Reading with Style discussion
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SP 18 Completed Tasks
From Post 466Ed wrote: "20.3 Sanctuary
Travels with Charley: In Search of America by John Steinbeck
I had raised my concerns about this book in the RwS Socializing thread because I had just star..."
+5 Combo 20.4
From Post 490Lalitha wrote: "10.2 Ravioli
Then and Now by W. Somerset Maugham
Maugham never ceases to amaze me. With most authors one can notice a theme in all their books. In fact some of the ..."
+5 Combo 10.9
From Post 495Karen Michele wrote: "10.8 Double Continent (Coralie's Task)
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe
I’ve read three of Daniel Defoe’s books now, and it has been a positive reading experience in conju..."
+10 Combo 20.2, 20.4
Ed wrote: "grand total= 1215 (I see the readerboard has me at 1230...but I don't how it got there.)"You claimed the same point total in both post 382 and 394. Pretty sure that is where our difference is.
15.4 Reading the DecadesThree Farmers on Their Way to a Dance by Richard Powers
+15 Task (published 1985)
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 915
Kate S wrote: "Ed wrote: "grand total= 1215 (I see the readerboard has me at 1230...but I don't how it got there.)"You claimed the same point total in both post 382 and 394. Pretty sure that is where our differ..."
ahhhh....i had the right amount in my handwritten notes...thanks
15.9 - Reading the DecadesIn the Woods (Dublin Murder Squad #1) by Tana French
+15 Task (published 07)
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 420
Kate S wrote: "From Post 490Lalitha wrote: "10.2 Ravioli
Then and Now by W. Somerset Maugham
Maugham never ceases to amaze me. With most authors one can notice a theme in all th..."
Thank you!
20.6 Dead SoulsMy Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
Brilliant! I was thoroughly engrossed from the start and I finished it in one go, which simply means that I couldn't wait for a whole night to pass before I knew what was going to happen.
This is my first book of du Maurier's. I have been suggested this book by many, courtesy, the movie. I have always read that Rebecca is her best. I cannot wait to read that one now.
The book is a historical fiction set in a Gothic era although the exact period of time is a little vague. The plot is the protagonist of this wonderful novel. Phillip Ashley and his father figure cousin Ambrose, live a peaceful life in an estate in Cornwall. Ill health forces the elder cousin to move to warmer weather in the winters. One winter in Italy, Ambrose befriends his (their) cousin Rachel, a widow. Phillip learns about the betrothal of the the two only through letters that become infrequent with time, until two years later he learns of Ambrose's death until it is too late. He rushes to Italy and the disappearance of the widow makes him frantic. The search is unfruitful and he returns to take on the position of heir to the estate until suddenly, one day, Rachel lands at the doors of the estate in Cornwall. Initially highly suspicious of Rachel, his perception changes when he begins to spend time with her. However, he cannot dust away the darkness that surrounds his beloved cousin's death. Who caused his death? Was it natural? Was Rachel involved? Who indeed was this mysterious cousin of theirs? This and some classic writing style makes for one brilliant novel.
The book is thoroughly gripping, crisp and the prose, beautiful. The writing easily takes the reader to the estate - I think if I get into the estate, I will be able to find my way about it and to a time of proper Victorian era. A well deserved 4.5 stars although I wish I could give it a full 5. I still have a few lingering questions that shall never be answered.
Task +20
Combo +10 (20.4, 10.9)
Review +10
Oldies +5 (1951)
Task Total = 45
Season Total = 565 + 45 = 610
15.10 - Reading the DecadesToo Close to Breathe (Frankie Sheehan #1) by Olivia Kiernan
+15 Task (published 18)
+50 Completion
+50 Different decades and years
+50 Decades read in order (ascending or descending)
+50 Years read in order (ascending or descending)
Post Total: 215
Season Total: 635
10.1 Square PegThe Gates by John Connolly
What a fun and fast read. Whomever writes the descriptions on GR for series, describes this 3 book series as “an adult fantasy thriller series for children’. That sums it up very well. This is the first book in the series.
The main character, Samuel Johnson, is eleven. He is a serious boy, who does have friends but seems to spend a great deal of time with his little dog, Boswell (who has a great role in this novel). Samuel’s neighbours accidently enable the ‘Gates of Hell’ to open (not a spoiler, it tells you that on the front cover).
I picked books 1 and 2 at the library book sale, without knowing anything about the series or the writer. Basically, I picked them on the basis of the cover. This time you can definitely judge a book by it’s cover. The book is written in a very smart and charming manner, which I love. It has footnotes about physics (particle physics in particular), it has scientists, chapter titles that are descriptive (eg. ‘In which we learn a little about the Gates of Hell…..’), and a good hearted but bumbling demon. Samuel and his friends are smart and brave.
There is a lot of humour in here too. One scene where we are privy to the Vicar’s thoughts about Samuel, as Samuel approaches with a question, had me laughing so hard that I had tears my eyes. Of course, there are bad things as well, playing on Samuel’s fears and fears humans tend to share (eg. darkness).
I can’t wait to read the second book….. I may have to break away from the RwS task list! 4*
10 task
10 review
_____
20
Running total: 625
Task 10.5 Green StoneIn honor of The Green Stone and The Green Stone read a book with 1000 ratings or fewer.
The Prisoner Pear: Stories from the Lake (2005) by Elissa Minor Rust (Hardcover, 193 pages)
Review:This is the author’s only published work. It is a collection of 12 short stories (20 pages & less), all written by the author, all set in contemporary time in and around Portland, Oregon (where the author lives). Some of the stories first appeared in literary magazines (like Orchid: A Literary Review). Each is inspired by an entry in the Lake Oswego Review police blotter. They are slice-of-life stories, starring middle class women, aged 20-40, some with husbands, some with children, A couple have fantastical elements (like the story with pears), but most stories are straightforward contemporary stories. Recommended for when you are waiting (at the dentist, at the hair salon) and want a quick distraction.
+10 Task
+10 Review
+10 Not-a-Novel (short story collections)
Task Total: 10 + 10 + 10 = 30
Grand Total: 410 + 30 = 440
15.9 - Reading the DecadesVoid Moon by Michael Connelly
+40 task (1999)
Task total: 40
Grand total: 345
20.6 - Dead SoulsKlopp: Bring the Noise by Raphael Honigstein
+20 task
+ 5 combo (10.5, 222 ratings)
+ 10 not a novel (nonfiction - biography)
Task total: 35
Season total: 375
15.2 - Reading the DecadesOn Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
+15 task
Task total: 15
Season total: 405
10.5 Green StoneLethal Licorice by Amanda Flower
+10 Task -- 274 ratings
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 705
10.5 Green StoneHis Until Sunrise by Joy Avery
This romance been languishing in my TBR for two and a half years, to my regret. I remember buying this because the premise sounded personally horrifying (a workplace camping trip) but Nona's reaction (confront it head on by prepping hard with a pre-camping trip camping trip accompanied by an expert guide) was the exact opposite of what my approach would be, and the sample made me smile (pterodactyls!).
The book didn't disappoint: it was a fun mix of ridiculousness and hijinks and believable emotional upheavals & connections. I'd recommend this to romance readers who enjoy hanging out with characters who are having fun with each other (well, some version of fun--there are BEAR ENCOUNTERS and WASP STINGS and did I mention I do not like the idea of camping at all?) with a little bit of goading and taunting, as well as a see-saw conflict that forges the emotional connection between the protagonists. I had a lot of fun reading this.
+10 Task -- 76 ratings
+10 Review
Task Total: 20
Season Total: 725
20.6 Dead SoulsWeaveworld by Clive Barker
+20 Task rr
+5 Combo 20.9
+5 Oldies published 1987
+10 Jumbo 721 pages
Post Total: 40
Season Total: 1235
Hi! Before I get to posting my books for this month, could I please switch The Book of Mirrors by E.O. Chirovici (which I currently have as filling the 20.6 task) to 10.7? I also need to move Allegiant by Veronica Roth from 10.3 to 20.9.
Since I've moving a 10 point task to a 20 point and also changing a 20 point to a 10 point, it won't effect my grand total (though my grand total is currently showing 305 on the official reader board, but my records show I'm at 310--I think the +5 noted in post148 may not have been factored in my official total).
10.4-The Book RiotThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Task: 10
Combo: 10 ( 20.4, 20.9)
Jumbo: 5 (MPE- 552 pages)
Post total: 25
Season total: 365
10.10 Group ReadThe Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu
+10 Task
+10 Combo (10.8 N.America & Asia, 10.9 historical (34 historical-fiction) & contemporary (17 contemporary + 9 contemporary-fiction))
+10 Not a Novel
Post Total: 30
Season Total: 945
20.7 The Red QueenKatherine by Anya Seton
This book read so much like a soap opera it makes me wonder how much of it is based on actual incident as opposed to historical conjecture--but, much as a soap opera, it's hard to pull your eyes away and you're dying to know what happens next!
It is set in the 14th Century, an era about which I know very little. Katherine, the orphaned daughter of a man who was knighted on the battlefield shortly before dying (i.e.: not exactly established in the gentry), was raised in a nunnery and at the age of fourteen is sent for by her elder sister (who works directly for the queen). She is, as in all fairy tales, stunningly beautiful and doesn't quite understand that fact. She finds herself engaged to a knight whom she does not want to marry (for crying out loud, she's only fourteen!), but the desires of a teenage girl matter exactly zilch at this point in history. The marriage happens and she returns with him to his crumbling estate. Before the marriage, though, she meets the dashing (happily married) Duke of Lancaster. Of course, the Duke is struck by her grace and beauty. After the death of his own wife, he knows that Katherine is the one, her husband be damned.
This book takes us on a ride from Snow White (fixing up the crumbling estate and a virtual poisoned apple) to Rapunzel (pilgrimage in the wild to "atone" for her perceived sins), Katherine is most certainly a fairy tale princess--though this fairy tale is apparently true.
I enjoyed (but didn't LOVE) it.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+5 Jumbo (500 pages)
+5 Oldies (first pub. 1954)
+15 Combo (10.6; 20.4 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1..., 20.9)
Task total: 55
Season total: 355
20.4 Night WatchBorn to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall
This book only took me two months to read...it would lead one to believe that it was a slog, impossible to read, that I didn't like it but forced myself to finish it.
You would be mistaken! I loved this one! On the surface, it's a look at a hidden tribe in the Copper Canyons of Mexico, the Tarahumara, and their insane ability to run incredible distances quite quickly.
As with all the best non-fiction, it isn't solely about this topic: it incorporates physiological science, historical examples of great runners, profiles of some of the great ultra-distance runners on the scene now, and a rip-roaring story of an unprecedented (and unseen by anyone but the remote natives and the runners themselves) race...it's not just about one thing and I love that in my non-fiction. The style of writing was infinitely readable and I loved all of the characters I "met"--I would love to be friends with any one of the people with whom he ran. I took my time reading this because every time I sat down to read it, I found inspiration to get up and get running again. If you're interested in running or lost tribes or just looking for a true story that'll get your heart racing, I highly recommend this!
+20 Task (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...)
+10 Review
+10 Not-a-novel
Task total: 40
Season total: 395
10.3 SeriesStarted Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson
This is the first book I've read by Kate Atkinson...in fact, it wasn't until I rated the book that I realized it was part of a series.
I love the characters! I specifically love that there are two law-abiding, upstanding figures (both former police officers) who find themselves taking possession of individuals in peril (Tracy finds herself taking over custody of a little girl; Jackson finds himself taking a dog who was being abused) under questionably-lawful circumstances. The characters were realistic and intelligent, funny and flawed. The situations they found themselves in were believable (even if they were a little outlandish--but that's what makes fiction so great, no?). I cannot wait to read more in this series!
+10 Task (#4 in the Jackson Brodie series)
+10 Review
+15 Combo (10.9: shelved 673 times as "Mystery" and 32 times as "Contemporary"; 20.4 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... 20.6: AtkiNsoN)
Task total: 35
Season total: 430
Post 508 Lalitha wrote: "10.1 Square PegThe Dawn of Eurasia: On the Trail of the New World Order by Bruno Macaes
Nothing against the book but the subject is a dry one. I was lent this b..."
Lalitha, a Square Peg, by definition, cannot have combos because it cannot qualify for any other task. Let us know which task - 10.5 or 10.8 - you want to use it for.
20.3The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
Why, oh why did I decide to read this book? I do understand the writing styles used and the intent but this was quite possibly the most difficult book I’ve ever attempted to read. The stream of consciousness section was nearly incomprehensible and the deteriorating prose section was, at best, confusing. I went into The Sound and The Fury prepared for something at least superficially similar to As I Lay Dying. That was a monumental mistake. I don’t know that I would *ever* suggest this book to anyone. I can’t even wrap *my* head around it and I read some pretty dense prose for fun.
+20 task
+10 review
+10 combo (10.4, 20.4)
+10 oldies (1929)
Task total: 50
Grand total: 615
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Post 508 Lalitha wrote: "10.1 Square PegThe Dawn of Eurasia: On the Trail of the New World Order by Bruno Macaes
Nothing against the book but the subject is a d..."
Hi Elizabeth. Sorry for overlooking that. I think I will go ahead with 10.5 for this one.
Post 533 June wrote: "10.4-The Book RiotThe Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Task: 10
Combo: 10 ( 20.4, 20.9)
Jumbo: 5 (MPE- 552 pages)
Post total: 25
Season total: 365"
I'm sorry, June. This book is shelved as YA Fiction at BPL, and has a lexile of 730. Task, but no styles.
15.10 - Reading the DecadesThe Rescue by Nicholas Sparks
+40 task (2000)
+50 Completion
+50 Different decades and years
+50 Decades read in order (ascending or descending)
+50 Years read in order (ascending or descending)
Task total: 240
Grand total: 585
10.10 Group readsTies by Domenico Starnone
This is a short, intense and insular book about one family’s relationship. It is told in three sections, first the (betrayed) wife’s voice, the second the philandering husband’s, and the final one the children’s (as adults).
The writing and editing in this book really is incredible (even given that it is a translation). The wife’s voice seemed very authentic and particularly strong. Because the wife’s “side” is told first, the husband seems a less sympathetic character. Yet, I also found his character believable. I believe that people’s motives inside their intimate relationships are often inscrutable, and that is the case here. The adult children are products of their parents relationship.
There are many interesting ideas in this novel about relationships, monogamy, mental health, happiness, cultural norms, amongst others. 4* Thanks to Kate for picking this for a group read.
10 task
10 review
15 combo 10.2, 10.5, 20.6
_____
35
Running total: 660
20.2 The Blazing WorldWhen I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife by Meena Kandasamy
+20 Task
+5 Combo (10.5)
Points this post: 25
RwS total: 255
RtD total: -
Season Total: 255
20.2 The Blazing WorldThe Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/scarlet...
ReviewI read this is Middle school but in one of the Children’s Classics series so didn’t have all the texture of the language of the time, the deeper sense of sin, what was considered sin and how penance was paid. Although I found the long author introduction annoying only because I was impatient to get to the REAL story, I found the real story to take a lot of patience. Firstly in the Victorian tendency to wax philosophical with long winded explanation, analogies and allegories of the morals in the story, then in the cumbersome language and then with my sense of unfairness at the double standard. While the woman must bear the humiliation, shame, and shunning publically because she is the one after all that bore the proof of the sin, the man only becomes more glorified and sainted. Although Hawthorne gives him a thorn in the side in the shape of Roger Chillingsworth that only further pricked his long suffering conscious, I still think his suffering does not equal that of his partner in crime. Finally he makes full confession to the townspeople who sainted him after his glorious last sermon, but only just before taking his last breath so he never bore the consequences. I don’t know if Hawthorne really felt both suffered equally for their crime but from his outlook it seems he was more concerned about illustrating the harshness of the Puritan religion and their propensity to act on the behalf of a terrible God, in an arrogant fashion. However Hester does come out the hero with her strength, honesty and her defiance.
+20 - Task
+25 - Combo - (10.4,10.9 - Historical & Mystery,20.4-https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... , 20.5,20.6)
+15 - Oldies (1850)
+10 - Review
Task Total - 70 pts
Season Total - 440 pts
From Post 531Coralie wrote: "20.6 Dead Souls
Weaveworld by Clive Barker
+20 Task rr
+5 Combo 20.9
+5 Oldies published 1987
+10 Jumbo 721 pages
Post Total: 40
Season Total: 1235"
+5 Combo 20.4
From Post 532Anika wrote: "Hi! Before I get to posting my books for this month, could I please switch The Book of Mirrors by E.O. Chirovici (which I currently have as filling the 20.6 task) ..."
Pretty sure I got this all entered right. In the future, please include post numbers for original posts when requesting a move. It saves me a lot of time. Thanks!
From Post 491Kätlin wrote: "20.6 Dead Souls:
Windhaven by George R.R. Martin and Lisa Tuttle
I really enjoyed this early novel co-authored by George R.R. Martin of the much later ..."
Sorry, this does not work for 20.6. From the FAQs:
"For author-based tasks, how are books with multiple authors treated?
The primary author (the author listed first on the cover) must qualify for the task for the book to be eligible."
I have it recorded for 20.4 with no combo.
20.8 Silent Spring (Ed's Task)The Cid by Pierre Corneille
Well.... I finally found out what and who El Cid was. Cid was the word for lord used by the Moors...and came to mean "warrior" by the Spanish. Here is the story of Rodrigue, who was a real figure, who, as a young man must avenge his father. He must challenge the father of his beloved Chimene. Her father had insulted Rodrigue's father. Rodrigue DOES kill Chimene's father...causing Chimene to regretfully follow her obligations and ask the King, Ferdinand, for Rodrigue's death in retribution. The King is reluctant to do this because he understands the honor at stake. As the King weighs his decision.... the Moors are staging an attack. Rodrigue leads the troops to a rousing victory...earning him the title of El Cid. He is now the hero of the Kingdom...and yet, Chimene is obligated to press her case for retribution. I won't give away the ending... but this was a very good read....and it is written is verse as well....and obviously in translation for me reading in English. 4 stars.
set entirely in Spain
task=20
Combo=5 (20.7)
Review=10
NaN=10 (play)
Oldie=20 (1637)
task total= 65
grand total= 1345
20.6 Dead SoulsWays to Walk in London: Hidden Places and New Perspectives by Alice Stevenson
+20 Task
+5 Combo (10.5 - 10)
+10 Not-a-Novel (essays)
Task total = 35
Points total = 235
10.5 Green StoneGuide du Routard Londres 2017
0 ratings
+10 Task
+10 Not-a-Novel (travel guide)
Task total = 20
Points total = 255
10.7 Neutral NameTerry Jones' Medieval Lives by Terry Jones
+10 Task
+10 Not-a-Novel
Post Total: 20
Season Total: 1260
20.1 - Jack and JillEvery Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Seanan, you are a beautiful monster. I have loved everything I’ve read of hers so far and Every Heart A Doorway is no exception. She has a way of making you love a character and then stomping on your heartstrings in such a way that you ask for more. The incorporation of different characters – an Ace girl, a genderfluid girl, a transboy, and others – is really refreshing, especially in stories playing with the tropes of fairytales and folk stories. My only complaint is that it was far too short but it seems like it’s supposed to be a part of a series.
+20 task
+10 review
+5 combo (20.5 - doors to other worlds)
task total: 35
Grand total: 650
Heather wrote: "20.1 - Jack and JillEvery Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Seanan, you are a beautiful monster. I have loved everything I’ve read of hers so far and Every Heart..."
Heather - these aren't the names of these tasks this season - did you post in the wrong group?
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Heather wrote: "20.1 - Jack and JillEvery Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
Seanan, you are a beautiful monster. I have loved everything I’ve read of hers so far..."
No, Jack and Jill are the names of the twins in the book! Sorry about that.
10.10 Group ReadsThe Paper Menagerie and Other Stories by Ken Liu
+10 Task
+10 combo 10.7, 10.8 (Asia and North America)
+10 Not-a-Novel
Post Total: 30
Season Total: 1290
10.2 RavioliLustrum by Robert Harris
+10 Task (set in Italy)
+5 combo 20.4
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 1305
Ah, sorry, I completely overlooked this. Thanks for explaining Kate!Kate S wrote: "From Post 491
Sorry, this does not work for 20.6. From the FAQs:
"For author-based tasks, how are books with multiple authors treated?
The primary author (the author listed first on the cover) must qualify for the task for the book to be eligible."
I have it recorded for 20.4 with no combo.
reply | flag *
20.2 The Blazing World:The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
I reread the novel for my book group, the first time having been more than a decade ago. I'm not going to give you a plot synopsis, as I assume that most people in this group have either already read it, have watched the TV series, or are at least aware of the book, as it's a widely discussed one. I was fascinated by how well Atwood got across one of the main problems the anonymous main character faced: having absolutely nothing to do, and no future prospects. I tried imagining my life without modern entertainment, without books or newspapers, without internet, without being able to have any friends, and not being allowed to have my family with me. There would suddenly be this terrible void with nothing to fill it. The hours would just pass you by, with no experiences, no conversations, nothing to stimulate your mind, knowing that this is what life is now. It sounds like a horrible world to me. I think Atwood got this across very well. I also was frankly quite scared by the dystopian world she created, as in the light of recent events and trends in the world, it is too close to what we're seeing or could easily see in many parts of the world, including places we think of as western and democratic.
+20 task
+10 combos (20.4 Night Watch and 10.4 Book Riot)
+10 oldies (first published 1985)
+10 review
Task total: 50
Grand total: 135
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Reading with Style
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Karen Michele wrote: "20.4 Night Watch
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
I love the narration of Simon Vance and found that my library had that audio version available, so I knew that was the w..."
+5 Combo 10.8