much reading done as planned but had a couple of quiet 'me' time days with my feet up now and read The Lace Reader and The School of Night (which was all done in 2 sittings and the break was only because I HAD to sleep!). Both very enjoyable books and I'd certainly recommend Louis Bayard's works to any and all interested in historical fiction particularly historical crime fiction. I always think he creates an excellent sense of time and place and I am always completed drawn in to the story. An unappreciated gem I think!

Am finishing my year of reading with an old favourite from childhood - Ella Enchanted I literally read this book to bits. My original copy ended up in such a state that my Mum had to buy me a second one!

[M.L.]

Sonali wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "Yes, nicely put :)

Another one for the year, enjoying The Spy Who Came in from the Cold - great effect with such economy of words."
The movie is a classic too. A..."

I just saw the trailer - Wow - I'd forgotten how amazing Richard Burton was/is. Will definitely see the movie!

[Marlene]

I got "Rubinrot" for christmas. By now it was translated into English, Rubyred. I never imagined I would love the series so much. Immediately I got volume two and three and am now reading the series for the second time.
I love christmas!