What are you reading the week of October 7, 2017?
Talk What Are You Reading Now?
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1fredbacon
I didn't have much time for reading this week. I'm still working on The Source, but I also started On the Social Contract and Other Political Writings by Rousseau.
2bell7
Currently reading Throne of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas, the newest in her teen/YA fantasy series that began with Throne of Glass, and Better than Before by Gretchen Rubin, all about creating hew habits.
3PaperbackPirate
I'm reading and loving Revival by Stephen King.
4seitherin
Still reading Fortress in the Eye of Time, The Wind in His Heart, and The Judgment of Richard Richter.
5floremolla
Nearly finished An Artist of the Floating World by Nobel Prize-winner Kazuo Ishiguro, listening to Tom Jones by Henry Fielding and gearing up for The Highland Clearances by John Prebble.
Next up for my 2017 Reading Our Own Tomes challenge, Brighton Rock by Grahame Greene - haven't been able to get past the first few pages on previous attempts as it feels so grim.
Next up for my 2017 Reading Our Own Tomes challenge, Brighton Rock by Grahame Greene - haven't been able to get past the first few pages on previous attempts as it feels so grim.
6jnwelch
>5 floremolla: Oh, my wife and I liked An Artist of the Floating World a lot way back when, floremolla. Is it working for you?
I just finished the excellent Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, and I'm starting a sci-fi-er, Ninefox Gambit.
I just finished the excellent Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, and I'm starting a sci-fi-er, Ninefox Gambit.
7framboise
Almost done with the memoir love, language and culture When in French: Love in a Second Language by Lauren Collins. More focus on language than on her marriage with her French husband; dry at times but overall, very good.
Started this week Theft by Finding: Diaries by David Sedaris.
Also reading Life After Life by Raymond Moody, accounts of near death experiences.
Started this week Theft by Finding: Diaries by David Sedaris.
Also reading Life After Life by Raymond Moody, accounts of near death experiences.
8cdyankeefan
Reading No Place Like Home by Mary Higgins Clark; Stengel by Marty Appel; Caraval by Stepanie Garber; and Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
9GemmaF
I just started Alfie the Doorstep Cat by Rachel Wells. Has anyone read this book?
My goal for this year is to read 21 books. I don't know if I can make it in time. I'm a slow reader.
My goal for this year is to read 21 books. I don't know if I can make it in time. I'm a slow reader.
10NarratorLady
Finishing Watery Grave, #3 in the John Fielding mystery series. It's a corker.
11threadnsong
For my lunchtime reading, I'm reading Storm of Swords and making my way to the (ugh!) Red Wedding.
Bedtime reading is The Worm Ouroboros and it is fascinating.
Otherwise, reading The Sentinel and Star Trek: The New Voyages 2 and about to start Little Dorrit.
Yeah, that's it (*scratches head*). I've been doing a lot of finishing books, so I guess this is what the stack of just reading looks like.
Bedtime reading is The Worm Ouroboros and it is fascinating.
Otherwise, reading The Sentinel and Star Trek: The New Voyages 2 and about to start Little Dorrit.
Yeah, that's it (*scratches head*). I've been doing a lot of finishing books, so I guess this is what the stack of just reading looks like.
12Copperskye
I finished Alice McDermott's latest The Ninth Hour, which was excellent, and started Michael Connelly's City of Bones.
13snash
I finished a book Broke and Patriotic, a real eye-opener! Interviews with 63 poor and patriotic Americans revealed an attitude and rational I could have never predicted or imagined.
14BookConcierge
Dracula - Bram Stoker
Digital Audiobook performed by Simon Vance
5*****
Does anyone really need a synopsis? If you’ve seen any of the movies, you know the basic plot, but the original novel is so much more!
Stoker wrote the work as a series of journal or diary entries, letters and newspaper clippings. This could easily become disjointed, but in this case, it serves to give a certain immediacy to the writing. It also builds suspense, as we leave one character to jump to another’s perspective, frequently with a disconnect in terms of what each of the characters knows about the full situation. The danger they are in is frequently a result of not having the full picture, of not truly understanding the force against which they are pitted.
But the novel is more than just a horror story. There are several themes which would be great for book group discussion.
To begin there is the typical Victorian theme of strong men coming to the rescue of pure damsel in distress. However, Stoker turns the tables a bit when he gives Mina the intelligence, foresight and courage to fight the evil forces in her own way. Yes, the men do the actual fighting, but it is Mina who first puts together all the individual notes into a coherent chronological story, and ultimately gives the men what they need to go up against Dracula. The woman has steel!
Stoker also includes a fair amount of sexual – or at least sensual – tension. Bosoms heave, blood quickens, breathing is rapid, and people are completely overcome and overwhelmed by desire. They are simply helpless in the face of their base instincts … or are they?
The novel is wonderfully atmospheric; from the delights of a new culture as Harker first experiences the loveliness of Eastern Europe, to the growing sense of doom when surrounded by howling wolves, to the creepy, skin-crawling scene with the hordes of rats (I feel squeamish as I type this), and finally to the “pure-white” snow of the mountain blizzard, time and again Stoker puts the reader smack dab in the middle of the scenes.
There are several different audio versions. For my second listen I managed to get the Blackstone Audio version narrated by Simon Vance. I liked this audio even better than the first one I listened to. But then, I would probably listen to Simon Vance read his grocery list.
Digital Audiobook performed by Simon Vance
5*****
Does anyone really need a synopsis? If you’ve seen any of the movies, you know the basic plot, but the original novel is so much more!
Stoker wrote the work as a series of journal or diary entries, letters and newspaper clippings. This could easily become disjointed, but in this case, it serves to give a certain immediacy to the writing. It also builds suspense, as we leave one character to jump to another’s perspective, frequently with a disconnect in terms of what each of the characters knows about the full situation. The danger they are in is frequently a result of not having the full picture, of not truly understanding the force against which they are pitted.
But the novel is more than just a horror story. There are several themes which would be great for book group discussion.
To begin there is the typical Victorian theme of strong men coming to the rescue of pure damsel in distress. However, Stoker turns the tables a bit when he gives Mina the intelligence, foresight and courage to fight the evil forces in her own way. Yes, the men do the actual fighting, but it is Mina who first puts together all the individual notes into a coherent chronological story, and ultimately gives the men what they need to go up against Dracula. The woman has steel!
Stoker also includes a fair amount of sexual – or at least sensual – tension. Bosoms heave, blood quickens, breathing is rapid, and people are completely overcome and overwhelmed by desire. They are simply helpless in the face of their base instincts … or are they?
The novel is wonderfully atmospheric; from the delights of a new culture as Harker first experiences the loveliness of Eastern Europe, to the growing sense of doom when surrounded by howling wolves, to the creepy, skin-crawling scene with the hordes of rats (I feel squeamish as I type this), and finally to the “pure-white” snow of the mountain blizzard, time and again Stoker puts the reader smack dab in the middle of the scenes.
There are several different audio versions. For my second listen I managed to get the Blackstone Audio version narrated by Simon Vance. I liked this audio even better than the first one I listened to. But then, I would probably listen to Simon Vance read his grocery list.
15BookConcierge
Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor - Lisa Kleypas
Audiobook read by Tanya Eby.
3***
From the book jacket: One little girl needs a family. On single man needs a wife. Sometimes it takes a little magic … To make dreams come true.
My reactions
So, I knew going in that this was a cheesy holiday romance. Still, I have to admit that it was a fun read. The relationship between Mark, who has become guardian of his niece, 6-year-old Holly, after his sister died, and Maggie, the young widow who owns an old-fashioned toy shop, builds slowly, from September through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas Eve.
Despite the promised “magic” there isn’t much of it here … unless you count a child’s belief in fairies and Santa Claus as magic. But that’s okay. The “magic” of the central relationship is enough to entertain the reader.
Tanya Eby does a fine job performing the audio version. The voices she uses for the different characters are believable – even the little girl, Holly. Good pacing and clear diction.
Audiobook read by Tanya Eby.
3***
From the book jacket: One little girl needs a family. On single man needs a wife. Sometimes it takes a little magic … To make dreams come true.
My reactions
So, I knew going in that this was a cheesy holiday romance. Still, I have to admit that it was a fun read. The relationship between Mark, who has become guardian of his niece, 6-year-old Holly, after his sister died, and Maggie, the young widow who owns an old-fashioned toy shop, builds slowly, from September through Halloween, Thanksgiving, and finally Christmas Eve.
Despite the promised “magic” there isn’t much of it here … unless you count a child’s belief in fairies and Santa Claus as magic. But that’s okay. The “magic” of the central relationship is enough to entertain the reader.
Tanya Eby does a fine job performing the audio version. The voices she uses for the different characters are believable – even the little girl, Holly. Good pacing and clear diction.
16cjthibeaux
The Buried Giant- Elegant writing, a pleasure to read.
17floremolla
>6 jnwelch: I liked An Artist of the Floating World very much. Such elegant writing (to echo >16 cjthibeaux: above in reference to The Buried Giant) and layers of subtext that hint at quite a different story from the one being narrated.
Plunging into Brighton Rock now is going to be even more of a culture shock.
Plunging into Brighton Rock now is going to be even more of a culture shock.
18JulieLill
First Comes Love: A Novel
By Emily Giffin
3.5/5 stars
Two sisters, whose lives were changed dramatically years before when their brother died, now find themselves at crossroads in their lives. Meredith, a lawyer is unhappy with her life, her husband and her job. Josie, a teacher, is also unhappy with her life and is looking to have a baby with or without a husband or partner. Unfortunately, Josie has a secret about her brother's death and revealing that could cause a further fissure in her and her sister's relationship. I enjoyed this novel and I raced through it to find out what was going to happen to the sisters and their relationship.
By Emily Giffin
3.5/5 stars
Two sisters, whose lives were changed dramatically years before when their brother died, now find themselves at crossroads in their lives. Meredith, a lawyer is unhappy with her life, her husband and her job. Josie, a teacher, is also unhappy with her life and is looking to have a baby with or without a husband or partner. Unfortunately, Josie has a secret about her brother's death and revealing that could cause a further fissure in her and her sister's relationship. I enjoyed this novel and I raced through it to find out what was going to happen to the sisters and their relationship.
19hemlokgang
Finished the absolutely wonderful Thirteen Ways of Looking by Colum McCann.
Now to finish Moonglow, which I started in June and then accidentally left it behind when I went to my summer hideaway for 4 months.
Now to finish Moonglow, which I started in June and then accidentally left it behind when I went to my summer hideaway for 4 months.
20ahef1963
Last week was stressful, and before bedtime I'm reading the Harry Potter books again to relax. They are a wonderful cure for anxiety.
Lunchtime reading is The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood - gruesome, but interesting, and when I have the emotional strength to handle it, I'm reading Shattered: Memoirs of an Amnesiac (no touchstone) by my friend A.E. Hayes.
Lunchtime reading is The Killer Next Door by Alex Marwood - gruesome, but interesting, and when I have the emotional strength to handle it, I'm reading Shattered: Memoirs of an Amnesiac (no touchstone) by my friend A.E. Hayes.
21aussieh
I have started into Family Matters by Rohinton Mistry I love his writings especially after reading A Fine Balance
22nrmay
Finished What Alice forgot by Liane Moriarty.
Started Old Filth by Jane Gardam. Liking this one very much.
Started Old Filth by Jane Gardam. Liking this one very much.
23Copperskye
>22 nrmay: I hope you enjoy Old Filth as much as I did!
25aussieh
>22 nrmay: I loved Old Filth it is the first in a trilogy, try try to follow up with the other two.
>24 framboise: Will do, it was shortlisted for The Man Booker 2002.
>24 framboise: Will do, it was shortlisted for The Man Booker 2002.
26BookConcierge
In the Woods - Tana French
Digital audiobook performed by Stephen Crossley
4****
From the book jacket: Three children leave their small Dublin neighborhood to play in the surrounding woods. Hours later, their mothers’ calls go unanswered. The police find only one of the children, gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers, and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours. Twenty years later, Detective Rob Ryan – the found boy, who has kept his past a secret – and his partner Cassie Maddox investigate the murder of a twelve-year-old girl in the same woods.
My reactions
This is a stunning debut. Gripping and suspenseful, with many twists and turns. I guessed the culprit fairly early on, but was still enthralled by the psychology of the characters – whether police, victims or perpetrator.
I really liked Cassie Maddox and Rob Ryan and would like to see this partnership further explored in future books. (Though I think it unlikely, I can still hope … and if you know the answer, do NOT tell me.)
Steven Crossley does an excellent performing the audio book. His pacing is good and his skill as a voice artist clearly differentiated the characters.
Digital audiobook performed by Stephen Crossley
4****
From the book jacket: Three children leave their small Dublin neighborhood to play in the surrounding woods. Hours later, their mothers’ calls go unanswered. The police find only one of the children, gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers, and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours. Twenty years later, Detective Rob Ryan – the found boy, who has kept his past a secret – and his partner Cassie Maddox investigate the murder of a twelve-year-old girl in the same woods.
My reactions
This is a stunning debut. Gripping and suspenseful, with many twists and turns. I guessed the culprit fairly early on, but was still enthralled by the psychology of the characters – whether police, victims or perpetrator.
I really liked Cassie Maddox and Rob Ryan and would like to see this partnership further explored in future books. (Though I think it unlikely, I can still hope … and if you know the answer, do NOT tell me.)
Steven Crossley does an excellent performing the audio book. His pacing is good and his skill as a voice artist clearly differentiated the characters.
27BookConcierge
Living To Tell the Tale - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
3***
This is the first in a planned three-volume autobiography, taking the reader from Marquez’s birth in 1927 to his young adulthood in the mid 1950s.
In recounting his early life, the author also tells the history of Columbia – the politics, culture, troubles and triumphs of the people. He talks about his family and the women who raised him. And, of course, he talks about the women he loved, physically if not emotionally.
Marquez cannot tell a tale without some element of magical realism; that style is so ingrained in the oral traditions of Latin America. I loved those little hints in this story of a literary technique that this author perfected and brought to lovers of literature worldwide. In some scenes I was reminded of evenings spent on the porch in the dark of a summer’s evening, listening to my grandparents recount tales of their own childhoods. And while I generally dislike “cliff-hanger” endings, the one employed here was just perfect.
Still, I’m in no hurry to read additional memoirs by Marquez. This one definitely could have used some editing.
3***
This is the first in a planned three-volume autobiography, taking the reader from Marquez’s birth in 1927 to his young adulthood in the mid 1950s.
In recounting his early life, the author also tells the history of Columbia – the politics, culture, troubles and triumphs of the people. He talks about his family and the women who raised him. And, of course, he talks about the women he loved, physically if not emotionally.
Marquez cannot tell a tale without some element of magical realism; that style is so ingrained in the oral traditions of Latin America. I loved those little hints in this story of a literary technique that this author perfected and brought to lovers of literature worldwide. In some scenes I was reminded of evenings spent on the porch in the dark of a summer’s evening, listening to my grandparents recount tales of their own childhoods. And while I generally dislike “cliff-hanger” endings, the one employed here was just perfect.
Still, I’m in no hurry to read additional memoirs by Marquez. This one definitely could have used some editing.
28sebago
Origin by Dan Brown. This novel is the latest in the DaVinci Code series. I find these books to be like "visiting old friends" . Although I am only a few chapters in - I am "in". :)
29princessgarnet
Finished One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake (YA)
It's the 2nd installment in the "Three Dark Crowns" series. The second half of the novel was action packed with enough leads for Novel #3!
Now: The Empire's Ghost by Isabelle Steiger
A debut epic fantasy novel
It's the 2nd installment in the "Three Dark Crowns" series. The second half of the novel was action packed with enough leads for Novel #3!
Now: The Empire's Ghost by Isabelle Steiger
A debut epic fantasy novel
31Copperskye
I picked up a charming and humorous little book from the library yesterday - Dear Fahrenheit 451: Love and Heartbreak in the Stacks. The subtitle says it all "A Librarian's Love Letters and Breakup Notes to the Books in her Life".
32nrmay
>23 Copperskye:
I am enjoying Old Filth very much, thanks to you!
I'm sure I first heard of Jane Gardam on your thread.
I read The Hollow Land first and loved it.
>25 aussieh:
I picked up the next 2 in the Old Filth series over the weekend. I was in D.C. visiting my sister and found them in Capitol Hill Books, an amazing bookstore if you get a chance to visit; scary even. See pics here!
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89b7b8322faa26bd:0x9d4d8f3dbc63...
I am enjoying Old Filth very much, thanks to you!
I'm sure I first heard of Jane Gardam on your thread.
I read The Hollow Land first and loved it.
>25 aussieh:
I picked up the next 2 in the Old Filth series over the weekend. I was in D.C. visiting my sister and found them in Capitol Hill Books, an amazing bookstore if you get a chance to visit; scary even. See pics here!
https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x89b7b8322faa26bd:0x9d4d8f3dbc63...
33aussieh
>32 nrmay: I have started the hunt for this trilogy since reading your post, my local library have only two and three, so the search is on!! you were so lucky to pickup the last two, after reading all three try to track down The People on Privilege Hill it is a brilliant collection of short stories, you get to meet up with Filth himself. I shall keep you posted as to my progress.
34mollygrace
In the past few weeks I finished Sweet William by Beryl Bainbridge, another sly, funny and wise book by this author. Then I read My Absolute Darling by Gabriel Tallent which I enjoyed as much as everyone said I would. And now I'm reading Stay With Me by Ayobami Adebayo.
35nrmay
>33 aussieh:
I saw Old Filth available from www.betterworldbooks.com for 3.98 and they have free shipping. I buy a lot of books there.
I saw Old Filth available from www.betterworldbooks.com for 3.98 and they have free shipping. I buy a lot of books there.
36aussieh
>35 nrmay:
Visited my local library today and took out The Man In The Wooden Hat and ordered Last Friends then popped online and purchased from Abe Books Old Filth, thanks for the info re betterworldbooks. It is now a waiting game!!
Visited my local library today and took out The Man In The Wooden Hat and ordered Last Friends then popped online and purchased from Abe Books Old Filth, thanks for the info re betterworldbooks. It is now a waiting game!!
37jnwelch
>36 aussieh: I had Jane Gardam recommended to me, and thoroughly enjoyed the first two. I still need to read Last Friends.
I just started Regency Buck, a Georgette Heyer, and I'm about to also start The Punch Escrow, a recommended sci-fi one.
I just started Regency Buck, a Georgette Heyer, and I'm about to also start The Punch Escrow, a recommended sci-fi one.
38nrmay
I'm now reading The boy on the bridge by M.R. Carey.
Science fiction; a companion novel to The girl with all the gifts
Science fiction; a companion novel to The girl with all the gifts
39mollygrace
Ivan Doig fans might enjoy this:
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/10/13/cooking-ivan-doig/#more-116650
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2017/10/13/cooking-ivan-doig/#more-116650
40seitherin
I have set aside The Judgment of Richard Richter. I lasted for a quarter of the book before I just couldn't take the protagonist's whinging any longer. I've replaced it with The Bookseller's Tale by Ann Swinfen in my reading rotation.
41Copperskye
>39 mollygrace: Thank you for sharing that link, mollygrace!
42aussieh
>37 jnwelch:
I am prepared to reread the whole trilogy when they all come into my hands again!! The first of her books that I read was Crusoe's Daughter from that I just followed on.
I am prepared to reread the whole trilogy when they all come into my hands again!! The first of her books that I read was Crusoe's Daughter from that I just followed on.
43aussieh
>37 jnwelch:
I am prepared to reread the whole trilogy when it come into my hands again. The first of Jane's books that I read was Crusoe's Daughter I just followed on from that. I do like the fact that her novels are all novella size!! Another author that I can recommend is Jennifer Johnston with her novella style of writing.
I am prepared to reread the whole trilogy when it come into my hands again. The first of Jane's books that I read was Crusoe's Daughter I just followed on from that. I do like the fact that her novels are all novella size!! Another author that I can recommend is Jennifer Johnston with her novella style of writing.
44krazy4katz
Reading The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon. Interesting so far, but I have to slow down and read carefully to get all the jokes and meaning. I was never a comic book person.
45CarolynSchroeder
I finished and absolutely loved the short story collection Signals by Tim Gautreaux. I will check out more by him, for sure.
47aussieh
>45 CarolynSchroeder: CarolynSchroeder
The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux is well worth following up if you are able, very special.
The Clearing by Tim Gautreaux is well worth following up if you are able, very special.
