Constant Reader discussion

Over the last two years, I've been working my way through the 21 Travis McGee novels written by John D. MacDonald. I just finished Cinnamon Skin, the 20th in the series yesterday. These books were good from the very first one, by MacDonald got better as the series went on. (That especially makes it harder to contemplate reading that last book in this series, so I'll put it off for a few weeks.) Increasingly as the series went on, there was a lot of thinking about what was going wrong in Floria, especially due to over-development. There's a lot of deep thought in the Travis McGee books, especially for a series of books that are essentially thrillers.

I've also been reading, KL: A History of the Nazi Concentration Camps, by Nikolaus Wachsmann. Writing in the NY Times, Roger Cohen said the following about this book, "a monumental study . . . a work of prodigious scholarship . . .with agonizing human texture and extraordinary detail . . . Wachsmann makes the unimaginable palpable. That is his great achievement." It is all those things, but it is so harrowing that I can only take a few chapters at a time. I'm reading it mainly because I have been reading Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series and just wanted to understand the evolution of the evil that was Nazi Germany from its early beginnings.

And thankfully, I'm reading another John Baxter book about Paris. This one is Five Nights in Paris: After Dark in the City of Light. It's an exploration of Paris through all five senses ... and just pretty wonderful.

Between the World and Me

“The purpose of art is to lay bare the questions that have been hidden by the answers.”
― James Baldwin

I heard an interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates on Fresh air and have been wanting to read that book ever since. One hint though, if you just use the book cover in your note, it appears as a black square or too small to read when people are using a smartphone or tablet. Simply add the title as well.

Barbara wrote: "I heard an interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates on Fresh air and have been wanting to read that book ever since. One hint though, if you just use the book cover in your note, it appears as a black squa..."

Thanks! I'm very un-tech, so I appreciate it!

Me too! I learned from others.

Have begun My Brilliant Friend with another GR group. I'm finding it a quick read. I'm not sure I am in the mood for another "good young girl can't resist edgy and perhaps dangerous other young girl" in the Pentimento but the author is keeping me interested. We'll see what develops.

Portia wrote: "Have begun My Brilliant Friend with another GR group. I'm finding it a quick read. I'm not sure I am in the mood for another "good young girl can't resist edgy and perhaps dangerou..."

Portia, we're going to be talking about it here too, beginning August 15th. I'm about halfway through and loving it so far. The book is so much more complex than that usual dynamic you described. Hope you can join in with us.

I am indeed planning to join in. For now I am curious about a comment made in the other group, that the fact that this is the first of a trilogy made for an unsatisfying ending. I've found that to be true of other trilogies I've read. Of course the author leaves loose ends to sell the next two books. Well, I guess I'll find out.

Portia wrote: "I am indeed planning to join in. For now I am curious about a comment made in the other group, that the fact that this is the first of a trilogy made for an unsatisfying ending. I've found that t..."

No spoilers, I didn't find it unsatisfying at all. I can't wait to go on to the second volume. I think the story really reached a dramatic peak, as well as a point where the life experiences of the characters set them naturally on different paths, and this book ended. And I don't think it was a ploy on the part of Ferrante. From what I've read about her, she has too much integrity for that, and that's why she remains anonymous.

I like your conclusion better that the one in my other group. I'm not planning to continue after this book, so I'm hoping for an ending that can be one. Just curious, do you think Jane Smiley lacks integrity?

Do I? No. I didn't mean that to plan a series is a type of writing that lacks integrity. I sort of just took the idea you mentioned from your other group that "the fact that the ending was unsatisfactory" (is that close?) to mean that Ferrante planned it to force sale of the next book. Like the Perils of Pauline -- or some of these endless series I see my public library spending their limited dollars on. But that's what people want. I love series, if the writer is an artist, and love Smiley, she moves me tremendously, although I haven't read any of hers in years. I know we have one coming up in this group, but I haven't read the first two, and my library doesn't have #2. Without series, we wouldn't have Dickens, or Trollope! Updike! Laura Ingalls Wilder! Edit: Larry mentions the Travis McGee books above -- loved them!

I think it's possible, when you watch how things come to be in My Brilliant Friend, that you might want to go on. I do, but not quite yet. I need some time. (I'm tring to be very careful not to spoil!)

I was reluctant to read My Brilliant Friend because Days of Abandonment was so devastating to me. But I'm very glad I have!

It's not actually a trilogy, the fourth volume has already been published in Italy and will be out in English in Sept. I'm a huge fan of the first three volumes.

I finished Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns over the weekend.
What a wonderful book. I loved every minute I spent reading it. Irreverent and wise, funny and sad - this book has it all.

Gina wrote: "I finished Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns over the weekend.
What a wonderful book. I loved every minute I spent reading it. Irreverent and wise, funny and sad - t..."

Oh, Gina, that was such a good book! I'm jealous!

Gina wrote: "I finished Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns over the weekend.
What a wonderful book. I loved every minute I spent reading it. Irreverent and wise, funny and sad - t..."

I read that years and years ago, even before Constant Reader, I think. I remember it as wonderful.

I got it at a CR book exchange at one of our get togethers. Liked it.

I just received an ARC of Fortune Smiles by Adam Johnson. It is a short story collection and first new publication since his Pulitzer winning The Orphan Master's Son. Needless to say, I'm very excited to read this one!

Finally finished Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Good sturdy historical novel,with substaining interest for me. A love story on a Greek Island , in WWII . An Island woman falls for an Italian Captain in Mussolini's army. Some terrifing moments, some hilarious moments, and lots of music.

Carol wrote: "Finally finished Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Good sturdy historical novel,with substaining interest for me. A love story on a Greek Island , in WWII . An Island woman falls for an Ital..."

Read it a long time ago, but I remember I really liked it.

Carol wrote: "Finally finished Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Good sturdy historical novel,with substaining interest for me. A love story on a Greek Island , in WWII . An Island woman falls for an Ital..."

I think this was the first book I bought when I first joined Constant Reader. I loved it, except for the ending. Here's a link to our very old discussion: http://constantreader.com/discussions...

Gina wrote: "I finished Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns over the weekend.
What a wonderful book. I loved every minute I spent reading it. Irreverent and wise, funny and sad - t..."


I loved that novel.....it is on my Fave Shelf.

I am currently reading Station Eleven.

Karen wrote: "Gina wrote: "I finished Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns over the weekend.
What a wonderful book. I loved every minute I spent reading it. Irreverent and wise, funn..."

I just finished Station Eleven. Very well done.

I rarely finish a book as quickly as I finished What Comes Next and How to Like It: A Memoir. It is a short, concise, beautifully written and very honest memoir by Abigail Thomas. It helps that she is about my age when the book ends. So many of the issues she faces are issues that I can identify with. Highly recommended.

Being messed up about the dates, I finished My Brilliant Friend Sunday night and patted myself on the back for timing that so perfectly. Will I forget half the things that were remarkable to me over the next 15 days? Most likely, especially since I've started something intricate and detailed now. But I won't forget that ending... I can easily understand and sympathize with the "unsatisfying" comment, and might not be inclined to recommend this book to someone (but I expect to find the series very satisfying).

Also, Station Eleven is still the best book I've read this year. I loved every single thing about it, even surprised myself with how thoroughly I got into that comic!

Tonya wrote: "Being messed up about the dates, I finished My Brilliant Friend Sunday night and patted myself on the back for timing that so perfectly. Will I forget half the things that were rema..."

I finished MBF early, too, Tonya, but on purpose, because I'm the nominator and I wanted to make sure I finished it on time. Well, too early, so I wrote my first note already and have it on my computer waiting for the 15th. Try to jot down some of the remarkable things now and save them, Tonya. I'm really looking forward to hear (read) what you have to say.

Finished What I Loved. Began The Female Man.

Finished The Lover, an interesting book to say the least. It doesn't take long to read. There will be lots to discuss about this one,
from writing, translating and content.

Now I started Go Set a Watchman , and Islamic Mystical Poetry: Sufi Verse from the Early Mystics to Rumi

Just collected a copy of Anna Smaill's The Chimes from the Library as one of my 2015 Booker LongList reads which takes as its setting a London where music replaces memory and writing. It may well be an interesting read after Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant. Just hope I can get it finished before they recall it as I'm the first of a long list of expectant readers.

For some reason I was never very tempted to read To Kill a Mocking Bird. It sounded dated but the publication of Go Set a Watchman prompted me to read To Kill a Mocking Bird first. Just curious to see how this book evolved and I think this is the right order. I was pleasantly surprised by To Kill a Mocking Bird, rather than being dated it creates a perfect time capsule taking you straight back to 1930s Alabama, full of carefully drawn characters. Scout is an excellent narrator, her childlike point of view is perfectly executed, and gives Harper Lee an excellent device to deal with difficult issues in a very sensitive way. The language takes you straight back to the South and of course the trial is riveting but I was surprised to discover that the Maycomb lot are obsessed with class.

Carol wrote: "Finished The Lover, an interesting book to say the least. It doesn't take long to read. There will be lots to discuss about this one,
from writing, translating and content.

Now I start..."

It has one of the most wonderful opening paragraphs...ever.

I'm coming clean: I read My Brilliant Friend for the discussion, and I hated it with such a burning white hot passion that I think I may have to bow out of the discussion so as not to harsh everyone's mellow.

I just finished the Ta-Nehisi Coates book mentioned earlier, Between the World and Me which made me interested in his memoir, The Beautiful Struggle. I will try to pick that one up on the next trip to the library. I'm glad to have read the current book. I'm also working on Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont; I'd never have found this one were it not for Constant Reader. I see it's a movie, too. On a recent trip I picked up Jam Today Too: The Revolution Will Not Be Catered, by Tod Davies.

I put aside Go Set a Watchman, and started The Buried Giant. The opening intrigued me, and I still am engaged by the writing and the story.

Currently reading Thug Notes and I'm completely enjoying myself. I've never looked at classic literature through the eyes of a thug before and I'm certain I won't see it the same again. It's smart and funny and so much more.
New England, have you by chance heard of this book. I remember that you're teaching though I'm not sure the grade level. It's not out until some time this month but I snagged a copy from net galley.

Finished The Turner House last night. A great experience.

Sara wrote: "Finished The Turner House last night. A great experience."

That seems like a good book for the reading list, Sara. Why don't you nominate it next time.

Nicole wrote: "I'm coming clean: I read My Brilliant Friend for the discussion, and I hated it with such a burning white hot passion that I think I may have to bow out of the discussion so as not to harsh everyon..."

I'm having trouble with it, too.

I have the likely the most petty and ridiculous reason for not even trying My Brilliant Friend, and that is that I have a pet bias against the word, "brilliant," as I've seen it used way too much to gush about way too little.

For an in-person book club, I just finished an older book that I had not yet read, Middlesex. Really an interesting tale.

Re My Brilliant Friend. I know we're not talking about it yet. But I agree with everything that's been said. This is my second Ferrante, and she's hugely challenging, maybe one of the, or the most, challenging women writers I've encountered. Which makes me want to embrace her, she has such courage. And sense. The courage she displays on the page she protects by being anonymous; and I do wonder if she feel she's in danger? I wouldn't be surprised. Anyway, it's hard to like her protagonists, I found, let alone the people who surround them.

Does it help to think of it in 1950's post-Mussolini, recovering Italy? Pre-women's lib. Tribal bosses reclaiming their territory now that Il Duce's gone. Young women growing up in a violent, male-dominated culture that American women find daunting even today, or so I hear, where men feel free to cat-call women, even grab them, on the streets. Eventually, I began to sympathize with these girls. I don't know if I would have finished the book if I hadn't so often heard Rick Steves talking about what women should be prepared for if they travel alone on the streets of Italy.

I don't know, just some thoughts.

Sherry wrote: "Sara wrote: "Finished The Turner House last night. A great experience."

That seems like a good book for the reading list, Sara. Why don't you nominate it next time."

Okay, will do.

Susan_T. wrote: "I just finished the Ta-Nehisi Coates book mentioned earlier, Between the World and Me which made me interested in his memoir, The Beautiful Struggle. I will try to pick that one up on the next trip..."

Between the World and MeCan I tell a story? I live in a town with a large Black population, and, as I've mentioned, I work in criminal law, so I see the saddest and ugliest things, both; they aren't always contained within the same case.

Anyway, I couldn't wait for my library to get it, so I bought it. When I'd finished it, I brought it to the library to donate it. The lovely women at the desk hadn't heard of it, and I said, "Well, if it can't be put in the collection, I'd like it back, because other books we haven't had in the collection that I've donated have disappeared into the book sale, and this is too important." None of these women, librarians (but I won't say MLA's necessarily) had ever heard of it. But the librarian, who is new, and whom I had never met, was walking by and they callede her over. I explained that I had finished this book, how important I thought it was. She had never heard of it. This was the day before yesterday. I have since come to realize that having an MLA and loving books are not the same thing, especially today, when there is information management, budget, physical plant, ad nauseum. So I explained who Coates was, that they had his first book in the collection (this is a four-county library system in the rural South), and how important this book was, to me, seemed to be to critics. Well, she couldn't guarantee they would add it to the collection, so she took my name and phone number, because I told her I had many more places I could donate it if the library was only going to put it away for six months and then sell it for $1. Ah, me. She promised to call me if they weren't going to add it to the collection. On my way out, I looked into the main library room, where there were six or eight Black persons using the library computers because they don't have their own and can't afford wifi (nor can I; I get it free by perching in the window and using the airport's). We'll see.

What a shame, Ellen.

Ruth wrote: "What a shame, Ellen."

Ruth, I hope not. I hope, I have hope, they will add it and it will have a hold waiting list as long as from this little Southern town to ... wherever the center of enlightenment is!

Ellen wrote: "Re My Brilliant Friend. I know we're not talking about it yet. But I agree with everything that's been said. This is my second Ferrante, and she's hugely challenging, maybe one ..."

That the book leaves readers with this impression of Italy, Italians, and working class people is precisely why I hate it like poison. She writes about these people like they are animals in a zoo.

Nicole wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Re My Brilliant Friend. I know we're not talking about it yet. But I agree with everything that's been said. This is my second Ferrante, and she's hugely challengi..."

Did you think so? I can see the adults as characterizations, stereotypes, but maybe that's as the younger people, especially when they're children, see them? I returned the library book a long time ago, so I don't recall names, but I agree the Don was written that way. I did sort of take it as how adults are seen through the eyes of kids. I don't think she meant to be anti-Italian, just to portray the chaos after the war. I don't know if you felt this at all, but as our heroine grew older, didn't you feel she saw some of these people in a more complex way, and not as cartoons, saw them less one-dimensionally, as children tend to see? I don't know. Nicole, do you have a different experience, personally? But this is something to talk about when we discuss the book, probably. But I have searched for some indication that the Italians themselves feel as you do, because I could understand that. I haven't seen it. I've read Irish writers who write with a gimlet eye about the failings of the Irish, too, and I guess these writers would be taken as you see Ferrante, as reducing characters to stereotypes, to unflattering cartoons, but I haven't felt that resentment, as Irish as I am. But your personal reaction is perfectly valid.

Ellen wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Ellen wrote: "Re My Brilliant Friend. I know we're not talking about it yet. But I agree with everything that's been said. This is my second Ferrante, and she's h..."

I hope you all remember these wonderful observations when it's time for the discussion to start. This is a good sign that we will have a dynamic conversation.

Sherry, for some reason I thought we started on the first, so I was rushing to finish and only after the fact did I realize I was like two weeks early....

Ellen,
Your story about the librarians really made me appreciate my own library in the Great Plains. It's hard to believe that the librarian had never even heard of Coates' book.

Ellen, I live in an English county which has a great library service but your post still resonated with me not so much from the race perspective but from the economic perspective - lots of folks in rural England, or in depressed industry dead cities lack the wherewithall to have computers never mind broadband/wifi and in many rual spots broadband is absent or low speed intermittent connectivity. However we have a great library service - the first in the country to go to a Charitable Trust status after the government funding changes of a few years back. Their model is now being adopted elsewhere. They do have to raise money and that does mean selling off stock, but it is usually well used items, and they can still get new books. For example I just put in reservation requests for the Booker Longlist books - almost all were already in circulation and a few are on order, most had multiple copies bought and several had long waiting lists. In addition, and back to your internet point, I just thought I'd say that our local library started lending ipads for 3 weeks at a time a few weeks back. The launch was a huge success with the library flooded on the launch day with people wanting to know about it and to sign up. 2 other libraries in others towns have started to lend ereaders. Libraries are really having to change and a good library system and great local staff - full time, partime and volunteers now keep our library system going. Long may it continue :)
Finally I thought I'd check our catalog re Ta-Nehisi Coates, whom I admit to having never heard of, and yes Suffolk Libraries has two copies of his Between the World and Me

Sheila wrote: "Ellen, I live in an English county which has a great library service but your post still resonated with me not so much from the race perspective but from the economic perspective - lots of folks in..."

I am proud to announce, on behalf of my library, that they acquired Between the World and Me yesterday. Hurrah!