Books on the Nightstand discussion
What are you reading March 2012?
I've started rereading The Book Thief by Markus Zuzack; I read it a few years ago, and it is the choice this month for one of my book clubs. It's a pleasure to read it again, not wondering what's going to happen next and being able to concentrate on the wonderful writing. My current audiobook is called Exley by Brock Clarke. It's the story of a precocious 9-year-old (he's in 8th grade because of his advanced reading skills, a plot point that I don't find very believable) who thinks his father has recently come home from the war in Iraq seriously wounded and is in the local VA hospital. His mother denies that her husband (a college English professor who apparently was not in the military or the National Guard, a fact not yet explained) ever went to Iraq and has not said a thing about him being hurt, so at this early point in the story I'm not sure who to believe. The boy thinks he can help his father recover by tracking down his favorite author, whose book apparently is the only one this English instructor has read in years. According to some blurbs I read, the author is dead, but the boy finds someone that he thinks/wants to believe is him. This story isn't making a whole lot of sense to me yet, although perhaps the difficulty of determining what is true is one of the themes. I think I'll stick with it even though I have a feeling it's not going to become a favorite.
I just started The Fault in Our Stars. All I can say is wow.
This book leads you through the course of training that many of the best actors go through. Esper's course is a continuation of the line begun by Stanislavsky in the late 19th century. The "method" school. Stanislavsky begat the American Group Theater, which begat Meisner, who begat Esper and others. Esper is one of the Master Teachers of the craft.
Whereas the method originally required actors to fully live their characters, and to invent whole lives and memories for them, the modern actor uses a more limited and precise bag of tricks. The key is training your "instrument", which isn't, as some think, your physical body. It's your whole self, but most importantly, the availability of emotional expression. Through an exercise called "repetition", actors learn to listen to one another, and to respond viscerally to emotional stimuli, without thinking about it. For example, I might start by saying to you, "Your hair is shiny". You would respond by saying, "My hair is shiny", using my words, but reacting emotionally to whatever my attitude is. Then I might say, "Yes, your hair is shiny", and in your response, you'd have to use the "yes" as well, still responding to the emotional give and take, and so forth.
After that, the exercises get more complex and precise, and more skills are built. One actor must now enter the repetition while engaged in an activity that requires his whole attention. Making origami animals, for example. The other actor interrupts by knocking on the door. Objectives are introduced. The actors must now have a reason in their heads for what they're doing.
Next, "Criminal enterprise" exercises raise the emotional stakes. Imagine a simulated burglary where one party simulates sleep and the other enters quietly under cover of darkness and tries to find and get away with a specific item without being seen.
Then scripts are introduced. The actors learn their lines by rote, with no vocal inflections in mind. They develop not only their objective, but also an emotional state upon entering, through lucid daydreaming. Then the scene is set loose, and the way the lines are delivered comes through the actors' responding honestly to one another, like surfing a wave.
This may all sound very mystical, but a keen understanding of how human emotions work unconsciously goes into it. When good actors are working, it shouldn't be as if they are performing, it should be as if they're being overheard in a private conversation.
All of the steps I've mentioned above take place over a year of practice, with another year to follow. That's why you can't become a great actor just by reading this book. But at the same time, if you are an actor who has never had the opportunity to go to an actors' Mecca and learn from a Master, you can take and practice a good deal of the methods and philosophy found in this book and use it. I've already used bits and pieces of it, and I feel as if I've improved.
Russell wrote: "I just started The Fault in Our Stars. All I can say is wow."I listened to the audio version last month. It was the kind of book that keeps you driving around the block to hear more. Really opened my eyes to the experience of teens and cancer. I'm also more sensitive now as to what to say and not say to folks battling illness.
Eric wrote: "This book leads you through the course of training that many of the best actors go through. Esper's cours..."
Thanks, Eric. Both of my teenagers are involved in community theater and take private lessons. I don't think either of them have professional acting ambitions, but my daughter has already found that the confidence and quick-thinking skills she developed in the theater have helped her in job/internship interviews.
finishing up the last of this trilogy with
I just finished The Patrick Melrose Novels by Edward St. Aubyn, and I'm about to start The Departed by Shiloh Walker. I am not familiar with this author but was intrigued by the book's cover and decided to pick it up.
Still working my way through Defiant Spirits: The Modernist Revolution of the Group of Seven and Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. I'm enjoying them both, but I just can't read non-fiction for a long period of time.Last night I gave up on Shackles. I was really curious about this groundbreaking Ottawa author from the 1920s, but I just couldn't handle the overwrought characters. So I started The Art of Fielding and was immediately swept up by the plot and characters. (I was a shortstop in my youth, but a mediocre one.) How can one resist a character that says "Verily" in the 21st century?
Melissa wrote: "Eric wrote: "This book leads you through the course of training that many of the best actors go through. ..."
Melissa, I was involved with community theater for many years (and had the pleasure of working with Eric on several occasions!), and I truly believe the experience young people gain there is priceless, regardless of what their career goals might be. They learn self-confidence, mutual respect, and the "quick-thinking skills" you mentioned. (There's nothing like having your mind go completely blank as you hear your cue to develop the ability to think on your feet!) I've seen problem kids turn their lives around when they discover how their lateness or not learning lines affects the others involved in a play. I've seen dreadfully shy children blossom into fantastic, strong characters as they create those characters before an audience, then carry that strength offstage with them into their lives.
And it doesn't matter whether they're onstage or working a crew behind the scenes - what matters is their learning that their actions (or inactions) affect others; having others depend on them imparts a marvelous sense of responsibility.
My sons thoroughly enjoyed their theater experiences and grew up to become a chef, a TV reporter/meteorologist (he always was a ham!) and a website developer.
Just a quick note to agree with Bobbi. My kids got involved in a local theater group this year (classes) and really enjoyed their experience. My son, who is very shy (I like to use "slow to warm up") wanted to act SO bad. He was terrified but put aside all that to get up onstage and perform! I was so amazed and proud of him! I was an extremely shy kid and could never have done that back then, even today. My daughter is very outgoing so this was just another fun experience for her. They are ready for their next classes and performances. A great experience!
I wish there was a "like" button for some of these posts.
Eric wrote: "I wish there was a "like" button for some of these posts."Like
Finished
, and found it very enjoyable. Moving on to
, which is so amusing! Unfortunately, I'll probably have to put it down to get
read for book club on Wednesday, which, you have to admit, is a pretty good problem to have!
Because of health problems in my family I am still reading
.ger
I'm reading the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay and I'm halfway through the series.I'd just like to add I LOVE the "Books On A Nightstand" Podcasts. The author readings really spice things up.It's a shame I live too far to attend.
I'm currently reading the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay and I'm halfway through the series...Yes, it is different from the TV series but the author has a way with words-even though it's a crime novel I had a few chuckles :)
I read May the Road Rise Up to Meet You: A Novel
and A Good American
-- absolutely loved both of them. I highly recommend these!I'm starting The Song of Achilles
tonight. I've been waiting for ages for this one to come through on the library request list!
I just finishedThinking, Fast and Slow on Audio and it was completely mind blowning. The author is a psychologist who won the nobel prize for ecoomics and it's about how the mind works in decision making. I almost never buy books but now I want to buy this one and re-read it. It is about decision making, everything from when to sell your stocks to whether to speak up in a work meeting to whether to take a new job. It has relavence to every walk of life, and if I had to pick a book for everyone to read, it would be this one! He gives a lot of examples of psychologist experiments; it is a little dense, but so worth it. I also generally dislike book groups, but I would love to go to a book group discussion about this book! Or at least I want Eric to read it and leave one of his fabulous reviews. . .
I am current reading ORYX and CRAKE by Margaret Atwood. I just love her books and am really enjoying this one. Her worlds are fascinating.
Okay...this may make me unpopular in Vermont, but I gotta be me.
The basic idea is that Andy Barber, an assistant D.A., takes on a murder case, but is quickly removed from it by his boss when it becomes apparent that Andy's son Jacob is the major suspect. Eventually we are led down the weird path of discussing the possibility of a "murder gene", since Andy's forebears were a succession of desperadoes, ne'er-do-wells, and killers. Andy becomes afraid that the prosecutor will try to prove the case against Jacob using a genetic propensity as evidence. Folks, I work in the justice system, and that would never, ever happen. The criminal law is based on individual responsibility for wrongdoing. This theory would be ushered out the door by any competent judge so fast it would make your head spin. It runs contrary to the rules of relevance of evidence in Massachusetts (where the story is set) and every other state. Also, we are asked to believe that the traitorous prosecutor, Loguidice (pronounced La-Judas, get it?) knew about Andy's family history even though Andy's own wife didn't. My willing suspension of disbelief was killed early on. And if this genetic factor is so determinative, why isn't Andy himself a murderer? After that, the "murder gene" aspect totally fades away, as though the author realized he wasn't going to get anywhere with it.
This book didn't succeed for me on any number of levels. What was it supposed to be? A meditation on the expectation to be loyal to family no matter what? No. Too lurid and sensationalistic for such a serious purpose as that. A Crichton-esque thriller dealing in cutting edge science about the genetic basis for aggression? No. The book dances around this subject, but in the end ignores it as a plot point. A legal thriller? No. Those expecting that will have a case of courtus-interruptus. A whodunnit? No. About a third of the way through the book you're given some disturbing psychological revelations about a character, and there are no reversals of the reader's expectations beyond that point. As I was reading, trying to anticipate the twists and turns to come, I actually invented some outcomes more interesting than the one ultimately presented. Domestic horror? No. The depiction of violence is much too restrained and timid.
Truly, this is a Frankenstein monster of a novel. But whereas Shelley's monster is made up of the constituent parts of a human being, and can walk, talk, and impersonate a human, this story resembles more a graft of five thumbs and a spleen. You turn it over and over in your hands. The thumbs grasp ineffectively for purchase. Can you use it as the ball in some demented game? No. Eventually you toss it over your shoulder for the dog to gnaw on.
Interesting review! I haven't read this one yet but your review makes me think twice now about reading it. Yep, don't think you will get the 'popular' vote but hey, you def have to be you. ;) thanks for the review. it helps. :)
Eric wrote: "Okay...this may make me unpopular in Vermont, but I gotta be me.
The basic idea is that Andy Barber, an assistant D.A., takes on a murder case, but i..."
You write such excellent reviews! I haven't read this one yet. Thanks for giving such an honest review, there are so many books that seem amazing, and it's nice to know which ones might not be worth it. It helps to read honest reviews like this rather than when people beat around the bush, because they know they are running counter to popular opinion.
Eric,You make good points but I don't think many lay people have the knowledge of the criminal justice system that you have so therefore they wouldn't find the story hard to believe. I enjoyed the book and thought it was interesting but my suspension of disbelief issue came with the actions of the mother. I was just sitting there shaking my head and saying "no mother would ever do that" and I wrote it off as a male author not knowing much about the female mind.
Janet wrote: "Eric,You make good points but I don't think many lay people have the knowledge of the criminal justice system that you have so therefore they wouldn't find the story hard to believe. I enjoyed th..."
I am not a lawyer, but I would have to agree with Eric. There were too many inconsistencies, and the bad family gene case just doesn't fly for me.
Mod
Okay...this may make me unpopular in Vermont, but I gotta be me.
The basic idea is that Andy Barber, an assistant D.A., takes on a murde..."
You know this runs both ways. I read the book and basically liked it. I, of course do not have Eric's advantage of being involved in the court system. I've read books about either musicians or teachers which have stepped in to "it" by not relaying virtual reality. That doesn't mean someone else wouldn't enjoy the book.
Not that long ago my book discussion group read
. We were almost unanimous in our negative opinions of the book. Yet, I see more 4- and 5-star ratings for this book on internet sites (here and Book Reporter, for instance).I've also read lots of books (most often award-winning) and thought, "Huh! What was the buzz about?"
We never know.
Linda wrote: "Shruti wrote: "Eric wrote: "Okay...this may make me unpopular in Vermont, but I gotta be me.
The basic idea is that Andy Barber, an assistant D.A., t..."
Oh I will still read the book to form my own opinion. I just meant that it's nice when people are very honest about their opinion of a book - and WHY. I just like to hear both sides of a discussion. :)
I have some knowledge of the system, but not as much as Eric clearly does, so I'm sure I won't perceive it exactly the same way. I think that's part and parcel of a book - perception changes with the reader's experiences. In my opinion, your comment above really plays into this idea. Sometimes people love a book that others hate and vice versa. To me, that's truly part of the magic of a book.
Mod
Okay...this may make me unpopular in Vermont, but I gotta be me.
The basic idea is that Andy Barber, an ass..."
Agreed, Shruti!
I read
in two days with two mornings til 4 a.m. Passed it on to a friend who enjoyed it as much as I had. We suggested it to our book discussion. Turned out that was a love or hate book - no in between. Similar happenings, recently with
.Thank goodness for diversity!
Tasha wrote: "Diversity is good!:)"Like...lol.
Mod
And while I struggle not to give too much away, the other things that some felt didn't ring true were intriguing to me. Whether I believed it or not was part of the appeal. But the main reason that I loved it was because, as someone who reads a *lot* of books in the crime/mystery/thriller genre, I had NO IDEA what was going to happen, and where the plot was going. There were times where I felt I knew, but then was proved wrong a few pages later.
That intricate plotting is something that never fails to impress me. That, and the ability to pace a novel so that I just don't want to put it down, even after I say "just to the end of this chapter."
See, one of my problems with "Defending Jacob" was LACK of intricate plotting. There were only two suspects, and no real reversals. Now "The Snowman" was intricately plotted. Plenty of reversals of expectations. Great recommendation on Jo Nesbø, Ann!
Mod
Good book discussion going on here. This group rocks.
I just finished Defending Jacob and really enjoyed it overall. I agree with some other posters that my willing suspension of disbelief was challenged at the very end. Not just because of that character's action, but also because this had really been Andy's story the whole time and then he relinquishes responsibility for the story (IMO). I loved the author's treatment of Andy as a narrator, this gave me a lot to ponder and enjoy (although I thought some of the denial was a bit heavy handed at times). All in all, I thought it was a great read and gave it 4 stars and would widely recommend it.I agree that your own perspective/experience can make the suspension of disbelief downright impossible at times and even though I have nothing to do with court system, I thought some of the courtroom stuff was farfetched. Especially those scenes from the second grand jury indictment...the dialogue almost made me think it was a dream or some other plot device.
I am now in the middle ofStumbling on Happiness, which is a book about how the brain thinks, makes decisions and drums up emotions. It is really interesting thus far and written in a very entertaining style. Sounds along the lines of Thinking, Fast and Slow, which I just added to my TBR list thanks to the comment above.
Maybe I'll be getting even more contrary, cranky, curmudgeonly and cantankerous in the future, as it seems to stimulate discussion.
Just starting
. The story of the rebirth of the American auto industry is very interesting to me having lived in southeast Michigan for 17 years prior to moving to California.
Eric,i always like your reviews because they stimulate discussion. and i think that's what reading is all about: thinking.
Mod
Is that possible, Eric? I don't see you that way at all. Or rather, I don't read you that way at all, I won't see you until Vermont (yea!).
It is always interesting to get different takes on books I've read. I don't small talk well, but let's do book discussion. Yeah!
Elizabeth wrote: "Eric,i always like your reviews because they stimulate discussion. and i think that's what reading is all about: thinking."
I agree.
Linda wrote: "Eric wrote: "Maybe I'll be getting even more contrary, cranky, curmudgeonly and cantankerous in the future, as it seems to stimulate discussion."Is that possible, Eric? I don't see you that way a..."
Linda, he really isn't that way - but he's a very talented actor, so he could definitely pull it off!
Books on the Nightstand
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Doc is one of the books I recommended for a book club; we usually come up with a short list and then choose one. Doc was the winner, so I'll be starting it in a couple of weeks. I've read several of Russell's other novels, starting with The Sparrow, and am confident that this one will be another winner. She's fantastic.