Retired: What are you reading? Showing 1,151-1,200 of 5,490

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. Bottom line, I have two Mississippi destinations now. Regularly. Set the mood by listening to The Ponder Heart, which I had not read since 1973. It made for a joyous drive over. A night at the wondrous Lemuria Books, where I listened to Suzanne Marrs, the foremost authority on Welty, read from Meanwhile There Are Letters: The Correspondence of Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald. Of course I got a copy. Yesterday, I toured Welty's house on Pinehurst Drive, visited the house where she was born, paid homage at her grave site and reluctantly drove back to Tuscaloosa. My reading stack teeters precariously. I'm woefully behind on reviews. But I gleefully follow everyone's reading and feverishly flip the pages of my own books. And, as often as I can, I hit the real Trail, visiting the places where our authors have lived and have written. It is living literature.

[Jane]

Just started audio book because I am traveling it is read by Reese Witherspoon ...let s see

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jane wrote: "Just started audio book because I am traveling it is read by Reese Witherspoon ...let s see"

Yes, Jane. I have the audible recording, too. Debating whether to listen, read, or do both. Laughing.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "Just started audio book because I am traveling it is read by Reese Witherspoon ...let s see"

Yes, Jane. I have the audible recording, too. Deb..."

I listen to audiobooks a lot but this is one I'd rather read in print. I want it to have my undivided attention.

[Jane]

Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "Just started audio book because I am traveling it is read by Reese Witherspoon ...let s see"

Yes, Jane. I have the audible recording, too. Deb..."
Hi Mike , well I will do both I think as audio for me is never as good

[Jane]

Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. Bottom line, I have two Mis..." I just adore Welty and she is the one who got me into Southern Lit in the first place grin

[Jane]

Tom wrote: "Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "Just started audio book because I am traveling it is read by Reese Witherspoon ...let s see"

Yes, Jane. I have the audible recordi..." I agree Tom but could nt wait and in France there are no physical copies to be seen hum

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Jane wrote: " I agree Tom but could nt wait and in France there are no physical copies to be seen hum "

Understood. I'm glad you'll be joining in the discussion of the book.

[Jane]

Tom wrote: "Jane wrote: " I agree Tom but could nt wait and in France there are no physical copies to be seen hum "

Understood. I'm glad you'll be joining in the discussion of the book." Yes I will and looking forward to it and a second real book reading too

[M.L.]

I've been reading mostly SF and haven't posted for a while, but had to, had to, read Go Set a Watchman and looking forward to the discussion. There is no better place.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Flash Beagle wrote: "I've been reading mostly SF and haven't posted for a while, but had to, had to, read Go Set a Watchman and looking forward to the discussion. There is no better place."

I have been missing you! However, I had a fairly sure idea I would see you for Go Set a Watchman. Makes for a spring in my step on the Trail!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jane wrote: "Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. Bottom line, I..."

Jane, I thought I remembered your fondness for Eudora. And I share that. There is a gentleness about her writing sparkled with a humor that is irresistible. The sense of place is simply astounding. However, her story "Where is the Voice Coming From?" still has the ability to send shivers up and down my spine. Her anger over the assassination of Medgar Evers is palpable in the pages of that story. And the accuracy of her portrayal of the "killer" is absolutely prescient. I think of her "boating" with Faulkner. Imagine their conversation. I couldn't help but notice her "bar" and think her taste in "beverages" was infinitely superior to Mr. Faulkner's. *chuckle* I do hope your visit in France is a good and relaxing one. I will be much on the real Trail in the coming months. Call me Ishmael.

[penneminreads]

Just barging in really quick - I'm still in the process of familiarizing myself with the body of Eudora Welty's work, but I'm a huge fan of The Optimist's Daughter. I've had to read it for uni a couple of times, it has not gotten old for me so far. The depth of the characters and the symbolism are just one of a kind. Also, coming from a small community myself, it is so fascinating to see the mechanisms at work there that just transcend cultural boundaries.

Also, I'm so thrilled about the upcoming group read of Go Set a Watchman. I was unsure whether I wanted to read it already but now I'm really excited about it.

[Jane]

Astrid wrote: "Just barging in really quick - I'm still in the process of familiarizing myself with the body of Eudora Welty's work, but I'm a huge fan of The Optimist's Daughter. I've had to read it for uni a co..." I believe that she was first and foremost a photographer and that gave magic to her fiction

[Jane]

Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. B..."

Mike, have you found any good books about her and her photography?

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Jane wrote: "Mike wrote: "Jane wrote: "Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past..."

Yes, Jane. These two in particular. Eudora Welty: Photographs,One Time, One Place: Mississippi in the Depression. The latter is a series of photographs taken by Ms. Welty when she was a WPA photographer and she documented Mississippi during the Great Depression. Very powerful images.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Astrid, "Delta Wedding" is one of my favorites, and I love her short stories too. She was a genius with characters.

[[deleted user]]

Answered Prayers - The Unfinished Novel
not as good as his other work

[Meran]

Most of my last post, #1185, didn't make it. I typed it, then posted, but it's mostly gone.

[Sue]

Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. Bottom line, I have two Mis..."

This is a recent addition to my lengthy list too, Mike. In addition to her stories, I've enjoyed The Optimist's Daughter, Delta Wedding and One Writer's Beginnings, a memoir. There's only one of her works that I've tried so far that I haven't liked, The Robber Bridegroom, which was quite different from the others and almost a grotesque as I remember it (I didn't finish it).

[penneminreads]

Diane wrote: "Astrid, "Delta Wedding" is one of my favorites, and I love her short stories too. She was a genius with characters."

Thank you, Diane! I have Delta Wedding on my list, and I have a feeling that I won't be disappointed :)

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Sue wrote: "Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. Bottom line, I..."

Sue, I particularly )ike One Writer's Beginnings. There is a recording available of Ms. Welty reading it. Grand!

[Sue]

Mike wrote: "Sue wrote: "Mike wrote: "Although I spend most of my time in Mississippi in Faulkner Country, I varied my usual travel and soaked up the Jackson of Eudora Welty the past two days. Bo..."

I should check that one out, Mike. It's such a nice book.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I haven't read it yet but this sounds interesting.

Beware the purple fields in Lori Roy’s eerie ‘Let Me Die in His Footsteps’

[John]

It has been an interesting month in the history arena. Recently completed Castles of Steel which covers WWI naval encounters between England and Germany. An excellent book containing much detail yet with the personality to maintain focus on the human drama of events. Well worth the time for those interested in that time era.

Currently well into Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War. Having been published only last year this is full of fore-warnings of today's events; VA hospitalizations, Iran nuclear ambitions, ISIS, Assad and Syria, you name it! I admire Robert Gates immensely.

[[deleted user]]

is reading larry brown Billy Ray's Farm: Essays from a Place Called Tula

[[deleted user]]

I am reading Larry brown book billy ray's farm. so far I find it moving and very insightful in Larry brown life in oxford .

Is the heart is a lonely hunter worth a read?

[Ann]

I'm reading Dancing at the Rascal Fair by Ivan Doig about two young Scottish men who immigrate to Montana in 1889. So far I really like it but the only Southern connection are the Texas cowboys who rest in Montana on their cattle drive. The Scottish men wonder if they're called Texans or Texicans.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Erika, "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" is a wonderful book. You should definitely read it, I think you'll love it.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Kitchens of the Great Midwest
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Mmars]

Ann - I LOVED Dancing at the Rascal Fair! The Scottish settling and sheep herding in Montana's Rocky foothills was something I hadn't known. Also I thought the relationship of the men - friends as immigrants, then feuding rivals was soooo well done.

[Ann]

Mmars wrote: "Ann - I LOVED Dancing at the Rascal Fair! The Scottish settling and sheep herding in Montana's Rocky foothills was something I hadn't known. Also I thought the relationship of the men - friends as..."

The more I read Dancing at the Rascal Fair, the more I love it.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I've got to get to this book. I've been meaning to get to this for years.

[Howard]

Diane wrote: "I've got to get to this book. I've been meaning to get to this for years."

It is a terrific book, Diane. Most of his are.

His coming of age memoir, "This House of Sky," about his childhood in Montana is one of my very favorite books. When he was quite young, his mother died and he was raised by two unforgettable characters: his father and his grandmother. It made for an interesting dynamic since the grandmother was not his father's mother, but his mother-in-law.

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Ann wrote: "Mmars wrote: "Ann - I LOVED Dancing at the Rascal Fair! The Scottish settling and sheep herding in Montana's Rocky foothills was something I hadn't known. Also I thought the relationship of the men..."

Doig died in April of this year. We lost a great one. I loved his The Eleventh Man which tracked a football team through the second world war. The elenth man was their classmate, a journalist assigned to cover their story. Brilliant!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Erika wrote: "I am reading Larry brown book billy ray's farm. so far I find it moving and very insightful in Larry brown life in oxford .

Is the heart is a lonely hunter worth a read?"

Erika, I strongly agree with Diane. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter is unforgettable. It is a wonderful book. I believe the group has read it twice. I've read it at least three times. It is among my favorites.

[Iris]

I agree Mike. I'm planning to read it again this summer. Highly recommended!

[Lawyer, "Moderator Emeritus"]

Iris wrote: "I agree Mike. I'm planning to read it again this summer. Highly recommended!"

Iris, so glad to see you here! You're in good company here. And I hope you'll be with us for a very long walk on the Trail. If you've not done so, please drop by Introductions. We will supply the welcomes. I've been playing hooky, reading Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell. It's been so darned hot, I needed something in a colder climate, bleak though it may be.

[Iris]

Mike wrote: "Iris wrote: "I agree Mike. I'm planning to read it again this summer. Highly recommended!"

Iris, so glad to see you here! You're in good company here. And I hope you'll be with us for a very lon..."

Thanks Mike I do plan to come by. I'm trying to get through Don't Point That Thing at Me which has been trying my nerves and the heat up here isn't helping either. Stay cool!

[Sue]

Howard wrote: "Diane wrote: "I've got to get to this book. I've been meaning to get to this for years."

It is a terrific book, Diane. Most of his are.

His coming of age memoir, "This House of Sky," about hi..."

I think I got a copy of that as a remainder Howard. It's a book that just looked so good. Glad to know how much you liked it. Now to search through my books and see if it's actually here! :)

[penneminreads]

Mike wrote: "Iris wrote: "I agree Mike. I'm planning to read it again this summer. Highly recommended!"

Iris, so glad to see you here! You're in good company here. And I hope you'll be with us for a very lon..."


Mike, do you like Faceless Killer?


I've been off the trail myself for a while now. Currently I'm reading John Dos Passos' Manhattan Transfer. I really hope to finish it soon, somehow it's not the right book for me to read at the moment. I feel like I can't really appreciate it.

[C.J.]

Jane wrote: "Just started audio book because I am traveling it is read by Reese Witherspoon ...let s see"
I thought Reese Witherspoon did a fine job in narrating

[Diane S ☔]

Finished Above the Waterfall
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I had a fit of insomnia recently which gave me a chance to finish Watchman yesterday. I'm traveling today but should get a review out this weekend.

[LA]

Random item - Im on a movie set for The upcoming movie about the BP oil disaster. I am just a background actor but about to film a scene with Mark Wahlberg on a commercial airline. I am carrying a copy of the book "Serena" to faux-read. If it makes it into the movie, that book is my Easter egg to say hello to all of you here on the Trail! XO Thinking of y'all!

[C.J.]

Leanne wrote: "Random item - Im on a movie set for The upcoming movie about the BP oil disaster. I am just a background actor but about to film a scene with Mark Wahlberg on a commercial airline. I am carrying a ..."

LOL! Good for you, but having been a backgrounds "talent" myself for a couple of majors, don't expect to much! Oh, and make sure you don't call Wahlberg "Markey Mark" or you will get your walking papers.

[[deleted user]]

update
read 6 out ten essays in Larry brown billy rays farm and wow i really like this book.really good writing , good details and it feels like I am there. another update will soon follow.

[Beverly]

Just finished reading Pawleys Island by Dorothea Benton Frank. This is not normally the type of book I like to read but I just returned last Saturday from visiting the South Carolina coast (Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island) and I wanted to read something that reminded me of the beautiful area. I started to give it two stars because it just had too many "cutesie" comments. There were serious topics in the book that I felt were treated too lightly. However, I bumped it up to three stars because the writing was not bad and it served the purpose of giving me a break from the more intense books I have read lately.

[Diane S ☔]

Finished In the Language of Miracles
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I finished Go Set a Watchman this week. I strongly recommend that it be read back-to-back with To Kill a Mockingbird. It is a great companion piece and provides a lot of additional insights into Mockingbird.