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What I'm Reading July 2012
message 101:
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Geoff
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Jul 15, 2012 09:37AM
Ann: I recently read The Swerve and liked it pretty well--ordered a copy of Lucretius when I was done.
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I'm listening to Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar, which is by Cheryl Strayed, who recently revealed her authorship of this online advice column.This is a wonderful book--direct, heartfelt, funny and true.
Geoff,I am loving THE SWERVE. I also decided that I needed a copy of Lucretius.
Carol and Ione, I have read Machiavelli's THE PRINCE, which usually gets a very bum rap. You have to remember that he was describing the way politics actually worked in his time. (All things considered, even though I complain about politics today, I guess we have made considerable progress :).
The Next Best Thing: A Novel my first Jennifer Weiner book. I really like her writing.The Unholy - my first Heather Graham and my first Krewe of Hunter book. There are earlier books in this series, but each can be read as a stand alone.
I'm currently reading City of Women and wow - is this good.
John wrote, " I finished The Man in the Wooden Hat yesterday, and while it could stand on its own if read first, I'd strongly recommend Old Filth coming ahead of this one."I didn't care much for Old Filth, but I loved God on the Rocks by Gardam. Have you read it?
Marge
I just finished WE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE by Shirley Jackson. Very good! Hadn't read anything by her since The Lottery some years ago.Marge
Cyndee wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "
The Descendants – Kaui Hart Hemmings
DOES THIS BOOK EXPLAIN MORE OF THE WIFE? HER EMOTIONS?..."
Joanie is in a coma ... the book focuses on Matt and how he is processing the information he is discovering.
Night of the Grizzlies - Jack Olsen
5*****
In this nonfiction work, Olsen explores the events that culminated in one night of terror in August 1967 when two young women were savagely attacked by grizzly bears.
I love reading ‘true crime’ and this work has all the hallmarks of the best of that genre. Olsen gives us an explanation and history of the various parties involved. He also recounts the unusual number of bear sightings in Glacier National Park during the summer of 1967, and even more unusual number of “encounters” between bears and humans.
The pace is unrelenting and the tension builds to an unendurable pitch. I reluctantly stopped reading because it was after midnight and I couldn’t keep my eyes open much longer. I should have stopped an hour earlier, or just kept going until I finished. Even though I live in a decidedly suburban area, without any evidence of any type of bear within 500 miles, every slight noise fueled my imagination, and I had a fretful night and little sleep.
Carol wrote: "Primeval and Other Times Seems like a fairy tale format with a common thread. I am enjoying it so far. I think Jolanta recommended it."Indeed I did :) It IS very enjoyable and one of the most interesting and best books I have read by any writer, my guilty pleasure. I doubt I have understand it fully but I love how Olga Tokarczuk juggles so many different balls in the air without ever getting lost herself in all those threads. It is pure magic.
Sara,Thanks for the good word on TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS. It sounds like a winner.
Marge,
I also thought GOD ON THE ROCKS was very good.
My library has Gardam's Faith Fox: A Novel as an audiobook, but I'm not keen on reading it soon, just having finished The Man in the Wooden Hat.
Ann wrote: "That's high praise from you, Ruth. I put THE BEAUTIFUL MRS. SEIDENMAN on my TBR list."Enjoy :) It addresses pretty much the Polish national identity, settling with the Polish myths and all the pain of our history. There is a wide range of characters all with their own attitudes to life and personality but nothing is exaggerated. It is well thought out, reliable and in-depth psychological and philosophical. Also the narrative style is matched - once feverish, restless as youth, and once balanced. The characters are difficult, ambigous but with flesh and blood. He shows the responsibility for fascism, the moral attitudes of all those involved and what triggered the violence. Szczypiorski was not afraid to talk about things unspoken, hurtful and difficult. I don´t say it is an easy read, but an important one for sure.
I'm reading and enjoying The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. It reminds me a bit of Brian Morton's books and has shades of Rules of Civility, too. Different characters, connected by friendship or family ties, navigate through New York City and life. I haven't figured out who the Emperor is yet, though.
Finished The Elegance of the Hedgehog, which was quite disappointing. The "characters" mostly functioned as mouthpieces for the author's ideas, until the last fifty pages or so where they developed some life of their own. But too little, too late. Despite all her rhapsodizing about Art, the author has a poor grasp on the art of storytelling.Still working on Something Wicked This Way Comes and about 1/4 way done with The Sisters Brothers.
A Turn in the Road – Debbie Macomber
Book on CD read by Joyce Bean
3***
When her mother-in-law, Ruth, announces that she plans to drive – alone – from Seattle to Florida for her high school reunion, Bethanne suddenly agrees to go along. Soon daughter Annie also joins the group, and the three women set out. Along the way they have plenty of time to consider their respective love lives and come to some decisions.
I was interested and engaged for the first 150 pages or so. I liked the way Bethanne and Ruth interacted. I applauded both of them for refusing to bow down to the expectations of others regarding “older women” and their strength of character. But then … I didn’t understand why Bethanne allowed her adult children to influence her decisions, nor how she could so easily disregard the obvious flaws in Grant’s character. As for Annie … She is a selfish, immature, “Daddy’s girl!”
The paperback text version of this book is 390 pages long … which is about 150 pages more than it needs to be. I could see the central issues long before the characters did, and while I realize there has to be some development of tension this went on far longer than was necessary. On a positive note, it’s a fast read, and generally enjoyable story. I can clearly see why Macomber has such a loyal fan base. Joyce Bean does a good job of voicing the audio book. Her pacing is good and she has enough variance in her inflection to distinguish the characters.
Just started a book of essays by Orwell. The first one, about his travails in boarding school, is amazingly good.
John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work, a semi-memoir by Tim Gunn (I'd never ..."I've heard good things about this book John. Have to remember to check it out.
Kat wrote:Just started rereading Pat Barker's Regeneration for my face-to-face book group. A truly outstanding novel...."It is fantastic. I hope you read the next two in the trilogy, they truly complete the thought.
Geoff wrote: "Just started a book of essays by Orwell. The first one, about his travails in boarding school, is amazingly good.""Such, Such Were the Joys" by Orwell is a wonderful personal essay, Geoff, truly memorable. I read it on my father's recommendation many years ago.
Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work, a semi-memoir by Tim Gun..."Tim Gunn in any form is quite the human being.
Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work, a semi-memoi..."Agreed Sara
Sherry wrote: "I'm reading and enjoying The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. It reminds me a bit of Brian Morton's books and has shades of Rules of Civility, too. Different characters, connected by friendship..."I'll be interested to see what you think of this novel when you've finished it, Sherry, and see how yours compares to my own reading experience.
Cateline wrote: "Kat wrote:Just started rereading Pat Barker's Regeneration for my face-to-face book group. A truly outstanding novel...."It is fantastic. I hope you read the next two in the trilogy, they truly ..."
Yes, I enjoyed all three books of the trilogy, but the first is my favorite.
Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work, a semi-memoi..."Thanks Sara and Sue -- Gunn does a good job being honest about his own story, without being dramatic, and his "lessons" don't come off preachy at all. Just finished his depiction of a mind-boggling scene, wherein a child reached onto the plate of some diners (who were STILL PRESENT) at an outside table, grabbed some pasta, and shoved it in his maw. The mommy's reaction: did you like it? should we go in and have some?
John wrote: "Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work,..."If I'd been at that table, Tim might not have approved of my response.
John wrote: "Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Making It Work,..."Wow. A couple of years ago a kid almost ran me down on his bike--I said nothing, but his mother screamed at me, "Stop it, he didn't mean it!"
Sara wrote: "John wrote: "Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little Lessons for Ma..."Sara, I expect you scowled, or looked shocked. Don't you know that probably damaged the sensitive bike-rider for the rest of his life?
I enjoyed THE SWERVE and am looking forward to BRINGING UP THE BODIES by Mantel
Sherry wrote: "Sara wrote: "John wrote: "Sara wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "I realize that it's not the type of thing that most here read, but wanted to give a shout-out to Gunn's Golden Rules: Life's Little L..."I'm sure I did, and the little shit will get over it. :-)
In honor of Bradbury's recent passing ...
Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury
Book on CD performed by Kevin Foley
5*****
Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway are neighbors, best friends, and born just minutes apart. The 13-year-old boys live in the small town of Green Town, Illinois and are looking forward to Halloween. But this year, Halloween will come early, because on Oct 24, just after midnight, Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show will come to town with its carnival rides, mirror maze, sideshow freaks, and a carousel that can change your life.
Bradbury was a master of suspense and sci-fi. Here he turns his imagination loose on every child’s dream – and nightmare. Clowns and fortune tellers are both fascinating and frightening. A trip inside the funhouse mirror maze elicits feelings of adventure and claustrophobia. And who doesn’t love to be scared on a carnival ride – whipped around on the Tilt-a-Whirl, feeling your heart drop as you round the top of the Ferris wheel, made dizzy as the carousel spins round and round? Parents are old and useless, except when they are inventive and heroic.
Kevin Foley’s performance on the audio was magnificent. His youthful enthusiasm for Jim and Will made me willing to go along on this adventure that I would NEVER attempt in real life. Just remembering his oily voice for Mr Dark gives me the shivers.
This book scared the beejesus out of me – and I was listening ONLY in broad daylight, during my daily commute. Like the best roller coaster, Bradbury S-L-O-W-L-Y drew me up the incline of suspense, dropped me into terror, and then evened out to let me catch my breath, only to realize there was another, steeper, incline ahead. When finally the ride was over I was giddy with relief … and wanted to “go again!”
Great review, BC! The final paragraph in particular really captures the feel of the book.
Book Concierge wrote: "In honor of Bradbury's recent passing ...Something Wicked This Way Comes – Ray Bradbury
Book on CD performed by Kevin Foley
5*****
Jim Nightshade and ..."
I'm going to have to move this up on my TBR. Nice review.
I've finished reading The Lost Daughter by Diane Chamberlain earlier today and now I'm about 40 pages into Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher.
I just finished Naked which was great fun! Highly recommendable. And it so happened that a Murakami fell into my hands - Dance Dance Dance. This is sort of a sequel to the A Wild Sheep Chase, which I thoroughly enjoyed so am looking forward to see how this one is. So far so good:)
I listened to Dance Dance Dance as an audiobook - Rupert Degas' narration was terrific! (I haven't read Wild Sheep.)
Just completed The Book Thief which I found very emotional over the last few chapters. I'm very glad I read it.Now I'm reading No One Sleeps in Alexandria set in Egypt during WWII and The Makioka Sisters set in Japan only a couple of years earlier. Both are starting off well.
I listened to The Book Thief, too, Sue. Wasn't that emotional, sad and wonderful? We read The Makioka Sisters and discussed it here: http://constantreader.com/discussions...I thought it was a wonderful book, even though it is quite slow and deliberate. You really have to quiet yourself to read that one.
I listened to the audiobook of The Book Thief too, Sherry and felt it was one where the reader added to the story. I was using my MP3 player in the car on a long road trip and the battery ran out when I was still three hours from home. I was so involved in the story I thought I would cry out of frustration!
I liked THE MAKIOKA SISTERS too. NO ONE SLEEPS IN ALEXANDRIA sounds very interesting.
Oooh, thanks for the mention of Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar. I'm going to get that one soon. Did any of you read Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail? I thought that it was an excellent memoir about grief and growing up, though I did wonder where those meticulous details came from after a fairly long time since they were experienced. Very good writing, though.
I'm about halfway through In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin US Ambassador Dodd and his family, especially his daughter Martha, who is having a grand social and sexual whirl with some very unsavory Nazis. At first I thought it was too ploddingly written, but now I've gotten caught up in it.
Susan_T. wrote: "Oooh, thanks for the mention of Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar. I'm going to get that one soon. Did any of you read Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the ..."I have both Strayed's memoir and novel in my TBR.
Ann wrote: "I liked THE MAKIOKA SISTERS too. NO ONE SLEEPS IN ALEXANDRIA sounds very interesting."No One Sleeps in Alexandria really is interesting. I'm reading it with the MiddleEast/North Africa group where I've had some great reading experiences I probably would never have heard of otherwise.
Ruth wrote: "I'm about halfway through In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin US Ambassador Dodd and his family, especially his daughter Martha, who is having a grand ..." I really liked this book. It is a slow read, there was so much detail. He is one of my favorite authors.
John wrote: "I'm a couple of hours into listening to Stewart O'Nan's Emily, Alone, story of an 80-year-old upper-middle-class Pittsburgh widow. Very well written, but not much actually happens, almost as though..."
I read Wish You Were Here, which is the book where he first introduces the character of Emily. It too is well-written, but very little happens. It was a bit of a slog to get through it, so I moved Emily, Alone down on my "to-read" list.
I read Wish You Were Here, which is the book where he first introduces the character of Emily. It too is well-written, but very little happens. It was a bit of a slog to get through it, so I moved Emily, Alone down on my "to-read" list.
John wrote: "I read it in print, skimming the "philosophical" sections - doubt I would've made it through the audiobook. I really liked it, especially Renee(?) the building manager."
The Elegance of the Hedgehog is one of my favorite reads of the past few years. I agree that it is pretentious, the major complaint of many in my book group as well, but I found that to be part of its charm.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog is one of my favorite reads of the past few years. I agree that it is pretentious, the major complaint of many in my book group as well, but I found that to be part of its charm.
This month I am revisiting a favorite, Life of Pi, and I picked up some new books from the library, The Snow Child, Watergate: A Novel, and They Eat Puppies, Don't They?: A Novel.
Tina wrote: "This month I am revisiting a favorite, Life of Pi and I picked up some new books from the library. The Snow Child, Watergate: A Novel, and They Eat Puppies, Don't They?: A Novel." I loved The Snow Child.
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