Book a Week in 2012 - week 18

[Jenny in Florida]

I've had a lot of trouble the last couple of weeks settling in to read, which is so very unusual for me.

 

I was listening to Outlander during walks and while hanging about in the car waiting for kids during rehearsals, but I ran into technical difficulties with one of the CDs (which got stuck in the computer) and stalled out long enough to lose interest in the book. Then, I kept picking up things to pre-read for next year, but none of them grabbed me.

 

So, I've slowed down a bit, but I'm still on track.

 

Here's my current list:

 

26. Carrier of the Mark, Leigh Fallon

25. Juliet, Anne Fortier

24. Wonderland: A Year in the Life of an American High School, Michael Bamberger

23. The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern

22. The Frogs, Aristophanes

21. The Name of the Star, Maureen Johnson

20. Hades, Alexandra Adornetto

19. Halo, Alexandra Adornetto

18. Oedipus Rex, Sophocles

17. Silence, Becca Fitzpatrick

16. Prometheus Bound, Aeschylus

15. Shockaholic, Carrie Fisher

14. Crescendo, Becca Fitzpatrick

13. Hush, Hush, Becca Fitzpatrick

12. The Peach Keeper, Sarah Addison Allen

11. Rainwater, Sandra Brown

10. A Stolen Life, Jaycee Dugard

8. Mockingjay, Suzanne Collins

9. The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Sarah Addison Allen

7. Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins

6. The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

5. Colleges That Change Lives, Loren Pope

4. The Physic Book of Deliverance Dane, Katherine Howe

3. Angelica, Arthur Phillips

2. What Colleges Don’t Tell You, Elizabeth Wizner-Gross

1. Clockwork Prince, Cassandra Clare

 

 

Edit: I should mention that I really enjoyed Juliet, which is about a woman discovering that her family has historical ties to the original Romeo and Juliet, until the last few chapters. At that point, I thought the author lost her way a bit, not really knowing how to wrap up the bits and pieces of story she'd introduced all along.

 

And Carrier of the Mark was just silly. It was as though the author took all of the plot elements from every teen paranormal romance series and put them in a blender, moved the whole mess to Ireland, and printed out the book. It passed some hours of walking, but there wasn't a single surprise.

At the moment, I'd reading Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students who Took Vegas for Millions (Ben Mezrich) with my son. My husband suggested our son might enjoy it as a supplement to our intro to statistics unit.

 

 

And I just downloaded the Alice I Have Been (Melanie Benjamin) audiobook this morning.

 

I also started re-reading Dead Until Dark (Charlaine Harris) last night, hoping to make my way through the series again before I pick up the new book.

Edited April 30, 2012 by Jenny in Florida

[Stacia]

At the moment, I'd reading Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students who Took Vegas for Millions (Ben Mezrich) with my son. My husband suggested our son might enjoy it as a supplement to our intro to statistics unit.

 

Have you seen 21 (the movie based on the book)? I haven't read the book but did enjoy the movie.

[Stacia]

Hey, book thread peeps, did you see these cool book posters that KristenR mentioned?

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375010

 

I have been considering joining this group for some time. I am afraid that by joining I will fail miserably...but I have been reading so much lately, I'm almost on track anyway!!

 

What do you do if you don't quite get a book finished or miss a week? Just roll it over into the following week?

 

Join right in! As NanceXToo said, the goal is to read, tell us what you're reading, find some other ideas on this thread. The first couple of years I did this, I didn't get near the 52 books. No biggie. Read what you can & be sure to tell us. We're nosy like that ;) & like knowing what others are reading. :D :bigear:

 

You don't have to read one book every week. Some folks do that. I'm often reading a couple of books at a time & work on them over a few weeks. I just post as I'm reading.

[Onceuponatime]

I've been reading Jesus by Marcus Borg. It is what I've needed to read for a while. Last week I didn't post, I read An Acceptable Time by Madeliene L'engle. I'd only read A Wrinkle in Time before, so I'm going to read through the rest of her books that I can find in the library.

[aggieamy]

I have been considering joining this group for some time. I am afraid that by joining I will fail miserably...but I have been reading so much lately, I'm almost on track anyway!!

 

What do you do if you don't quite get a book finished or miss a week? Just roll it over into the following week?

 

I've been working on The Moonstone off and on for about three weeks. I usually have my books listed as read and working on so I just keep it on the list. Even if you can't get 52 books in you should join us. It's lots of fun and you'll get lots of great reading suggesting.

[cjgrubbs]

I'm progressing but haven't caught up. :tongue_smilie: Maybe over the summer!

 

Here is what I've read so far this year:

1. Radical - Platt

2. The Vikings - Janeway

3. Beorn the Proud

4. A Midsummer night's Dream - Shakespeare

5. Ahab's Wife

6. Books that Build Character

7. Shadow Spinner

8. Adam of the Road

9. The Mystery of the Roman Ransom

10. Raising Real Men - Young

11. The 17th Swap - McGraw

12. Barnheart - Woginrich

13. Tamar - Francine Rivers

[eaglei]

I adore Georgette Heyer's books. The Grand Sophy is my favorite but I also really enjoyed Arabella and Frederika.

 

I am SO glad you posted this! I came on just now to post a thread asking for other Georgette Heyer recommendations! Now I don't need to - great minds think alike, as *they* say! Now I'm off to check the library site to see if they have these two books. :)

 

I'll check back later this evening to see if any more titles have been recommended!

[Kareni]

It's been so many years since I read Georgette Heyer that I no longer can speak to my own favorites. Here though are a few articles/reviews that might be of interest:

 

REVIEW: Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer -- there are 'Related posts' at the end of the review that might be of interest as well as many comments

 

Jennifer Kloester's Biography of Georgette Heyer -- many of the comments deal with favorite Heyer characters and books

 

Here's a link to the articles/reviews that have been tagged Georgette Heyer on the Heroes and Heartbreakers site.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[CAMom]

Hi Everyone!

 

Been MIA around here lately as we've been wrapping up our speech and debate tournament season. Now, I have a 4 or 5 week break with one more tournament for the year.

 

I'm 100 pages shy of finishing 11/22/63 by Stephen King. It's due back at the library today. It's a good read.

[Hedgehogs4]

Okay, here goes! I'm jumping in.

 

I have read a lot of youth literature this year with my kids, so there are quite a few of those on the list, but I have some grown-up stuff in there too. There may be a few more that I'm not recalling that I've read this spring, so if they come to mind I'll add them to the list.

 

Tom Sawyer

Moccasin Trail

40 Acres and Maybe a Mule

The Entire Ramona Quimby series (in a week or so...)

The Secret Garden

The Jungle Book

David Livingstone

Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar

A Wrinkle in Time

Folks This Ain't Normal

Unbroken

 

Currently listening to: The Man on Mao's Right

Currently reading: The Read-Aloud Handbook

 

I will see how far I get as the year progresses. I have been following the blog and the thread. I guess it's time to join.

[aggieamy]

Currently reading: The Read-Aloud Handbook

 

Are you enjoying The Read-Aloud Handbook? It's one of my favorite parenting books and I try to reread it every year.

[Negin]

I adore Georgette Heyer's books. The Grand Sophy is my favorite but I also really enjoyed Arabella and Frederika.

Going to look into these. Thank you.

 

When do we get to pick up hitchhiker Brad Pitt? :D)

:lol: :grouphug:

 

I have been considering joining this group for some time. I am afraid that by joining I will fail miserably...but I have been reading so much lately, I'm almost on track anyway!!

What do you do if you don't quite get a book finished or miss a week? Just roll it over into the following week?

I felt the same way at first and was a bit scared to join.

Don't let the 52 books intimidate you. I have yet to accomplish that - time and $ (I have to buy all my books - no library here).

I say, just enjoy what you read and don't worry about the number.

[Jane in NC]

[

 

18. The High Flyer, by Susan Howatch.

 

"Successful London lawyer Carter Graham has power, sex-appeal, and a well-ordered life. Everything has gone according to plan, including her recent marriage to Kim Betz, an investment banker with the right combination of looks and position. On the surface it appears to be a match made in heaven. The only problem is Kim's ex-wife. Sophie begins to follow Carter like a shadow, making outrageous claims about Kim's involvement in the occult. Convincing herself that Sophie is mad, Carter moves ahead with her life. But something is amiss- and as Sophie's stories are corroborated by other unwelcome disclosures from Kim's past, Carter is thrown into a terrifying web of suspicion and betrayal, pushing her sanity to the edge. In desperation, Carter seeks help from Nicholas Darrow, the charismatic priest of St. Benet's Healing Center. Though a religious skeptic, Carter hopes to stem the tide of darkness that threatens to envelop her life- and begins a compelling journey into the very nature of good and evil, wisdom and redemption."

 

Ooo...Another member of the Susan Howatch club? I did not realize that Nicholas Darrow of the Starbridge series returns. Well, another book for my list.

[NanceXToo]

Ooo...Another member of the Susan Howatch club? I did not realize that Nicholas Darrow of the Starbridge series returns. Well, another book for my list.

 

Actually, it's the first book I've ever read by her and didn't realize there was a series with that character! I picked this book up at a used book sale at the library because it sounded interesting. I'm a little more than halfway through it so far and I do like it! I guess I'll have to check my library to see if they have more books by her. :)

[ladydusk]

Ooo...Another member of the Susan Howatch club? I did not realize that Nicholas Darrow of the Starbridge series returns. Well, another book for my list.

 

 

There are three St. Benet's books with Nicholas Darrow.

 

I finished The Rich Are Different last night. I need to see about getting my hands on The Sins of the Fathers, 'cause it ended with a bang!

 

I'll work on my review later :)

[Jane in NC]

Actually, it's the first book I've ever read by her and didn't realize there was a series with that character! I picked this book up at a used book sale at the library because it sounded interesting. I'm a little more than halfway through it so far and I do like it! I guess I'll have to check my library to see if they have more books by her. :)

 

Ladydusk and a Real World friend mentioned the Starbridge series within the same window at the start of 2011. That caught my attention. It was also pointed out to me that Susan had mentioned the series in a blog post on favorite books. (Here--scroll down.) I found the six novels to be the most engaging books I read last year.

[NanceXToo]

There are three St. Benet's books with Nicholas Darrow.

 

I finished The Rich Are Different last night. I need to see about getting my hands on The Sins of the Fathers, 'cause it ended with a bang!

 

I'll work on my review later :)

 

Ladydusk and a Real World friend mentioned the Starbridge series within the same window at the start of 2011. That caught my attention. It was also pointed out to me that Susan had mentioned the series in a blog post on favorite books. (Here--scroll down.) I found the six novels to be the most engaging books I read last year.

 

Well thanks for letting me know about them! I've added both series to my (long) list of books to read! :D

[ladydusk]

I finished The Rich are Different by Susan Howatch last night. It is such a good book. Funny that I was reading it right as we were getting to Julius Caesar in Story of the World. Her ability to follow the story line from ancient Rome and get small actions or details right on 1920s Wall Street is tremendous. I'll have to get the next book from the library soon.

 

Thanks, Jane in NC for spurring me on to get it read :)

 

2012 Books Reviews

1. Lit! by Tony Reinke

2. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic

3. Words to Eat By by Ina Lipkowitz

4. How to Tutor Your Own Child by Marina Koestler Ruben

5. Evening in the Palace of Reason by James R Gaines (spectacular)

6. The Cat of Bubastes by GA Henty (Audio from Librivox)

7. The Last Battle by C S Lewis (Audiobook)

8. A Praying Life by Paul E Miller

9. Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonesca

10. Little Britches: Father and I Were Ranchers by Ralph Moody (fantastic read aloud)

11. The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

12. The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis

13. How to Write a Sentence by Stanley Fish

14. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

15. The Rich Are Different by Susan Howatch

[Paisley Hedgehog]

nm

[Mom-ninja.]

 

# 58 Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain. This was a fascinating book, covering a broad range of topics on how we read and the value of reading.

 

 

Added to my wish list.

 

 

I read The Night Circus last week. Many people on these threads recommended it, and you can add my wholehearted recommendation to those. Beautifully written. Utterly swept me away into its ethereal, haunting, am-I-awake-or-dreaming? world. Loved, loved, LOVED it.

 

I found this on audio read by.......drum roll please.........Jim Dale! I love Jim Dale. Love him. So I'm happily listening to this book each night. There is nothing better than falling asleep with Jim Dale's voice in your ear.

 

 

#20 - The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer. HOW did I miss this author?! All those years working in libraries, watching others sign out her books all.the.time - and I am just now introducing myself to her books, thanks to members of the Hive who have recommended her on earlier threads. This particular book captures your attention, is hard to put down, and is laugh-out-loud funny! THANKS to those who recommended The Grand Sophy!

 

Added to my list. :D

 

 

 

For get caught reading, I just got back from a weekend at a friend's mountain cabin for our book club. Our book club read The Enchanted April, decided to go somewhere delightful (our friend's cabin), & headed out for a girl weekend of hanging out, discussing books, reading, & watching the movie for The Enchanted April. Ahhhh. It was lovely & so relaxing. (I know it's not May, but that will probably have to do for my unique 'get caught reading' moment. :lol:)

 

 

Wow! How fun. I would love to do something like that.

 

I'm reading The Enchanted April right now on my Nook, and I love it so far.

[VeganCupcake]

I finished Siblings Without Rivalry last night and now to implement the techniques! <insert rueful laughter here>

 

Then I started reading Big in China by Alan Paul. I have this dream of moving [back] to China; maybe this will be a reality check.

[aggieamy]

Last night I picked up a book from the library that was highly recommended by two friends of mine - one of which has the same taste in books that I do. The book was The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffinegger. Has anyone here read this book? It's a graphic novel/short story and I'm thoroughly disturbed by it. I felt like the first part was a great premise and then about three quarters of the way through it turned dark and horrible. I made DH read it right afterwards and his impression was the same as mine and I think we must have missed something deep because we both thought that the point was that reading was a worthless activity and there's something bigger out there but what?

 

In progress:

 

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (I know I said I was going to branch out from mysteries for awhile but I lied. :))

On Writing by Stephen King (re-read for book club)

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Tales of Robin Hood by Tony Allan (read aloud)

Father Brown Mysteries by GK Chesterton (audiobook)

 

2012 finished books:

 

49. The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffinegger (*)

48. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson (***)

47. Casino Royale - James Bond by Ian Fleming (**)

46. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson (***)

45. The Lucky Shopping Manual by Kim Lenitt (*****)

44. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (****)

43. Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer - Audiobook (****)

42. Half Magic by Edward Eager (***)

41. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede - Read Aloud (****)

 

Books 1 - 40

 

Amy's Rating System:

 

***** - Fantastic, couldn't put it down

**** - Very good

*** - Enjoyable but nothing special

** - Not recommended

* - Horrible

Edited May 2, 2012 by aggieamy

[Night Elf]

I guess technically, this book should go onto next Sunday's thread, but I just finished reading Orwell's Animal Farm. It's the first time I ever read it. Boy, what a depressing read! I kept wanting to jump in and throttle the pigs. I'll admit I'm not much of a political person so I don't really understand political motivations. Doing History with ds15 is always a stretch because I have a hard time grasping the material beyond a very surface understanding. Thank goodness DH can have intelligent conversations with him. But reading Animal Farm just ticked me off that situations like that really happen in the world. All I can say is that the pigs are ... well, pigs!

 

So now I'm reading The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks. A friend gave me the book yesterday and assured me it was written on a level of understanding I can handle. Her reading choices are a lot like many of you. They are deep and more grown-up (haha) than I ever choose for myself. I promised I would try this. Here's hoping it turns out okay.

[Jane in NC]

I finished The Rich are Different by Susan Howatch last night. It is such a good book. Funny that I was reading it right as we were getting to Julius Caesar in Story of the World. Her ability to follow the story line from ancient Rome and get small actions or details right on 1920s Wall Street is tremendous. I'll have to get the next book from the library soon.

 

Thanks, Jane in NC for spurring me on to get it read :)

 

 

 

Did you notice that the WTM Shakespeare reading group has chosen Julius Caesar for the May selection? I feel like there something in the water (or the ether).

 

I am already blown away by The Rich are Different and I have only read a hundred pages. Howatch is a such a good storyteller and she develops such fascinatingly deep characters. Plus the sense of place! When I started reading Glittering Images, I knew immediately that the fictional town of Starbridge was Salisbury. Having been there, I felt like I was strolling through the cathedral and the close again. Amazing!

 

Did you know that Susan Howatch is still alive? Hey Ladydusk! We have a mission: tea with the author! Let's plan a trip to London! ;)

Edited May 2, 2012 by Jane in NC

[Storm Bay]

Just finished "Where Has Oprah Taken Us: The Religious Influence of the World's Most Famous Woman." Review here.

I think this should be required reading for Christians everywhere. Good stuff, and concerning.

 

Started reading Robopocalypse - dystopian sci-fi.

 

What you wrote about the book in your review reminds me of the book I'm slowly finishing (not becuase it's not good, but because I've been weakly reading fiction I don't need to red right now) The Death of Truth. Oprah is very much a post-modernist from what you said, although not being a fan I don't read her magazine & try not to watch her on TV. I'm not opposed to mutliculturism in many ways, but I am opposed to the post-modernist philosophy in a number of ways. http://www.amazon.com/The-Death-Truth-Multiculturalism-Postmodern/dp/1556617240/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335985551&sr=8-1

[Stacia]

.

[Jane in NC]

Ladydusk & Jane in NC, I may have to try Howatch. I keep reading all your raves of her books & I'm going to have to check them out!

 

 

But don't you have aversion to series? (I'm viewing this as Fear of Commitment, Stacia. :lol::lol::lol: )

[Stacia]

I've been helping care for a sick relative recently so it has been hard to concentrate on anything.

 

:grouphug:

[Stacia]

But don't you have aversion to series? (I'm viewing this as Fear of Commitment, Stacia. :lol::lol::lol: )

 

Good point. Yes, I have a fear of series (she says as she's currently reading #4 in Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce series).

 

Touché, my friend.

 

Hmmm. I may have to reconsider. :tongue_smilie:

[LostSurprise]

38. Suspense and Sensibility by Carrie Bebris~Jane Austen, Mystery. The addition of the Dashwoods and Farrars as the Darcys take Georgianna and Kitty for a London season.

 

37. Pride and Prescience by Carrie Bebris~Jane Austen, Darcys, Mystery, supernatural. Needed some cozy reading. The Darcy's try to help Caroline Bingley. Mysterious objects. Paranormal experiences.

 

36. Superfudge by Judy Blume~fiction, classic children's book. Had to read this one again. It had been too long (20 years???) so I couldn't really discuss it with DS9. Still love it, in fact it was fun to date the book based on what the parents were in to! lol

 

35. The Explosive Child by Ross Greene~non-fiction, behavior, children. I'm reading this one for one of my children and I thought there was a lot of good stuff here. Its important to hold judgement about behavior in an effort teach them to moderate their behavior and negotiate with the people around them. There were moments when I felt Greene was a little too wrapped up in his viewpoint and a few of the vignettes seemed forced into his viewpoint, but overall I think this is an excellent book on the subject of children and teens who lack control and the ability to transition.

 

34. Cyteen 2: The Rebirth by CJ Cherryh~science fiction, cloning.

33. The Peace War by Vernor Vinge~science fiction, future, technology.

32. Whiskey Breakfast by Richard Lindberg~memoir, Swedish Immigration, Chicago.

31. Corvus: a Life with Birds by Esther Woolfson~non-fiction, birds.

30. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen~classic literature.

29. Cyteen: The Betrayal by CJ Cherryh~science fiction, future, space, cloning.

28. Divergent by Veronica Roth~youth fiction, dystopian.

27. The Help by Kathryn Stockett~fiction, '60s, race relations.

26. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs~youth, fiction.

25. Below Stairs: the Classic Kitchen Maid Memoir by Margaret Powell~non-fiction, memoir.

24. Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card~fiction.

23. Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks~non-fiction, memoir.

22. The Garden Book of Wisconsin by Melinda Myers~non-fiction, gardening, flowers and landscaping.

21. Putting Down Roots: Gardening Insights from Wisconsin's Early Settlers by Marcia Carmichael~non-fiction, history, gardening.

20. Gudrun's Kitchen: Recipes from a Norwegian Family by Irene and Edward Sandvold~cookbook, biography.

19. Twelve Owls by Laura Erickson~non-fiction, birds.

18. A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell~fiction, WWII

17. A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge~science fiction, space

16. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card~classic science fiction, read aloud.

15. Flour by Joanne Chung~cookbook, baking

14. Home to Woefield by Susan Juby~light fiction, humorous

13. Making the Most of Shade by Larry Hodgson~non-fiction/gardening

12. Growing Perennials in Cold Climates by Mike Heger~non-fiction/gardening

11. Case Histories by Kate Atkinson~mystery

10. Letters from Yellowstone by Diane Smith~historical fiction

9. The Circus in Winter by Cathy Day~fiction

8. The Alphabet in the Park by Adelia Prado~poetry

7. The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman~non-fiction/medical

6. One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus~speculative fiction

5. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Woods~juvenile

4. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Jester~(read aloud) juvenile

3. The Alienist by Caleb Carr~Mystery

2. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton~Fiction

1. The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt~Fiction

 

Working on:

Five Quarters of the Orange (Harris)

The Long Retreat (Krivak)

Blue Like Jazz (Miller)

[LostSurprise]

The_Makioka_Sisters"]The Makioka Sisters[/url] by Junichiro Tanizaki is on my to-read list.

 

If someone's looking for a suggestion for the Japanese challenge, I read this last year and it was one of my top books of the year.

 

Now if you need a book with a lot of plot, :001_smile: not so much, but I love the way Tanizaki reveals all the tiny details of the sisters. Their differences, their inconsistencies, the passive-aggressive ways they get their way. Its a tour de force, a gentle, meandering tour de force as a rich Japanese family finds itself left behind by the modernity of WWII Japan.

 

 

 

I'm really behind on the Russian challenge. I'm not sure if I'll go grab some Chekov or just move on to the Japanese challenge. I have Shank's Mare

(Ikku) or The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Mishima) sitting on a shelf.

[ladydusk]

Did you notice that the WTM Shakespeare reading group has chosen Julius Caesar for the May selection? I feel like there something in the water (or the ether).

 

I am already blown away by The Rich are Different and I have only read a hundred pages. Howatch is a such a good storyteller and she develops such fascinatingly deep characters. Plus the sense of place! When I started reading Glittering Images, I knew immediately that the fictional town of Starbridge was Salisbury. Having been there, I felt like I was strolling through the cathedral and the close again. Amazing!

 

Did you know that Susan Howatch is still alive? Hey Ladydusk! We have a mission: tea with the author! Let's plan a trip to London! ;)

 

Go read the Julius Caesar (and Augustus Caesar and maybe Cleopatra and Marc Antony) wiki if you really want to be astounded (maybe after you finish the book ... )

 

Her storytelling is just soooo good. Normally, I wouldn't read anything nearly (close to) as racy as her writing tends to, but it is so well written.

 

I think it is her characters which sets her apart and her way of 1) giving them their own voices and 2) letting them have their own perspectives and 3) making the reader sympathetic to each character and his own perspective - even when it is diametrically opposed to another character's.

 

I wish I had been reading with my copybook because there were several sentences that were balanced so beautifully and ideas that were enfleshed so perfectly that I would love to have them set apart somewhere ... but I'm too impatient to write them out!

 

I did know she was still living. Her wiki page is interesting. She has lived both in England and America, which gives her that real sense of place. I think, though, I'd turn into a blubbering ball of incoherence if I got to meet her in person :)

Edited May 2, 2012 by ladydusk

[Stacia]

If someone's looking for a suggestion for the Japanese challenge, I read this last year and it was one of my top books of the year.

 

Now if you need a book with a lot of plot, :001_smile: not so much, but I love the way Tanizaki reveals all the tiny details of the sisters. Their differences, their inconsistencies, the passive-aggressive ways they get their way. Its a tour de force, a gentle, meandering tour de force as a rich Japanese family finds itself left behind by the modernity of WWII Japan.

 

I'm really behind on the Russian challenge. I'm not sure if I'll go grab some Chekov or just move on to the Japanese challenge. I have Shank's Mare

(Ikku) or The Temple of the Golden Pavilion (Mishima) sitting on a shelf.

 

All of these books sound great. :001_smile:

 

<adding to my ever-growing to-read list...>

[ladydusk]

Ladydusk & Jane in NC, I may have to try Howatch. I keep reading all your raves of her books & I'm going to have to check them out!

 

 

Howatch had kind of three eras of writing.

 

Her earliest works are gothic romances, short, sweet, maybe the best written ones you've ever read, but definitely in that genre. I do enjoy those, but they remind me very much of Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, some Phyllis Whitney, and Georgette Heyer.

 

In the 60s-70s she started writing these epic histories in a 20th Century context. There are The Rich are Different and Sins of the Fathers (which are a series, but more like one really long book IIRC), Cashelmara, and Penmarric, and Wheel of Fortune. Some of those may be connected, I don't remember the details ... they all stand alone, though.

 

Then she returned to the Church of England and wrote the Starbridge and St. Benet's series which really deal with very Christian themes (in a way many Christians wouldn't read ...)

 

So ... if you want to try Howatch, but don't like series, I'd start in the middle :) I read Cashelmara as a highschooler (what was it doing in the high school library? and what were my grown-ups thinking?!?) I even wrote a paper on it ... but had no idea that there was a back story or anything to it.

[Stacia]

So ... if you want to try Howatch, but don't like series, I'd start in the middle :) I read Cashelmara as a highschooler (what was it doing in the high school library? and what were my grown-ups thinking?!?) I even wrote a paper on it ... but had no idea that there was a back story or anything to it.

 

Cool. Thanks for the info! :001_smile:

[Stacia]

I don't have a blog to link to, I don't think I can commit to a book a week, and I'm not even sure why I'm posting here except I had to tell someone that I just finished Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand and it's wrecked me. In that good way a book sometimes will. Book lovers of the Hive will surely understand, right?

 

Even though I've never read Unbroken, I totally understand what you're saying. :001_smile: That's the mystique & wonder of literature, isn't it?

 

Glad you posted. Pop in & post on books when you can! I think we're all pretty nosy & love hearing what others are reading. :bigear:

[Jane in NC]

Go read the Julius Caesar (and Augustus Caesar and maybe Cleopatra and Marc Antony) wiki if you really want to be astounded (maybe after you finish the book ... )

 

 

Admittedly, Julius Caesar is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays. I had the good fortune of seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company perform this play with a setting of the early 2000's in Putin's Russia. Political stories translate across the ages. (Imagine "Friends, Romans and Countrymen" with enhancements from video imagery!)

 

 

Then she returned to the Church of England and wrote the Starbridge and St. Benet's series which really deal with very Christian themes (in a way many Christians wouldn't read ...)

 

 

Actually, a non-Christian friend was the one who recommended the Starbridge series to me initially. It is the psychology within the books that repeatedly intrigues her and has her returning to them. Frankly, I think the history of the Anglican church painted within the novels could interest anyone. I read the books while regularly looking up the referenced Oxford scholars to learn more about the roles they played in shaping modern theology.

 

One of my favorite authors is Dorothy Dunnett. Her books are best read with the handbooks that have been published with references. I keep thinking that the Howatch novels could use a handbook.

[Abeille]

I've been perusing this thread throughout the day, and now remember why I took a self-enforced break from the Book a Week threads for a while. I end up with too many books added to my TBR list. Seriously, quit recommending such interesting books or I shall be well and truly buried under a pile of books that all need reading right now! (just kidding, reading these threads is like being part of the biggest and bestest book club ever) I'd be embarrassed to admit how many books I've either added to Stanza, or marked as to-read on Goodreads today.

 

I usually have several books going at once, and I'm prone to dropping them all to pick up something new that catches my fancy. Right now I'm reading through Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brodie series and I think I'm going to start IQ 84 as part of the Japan challenge. I'm also about to take the plunge and make a go of reading through The Well-Educated Mind lists; last time I tried, I got bogged down in Don Quixote and gave up.

[ladydusk]

Admittedly, Julius Caesar is one of my favorite Shakespearean plays. I had the good fortune of seeing the Royal Shakespeare Company perform this play with a setting of the early 2000's in Putin's Russia. Political stories translate across the ages. (Imagine "Friends, Romans and Countrymen" with enhancements from video imagery!)

 

I have to admit that my knowledge of Shakespeare is ... embarrassingly limited (think Romeo & Juliet 20+ years ago in high school). The children and I are just starting down that path. We read Aliki's semi-biography first and now are reading the Poetry for Young People: Shakespeare. We had just read "Friends, Romans, Countrymen" and I thought how wise Howatch was to not have her character compete with that!

 

We're going to Lamb's next. I'm easing us [read: me] in :)

 

That, however, sounds like a profound experience!

[laughing lioness]

Finished Robocopalypse by Wilson. It was creepily violent. Not sure why I picked it up. Speilberg is making a movie of it this year (no surprise).

 

Also finished The Green Mile by King. I have been very interested in his writing since reading his book on writing. At the beginning of the book I wasn't sure about it- the writing was good but lots of violence and swearing. But in the end I thought it was a terrific read....compelling. It wasn't at all what I expected.

[Jane in NC]

We're going to Lamb's next. I'm easing us [read: me] in :)

 

 

Oooh! May I recommend Leon Garfield's retellings of Shakespeare? There are two volumes of stories, all of which I read aloud to my son when he was younger. Garfield incorporates original dialog into his tales. They are well done!

[-M-]

Message deleted

Edited May 8, 2012 by Mental multivitamin

[Mommyfaithe]

I FINALLY FINISHED 11/22/63!!!!!!!! WOOT!!!

 

Now going to read The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson....

[ladydusk]

Oooh! May I recommend Leon Garfield's retellings of Shakespeare? There are two volumes of stories, all of which I read aloud to my son when he was younger. Garfield incorporates original dialog into his tales. They are well done!

 

Our library has these, I was noticing because SWB recs them in the SOTW AG.

 

I'll take a look, thanks! :)

[LostSurprise]

I FINALLY FINISHED 11/22/63!!!!!!!! WOOT!!!

 

:hurray:

 

I love that feeling of just pushing through and finishing something. Such a great feeling.

 

Wish I could do that with Cloudsplitter. After about a year I put it back on the shelf.

[aggieamy]

I FINALLY FINISHED 11/22/63!!!!!!!! WOOT!!!

 

Now going to read The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson....

 

 

That's awesome. :D I'm in the middle of a long book and while it's good I feel like I've got book ADD because I want to find out what happens and get on to some other books I want to read.

 

I've been on a Bill Bryson kick lately but haven't read that one. Let us know what you think of it.

[Kareni]

I FINALLY FINISHED 11/22/63!!!!!!!! WOOT!!!

 

Good for you!

 

Now going to read The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson....

 

Ahh, that's my favorite of his books. Enjoy.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Negin]

Well, Negin, since you like pictures... :D;) Here you go...

Oh. my. goodness. :lol: :drool5: :ohmy: :blush5: :001_wub:

Stacia, you just made my morning!

[CAMom]

I FINALLY FINISHED 11/22/63!!!!!!!! WOOT!!!

 

Now going to read The Mother Tongue by Bill Bryson....

 

:lol::lol:

 

I finally finished it, too.:D

[Angel]

 

#20 - The Grand Sophy, by Georgette Heyer. HOW did I miss this author?! All those years working in libraries, watching others sign out her books all.the.time - and I am just now introducing myself to her books, thanks to members of the Hive who have recommended her on earlier threads. This particular book captures your attention, is hard to put down, and is laugh-out-loud funny! THANKS to those who recommended The Grand Sophy!

 

I discovered Georgette Heyer's Regency work earlier this year. I had read The Conqueror last year but it was very different than her Regency work. Cotillion was also laugh out loud funny. I am looking forward to reading more of her this summer!