What are You Reading This Month (Sept 2012)?

So far, I've read Sister by Rosamund Lupton and The Risk of Darkness by Susan Hill.

I've just started Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown

I'm picking my way through the non-fiction Planet in a Pebble by Jan Zalasiewicz. It's good, but there is only only so much geology I can take in one sitting. For fiction, I'm either going to start Hotel du Lac or Cloud Atlas.

I've finished my guilty pleasure I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella and I'm starting Berhard Schlink's The Reader.

Nickelini, I've just finished Cloud Atlas and reading it is an experience...six stories nestled within each other. Very creative.

#5 - I'm looking forward to it. Somehow I started reading Hotel du Lac first, but it's short, so I should get to Cloud Atlas later this week. I want to read it before the movie is released and there is too much talk about it.

I have finished The Invisible Man (started on Sept 1 and finished Sept 2 and The Witches (started on Sept 2 and finished on Sept 3)! Now, mind you, they are both short works; 155 pages and 119 pages respectively, but the reason that I got through them so quickly is because I am house and pet sitting for my brother and sister-in-law and all I have had to do is prepare meals for myself and read, read, read! Unfortunately it is back to 'real life' tomorrow!

I finished up The Absent One and very much enjoyed it! I've started into a new book, The Book of Mormon Girl: A Memoir of an American Faith by Johanna Brooks. It's the memoir of girl who grows up Mormon, but begins to question her faith and leaves it, only to come back to it, but married to a Jewish man. Of all things I saw the author being interviewed on the Jon Stewart Show and both she and the book sounded interesting -so here I am with the book. I've seen it in Chapters - that is where I purchased my copy. Perhaps because Mitt Romney is running for President in the US. there is more of an interest in Mormonism? I'm not sure.

This afternoon while scraping paint off the side of my house, I started listening to The White Tiger. The reader is excellent and so far it's very enjoyable. Good blend of humour and seriousness.

Today I started Dead Man's Folly, by Agatha Christie. I borrowed it from my parents so I wanted to make sure it got read before Thanksgiving -- the way time is passing these days, I felt I had to act quickly!

@9 I really enjoyed The White Tiger . I read the book, rather than the audio, but I hope you continue to enjoy it, Joyce!

Re The White Tiger: Me too!

Lynn and Deborah - it's nice to find a recent Booker winner that is both humorous and insightful. There are a few other winners that just don't interest me at all.

I am still plodding through Middlemarch as well as reading Border Songs (thanks Nickelini for the review) which was sitting perfectly on the display shelf just inside the library front door clearly waiting for me to pick it up and take it home.

The Red House was a pleasure to read, family dynamics as experienced by all the players.
From my book club I got Girl in Translation and was a bit astonished by the facts of immigrant life in modern NY.
Now I'm excited to be starting Sweet Tooth. I've read most of McEwan's books, (enjoyed most, favourite was Saturday); and I have high hopes for this one.

I am about 40 pages into Inside (Borzoi Books) by Alix Ohlin. It's on the Giller Longlist, and as I had it out of the library, I thought I'd read it since I had it. So far, interesting.

I'm reading The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood by Jack Zipes. It's an examination of versions of this story in a sociocultural context.

Lynn- I have that in my tbr. Looking forward to your comments.

I've started Le rapport de Brodeck by Philippe Claudel, a dark creepy tale about a lost village in France at the German border after the war.

I'm about to start Mighty Judgment by Philip Slayton, which examines how the Supreme Court of Canada affects our lives.

I just read The Hand that Trembles set in the winter in Sweden, and now realize I have no more library books on order so must order some immediately or I'll suffer reading withdrawals.

>21 arcona:: I get library withdrawal symptoms too! It looks so weird in the online catalogue to see "You have no books out at the moment." Then I feel bad and promptly go to the library and take out an armful of books, even if I have books at home to read!

On the bus I'm reading The Last Canadian, a 1970s post-apocalyptic thriller sort of story with a heavy dose of Cold War, and at home I will soon be starting Cell, by Stephen King. Cheerful reading all around!

Just started Still Life by Louise Penny. I have a serious weakness for a well-written, classic-style murder mystery and so far, this one fits the bill nicely.

McEwan's Sweet Tooth is marvelous! Glad I stayed with it through some murky middle ground, the ending makes up for all.
Next up for me is the new Louise Penny, the Beautiful Mystery. I hope it is also "a well-written, classic-style murder mystery".

I just read The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry

I'm reading Danube by Claudio Magris. Finding it a bit hard to get into, but hoping I'll become accustomed to the style.

I finished Inside (Borzoi Books) by Alex Ohlin. It's on the Gilller Prize longlist. I was less than impressed. I just put a few comments on my thread - no review.

I am currently about 80% through an excellent Norwegian murder mystery, In the Darkness: An Inspector Sejer Novel.

Louise Penny's 8th...the Beautiful Mystery. I thought I might get a bit bored with this one but not at all!

Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliot Trudeau: 1968-2000 by John English.

Today on the bus I started Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen, and at home I am reading My Name Escapes Me, by Sir Alec Guinness.

I really loved In the Darkness: An Inspector Sejer Novel !

Now I've started another book on the Giller Longlist Our Daily Bread By Lauren B. Davis. So far a very good read.

vancouverdeb, I took that one off my wish list because of reviews saying how dark it is....child abuse etc. Am I being too squeamish? Let me know what you think.

Just finished one of my best reads of the year: Broken Harbour by Tana French. Love her writing!

I am working my way through the Giller long list and I am pleasantly surprised so far. Ru by Thuy is amazing and my clear choice so far. It won the french GG award in 2010 and now that its been translated, it's up again for the Giller.

Y: A Novel by Celona (not the right touchstone but I will fix it later) is really good as well. I don't see it as a serious contender but it's really well done. Reminded me of Lullabies for Little Criminals by O'Neill.

And now I am halfway through Our Daily Bread by Davis and like it too. Depending on how it ends, I can see this maybe making the short list.

I will have to see what happens when I get to Inside (Borzoi Books) by Ohlin (do I seriously have to add Borzoi Books to get the touchstone to work? That seems weird). Is child abuse a theme this year then?

I have just finished Let the devil sleep by John Verdon. A well plotted mystery with good characterization. This is the third book with the same detective. They are all worth reading and with very original plots.

I'm about to start The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson for a book club.

@34 and 32 - I'm really enjoying Our Daily Bread. I had thought it maybe looked too dark, but it's not nearly as dark as expected. Lynne, the child abuse and incest is really alluded too, but not described in any detail.

Danielle, I'm kind of working through the Giller Longlist and some of the Man Booker list too.

I was very so - so about Inside (Borzoi Books) . It's an okay read, I gave it 3. 5 stars - but nothing special. I could see Our Daily Bread at least making the shortlist and I'd be happy if it won the Giller - as you say - depending on how it ends! :)

I've got Y by Marjorie Celona ready and waiting, but I'll probably read an escapist novel before I get to Y.

Interesting stuff about Ru. I may have a read. It is short enough!:)

Just finished another police procedural: The Rising by Brian McGilloway

I'm reading The Second Son by local author Bob Leroux

I'm reading Pierre Berton's The Arctic Grail: The Quest for the Northwest Passage and the North Pole, 1818 - 1909. Seemed timely as they are now searching the north again for the remains of Franklin. Berton had an easy way of writing that makes history quite interesting.

40: That book is sitting half read on my shelf and has been in that state for a couple of years now. I do remember it was easy to read. I might need to pick it up again.

Finished The Impossible Dead, by Ian Rankin, today, and last night I started Paris 1919, by Margaret MacMillan.

I finally managed to write a review on Our Daily Bread, by Lauren Davis. It was a 5 star read for me. Dark, but powerful and ultimatelly with some redemption.

I'm reading Astray, short stories by Emma Donoghue.

My laptop is showing signs of old age. Thinking of getting an IPad to double as an e-reader....for travelling. But I will never give up real books!

I'm about to start The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa.

46) A wonderful read: Still Alice by Lisa Genova

#44 - My husband has an iPad and loves it, but for me it's no substitute for a laptop or desktop, especially if you like games or if you touchtype. I agree that nothing substitutes for a real paper book and I wouldn't take an e-reader if you gave it to me. I even like real books when I travel as I leave them wherever I finish them for someone else to enjoy. I do love my iPhone though!

I just finished reading Black Skies by Indridason, another great read set in Iceland - I want to visit that country. It's such a fantastic mystery series that I look forward to each new book. Still working on Pierre Berton's Arctic Grail as I find I can't stay settled in non-fiction (especially long ones) without interspersing them with a few fiction reads .

I don't want an e-reader either! I, too, leave books at hotels and in cruise ship libraries and wherever. I also pick up stray books along the way. And, if you are on an airplane, you have to turn the e-reader off during take off and landing!

I'm reading The Wives of Henry Oades by Johanna Moran

I finished up a book I really enjoyed The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman. I did not write up a review for it, but just a few comments. I thought it was excellent and reminded me somewhat of an American Version of The Birth House.

I just started Black Skies by Arnaldur Indridason. @47 Arcona, my mom and my niece spent a week in Iceland in August. It's my mom's great grandparents country of origin. She and my neice really loved the visit and my plans to go back with my SIL in the spring. Not a dark place at all in reality. But I do love the books!:)

I'm reading a book my son brought home, Guilty by Reason of Stupidity by Joel J. Seidemann

I am in the middle of Dr Brinkley's Tower by Hough and really enjoying it... what fun! I love his way with words.

I'm reading Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer

I'm reading Above All Things

David Baldacci's Wish You Well at the moment. Just finished Shirlee Busbee's Rapture Becomes Her.

A non-fiction work for a change: just finished Through the Glass by Shannon Moroney

Just started One Good Hustle by Livingston.

A non-fiction work for a change: just finished Through the Glass by Shannon Moroney

What did you think? I suggested this to my book club and we're going to read it later this year. I heard her interviewed on CBC Radio1, and I was riveted.

I read Through the Glass earlier this year. I think it's a great choice for a book club. People I talk to about it certainly have very different views about criminal rehabilitation.

I'm starting The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. I won two tickets to the movie premier, which my son and his girlfriend will be attending tomorrow.

I'm reading Arab Jazz by Karim Miské - stomach turning murder but a very different look at religious fundamentalism.

Just started The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman. Seems very promising.

#60 - Lynn - I just read The Perks of Being a Wallflower last week. Looking forward to discussing it with you when you're done.

#63: I really liked the character of Charlie. He's an interesting person with a slightly off-beat perspective. Other than that, I'm not so sure. Who is the "dear Friend" and why were letters used to convey the story? It made the book a quick read, but took away some of the depth in which other characters could have been drawn. And why did Chapters include this in it's list of 50 books that "changed our lives"?

#64- Lynn. Here's what I wrote about The Perks of Being a Wallflower on my ClubRead thread ( http://www.librarything.com/topic/141913#3616317):

"Why I Read This Now: I was getting a jump start on banned books week, and also my 15 yr old daughter was bugging me to read it--she wants me to take her to see the movie.

Comments: It is the early 1990s, and Charlie is a socially awkward 15 year old starting high school. For some unexplainable reason, two seniors, Patrick and Sam (who also happen to be brother and sister) take him under their wing. They drive around listening to music and being "infinite." And they go to parties where they drink, do drugs, and have sex.

The story is written in a series of letters to someone called "Dear friend." Not sure why that was necessary. I also think this book was written in order to get banned, and therefore sell more copies. All the hot button issues are here--in addition to sex & drugs & rock and roll, there is domestic violence, rape, abortion, and homosexuality. Oh, and Charlie reads Ayn Rand. Please. Like the world needs to publicize her philosophy to more confused teenagers.

Rating: Meh. I've seen all these topics done better in other places. 2/5 stars.

Recommended for: This book has a huge following of people that read it over and over again. And it has a much smaller group that despises it. In my opinion, I suggest not to bother, but then I'm not the target audience. Maybe if you were a lost teen in the early 90s this would speak to you. And my daughter's friends all seem to like it.

As for the movie, although I am interested in seeing Emma Watson, I hope my daughter will just go with a friend."

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Who is the "dear Friend" and why were letters used to convey the story? It made the book a quick read, but took away some of the depth in which other characters could have been drawn.

It irritated me! Especially since we don't even know who "dear friend" is. And what self-respecting 15 year old says "dear friend" in a serious tone? Ugh!

And why did Chapters include this in it's list of 50 books that "changed our lives"?

If you go to Amazon and read the reviews, many, many readers think this is the best book ever, and people read it over and over again. It sounds like a lot of people think it's a sort of Catcher in the Rye (another book I couldn't stand). I didn't mind reading Perks of Being a Wallflower, but now that I look back on it, I just think "ugh."

I read it now because I won two tickets to the movie. My son and his girlfriend are going to see it tonight. Neither has read the book and they are 20 and 21 years old.

#66 - It will be interesting to hear what they think!

Well I am finally more than half way through Middlemarch and it is starting to grow on me. On a lighter note I am also reading I am half-sick of shadows.

I also just arrived in Victoria for a few days and already Russells has filled my shelf with 5 more books (damn there pocket book sale, of course I was going to buy 4 to get the 5th free and they new it!)

Yay Russell Books! :D I was in Victoria in July and they too filled my shelves (and my overnight bag) with books. Love the store but am glad I normally live across the continent from it, otherwise I'd have more books than square footage in my apartment!

Currently reading: Angelmaker, by Nick Harkaway (from the library, not Russell's)

#67 Nickelini: my son and his girlfriend liked the movie quite a bit, but were confused (having not read the book) about a couple of points: 1) Just how old Charlie was -- he had been sick and missed some school, so how much younger than Sam & Patrick was he; and 2) what happened between Charlie and his aunt. My son said it wasn't at all clear, other than that he was upset that she died buying him a birthday present. He was surprised when I told him. He ran through the plot with me, and the movie seems to have stayed true to the book. Charlie does write letters to his "dear friend" in the movie. My son's impression is that Charlie wasn't writing to a real person -- that he, himself, couldn't identify this nameless friend.

Lynn - that's interesting! Thanks!