Book a Week in 2014 - BW19

[Robin M]

Happy Sunday dear hearts! Today is the start of week 19 in our quest to read 52 Books. Welcome back to all our readers, to all those who are just joining in and to all who are following our progress. Mr. Linky is all set up on the 52 Books blog to link to your reviews. The link is below in my signature.
 
52 Books Blog - Monuments Men and art fiction/history mystery reading month:   I enjoy learning about art, but sometimes the non fiction art books, despite the beautiful and sometimes mysterious pictures, can be a dry subject.  Which is why I love art fiction and art history mysteries.  And I managed to pass on the love to my son when he was younger through delightful kids books written by James Mayhew and Laurence Anholt, plus Getting to Know the Worlds Greatest Artist's by Mike Venezia. 

Even though I don't read a lot of non fiction for fun, I had heard great things about Monuments Men by Robert Edsel and preferred to read the book over watching the movie.  And I didn't complain too much when the book arrived and immediately disappeared into my son's room upon arrival.   He finally gave it back and now it's my turn, and since a few of you lovely ladies wanted to a readalong, I am declaring May - Monuments Men and art fiction/history mystery reading month. 

One of my favorite art history mystery writers is Iain Pears, from Oxford England, who wrote The Flavia De Stefano mysteries about a Roman art theft squad which starts with The Raphael Affair.  I've read the majority of his books and currently have Giotto's Hand in my stacks.

Currently on my radar are two new to me authors Tracy Chevalier, most known for her story -  The Girl with the Pearl Earring and Susan Dunant who wrote The Birth of Venus.   You'll note that the three authors have something in common, they all live in England.  If you've been armchair traveling along with me, I told you we'd be extending our stay in England for a couple months.  *grin*

For my non fiction buffs, check out Goodreads Best Art and Art History books and fiction wise, Popular Art History mysteries.

Join me in reading Monument's Men.

 

 

History of the Ancient World Readalong:  Chapters 11 and 12
 
Happy May! What are you reading this week?
 
 
 
 
 
Link to week 18

[Jane in NC]

The Language of Baklava, a lyrical memoir of family and food by Diana Abu-Jaber, came recommended by BaW readers who did not lead me astray.  Lovely writing, occasionally laugh out funny, and particularly resonant for those of us who are children or grandchildren of immigrants. 

 

Abu-Jaber, now a professor at Portland State University, grew up in Syracuse, NY, with a larger than life Jordanian father. His brothers are a pack of loud uncles who, with their families, keep one foot in the US, another in Jordan, and form a colorful landscape for family get togethers. And oh the food!  Fortunately the book has recipes.

 

As I read the book I had my own share of childhood memories arise--many food-centric. One of these was a conversation that I had with a college friend. His grandfather was born on the Tex-Mex border but moved to Michigan as a young man to work in a factory as part of the WWI effort.  My Hispanic friend grew up speaking English only--not Spanish--but partook in a number of traditional foods.  This grandchild of immigrants also grew up in the household where the language of the Old World was forsaken--but the not food.  The funny thing is that as American kids we grew up on peanut butter.  I slathered mine of on hard crusted rye filled with caraway seeds.  He ate peanut butter on tortillas--something he called the best of both worlds.

 

Back to Abu-Jaber:  I plan on reading one of her novels.  Not immediately though since Dorothy Donnett's Niccolo is calling my name.

[Robin M]

I started Monuments Men last night and was quickly fascinated so think I'm going to enjoy reading it.  

 

On the list to start this week is Taylor Caldwell's Dear and Glorious Physician which has been calling my name pretty loudly lately.  Fulfills a lot of categories: dusty, year of my birth, inspirational, chunky, historical fiction book.  And for when my brain needs a break, cleo coyle's cozy coffee house mystery - Espresso Shot.

 

Art find of the day.  Makes me want to sign up for a drawing class.  Anyone have a suggestion for a good how to drawing book?

 

 

 

[Robin M]

 

Back to Abu-Jaber:  I plan on reading one of her novels.  Not immediately though since Dorothy Donnett's Niccolo is calling my name.

 

I know, I have Niccolo Rising at the top of my wishlist and it's getting harder to ignore.

[JennW in SoCal]

I'm about 50 pages into Night Circus and feel happily drawn into it. I ignored the posts about the ending but will go back to read them when done.

 

Monuments Men is in my tbr pile, so for once I should be able to join a read along.

[Jane in NC]

I know, I have Niccolo Rising at the top of my wishlist and it's getting harder to ignore.

 

I'm starting Scales of Gold, the fourth in the House of Niccolo series. 

[Onceuponatime]

I finished Boneshaker. It was tolerable. I'm not drawn to zombie lit, but at least I can say I've stuck my toe in. Are there steampunk-ish books that do not have zombies and are not gruesome?

 

I'm currently reading Kaleidoscope by Dorothy Gilman. It is an  amusing and pleasant read with mysteries solved by a psychic.

[Murmer]

Just finished Nappily Married which was interesting but I am slowly losing my interest in this series...

 

Finished: Meant to Be by Terri Osburn

Life Balance by Linda and Richard Eyre

Nappily Faithful by Trisha Thomas

 

Working on:

Fiction: Nappily Faithful by Trisha Thomas

Kindle: The Fearful Rise of the Market by John Authers

Non-fiction: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Phone: The Anvil of the World by Kage Baker

Computer: Stewardship of the Heart by Richard Eyre

Well Education Mind: Gulliver Travels by Johnathan Swift

Angel Girl: Water Babies by Charles Kingsley

Sweet Boy: Hans Christian Anderson Fairy Tales Book

Audiobook: Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Berry and Ridley Pearson

 

Total Read for 2014: 60

[shukriyya]

I finished The Night Circus bringing my yearly total of books read to 24. I enjoyed TNC tremendously. Jenn, I suggest you make sure you have a chunk of time towards the end of the book so you can read the last 60 pages in one sitting. I think part of the reason the ending initially felt so tattered to me was because I read it in bits and bobs, grabbing time where I could. Once I went back and reread those pages in a single sitting there was much more of a feeling of flow and resolution. I think I'd give this book a solid 4 stars.

 

Anna Quindlen's, Still Life with Breadcrumbs, came available on Overdrive last week. I read a few pages but after TNC I felt myself wanting something more 'mythic' so I started I am Livia by Phyllis T. Smith. I've only read a few pages of that as well so we'll see which book takes the wheel. I'm very far behind in my HotAW readings and not sure if I'll catch up without a strong intention to do so.

 

I'm also reading Rachel Pollack's "78 Degrees of Wisdom" which is a classic study of the Tarot. Fascinating. I worked a lot with the Tarot in the 80s and 90s so it's interesting to revisit this tradition with a lot more life experience. My lens is now a nice dance of breadth and detail. 

 

Robin, have you tried the classic, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain? I enjoyed that book immensely, it's less about how to draw an object and more about how to look at it and deconstruct it in terms of light and shadow, line and space. Wonderful!

 

I bought The Monuments Men a few months ago when it came up as a $1.99 kindle daily deal so I'm primed for the read-along but not sure if I'll get to it this month given the way my tastes are ranging. 

 

As far as my 5/5/5 challenge...I'm 3/5 on my midwife section, and 1/5 on my ancients from women's perspective and the rest are a big old goose egg. The Language of Baklava went on the food list months ago and all the posts referencing it are encouraging. My BIL's family is from Jordan so it will be interesting to explore that from her pov.

[Robin M]

 

I finished The Night Circus bringing my yearly total of books read to 24. I enjoyed TNC tremendously. Jenn, I suggest you make sure you have a chunk of time towards the end of the book so you can read the last 60 pages in one sitting. I think part of the reason the ending initially felt so tattered to me was because I read it in bits and bobs, grabbing time where I could. Once I went back and reread those pages in a single sitting there was much more of a feeling of flow and resolution. I think I'd give this book a solid 4 stars.

 

That happens to me alot. If I read in snippets, the story becomes too disjointed or dissatisfying so end up doing the same thing, going back and rereading which always solves the issue of whether liked the story or not.  

 

Robin, have you tried the classic, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain? I enjoyed that book immensely, it's less about how to draw an object and more about how to look at it and deconstruct it in terms of light and shadow, line and space. Wonderful!

 

I actually have that one and will have to go unearth it from its hiding place and try again.

 

I bought The Monuments Men a few months ago when it came up as a $1.99 kindle daily deal so I'm primed for the read-along but not sure if I'll get to it this month given the way my tastes are ranging. 

 

I know, it's totally a in the mood thing

 

[Hoot]

Today I finished and enjoyed Buddhist Boot Camp by Timber Hawkeye.  I have definitely highlighted more words in this book than not.  Lots of great stuff in there.

 

I think my next venture is Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh.

 

 

1. The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

2. Winnie Mandela: Life of Struggle by Jim Haskins

3. Herbal Antibiotics by Stephen Harrod Buhner

4. When Did White Trash Become the New Normal? by Charlotte Hays

5. Family Herbal by Rosemary Gladstar

6. Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare

7. Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide by Rosemary Gladstar

8. The Hot Zone by Richard Preston

9. War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

10. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells

11. The Telenovela Method by Andrew Tracey

12. Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman

13. The Orchid Thief by Susan Orlean

14. Divergent by Veronica Roth

15. Buddhist Boot Camp by Timber Hawkeye

[Stacia]

Looking forward to what everyone thinks of The Monuments Men. As you all know, I completely & thoroughly enjoyed it (book & the movie).

 

Robin, I've read two of Sarah Dunant's books (The Birth of Venus & In the Company of the Courtesan) & thought they were pretty good. I actually found her because my fil read The Birth of Venus years ago & recommended it to me. Tried Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring quite a few years ago, but couldn't get into it at the time. I was disappointed because it seems like it would have/should have been a book I would enjoy. I've often meant to read Iain Pears (& have had An Instance of the Fingerpost on my shelves for ages), so perhaps I'll dive in soon.

I finished Boneshaker. It was tolerable. I'm not drawn to zombie lit, but at least I can say I've stuck my toe in. Are there steampunk-ish books that do not have zombies and are not gruesome?

I would agree with the assessment of Boneshaker. Zombies are not my thing, the steampunk part of Boneshaker was ok. Overall, the book was fine -- nothing great, nothing horrible. Just middle-of-the-road for me.

 

Hands down, the best, best, best steampunk I've read is Mark Hodder's Burton & Swinburne's series, which starts with The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack. I think one reason that I loved it so was because Hodder put in a lot of historical info/details, including using the lore of Spring-heeled Jack as a basis for the story. Obviously, since he uses Sir Richard Burton & Algernon Swinburne as his main characters, he includes many historical people too (including Florence Nightingale, Oscar Wilde, John Speke, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, etc...). I think it's a really fun, steampunk, time-traveling twist using real people, places, & events to create an outlandish story. Totally love it.

I'm also reading Rachel Pollack's "78 Degrees of Wisdom" which is a classic study of the Tarot. Fascinating. I worked a lot with the Tarot in the 80s and 90s so it's interesting to revisit this tradition with a lot more life experience. My lens is now a nice dance of breadth and detail.

Funny that The Night Circus, plus the book I finished last week, The Fig Eater, both contain mentions/use of the Tarot.

 

After finishing The Fig Eater, I had a hard time settling on a book. It's hard to jump into another one after reading one you love....

 

I made a decent dent in 3 different books but ultimately decided not to read them.

Passing by Nella Larsen (it was ok but did not really draw me in)

The Frozen Rabbi by Steve Stern (I was not in the mood for the style of this one)

The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana by Umberto Eco (I wanted to like this, but it's just ok & I felt pretty 'meh' about it after 70 pages; I did like that Arthur Gordon Pym was mentioned on the first page, though, lol!)

 

Am now reading Broken Verses by Kamila Shamsie & am quite enjoying it!

 

From Publishers Weekly:

Turbulent Karachi is the backdrop for this intriguing, shimmeringly intelligent fourth novel by Shamsie (Kartography), which tells the story of progressive, overeducated Aasmaani Inqalab, the utterly likable 31-year-old daughter of fiery feminist icon Samina Akram. Since the age of 17, Aasmaani has been haunted by the brutal murder of her mother's lover—known simply as "the Poet"—and by her mother's disappearance two years later. As she eloquently puts it, "every prayer of mine for the last fourteen years had been one single word: Mama." Aasmaani takes a job as a quiz show researcher where she falls for the "dazzling" television producer Mir Adnan Akbar, who goes by "Ed." Ed is himself the child of a larger-than-life mother, the retired Pakistani actress Shehnaz Saeed, who happens to be Samina Akram's former confidante. Shehnaz's eagerly anticipated return to acting brings her into contact with Aasmaani. When she receives a cryptic letter, Shehnaz delivers it to Aasmaani knowing that Aasmaani's mother and the Poet developed a secret code to communicate with each other. As more letters arrive courtesy of Ed, Aasmaani convinces herself that the Poet is alive, held captive by a group he calls "the Minions." Although Aasmaani's interiority occasionally overwhelms the otherwise well-paced narrative, her characterization is Shamsie's crowning triumph. Wry, fetching and too clever for her own good, she is a captivating, unexpected heroine.

P.S. The link I gave for Broken Verses is to the Kirkus website. I noticed the header on the page was touting the latest issue which interviews Rivka Galchen about her most recent book of short stories, American Innovations. Galchen is the author who wrote the book Atmospheric Disturbances, which was my random pick from the library & one I finished last week. I'm not a huge fan of short stories, but this collection's description on amazon sounds absolutely delightful & like something I'd love. May have to check it out!

[melmichigan]

I am in a little bit of a rut when it comes to reading lately.  I have to really budget my book money and have gotten really spoiled with my kindle, I actually rotate between two most of the time now so I can use my library downloads.   :blushing:

 

This last week I read Veiled Threat by Shannon Mayer.  It is book seven of nine in the Rylee Adamson series, so not a stand alone read.  

 

I pre-ordered Hell for Leather: Black Knight Inc. by Julie Ann Walker, which comes out Tuesday.  I love that I can pre-order the paperback (since it's cheaper than the kindle this time around) and get it on the release day.  

 

I also have From the Moment We Met by Marina Adair as my Kindle First choice this month, the first time I've tried one of these selections.  (I'm trying to get my monies worth out of my prime subscription. ;) )

 

I'm searching for more paranormal/urban fantasy that I haven't already read.  My favorite authors just don't write fast enough!

 

I am almost caught up on the History of the Ancient World read along.  :hurray:

[Ali in OR]

Major accomplishment--I finished The Goldfinch before it was due at the library! It seriously stressed me out though--I can't make a habit of reading chunksters on the 14-day library time-limit for new releases. Last week, on page 400 of 771, I commented that I probably wouldn't be a major LOVER of this book and that I thought it could have been shorter. I stand by that assessment, but will say that the second half of the book was better than the first. I do think the first 400 pages could have been condensed to 200. I would probably have enjoyed it more in a less busy time of life. I think the content also may have stressed me out a bit--so much drug use, painful experiences, life's tragedies. And maybe the overwhelming feeling that no one gets through life's pain and tragedies except by drug use and self-destruction. I was surprised by how upbeat the ending of the book was.

 

I am reading The Invention of Wings (Sue Monk Kidd's new release) on the treadmill and enjoying it. It does remind me of other slave fiction like The Kitchen House and maybe something else hanging around the edge of my brain that I can't quite remember. I almost feel like I've read it before and I have a sense of foreboding that something bad is coming, but maybe I'm just reliving The Kitchen House.

 

I'm behind on History of the Ancient World--The Goldfinch felt like it was taking every waking hour from me, except on the treadmill where I read The Invention of Wings on the kindle because The Goldfinch was way too fat.

 

I loved The Monuments Men--both book and movie. Dh and I had an all-too-rare date night to see the movie and he thought it one of the best he's seen in a long time. I also loved The Night Circus--it was a pleasure to lose myself in that world for awhile.

[Negin]

I read At Wit's End - 4 Stars - parts of it made me all teary-eyed and most other parts had me laughing. This was the first Erma Bombeck book I've read and I look forward to reading more by her, especially when I need a good laugh. One of my favorite quotes was when she talks about problems with getting one's midriff toned: "If I can't tone up the muscles in time for beach exposure perhaps I can use it for a snack tray."  :lol:

 

 

 

MY RATING SYSTEM

5 Stars

Fantastic, couldn't put it down

4 Stars

Really Good

3 Stars

Enjoyable

2 Stars

Just Okay – nothing to write home about

1 Star

Rubbish – waste of my money and time. Few books make it to this level, since I usually give up on them if they’re that bad.

 

 

I love how the above illustration has Portland, Oregon mentioned. Used to live there and it'll always be one of my favorite cities. :D

[Guest]

 

 

I bought The Monuments Men a few months ago when it came up as a $1.99 kindle daily deal so I'm primed for the read-along but not sure if I'll get to it this month given the way my tastes are ranging. 

 

I know, it's totally a in the mood thing

 

 

 

Yeah, when I tried it a few weeks back, I must not have been in the mood - fell asleep two nights in a row reading it. If everyone's reading it in May, maybe I'll try again - not at night!

[mumto2]

I picked up Monuments of Men last week and have been waiting to start it. :)  I am also a few chapters behind in HotAW and will hopefully be able to catch up soon.  I have read two Iain Pears so far and have really enjoyed them.  I have a third in the pile.

 

I have been forced to read what I know will be a quick read the last few days because I am having both a kindle and a real life full library card problems with holds needing to be picked up that I really want.  Finally have the kindle somewhat free although I am first on the list for three holds and beneath the number of copies owned for the rest.  After waiting months for most the all hit at once. 

 

Finished:

 

Loving Lord Ash and Surprising Lord Jack by Sally MacKenzie --  I have really enjoyed the Duchess of Love series and am sad to see it end.  Good fluff....

 

Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn -- It is a Lady Julia mystery which Goodreads has recommended to me repeatedly.  Suspect Aggieamy is getting this recommendation also because it always pairs with two other series we have read some of.  It started off with a rather different scene that was a bit farcical but pulled me in.  I don't want to ruin it for others but I have never had this cause of death in any other mystery I have ever encountered.  Not necessarily a good thing,  not a book for Dd.  

 

Murder is Binding, a booktown mystery by Lorna Barrett -- Decent book lovers copy.  I think the rest will be better.  Many introductions.

 

Death of a Policeman, Hamish Macbeth by MC Beaton --typical for this series but not outstanding.  Many of this series are far better.

 

Currently Reading but not far:

 

Killer, Alex Deleware -- Jonathon Kellerman

 

Classified as Murder, Cat in the Stacks by Miranda James

[MomtoCandJ]

Same two as last week :)

[mumto2]

I am in a little bit of a rut when it comes to reading lately.  I have to really budget my book money and have gotten really spoiled with my kindle, I actually rotate between two most of the time now so I can use my library downloads.   :blushing:

 

This last week I read Veiled Threat by Shannon Mayer.  It is book seven of nine in the Rylee Adamson series, so not a stand alone read.  

 

I pre-ordered Hell for Leather: Black Knight Inc. by Julie Ann Walker, which comes out Tuesday.  I love that I can pre-order the paperback (since it's cheaper than the kindle this time around) and get it on the release day.  

 

I also have From the Moment We Met by Marina Adair as my Kindle First choice this month, the first time I've tried one of these selections.  (I'm trying to get my monies worth out of my prime subscription. ;) )

 

I'm searching for more paranormal/urban fantasy that I haven't already read.  My favorite authors just don't write fast enough!

 

I am almost caught up on the History of the Ancient World read along.  :hurray:

I think I have found several of my recent paranormal series thanks to you but here is a quick list of recent authors from my records:

 

Kevin Hearne

Mary Janice Davidson

Carrie Vaughn

Lara Adrian

Brooklyn Ann

Patricia Briggs

Gail Carriger -- Steampunk

Jeanine Frost

Molly Harper

Charlemagne Harris(Charlaine,  spell check got me!)

Kelly Armstrong

Lindsay Sands

Maggie Shayne

CE Murphy

Chloe Neill

Faith Hunter

Jacqueline Carey

 

Hopefully I have listed someone new to you!

[melmichigan]

I think I have found several of my recent paranormal series thanks to you but here is a quick list of recent authors from my records:

 

Kevin Hearne I have the first of the Druid Chronicles downloaded, I just have to get into it

Mary Janice Davidson

Carrie Vaughn check

Lara Adrian looking forward to August and Nathan's story

Brooklyn Ann

Patricia Briggs  check

Gail Carriger -- Steampunk

Jeanine Frost I'm not sure what to think about the new series coming this fall, but I'll be keeping my eyes open

Molly Harper

Charlemagne Harris Charlaine Harris?- I'm not sure I will ever read anything else she writes after investing all the time with the Stookie Stackhouse series only to read Dead Ever After.  

Kelly Armstrong somehow I missed Brazen

Lindsay Sands check

Maggie Shayne I downloaded Legacy of the Witch to try out

CE Murphy I added Urban Shaman to my wishlist

Chloe Neill check

Faith Hunter check

Jacqueline Carey  I downloaded a sample of Dark Currents

 

Hopefully I have listed someone new to you!

Ooh, new authors. :drool:   I'll check out those I didn't comment on when I get a few minutes. Thanks!  

[melmichigan]

At Sherwood's recommendation, I read a new fantasy book Goblin Emperor - which was a sweet, enjoyable court politics fantasy novel that hit a sweet spot for me.  It has some richness to it, but is also... perhaps a little younger in flavor.  If you are okay with the mention of virginity and references to intimacy (in very non specific, not crude ways) I think this could be a good book for teens too.

Thanks for the recommendation!  I've figured out my teen has been "borrowing" my books. 

[JennW in SoCal]

Hands down, the best, best, best steampunk I've read is Mark Hodder's Burton & Swinburne's series, which starts with The Strange Affair of Spring-Heeled Jack. I think one reason that I loved it so was because Hodder put in a lot of historical info/details, including using the lore of Spring-heeled Jack as a basis for the story. Obviously, since he uses Sir Richard Burton & Algernon Swinburne as his main characters, he includes many historical people too (including Florence Nightingale, Oscar Wilde, John Speke, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, etc...). I think it's a really fun, steampunk, time-traveling twist using real people, places, & events to create an outlandish story. Totally love it.

 

 

 

I really enjoyed Spring Heeled Jack, and I think I read Clockwork Man, but it is good to see there are several other titles of this series out. Whether my library carries them is another question.  I also really enjoyed the steampunk novels of George Mann such as The Osiris Ritual.

 

Same two as last week :)

 

Now, now.  You can't NOT write out the titles!!  

 

 

I spent a glorious afternoon reading (and snoozing) and am up to page 210 of Night Circus.  What fun!  I didn't mention earlier that in the last few days I had also started Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks, a collection of articles about music and the brain.  It is the perfect book to have lying around since it is just a series of articles -- you can go for a few weeks in between reading and not lose any plot points.  

[Kareni]

I'm back from a wonderful trip with my mother and sister all of which was due to my sister's generosity.  We visited family in England, Belgium, and the Netherlands and also did some touristy things when possible -- Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Mannekin Pis, Rikjsmuseum, and Keukenhof.

 

I've read through the Book a Week 16 thread but still have to read those threads from weeks 17 and 18.  If I were actually counting books read, those would surely add up to a book or two!

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Stacia]

I really enjoyed Spring Heeled Jack, and I think I read Clockwork Man, but it is good to see there are several other titles of this series out. Whether my library carries them is another question.  I also really enjoyed the steampunk novels of George Mann such as The Osiris Ritual.

 

Oh boy! I'm so glad you just said what you did. I didn't even realize there was a 4th book already out & a 5th one to be released this summer! Yipee!

 

ETA: Ok, looking at it, it seems that the first set was a trilogy. (Those are the ones I knew about.) Now, there's a new series (still starring Burton & Swinburne & apparently [?] set in a parallel universe to the original trilogy) that begins with The Secret of Abdu El Yezdi. The one after that one is set to be released this summer. Very cool.

[Stacia]

I'm back from a wonderful trip with my mother and sister all of which was due to my sister's generosity.  We visited family in England, Belgium, and the Netherlands and also did some touristy things when possible -- Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Mannekin Pis, Rikjsmuseum, and Keukenhof.

 

I've read through the Book a Week 16 thread but still have to read those threads from weeks 17 and 18.  If I were actually counting books read, those would surely add up to a book or two!

 

Wow. Sounds heavenly! Would love to hear more about your trip, the places you saw, etc....

 

We missed you!

 

[Mom-ninja.]

Love Erma Bombeck. Same vein as Nora Ephron. Both very funny, witty women.

 

 

I picked up a Milne book from the library book sale on a whim. I recently finished Winnie-the-Pooh series and loved it. So I had to try his book of short stories and poems for adults. Absolutely loving it so far.

[Kareni]

 

52 Books Blog - Monuments Men and art fiction/history mystery reading month:   I enjoy learning about art, but sometimes the non fiction art books, despite the beautiful and sometimes mysterious pictures, can be a dry subject.  Which is why I love art fiction and art history mysteries.  And I managed to pass on the love to my son when he was younger through delightful kids books written by James Mayhew and Laurence Anholt, plus Getting to Know the Worlds Greatest Artist's by Mike Venezia. 

 

For children, I also recommend Piero Ventura's books Great Painters  and Michelangelo's World.

 

Art find of the day.  Makes me want to sign up for a drawing class.  Anyone have a suggestion for a good how to drawing book?

 

 

 

 

 Robin, have you tried the classic, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain? I enjoyed that book immensely, it's less about how to draw an object and more about how to look at it and deconstruct it in terms of light and shadow, line and space. Wonderful!

 

 

What a fantastic lion picture!  I'll second the recommendation of Betty Edward's book.  I like the workbook -- Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Workbook.

 

I'm searching for more paranormal/urban fantasy that I haven't already read.  My favorite authors just don't write fast enough!

 

I recently read a book by Joss Ware which might be of interest - Beyond the Night: Envy Chronicles.

 

Have you read any of Darynda Jones books?  I've only read the first, but I enjoyed it.  First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson Series)

 

I highly recommend Thea Harrison's Elder Races series which begins with Dragon Bound.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Onceuponatime]

I finished Kaleidoscope and have started on Legend in Green Velvet by Elizabeth Peters. It's another romantic comedy/mystery and it has.............men in kilts.

[Stacia]

And I managed to pass on the love to my son when he was younger through delightful kids books written by James Mayhew and Laurence Anholt, plus Getting to Know the Worlds Greatest Artist's by Mike Venezia.

Oh, I wanted to mention a few picture books that were (still are) faves here...

 

Dinner at Magritte's

 

Uncle Andy's

 

Bottle Houses

 

There are so many wonderful, wonderful art-based books for kids!

[Onceuponatime]

That is a very *silly* book!   Peters often has the most absurd plots, but she has such fun with them. 

 

They are a lot of fun. They remind me of my favorite kind of old fashioned movie. I especially like the stand alone books so I don't feel obligated to a series.

[Kareni]

I read a number of books while on my trip.  Those that I recall positively include:

 

Ilona Andrew's Steel's Edge (The Edge, Book 4)  (Have you read any books by this husband and wife team, melmichigan? You would probably like them.)

 

The first book in Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey regency mystery series The Hanover Square Affair.  I've read other books by this author under her other nom de plumes, Jennifer Ashley and Allyson James.  (Melmichigan, she writes paranormal titles under these other names as well as historical romances under the first.)

 

Carla Kelly's historical romance The Admiral's Penniless Bride.

 

Thea Harrison's Oracle's Moon (A Novel of the Elder Races).  This paranormal romance has become a comfort book of late; don't ask me why!

 

Marie Force's  Fatal Mistake: Book Six of The Fatal Series

 

Regards,

Kareni

 

 

[melmichigan]

I read a number of books while on my trip.  Those that I recall positively include:

 

Ilona Andrew's Steel's Edge (The Edge, Book 4)  (Have you read any books by this husband and wife team, melmichigan? You would probably like them.) I have, although I haven't read book four, adding it to my list.  I love the Kate Daniels series.

 

The first book in Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey regency mystery series The Hanover Square Affair.  I've read other books by this author under her other nom de plumes, Jennifer Ashley and Allyson James.  (Melmichigan she writes paranormal titles under these other names as well as historical romances under the first.)  I didn't realize that Jennifer Ashley wrote under Allyson James.  I read her Shifters Unbound series.  The Stormwalker series looks promising.

 

Carla Kelly's historical romance The Admiral's Penniless Bride.

 

Thea Harrison's Oracle's Moon (A Novel of the Elder Races).  This paranormal romance has become a comfort book of late; don't ask me why!  I know that feeling very well. ;)

 

Marie Force's  Fatal Mistake: Book Six of The Fatal Series

 

Regards,

Kareni

Welcome back!

[MomtoCandJ]

My books are Weekend homesteader and Minifarming on 1/4 acre or less

[shukriyya]

I'm back from a wonderful trip with my mother and sister all of which was due to my sister's generosity. We visited family in England, Belgium, and the Netherlands and also did some touristy things when possible -- Westminster Abbey, London Eye, Mannekin Pis, Rikjsmuseum, and Keukenhof.

 

I've read through the Book a Week 16 thread but still have to read those threads from weeks 17 and 18. If I were actually counting books read, those would surely add up to a book or two!

 

Regards,

Kareni

Posting from my tablet and can't multi-quote so firstly welcome back, Kareni. You traveled far afield! Blessings on a seamless re-entry.

[shukriyya]

I finished Kaleidoscope and have started on Legend in Green Velvet by Elizabeth Peters. It's another romantic comedy/mystery and it has.............men in kilts.

IIRC Elizabeth Peters is the author of the Amelia Peabody series which I enjoy though I haven't gotten too far with them.

[Stacia]

Looks like there are some wonderful old books here:

 

A Celebration of Women Writers (if you do a 'browse by' on the left-hand side of the page, you'll see many, many books)

 

One I would like to read from this website is Nellie Bly's Ten Days in a Mad-House.

[shukriyya]

Oh boy! I'm so glad you just said what you did. I didn't even realize there was a 4th book already out & a 5th one to be released this summer! Yipee!

 

ETA: Ok, looking at it, it seems that the first set was a trilogy. (Those are the ones I knew about.) Now, there's a new series (still starring Burton & Swinburne & apparently [?] set in a parallel universe to the original trilogy) that begins with The Secret of Abdu El Yezdi. The one after that one is set to be released this summer. Very cool.

Okay, I'm not sure why but I have returned a couple of times to the steampunk site you linked. The subject matter of the books doesn't exactly appeal and yet I clicked on the link above knowing it would be more of the same. What is up with that??

[Stacia]

Okay, I'm not sure why but I have returned a couple of times to the steampunk site you linked. The subject matter of the books doesn't exactly appeal and yet I clicked on the link above knowing it would be more of the same. What is up with that??

 

It's because I said "parallel universe".

 

:lol:

[shukriyya]

I'm disheartened by the huge pile of books awaiting my lens. Seriously, I'll never get through all these at the snail's pace

I read at. Argh...

[shukriyya]

It's because I said "parallel universe".

 

:lol:

:lol:

 

Gets me every time. I guess I'm just a sucker for a parallel universe. I wonder if

I'd actually like those books. The artwork though on the covers is intriguing.

[Stacia]

:lol:

 

Gets me every time. I guess I'm just a sucker for a parallel universe. I wonder if

I'd actually like those books. The artwork though on the covers is intriguing.

 

From what I know of your reading tastes, I'm not sure you'd care for them. You could always take a peek if your library happens to have them, though....

[NoseInABook]

Ooh, I'm going to have to go down the paranormal author list and hunt down some of their stuff soon. I'll admit, I love that genre a little more than is probably healthy. Heh.

 

Still reading American Gods, I'm about halfway through it and thoroughly enjoying it. I've already told my husband that it's so bizarre that he MUST read it next. 

[Kareni]

I'm searching for more paranormal/urban fantasy that I haven't already read.  My favorite authors just don't write fast enough!

 

One more author occurs to me -- Stephanie Tyler.  The first book in her paranormal series is

Dire Needs: A Novel of the Eternal Wolf Clan.

 

And a few posts/lists that might interest you.  Make sure you read the comments, too, for further suggestions.

 

Urban Fantasy Series Recommendations and the Difference Between Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Genres

 

My Top Ten Favorite Paranormal Series

 

Paranormal Picks: The 10 Best Urban Fantasy Series

 

Dark Urban Fantasy: Series by Rating

 

Regards,

Kareni

[shukriyya]

From what I know of your reading tastes, I'm not sure you'd care for them. You could always take a peek if your library happens to have them, though....

You've forgotten about the parallel universe Shukriyya. She might be into them. :lol:

[melmichigan]

One more author occurs to me -- Stephanie Tyler.  The first book in her paranormal series is

Dire Needs: A Novel of the Eternal Wolf Clan.

 

And a few posts/lists that might interest you.  Make sure you read the comments, too, for further suggestions.

 

Urban Fantasy Series Recommendations and the Difference Between Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Genres

 

My Top Ten Favorite Paranormal Series

 

Paranormal Picks: The 10 Best Urban Fantasy Series

 

Dark Urban Fantasy: Series by Rating

 

Regards,

Kareni

Awesome links!  Some of my favorites are listed, but there are some new titles for me to drool over as well.   :hurray:

 

You just clarified for me that I enjoy both paranormal romance and urban fantasy.  I confess I really hadn't though about the definitions before, nor have I seen them spelled out in such a manner.  :blush:

[Tress]

I have been trying to limit my computer time lately, which is working out reasonably well, but when I check in on this thread at the end of the week....the thread is so long already and I feel like I have missed all the fun. I'm going to try and visit this thread more frequently, without reading the rest of the board ( :smilielol5: yeah, that is going to work).

 

I have read 15 books since last time.

 

I read Het leven is verrukkulluk by Remco Campert, Indische duinen by Adriaan van Dis, Hart van steen by Renate Dorrestein. These are all from the Dutch high school lists, I don't believe they have been translated so they are not very interesting to you here, but I'm pleased that I read them :001_tt2: .

 

I started Blauwe maandag, by Arnon Grunberg, which has been translated into numerous languages including English: here., but I decided not to finish it. Arnon Grunberg is one of the big names in contemporary Dutch writing, so I really felt I should read his first novel, but I'm probably too big of a prude, I just don't like reading about how depressing live is and how the only way to cope is with lots of alcohol and visiting prostitutes. :001_rolleyes:

 

My dd10 asked me to read Charmed life by Diana Wynne Jones and Beauty, by Cynthia Schultz (misslipgloss.nl), which is a Dutch book about blogging. I pre-read Holes by Louis Sachar for her.

 

Homeschool related: I read Deconstructing Penguins and How to read literature like a professor for kids.

 

My reading for Lent was Sacred Reading, the Ancient Art of Lectio Divina by Michael Casey. I think it was a recommendation from Elaine. Thank you! It was an excellent book for Lent.

 

Circe recommendations: I read Abolition of Men and I finally, finally, finally read Norms and Nobility by David Hicks. Turns out that I found the book much more readable than the prologue, so now I feel a bit silly that in all my attempts to read this books, I never got any further than the prologue :blush: . Anyway, this time I did it :lol:.

 

I read What about me? the struggle for identity in a market-based society from Belgium Professor of Psychoanalysis Paul Verhaeghe, which was very interesting, especially in conjunction with Abolition of Men and Norms&Nobility.

 

After all this non-fiction reading I really needed a fiction book to disappear in. I don't know why, I think I must have read some recommendations for it somewhere and put a library hold on it, but I got an email from my library that I could pick up In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden, and that was exactly the right book at the right time. What a beautiful book! I'm really tempted to re-read it immediately, and I almost never re-read a book.

 

And then for fun: Dragon Reborn and The Shadow Rising, book 3 & 4 of Wheel of Time. I'm halfway through book 5 now.

 

For those that like to read Scifi, I recently heard that if you buy a supporting membership for Loncon 3 (World Science Fiction Convention) you will recieve most of the books nominated for the Hugo Awards in e-book format, including the whole Wheel of Time series (read here: Wheel of Time and the Hugo Voter Packets), which is an awesome deal!

 

 

Complete list:

42. In This House of Brede – Rumer Godden (chunky)

41. Norms & Nobility – David Hicks (Circe recommendation)

40. Abolition of Man – C.S. Lewis (Circe recommendation) (N)

39. Sacred Reading, the Ancient Art of Lectio Divina – Michael Casey (BaW recommendation)

38. Identiteit (What about me?: the struggle for identity in a market-based society) - Paul Verhaeghe (N)

37. Beauty – Cynthia Schultz (misslipgloss.nl) (N)

36. Holes – Louis Sachar (N)

35. How to Read Literature Like a Professor for Kids – Thomas Foster

34. The Shadow Rising – Robert Jordan (WoT4, chunky)

33. Deconstructing Penguins – Lawrence & Nancy Goldstone

32. Hart van steen – Renate Dorrestein (Dutch N3) (N)

31. Indische duinen – Adriaan van Dis (Dutch N3) (N)

30. Dragon Reborn – Robert Jordan (WoT3, chunky)

29. Het leven is verrukkulluk – Remco Campert (Dutch N3) (N)

28. De negen levens – Diana Wynne Jones (N)

27. Getting Started With the Traits, grades 3-5 – Ruth Culham

26. A Deepness in the Sky – Vernor Vinge (Jo Walton recommendation, chunky)

25. Tolstoy and the purple chair, my year of magical reading – Nina Sankovitch (BaW recommendation) (N)

24. In gesprek over seks (‘Talking about sex’) – Arjet Borger (N)

23. Het woeden der gehele wereld – Maarten ’t Hart (Dutch N3) (N)

22. A Fire Upon the Deep – Vernor Vinge (Jo Walton recommendation, chunky)

21. Getting Started With the Traits, K-2 – Ruth Culham

20. The Fast Diet – Dr. Michael Mosley (N)

19. Jij kan beter (‘You can do better’, gifted education) – Tessa Kieboom (N)

18. De kracht van vrouwelijke hormonen (‘Female hormones’) – Prof. Dr. Sylvie Demers (N)

17. Kees de Jonge – Theo Thijssen (Dutch N3) (N)

16. Mijn hoofd en ik, omgaan met migraine (‘My head and I, living with migraines’) – Noortje Russell (N)

15. Howards End is on the Landing – Susan Hill (BaW recommendation)

14. No More I’m Done, Fostering Independent Writers in the Primary Grades – Jennifer Jacobson

13. Cloud Atlas – David Mitchell (BaW recommendation) (N)

12. Op Hoop van Zegen – Herman Heijermans (Dutch, N3) (N)

11.What Makes This Book So Great - Jo Walton (BaW recommendation)

10. Het pauperparadijs – Suzanna Jansen (N)

9. Leisure, the basis of culture – Josef Pieper (Circe recommendation) (N)

8. Unwind – Neal Shusterman (BaW recommendation)

7. Every Woman’s Guide to Foot Pain Relief – Katy Bowman

6. The Mood Cure – Julia Ross

5. Born to Run – Christopher McDougall (N)

4. The Historian – Elizabeth Kostova (BaW recommendation, chunky) (N)

3. Great Hunt – Robert Jordan (WoT2, chunky)

2. The Goldfinch – Donna Tartt (BaW recommendation, chunky) (N)

1. Eye of the World - Robert Jordan (WoT1, chunky)

[Onceuponatime]

Ooh, I'm going to have to go down the paranormal author list and hunt down some of their stuff soon. I'll admit, I love that genre a little more than is probably healthy. Heh.

 

Still reading American Gods, I'm about halfway through it and thoroughly enjoying it. I've already told my husband that it's so bizarre that he MUST read it next. 

That one was a little too bizarre for me.

[Heather in Neverland]

Started reading:

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

 

Still reading:

Dreams of Gods and Monsters by Laini Taylor

 

Finished reading:

1. The Curiosity by Stephen Kiernan (AVERAGE)

2. The Last Time I Saw Paris by Lynn Sheene (GOOD)

3. Unwind by Neal Shusterman (EXCELLENT)

4. The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty (EXCELLENT)

5. The Rage Against God: How Atheism Led Me to Faith by Peter Hitchens (AMAZING)

6. Champion by Marie Lu (PRETTY GOOD)

7. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink (INCREDIBLE)

8. Cultivating Christian Character by Michael Zigarelli (HO-HUM)

9. Detroit: An American Autopsy by Charlie LeDuff (um...WOW. So amazing and sad)

10. Pressure Points: Twelve Global Issues Shaping the Face of the Church by JD Payne (SO-SO)

11. The Happiness Project: Or Why I spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun. by Gretchen Rubin (GOOD)

12. Reading and Writing Across Content Areas by Roberta Sejnost (SO-SO)

13. Winter of the World by Ken Follet (PRETTY GOOD)

14. The School Revolution: A New Answer for our Broken Education System by Ron Paul (GREAT)

15. Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen (LOVED IT)

16. Beyond the Hole in the Wall: Discover the Power of Self-Organized Learning by Sugata Mitra (GOOD)

17. Can Computers Keep Secrets? - How a Six-Year-Old's Curiosity Could Change the World by Tom Barrett (GOOD)

18. You Are Not So Smart: Why You Have Too Many Friends on Facebook, Why Your Memory Is Mostly Fiction, and 46 Other Ways You're Deluding Yourself by David McRaney (GOOD)

19. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs (OK)

20. Follow Me by David Platt (GOOD)

21. The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman (SO-SO)

22. Falls the Shadow by Sharon Kay Penman (OK)

23. A Neglected Grace: Family Worship in the Christian Home by Jason Helopoulos (GOOD)

24. The Valley of Amazement by Amy Tan (DEPRESSING)

25. No Place Like Oz by Danielle Paige (SO-SO)

26. 84 Charing Cross Road by Helen Hanff (DELIGHTFUL)

27. The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman (WORST ENDING EVER)

[Mom-ninja.]

Forgot to link the book in case anyone wants a great little book for those times when you need a lovely chuckle. The Sunny Side is absolutely charming and wonderful so far.

[Pam in CT]

Aw, man, I want to do an extended leisurely romp through gardens and literature sites with my mother!  

 

I can see it now in my mind's eye -- we get up around 8:30 and have a nice English breakfast, with eggs and roasted tomatoes... then we visit the stone cottage of a poet in the morning, and a botanical garden in the afternoon... the garden has a tea shop, so we dip into that for strawberry scones with clotted cream... then we adjourn to our guest house, where we read on the porch until it's time to go to the pub for our fish and chips for dinner...  Aaahhh...

 

Someday.

 

 

I got a lot of reading in last week, even despite the Ask A... Threads Vortex, as I stared dismally at the rain by day, and waited through my kids' various extra practices in the afternoons.  I picked up Thomas Merton's Dialogues with Silence: Prayers and Silence, a short devotions-type piece which included line drawings, many of them just lovely, across the page from each reading.  Very nice.  Also, the eighth century celtic epic The Tain, which Eliana had recommended and I'd taken on for my 5/5/5 Dusty category.  As I said last week, I'm glad I pressed through it, it being Important to the Culture and all, and I did like some of the parts, but the parts didn't really coalesce into a whole that transcended enough to achieve a sense of Myth.  For me.

 

On audio, I listened to Saffron Kitchen, by Yasmin Crowther, a mother-daughter tale spanning pre-revolutionary Iran and modern London.  This is a first novel, and though there are a couple sketchy parts, it overall is very strong; I look forward to seeing more from her.  Warning - there is one extremely difficult betrayal, which is never actually told directly with any kind of specificity, but which you begin to dread fairly early on as a reader, and which looms over the the whole life of one of the main characters throughout the story.

 

My daughter and I read Fault in our Stars, by John Green.  This is the story of two teenagers with late stage cancer; and seems to be somewhat uneasily straddling the YA/adult categories, and in the process both generating a lot of interest and also pushing a lot of buttons... So, first, the treatment of cancer: direct, not tearjerking, not in the least bit "noble" - the narrator actually makes frequent references to the classic "cancer narrative," which she is determinedly not living.  Second, the relationship between the 16 year old narrator and the 17 year old young man, who also has cancer: rarely have I seen such a concise portrayal of what a healthy relationship between two people under unimaginable stress looks like -- fully present for one another, holding hands when that is all that can be done, cracking jokes when that is what will help, doing their level best despite their own significant difficulties to make the most of every precious moment they have together... (heroically pouring out one another's cups of tea, in Jane's memorable comment about Pym's Excellent Women)... My fondest hope for my own children is that they have such soul mates in their own lives... so... for me... the fact that they happened to be 16 and 17, rather than, say, 18 and 19 didn't loom terribly large for me (ymmv).  It's not a perfect book; the relationships between the two kids and their respective sets of parents are idealized imo; and the storyline with the Dutch American author gets a bit wobbly on occasion, but overall, I thought it was well worthwhile, as did my daughter.  

 

(Our experience with it, along with Angel's and Eliana's thoughts last week, also sparked a good bit of reflection on YA, and what makes me uneasy about books in that age group... which I'm still mulling over, but will come back to...)

 

With all the buzz on last week's thread re: Erin Morgenstern's Night Circus, I went to my library website to get on the list, and lo and behold!  It was instantly available!  I read it basically in one sitting, and... I dunno, ladies... didn't love it.  Part of it is that it's not my genre -- I'm good with straight out Harry Potter fantasy, but this imo is closer to Wind-up Bird Chronicles surrealism -- but it's more than that.  The frame story about the "competition" made me existentially uneasy -- immediately evoked for me the frame story in the Book of Job, which similarly makes me existentially uneasy -- and my dread about the Big Picture impeded any pleasure I might take in the evolution of Celia's and Marco's relationship... and then the ending...  well, I'll try not to do spoilers... as the characters started coming together, I really began to hope that between the two of them, and the contortionist, and Poppet and Widget, and Isobel, they'd be able to orchestrate an LOTR kind of alliance and strike at the root of the problem...  I guess this way it's written to allow for a sequel...

 

I also finished another that picked up at my library sale, Lawrence Kushner's Book of Letters: A Mystical Alef-Bet, a lovely book of calligraphy, with each page arranged like a page of Talmud with the main text in the center and commentary and stories around the sides, which celebrates each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with careful advice on how to form the letters just so, riffs on important words that begin with it, and a teeny taste of Zohar stories associated with them.  Very beautiful and very sweet.  

 

And I read A Bride for One Night: Talmud Tales, by Ruth Calderon, recommended to me by someone in one of my IRL book groups.  Calderon was recently elected to the Israeli Knesset, and generated much debate when she taught a page of Talmud within Parliament... It was interesting. I liked her method of approaching the stories she selected very much -- she printed each one straight, then did a 2-3 page retelling in which she inhabited the perspective of one of the characters as a first-person narrator, then stepped back out to do a 3-5 paragraph commentary, now informed by her imaginative journey into the text.  This is not the traditional method, and naturally yields unconventional insights, which accounts for part of the debate she has generated; but for a couple of the stories it opened up new readings for me that I appreciated.

 

 

In progress:

 

Beyond Belief: Islamic Excursions Among the Converted Peoples, by VS Naipul -- I finally got far enough into this last night that I have a sense of where his thesis is going... and I have hopes for it, but man, Naipul rambles!!  Dooby dooby doo, as my husband would say.

 

Also -- because I have to work so hard with Naipul to extract his meaning, and I need a bit of a break -- The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When there are No Easy Answers, by Ben Horowitz, the entrepreneur and now venture capitalist.  Back in a prior lifetime I used to read books like this by the stack; this is a good one.  (The thing about business books is that they tend to be written directly off the powerpoint outline... so in sharp contrast to Naipul, you don't have to work particularly hard to extract the point... )  I particularly like how he intersperses his business insights with (G-rated but quite comic, and on point) lyrics from obscure (to me, at least) rap songs.

 

My daughter and I have started Jacqueline Green's Out of Many Waters, a YA story about two Portuguese girls caught up in the Inquisition that was among Eliana's very long YA list....  So far so good.

 

And I just started listening to Allegra Goodman's Cookbook Collector... I enjoyed her Kaaterskill Falls many years ago.. I haven't gotten far enough into this one to have a sense of it.