Books on the Nightstand discussion
What Are You Currently Reading? - December 2011
I am currently reading Rules of Civility. I have been looking forward to reading this one, and am glad I have the weekend to spend with it!
I finished A Cool Breeze on the Underground. I love the two main characters in this one. I definitely want to read more in this series. I also listened to Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood. It was humorous at times but overall not as enjoyable as I had hoped.
I am almost done with Dead to the World. I am up and down from page to page with this series but it keeps me wanting to read more so it must be doing something right.
For my book group I am about halfway throughThe Gift: A Novel. It is a bit on the cheesy side but nice light holiday reading.
Once I finish these up I'm looking at either The Leftovers or Water for Elephants. Leaning toward Water for Elephants so I can get it read before I check out the movie on DVD.
I finished Sarah's Key last night. It was ok, not my favorite book of the year for book group (that would have to be Mudbound, which I loved). It went by quick, which is always good. We'll see how the rest of the group liked it next week.I've moved into Christmas mode, starting with A Christmas Carol. I received the lovely hardcover Penguin edition last year, and was very happy to pull it out this year. The paper quality is fantastic! I keep thinking about the walking tour of Boston, when the tour guide talked about Charles Dickens doing his first (American?) public reading of the book right around the corner. Chills!
Shannon wrote: "I am currently reading Rules of Civility. I have been looking forward to reading this one, and am glad I have the weekend to spend with it!"One of my favorite reads of the year. Enjoy!
Finished The Invisible Bridge for one of my book clubs, which I absolutely loved (Thanks Ann Kingman!!), Inamorata, for my other book club which was okay, and Wayward Saints which was an ARC from Bookbrowse.com which was a solid OK. Now readingExplosive Eighteen, which I got fom the library. Even thogh they are very silly, the Stephanie Plum series moves along and I feel like I am catching up with old friends.
I am halfway through The Given Day by Dennis Lehane and am nibbling at The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo. Both are thoroughly enjoyable.The Arrival by Shaun Tan, my first attempt at a graphic novel, is waiting to be picked up at the library. I just joined the Ottawa Public Library as a non-resident and am taking advantage of their service to deliver books to the branch closest to me!
Callie wrote: "I finished Sarah's Key last night. It was ok, not my favorite book of the year for book group (that would have to be Mudbound, which I loved). It went by quick, which is always good...."Callie, I felt exactly the same way about Sarah's Key. I was very excited about reading the book for my book club, but ended up feeling mostly annoyed and disappointed with the book (although I did learn a lot about a point is history that I previously knew nothing about). We had a great book club discussion over the book--only one of our group REALLY liked it. I am sure your group will have an interesting discussion as well!
Jay wrote: "I finished A Cool Breeze on the Underground. I love the two main characters in this one. I definitely want to read more in this series. I also listened to [book:Home Game: An Acc..."
I recommend Water for Elephants. I read it a few months ago and I loved. I just saw the movie and it stayed pretty close - better then some others I've read and watched.
Just started
, and I cannot put it down. I am loving it so far... :)
I just started The Marriage Plot
. I'd forgotten how much enjoy Jeffrey Eugenides' writing style. Not sure how much I like the book yet. I enjoyed The Virgin Suicides
and loved Middlesex
. Plus, this book came highly recommended, so I have high hopes for this one. Guess we'll see.
Started reading
this afternoon and I am almost finished it.
I just finished The Night Circusand I loved it. I stayed up half the night to finish it! I will be starting Salvage the Bonesnext.
I'm half way through Sense of An Ending and enjoying it..but loving Shanghai Girls which I'm listening to. I'm really seeing (hearing) the value of listening to certain books where the voices and/or dialects bring the characters so much too life. I felt that way about The Help when I listened to that.
Finished Explosive Eighteen, and just started Kings of the Earth, which is my last 2011 retreat author. I have read something by all the others and wanted to read this before the end of the year to at least finish one challenge; I'm not sure I'll be able to finish my plus 11 in '11. I may have to stay in on New Year's Eve to finish!!
I have started three books and read a few chapters of each per day. On
my commute to work: Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian, on the commute from
work Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? and on the weekends I read
Let the Great World Spin.
Transporter wrote: "I have started three books and read a few chapters of each per day. On
my commute to work: Running the Books: The Adventures of an Accidental Prison Librarian, on the commute from
w..."
Would love to know what you think of running the books.
This is my first encounter with Murakami. I chose this book because currently, "1Q84" has been recently released and has been getting good, but not in the aggregate stellar, reviews. Many have suggested that one not try "1Q84" as their first Murakami. I picked this one because all of his prior books seemed to be reviewed equally well, so why not read the first one translated into English? This book is the third and final book in his "Rat Trilogy", but reads like a standalone novel. Apparently Murakami didn't think the first two measured up to his current work, and hasn't been too eager to have them translated. English translations do exist, but haven't been made as widely available as those of his later books.
I've heard a lot of comparisons to other writers bandied about (Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins), but I'll mention two more: Milan Kundera, since both writers throw a lot of philosophical observations at the reader, with the plot as sort of a loose skeleton upon which such observations are hung. Paul Auster, since events occur in a dreamlike, seemingly unconnected manner, with the context not initially apparent, but with a vaguely noir feel.
The only character in this book who is named is a cat. And the way he's named calls to attention the fact that none of the other characters are named, but only described. One character is called "The Rat", but you're given to understand that's not his given name.
What's this book about? That's a good question. See, there's this sheep that possesses people, and...I suppose what the book is about could be the subject of a long discussion. I imagine different readers' interpretations will tell you more about the readers than anything else. Anyway, the book is oddly compelling, and full of charming, though unnamed, characters. I found the last third of the book to be very suspenseful, in the manner of "The Shining".
Do check it out.
Finished Mockingjay. Great ending - I was a little worried there for awhile but Collins pulled it off. So now I'm onto Moonwalking with Einstein: The Art and Science of Remembering Everything which was suggested by someone in this group so thank you!
I just finished reading "World War Z". Yes, it's a zombie novel! I liked it though! Originally got it because the author is Max Brooks, Mel Brook's son and I wanted to see if I liked his writing. Try it, see what you think.Just started reading "The Swerve" by Stephen Greenblatt (I know, what a difference). So far It's great and easy to read, which is nice for a book about philosophy.
Judy wrote: "I just finished reading "World War Z". Yes, it's a zombie novel! I liked it though! Originally got it because the author is Max Brooks, Mel Brook's son and I wanted to see if I liked his writing. T..."Please let me know how The Swerve" is! I checked it out from the library but I've been debating whether it's worth the time investment.
I'm only on about the third chapter. You find out a lot about very old books, and how some managed to survive, sometimes over a thousand years. He's talked about monasteries and the art of copying books by hand and why that happened at all. I just finished reading a section on paper, and like I said it is very easy, comfortable writing which makes it a lot more enjoyable. So far I would tell you to definitely read it.
I'm listening to
on audio, and I have to say that Murakami is really well suited to the audio format.
on audio, and I have to say that Murakami is really well suited to the audio format.
I'm currently listening to A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens; narrated by Hugh Terry.) Hugh Terry's voice is clear and pleasant; but there's not really any distinction made between characters. I probably should have gone with the Simon Vance-narrated version that I also had on hand; but I was curious about this new-to-me narrator.
I'm reading The Handmaid's Tale (by Margaret Atwood.) It's actually a re-read for me as I read it in 2007; but I wanted to refresh my memory about the material before I read The Scarlet Letter (by Nathaniel Hawthorne) and listened to When She Woke (by HIlary Jordan; narrated by Heather Corrigan) in January. I spent last night crying over a section (in The Handmaid's Tale) that I don't think I cried about at all the first time I read it! Curious that.
I'm reading The Handmaid's Tale (by Margaret Atwood.) It's actually a re-read for me as I read it in 2007; but I wanted to refresh my memory about the material before I read The Scarlet Letter (by Nathaniel Hawthorne) and listened to When She Woke (by HIlary Jordan; narrated by Heather Corrigan) in January. I spent last night crying over a section (in The Handmaid's Tale) that I don't think I cried about at all the first time I read it! Curious that.
Mod
on audio, and I have to say that Murakami is really well suited to the audio format."I'm not sure I would have guessed that. How's the narrator?
There are two narrators. The woman who reads the Aomame chapters is kind of wooden. The man who reads the Tengo chapters is better. But the prose is straightforward, and Murakami's dialogue passages work well in audio.
Eric wrote: "There are two narrators. The woman who reads the Aomame chapters is kind of wooden. The man who reads the Tengo chapters is better. But the prose is straightforward, and Murakami's dialogue passage..."
Actually there are three narrators: Allison Hiroto, Mark Boyett and Marc Vietor. I'm guessing Allison Hiroto, who only has one other book to her credit (and that other book is also set in Japan) was hired primarily as one of the few female narrators with a fluency or proficiency in both English and Japanese. Mark Boyett and Marc Vietor (the latter also a co-narrator on Ms Hiroto's other audiobook) are both experienced narrators which would account for their smoother handling of the text, at least in contrast to Ms Hiroto.
Actually there are three narrators: Allison Hiroto, Mark Boyett and Marc Vietor. I'm guessing Allison Hiroto, who only has one other book to her credit (and that other book is also set in Japan) was hired primarily as one of the few female narrators with a fluency or proficiency in both English and Japanese. Mark Boyett and Marc Vietor (the latter also a co-narrator on Ms Hiroto's other audiobook) are both experienced narrators which would account for their smoother handling of the text, at least in contrast to Ms Hiroto.
I am reading We the Animals: A novel, and listening to A Stolen Life. A Stolen Life is hard to listen to, but I am glad that Jaycee Dugard reads the book herself.
shannon, would love to hear your toughts on We the Animals: A novel. i am going to have to buy this for myself as my library only has it in audio.
Just started reading
. I'm on page 197 and am really enjoying it. If you like dystopia books, or especially Lord of the Flies and Stephen King, I recommend it.
Mod
this morning. Read Shel Silverstein's latest
in about an hour last night.
is this shel silverstein a collection of poems found after his death? i am eager to read it with my daughter.
Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "I'm currently listening to A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens; narrated by Hugh Terry.) Hugh Terry's voice is clear and pleasant; but there's not really any distinction made between characters. I probably should have gone with the Simon Vance-narrated version that I also had on hand; but I was curious about this new-to-me narrator. "
I finished A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens; narrated by Hugh Terry) and while I liked it better than the version narrated by Tim Curry (who sounded like he was bored and couldn't to get the reading over with) I still feel I haven't found *the* definitive version yet. I have another audio version narrated by Simon Vance, as I've mentioned; but I'll probably wait until next year to try it out.
I've just uploaded Read Ready Player One (by Ernest Cline; narrated by Wil Wheaton) onto my iPod. I heard the book was good; but that the audio was even better, so I'm giving it a whirl :-)
I've paused in my reading of The Handmaid's Tale (by Margaret Atwood) for a couple of days. I'll probably polish it off this week-end and then grab a copy of The Unit (by Ninni Holmqvist) which is another re-read for me; but something I want to have fresh in my mind before I get into When She Woke (by Hilary Jordan.)
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline; narrated by Wil Wheaton
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
I finished A Christmas Carol (by Charles Dickens; narrated by Hugh Terry) and while I liked it better than the version narrated by Tim Curry (who sounded like he was bored and couldn't to get the reading over with) I still feel I haven't found *the* definitive version yet. I have another audio version narrated by Simon Vance, as I've mentioned; but I'll probably wait until next year to try it out.
I've just uploaded Read Ready Player One (by Ernest Cline; narrated by Wil Wheaton) onto my iPod. I heard the book was good; but that the audio was even better, so I'm giving it a whirl :-)
I've paused in my reading of The Handmaid's Tale (by Margaret Atwood) for a couple of days. I'll probably polish it off this week-end and then grab a copy of The Unit (by Ninni Holmqvist) which is another re-read for me; but something I want to have fresh in my mind before I get into When She Woke (by Hilary Jordan.)
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline; narrated by Wil Wheaton
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Mod
I'm not sure if they were found after his death or just published after his death (I realize I'm splitting hairs.)
I heard on NPR that theses were from a body of known, uncollected poems that were selected and compiled. They weren't recently discovered.
Thanks for the information Eric. Silverstein's poems never disappoint.
Eric wrote: "I'm listening to on audio, and I have to say that Murakami is really well suited to the audio format."Second that.
Finished
over the weekend and am halfway through
. Loving it so far.
Dawn wrote: "Finished over the weekend and am halfway through . Loving it so far."How did you like The Leftovers?
Becky wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Finished over the weekend and am halfway through . Loving it so far."How did you like The Leftovers?"
I enjoyed it. I didn't LOVE it. I think I expected too much. But it was a fast read and definitely worth it.
Dawn wrote: "Becky wrote: "Dawn wrote: "Finished over the weekend and am halfway through . Loving it so far."How did you like The Leftovers?"
..."
That's how I felt, it was a fast & interesting read...not great but certainly not bad....so many people I know who read it have been wrapped up in The Rapture, what caused it...but that isn't what the book was about LOL
I started
last night and so far am enjoying it.
I just started reading Turn of Mind and it seems really interesting. I also had to immediately download the audiobook of Dreams of Joy the minute I finished Shanghai Girls. I need to finish both and get onthe The Marriage Plot for my book club..
I just started The Night Strangers, and if the whole book is as intense as the first 15 pages have been, I am not sure I will survive this reading!
Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb (other topics)The Passage (other topics)
The Passage (other topics)
The Passage (other topics)
The Passage (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ernest Cline (other topics)Margaret Atwood (other topics)
next i will start An Elephant in the Garden. it's a YA book, but i am in the midst of TONS of grading for school.