Constant Reader discussion
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Constant Reader
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What I'm Reading - February 2012
Sue wrote: "I've finished Poisonwood Bible---loved it, and now I'll finish State of Wonder so I can join the discussion."Sue, for reasons I can't articulate, Poisonwood and State of Wonder seem related somehow. Am I making this up? (I read Poisonwood over 10 years ago, IIRC...)
Kitty wrote: "Collene wrote: "I am reading Bring on the Blessings and Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman"I have been looking at Catherine the Great, let me know if it is wo..."
I have Lady Almina, Kitty, but I've not read it yet as I'm in the middle of an Elizabeth George book.
I, too, have been thinking of buying Catherine the Great.
I had a quick read of the latest Flavia de Luce novel, I Am Half Sick Of Shadows: A Flavia De Luce Novel, fun and fast.
Mary Ellen wrote: "Sue wrote: "I've finished Poisonwood Bible---loved it, and now I'll finish State of Wonder so I can join the discussion."Sue, for reasons I can't articulate, Poisonwood and State of Wonder seem..."
Maybe it's the idea of the unknowing Americans going to the jungle, though for different purposes. There is the very "other" environment which becomes a real presence, almost a character, in each book. The settings are threatening but also life-sustaining for those who know how to live there. They both are female-dominant stories too.
It was pure chance that I read them back to back as I did, but it may have actually been a really good idea.
I entirely agree, RUth, and that's one reason I mentioned the reading experience level. When you read to kids regularly, they are used to listening at a level above what they can read, and even comprehend. I explain quite a bit in Treasure Island due to the language and the sailing references. That's one of my favorite parts of reading aloud to them, choosing books they wouldn't normally be "ready" for.
I tried 1984, but decided I did not enjoy it as a vacation book, so I put it aside for later. I am reading Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman and listening to Emma.
Sarah wrote: "I entirely agree, RUth, and that's one reason I mentioned the reading experience level. When you read to kids regularly, they are used to listening at a level above what they can read, and even co..."Absolutely. I was reading them adult stuff when then were pretty young and they lapped it up.
Mike wrote: "Currently walking upon the heath with Hardy in The Return of the Native. Next up is Young Hearts Crying- I just gotta have some more Richard Yates' peer envy and domestic ..."I just picked up a nice, used copy of The Return of the Native. It's paperback with footnotes and an introduction. The whole works. I haven't read this since college, when I loved it. Now to figure out when to read it. Not a bad problem to have.
Finished two Gabaldon books in the Lord John series. Really liked Lord John and the Scottish Prisoner. However, Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade is not nearly as good as Lord John and the Private Matter or Scottish Prisoner. Also nearly done with The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie which is quite different from what I expected.
Aleutian Sparrow
– Karen Hesse4****
This slim volume, written in luminous free verse, tells the story of the Aleutian Evacuation during WW II.
I had never heard of this episode in the USA’s history. Shortly after the Japanese attacked Attu Island in June 1942 (an attempt to distract the US Navy away from the South Pacific), the government decided that it would be “best” for the Aleutian natives living on the islands to be evacuated “for their protection.” Nearly 900 Aleuts were removed by the US government from nine villages on six islands and forcibly transported to Southeast Alaska “duration camps.” Most were given little more than an hour to collect their necessary belongings, for a trip to an unknown destination, for an unknown length of time. People used to a subsistence living, were deposited in old canneries, or mining camps, without adequate shelter, sanitation, water, food, medical care or any means to support themselves. While the Japanese left the islands by 1943, the Aleuts were not allowed to return to their homes for three years. The deplorable conditions they endured resulted in epidemics of TB, pneumonia, whooping cough and other disease; over ten percent of them died during internment. Those who did return to the islands found that their homes had been destroyed and/or ransacked … not by the Japanese, but by American military troops.
I learned all the above by doing some research after reading this novel. But I certainly gathered clues and a feeling of the injustice suffered by the Aleuts during this time.
Hesse’s novel follows one young teen, Vera, and her friends and family as they struggle to make sense of what is happening, to survive the hardships and to adapt to a life none had ever imagined. The beauty of the work is that Hesse can convey so much in so few words. Here is one page…
KETCHIKAN CREEK
When Eva returns from Ketchikan, she says
The creek there is like a woman
Dressed in a filmy green gown,
Her lace pockets spilling with leaping salmon.
Despite the hardships, there is room for love and faith. Babies are born and cherished. Christmas is celebrated. Still, the sense of loss is palpable. I will be thinking about this novel and the Aleutian Evacuation for a long time.
I've spent the past month reading all eleven books in Henning Mankell's Wallander series and came to the bittersweet end yesterday. Ack, it's tough saying goodbye.
Jane wrote: "I started reading Tender is the Nightby F. Scott Fitzgerald which we are doing for our in-person book group. I suppose that I read it years ago, but I don't remember a thing!I finis..."
Jane, I read it also and liked it. I'd be glad to discuss if you'd like.
Yulia wrote: "I've spent the past month reading all eleven books in Henning Mankell's Wallander series and came to the bittersweet end yesterday. Ack, it's tough saying goodbye."That sounds like it must have been a wonderful time. I haven't read any yet but I love the PBS series. I assume from how you worded this you read them in order. Is that important for his books do you think?
I'm currently about 1/3 of the way into The Mission Song and I like it much better than I expected to. This one wasn't one that I would have picked out for myself, it was a Xmas present but I'm pleasantly surprised so far.
Sue wrote: "That sounds like it must have been a wonderful time. I haven't read any yet but I love the PBS series. I assume from how you worded this you read them in order. Is that important for his books do you think? "Sue,
I did read the Wallander series in order. I know not everyone does, but it certainly added to the experience for me, as the characters and their attitude towards one another do develop across the books. The ambivalent relationship between Wallander and his elderly father, who makes a living painting just one image again and again, a sunset with or without grouse, is particularly moving. And Mankell truly captures the evolving challenges individuals face in their work and personal lives as they grow older.
Yulia wrote: "Sue wrote: "That sounds like it must have been a wonderful time. I haven't read any yet but I love the PBS series. I assume from how you worded this you read them in order. Is that important for hi..."Thanks Yulia. I think I'll probably try to read them the same way.
Yulia wrote: "Sue wrote: "That sounds like it must have been a wonderful time. I haven't read any yet but I love the PBS series. I assume from how you worded this you read them in order. Is that important for hi..."I have The Return of the Dancing Master, but I don't think that's a Kurt Wallander book. I just know Henning Mankell wrote the book, and I bought it for the darkness of it, but I've yet to read it.
Edit - No, I checked and the detective in that one is Stefan Lindman, but the book does sound good. I can see why I bought it.
Beginning Aucassin and Nicolette edited by Eugene Mason, a collection of medieval French romantic sstories and legends.
Kitty wrote: "I am reading two books right now, The Sisters Brothersand The Art of Fielding"Kitty, I really liked The Art of Fielding and am almost finished The Sisters Brothers. Looking forward to reading your thoughts on both.
Finished The Revisionists and The Art of Fielding in the last few days. Both good.Back to Middlemarch: A Study of Provincial Life--I keep getting stuck and screaming, "No, Dorethea! Don't do it!" and she does anyway. :-) Don't tell me, I'm sure something changes, but this is my third time and maybe I'm getting past that part.
I liked The Sister's Brothers more than what I thought I would. Very different dialogue and format.
In the last few weeks I read The Breaking of Eggs by Jim Powell, which Al recommended. I liked it a lot. It's about a Polish exile who lives in Paris and writes glowing travel books about Eastern Europe. When Communism falls, he has to re-evaluate many of his assumptions. It's clever and interesting.I also read The Keeper of Lost Causes by Danish mystery writers Jussi Adler-Olsen. Boy,some of those Scandinavian writers seem really into female torture.
I know that Stieg Larsson was.
Yulia, does brutal torture of women figure in some of Mankell's works as well? I loved the TV show and read a couple of books, but I can't remember details. It seems the victims of brutality in his books were evenly distributed between men and women.
Ann, interesting point. When I look back on the books, the victims seem equally split between men and women (if not more men than women) and the crimes can involve torture, but not in a way that distressed me, as can happen when I sense an author takes pleasure in the cruelty described. Gabrielle, thanks so much for the recommendation! I'll definitely add it to read.
I've finished reading Songs Of The Humpback Whale last night and it was awful. Today I've started reading All We Know of Heaven by Jacquelyn Mitchard.
I've just started "On An Irish Island"
The funny thing was that I saw it on BN Reviews and it was an interesting subject,so I thought why not.I'm glad I decided to buy it,it's a great read.
Gary, be sure and include your title when you post bookcovers. If people are reading the notes on a smartphone, all that shows up is a black rectangle. I saw this book, On An Irish Island at Barnes and Noble when I was browsing this week. I love western Ireland and have read about the Great Blasket before so it called to me. Glad to know that it's a great read. I haven't heard of this author before.I'm interspersing stories from God's Gym: Stories with The Marriage Plot. Both books have me transfixed.
Just finished Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. What a marvelous read - five stars for sure. I found myself crying as it wrapped up. Marchetta writes such a lyrical story. It's a must, must read!
I'm just into SHINE SHINE SHINE by Lydia Netzer - an ARC I won on Goodreads. Good read thus far!
Finished THE FRIENDS OF MEAGER FORTUNE. After A WILD SHEEP CHASE it was fun to read a book with a plot, but I found the characters stereotypical and the moral points hammered home rather relentlessly. Am now on THE MARRIAGE PLOT, plus continuing with THE CHATEAU. I admit it's slow going yet when I actually pick it up I just love it--so much truth there.
Ann: so glad you liked The Breaking of Eggs: A Novel. Everyone I have recommended it to has enjoyed it, I think.Rusty: by random chance, I met Melina in Italy a while back. She could not have been nicer. When I got home, I read her books and just loved them.
I have not read any of the Wallander books, but I really enjoyed Italian Shoes: A Novel by Henning Mankell.
I recently listened to Life. Such fun. And Johnny depp narrated, what is there not to like?
I just started Contents May Have Shifted. I am a big Pam Houston fan. Much to my delight, she and I have been become social media friends. We have been playing games against each other while she is on her book tour.
"Am now on THE MARRIAGE PLOT, plus continuing with THE CHATEAU. I admit it's slow going yet when I actually pick it up I just love it--so much truth there."Which one is slow going, but you love it - Chateau or Marriage? I can't believe how much I liked listening to The Chateau.
Just finished Ready, Player One, which was a fun read. Now I'm finally getting to Tony and Susan, which many of you recommended last year. It grabbed me right away, and I am not spending too much time on the computer tonight so I can get back to reading it...thanks, I never would have found this book without CR.
John, I meant THE CHATEAU. I've been on it forever (though interrupted by various crises, as usual, and also by other books I'm reading for groups), but it is a huge pleasure to read every time I actually get to it.
Sherry, I just peeked at the Tony and Susan link to the archived discussion....in the very first post, you say "paging Sarah Hart--I know you read this book. Get online." Funny! I have no memory at all of reading this book. Perhaps it was one of those that I got from the library, fully intending to read it with you all, and then...other books intruded. I wish I had been around when you discussed it. I'm still only halfway through, so I didn't look any further at the discussion. I'm glad you sent it to me, though.
Gary wrote: "I've just started "On An Irish Island"The funny thing was that I saw it on BN Reviews and it was an interesting subject,so I thought why not.I'm glad I decid..."
Thanks for this Gary. It sounds like something I'd really like.
Finally, finally finished Wings of Fire, the 2nd book in the Ian Rutledge series by Charles Todd. (To be fair: I interrupted reading it to read State of Wonder.) This is the 4th of the Ian Rutledge books that I've read. All the others were 3 or 4 stars. This one got 2, and I felt magnanimous. To be fair, Todd can put a sentence together much better than many mystery writers, but this book had too much repetition, principle characters seemed kind of sketchily drawn, Rutledge seemed to be acting on personal vendetta rather than as a policeman, and the ending left too much up in the air. I'll try one or two more in the series, hoping this early book was just a bit of sophomore slump for Todd.
I am not enjoying The Art of Fielding as much as I am The Shipping News.
I've just started An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter I'm only at page 10 and already I'm skimming. Doesn't bode well.
Ruth wrote: "I've just started An Episode in the Life of a Landscape Painter I'm only at page 10 and already I'm skimming. Doesn't bode well."Glad I didn't get it then.
I'm reading The Terror, by Dan Simmons, which is a historial/horror/sci-fi mashup. Imagine the movie The Thing set during am 1849 arctic expedition to find the Northwest Passage. Damn. I always thought that mountain climbing during the winter was the actual last activity I'd ever get caught doing, but Simmons makes this seem about a million times less inviting. Even without the monster. I can't even imagine how sailors survived those voyages, much less participated willingly.
I'm a little more than halfway through, and while it's slow going at times, it's scratching both my historical and fantastic itches.
I'm just starting
and I'm finishing up
.I'm going on a camping trip so I'm going to be bringing those books, plus
.
Peggy wrote: "I'm reading The Terror, by Dan Simmons, which is a historial/horror/sci-fi mashup. Imagine the movie The Thing set during am 1849 arctic expedition to find the Northwest Passage. Da..."
I'm still reading that one, too, Peggy, but now I've taken time off to finish Believing the Lie. The Terror can be slow going at times for me, too, but it is interesting. Makes me dislike winter more and more, though.
Those arctic stories are pretty compelling. This review is about an expedition that tried to reach the North Pole in a hot air balloon. Not such a great idea...http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/boo...
Thanks for that Kat. I got cold reading the review.
Kat wrote: "Those arctic stories are pretty compelling. This review is about an expedition that tried to reach the North Pole in a hot air balloon. Not such a great idea...http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/29/b..."
Is this a recent book? I remember reading a book about this expedition about 40 years ago. In fact, I'm sure I own it, altho right now I can't find it.
At any rate, it was an interesting and exciting read.
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Constant Reader
Books mentioned in this topic
The Stranger's Child (other topics)The Terror (other topics)
Three Women (other topics)
The House in Good Taste (other topics)
Truly, Madly (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephen King (other topics)Henning Mankell (other topics)
Pam Houston (other topics)
Henning Mankell (other topics)
Henning Mankell (other topics)
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When they're being read to, kids can enjoy stuff that's much beyond what they would ordinarily read themselves. A bit of judicious editing by the reader, a stop for a tiny bit of explanation...and you're in.