Janet continues in the same vein

Welcome to my second thread for 2011. If you want to start at the beginning, my first thread was here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/105962

Here’s what I have read so far:

January:
1. Palace of Desire by Naguib Mahfouz
2. God's Philosophers: How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science by James Hannam
3. Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
4. Remnant Population by Elizabeth Moon
5. Death in a Strange Country by Donna Leon
6. Stalking the Angel by Robert Crais
7. Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear

February:
8. Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
9. Oblivion by David Foster Wallace
10. Finishing the Hat by Stephen Sondheim
11. The Magicians by Lev Grossman
12. The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson
13. Wondrak and Other Stories by Stefan Zweig

March:
14. Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean
15. Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
16. Red Bones by Ann Cleeves
17. Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon
18. Fear by Stefan Zweig

April:
19. Bad Dirt by Annie Proulx
20. The Book of Words by Jenny Erpenbeck

May:
21. Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck
22. Eleven by David Llewellyn
23. Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction by Harry Sidebottom
24. Ransom by David Malouf
25. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
26. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
27. The Seas by Samantha Hunt
28. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
29. Islam: A Very Short Introduction by Malise Ruthven
30. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

June:
31. Wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri
32. One Secret Thing by Sharon Olds

Okay, finally, here's what I wanted to say about this book:

10. Finishing the Hat by Stephen Sondheim

I am a bit of a Sondheim fanatic, so it’s not surprising that I enjoyed this book so much. It’s also always great to get an insight into how a true artist approaches his or her work – I am completely uncreative, so it’s especially fascinating to me. This book confirmed what I always hope will be true, and what Einstein told us 100 years ago, about genius being 99% perspiration (but of course you do need that other 1% too).

Sondheim may be a genius, but he also works very hard on his songs. There are many facsimile pages of handwritten drafts in this book, full of crossings out, lists of potential phrases and ryhmes, arrows, scribbles, etc. He knows show tunes are written for a specific character to sing in a specific situation, and no matter how good a song is, if it doesn’t work in its context, it has to go – a lot of the songs in the book were ultimately cut from their shows. Some of these looked really interesting, and I’d love to know how they would have sounded – maybe I can find them on youtube or somewhere. He also understands his craft very well, discussing at length the importance of the right types of ryhme, rhythm, voice, vocabulary, when to repeat lines and when not to, etc. He has studied the work of pretty much every other lyricist really thoroughly, and discusses many of them in depth, saying what he likes and doesn’t like about their work, with specific examples, although unfortunately he is too polite to discuss any living lyricists or songwriters.

Taking the book as a whole, I realized I pretty much only liked the songs and shows I already knew, and not too many of the others. I think this just proves his point about lyrics having to work with their music and their characters, and in their context. For example, I look at Follies and the lyrics scream “overly sentimental”. Yet Suzanne (chatterbox) says she thinks it is one of the best things ever written about nostalgia. Sondheim says each character’s main song is written in the style of a famous lyricist of a different period – something I didn’t get at all. I suspect if I saw the show live, I’d get Sondheim’s point, and very likely wind up agreeing with Suz. Similarly, the lyrics to Anyone Can Whistle just look simplistic to me, as does the whole show. Yet Sandy (sandykaypax) says it is has some wonderful songs, both to listen to and to perform – again, I think she is probably right, and I need to see a production. Finally, Merrily We Roll Along - the lyrics on their own seem outdated and trivial, and the plot conceit (the story is told backwards in time) pointless. Yet Sondheim rates this among his favorites – I guess you have to be there.

Finally, a few words about Sweeney Todd. To me, this is the acme of Sondheim’s work. The story is great, the songs are great, even the movie is good. Sondheim talks a lot about the importance of the opening number in setting the scene, telling the audience what kind of show they are about to see. Here, the opening line does the job – “attend the tale of Sweeney Todd” – it’s going to be a little old-fashioned, and it’s a “tale” – don’t expect it to be too realistic, suspend your disbelief. He also discusses how the different characters use different styles of language depending on their place in society, as well as the hard work it was to find enough authentic, or authentic sounding, 19th century slang words with sexual connotations for the character of the beggar woman. If you look at the lyrics you can see this. Finally, this show contains what I think is one of the best show tunes ever written – “A Little Priest” – if you don’t know it, go look it up right now. It’s funny as well as clever, allows lots of scope for the actors to act (another key element of a good show tune according to Sondheim), and advances the plot. I remember clearly the first time I heard this song on the radio – I loved it then, and I still love it now.

This book is only Volume I, and stops after Sweeney Todd. I hope I don’t have to wait too long for Volume II.

Wow! Awesome review! I am not sure whether or not I am going to read it because I am limited in my ability to imagine songs if I have not heard them and it sounds like I haven't heard a lot of these. But I would enjoy seeing the artist at work and his process. Very cool selection!

#2: Definitely putting that one in the BlackHole. I am a huge fan of Into the Woods. Thanks for the recommendation, Janet.

#3 - thanks, Kim

#4 - Stasia, Into the Woods is one of my faves, too, possibly second after Sweeney Todd. Too bad it's in volume 2! By the way, sorry to say, they did not take up the hot pink pole suggestion. This hospital is just so boring!

Very nice review! I loved it!

Hope that you are out of the hospital soon!
--BJ

Found you again...... funny how a thread will just fall below the horizon of the screen..... and you keep thinking, hmmm, somebody's missing, then you have to go hunting for them and realize they have a new thread going......

Yes, what Sib said.

Nice review of Finishing the Hat! Interesting that Sondheim rates Merrily We Roll Along as a personal fave. Coincidentally, I was just talking about that show this morning to one of my students. I have a soft spot for that show because I was in a production of it in 1994 and I met 3 dear friends. Plus, the show has one killer ballad, Not a Day Goes By.

Sweeney Todd is my absolute fave Sondheim work. I'm with you on A Little Priest. A joy to perform.

Sandy K

Glad you enjoyed Finishing the Hat, I hope you don't have too long to wait for the second volume. I don't know much Sondheim, but when I saw the Burton Sweeny Todd film recently I discovered that two songs I got to know from a recording by Judy Collins many years ago are actually from that show (Pretty Women and Greenfinch and Linnet Bird). Strange to find such an unexpected context which made me think of the songs in a whole new light.

Janet, I saw you posting on Stasia's thread. How are you doing these days?

Hi, Pat, thanks for checking up on me! And thanks to you others who have posted in the last couple of weeks. I am okay, and at home after probably the most frustrating four weeks of my life. Like my previous admissions in December and January, I was in the hospital to get IV treatment for a virus (CMV if you want to get technical) which will keep recurring in me for a while until my new immune system gets strong enough to suppress it. Hoewever, unlike those previous admssions, I also had a chest infection to deal with this time. This meant more drugs, more just feeling blah, more IV time and occasional recourse to oxygen. So I couldn’t go out, and hardly ever even felt like reading. I listened to the radio a lot, and occasionally checked in on what you were all up to, but some days I didn’t even turn on my laptop. Anyway, I’m home now, still feeing like a wrung out dishrag, but at least eating much nicer food and not dragging around an IV pole. I have started reading again, too. Bear with me, and I’ll catch up on comments/reviews as soon as I can.

I had lost you too, Janet, and wish I hadn't while you were laid up again. Reading again is great! Eating better is also great! Build up! Build up!

I have been keeping track of you on your blog, and am very happy that you are home again.

Just got back in town after two weeks without my computer and I am so sorry I was not able to keep you company while you were stuck in the hospital!! So glad you are home again. Sending energy waves your way...be well! Hugs.

Being home sounds great and so does the reading. Looking forward to your comments when you feel up to it.

I am glad that you are back home again.
--BJ

I had lost track and missed that you've been in this hospital. I'm glad to hear you're home!

That's great news, Janet!

Really glad you're home again, and hope the dishrag feeling starts to go soon.

Glad you're home, and I hope your health continues to improve.

Echoing everyone else with glad you're home and hope you feel better soon wishes.

And another echo - glad to see you are home and that you are up to reading again.

A third echo....hope this is it and your immune system s on high alert Janet :)

Hi! If you haven't all lost my thread forever, just wanted to let you know that I am still here, still recovering very slowly, and still not really energised to write any reviews. I have written up a bit of War and Peace, which I might post tonight, or more probably tomorrow. Meanwhile, here is a list of what I have read since Finishing the Hat in mid-February:

Magicians by Lev Grossman
The True Deceiver by Tove Jansson
Wondrak and other stories by Stefan Zweig
Stop the Train by Geraldine McCaughrean
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Red Bones by Ann Cleeves
Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon
Fear by Stefan Zweig

So I am still sort of on track for my 75, but only because I purposely chose short and/or easy to read books over the last month for the most part. I will finish War and Peace soon, hopefully in April, and am also reading a couple of other books a bit at a time. Soon it should be nice enough to sit and read in the garden, so my reading might pick up, especially because I find it hard to use the laptop outdoors!

I am so happy to hear you are recovering and home. And reading!

I've read all the Moomin books but never one of Jansson's books for adults, must fix that.

I love Tove Jansson and Stefan Zweig. Hope you enjoyed reading them.

Even on a good day I struggle with reviews so I can totally understand they'd be hard to do with low energy.

You make a good point about reading more outside without a laptop! I'll have to keep that in mind. LT eats up alot of my reading time.

Hope you have some nice warm weather soon and make good progress in your recovery! It was so nice to see you posting again.

I want to read more Stefan Zweig too! You keep taking good care of yourself, Janet.

* waves to Janet *
Nice to hear from you and reviews matter not a whit.

Amen and Amen.
(I might add that if we're keeping count, you're one ahead of me at this point. I still haven't gotten back to *W&P* but A Glastonbury Romance is about the same length - long.)
Delighted that outside reading time is coming up!

Hi Janet, good to hear that you are at home, recovering and even reading. And looking at your list - you did manage to read a lot. I haven't heard of Wondrak, but I like Stefan Zweig's books and will put it on my watchlist. As for W&P - I'll also try and get it finished in April. I'm looking forward to your comments, I am feeling a bit lonely in all those W&P threads. Don't want to put it on hold, now that I am more than half-way through it. In comparison I found Anna Karenina the easier read, but maybe that's just because I had more time for reading back then.

Glad to hear that you are slowly improving, and still getting the reading done - never mind the reviews!

Hello there!! I've missed you. : ) Looks like you've been doing a stellar job of reading despite the low energy. Whereas I am woefully behind on my quota. But I did manage to get both girls into good schools for next year and that is more important anyhow. Now, if my oldest would just decide where she wants to go for college, so the drama could be over with! So much angst. The girl should be happy--she has CHOICES!

Thanks, everyone.

#26 – This was the second of Jansson’s books that I read – the other was The Summer Book. I liked them both. I first heard of her in connection with the Moomin books, but haven’t read any. Should I? Do I need to start at the beginning (which is what)?

#27 – Hi, Pat, yes I did like the Tove Jansson book, although I am still struggling with the “meaning”, which I know is just under the surface but I can’t get it all. As for Zweig, I have now read nearly everything of his which has been translated into English, and he has become one of my favourite authors. I really liked Wondrak, but Fear not so much – the first one that has disappointed me. I enjoyed reading about your Stegner experience, although I haven’t read any of his books. And I’m glad your husband is recovering – my experience has been that it takes way longer than you expect, and is more frustrating than you imagined, so hang in there.

#28 – Yes, Bonnie, read more Zweig! Most of them are so short, it’s easy to do. I have read Gilead but don’t remember it very well (I am one of the minority who didn’t like it), and haven’t read Tinkers, so couldn’t comment, but good try getting a discussion going. My daughter has just read Gilead for a first year college class, and I’ll be very interested to see what she, with absolutely no religious background whatever, made of it.

#29 – Hi, Laura, nice to hear from you. I know reviews don’t “matter”, but, well, this is supposed to be a book discussion site, and I want to do my share!

#30 – No, no, Peggy, we are definitely NOT keeping count (or we’d be depressed every time we looked at some people’s threads). Interesting short story discussion on your thread – I have just contributed. I wouldn’t dream of trying to change your view, though, because I hate when people try to convince me to like genres I don’t – poetry and biography mainly (although of course I’ll dip into them occasionally – no point in cutting off my nose to spite my face).

#31 – Wondrak is a collection of three stories (Wondrak, In the Snow and Compulsion – at least that’s my recollection – it’s gone back to the library), so maybe it’s published differently in German? As for War and Peace, I think the need to stop and make notes so that I can write comments is really what is slowing me down – it makes it feel like a chore sometimes. But I don’t want to just zip through it. I am just about to post something on Book II Part 2. Don’t feel lonely – you are inspiring the rest of us to keep going! And glad to hear there’s new hope for your business.

#32 – Thanks, Genny. The thing is, I do want to post reviews. One follows in a few minutes, so that’s a start anyway. Sorry to see on your thread that you haven’t been too well yourself recently, and hope you are starting to feel better.

#33 – Thanks, Kim. Good job on the schools – I know very well how stressful that can be! Where is the oldest thinking of going? I know what you mean about how they should be happy to have choices. But sometimes I think the simpler path is easier – one school for the whole town, six college applications max, etc. It’s certainly cheaper!

Oh look, a review!

11. The Magicians by Lev Grossman

This book got mixed reviews here on LT, and I wasn’t going to read it, because I thought it sounded, well, a bit adolescent. I have nothing against adolescents, it’s just that I’m not one of them. But then my sister said she was reading and enjoying it, and I generally like the things she likes, so I put it on my “maybe” list. Then, on my very next trip to the library, there it was on the shelf, so I thought, “why not?”. I should have stuck with my first impressions.

Basically, this is a “boarding school” story, very like Harry Potter, crossed with some elements of Narnia. I just thought it was derivative and unimaginative. Here are some things that might sound familiar (no spoilers):
- boy gets a mysterious letter telling him he has been selected for a mysterious magicians’ university which no one has ever heard of
- students spend a lot of time learning how to cast spells
- there is unspoken evil lurking
- students are selected into different groups and become close friends with others in that group
- boy has to undergo a very difficult challenge and uses spells to get through it
- school plays a special game, using spells to move around a large checkerboard type field, in which they compete against other schools (ok, no broomsticks or snitches, but somehow a cross between quidditch and the chess game in HP1).

There are other plot elements, of course, more original, but not one of them really grabbed me. The main difference between this and HP is that these kids are older – 18 and up (although the setting still feels very school like, not university like – they wear uniforms, for example, and have lots of restrictions). This means the writer can put in lots more swearing, drinking, drugs, boredom and sex, lots of it. The problem is, it’s just not interesting. The protagonist and his friends suffer lots of adolescent angst and ennui, but they aren’t very nice or interesting people. They mostly find their lives quite boring and meaningless, and so did I.

I believe this is the beginning of a series, but I won’t be bothering to find out.

Hi Janet, They mostly find their lives quite boring and meaningless, and so did I. I know there was much more to the review than that but that classic line seals the deal. Finally a book I don't have to add to the teetering tower. Yay.

So good to see you posting and starting to feel better.

Sorry that was such a disappointment. I guess your first instinct was right on that one. I don't think I'll be hurrying to it either.

Hi Janet, I'm glad you're home and feeling more like yourself. It takes time to make a full comeback from what you've gone through. I'm so glad that you've been able to keep up with your reading. The reviews can either wait, be quite short, or you can just pick up with your latest reading. It's all good! We're just glad you're back online. Cheers!

I have been away for a bit, Janet, and am trying to catch up. I am glad you are home!

I'm adding The Magicians to my 'avoid like the plague' list.

What kidzdoc said! (Hi Darryl!)

My oldest is choosing between U or OR, U of Puget Sound, U or Vermont and St. Olaf in MN. Big, small, near, far, cheaper, expensive. The gamut!

Hope April is going well for you. How's the weather down in London? It's beautifully spring-like up north at present!

Hi Janet! Just checking in with the rest of the crowd to say that I also hope things are going well with you and yours.
ETA: I've never looked for a Richard Powers group here. Maybe we should start one?

Hi. Just a quick wave to my friends to let you know I am okay. I've had a rough few weeks, not even turning on my computer or reading anything, and in fact am now back in the hospital, this time for major rehydration and other IV recuperation. But it's working, and I'm feeling better. I will try to get back here later to catch up with visitors, and maybe even to say something about a book, who knows....

I hope everyone near the tornado zone is okay.

My Janet radar was pinging this morning and here you are! I am sorry to hear that it hasn't been great lately, but it sounds as if you are muddling your way through it.

This is what is happening in my neck of the woods:

quacking frogs

Janet that sounds rugged - glad you are getting better now though. Hope you can see some springy flowers from your window at least - I hear London is having a beaut day today!

Lucy, those frogs are really cute.

Janet, I'm glad to hear you're OK but sorry the last couple of weeks have been tough. Hope you're feeling like reading more soon.

>41 Berly: Berly, St. Olaf is where Betty White's character in Golden Girls came from, isn't it? She always had absurd stories about people from the town.

Janet, I was thrilled to see activity on your thread. I'm glad you're better and will be gladder when you're better yet. From my town where a tornado dealt a glancing blow, I'm thankful to be safe. One couple of our acquaintance are out of their house which was hammered by two trees thrown on it. They're fine, but she watched one huge tree come turning out of the ground as though it were a corkscrew. I had no idea!

Janet--Hope the rehydrating is going well and that your spirits are holding up. : )
#48 Mamzel -- I am off to check out the Golden Girls...is it a good thing or a bad thing that she has absurd stories about the people from that town?!

>44 JanetinLondon:: Sorry to hear about your setback, Janet. I thought things had been too quiet for too long on your thread. The hospital is your second home lately. I hope you've made friends there that treat you like a visitor on a book retreat rather than as a patient. Speaking of books, what have you been able to read as you recover from the most recent round of the punies?

Healing {{{hugs}}} going out to you!

I just saw your comment on W&P, so it looks like those IV treatments are working and your health is improving. I keep my fingers crossed that you'll regain your strength quickly and they can send you back home soon!

Sorry to hear you're back in hospital but glad the rehydration and IV have helped you feel better. Thinking of you.

Just stopping by again...Hugs! When you feel up to it, you should get your hands on The Tiger's Wife -- awesome!!

Hi Janet. I saw the activity on your thread and just thought I'd stop by. Hope you're doing better each day.

Just stopping by to say I'm thinking of you, and hope you are beginning to feel better.

Hi, all! A “high energy" day for a change, so I am posting while I can. Many, many thanks to all who have stopped by while I have been pretty AWOL – it is really heartening to know I am not forgotten! I’m not going to answer your individual comments, though – please don’t be insulted, it’s just too hard going back. Will do better going forwards!

Also, I don’t really want to go back over the books I read and didn’t review in March, because I don’t think I can do them justice, especially the “harder” ones, like True Deceiver by Tove Jansson (which I liked), but I think a few thoughts on some might be in order, in case anyone wants to make any comments. So:

Magicians by Lev Grossman – I did review this, quite negatively, and I stand by my view. But I also went and looked at what other people who liked it said, which was interesting. I may have over-emphasized my dislike of the derivativeness of the boarding school plot as my reason for disliking the book – I agree that lots of books share this plot and of course copying/sharing is part of fiction, especially genre fiction. I think what I should have said was that the other elements of the book – the downbeat theme that even being magic and having adventures can’t make you happy, just didn’t work for me – just too unengaging.

Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin – This was a 5-star read for me, and I would urge everyone to read it. Beautifully written, and tragic in the true sense of the word. Young gay men trying to have a life in mid-20th century Paris, knowing there is no future they can truly imagine. Since there is as yet no possibility of an “alternative mainstream” life for them, they really only have three options – to fully embrace their passions and lifestyle for now, although they know it will ultimately lead to loneliness and despair, as they see in all the examples of the older homosexuals around them, desperate for love, sex and acceptance, or to try to live “normal” lives, maybe marrying women and settling down, but denying their true feelings. The third way, of course, is the “burn out young”. It’s told in flashback, so you know from the start pretty much what routes people choose. Very depressing, but very worth reading.

I want to comment on a couple more, too, but I think I’ll wait for the next energy burst. For those in the UK, enjoy the Bank Holiday.

Good to see you around.

I read James Baldwin's Another Country years ago, it was a hardback copy with no dustjacket and I had no real idea what it was about, but I was blown away by it. I've had lots of his books for years meaning to read more, and I'd like to reread Another Country. I also have a couple of Penguin Modern Classics copies from the library (they have introductions, which my copies don't have).

Another Country does look great, and I guess I'll have to read it now!

Baldwin is great, so glad you are enjoying him.

And even more glad your energy is returning!

Yep. Another positive for Baldwin. Meanwhile, LT thinks I will love The True Deceiver. I'm off.

I'm glad that you're feeling more energetic, Janet. I was completely taken with Giovanni's Room when I read it several years ago; it's my favorite Baldwin novel, and probably my favorite novel by an African-American author (slightly ahead of Invisible Man). Another Country and Go Tell it on the Mountain are superb, and many of his essays are also outstanding.

I just wishlisted Giovanni's Room. It reminded me of Winston in The White Family who was studying Baldwin's works. I don't think I realized until then that Baldwin was gay.

I was interested in what you were saying in your review about gay men trying to live "normal" lives by marrying women in the 1950s. I just finished a short biography of Gerald Murphy, who apparently was bisexual or homosexual, and his long marriage to Sara Murphy. They lived in Paris in the 1920s and 1930s.

Hi, Darryl. In fact, I think it might have been something you said on your thread fairly recently that got me to read Giovanni's Room - does that seem likely? An interesting thing about it is that it isn't at all about race (at least, I don't think it is?). Obviously racial issues were key to lots of Baldwin's writing, but I think it's great that he was prepared to just leave that out of this one, which I feel might have compromised it a bit (although they were, of course, mostly foreigners in France). I really feel a big Baldwin blitz coming on.

Pat, I have never heard of Gerald Murphy - will go look that one up. I guess he was "luckier" than the characters in this book in terms of finding a way to live.

A bit more energy, a few more catch-up book comments:

Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon – A nice book of essays about all aspects of manhood – son, brother, husband, father, lover, friend, son-in-law, etc. I think he’s a really good writer, especially of non-fiction. I wish I had had the time/energy to comment on this one as I went, because I think some interesting conversations might have opened up. If you read it, or if you see it being discussed anywhere, please let me know, because I’d still be interested.

Stefan Zweig – I read two of his books in March, Wondrak and Other Stories and Fear. I have read a lot of Zweig since I first came across him (sometime in the last two years), and loved every one of them, until now. Wondrak was great, but I didn’t like Fear and had to really push myself to finish it and try to like it. The main character seemed so much stupider than is usually the case – she is being blackmailed, she knows it can never end, but she does nothing to try to stop it. I know this inability to escape “fate” is a key theme for Zweig, but this one just seemed so contrived, with some badly written minor characters, and indeed the denouement felt insulting, to the character and to the reader. My question is, have I just read too much of him? Or is this one just less good, or was it just my mood? Any thoughts from other Zweig fans?

Okay, today’s plan is to finish The Book of Words and try to write something coherent about it. Also, if time, read a bit of War and Peace.

Janet, I'm pretty sure I read Fear in the collection of stories I read of Zweig's called The Royal Game and other stories. It was a library book so I don't have it here to refer to. I don't remember having the reaction you did (nor can I remember the ending at the moment) but I do remember feeling I had read too many Zweig stories in a row.

Yes, Pat, I think that is the problem I had. I only have a few more to go, so I think I'll wait a while. I would really hate to wind up with a less than great impression of his stuff.

I read a book, I read a book! I was halfway through Jenny Erpenbeck’s The Book of Words, and although I intended to just pick it up and finish it, it’s so short, and I started it so long ago (March 31st!) that I just decided to start from the beginning and read it right though. So:

20. The Book of Words
This is a very good book (or novella, maybe). It’s about the importance of words, of meaning, of truth, and what happens when they slip away, aren’t trustworthy, don’t mean what they seem. It takes place somewhere that seems like Argentina, or any country which has gone through Kafka-esque violent political times, and shows how all the familiarities of life can gradually vanish, up to and including words. At first the protagonist, an unnamed young girl, appears to have a comfortable home, family and neighbourhood, with familiar people and surroundings, but one by one, the people, the environment, the words drift away, so that even “father”, “mother”, “home” no longer mean what they did. There is a dark undercurrent in the language throughout, like the background music in a creepy film, and when the “true” meaning of what the girl has observed becomes clearer, it is very chilling – I wasn’t quite expecting it and had to stop eating my dinner.

I’m sure there’s a lot more to explore here politically than I was able to, especially as the author grew up in East Germany, and some events seem to relate to that era, although she chose not to set it there. But for me, the sheer power of how the language is used (and this is in translation, so therefore even more amazing, I think), each word carefully chosen, placed, used and re-used, made this a great read. I actually vocalized the whole thing to myself, something I rarely if ever do, because I was worried I would miss the sound, the sense, of it otherwise.

Lots of people here on LT have been talking about her newer book, Visitation, which I think I will read next, but I haven’t seen much if anything about this one, so if you have read it and have any thoughts, I would love to hear them.

That was a very intriguing review, Janet. I'm going to see if my library has it. I also have been seeing alot of references to Visitation on LT lately and had never heard of Jenny Erpenbeck before.

I am in Germany this week and planning a visit to my favorite bookstore, so I'll make sure to look out for this book. It must be the one that's called "Wörterbuch" in the original?

Hi, Janet! Glad you're feeling better! Some interesting reviews here! Have you read anything else by Michael Chabon? I've loved the two novels I've read by him. I also read a book by his wife--also an author. The stories in her book were also about their life. He and his wife sound like they have an interesting marriage. I've thought about reading his book, but wondered if he really had anything much to say, because I'm not really interested from a voyeuristic standpoint--not that I'm above that, but his wife was already plenty revealing. (I don't think she can help it, actually. It's both her strength and a weakness.)

#70 - Yes, Nathalie, I'm sure that must be the one - she hasn't written much, I don't think. I would SO love to be able to read it in German - the words don't look too hard, but the sense and the beauty would be too hard for me to follow. I do have some (very old) college German, and have been thinking of brushing it up, to read Zweig, but maybe this would be an even better incentive!

#71 - thanks, Bonnie. I do think you could read it, it's more philosophical than actually stories about his family. He doesn't really discuss specific relationships that often. What is his wife's book called? I have also read The Yiddish Policemen's Union and a book of essays called Maps and Legends by him. I have The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay on my shelf, but because I have heard it's about comics in the 40's or whatever, I want to wait until I can read up on that a bit, so I don't miss any important references. My daughter has Summerland, so I may read that one, too. I just like his writing style. What else have you read?

Glad to see you again! Very interesting reads here. I have been in a YA holding pattern lately, trying to keep up with my daughter. Fun to share reading for her, but I am hitting YA burnout. I think you will really enjoy Kavalier and Clay, such a great read! Hugs.

I have had a pretty high energy weekend, bookwise. Not only did I post on War and Peace Book III Part 1, but today I read the WHOLE of Book III Part 2 and posted on that, too. Only 500 pages to go! AND I read the whole of Visitation yesterday, but am not ready to write about it yet - beautifully written and very moving (and short).

Having finished a whole long section of W&P, I am going to have a day off from it tomorrow and try to read another whole short book - this is a pattern that seems to be working for me for now. I had my husband bring me the two shortest books on the TBR shelf - so my choice will be between David Malouf's Ransom and David Llewellyn's Eleven - anyone have any thoughts on those?

I love good short books so I'm looking forward to your comments on Visitation and hope you get around to reading both Ransom and Eleven. I've heard good things about Ransom but have never heard of Eleven before. How long is War and Peace anyhow?

#76 - Pat, Eleven seems like a throwaway book - not sure where I came across it - so I think it might come first, so I can, well, throw it away (to the charity shop), whereas Ransom is probably a keeper, so it can wait until my next W&P break (in a few days, hopefully). My edition of W&P is 1450 pages!

Hello Janet...I read your review of The Book of Words. I felt the same when reading Visitation...as I was not seeing the whole picture, but her writing was giving me glimpses of what is really happening. She is an amazing writer. Thanks for telling about her older work; it is going on my TBR list. Michelle

Hi, Michelle. In fact, I am just about to post my review of Visitation - it was hard to write - I'm always worried I'm missing something in this kind of book. I'm hoping some other people will chip in and add to what we have thought about it.

I am on a roll! I would love to hear more thoughts about this book.

21. Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Susan Bernofsky
Definitely a 5-star read. This book is about time, durability, existence, perception, memory. A piece of land has existed seemingly forever – a lovely opening chapter describes its emergence during the ages, how it came to be a meadow and a lake up against the edge of a mountain, 24000 years ago. It is part of the local landscape, subject to the clear rules of nature, year in, year out. A mysterious “gardener” helps the local community maintain it, with unvarying protocols (and occasional improvements), just like the unvarying local protocols on marriage, on death, on religion, on life generally. These are described carefully, beautifully, repeatedly. “Nothing” happens – although clearly things must have done, as there are hints of suicides, trysts, childbirths, escapes of one kind or another. Then, the latest owner, having no son to leave it to (but 4 daughters – what’s that about?), sells it off in three pieces, and a lot more happens.

The rest of the book tells, not always linearly or chronologically, but clearly enough if you read a bit more slowly than usual, the stories of the people who acquire the pieces of land. At first, these are all hopeful stories of life enhancement and expansion, but this is Germany in the 1930’s, so soon enough come hyperinflation, the rise of the Nazis, expropriation of Jewish property, the need to hide, to escape or fail to escape, the War, the Holocaust, the Russian occupation, the oppressions of the East German regime, and eventually the fall of the Berlin Wall and the quest for repatriation of ownership. Some people are “winners”, some of the time, most are “losers” most of the time. Some lose their homes, their fortunes, their possessions, others lose their families, their lives. The houses and the land live in their memories, events recalled and stories re-told, when they are exiled or dying, or even when they are there. Eventually, all this will end, a short season of madness in a long history of a place. Existence will carry on, bigger than the individuals, although for them, it has been all their time.

This is where I wish I was a much better reader and analyst, so I could really tell you what makes this such a special book. It is short, and beautiful, and worth reading more than once.

Brava. well done, Janet! We do need to get more people reading this book because there is so much to say about this beautiful, little book. You touch on things that I realized, but had not put into words or even thoughts. Great job.

Janet, I thought your review of The Visitation was beautiful and it definitely makes me want to read the book. I'm really intrigued because I think you did a good job showing what was special about it but obviously you think there's even more to it. I'm going right over to put this on my library hold list.

Janet, sounds like a winner! Reminds me of The Red Garden by Alice Hoffman. Set in Blackbird, MA, these are hauntingly beautiful intertwined tales of the residents of this small town over three hundred years. Told with Hoffman's usual spice of magic.

Great review of Visitation, Janet. I'll probably read it next week.

Thanks for the kind words, all. Kim, I will look up The Red Garden, especially as I have never read anything by Alice Hoffman.

I love book synchronocity. I just picked up The Red Garden from the library. I've had it on hold for months, and, to tell the truth, had forgotten about it. I was also picking up two mysteries for May Murder & Mayhem month. Now I am really overbooked!

Janet, I will probably read The Red Garden first since there is a huge waiting list for it. I'll let you know how I like it! If Kim likes it, I probably will, too.

My library has quite a few Hoffman books, it seems, but not this one, so I guess it's pretty new? Anyway, lots else to read in the meantime.

I have been amazed by my recent return of energy, and absolutely determined to make the most of it, in case it drifts away again sooner than I would like. So, I have been working hard on War and Peace - just passed the 1000 page mark! (out of 1450) and have posted on Book III Parts 1 and 2 on the relevant threads if anyone is interested. Plus, I have been trying to read one short little book in between each huge W&P chunk. This did, however, backfire yesterday....

22. Eleven by David Llewellyn

I can’t remember where I came across this book – pretty sure not on LT. It was really short, so I just spent an hour reading it as a break from War and Peace. Well, it was a totally wasted hour, and I advise anyone interested in it not to bother.

I was intrigued by it because it is written entirely as series of emails to and from the main character, Martin, involving friends, flatmates, work colleagues, and official company emails about charity events, Christmas rotas, etc. He is a stressed out guy, trapped by debt in a dead end job in Cardiff. He writes a lot of emails, most of which are full of swearing and stay in his Drafts. He is in the middle of many conversations, about the weekend, his recent breakup, how much he hates his job, social plans, etc. Not much work. Just a normal day of flitting around, not paying attention, I guess – I mean, I have never worked that way, but I understand a lot of people do. What made me even bother to pick up the book was that the day in question is the morning of September 11, 2001, just a typical morning in Cardiff, where “it” happened just after lunch. The event duly starts to trickle into the email conversations – but not all of them, because some people haven’t noticed, or don’t believe it, or are stoned – and the official “charity” emails just keep coming. But once it does trickle in, lots of the conversations then just ignore it, and keep talking about who slept with whom at what party, who wants to get to know whom, etc. You sense Martin might be trying to care about what’s happening, but there’s just too much going on for him to gain any control. At the end, everything is just as shallow as it was at the start. What’s the point? I don’t know – the shallowness of the tedious existence of today’s young office workers, such that even 9/11 can’t penetrate it? Oh well, at least it was short. And 2* to the author for at least trying a different writing format, even if pretty unsuccessfully.

Thanks for the warning, Janet. I'm on the lookout these days for good short books but I'll avoid this one.

One I would recommend is The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan. It's some random dictionary words defined by how the narrator's relationship progresses over about a two year period. It's a very quick read where you have to fill in some of the blanks but I thought it was very well done. I'm not sure it's worth buying but if your library has it I'd recommend checking it out.

Glad you're having so much energy these days. Hope you're having some good weather to enjoy it in.

Happy days!! Sorry your e-mail book was not good, but glad that you stand to polish off *W&P* soon! I'm really envious, especially since I could be there too if only I had persevered. Some time this year!!!!

THanks for warning me off Eleven. Hope your next short break is more rewarding. Enjoy the energy and may it be long-lasting!

Hi Janet, so glad to hear that your energy level has picked up. Your reviews are always so well done and the last few that I've read are no exception. I'm going to add Giovanni's Room, The Visitation and The Book of Words.

#88 - thanks, Pat, I will check out The Lover's Dictionary. Sadly, I am not enjoying the weather at all, stuck as I have been in the hospital.

#89 - You can do it, Peggy! I just hit a patch I really liked, and it pushed me forwards. I also think my plan of reading a whole chunk and then stopping to reading something else has really helped.

# 90 - thanks, Kim. It should be better next time, because I have chosen Ransom by David Malouf, and lots of people tell me it's good.

#91 - thanks, Bonnie. All three of those really were great reads and I'm sure you will enjoy them. I've been pretty lucky with my reading lately, even if it has been so sparse.

I started reading Ransom today, and although I was way too over-optimistic in terms of whether I could read it all at once or not, it is great so far. It's a re-telling of the basics of the Achilles/Patroclus/Hector/Priam story from the Iliad - if you don't know that story at all you probably won't want to read this book. Rather than the broad epic version, it's a small, intimate, brooding version of it, first from Achilles' and then from Priam's points of view (so far, anyway). I hope I can finish it tomorrow, although, true to form, I did hit a bit of an energy wall today, sigh.

A friend dropped by to see me, and showed me her new kindle. Believe it or not (well, I have been pretty much out of circulation, and of course they are not quite so common over here) this is the first one I have seen in real life. I have to say, I was much more impressed than I expected to be. It has a nice red cover, very very booklike, the weight is exactly what a book should be, the screen looked very reading-friendly. I still don't actually want one, because I have no need to carry around millions of books at the moment, and I love my physical books, but I can imagine that if/when my life does go back to the point where lots and lots of access like that is important, I could eventually get one.

I'm simply stopping by to say I'm thinking of you and sending all good wishes your way!

Thanks, Linda, it's lovely to see you here. I've been keeping up with your thread, but not posting (anywhere much) due to limited time/energy, but things are looking better now so I hope to be over there soon. I hope all is well with you.

I am very behind on threads. Sorry to hear about your latest health issues, Janet. I hope you are on the road to recovery now.

Stasia, great to see you here! I have been reading your thread, so I know you have a huge amount on your plate at the moment. Looking for a job is never easy, especially when there's a stupid amount of paperwork involved! My latest health issues are just part of my ongoing recovery from my transplant, not new problems, just frustrating that I keep having to come back into the hospital to deal with them....

Just popping in to say I found Visitation today in German and bought it - but I'm not starting it till I'm finished W&P! Am getting there, and way behind on here because I am now reading in 2-3 page bursts whenever I can get 10 minutes. I'm in a really easy bit and they're nearly all at the opera.

Cushla, I will be very much looking forward to your comments on Visitation, whenever you get around to reading it!

Hello Janet

Way way back at the beginning of your reading year, I see that you started with The Palace of Desire - I don't know if you read the others in the trilogy but I fell into another world with him and read them all back-to-back. Very appropriate given what has gone on in Egypt this year too. I confess that by the end I was a tad keen just to finish - the politics were of secondary interest to me in comparison to the family saga. I have been fortunate enough to briefly visit Cairo and it was a love at first sight destination. Magic.

OOh, I love The Iliad so will be very interested to read your review of Ransom. And you're not alone, I've never seen an e-book fullstop in real life, let alone a kindle.

#100 - Hi, Prue, thanks for stopping by. I have been feeling guilty at neglecting you since we started our earlier conversation, but now that I am feeling better I hope to be able to keep up. Yes, I read the first two of the Cairo Trilogy, and was saving up the third for a treat, but now it's moving up the list fast. I too have been to Cairo, for two very short business trips, and also found it fascinating (on the surface obviously, because who from outside can really know what's going on underneath.)

#101 - You won't have long to wait! I finished Ransom this morning and should be posting something later today. The short answer is, I liked it a lot. Oh, and glad to see I'm not the only e-reader dinosaur around.

I thought I would post about Ransom now, but in fact I did finish another short book before that, and I need to post in order or I will be confused! So, Ancient Warfare today, Ransom tomorrow.

23. Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction by Harry Sidebottom

I do not remember exactly what prompted me to buy this book, quite outside my normal habits. I must have been reading, or watching, something about ancient history and battles and just wanted to know a bit more. Anyway, I’m glad I read it, because I did learn a lot, and not just about how triremes worked, or how cities were besieged, or the different types of soldier over the years. The book also covered the whole ethos of war and its role in the ancient world.

War was always there with them, a more “normal”, close-up part of life than it is for most of us, so it obviously had a great influence on their cultures. Sidebottom discusses how the concept and experience of war shaped thinking on gender, on class, on social roles, on the roles of the intellectual and political elites, and, crucially, on the ways that societies differentiated “us” from “them”. He devotes a whole section to showing how this is depicted in works of art – “our” soldiers are shown as hairy, muscular, strong, disciplined, active, forward thrusting, while “theirs” are more effeminate, scared looking, passive, backward leaning, ready to run away. These myths were created over time, often based, as today, on completely false and outdated prejudices and misperceptions. I found this fascinating, and can’t wait to get down to the British Museum and look for examples on some Greek pots.

If you already know a fair bit about this subject, you might not learn much new here. But if, like me, something has piqued your interest about any aspects of it, you will learn a lot. Sidebottom is a really knowledgeable academic, able to bring in a lot of information, yet he keeps it straightforward enough to follow easily. There is an extensive reading list at the back, including books by people whose views differ from his own in how they interpret the historical record, or which theories of history they adopt.

LATER NOTE: I looked at other reviews of this book, and at least one person casts serious doubts on Sidebottom’s abilities and accuracy. Not sure if this is some sort of infighting – he is a professor at Oxford, after all. Anyway, take that as you will –since I have absolutely no way to tell, I’m going to stick with what I thought.

Janet, I know nothing about Sidebottom either, but if Robin Lane Fox says he's good, then in my book, he's good.

Great review, Janet. Probably not something I'll read but I thought you did a great job discussing the book and now I will have to look for that depiction of opposing warriors in artwork.

#104 - I agree, Peggy. Who know what motives people have when they trash (other?) academics?

#105 - Thanks, Pat. It should be interesting to do. I wonder how/if it changes over time? Well, my husband works at the Museum and is a bit of an expert on Greek pots (although that's not what he works on), so he should be able to help me with it.

So far I was not able to get Wörterbuch/ The Book of Words or the German version of Visitation, but I found a Kindle version of Dinge, die verschwinden which has probably not yet been translated into English. The Kindle sample was very promising, so I just bought it.

Nathalie, is that a newer book by Erpenbeck? She has been busy! What is a direct translation of the title?

I am having a very good run of reading at the moment. I finished Ransom, another 5 star read! At first, I gave it 4.5 stars, kind of my default for really good books. Then I thought, "what is stopping this being a 5 star book?" and there was nothing really, so up it went. Here is my review:

24. Ransom by David Malouf

This is a retake of the familiar tale of Achilles and Priam at Troy, Iliad book 24 (well, if you don’t know the story at all, you will probably not be reading this book). But this version is personal, introspective, poetic, mystical, from both Achilles’ and Priam’s points of view. When the book opens, the key preliminary events have happened – Achilles has temporarily disengaged from the battle, Patroclus goes in his place and is killed by Hector, Achilles kills Hector and drags his body around the city. But although he does this for 11 days, Hector’s body stays fresh, and Achilles’ rage and angst are unassuaged. Achilles broods and contemplates, waiting for whatever is going to happen to break the spell and return the world to “normalcy”.

Most of the story, though, belongs to Priam. He, too, is brooding on what to do, how to ransom Hector’s body. He realizes the situation is a unique moment in time, and demands something new. His court are horrified, as their whole society, and his leadership, have been based on tradition, ritual, etc. Why, they ask, should Achilles respond to something new? Well, says Priam, just maybe this is a breakthrough moment for both of us –
“And perhaps, because it is unexpected, it may appeal to him, too: the chance to break free of the obligation of being always the hero, as I am expected always to be the king. To take on the lighter bond of being simply a man. Perhaps that is the real gift I have to bring him. Perhaps that is the ransom.”

He goes, as per the original, unadorned, to ask Achilles to ransom Hector. This is where Malouf’s imagination takes over, showing the huge impact on Priam of letting in the possibilities of something new, something different.

Much of the story is told in dreamlike, poetic language, making it the mythic tale it is meant to be. In fact, in an afterward, Malouf says that the book is partly about the nature of storytelling itself. In any event, it’s a very well told and written one, and I really enjoyed it.

Has anyone not liked this book?

Janet, the Sidebottom book looks really interesting (although it is one that I would buy then not read for ages I suspect - not that it would stop me buying it!).

The Erpenbeck title translates as "Things that disappear". I saw it next to Visitation last week Nathalie but didn't buy it!

Fantastic review, I have got to read Ransom, it sounds incredible.

Janet - your book summaries on this thread are excellent. Visitation, in particular sounds like a marvellous book.

Just popping in to say hello to you Janet, and hope that you had a nice weekend!

#111 - Thanks for the translation, Cushla.

#112 - Thanks for the compliment, KiwiNyx - it really is a great book.

#113 - Why thank you, zenomax! I think EVERYONE should read Visitation

#114 - Hi, Laura, thanks for stopping by. Well, I had the best weekend you could have in a hospital room I guess. It's not Mothers' Day here, so nothing special, but I am feeling pretty energized at the moment and getting loads of reading done while I wait for my treatments to get me out of here.

So I thought I might finish War and Peace today, but I hit a bit of a wall with it, and certainly don't want to push on just for the sake of it. Only a couple of hundred pages to go, so I'll just try again tomorrow!

Popping in to say Hi! Quite right not to push W&P. It will wait patiently for your attention to return. ; )

Glad you had a good weekend!

There's a whole shift that can happen when you know you are really in the home stretch of a really long read..... it's esp odd when I'm not lugging around the 1000 page tome in my bookbag.

I’ve finished the “main” part of War and Peace – that is, excluding the epilogues which tell “what happened next”. It’s been a pretty emotional journey, especially the last section, and I’m just not ready to jump ahead in time and presumably see everything “normalized”. I need it to just rest where it is for a while.

Luckily, my daughter got back from university in the US this week, and I asked her to bring me one book she had enjoyed from her classes that I hadn’t read. She brought The Sparrow, so I think I’ll take a couple of days to read that before going back to War and Peace.

The Sparrow seems to be enormously polarizing. I'm at the LOVE it pole; hope you will be too! Enjoy Daughter Time!

Janet, that is such a good idea to read a favorite book of your daughter's. Book bonding. I love it! There's so much to talk about in The Sparrow. Will you suggest one of your favorites for her to read?

Oh yes, Ransom is duly noted in the Dream Book.

Yes, Donna, I thought it might be a nice bonding activity, to mark my respect for her as a new, adult, critical reader. I gave her Ransom to read. She read Iliad 24 in Greek for AS-level 2 years ago, so knows the story really well, and she was interested.

I have tried the same with the 16-year old, who is currently reading my suggestion of All Quiet on the Western Front, which I thought she would like, even though it's so old, and she does so far. But her suggestions to me are still all YA (Percy Jackson and the like), and while I can read a certain amount of that stuff, it's not my preference.

#118 that's such a great idea for a book recommendation, I hope you enjoy it too.

Oh, Janet, I lost your thread long ago when you started this one, and just realized it! I'm so sorry to hear about your new hospital visitations, and am sending healing vibes your way. The Visitation and Ransom both sound excellent.

#123 Hi, Roni, thanks for stopping by, and for your good wishes!

So, I started The Sparrow last night, wound up reading 100 pages, and am definitely in the love it camp! I have absolutely nothing to do today except eat the meals they bring me, so it's just possible I will read the whole book.

Hope you are still enjoying The Sparrow...it is high on my list of favorites! And I know what you mean about only being able to take so much YA stuff: I think I have read 6 or 7 Pattersons this year with my daughter!

#103: Someone else in the group (Charlotte perhaps?) recommended one of Sidebottom's books earlier this year. I am going to have to see what my local library has of his.

#110: I will have to look for that one too!

#124: I love The Sparrow. I hope you continue to enjoy the book, Janet.

Wow, so much love for The Sparrow - I didn't realize quite how popular it was! I am three-quarters through and still enjoying it a lot. Should finish it today, then back to finish off War and Peace.

Glad to hear you are still enjoying The Sparrow, Janet!

So, although my plan was to finish The Sparrow today, I found the suffering so strong, and the emotion so raw, that I had to take a break and go back to War and Peace! And I am thrilled to announce that I have just finished it, all 1450 pages in my edition (the big fat Penguin Classics ones from the late '90's or early 2000's). I have posted all over the group read threads, so am not going to say much here except:

25. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
Boy am I glad I read this book! Another 5 star read - and not because it's famous, but because it's great. Don't be scared to read it, it's not difficult, just long.

Congrats on finishing!

Thanks, sib.

Congratulations, Janet. So glad it was a 5 star read for you.

Congratulations!
And inspiration for me! I'll get back to it before the year's out and will look forward to reading the threads.

Congratulations on reading War and Peace. I read many books last month re. Russian History. Some day I will read Tolstoy.

How are you feeling?

Woo Hoo! Congratulations on finishing War and Peace!

Just adding another congratulations message to your War and Peace finishing party!! What's your next big book going to be?

Thanks for all the congrats - I have to say I am feeling pretty pleased with myself! In terms of my next books, I have decided to read some "easier" or anyway slightly shorter fiction for a bit, before I decide on my next big one.

Alongside my fiction reading, I’ve also decided to have a series of little non-fiction “projects”. My first project is going to be around Islam/the Arab world/the Middle East. Rather than try to be really systematic, intellectual, etc., I am going to work with books I either own, can easily get in the library, or have been highly recommended by you guys (so that I actually spend money on them!). So it’s a mix of history, religion and modern politics, and some related fiction (like finishing the Cairo Trilogy). Some of it might be out of date, but it’ll be a good start.

The books I’m thinking of reading are:
Malise Ruthven – Islam: A Very Short Introduction (already started)
Adam J Silverstein – Islamic History: A Very Short Introduction
Albert Hourani – History of the Arab Peoples
David Fromkin – A Peace to End All Peace
Tarek Osman – Egypt on the Brink: From Nasser to Mubarak
Gilles Kepel – The War for Muslim Minds: Islam and the West
Madawi al-Rasheed – History of Saudi Arabia
Naguib Mahfouz – Sugar Street

I so enjoyed discussing my Medieval Science book with some of you earlier this year that I’m hoping to get something like the same going. But, since I know this will involve a lot of long posts, which certainly won’t interest everyone, I am going to put up a separate thread for it, probably tomorrow, although my connection has been really rubbish the last couple of days, so I might wait until it settles down a bit.

Meanwhile, if you think there’s anything else I absolutely must add, or if you think any of these are rubbish, please say so.

I have not read any of the books in your list, Janet, so I cannot say anything about them one way or the other. I will be interested in seeing what you think about them though! I know that Darryl read Egypt on the Brink: From Nasser to Mubarak earlier this year and recommended it.

Sounds like an interesting project, Janet. I haven't read any of those but am certainly looking forward to your findings and the discussion.

Glad to hear you enjoyed War and Peace so much Janet. That's one of my great unread tomes which has been sitting on my shelf for years!

Re your Middle East reading project, I've been reading Simon Sebag Montefiore's Jerusalem: The Biography. It's a bit of a tome but it's very interesting so far and I managed to get hold of a copy from the library so hopefully you would be able to as well?

Congratulations on finishing War and Peace, Janet. One of these years I'll get to it...

I love your project idea, and I'll definitely follow your thoughts on these books, as I thoroughly enjoyed your comments on God's Philosophers earlier this year. I would highly recommend Egypt on the Brink. I haven't read Sugar Street yet, which is the only other book from your list that I own. I do want to read it this year, to finish Mahfouz's Cairo Trilogy; please let me know when you decide to tackle it.

I have several nonfiction books about North Africa and the Middle East that I'd like to read this year, including Yemen: Dancing On the Heads of Snakes by Victoria Clark, Desert Kingdom: How Oil and Water Forged Modern Saudi Arabia by Toby Craig Jones, and Orientalism by Edward Said.

I've read two from your new list - the Fromkin is one of the best NF books I've ever read, a total mouth-agape page-turner. At least it was for me. The other is Sugar Street, Mahfouz is so good. I will greatly look forward to bulletins from your reading project. I loved the Medieval one.

I think I tried the Said, Darryl, awhile back, and just wandered off.... it rings a bell. I think I have it somewhere. Hmmmmm

Ooh, I'm glad to see people are interested - this should be fun.

#140 - I have heard good things about the Jerusalem book. In fact, one of my doctors was reading it and told me where he was at with it each week when I saw him. He liked it a lot. I'm a little worried it is so big it will jam up the list, but we'll see.

#141 - Egypt on the Brink: From Nasser to Mubarak is on the list thanks to your recent recommendation. Thanks for the extra suggestions. Sugar Street comes last, as a reward for getting through what might be some tough non-fiction, so I am estimating late June - I'll let you know.

#142 - Yes, the Fromkin is on the list thanks to you, Lucy. And I have been saving Sugar Street up as a treat, since I loved the other two.

Hello Janet - loved the Cairo trilogy - fantastic when a book takes you into a completely new world, I felt like I had been there (oops, lucky me, I have been there!). I am slightly ashamed to admit that I haven't read any books by David Malouf . What did you think of Ransom. Shocking to admit that I read few contemporary Australian novels,,,though The Spare Room by Helen Garner is on my Book Depository wish list. Guess I like the armchair travel of books set in other places.

Janet, your 5 star review has made me curious about W&P although after reading Anna Karenina December last year, I still feel like it is too soon. The middle eastern books look very good, I think I've read the Hourani one.

#144 - I loved Ransom - have a look at post 110 above

#145 - You might be right - W&P is long, and maybe could create Tolstoy overload, which would be a shame!

Just to let you know my mini-challenge thread is ready, although nothing except an intro post so far:

Janet’s Islam/Arab World/Middle East mini-challenge

Great challenge, Janet, I'll follow your thread. I haven't read much about the Middle East yet, and I am looking forward to some recommendations.

And congratulations again on finishing W&P!!

I have the Hourani book, read it maybe 10-12 years ago. It was quite good as a basic history.

>129 JanetinLondon:: That's a great accomplishment, Janet. Good on you for finishing War and Peace!

I'll be following your Middle East reading. I've recently read A Woman in Jerusalem and I Shall Not Hate, which whetted my appetite for more in-depth books about this volatile area.

So I was listening to Liverpool lose to Tottenham (sigh) on the radio, and when it ended I was going to start reading The Seas, when the announcer said the next thing up (this is BBC Radio 5 Live Sport Xtra) was LIVE BASEBALL! Who knew? I haven't listened to live baseball in years, since it's rarely on any free radio or tv channels here. What a treat - Phillies v. Braves. Reading will have to wait a couple of hours.

What fun for you! And, not that I'm biased or anything but GO PHILLIES! I know I have Darryl with me! I'll check it out too -- it would be nice to know we are listening to the same thing at the same time!

Guys - don't know what the heck is going on with message above - can you all please flag?

oh, and I am Phillies/Braves neutral.

Janet, I just flagged it. I was trying to figure out what was going on and not being a sports fan thought it might be a baseball player's site.

I'm looking forward to following your Middle East reading thread.

Coincidentally, I'm also listening to the Braves-Philllies game, on the Braves Radio Network (as the game is on a TV station that I don't subscribe to). Hopefully the Phillies can give Roy Halladay some run support, but they haven't touched the Braves' Tim Hudson yet.

Oh...John Mayberry Jr. just hit a 2-run home run, so it's now 2-1 Phillies, in the top of the 6th inning. Go Phillies!

Sorry, Phillies fans....

NOW I can start The Seas.

>153 lauralkeet:: VERY sorry about the spam up there. I just wanted a Phillies image for the post, and I guess the source I used triggered a spam alert. I deleted the message so hopefully all is well now.

Janet, thank you for letting me know about it and again, very sorry for cluttering your thread.

Do not worry about it, Laura, I know you wouldn't have done it on purpose! Too bad about the Phillies image, though. Thanks for deleting it.

That was fun, Janet! Enjoy The Seas.

Sorry to muscle in on your thread but I just read your review of Ransom. It's definitely going on my wishlist.

I've never managed to make it through War & Peace. I think I've attempted it four times by now. I think maybe it's the kind of book (for me at least) that requires a beach and a week of uninterrupted reading to get to grips with it.

#161 - Welcome, lara-aine, muscle away! I see you are an Ancient History fan, in which case you should love Ransom. As for W&P, well, it looks like you are reading plenty of other big books, including Proust, so I'm sure it can wait a while longer!

26. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell

I liked this book a lot. It’s the story of a mission to meet the first alien civilisation whose signals have been received on Earth – a classic “first contact” story, set in the slightly dystopian but not entirely unfamiliar near future. Like all good first contact stories, it not only tells us about the alien civilisation, but a lot about ourselves too, and what it means to be human. It’s also the story of a Jesuit priest’s mission to understand and try to fulfil his God’s purpose for him, and how he copes when he believes himself to have been abandoned by that God. We know from the start that something has gone terribly wrong, with the Jesuit, Emilio Sandoz, the only survivor, returning in a wrecked state, physically and mentally. Thereafter, the story is told in two parallel strands – the “present”, when Sandoz is being cared for and encouraged to explain what happened, and the story of the mission itself, how it came about, who went and why, what happened, and eventually, what went wrong. The dénouement, of both stories, comes only at the very end, which keeps it exciting.

Some people may choose to see this as a very religious or spiritual book, asking themselves the same questions Sandoz does – Is everything that happens ordained by God? How can we know God’s purpose for us? What sacrifices does God demand of us, and are they ultimately worth it? What would God want us to do if we received communication from another world? How can we continue to love God when he allows such truly awful things to happen to us and to those we love? How can we live if we believe ourselves abandoned by God, or even come to believe there is no God at all? BUT – non, or even anti, religious readers can get just as much pleasure and fulfilment by merely observing Sandoz’ journey through these questions. He is such an interesting and complex character, as are his companions, that their various reflections and conversations on these topics are never boring or preachy, and gave me real insight into how some people think. The relationships between the characters also make good reading as they become closer during the mission.

This side to the book also doesn’t get in the way of a really cracking story of first contact, travel to another world, encounter with other beings, civilisations and structures, what that teaches us about ourselves, and the inevitable misunderstandings that can lead to disaster and tragedy despite our best intentions. The characters are well rounded, the writing is good – it’s simply a good read, with another dimension added in by the religious element.

Lovely review of The Sparrow, Janet, and I got to give it the first thumb! *grin*
I'm also delighted that you enjoyed The Seas. I begin to believe that we have very similar reading tastes!

Two in a row - we are on a roll! My next book is The Brutal Telling, finally - how do you feel about Penny?

A stunning review. I tried to read The Sparrow a couple of years ago and couldn't get past... I don't know what.... something. But so many people whose judgement I respect and taste often is the same as mine loved it..... I will try again!

Thanks, Sib. Normally I would run a mile from a book which had a seriously religious main character (don't like Marilyn Robinson or Barbara Kingsolver, for example), but this was such a good story, and he was such an interesting character.

Great review of The Sparrow, Janet.

This is one book where I am out of step with everyone else in the world. I finished it but I never really liked it--not the characters or the story.

Kudos on your review The Sparrow, Janet! I loved that one myself and bought a copy for my personal library. For some reason the local public library wanted its copy back :)

Thanks, Pat, thanks, Stasia.

Pat, I would love to know more about why you didn't like the book. Don't worry, I won't try to change your mind! I'm just always interested in why people have such different reactions to books.

>170 JanetinLondon: Me too.

>170 JanetinLondon:, 171 Me three.
And uh oh. Our tandem delight has hit some roadblocks because while I adore both Robinson and Kingsolver, Penny has left me luke. I haven't read but a couple, so I understand that she gets better. My reaction to that is that she needed to .....

ETA: You might give Kingsolver another shot if The Poisonwood Bible is the only one of hers that you've tried.

I read The Sparrow a year ago and since my memory is not that great, I'll just re-post my review since it's not that long:

I had very high hopes for this book because so many people seem to love it. Unfortunately, it didn't do much for me.

I'm just starting to get into science fiction and was disappointed in this aspect of the book. It really could have been written in any time period--the fact that it took place between 2019 and 2060 didn't seem crucial to the main point of the story, i.e. that bad things happen to good people, and there wasn't anything that different to me about the future portrayed by the author.

The religious struggles of the main character were somewhat more interesting but I thought they were a bit heavy-handed. In an interview at the end of my paperback copy of the book, the author says the moral of the story is that "even if you do the best you can, you still get screwed." I think I would have preferred a less literal approach in getting this point across. For example, in one of the discussions the Jesuits have about what went on on the planet, Rakhat, they cite Mathew ten, verse twenty-nine, "Not one sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." But, as one of the priests notes, "the sparrow still falls." (p. 401)

I almost think the author was trying to do too much with a first novel--too many characters, too many planets, too many time switches. It just never worked for me and I'm giving it 2 stars.

#172 - yeah, and even worse, I am not the big historical fiction fan that you are. But that's okay - if we agreed on everything it would be scary! I guess I could try Kingsolver again, but she will have to wait her turn patiently, probably not this year.

#173 - Fair enough, Pat, to each her own. Thanks for sharing that.

What I am really a fan of are Barbara Kingsolvers essays.

Interesting Pat -- that review reminded me of why I stopped reading it before.

#175 - Sib, can you suggest one to start with?

Yep. High Tide in Tucson. It's a book with a great flow to it, back and forth between inner and outer world experiences. I also liked her novel Prodigal Summer although it is the least favorite of many. It was flawed but something in the mood of it really grabbed me.

Great, thanks, Sib - my library actually has High Tide in Tucson so I can check it out soon.

Great review of The Sparrow! I really liked it too--which is kind of surprising, because I'm not so fond of Sci-Fi (Connie Willis and Octavia E. Butler to the contrary) and I'm an atheist to boot. I loved how the story unfolded, beginning with the end. I realize this is a common technique, but it kept me wanting to know more, to understand the "why" of it more than the "how." Also, I was interested in how the priest's relationships with the other "explorers" developed, especially the married couple and the one woman (can't remember any names) before they all went on their expedition. I remember thinking, "I want to be a part of their group."

P.S. My favorite Kingsolver is Animal Dreams.

Thanks, Bonnie.

So, everyone, I am out of the hospital, hooray!

The timing actually worked out brilliantly, because I was able to meet Cushla, Genny, Heather (soulofthe rose) and Luci (elkidee) on their London meetup - they kindly came to have lunch right near the hospital, on their way to do their booking. It was fantastic to meet them, even if I couldn't go on to the shops.

Meanwhile, I finished another book:

27. The Seas by Samantha Hunt

Several LT’ers praised this book highly, so I bought it and read it right away, something I don’t often do. I liked it, but am not sure what to say about it. Told in the first person, and the present tense, it’s about a teenage girl in a dead-end coastal town in the northwest US (I think, or maybe Canada?) in love with a traumatised Iraq War veteran 13 years older than she is, a love reciprocated only by friendship. She believes herself to be a mermaid, and her long-lost father a merman, who will return to claim her for the sea once she has fulfilled the mermaid’s traditional destiny of killing her husband/lover. At least, I think that’s the deal. So, is she a mermaid, and the book a fantasy tale? Some events suggest it (and there are some incredible little set pieces, generally related to water, which I don’t want to mention as they are terrific to just come across), but it’s all subjective, and there are hints (even though filtered through her own thoughts) that other characters do not see things the way she does. Or is it the story of a delusional young woman fantasising, getting through this stage of her life, a coming-of-age tale? It’s ultimately a happier story if the former, sadder if the latter. I wasn’t sure, but in the end decided it didn’t matter, because we don’t always have to know, do we; it was a good story, and I enjoyed reading it.

Great to read you are back home again!!

And a wonderful review of The Seas: A Novel.

I bought Heimsuchung/ Visitation today. My bookshop has finally discovered Erpenbeck and offered this one and the one I read on my Kindle, Dinge die verschwinden. I might start it tonight.

Thanks, Nathalie. I can only imagine Visitation would be even better in the original German, no matter how good the translation is, so I am looking foward to seeing what you think.

Great review of The Seas, Janet. It sounds like something I'd like.

It's great you're out of the hospital and that you got to meet the other LTers in London. I love going to LT Meetups, even if it's just vicariously.

Woot! For being out of the hospital! Woot! For another successful LT meet up! Woot! For a nice review!

Thanks, Pat, thanks, Stasia.

Onto the list The Seas goes..... Yay! Home again. And an LT meet-up. Green with envy.

Janet, just stopping by to say it was lovely to meet you on Friday and hear about the amazing treatment you have been undergoing. Glad to hear you did get to go home too.

Enjoyed your review and the subsequent discussion of The Sparrow. It's one I've been meaning to read for a while but I've never got around to getting hold of a copy.

Hooray for your being home! Hooray for your meeting Heather and Genny and Luci and Cushla! In fact, a general HOORAY all around!!!

Thank you for recommending Jenny Erpenbeck, Janet! Reading Heimsuchung/ Visitation was a special experience, hard to describe. Can I say "masterpiece"? Usually I avoid that word, so let's say definitely 5 stars for me, memorable read.

And I forgot to comment on the meetup - it's wonderful that you were all able to meet, I wish I could have been there. I need to look for some business in the UK that gives me the excuse to travel, the chances of a meetup in the Italian Alps are just too low.

So glad you're out of the hospital--and I'm sure you're enjoying your daughter being home for the summer from the university. (My daughter left Richmond this week to move out here).

do you have the new world translation of Holy Scriptures

Hi Janet, the timing of your hospital release was perfect. You could still do the meetup and yet were feeling well enough to go home. It was fun to be a vicarious onlooker at your gathering. It looks like one happy group! I'm so glad you are home again.

#183 I agree wholeheartedly!
It's great you're out of the hospital and that you got to meet the other LTers in London. I love going to LT Meetups, even if it's just vicariously

Hi. Thanks for all the good wishes, and I'm glad I have been able to encourage people to consider some of the really good books I have been lucky enough to read recently.

Since I came home, I have been reading some for my Arab World mini-challenge, and also a little bit of poetry, but my fiction has been lighter fare, as my brain is still not ready for anything more challenging (I don't find non-fiction difficult in the same sort of way). I am currently reading Game of Thrones, because I had it on my TBR shelf anyway, and so many people are reading and talking about it, or at least watching it (I don't have the right channel so I'm not) that I thought I may as well read it now, so I don't have to keep avoiding comments about it.

I have also finished:

28. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny

Okay, so, I did like this 5th Inspector Gamache book, but I have to say I didn’t love it. Most people think this series has gotten better and better, but I personally thought this was the weakest one so far. I know the stories, and especially the murders, are all a bit farfetched, and some suspension of disbelief is necessary, but this was just a bit too farfetched for me. For example, did no one notice Olivier’s late night walks for years, not even Gabri (this is no spoiler, as this comes up right near the beginning)?

Also, to be honest, the brilliance of all the characters is starting to get on my nerves – Canada’s greatest artist, married to and probably about to be eclipsed by Canada’s even more greatest artist, Canada’s greatest poet, the best ever B&B, the best ever bistro, the best Chief Superintendant, and now appearances from the smartest ever forensic art expert, the best “native Canadian” artist, the world’s expert on Down’s Syndrome. Even the guy who fixes the broken furniture isn’t just a furniture repairman, but a great craftsman, who doesn’t even charge market rates, just does it for love. Do no normal people live in Three Pines? And as for Ruth, I just think she is utterly tedious – that dinner party is one of the stupidest things I have ever read.

I will certainly read Bury Your Dead, and I will enjoy it and subsequent books, just maybe not so much as I did before.

…..waiting for (polite) attacks from every direction…….

Janet
I'm so glad you are out of the hospital and that you were able to meet LT members. These meet ups are great, and the amazing thing is that there isn't awkwardness, it is as though when members meet we have known each other a long time!

Thumbs up for your review of The Sparrow. I mentioned on other threads when the book is praised that I just could not relate to it. A very good friend loved it and recommended it. She gave me her ER copy way back when. I had a strong reaction to the violence. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil the book. My friend had the same reaction as you did, ie that it is a moving, philosophical book. I may give it a re read at a later date.

Hugs

Janet
I'm so glad you are out of the hospital and that you were able to meet LT members. These meet ups are great, and the amazing thing is that there isn't awkwardness, it is as though when members meet we have known each other a long time!

Thumbs up for your review of The Sparrow. I mentioned on other threads when the book is praised that I just could not relate to it. A very good friend loved it and recommended it. She gave me her ER copy way back when. I had a strong reaction to the violence. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil the book. My friend had the same reaction as you did, ie that it is a moving, philosophical book. I may give it a re read at a later date.

Hugs

Hi Janet - I enjoyed your review of The Sparrow even though I am in the camp of those who did not like the book very much. I read it last year as part of a book club and when we decided to read the follow-up book (Children of God) I, like a good trooper, went along with the group.
Since so many people liked The Sparrow so much, and to make sure that there was nothing wrong with me, I went back and read it a second time, before jumping to The Children of God. I admit that I enjoyed it a little better the second time around, but definitely concluded that I would not read anything else by the author.

Hi, xieouyang. I'm impressed that you would give the book a second chance - I'm not sure I would have the patience. I haven't decided whether I want to read anything more by her - what did you think of Children of God, and what did your book club think? Did their opinions follow what they thought of The Sparrow?

>194 JanetinLondon:: No attack from me, Janet, regarding the Penny books. I've enjoyed them as light reading and have thought all along that Three Pines is a lot like Lake Wobegone - where everyone is above average. I'll continue to read them because they're as close to fantasy as I want to get in my reading.

>197 xieouyang:: Manuel, please don't judge Mary Doria Russell by her venture into science fiction. Although I must say The Sparrow is my best experience in this genre, I much prefer her historical fiction. A Thread of Grace is one of my favorites, and I've been hearing very good things about Doc.

Hi Janet! I hope you've been doing well this past week since getting back home - not least enjoying home cooking again!

I was interested in your comment that you find non-fiction less difficult than fiction, or at least than some kinds of fiction. I think I must be the opposite, as when I am tired (which is most of the time) I seem to only be able to cope with fiction, whether lighter stuff or sometimes more 'literary'. Any kind of non-fiction seems to require much more of an effort of will for me to begin reading, and even more to complete. (Maybe its the former PhD student in me that feels I should be taking notes whenever reading that kind of book?). Although when I force myself to read it, I enjoy the sparking of new ideas and fresh information which results, and wonder why I don't do it more often. That's why I've set a 'fact or fiction' TIOLI challenge for June...

And I do recognise what you are saying about the Louise Penny series; the superlative nature of most of her characters, as well as the location of Three Pines, have more of a feel of fantasy (as Donna says in #199), or perhaps a fairy tale, than of an attempt at realistic fiction. I'm enjoying her books perhaps because I do like fairy tales too; also because of the working out of the relationships between Gamache and his often rather less than perfect team.

Re Mary Doria Russell, I enjoyed The Sparrow too - recommended to me (a Christian occasional sci-fi reader) by my father (an atheist regular sci-fi reader) who had also enjoyed it very much. I thought it very appropriate that the Jesuits, who were so much at the forefront of exploration of and Christian mission to the 'new' worlds of South America and China - with often disturbing consequences despite good intentions - played a similar role in this book and its sequel, when the new worlds are now in space. The depiction of the challenge of encountering and the difficulty of comprehending utterly alien cultures was very well done, I thought, and the struggle to reconcile this with pre-existing belief systems is one that I think people face in some form whenever they attempt to cross cultural divides, whatever they may believe in. I must try some of her historical writings too, as people do seem to speak well of them.

Janet, I think you're the first person I've seen that didn't like one of the later Louise Penny books. I read the first two and didn't like the second as much as the first and haven't gotten any further but I haven't given up because of all the great reviews of the later books. I now feel better about putting off finishing the series.

Hey, Janet! I am just waving as I pass through the threads :)

#199 - Hi, Donna, interesting comparison between Three Pines and Lake Woebegon - those books eventually got on my nerves, too!

#200 - Genny, on the question of non-fiction being easier to read than some kinds of fiction, it's because it's "just" information - no language to admire, descriptions to savour, stylistic experimentation to struggle with, characters to take to heart, in short, no real need to notice the writing at all (although of course it's easy to see the difference between better and worse). With great fiction, if I can't concentrate fully I will miss the nuance, the poetry, the references, the beauty, and "just" get the story, which isn't always enough. I can process information, and plots, without needing that same degree of concentration.

Also, what you wrote about The Sparrow was really good, and helped me consolidate my thoughts even more - the challenge of encountering alien cultures and ideas, however defined, and reconciling them with one's pre-existing beliefs is a really important theme for literature as well as for life, and she does it so well in this book. That's why one doesn't have to be a Jesuit, or a Christian, or a believer at all to find this so compelling. It seems to be something I am particularly interested in at the moment, as it is also emerging as a key theme of my Arab World/Islam mini-challenge, and even when reading A Game of Thrones I found myself particularly drawn to those sections where these interactions were happening.

#201 - Pat, please don't let me put you off Penny, as I am in such a tiny minority!

#202 - Hi, Stasia

>197 xieouyang:, et al. I want to tune in to support Donna in saying that MDR should be given another chance or two although I loved The Sparrow. I am definitely not interested in the American West of legend, but I can hardly wait for Doc. A Thread of Grace was a real treat!
And, Janet, you have my full support about Penny. I was chafing under the perfection of 3 Pines after the second book. I will read at least the third one, but then I don't know.
So good for writers in general that good readers disagree!

So, Peggy, we are back to sharing taste!

#203 I'm glad you found my thoughts on The Sparrow helpful. I agree, those questions of how people react to and adapt (or not) to alien cultures are good themes for literature, and vital questions for real life, not least in the relations between Islamic/non-Islamic world at present.

On my greater difficulty in reading fact rather than fiction, I guess it's that I get over anxious about trying to retain the information in books that are 'just information'. Some seem to be very densely written, and by the 4th page full of facts I fear I have already forgotten what was on page 1 and go back to read it again! But if no-one is testing me on it, perhaps I should be less anxious and just absorb what I can. The other type of non-fiction which I find slow to read is where it is about ideas not just facts, and I am challenged to think things through and reflect on these new ideas or arguments in the light of my experience and prior knowledge. I find I need a lot of time to stop and digest such books. Of course, good fiction/literature often does something similar in the way of giving much food for thought, but I usually find that I am doing that mainly after I have finished reading, rather than during, because the shape of the whole story is part of how the ideas are presented and until it is finished the 'argument' of the book has not been heard.

Anyway, it is wonderful that we all read so differently, as well as read such different things, and can still have civilised conversations about it all!

Read all these comments avidly.

163: The Sparrow is next in the queue for me, so this is an enlightening discussion both pro and con.

200,206 (gennyt): I read much more non-fiction than fiction, and the fiction I read is often relatively light (e.g. mysteries) because for me it's an escape from having to think. I don't really know how to read thinking fiction, which is one reason I have some of the threads with literary discussions starred, as a sort of anthropological curiosity. I too feel anxious about remembering and understanding what I read, which can make for extremely slow going, but there's so much out there that I want to read that I've been taking a different approach: rather than trying to retain everything, I'll make an effort to focus on one or a few key ideas, and trust that I'm building something of a mental infrastructure, so when I read another book on the same subject, the smaller bits will settle into place.

208: oh qebo - that sounds so much like hard work! I just read for the pleasure and anything deeper - well, if it gets me trhinking, good on it!~ But there is joy to be had from a writer's language, style, characters, story - I don't sweat the understanding of cosmic themes or anything. The more fiction you read, the better you get at interpretation. I guess all I am saying is can I suggest that sometimes you just pick up a book on a whim, rather than trying to build a mental infrastructure. Let the inner game of reading be your guide! :-)

209: I am surrounded by books I've picked up on a whim... Literature, as such, tends to fill me with dread, because I'm apparently supposed to get something out of it that I simply don't. Different strokes for different folks.

# 194 Hi Janet...I had my questions about Three Pines as well. I have read the first 2 in the series and wondered if the murders, all connected to one small village, would seem unrealistic. It will likely happen, but I find it highly entertaining reading when I don't want to think and examine too much, just be in the moment and enjoy. The characters may be super talented, but not perfect. That would be just too much.

I just finished A Game of Thrones and loved it. Mind, it is not literary fiction and did not make me think much about anything, but it was just a great story and lots of good escapism. I hope you are enjoying it.

Thanks for the really interesting conversation on different ways of reading. I do agree we all need some reading to make us think and some to just make us relax, although I can see that for some people they might want both at once all the time!

I had a great reading month in May, finishing with:

30. Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
I had this on my shelf for a long time, and was expecting to get to it some time later this year. Then, when the HBO series started, it seemed like everyone was reading it and talking about it, so I thought I'd better read it now, to avoid having to skip any posts which mentioned it, for fear of spoilers. No need to review it, as most people who are interested already know what it's about, and there are already quite a few reviews. Just to say I really enjoyed it, found it not only a good story but well written, with interesting, three-dimensional characters, and I am very much looking forward to the next one. My library system does have it, although not at my branch, but I'll bet there's a waiting list a mile long at the moment. I don’t subscribe to the channel which is showing it over here, but I’m thinking the DVD set might be out in time for my birthday in July……will start dropping hints to the family.

Will post a summary of the month in a minute.

Meanwhile, I got an email today saying I had won a competition I entered in the Guardian newspaper for a set of China Mieville’s books! I can’t remember exactly what was included, whether it is a full set or just some, but either way, I am thrilled, as I haven’t read any of them and only own The City and the City. I have been wanting to read Perdido Street Station, but it is never in stock in the library, and I really really want to read his new one, Embassytown, so this is a great win for me, especially if it includes that one.

Congratulations on winning the competition, Janet! How exciting! Look forward to hearing exactly what you've won. I've not yet read any Mieville...

WOW!!!! That is a GREAT win!!!
People either love or hate *PSS* and I am a lover. I thought The Scar a little less good and Iron Council a bit less good than that. I have yet to read Kraken or Embassytown, and I'm really looking forward to them.
(Glad to see you back here too --- AND glad to see that you enjoyed *GofT* My local friend disliked it so much that she threw away her whole set without consulting me. I think that she didn't want to pollute anybody else with those disgusting books. I sighed deeply. She is about the only person hereabouts that I can discuss any books with, but we often differ in opinions.)

Gosh, Peggy, I can't imagine anyone really hating Game of Thrones, even non-fantasty readers, as it has few of those really annoying silly names and things that can bother people, unless maybe the ending put her off? But, again, each to her own.

And, you know, I never enter book competitions, because I don't want to do ER or anything like that which would just be stressful, but the Guardian have changed their book website recently, so I was looking around and saw this competition by chance - and hey, presto, my first ever entry, and my first ever win! I hope they have more competitions soon, but I haven't seen one yet.

A win of books in a competition! How fabulous!!

Congratulatins, Janet! Fingers crossed that it's a complete set of all of his work! Any chance you'll be reading some less-than-doorstopper-sized books this summer? ;-)

Congrats on the win, that is thrilling, especially when it's your first ever entry. I'm still to read Game of Thrones but I will log this review as another person who enjoyed the book. Was very interested to see above that someone didn't like it, the only dissenting view on the book I've seen to date.

Nice win, Janet!

How marvelous to win books! And I'm glad you loved the Martin -- I would love it if the DVD is out by July. My birthday is also in July, at the very very end, so I will put it on my ever- lengthening list. I even put 'a puppy' on it for this year!

Nothing to add to this discussion, Janet - totally unfamiliar with Game of Thrones so I shall just wave, ask about your weather, wonder where in London you live? and move on!

Although I am not a lover of Mieville's books, I am very happy to see you win them! I hope the new one that you want is included!

Still waiting for my prize books - maybe today? Will let you all know what it included.

#217 - Well, in fact, I did just read a shorter book:

31. Wings of the Sphinx by Andrea Camilleri
I liked it a lot, this 11th (I think?) Montalbano mystery. I have followed the series from the beginning, and always hate waiting for the next one. The next one does in fact exist in English, but not yet published in the UK, so only available in expensive imported editions. I will wait, despite the frustration, because although I like them, they are not the kind of book I am going to spend £10 on. No review, as those who like the series will like it, those who don't won't read it, and those who want to try it should start at the beginning (although it's not essential).

#221 - Hi, Prue. I live in North London - Crouch End, to be precise. Our weather is crap at the moment. Blue and grey sky at the same time, warm part of the day (as in maybe 19 or 20 degrees), then rains and gets colder, then the sun comes out again. This has been going on for weeks (certainly for the whole 3 weeks since I last came out of hospital). Nice enough to sit outside, but not nice enough to really enjoy it. Hopefully it will improve.

Will post promised May overview in a minute.

May overview (just a little late):

I read 10 books in May, which was a great feeling after only managing 2 in April. They were:
21. Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck
22. Eleven by David Llewellyn
23. Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction by Harry Sidebottom
24. Ransom by David Malouf
25. War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy
26. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
27. The Seas by Samantha Hunt
28. The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
29. Islam: A Very Short Introduction by Malise Ruthven
30. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Of these, 7 were either excellent or very good, one The Brutal Telling)I found disappointing, and 2 (Eleven and Islam: A Short Introduction) were not very good. I think that’s a pretty good hit rate. It’s hard to choose one or two “favourites”, as they cover such a range of styles (and purposes, as per the conversation above), but I’d single out War and Peace for its sheer breadth and insight, Visitation for its amazing language, The Sparrow for its deep, thoughtful look at how cultures and beliefs interact, Ransom for its creative enhancement of a classic story and its poetic style, and Game of Thrones for its exciting, page-turning story.

June will feature a higher proportion of non-fiction, as I really get into my Arab World books, as well as some books on the history of Western music and some poetry (which I suppose is fiction, but has a NF Dewey classification…..).

Looks like May was a very nice reading month for you, Janet! I hope June is just as good.

I read an old review for Visitation in a German online-newspaper: Erpenbeck is in fact "the granddaughter" and the house existed. She must have spent several years researching all the data. "The Architect" and "The Jewish Family" existed as well, though their stories in the book are mainly fiction.

Some years ago I read a book about Islam which must be similar to Ruthven's, quite basic, but still informative. I am following your challenge thread, and your summaries have been a great brush-up for my memory.

With Ransom do you need to know the classic story on which it is based? I have never read any David Malouf and he is Australian (shame on moi)....I admire your commitment to broadening your mind and reading scope, Janet!

Good summary of May, Janet. Sounds as if your weather is as mixed-up as our is further north.

What an amazing May you had Janet, so many books there I have planned for reading as well so I'm pleased to hear they are such good uses of my time.

You did have a great reading month. I have to try the Russell again........

Hi Janet – Largely due to your review I got Visitation for my Kindle and am now about three-quarters of the way through. It is quite a haunting read.

>226 Deern: – Deern, that is fascinating. It had crossed my mind that the location at least was physically there because the descriptions are so vivid. I can almost picture the place.

Hi, just dropped in to see what you thought of The Seas - glad you liked it, and I'm glad I'm not the only one who wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

I've just started Game of Thrones as well and I'm loving it, though I watched the series before I started reading, which is not something I would usually do. I hope someone gets the hint and gets the DVD for you for your birthday!

Well, I hit another “low energy” patch, which stopped me writing, posting or dong much of anything for the last couple of weeks (although I did read a bit, of course!). I’m hoping it’s on the way back up now, so I thought I’d stop in and tell you all what I’ve been up to.

Although I haven’t read any fiction at all, I‘ve beavered away on my various “projects”:

Poetry: I don’t read much poetry, and the point of this project is to try lots of different poets and styles to see if I can find some I really like. I read 32. One Secret Thing by Sharon Olds, recommended some time ago by Darryl (kidzdoc). There are two parts to this book, unrelated (I think, although others may fin a subtle connection I missed). The first section is a short series of short war poems describing specific events or feelings or thoughts, generally from a single person’s point of view – a soldier, an evacuee, a deportee, etc. Some of these were really good – the event or feeling was described so clearly, even if not in straightforward words, and I saw, almost for the first time, what poetry can do that prose can’t in terms of “painting a picture with words”. The rest of the book, divided into 4 sections, focussed mainly on the poet’s relationship with her mother over the course of their lives (at least, I think it was a real relationship – it felt too intense to have been completely invented). I really liked some of these – funny, sad, moving, clever, unique use of words, new ways of describing or comparing ordinary objects, or just very “true to life”. However, for me, it was just too much. Her mother sounded like a very unpleasant person, and just as I prefer not to read fiction (or non-fiction) about abusive relationships, or about coping with illness, death, guilt and grief, I didn’t really enjoy reading these poems, either. I didn’t give up, because it’s a short book, and, well, it’s part of a project, but it wasn’t a huge success for me. If you do like to read about these subjects, you may well find this collection a lot more satisfying than I did. Depending on the subject matter, I might pick up another book by Olds, but on balance, given how little poetry I read, it’s unlikely.

I’m also getting on with my Arab World books, although that is harder going than I thought, and I am failing completely to generate interesting thoughts or conversation topics from them. I’ll persevere, and should finish 3 books in the next week or so.

And I’m working on a big Western Music project, trying to bring some coherence and clarity to my lifelong scatterbrained approach in this area. I am reading about and listening to (mostly courtesy of spotify.com) composers in chronological order, from the Middle Ages to the present day. This is a very slow project, and I’m still in the Early Renaissance, but it’s fun, even if not many books will get finished.

That’s the reading news. To avoid a hugely long post, I’ll get to other things in a bit……

Hi Janet. Even without your comment about having low energy, I'm hugely impressed by your reading projects. I've been keeping up with your posts on the Arab World thread and getting alot out of them. Unfortunately, I know pretty much nothing about this subject so can't really contribute.

I just started reading some poetry last year. One book I liked alot is Billy Collins' The Trouble with Poetry. It's very accessible and not depressing.

I thought about your recent read of the Sondheim book the other day because NPR had a story about Steven Colbert's interview with Sondheim about the book you read. Colbert is a huge fan of his and sang a "revised" version of "Send in the Clowns" to Sondheim on his show. Sondheim liked it so much he gave Colbert a part in a play of his. (If some of this sounds a little vague it's because I heard the NPR story a couple of weeks ago and don't remember all of the details.)

Hello Janet! I think you are brave tackling poetry - I had the Norton Anthology during my study years and, though I enjoyed a lot of poems, I have found it difficult to return to. But you have inspired me to have another bash - so thank you for that.

>234 phebj:: my husband heard that NPR story too and retold it to me. I thought it was really cool how Colbert got to be in a Sondheim production.

Sorry, I didn’t mean to ignore my visitors!

#225 – Thanks, Stasia. Sadly, June has been a wash-out, in more ways than one, but hopefully July will be a lot better.

#226 – Nathalie, I guess I’m not really surprised that some of the stories in Visitation were more or less true. It would be an interesting exercise to ask more often who in a book the author is most likely to be. I’m sure many readers already do this, but I don’t. And I’m glad you’re getting something out of my Islam reading – I have learned some things just not found much interesting to discuss (yet).

#227 – Thanks, Prue. I do think reading is about broadening one’s mind. Over the years I have decided to close my mind to some subjects, which I now find leaves room to explore others I had excluded more by accident. As for Ransom, no, you don’t have to know the story from The Iliad, as long as you pay good attention to the first part of the book. But it is a great story, short (you would only need to read Book 24, not the whole Iliad), and easily available online, I’m sure, so it wouldn’t be a major commitment to decide to read it.

#228 – Thanks, Genny. Yes, the weather sure has been weird. We had major lightning and thunder yesterday, and at one point were convinced something very close by must have been hit, it was that loud (although we haven’t seen any evidence).

#229 – Thanks, kiwinyx. I hope you enjoy them all.

#230 – Lucy, it feels to me like you “should” like The Sparrow, but, well, if you don’t, you don’t!

#231 – I agree, haunting is exactly the word for Visitation. I see from your thread you had mixed feelings about it in the end. It’s interesting that one factor was the terrible sadness which seemed woven in throughout. Like you, I do not like overly sad or tragic books (not that I need “happy endings”, but sometimes enough’s enough). Here, however, for me, while the stories of the people were sad, a big theme was the continuity and perseverance of the world, of the enormity of time as experienced by the land compared with the short time in which the events in the book took place (although, of course, for the people involved, it was all the time they had). I thought that’s why it opened with the section on the geological evolution of the landscape, and why the gardener (or gardeners – I hadn’t thought of that) is so important. Anyway, a good book generates interesting discussions, even if opinions vary, and this book certainly did that.

#232 – Well, Natasha, much as I would like to watch A Games of Thrones and get it for my birthday, I don’t think it has been released yet, at least not in the UK.

#234 – Thanks, Pat. I do in fact have some Billy Collins on my list, but not that one, I don’t think – I’ll have a look at it. Also, cool story about Sondheim and Colbert – I’ll have to see if I can find that interview online. And while on the subject of Sondheim, I’m thrilled to report that my husband has bought the whole family tickets to see Sweeney Todd at the Chichester Festival in October. I’ve seen pretty much every major UK production of it there has been, and I’m just hoping I’m well enough to be able to go to this one.

Thanks for the tip on The Iliad! And waving a Wimbledon 'hi'!

a good book generates interesting discussions, even if opinions vary, and this book certainly did that.

Janet, I agree wholeheartedly. It was the sadness of Visitation in the end that got to me. Otherwise, it was an innovative novel. Well done, on the whole.

Hi Janet,

I've been lurking and admiring your reviews recently and thought it was about time I de-lurked and said hello!

I read a collection of Sharon Olds' poetry (Selected Poems, I think) soon after the birth of my younger son. I remember enjoying the physicality of some of the poems- one which described bathing your baby for the first time stays in my mind- but being less keen on the ones describing grimmer aspects of her childhood.

Hi Janet, is your Arab World books thing being documented on another thread somewhere? Is there a link further up (I had a wee look but obviously haven't read the whole thread yet!)
Sounds interesting - I'd like to check it out. I hope July works out better for you than June did :-)

#235 – Prue, I have a Norton Anthology too – the 1973 edition of The Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry. I have actually read the whole thing over the years, but more from a sense of “duty” than anticipating pleasure – I so wanted to be “educated” and “sophisticated” and “cultured” when I was young (oh wait, I still do!). Now I’m trying for enjoyment, even if the poets aren’t classic, or famous, or “serious”. I’m choosing mainly on reviews I see here which sound interesting and easy to read (not necessarily light, just not too convoluted for my poor little brain to follow). Let me know if you find anyone you think I would like.

#240 – Hi, Dee, thanks for stopping by. I had a quick look at your profile and I see you list Alan Garner as one of your favourite authors. When I first came to England, my husband (who is from Cheshire) introduced me to Garner, and in fact read me The Owl Service aloud. What a great book! We tried to interest our children in him, but without success – I wonder why?

#241 – Hi, Megan, yes my Arab World reading is covered here:
Janet’s Islam/Arab World/Middle East mini-challenge
Don’t get too excited though – except for lots of good reading suggestions from other people, there’s nothing too thrilling there (although I hope to rectify this in July).

I have started a new thread:
Janet hopes it’s a year of two halves