You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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August Toppler Homework
Homework? I was ready to do some gophering and now I find out we have homework! Okay - it's just gophering in a different way. :)
The book that has affected me the most so far is Forbidden
. The last few chapters moved me to tears and I just could not stop crying after I put the book down. Usually, I will 'feel' a book whilst I am reading it and maybe for a day or two after finishing but then I can normally let it go, especially if I have another good book to take my mind off it. That did not happen with 'Forbidden'. I could not let it go. I felt really sad and angry for days after I finished and I still get 'feels' from it now nearly two months later. The same goes for The Bronze Horseman, The Song of Achilles and Birdsong. All of them moved me to tears for one reason or another (be they happy or sad) and parts of them have stayed with me ever since and they all hold a special place in my heart as a result. My 'happy' book is The Night Circus. It is such a magical book and has a happy ending to boot and if I have a tough day I just imagine myself visiting 'The Circus of Dreams' and it always cheers me up. There are others that have affected me too but to a far lesser extent so these are the ones that really stand out for me. They would easily make my 'Top Ten Books of All Time' list and a lot of that comes from the way they impacted upon me emotionally.
Genesis affected me greatly. I was not expecting the ending and was totally caught off guard (so were many others apparently). It took me awhile to shake this book; I just kept walking around saying to everyone, "You have to read this, OMG!"
I also absolutely loved The Art Of Racing In The Rain
. Just an overall great, story that had me laughing and crying and not wanting to put it down.
I was affected by The Book Thief - it is one of my favourite books but it really made me sad reading about the little girl growing up in Nazi Germany and the appalling treatment of the Jews and it was probably the first book I had read which didn't completely end happily ever after. I felt angry at points, sad at other times, and I also felt joy too. I think this is one of the few books which has made me actually cry. The other one was probably The Kite Runner - another firm favourite of mine but I found it difficult to read at times with what happened.Recently I've read a couple of horror books which I haven't done for a while and they've given me nightmares and one of them I woke myself up screaming! No other genre books have entered my dreams that I can recall. Actually, that's not strictly true, I have had quite a number of dreams with vampires and fairies etc in them which probably comes down to reading a lot of fantasy/paranormal books!
On a feel good note, I thoroughly enjoyed The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared - it left me feeling all warm inside.
I agree with Lisa in that books that affect me emotionally in some way, always seem to make my favourites list. They also end up being much more memorable compared to other books and I will think about them often.
Regardless of how a book makes me feel, when I finish reading a book, I tend to wait a while before starting another one so that I can take on board what has happened, even if it's just an hour so that I can let it sink in.
If it's a really good book, sometimes I feel sad that I have finished as I want it to go on forever, same goes for the last book in a series/trilogy.
When I became a new mother I was completely overwhelmed. My dad, seeing I was stressed and knowing I was a lifelong reader, handed me John Grisham's The Firm. I looked at him like he was crazy. I am a mother now, I thought, I don't have any time to read. " Read it to your son " my dad said " your voice will soothe him." I thought my dad was crazy but then the book started calling to me. First I read the cover- then " just 5 pages" and finally I just dove in to read. Wow did my mood change! I could be a mom and a reader which sure changed my outlook on parenting. I started reading to my son that day and only stopped when he no longer let me read to him. John Grisham saved my sanity! :)
Cathie- I agree about Genesis. I was moved by it too! I reread it immediately and then made my husband stop in the middle of the book he was reading to read it. I've recommended it over and over!
Oh boy! So many books have had a huge impact on me. Here are two that I loved, and two that I disliked. The Lord of the Rings is the quintessential quest of good versus evil, and the race to save the world. It is the book that began the fantasy genre (in my opinion). Even computer games of the dungeons and dragon types are fashioned after it.
The Book Thief... from my review, "I was immersed in the emotions of the story. One minute I was giggling as I listened to Leisel and Rudy call each other saumensch and saukarl with every sentence. The next, I was wiping away tears from a heartbreaking part."
Never Let Me Go purely and simply UPSET me. Our real life book club read it a few years ago and I hated it! Very few books elicit such a strong reaction in me. I was angry and annoyed. I wanted to throw the book across the room. I still remember the story vividly. Funny, I can never remember the title.
Tears of the Desert: A Memoir of Survival in Darfur was another one that upset me. I told my book club members that I didn't want to read another book like it. I would say that I was traumatized by it.
I think it interesting that the books that tend to remain in our memories for emotional reasons are very rarely the positive ones.
I hate homework. Look teacher; I seem to be copying from someone else’s paper! No really many of those mentioned by others are on my Five Star list, REALLY.Something Good
Watership Down
I still think of owl's eyes every time I approach an on-coming vehicle at night.
p.s. This has absolutely nothing to do with my reaction to this book…BUT I had to show you this random comment that I discovered: (view spoiler)
The Thirteenth Tale
From my review: What's this? At the last fifteen or so pages...a lump in my throat and moisture collecting at the corners of my eyes?
I am totally surprised that I was so drawn into this story, that I got all emotional at the end.
The Book Thief
Death has synesthesia? :D I am touched that Death sees the emotional state of souls in terms of color. A great sensory swap.
There are sections of this book that had me visualizing colors too. (view spoiler) I witnessed Cowardly Yellow and I was Seething Red, (view spoiler) I envisioned Vengeful Black, (view spoiler) I felt Envious Green, (view spoiler) the Sadest Gray, (view spoiler) Heart Wrenching Blue!
The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings series absolutely captured me, like no other.
A lot of people, including me, called in with the “Tolkien flu”. Don’t tell my boss!
Genesis
I was really rooting for the student and so proud of her when she was able to maintain composure under the pressure of unexpected and challenging questions. She never seemed to give the easy answer, nor the one that she may have thought was expected. She was able to gather her thoughts and present them successfully. (A trait I envy.) Her reward as the results of her exam makes any part of this book that I thought arduous, worth every measured word.
Siddhartha
Here’s how I think you will recognize the proper feeling of Nirvana, although it is fleeting:
"It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood and I am driving down the highway with my windows wide open. The fresh spring air is whipping my hair around while a great song comes on the radio. I crank it up and despite my off-key voice, I sing along to the top of my lungs, head-banging to the beat. I am all alone, no one is around to correct my speed or my wailing tones. So absorbed in my surroundings that they actually disappear from view. In the left lane your car is pacing mine at the same speed. I look over and can tell by the way your fingers pick out the beat on the steering wheel that you are singing and head-banging to the same music that I am. Something in my chest swells.
I love you, man!"
Tell the Wolves I'm Home
I had lots of fears for the latch key sisters and their independent ways. I felt that calamity was lurking around every corner.
Night Circus
I am looked directly in the eye and asked to imagine my experience of what is surrounding me.
Charley Davidson series
Oh, look, I'm all sweaty!
Therby Hangs A Tail
It is so touching when Bernie lovingly roughs up Chet’s coat, or when Chet gently extends his paw to touch Bernie while they are driving.
The Green Mile
My Review: Brutality versus calm gentleness. Is there any justice in the world?
Holes
My Review Another frustrating “impotent good” versus “powerful bad” story.
Interview with the Vampire
My review: Bite Me, please!
Disturbing:
The Speed Queen
You too, an ordinary person, can snap! She’s part of the club; one who knows the secret hand-shake. Scary! I was sitting on the edge on my cot, leaning on the bars, hearing the crinkle and shuffle of the paper questionnaire cards, mesmerized by the whir of the machine, listening to time tick closer to oblivion.
Sharp Objects
I wanted so much for Camille to make healing choices for herself, and screamed with defeat when she did not.
The Store
Who’s in control of my life?
Lamb
Pit of my stomach anxiety then and for days later.
This is How You Lose Her
You would think the author would write one good thing about his home, the Dominican Republic, in a voice that I could understand, or at least translate Street Slang. Was I left out on purpose?
Twisted
Firefly
My Review: Really different from Piers' others. This stand alone will make you pucker up!
Gone Girl
I mean didn't you just scream at them?
Ha! Love your comments Almeta!
I feel so "un-read", Almeta, but I love your comments. I read Watership Down so long ago that I do not remember anything about it. I loved The Book Thief - I think something went wrong with your html links though. I think I read Holes 3 or 4 times because the characters were so good and so bad and Gone Girl was definately twisted.
I know that I'll have to come back to this post and add to my list of books as I have time to think about this, but for now...The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry is one of my favorite contemporary books. I love the language and the story. I don't even remember how many times I have read it, but I love it every time I read it. A timeless, beautiful story written by a talented storyteller.
The Misremembered Man by Christina McKenna is another book by an Irish writer. What is it with the Irish that makes them such lovely storytellers? I bought this book on a whim because it was dirt cheap as a kindle deal, but it is one of the best books I have read all year. It is the kind of story that made me laugh and made me cry, but I loved every moment.
East of Eden , John Steinbeck A bold story that you will not forget. Read it and you will understand why Steinbeck is one of America's greatest writers.
Angle of Repose, Wallace Stegner
A powerful book! I loved every minute I was reading it and couldn't stop thinking about it after finishing it. One of my favorites.
Connie wrote: "The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry is one of my favorite contemporary books. I love the language and the story. I don't even remember how many times I have read it, but I love it every time I read it. A timeless, beautiful story written by a talented storyteller. ..."Also one of my five star favorites. I do have the feeling though, that listening to the audio made a difference in its enjoyment. Had I not heard that Irish lilt, I might have felt differently.
You guys have a great list of books. The Book Thief stands out in my mind, after seeing it talked about here. I'm going to have to think on this one!
The book that inspired this homework, and the Toppler theme, was Thrity Umrigar's The Space Between Us. I was so affected by it, I don't know if it was the timing or what, but I dreaded listening to it. It was so hard to find something to be positive about, I was getting depressed and feeling very bleak. I know this is a fictional story, but it's reality for so many.
Katherine by Anya Seton is the first book that comes to mind. Being a history major, I read quite a bit of historical fiction and British History is my area of interest. This book was the ultimate romance story but so much more. During a time of great class distinction, one of the members of the royal family was willing to show his love for his mistress(of a much lower class) by requesting the King's permission to marry her. In that time period, this would have caused him to thought of as a fool. To me, a book has to tell a good story and Anya Seton was a remarkable story-teller. Furthermore, it was apparent that it was a work of much research. I still have this book on my bookshelf and I tend to not keep many books once I have read them. In fact I read this as a library book and it was so moving that I purchased the book so that I could periodically reread it. As a young child, I use to get lost in the books of fairy tales with princesses and knights in shining armor---as an adult and now a grandmother, this book is my place to get lost!
I think I now need to add this months group read Mudbound to my list of books which have affected me. This book brought out anger. I know it's a fictional tale, however I know that the kind of things that happened in the book probably did occur back then so I think it affects me more. I think this is why I prefer reading science fiction/fantasy type books as they are more far removed from reality than say historical fiction.My feelings about this book definitely spilled over to my life - I spent quite a bit of time ranting to my OH about it, which led us on to other topics.
I finished the book yesterday and could really feel it hanging over me so I decided to do some dressmaking which helped calm me down nicely ready to start my next book in the evening!
I'm one of those people who get engrossed in what they are reading or watching and can feel the emotions of the characters.
I agree, Sarah. Mudbound is definitely one book that affected me as well. I gave it 5 stars because of the range of emotions in raised in me.
I have a few books that fit. I can think of 3. All are French. All have been translated.Here is the 1st that came to mind: Oscar et la dame rose
Here is a sad story that you can with a smile nevertheless. A while back, Eric Emmanuel Schmitt published a series of short novels each centering around a religion. This one is the catholic one. Now, just so you know, I am an atheist, so the religion side is not an issue for me. It would have work as well is for me if these letters had been for the Easter Bunny (ok, ok. I'm pushing it). It is the content that touched me. So whatever your faith is, it should not stop you) This book is probably the book I have most given, lend, read to (whatever it takes) people. This is a gem that stays with you.
So this is the story of Oscar, a 10 year old kid that has a few days to live. So he does not miss his life, he decides that every day he has left are 10 years. Mamie Rose, a volunteer, convinces him to write to God. The book are the letters.
Esther wrote: "I have a few books that fit. I can think of 3. All are French. All have been translated.Here is the 1st that came to mind: Oscar et la dame rose
Here is a sad story that you can with a smile neve..."
I have this at home to read this week! What a coincidence!
Almeta wrote: "Esther wrote: "I have a few books that fit. I can think of 3. All are French. All have been translated.Here is the 1st that came to mind: Oscar et la dame rose
Here is a sad story that you can wi..."
Let me know what you think.
Mine has to be The Animals of Farthing Wood as I remember reading it as a child and it has stayed with me ever since. I still have my copy somewhere amongst the shelves and I keep thinking I should read it again. I have a feeling it is that book that ignited my love of nature and gave me my view that everything has a personality (although admittedly this has gone a bit overboard since I assign personalities to inanimate objects as well!!).
Sam wrote: "Mine has to be The Animals of Farthing Wood as I remember reading it as a child and it has stayed with me ever since. I still have my copy somewhere amongst the shelves and I keep thinking I shoul..."'The Animals of Farthing Wood' brings back happy memories for me too Sam! I used to love the tv show that was based on the book, I watched it all the time as a child :)
Besides Little Women, my favorite feel good book was called Freckles. This is what I posted when I first got into Goodreads and started listing books I had read and growing my never-ending TBR list. "I loved this book! I cannot say how many times I read it as a young girl. I wore out the cover. I loved Freckles and the Bird Lady. It was such a great story. It had everything,humor,suspense,loyalty,and beauty."
I love the name of that book Cherie, "Freckles". It's such a happy sounding title!
I have been thinking about Charlotte's Web, E.B. White, and I don't think I have read a better book. It is so perfect.Of course, I loved Little Women and wanted desperately to be like Jo March when I grew up. I think she inspired a whole generation of little girls to be ambitious.
Jane Eyre, Charlotte Brontë. When I was twelve years old, I read Jane Eyre for the first time, and the book made a huge impact on me. It was the first time I had read a major work with a female as the protagonist, which was quite impressive. I have read this book many times since then, and I fall in love with it each time I re- read it.
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee is a book with an important message told with charm and grace. It never hits a strident or false note. One of my five favorite books.
The Sound and the Fury, William Faulkner. Being from the South, I love Faulkner's work because he speaks the language of our people. It is often rich, deep, and dark; however, if you persevere, light will usually come. When I read this book the first time, I remember the sense of awe for Faulkner's skill and talent. After completing the book that first time, I kept saying to myself, "How did he do that?"
This is one of my favorite books.
I love Charlotte's Web :-). The only book in which I loved a spider, lol. It's terrific.
Isn't it the most perfect book? Loved by children and adults with a beautiful theme. And beautifully written, too!Maybe I need to dig my copy out of the bookshelf and re-read it. It always makes me feel so good!
I think the two books that affected me most were
and
when I was younger. Unfortunately, I guess, they made me sad. As an adult I don't really respond in an emotional way or at least not one that lasts really long. I know the books that stay with me long after I have finished them are ones that affected me fairly strongly or I wouldn't remember them. Maybe I expect too much to be affected severely or maybe I'm too jaded, I'm not sure. Some books that stay with me, 1 for good
and one for bad
which I hated so much I never finished it!
I remember reading On the Beach when I was in high school. I had to keep looking up to make sure the world was still the same. The end of the book has stayed with me for over 30 years. I also had a deep reaction when reading Interview With The Vampire. I swear I could taste the blood! I lived inside the book The Mists of Avalon, only coming up for meals and the occasional nap. I absolutely love the Camelot legend and this story of the women captured my imagination.
I agree about many of the books already mentioned here, and since I'm in the middle of reading for the toppler, I'll have to keep it short.Overall, most every Stephen King novel I've read has had a profound effect on me. It's nearly impossible for me to put one of his books down once I start it, and I've read most of them at least 2 times. I could single out several of his books, but it would take me forever. However, I think if I had to go with an all-time set of favorites, I'd name the Dark Towers Boxed Set series. I actually sobbed at length when a main character was killed, and other than one other book I can think of (which will soon be revealed), I don't think I've actually cried while reading a book like that in a long time. The series is King's magnum opus and has one of the most unique twists I've seen in the history of my reading.
My husband and I sometimes read out loud to each other and we chose The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. He was reading along and we got to a sad part and he started getting choked up, so I offered to take over. Then I started getting choked up. I was barely able to read on out loud. That was a first for us. Later, I bought the audiobook and loved listening to that, too. So, I highly recommend it.
Okay, who's using "the dog ate my homework" excuse? :)
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories! They give another glimpse into your personalties, and it's fun getting to know a little more about each other.
Almeta wrote: "Okay, who's using "the dog ate my homework" excuse? :)"I can go for the cat ate the post about the 2 other books i wanted to write about. I was in Pre-vacation rush and totally forgot.
I was overly busy over the summer, and wasn't even able to take 3 days off prior to beginning the fall semester prep/meetings/etc. So, my complaint is that work ate my brain!
In the true homework spirit my homework's a bit late. Sorry! The Hiroshima Storyis the most recent book that affected me most. It's a children's picture book that tells about a little girl's experience after the atomic bomb was dropped.
The hardest to read book was a memoir of sexsually & physically & mentally abused child. Cry silent tears
The Adventures of Little Onion a dear childhood's book. I clearly remember both copies we had at home. The oldest was in very bad condition and because of that I liked it very much. And the other was was a gift from Santa. The story is wonderful, full of adventures and only later I understood that this book is also for adults.
Late entries are always acceptable.What does it say about us when our most memorable books are about bad things that happen? That feelings of helplessness/dismay about injustice/horror stay with us longer than positive/happy events?
It's funny J-Mom, but one of my fondest memories is reading Last Night in Twisted River in my group and remembering how we groused about so many quirky things and wanted to yell at the protagonist and the author about several plot points and character short-comings. It ended up that no one loved the book, but we had a riot discussing it.I read an exceptionally awful book recently and I remember it better because I complained about it so much and I can barely remember what books I read 2 weeks ago.
I think, for me, that I remember a book better if I've had a chance to discuss it with someone. Otherwise, unless there is something really significant about it, it quickly fades into my failing memory banks.
I'm not the most positive person in the world. At times I focus on the negative events in my life and see the glass half empty. I can remember the day my house burned down like it happened yesterday. But more frequent positive moments in my life where I've been happy and up are more fleeting in my memory. That does seem to be a trend, at least for me. Although, I've been getting better; I handled my cancer scare and subsequent treatments with a stiff upper lip and positive attitude. My husband, therapist, family and friends were quite proud of how I handled that and am still keeping a positive attitude about it.
I think it takes practice to be a positive person in the world and to focus on the good feelings, not the bad ones. You know I like horror books, and in many cases they don't end happily. Many favorite characters get killed off. Good may prevail in the end, but there is a lot of evil before that happens. And sometimes the good guys don't win. I can't explain why I prefer these books to happy romances; guess I like that struggle between good and evil, and in the real world evil often prevails, so I'm at least getting a chance to see the good guy win... sometimes. Maybe it's just cathartic for me.
Yours is a good question though! Thought-provoking.
This discussion is difficult for me as the books that I find emotionally challenging are those I plan not to reread. And recently I think I've blocked them from my mind.One book in that category is The Giving Tree, which used to make me cry and feel depressed. Now I realize that the relationship, while about love, is also very unhealthy and that always bothered me.
I also remember loving To Kill a Mockingbird, which has its lessons in doing the right thing despite its unpopularity.
Books in which danger and loss must be overcome by working together and taking risks, like Watership Down and Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH were often books I loved, but could not bring myself to reread. They were too emotionally draining for me. Especially as I read them when young.
On the front of books I have reread, there are several options.
I loved Stranger in a Strange Land as a teen. Maybe because of its fish out of water aspect, but in this case the fish isn't upset by his differences, and that has power.
I also loved Dragonsong and Dragonsinger, and still do. These are about a girl who is not taken seriously having to find her way despite everyone the way others dismiss her goals. And of course I love the Dragonriders trilogy as well, but that is different.
The Lathe of Heaven is one of many books by Ursula K. Le Guin that I love, and is one of the first I read by her. It explores many social issues in a short space, showing the problems with any society that has one value down, but others are therefore given short shrift. It also highlights the importance of believing in oneself, as so many of her books do.
I'll stop here. There are many books I love because of the world and the storytelling, but they don't have a deep emotional impact on my life. These days I lean toward lighter reads as I have enough stress in my life with trying to get everything done. I'm not someone who feels better reading about people in a worse situation; that just makes me feel even worse.
Debra wrote: "It's funny J-Mom, but one of my fondest memories is reading Last Night in Twisted River in my group and remembering how we groused about so many quirky things and wanted to yell at the protagonist ..."You raise so many points that I want to respond to. I also tend to remember books more if I've discussed them with someone. My bookclub read and discussed Mudbound in 2009. I remembered enough of the book to discuss it with last month's group read without rereading it.
In comparison, I thought I had remembered Dark Places which I first read in 2011 without a group discussion, but as I read it again, I realize just how much I had forgotten.
I think you handled your ordeal with cancer very well. Your comments online were very positive. Perhaps when we are faced with real and serious situations, we move beyond the glass half full thing and dig deeper. I tend to be middle of the road. I think I generally am a positive person, but situations can weigh me down. Right now, I'm feeling a bit blue, but I know that's because the divorce is weighing on my shoulders. Plus I just changed back to my maiden name and it's a transition that stirs up emotions. I recognise the reasons why I feel this way and know that it will pass.
I have a friend who never sees the positive in anything. Her glass is always empty. We went to the movie the other night. She was freaking because we'd be late (we were the first ones in the theatre), there'd be delays at the construction (traffic moved smoothly), and there'd be no parking space (we parked right beside the theatre). It's so draining to go out with her! LOL!
You also made me think about which books I remember more. I have to say that they are the ones that illicit some strong emotion. I'm trying to think of a book that was a feel good book and I'm hard pressed to come up with an answer. But I can list off 5 books in rapid order of those that were unnerving.
We are strange creatures, aren't we! LOL!
(( Hugs )) Janice :-) (Just because :-)
Thanks Cathie. You're great! :) I love the way you are always there to give encouragement.I had the best kind of day today! I spent it sewing with friends, finished a quilt that I started 2-1/2 years ago, the weather was perfect, and now I'm kicking back and relaxing.
I've not had time to reply to your comments above, Janice, but also want to send you some hugs. Sounds like you are going thru a tough time right now. HUGS!
Janice - you can always come here for some special loving. Hope things are a bit smoother this week.
Thanks everyone! It's not that it's a tough time, it's just a bump in the road. Part of the problem is that I'm impatient and just want it over with. And part of the problem is that it's my own procrastination that I'm dealing with.Cathie, I will see what I can do about pictures of the quilt later today. I have posted pics of it in progress in the "What I have Made" thread.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Redbreast (other topics)The Redbreast (other topics)
Police (other topics)
Panserhjerte (other topics)
The Snowman (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)Neil Gaiman (other topics)
Charlotte Brontë (other topics)
William Faulkner (other topics)
Harper Lee (other topics)
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What do you do about your reactions? Let them go and continue to the next book? Do you try and keep the happy feelings, using them to get through a tough day? How do you deal with the sad, frustrating, angry feelings? What do you do to bring yourself back?