Goodreads Ireland discussion

Does anyone have any exciting reading plans for the weekend? I'm currently catching up on a t.v. show, but I plan to spend most of the afternoon reading. I have about 60 pages left in Burial Rites and 100 left in the kids book, Yolanda's Genius, I'm reading. Since they're both library books, I'd like to return them tomorrow when I go to the library to pick up The Road Home. After that I'm either going to turn to a pair of graphic novels (also out from the library) or to another kids book I'm currently reading, The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two by Catherynne M. Valente.

It sounds like you had a very productive book reading break Allan. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the Shinning. Next, you'll have to read the sequel, Doctor Sleep, so we can discuss that as well!

You two have put me to shame. I've barely read sixty pages over the last three days. It's not for lack of enjoyment though. I just can't get my head in geae when I sit down to read.

I struggled with The Lonely Polygamist too and didn't think I would ever finish it. I don't know why I perserved but there was just something oddly compelling about it.

You won't be missing anything except to learn it's very hard to have multiple wives and too many kids.

The Lonely Polygamist!!?? Even the name sounds terrible. I think I'll keep that away from my to-read list.

It's an oxy-moron. The Lonely Polygamist LOL!

With more than one wife he's probably dying for a bit of peace and quiet...

Am I right fellas?

I can't even begin to imagine how a polygamous or polyandrous relationships work. How do they ever last for more than a few months?

Declan wrote: "With more than one wife he's probably dying for a bit of peace and quiet...

Am I right fellas?"

One would think! LOL That would go for more than one husband too but I don't know how often that happens. Does it? Maybe one in a million.

@Jamielynn. Polyandry does happen, but nowhere near as much Polygamy, but that's all from news articles, however reliable they may be.

@LMM. Yeah, I jealousy has to cause problems. I don't see it happening any other way. If the wives don't feel jealousy for themselves, I can't see that extending to favouritism of their children.

On the show Sister Wives they do complain about jealousy from time to time. Not a lot. One of the kids said she doesn't want to marry a polygamist. So for whatever reason she doesn't see it as the ideal way to live. She said she doesn't want to share.
Sister Wives is a reality show. I have seen a few episodes. I would hate that kind of lifestyle.

That fact that the daughter can reject it so completely tells me everything I need to know.

It would be a confusing life. Yes, Declan, the fact that the daughter rejects it proves that when the camera is off it's not so great.

LMM I bet it would be hard for those kids to try to live a normal life of monogamy without 20 kids. Normalcy is abnormal to them

Jamielynn wrote: "It would be a confusing life. Yes, Declan, the fact that the daughter rejects it proves that when the camera is off it's not so great.

LMM I bet it would be hard for those kids to try to live a no..."

I'm late to this conversation, and I do think it would be really difficult/confusing, etc., for all of the women and all of the children. But here's a very basic question--how do these men on the documentaries, reality shows support multiple wives and dozens of children? Do the wives work outside the home? I've always assumed they didn't...since it's such a male-dominated culture.

Cphe wrote: "Meant to say, it was thanks to Declan's blog that I found
Peeler
Irregulars: A Sean O'Keefe Novel

Two of the best Irish historical police procedural books I've read this year."
Cphe, Thanks so much for adding this info. I've just looked and Peeler is available as an ebook for a reasonable price. I'm going to get it based on your recommendation. I'm going to follow Declan Burke's blog, too. I even have one of his books on my shelf, Down these Green Streets. So much good reading to look forward to :)

Cathleen wrote: "Cphe wrote: "Meant to say, it was thanks to Declan's blog that I found
Peeler
Irregulars: A Sean O'Keefe Novel

Two of the best Irish historical police procedural books I've read this year."
Cphe,..."

I found Peeler available on Kindle but not Kobo. I've added it to my To Read list- thanks!

And I have read 2 Brian McGilloway - Borderlands and Bleed a River Deep. My local public library has some of his books (Sara:).

Another author to add to the TBR list...You guys are dangerous...although he probably won't rocket to the top of the list..too many other things to read...particularly other mystery series.

Susan, have you read any of the Agatha Raisin books (http://www.agatharaisin.com/?section=...). I figure since you like cozy mysteries, they would be up your alley. On the rare occasion when I'm in the mood for a cozy these are my go to! I've read the first 7 and several of the others on my shelf.

Some of them work outside the home. The guy said they have a choice. I bet doing the show brings in money too.

I am fascinated with Sister Wives and watch it faithfully. I also liked Big Love, the HBO series. The thing to know is these aren't like the marriage in the Warren Jeffs cult. The women are smart, well spoken, and choose to be in that relationship. They are all raised in polygamy so it seems like a normal life style to them. Frankly, I could care less what consenting adults due in the privacy of their own home.
It isn't a choice I would make but not everybody has to be like me. Frankly, when they talk about the joy of not having Cody every day, I could understand that. There were days when I could have used a mini vacation. I am just interested in the choices people make.
The polygamist was lonely because he didn't have anyone he could confine in. He didn't have anyone to discuss his problems with and was just on call all the time. It was worrying how to support all those people and there was no such thing as me time. He just realized that the life choices he made had made him lonely.

He made his beds then he had to lay in them LOL! Sorry bad joke.

Very true. It just goes to show, as my mother used to say, be careful what you wish for.

<>

I agree Susan. I haven't read the book, but I imagine that his experience of being lonely despite being surrounded by many people is one many of us can actually relate to.

I also have a number of friends who are in polyamorous relationships. "Polyamory (from Greek πολύ [poly], meaning "many" or "several", and Latin amor, "love") is the practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved." Unlike in polyagomy, both men and women are free to be in multiple committed relationships.

In the case of my friends, their relationships vary. Some have one primary partner (married or unmarried) but also have secondary partners they don't see as often.

I also have a group of 4 friends who are all living together and raising 2 children together. The two women in the relationship have been married since 2004 when MA legalized gay marriage. They subsequently decided to open up their relationship and each have a long term male partner. Their actual life is pretty mundane...i.e. they have to go to work and take out the garbage just like the rest of us. Having 4 adults around for 2 kids also seems to ensure that there's always a parent around. This is particularly important with one of the children being a newborn. I believe they're practicing a rotation where 1 adult is always up at night, "on call," but the rest are able to get a full night's sleep.

Edit: CNN also recently had an article on polyamory (http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/26/living/...)

Your mate should totally join Goodreads Allan. I'm sure in his recent injured state he's itching for stuff to do, and let's face it...We are a pretty entertaining bunch.

@Allan, please tell your mate to join us. He'll always find someone reading what he's reading. Plus he can share the dirt on you. See we all think you're
charming and a good son. He can tell us the truth. :)
The article you shared was very different. In Sister Wives the children are the first priority and school is made a priority. They also live with their biological moms and the other moms are almost like aunts which I think is a more healthy situation. I don't agree with breaking the parental bond just because like it seemed in the article.
@Sara, I have read one Agatha Raisen and that was for my GR mystery book club. I really didn't care for Agatha although one of the group tried more and said she grows on you. I do like the Hamish series she writes. I saw the TV series and Robert Carlyle is nothing Hamish MacBeth who is supposed to be tall, lanky and red haired.

Allan wrote: "It's so interesting to read these comments about both voluntary polygamy and also polyamory. While neither would be my choice, the positives both Susan and Sara have raised are thought provoking fr..."

BTW, I would never recommend the book to you or anyone. It is quite plodding. Also it's set in Utah which is way out of your comfort zone of NI and NYC.

That makes me sad Susan as its sitting on my TBR shelf..oh well I'll probably wind up Bookmooching it...Life is too short to read bad books!

It's not bad. It's just plodding. It's one of those books that you have to work out. You don't keep turning the pages to find out what's going to happen next. Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver was that way for me too.

I find it very hard to feel sorry for a "lonely" polygamist. Judge judge judge. Slaps own hand! bad me bad me! hehe

There's one thing I can say about polygamy. There are people who will cheat. They might say they're in a monogamous relationship but they cheat behind the spouse's back. If a person can't remain monogamous and knows it for sure by all means do an open marriage or do a polygamy thing. Actually I'd say don't get married.

If the spouse is ok with the possibility of STDs and they don't mind populating the town I guess that's up to them. I don't understand why they call that marriage though. Why not just flit from one to another and stay single?

Although if its Mormonism they are told to populate the earth so in that case it's religion.

Will you be recording it, Allan. I'd love to hear how you compare them.

Whenever you get around to it, Allan, I'd still like to hear.

I've never seen Smash, by the way, but X-Factor makes my blood boil.

Here are some pictures of some of the stuff I've been reading or thinking about reading this weekend.
Saturday
Sunday
Obligatory Cat Picture

Smash is good. I was mad when it got canceled. I'm not sure it would be quite Declan's thing though How do you feel about musical theater Declan?

Homeland is also awesome. Do you guys get the most current season Allan?

@Allan. I didn't see it, but I was dying to watch it. It was on before I had Sky+ and could record it. I looked up the name to make sure because I wanted to get it right when I posted it: Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice.

I haven't seen Homeland either. It started airing when I was avoiding telly like the plague.

@Sara. I don't mind theatre but I've never been to a live show. I've only ever watched the shows on DVD. Some were OK but there some like Momma Mia! that made me want to vomit.

That's a lot of reading for the weekend. I don't know how you do it.

And the obligatory cat pic is cute.

I'll watch it soon, Allan. I don't know how I've gone so long without seeing it.

So far, I've only finished 2 partials (the kid's book I mentioned yesterday and the end of Burial Rites) and a graphic novel...So it's less reading than the stacks might indicate...The Sunday stack has been put aside in favor of football. I think you might like Homeland Allan.

@Susan I would agree with the members of your book club that said Agatha grows on you. I would give her another shot!

Well, with your recommendation, I will.

I hope I'm not steering you wrong Susan. Out of the ones I've read I would recommend you trying either the Walkers of Dembley (#4) or The Terrible Tourist (#6). If you then decide you like Agatha Raisin, you can go back and read in order.

So the weather here is decidedly dismal (rainy/grey/windy) looking. I've now done the one thing I absolutely had to get done for work today and have decided to curl up with this month's selection for my fantasy book group, The Killing Blood by N.K. Jemisin. As I go to read a small parody comes to mind.

"Oh the weather outside is frightful, but my book is so delightful. And since I've got no place to go. Time to read. Time to read. Time to read."

So you'd go as far as calling the book delightful, Sara?

It's really good Declan

Sara wrote: "So the weather here is decidedly dismal (rainy/grey/windy) looking. I've now done the one thing I absolutely had to get done for work today and have decided to curl up with this month's selection f..."

Sara I'm grinning ear to ear from reading that!

This is the 4th novel out of 5 Jemisin has that I've read and I've loved every one. The world building and characters are rich. Unlike many fantasy worlds, hers don't read as simply medievil Europe with magic.

I hope it keeps up like that, Sara.

I'm used to the bronze age/iron age staple of fantasy that I'm struggling to imagine how that might be. I've read few exceptions to it.

I wound up loving in Declan. I've been trying to track down a good article about N.K. Jemisin and her approach to world building for you. I think it's really all about thinking outside the box. I don't mind your more traditional stuff (like Tolkien or George R.R. Martin), but it's nice when authors do something different. I think you can also get a lot of working with different mythologies. In the Killing Moon, Jemisin draws a lot on Hinduism as well as ancient Egypt stuff.

Today I'm reading a few different things (http://twitpic.com/dks2h7), but admit I haven't made much progress as there is also a football game on (My Ravens are winning!).

Just finished a book and starting Richard Russo nobody's fool. Really dislike that period between books where you have to adjust to different authors writing styles. Once your in it it's ok, just the transition period