You know what I'm sick of? Novels written from a young girl's point of view. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Lovely Bones, and several more are all girl-voice books my book club read last year. On my own, I got a compensating dose of adult reality from Philip Roth's American Pastoral. It was excellent, profound, but a gut wrencher. I would suggest some Roth to my book club but it needs to be a little more upbeat.

posted by charlynjohnson at 1:29 am (EST) on May 22, 2008

Hi VB, We share alot of books, so I thought I would drop you a line. I was reading the posts on your page and I have read many of the authors and books you all are writing about, too. You should try McMurtry. All the Berrybender books are fabulous. I especially loved Lonesome Dove, one of his earlier books. They even did a great job with the original miniseries on TV. He has a great sense of humor and his characters are always a hoot. The poster who was reading "American Pastoral?" That is a heavy book to get through,but he is definitely an american classic.Hope to see you in some posts,oh by the way, I grew up in Brockton, Mass.,home of Rocky Marciano,Marvelous Marvin Hagler and the shoe capital of New England. Have a good night,Mary Beth

posted by mmignano11 at 6:58 pm (EST) on Mar 5, 2008

My friends seem amazed when I tell them I read several books at once. They wonder how I can keep track of multiple story lines. I tell them it isn't a problem, that the whole imaginary universe pops back up in my head after I've read just a few words. I'm not strict with myself. If I feel like finishing up a pageturner, I do it. I practice no guilt reading.

I read multiple books at the same time because it's the only way for me to get through difficult reading like Philip Roth. I would get bogged down if I tried to read one of his books straight through.

Just got back from a trip to Portland and a visit to Powell's, my favorite bookstore. I bought six books. I'm already 112 pages into Joyce Carol Oates's A Garden of Earthly Delights, the first of 4 books in a series. I really like her writing and will read the whole series.

I'm also reading Philip Roth's American Pastoral.

I'm sick of reading books written from a child's point of view (A Thousand Splendid Suns, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, etc.).

posted by charlynjohnson at 12:33 pm (EST) on Feb 22, 2008

I hope you had a happy Thanksgiving. I just finished East of Eden, and while I liked it, I can't say I loved it. I had the same problems with it that you did; I just couldn't get deep enough into the characters, especially Adam, who never quite came to life...for all of Steinbeck's words, words, words. Why did he love Aron more than Cal? We only hear Cal say that Aron is more loveable. I don't even know if we ever see that. We certainly feel Adam's pride in Aron, but we're never sure why that is. The story is too heavy on the biblical story; I wish it had been more subtle. Anyway, I loved Sam Hamilton, Lee, and as I said earlier, I always found myself caught up in the chapters that featured Cathy/Kate. Small point: I did wonder how she filed her nails before killing herself, since a moment earlier her hands were so stiff with arthritis, she couldn't even turn the door knob.
I've never read McMurty, and maybe I should someday. Right now I'm about to start A Prayer for Owen Meany, which has gotten rave reviews on LT. The World According to Garp is one of my favorite novels, but I always found myself comparing Irving's other works to that one. Unfair, I know. So I'll start again.
Thanks for staying in touch.

posted by vivienbrenda at 11:04 am (EST) on Nov 24, 2007

I'm almost through The Lovely Bones. It's a compelling read but I can't help being annoyed by it. The narrator is a murdered girl watching her friends, family, police, and the murderer, looking down from heaven. So OK, we've all thought, "What would it be like if I died and could watch my own funeral?" And "What if I won the lottery?" And so forth. But a whole book exploring a contrived imagination is a bit much. Nevertheless, it's worth reading.

I'm also reading the third book of Larry McMurtry's Berrybender Chronicles, On Sorrow's River. I love McMurtry, whatever he writes, but he never has a normal plot, he just describes the activities of his characters living their lives. I find McMurtry relaxing to read and somehow profound and he never hits me over the head with a hammer. I loved Lonesome Dove but Moving On is really good, too.

posted by charlynjohnson at 11:54 am (EST) on Nov 21, 2007

I just finished listening to East of Eden as well. I'd love to hear what you thought of it. I thought it was good, but at the same time it was hard for me to connect with the characters. I loved Lee though, I think he was my favorite part.

posted by bookworm12 at 2:25 pm (EST) on Nov 16, 2007

You *might* like The Unconsoled, by Kazuo Ishiguro. It is an exasperating book to read, long and not necessarily sensible all the time. Nevertheless, I consider it one of the ten best books I've ever read. Let me know if you read it, and what you think about it.

posted by charlynjohnson at 2:43 pm (EST) on Nov 1, 2007

Thanks for the review on "The Awakening Land" by Conrad Richter. I loved that book. I read it a long time ago and hope to eventually read it again.
Anne

posted by anneofia at 3:17 am (EST) on Sep 21, 2007

Have you read anything by Kazuo Ishiguro? He wrote Remains of the Day, The Unconsoled, When We Were Orphans, Never Let Me Go. The Unconsoled isn't easy reading but it's worthwhile for those who can finish it. One of my favorite books. If you haven't read anything by Ishiguro, I'd recommend starting with Never Let Me Go.

I'm having a hard time with Yiddish Policemen's Union because it's full of yiddish and I don't understand it. Otherwise, it's a good story but nothing special so far. I'm only into it about 100 pages.

posted by charlynjohnson at 12:30 pm (EST) on Sep 17, 2007

No, no affiliation with CCCC. Is there a Larkin over there?

posted by Larxol at 9:14 am (EST) on Sep 9, 2007

Just a Sandwich hello... I noticed your comment about the Thornton Burgess Society. I'm in East Sandwich, near Scorton Creek.

posted by Larxol at 7:35 pm (EST) on Sep 7, 2007

Well I just started chapter 7 of Water for Elephants. I've got a slew of books waiting to be read, not sure what I'll start next. I want to read another memoir, so might pick up Hypicrite in a Pouffy White Dress or ..... OR ....... The Kite Runner ... I really don't know. Depends how I feel emotionally when I finish Water...

I'll give you credit though, two books is too much for me. I saw Bitter is the New Black and thought it looked interesting. I may be wrong.

posted by jennifer75 at 7:38 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2007

I noticed we share How to Save Your Own Life, did you read Fear of Flying?

posted by jennifer75 at 1:17 pm (EST) on Aug 28, 2007

Hi I just received Water For Elephants this weekend, I'd love to follow with you...how far have you gotten?

posted by jennifer75 at 6:11 pm (EST) on Aug 21, 2007