Constant Reader discussion

Peggy wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Just finished Binti the second of Nnedi Okorafor's books that I read. I am just totally engrossed by her African take on scifi and intrigued to see wh..."
Peggy, I've started to read some of her short stories some of which are available online and after reading two have decided to buy her short story collection Kabu Kabu. They may not be the best shorts I have ever read but there is something about them. I wrote up my thoughts on the two stories Hello Moto and Palm Tree Bandit I read so far on my blog. Both are available online. Palm Tree Bandit in my opinion was the better of the two. Do let me know if you do end up reading her and what you think.

Never read Ali Smith before, but about 100 pages into How to Be Both I must say, she is masterful! The writing zings, characters practically pop off the page and sit down across the table. Can't really tell where we're going, but I'm a happy traveller...

Tonya wrote: "Never read Ali Smith before, but about 100 pages into How to Be Both I must say, she is masterful! The writing zings, characters practically pop off the page and sit ..."

I read that last year, Tonya. I thought it was terrific. I had to read the two halves in a certain sequence, though--I couldn't manage it in the reverse way.

This year, I've challenged myself to read some of the books that have been on my to-read list for more than a year. Right now, I'm reading Local Souls by Allan Gurganus, which has been on my list for more than 2 years. I believe someone on CR recommended it.

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum – 4****
I’ve been disappointed by so many books that were “book-club favorites,” so I wasn’t expecting much, but I’m very glad I read it. Are we doomed to love “Those who save us,” despite their otherwise reprehensible behavior? The reader is at an advantage over Trudy, because s/he learns Anna’s secret long before Trudy. Complex issues, well-developed characters, and a compelling narrative.
Full Review HERE

Before I started Leaving the Atocha Station, I read Peas & Carrots, a wonderful new young-adult novel by Tanita Davis. The author is someone I know through the blogging world, and I just love her work. The new book concerns several kids in foster care and a foster family. At the center are two teenage girls, Dessa and Hope, and, without revealing any spoilers, both have a lot to contend with, emotionally and otherwise.

Trying to listen to Kingsolver reading her book The Lacuna and really struggling. I detest her voice and hate her intonation. Is it spoiling the story? Yes
But also Im just not getting into this novel 100 pgs of perseverance and am just totally not engaged. Time for a change.

I have liked some of Kingsolver's books but not The Lacuna. I objected to the way she presented history.

I have a copy of The Lacuna that someone gave me, but I've yet to hear anyone say they liked it.

Peggy wrote: "I have a copy of The Lacuna that someone gave me, but I've yet to hear anyone say they liked it."

I liked it!

Nicole wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I have a copy of The Lacuna that someone gave me, but I've yet to hear anyone say they liked it."

I liked it!"

Heehee! I knew that was going to happen. I am actually glad to hear it - both because I have a copy of the book, and because I'm a big fan of Kingsolver's early books.

Peggy wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I have a copy of The Lacuna that someone gave me, but I've yet to hear anyone say they liked it."

I liked it!"

Heehee! I knew that was going to happen. I am actually ..."

It is tremendously sad, but I liked it very much nonetheless.

Peggy wrote: "I have a copy of The Lacuna that someone gave me, but I've yet to hear anyone say they liked it."

I loved it!

What I objected to in LACUNA was what I felt was an idealization of Trotsky,

I liked Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Tree much more. She has a tendency to preachiness in some of her books.

Why don't you read it Peggy and tell us what you think?

I've read and enjoyed the following autobiographical books lately: John Cleese's So, Anyway... (and I am not even a Monty Python fan) and Alan Cumming's Not My Father's Son. Both were Kindle versions free at my library.

Now the library finally came through with a paper copy of SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard. This is scholarly/popular history at its best. I have been interested in Rome since I was a kid. I loved Quo Vadis, The Robe, etc. I even took Latin in high school - but that was mostly because it was one of the few classes that actually had boys in it. Otherwise, the priests and nuns usually taught us separately.

Times have changed - and that's a good thing. :-)

Ann, I liked the Alan Cumming book. What a father he had.

I just finished Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth. I love Call the Midwife and enjoyed the first book of Worth's three memoirs (called, Call the Midwife) very much. This one, a bit less. For one thing, it is supposed to be memoir, but I kept thinking, how could she have known this? Who would have told her that? Also, having seen the television version of many of the stories, in this instance, detracted from the pleasure of reading them.

Ann wrote: "What I objected to in LACUNA was what I felt was an idealization of Trotsky,

I liked Kingsolver's Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Tree much more. She has a tendency to preachiness in some of her bo..."

So many books, so little time....

I also liked her non-fiction book on the "locavore" movement, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, though it did occasionally get eye-rolly. Eating local is all well and good, but it's a whole lot easier when you have the resources of a best-selling author.

I, too, loved Kingsolver's Lacuna. I actually gave it 5 stars. I read it several years ago and at the time I wrote this about it: Quite a complex structure, plot, and character development. Stumbled on this book right after I read the Herrerra biography of Frida Kahlo. What wonderful serendipity!

Ann wrote: "I've read and enjoyed the following autobiographical books lately: John Cleese's So, Anyway... (and I am not even a Monty Python fan) and Alan Cumming's [book:Not My Father's Son|22..."

Thanks, Ann. I've added John Cleese and the History of Rome. I've already read Cummings book--very memorable.

As for Lacuna, I have it on my shelf too. I've read other of Kingsolver's books and will give this one a go --- when my get-to list gets lower.

So I changed tack and opened up Kokoro by Natsume Sōseki. Kindle text and listening to the audible version read acceptably by someone called Matt Shea. Only 42 pages in so far, but it least I want to continue reading it and am not having to make myself pick up the book.

I've just started our March selection, A God in Ruins. Since it's my nomination, I thought I ought to get started. So far, I really like it. But then I've liked everything by Atkinson I've ever read. I'm also reading (slowly) Dark Money: The Hidden History of the Billionaires Behind the Rise of the Radical Right. Very good for getting your hackles up.

Sherry wrote: "I've just started our March selection, A God in Ruins. Since it's my nomination, I thought I ought to get started. So far, I really like it. But then I've liked everything by Atkinso..."

I really want to read God in Ruins for the 15th but not sure if I will make it in time. I do love here writing.

Peggy wrote: "I have a copy of The Lacuna that someone gave me, but I've yet to hear anyone say they liked it."

I liked it ... ★ ★ ★ ★ from me

Sherry,
Thanks for the reminder about A God in Ruins. It's on my Kindle and I better get started. I too am a huge Atkinson fan.

the bend in the road half way thru and finally found why it was called the bend in the road

Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. I love Russian literature and I'm delighted to have discovered this gem from the 19th century. Though unfinished, it manages to convey the sense of a complete narrative. Gogol's descriptions of places and characters are rich and detailed, captivating word paintings. His use of figurative language is exquisite. If you like 19th c Russian literature, don't miss this work; if you've not successfully tackled other 19th c Russian novels, I think you will find this one much more readable. The introduction to this translation is interesting and very helpful. I learned about this work from a Great Courses lecture series called The Skeptic's Guide to the Great Books in which the lecturer discusses suggested alternatives (some of which I've already read) to a classical list of great books. I plan to work my way through those I have not read - hopefully this year.

I like Gogol, Mary. We read Dead Souls many years ago on Classics Corner. I have the translation by Bernard Guerney. I think Peaver and Vokhonsky are wonderful translators. It's wonderful that you had their translation available.

Ann, found that translation on I-books.

I read it, too, and wish that P&V had translated it. I've read Anna Karenina, War and Peace (did a typo of War and Peach! at first) and Dr. Zhivago that they translated. I was trying to link to our discussion, but I couldn't get onto constantreader.com. I hope nothing is wrong there.

Sheila wrote: "Trying to listen to Kingsolver reading her book The Lacuna and really struggling. I detest her voice and hate her intonation. Is it spoiling the story? Yes
But also Im just not getting into this n..."

I also tried listening to one of Kingsolver's books, I believe it was Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and I had to stop because I found her voice so irritating. I did read The Lacuna--it was a selection for my local book group. It was one that I enjoyed more after the discussion we had.

With the exception of memoirs, I generally don't like authors as narrators of their own books.

Mary wrote: "Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. I love Russian literature and I'm delighted to have discovered this gem from the 19th century. Though unfinished, i..."

I recently read my first Gogol short story, The Nose. I was surprised how funny it was despite time and culture gaps and translation. I'd definitely like to read more Gogol.

Mary wrote: "I, too, loved Kingsolver's Lacuna. I actually gave it 5 stars. I read it several years ago and at the time I wrote this about it: Quite a complex structure, plot, and character development. Stumble..."

I, too, loved The Lacuna and gave it five stars.

While on vacation, I did some wonderful reading:

A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson. I'm looking forward to the discussion. This wonderful book was quite a roller coaster ride.

Riding the Fantastics by Oscar Patton. Since my mother was from South Georgia, I enjoyed this book and learned more about the railroad, the turpentine industry, and farming that were part of her childhood. I didn't think the characters were very deep but enjoyed the story for what it was.

The Martian by Andy Weir. This was such a fast paced book that I couldn't put it down. I didn't think I'd like it but it was great. I didn't understand a lot of the science part but that didn't hamper my enjoyment of the book.

The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. I've always heard of this classic book of detective noir and had never read Dashiell Hammett. It was a vintage detective story that started a new genre in the 1930s.

Gina wrote: "While on vacation, I did some wonderful reading"

I love vacation reading. I'm jealous (in a good way).

Mary wrote: "Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. I love Russian literature and I'm delighted to have discovered this gem from the 19th century. Though unfinished, i..."

The Skeptics Guide to the Great Books sounds interesting. Thanks for mentioning it. Maybe my library has it.

Mary wrote: "Nikolai Gogol's Dead Souls, translated by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky. I love Russian literature and I'm delighted to have discovered this gem from the 19th century. Though unfinished, i..."

Just got this on my Lit Hub Daily:
TODAY: In 1852, Nikolai Gogol, nine days after attempting to burn part II of Dead Souls, dies.

Oh my! What an interesting fact, Barbara.

Hello. It's been a while since I posted here. A few days ago, I started Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, a portrait of the cycle of evictions in a white and a black community in Milwaukee. It's non-fiction, but reads like fiction, and has been compare to Katherine Boo's writing on poverty, which is valid, from what I've read so far. It's gripping and illuminating. I hope others can find the time to read it as well.

Just finished Purity, and wrote down my impression for the discussion in June.

Oh, we're discussing "Purity" in June? I can't wait. I read it when it first came out and heard Franzen speak about the book, which provided interesting insights into his writing process.

I've started to read Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon. At just under 1100 pages, I could be at this for a while! In the meantime, a library hold has finally landed: The Unconsoled by Ishiguro. But since I own the Pynchon book, I guess I will focus on Ishiguro, prolonging the Phychon even longer. Expect my report around June!

In the last 1/4 of Tartt's The Secret Society. Very addictive reading.

Lisa wrote: "In the last 1/4 of Tartt's The Secret Society. Very addictive reading."

I have that book on my shelf. Good to know you are enjoying it so far. I loved The Goldfinch.

I just finished My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout and really enjoyed reading it.

I am currently reading Little Bee by Chris Cleave.

I am also reading The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown aloud to my son. Very interesting so far.

Mary Anne wrote: "I've started to read Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon. At just under 1100 pages, I could be at this for a while! In the meantime, a library hold has finally landed: [book:The Unconsoled..."

I just read this (it took about two months), and it really was very good, well worth the time you have to put in.

There's also a recent Against the Day public group on this site if you're interested in finding others who are reading now, and reading their impressions.

I'm reading Against the Day too but am reading so many other things that Pynchon has sadly been pushed back. I really like it but I think it will take considerably longer than two and a half months I took to read the 300 page shorter Mason & Dixon. I'm hoping for 4 to 5 months (optimistically). Pynchon really is amazing and it's me, not him, that is delaying the read---though I will say that I do find I need to take breaks after a certain number of pages.

Mary Anne wrote: "I've started to read Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon. At just under 1100 pages, I could be at this for a while! In the meantime, a library hold has finally landed: [book:The Unconsoled..."

Unconsoled is a dense, rather hard to read book, but fascinating. It took me a long time to read. It's like getting trapped in a frustrating, never-ending dream.

Karen wrote: "I just finished My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout and really enjoyed reading it.

I am currently reading Little Bee by [author:Chris Cleave|37..."

Karen, what did you think about Little Bee? I really enjoyed it and rated it 5 stars. (I don't know if "enjoyed it" is the right phrase as the story was horrific at times.)

Mary Anne wrote: "I've started to read Against the Day by Thomas Pynchon. At just under 1100 pages, I could be at this for a while! In the meantime, a library hold has finally landed: [book:The Unconsoled..."

I've really tried to get "into" Against the Day but can't seem to. Maybe I'll try again.