Goodreads Ireland discussion

Frank wrote: "I just finished reading In Search of Ancient Ireland: The Origins of the Irish from Neolithic Times to the Coming of the English and enjoyed it very much. It was published as a compan..."

I have this book gathering dust on my TBR shelf (who am I kidding? It's really a TBR bookcase). Your review might be the shove to get me to read it.

Reading Stephen Kings "IT" at the moment. Had to see what all the hype is about. Loving it so far.

John wrote: "Reading Stephen Kings "IT" at the moment. Had to see what all the hype is about. Loving it so far."

I read It in print years back and recently listened to the audio book. Loved it both times! A wonderful exploration of chikdhood fears as well as what lurks under small towns. King is a master :-)

Hi Margo, read Mr. Mercedes a little while back (on a SK buzz at the moment). it was like someone else wrote that. when King is good he is amazing, but he can be poor as well.

Margo wrote: "John wrote: "Reading Stephen Kings "IT" at the moment. Had to see what all the hype is about. Loving it so far."

I read It in print years back and recently listened to the audio book..."

"It" is one of my favourite books, I just reread it last summer. Was disappointed in the film, didn't think it was half as scary as it should have been.

I agree with you Donna it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be from the trailers that they showed . I still liked it but I have a soft spot for the old mini series . It was cheesy but special at the same time . I love It the book and need to reread it soon

John wrote: "Hi Margo, read Mr. Mercedes a little while back (on a SK buzz at the moment). it was like someone else wrote that. when King is good he is amazing, but he can be poor as well."

That is a coincidence, I'm not long finished the second of that series Finders Keepers. It was a change of genre for king, and I prefer horror, but he writes a reasonable thriller. By the end of the second book he is veering back into more familiar territory and I'm looking forward to the conclusion of the trillogy.

Colleen wrote: "I agree with you Donna it wasn't as scary as I thought it was going to be from the trailers that they showed . I still liked it but I have a soft spot for the old mini series . It was cheesy but sp..."

I'm nervous about the movie! I actually loved the miniseries apart from (view spoiler)[the clockwork spider at the end. That was the beauty of "it" - it was whatever you wanted it to be!! (hide spoiler)]

Been a while since I've posted in this thread, but have been reading as much as ever.

Just finished Donal Ryan's All We Shall Know, which was different from both The Spinning Heart and The Thing About December but still gave a real sense of place, and did a great job in exploring issues in both the travelling and settled communities - would definitely recommend to anyone interested in Irish fiction.

Currently working my way through an in person book club choice - the 2016 Booker International Prize winner, The Vegetarian, a translated Korean novel which is odd to say the least. Also listening to The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry, Jon Ronson's writing and narration as accessible as ever.

I've got a stack of both audio and physical books backed up, but seeing the Quarterly Read, I'm tempted to go for a re-listen to The Heart's Invisible Furies, which I loved on first listen in February.

Allan wrote: "Been a while since I've posted in this thread, but have been reading as much as ever.

Just finished Donal Ryan's All We Shall Know, which was different from both The Spinning..."</i>

I read [book:The Heart's Invisible Furies this summer and I'd love a chance to discuss it when folks get a chance to read it. I think it has a broader appeal than two of his books I loved A History of Loneliness and The Absolutist. I gave it 5 stars and have seen several rave reviews from readers on this side of the pond who haven't read Boyne before.
I am reading Out Stealing Horses - a dusty book, and as it is now October started another Boyne book I had in my kindle library This House is Haunted which is set in 19th century England. I may get the Derek Jacobi audio version of Frankenstein also.

Funny, I haven't read anything prior to 'The Absolutist'. Will wait to see if you think that one's worth tackling.

This is what you all must do for me. I need to break my habit of reviewing books. i have been reading some real clunkers and want to have time to read some wonderful books that I have actually picked out or given to me by Barbara. Last month I reviewed 9 books. Too many. Help me with my addiction.

I liked The Absolutist but thought The Heart's Invisible Furies was even better.

The Heart's Invisible Furies is my favorite book this year. BTW, Donna, how are you liking Outlander? It's fun to see Clair in the 1950's.

Seraphina bought me that Mcgahern novel a few Christmases ago, and it was one that was well worth reading - not too long either. I've read the Boyne a couple of times, and appreciated it on both occasions.

Susan wrote: "The Heart's Invisible Furies is my favorite book this year. BTW, Donna, how are you liking Outlander? It's fun to see Clair in the 1950's."

Susan, I don't have Starz but my friend dvrs all the episodes and we have an Outlander marathon weekend at the end of the season. I've heard it's good!

I have read 3 books since my last post:
The Pictures Hollywood noir, my review, 4.5/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Persons Unknown my review 4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Among the Wicked Amish mystery, my review, 4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Susan wrote: "This is what you all must do for me. I need to break my habit of reviewing books. i have been reading some real clunkers and want to have time to read some wonderful books that I have actually pick..."

That's why I am not making requests right now on Net Galley - plus they keep turning me down (:

Donna wrote: "I liked The Absolutist but thought The Heart's Invisible Furies was even better."

Glad you liked both!

Cphe wrote: "Noticed John Boyne was nominated for the group read. An author I've not read before.

I purchased The Absolutist as the synopsis appeals to me.

With my current TBR mountain growi..."

He became well known for a book for young readers The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I think he has finally found his way. He's written a bit of everything but his last two have really gotten lots of attention.
He's come to DC a few times and sadly the audiences are small. But the same has been true for Sebastian Barry. Though when Barry read 2 weeks ago there were about 40 people there instead of 12. It's a shame because he does an amazing reading.
I hope Boyne tours here with The Heart's Invisible Furies. It just is out here in hardcover. I got a copy from The Book Depository last spring.
I am editing to add that I think being on the long list for the Booker brought more people out. But in Washington people flock in hoards for books about politics and history.

My non-academic reading has really taken a back seat in my life as has my time to comment on threads here on Goodreads, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, as I do enjoy the opportunity to reflect on what I'm reading and hear from others. Most recently I've been listening to the audio book of Strangers on a Train, which might be familiar to folks in a different incarnation as it was a 1951 Hitchcock movie. I think this is one of the rare instances in which I like the movie better than the book. I enjoy the atmosphere in the book and movie, but feel that the characterization in the book is a bit clunky and the book feels slightly ponderous. Things are fleshed out much better in the movie.

Barbara wrote: "Susan wrote: "This is what you all must do for me. I need to break my habit of reviewing books. i have been reading some real clunkers and want to have time to read some wonderful books that I have..."

They do have the new Patricia Gibney out no. I think you've read her.

Donna wrote: "Susan wrote: "The Heart's Invisible Furies is my favorite book this year. BTW, Donna, how are you liking Outlander? It's fun to see Clair in the 1950's."

Susan, I don't have Starz ..."

I would an OD if I saw that much of Jamie at one time. It would just be too much heaven at once.

Sara, that is interesting that the movie is better than the book and fleshes things out - I've got to the point that I now avoid the movie adaptations of books that I enjoy. Although I did read somewhere that the book 'The Nix' is being turned into a series, which might be a better vehicle than a 2 hour film or whatever.

for non-fiction, reading Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild

finding it a more rigorous and interesting view on the American right than J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

started into group's October read too.

Andy wrote: "for non-fiction, reading Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right by Arlie Russell Hochschild

finding it a more rigorous and interestin..."

Andy I totally agree. My inperson book club was going to read Hillbilly Elegy. I read it and didn't recommend it as another choice - Strangers in Their Own Land- seemed better. One of my main criticisms of Hillbilly Elegy was that it felt like the editor had a brainstorm and told the author to add stuff about disillusioned Americans who voted for Trump to sell the book . It seemed stuck in at the end. I also felt Vance stereotyped Appalachian people to an extreme. The only good hillbillies according to him were his grandmother and one other person. I haven't lived in the mountains but I did have a lot of contact with folks in southwestern VA when my sister lived there for several years. This was before meth and those kind of scourges. There were lots of very very fine folks in the mountains. Strangers in their own Land is a sociological study but very readable and very very good.

Cphe wrote: "Currently group reading Crime and Punishment

commence:

The Harp in the South 5/10 as a buddy read. Read this as a teenager and looking forward to rediscovering this Aus..."


We did Crime and Punishment as a group read here and I struggled. I am glad I read it though.

Susan, have you heard of the book, 'My Absolute Darling'? It came up when I was looking at the new Jennifer Egan novel on Amazon - I see that it's set in Mendocino.

Check out this book on Goodreads: My Absolute Darling https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...

An Incomplete Revenge is my current read. I love Maisie Dobbs

Allan wrote: "Susan, have you heard of the book, 'My Absolute Darling'? It came up when I was looking at the new Jennifer Egan novel on Amazon - I see that it's set in Mendocino.

Check out this book on Goodread..."

I was interested in this book until I read my friend, Elyse's review. She is from N. CA. too and she included this warning in her review:

"NOTE: The sexual abuse narrative is the most graphic - ghastly and atrocious that I've ever come across in any fiction novel.....the kind that leaves you with a pit in your belly--readers must be warned.....but I felt it was worth reading because looking at human behavior--the horrifying sides of life --that take place in a person's home - "

I decided against it. BTW, Mendocino is such a lovely town.

That explains why it was compared to 'A Little Life' then.

I'm currently being pretty bemused, while still enjoying, Kurt Vonnegut's self proclaimed autobiographical sci fi novel, 'Slapstick or Lonesome No More', and have just finished two audiobooks - Jon Ronson's 'The Psychopath Test' and Frankie Boyle's latest free offering on iTunes, which is an audiobook of his Guardian columns, and I don't think is on the Goodreads database yet, 'Prometheus Volume 2'. Both well worth checking out. Not sure what to listen to next, but am tempted to download my copy of 'Grapes of Wrath' given our recent discussion about a reread, or to have another listen to the John Boyne quarterly read. Decisions, decisions...

I am reading Pond by Claire-Louise Bennett for my Monday book club. She's from Galway. It's a strange book.
Starting listening to a book for middle readers Where the Red Fern Grows - a "classic". And picked up on audiobook The Ninth Hour by Alice Mc Dermott and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. Also on kindle reading the sufficiently scary ghost story by John Boyne This House is Haunted.

I loved The Ninth Hour, my first by her but it won't be my last. Have Sing, Unburied, Sing on my Kindle to read soon.
I'm just starting Low Heights, the latest in the Pascal Garnier series published posthumously in English by Gallic Books, quirky French noir, I've read and loved all of them.

Sue wrote: "I loved The Ninth Hour, my first by her but it won't be my last. Have Sing, Unburied, Sing on my Kindle to read soon.
I'm just starting Low Heights, the latest in the Pascal Garnier..."

Well we are on the same page with at least 2 books . I will be "reading" (listening) to them next. week.

coming towards the end of one of those books where I just don't want it to finish.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
moving account of dealing with grief after a sudden loss, woven with some beautiful nature writing on training a hunting hawk

sometimes it is the book where you start without high expectations that stands out, an rud is annamh is iontach

Andy, I read that last year for my in person book club, I really liked it.

Funnily enough, Andy and Donna, my in person club read that same book and hated it!

Andy wrote: "coming towards the end of one of those books where I just don't want it to finish.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
moving account of dealing with grief after a sud..."


This was just picked my in person book club for sometime in the next 6 months time. The woman who recommended it just glowed about it so I am encouraged by Andy and Donna's responses but not Allan's. :)

Susan, you have commented on how often I get ARCs. See below story of an ebook ARC connected to my Iceland trip.
Persistence pays off!! I was approved for Nightblind today. I was previously declined and sent the below message in reply. It was returned "Failure Delivery." I reduced the file size of the pictures from 3mb to 65kb each and resent it. Again failure delivery. Then I sent it to Jordan Hanley at St. Martin's and asked him to send it to the person in charge of the book. Today I received an email with a widget for the book.
Sorry no pictures att'd

Thank you for notifying me of declining this book. I thought that I would share with you why I requested this book. It takes place in Siglufjordur, Iceland. I have just returned from an 11 day trip to Iceland. I spent 2 days in Siglufjordur and found it to be a charming little town. The Siglo Hotel was actually the best of the 5 hotels that I stayed while in Iceland. It had the biggest room, best shower, and the best WiFi.
I have attached a few pictures from Siglufjordur: Herring museum statue, warehouse opposite our hotel and Lutheran church.
Finally, here is a review of a book by an author that you publish.
Thomas's review of Jar City (Inspector Erlendur, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Andy wrote: "coming towards the end of one of those books where I just don't want it to finish.

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
moving account of dealing with grief after a sud..."

I listened to the audiobook and loved it so much I bought the physical book. True - it was a Tesco special 2 for £7.50 but a book that really captured me.

Thomas wrote: "Susan, you have commented on how often I get ARCs. See below story of an ebook ARC connected to my Iceland trip.
Persistence pays off!! I was approved for Nightblind today. I was pr..."

You are so much more organized than I am. I enter contests haphazardly and when the spirit moves me. I probably enter 2 or 3 a week which explains why I rarely win. I love the letter you wrote the publisher. No wonder they approved you. I hope the book turns out well.

Susan wrote: "Thomas wrote: "Susan, you have commented on how often I get ARCs. See below story of an ebook ARC connected to my Iceland trip.
Persistence pays off!! I was approved for Nightblind ..."
Thanks Susan. It is still available on NetGalley.com

Many of the books I'm currently reading are pretty academic but a few are of more general interest.

For my interfaith dialogue class one of the optional books assigned was Strangers and Neighbors: What I Have Learned About Christianity by Living Among Orthodox Jews is by a professor at a Catholic college who moves into a neighborhood that contains a number of Orthodox Jewish. It's a fascinating look at interfaith friendship and what it taught he about her own faith.

My current audio listen is Christodora which came highly recommended by Allan and Barbara. Allan even felt compelled to show us the real building the Christodora when we all met up in NYC last year. It took me a bit of time to get into, but now I'm mostly enjoying it. Some of the story threads/time lines are more interesting to me than others. It will be interesting to see how the author pulls it all together.

Thirty Days: On Retreat with the Exercises of St. Ignatius is the final book I'm currently reading, but it's a tad dry.

Glad you are reading Christodora. I gave it 4 stars. I loved the characters especially Mateo and Hector and the story of the AIDS movement and different points of view.

Barbara wrote: "Glad you are reading Christodora. I gave it 4 stars. I loved the characters especially Mateo and Hector and the story of the AIDS movement and different points of view."

Barbara do we ever get a direct 1st person POV from Hector?

Sara wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Glad you are reading Christodora. I gave it 4 stars. I loved the characters especially Mateo and Hector and the story of the AIDS movement and different points of view."

Barbara do..."

I think so but if so it is later in the book. I don't pay enough attention to who is narrating.

I've actually recently purchased the audio version of 'Christodora', which I'm planning to reread before my NYC jaunt this December...

I just finished Blame
I liked it and gave it 4 stars. My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I've been mostly reading a bunch of psychology articles as I have a midterm paper due Sunday at 11:59 pm EST. In case anyone cares, it's on the use of peer counseling to support Muslim refugees and whether peer counseling might reduce rates of PTSD in that population.

I've also been reading a few stories a day The Long Gaze Back: An Anthology of Irish Women Writers which was a Christmas gift from Emma. Short stories seem to be good when I'm academically busy as the require less investment. I've generally had great luck lately with books that were gifts from GRI members. Over the summer I read The Story of a New Name (which Allan gave me) and Things We Lost in the Fire (from Barbara). Things We Lost in the Fire, I subsequently passed onto my mother, who is also enjoying it.

How many of you have bought a book you already had read? Yesterday on Halloween in an airport bookstore I bought In a Dark, Dark Wood. I soon realized I'd already read it but the problem when you are traveling you can't take it back. But I have forgotten the ending and actually what happens so it will be a reread. How many times have I complained that I find Hen Parties kind of obnoxious - that's the core event in the novel.