Retired: What are you reading? Showing 3,851-3,900 of 5,490

[Kim]

LeAnne, I am so sorry--know what it is like to not have one or two books that you cannot wait to get back to reading, makes it feel like slogging rather than the joy of reading for which I live. I have had the opposite going lately, falling into unexpectedly great books and being wonderfully surprised and pleased. Hope things turn around for you soon.

[Brina]

I slogged through a book last week and had to table another one for a different time. We all get that but I'm sure LeAnne that you will be back to your reading self soon enough. I just read Embers by Sándor Márai, a hidden gem, my review-- https://www.goodreads.com/review/show.... Starting to read Disgrace. And getting ready for Passover so I have a lot of shorter stories to read just because I don't have time or attention for much else now.

[John]

Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

The Japanese / Zen concept of; impermanence, evolution and erosion, beauty in imperfection -something being perfectly imperfect.

The concept is strongly rooted in the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Oddly enough the ceremony has become so formulated and rigid that the original expression of Wabi-Sabi has been replaced by its antithesis. Not to diminish Tea. Utensils, architecture, and ambiance are steeped in Wabi-Sabi counterbalanced by the rote perfection of the ceremony. Yin and Yang baby. It's everywhere.

A delightful book. Presents a different way to look and interpret the world around us. Five days no shave. Shaved yesterday, now W-S is returning. Ink stain on a white shirt. Too much stuff on my desk. Burnt rice.

[LA]

Kim wrote: "LeAnne, I am so sorry--know what it is like to not have one or two books that you cannot wait to get back to reading, makes it feel like slogging rather than the joy of reading for which I live. I ..."

Thanks - the law of averages will certainly kick in soon and land me a couple winners when I'm expecting the so-so. The books I didn't care for were loved by many others, so they were well worth the effort.

So glad you've had a good run!

[LA]

Brina wrote: "I slogged through a book last week and had to table another one for a different time. We all get that but I'm sure LeAnne that you will be back to your reading self soon enough. I just read [book:E..."

Ooo, I liked Disgrace. It is slow moving but wonderful character development. The dad is a jerk but has some redeeming qualities to him...my kind of protagonist; mixed bag of failings and devotion.

What are the prep things for Passover? My Jewish friends aren't overly observant, so I'm a bit ignorant. Once, Passover was late that year - during the start up of JazzFest. My girlfriend was eating at her favorite foodstands at the festival and heard some guy call her name. She turned around with a mouthful of cochon du lait po-boy - and there was her new rabbi. #bustedwithayapfullofpork

[Brina]

Have to make my kitchen look like the day we moved in. Exciting right. Disgrace is good so far. I like the dad so far. Seems like he is going through a midlife crisis. It will be interesting to see the end. Then I have short stories because I am in full cleaning mode now.

[John]

Out of Africa A couple of things.

1. As some reviewers spell out, this book is heavy with N European, turn of the century colonialism, containing views into just how insipid the train of events were. I'm not interested in hearing about how she was a product of her times or other justifications. The Europeans had enough culture and civilization by then to know better. But obviously They Didn't! So much for the humanizing effects of Christianity. However I do believe she cared for her Natives and looked after them the best she could, given the social constraints.

2. Setting that aside, it is a well written book. The imagery is cool and crisp. Emotions: Warm and melancholic, Easy to build empathy for the characters. I couldn't help returning to thoughts of how much the natives gave to her, and how much they had lost. A slow thoughtful read.

3. Wait until you are finished before you watch the Sidney Pollack movie.

[Connie]

John wrote: "Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

The Japanese / Zen concept of; impermanence, evolution..."

Perfectly imperfect. I like that idea, John. Wabi-Sabi could take a lot of the little stresses out of life--and sounds so philosophical too!

[John]

Connie, yesterday i walked around all day saying those words. Don't they ring mysterious?

[Connie]

John wrote: "Connie, yesterday i walked around all day saying those words. Don't they ring mysterious?"

You sound very wise!

[John]

Ohhh Connie, it's only an illusion. How so nice of you. Right up my ego alley

here's a fun little review

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Brina]

My review of Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jane]

Question please everyone , has anyone read Barrowfields as thinking of getting it

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Jane, not yet, but I will as it's an Appalachian setting. It's gotten some good reviews.

[Jane]

Yes Diane I have read good things about it and oh by the way I just received Welty s Losing Battles !

[Faith]

I finished Where All Light Tends to Go by David Joy. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kim]

RISING STRONGRising Strong book I won from bookstr and got in this morning

[Brina]

My review of The Violin of Auschwitz by Maria Àngels Anglada. Very moving account:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Faith]

I finished The Child by Fiona Barton. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jane]

Anybody read this looks interesting and was in Southern Review

Historic Alabama Courthouses.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Jane wrote: "Anybody read this looks interesting and was in Southern Review

Historic Alabama Courthouses: A Century of Their Images and Stories."

Here's a link to the article about the book.
http://southernlitreview.com/reviews/...

[Brina]

Here's my review of Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I do plan on reading All the King's Men after Passover is over and am looking forward to it.

[Candace]

I just ordered Mourner's Bench after it was the subject of discussion on the PBS show ,Books and Co with Alberto Rios. The book takes place in a rural area of Arkansas during 50s-60s. What sounded especially good was the 8 year old narrator tells her story while living with 3 generations of women in her family (at one time!) I can't wait to get it.
I recorded it and watched it later so some of you may have watched it or heard of the book.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Candace that sounds good. I'm adding it. Thanks!

[Sue]

John wrote: "Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

The Japanese / Zen concept of; impermanence, evolution..."

Sounds fascinating. I think I should check it out.

[Sue]

Faith wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "Faith wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "Man, I'm on some sort of roll here. I've just read three books in a row that I anticipated to be wonderful - and for many readers they were - but just we..."

For anyone who happens to live or work in Massachusetts, you are eligible for a free membership in the Boston Public Library. Since I live in the suburbs, I use this as an e-membership. They have an extensive e-library. There is usually a wait list for newer books but they have a wide list. I know of people who live in New Hampshire but work in MA and take advantage of this. Perhaps there are other places nearer to you that you haven't heard about yet.

We also have library consortiums that we can borrow from as if each were our local library which widens the reach a bit too. Don't know if these exist all around the country.

[Brina]

I finally readA Summons to Memphis and found it to be a thought provoking concept, my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John]

Sue wrote: "John wrote: "Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

The Japanese / Zen concept of; impermanen..."

Sue, I hope all is well. I see you be reading up a storm.

Like most things Zen, The less said the better. I do think this would be right up your alley. While there is empirical information its strength is leading one into an intuitive relationship with the stuff around us, both inside and outside. If you take a look at the book page and read the review with the bath tub. I enjoyed it plenty.

jt

[John]

Oh btw, My favorite Wabi-Sabi Faulkner would be Absalom, Absalom.

[Sue]

John wrote: "Sue wrote: "John wrote: "Wabi-Sabi: For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

The Japanese / Zen concept of..."

Thanks John. Yes I have been reading like crazy and also reading multiple books. I had shoulder surgery on the 28th which threw my reading schedule off completely and also what kind of books I wanted to read. For several days, it was mostly mysteries. my default reading position. Now I'm back to all sorts of things but have several books started!

I may get the Wabi Sabi book for kindle since my library sources don't have it... OOPS not for kindle, it would have to be a paper copy.

[David]

Not southern literature, but just sped through Jeanette Winterson's memoir, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?.
It's set in the north of England, not the southeastern US, but the small-town working-class setting, the importance of fundamentalist Christianity and the claustrophobia of an insular community reminded me in some ways of the south I grew up in.

[Anne]

Meanwhile There Are Letters: The Correspondence of Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald

Greetings everyone! I have been reading Eudora Welty lately, and I am currently reading this. This is a great glimpse into her writing life and that of many other authors.

[Candace]

Thx for this recommendation! I don't read very many letters or diaries but when I do, I really love them. And these two authors...!!

[Karen]

I just read The Mourning Parade by Dawn Reno Langley. This book touched me on such a deep emotional level of the love for animals and the joy they bring to our lives. My review can be found here:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[David]

Anne--
If you are a fan of Miss Welty's work, I recommend
One Writer's Beginnings
In it, she describes how she found her own voice as a writer. Nothing like hearing an author describe her own creative development.

[Anne]

Thanks David! Actually, I just checked that one out of the library!

[Kim]

In the Midnight Hour: The Life & Soul of Wilson Pickett by tony fletcher. won this from www.librarything.com
it has been really interesting so far

[LA]

I just finished the latest book by one of my favorite authors, Ann Patchett, and while it was less high-drama than her other novels, by the halfway point I was in love. Before that point, I disliked EVERY single character (that's good writing, anyhow!) until that middle section hooked me. Generally, a horrible protagonist thrills me (hello, Eileen and Loner) but every one of the ten characters was tedious in that first half.

I ended up giving Commonwealth 5 stars, so obviously, it clicked! Happy day!

[Brina]

Leanne, one of these days I will read Patchett--- I save the end of the year for books I have been meaning to get to. Passover I was offline and read Murder at the Vicarage, The Bonesetter's Daughter, and started Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk. Today off to the library to restock and I only have classics on reserve this time around. Should be fun.

[Faith]

I finished The Barrowfields by Phillip Lewis. My review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Cathrine ☯️]

I couldn't wait to get to another Michael Farris Smith book after reading Desperation Road. My thoughts here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So I'm now reading Rivers; what a completely different read. Still set in the Gulf Coast but I had no idea it was apocalyptic which is not usually my thing--but he's such a good writer. Has anyone else read this one? Post Katrina it's very conceivable.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Anyone else watched first episode of The Son? I like it.

[Brina]

My review of Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[LA]

Cathrine ☯ wrote: "I couldn't wait to get to another Michael Farris Smith book after reading Desperation Road. My thoughts here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/..."

Cathrine, he is amazing, isn't he? And yes - many of us have read Rivers and in fact, if you scroll through the Bookshelf or Discussions, you can see our chit chat about the book. We also did our first author chat with Michael about Rivers...take a peek!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Jane]

Maggie O'Farrell s The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox because I hit a series of very bad novel reading and this is a beautiful shining five star read at last - page 150 and cannot put it down

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Laura wrote: "Anyone else watched first episode of The Son? I like it."

I watched it but I'm not super enthusiastic about it. I'm still undecided as to whether I want to continue with it.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I haven't read the book yet, but not sure if I would watch it anyway, since I'm not a big fan of Pierce Brosnan.

[Kim]

Unshakeable is what I am currently reading found on a website when I was surfing the internet

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Diane, shut your mouth! He's soooo good looking and I like his acting. The Thomas Crown Affair is a movie favorite and I'm not a movie person. He's pretty wicked in The Son.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I think it's the James Bond thing. He just never fit that role, and I am a Sean Connery fan (and Daniel Craig).