Constant Reader discussion

Ruth wrote: "Can you do an inter library loan?"

No

Recently, after we finished reading They Came Like Swallows here, I got Conversations with William Maxwell through an Interlibrary loan because I was looking for more insight into the book. I did get that but I also got William Maxwell, the man, and discovered that I liked him very much. Maybe it is because we are both Midwesterners and both lost our mothers early but I think that is only a small part of it. I liked his thoughtful views on the world and his essential kindness. Many of the interviews were conducted during his 80s and his thoughts on aging were especially good. It's nice to find a new favorite writer.

That sounds like something I may .look for Barbara. I’m really glad that I was able to get Library of America’s complete works of Maxwell, 2 books, at a good price by searching through Bookfinder.com. Now I can slowly continue reading my way through his writing.

My favourite of the Amazon Original Stories "Inheritance" collection is Can You Feel This? by Julie Orringer.
Young couple, wife in labour, race to hospital - but it's more than that, both before and after, and beautifully done.
5★ Link to my review

I loved the second book of Michael Robotham's Joe O'Loughlin series, Lost, aka The Drowning Man. Good pace, good plot, characters I cared about, plus the author is an award-winning Aussie!
What more could I ask?
4.5★ Link to my "Lost" review

Robotham’s book sounds good Patty. It sounds like he has more than one series, many books to choose from. Where would you suggest I start, or does it matter?

From Scratch – Tembi Locke – 4****
This is a wonderful memoir full of love and tenderness, grief and frustration, joy and a sense of belonging.
My full review HERE

The Story Hour – Thirty Umrigar – 5*****
Umrigar alternates viewpoints between these two women – an Indian immigrant and her African-American psychologist. I was completely engaged from page one through all the ups and downs of the story. I was anxious about how things would work out, sympathized with them when feelings were hurt, felt anger at some situations, and eagerly hoped for a resolution.
My full review HERE

That sounds excellent, BC. I've heard good things about this writer before.

Nafissa Thompson-Spires’ short story collection, HEADS OF THE COLORED PEOPLE, narrated by Adenrele Ojo. Interesting stories, some of which I enjoyed very much. I certainly appreciated the universality of the themes. But I must admit my age and race got in the way for me because a lot of the pop culture references were outside of my experience.

Here is a link to a review from NPR.
https://www.npr.org/2018/04/10/601184...

Barbara wrote: "That sounds excellent, BC. I've heard good things about this writer before."
.
Me, too--been on my list for a long time.

Evan Thomas’s BEING NIXON: A MAN DIVIDED. This book has been on 2 different TBR “piles” for 2-1/2 years and I finally got to it. I listened to an audio edition, narrated by Bob Walter, and skimmed chapters in an e-book edition after I had listened to them. For me, it was a very effective way of reading this biography. It is interesting to look back at history that I lived through and about which I have many memories, feelings, beliefs and opinions. I learned much; I recalled much. All in all, reading this book was well worth my time. My only negative observation is that I thought the author’s psychological interpretations and analysis of Nixon were a little over the top at times; on the other hand, it is difficult to look at his life and political career and not wonder how he came to be how he was - so intelligent and competent while also so bumbling, blind, and inept.

Thank you, Mary. I hadn't heard of Evan Thomas before. When I looked at his other books here, they are very well reviewed.

I just enjoyed the children's picture book of the colourful, (some might say outrageous, especially her fashion designs) Vivienne Westwood by Mª Isabel Sánchez Vegara. What a wildly inventive lady and role model for kids to learn it's good to stick up for others and protest against evil.
4★ Link to my 'Vivienne Westwood' review with illustrations and a couple of photos.

The current Buzz Books 2020: Spring/Summer is chock-a-block with excerpts from all kinds of new books and it's free for anyone. But be warned that it will tempt your wallet. I picked a few I like the look of.
5★ Link to my review

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic – Alison Bechdel – 3.5***
Bestselling memoir of a young woman growing up in a dysfunctional family. The graphic novel is full of Bechdel’s marvelously detailed drawings. Her confusion, anger, disappointment and sadness come through on almost every page.
My full review HERE

Moby-Dick, Or, the Whale – Herman Melville– 4****
Melville writes in great detail – ad nauseum – about the intricacies of whaling, the various species of aquatic mammals, the arduous and dirty (even disgusting) job of butchering the carcass. But he also explores the relationships developed among the crew, the sights of new ports, the weeks of tedious boredom broken by a day or two of exhilarating chase. I understand the enduring quality of the work, so despite its flaws, I still give it a high rating.
My full review HERE

I'm enjoying an advanced copy of Guess Who, a romantic suspense novel by writer Nesley Clergy and Ann Petry's classic book, The Street. LIV Super Bowl Sunday plays in the background.

Reading Jude the Obscure with an on line group .

I loved this all over again. Wallace Stegner's characters and relationships are so real, and Crossing to Safety is still wonderful.
5★ Link to my review

Carol,
I read Jude the Obscure many years ago when Classics Corner was new and a separate group from Constant Reader. I was thrilled with the opportunity to participate in a discussion with people from all over the country. It seemed like a miracle - still does in many ways, although I tend to take it for granted too much of the time.

Hope you enjoy your discussion.

Ann D wrote: "Carol,
I read Jude the Obscure many years ago when Classics Corner was new and a separate group from Constant Reader. I was thrilled with the opportunity to participate in a discussion..."

Thanks Ann. I think there are a few from other countries joining in. One person has never read anything by Hardy. I will be interested in their response.

James Baldwin’s IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK. One of the great books! Powerful, sad, hopeful. Beautifully written. Bahni Turpin’s narration is excellent.

I did not see the 2018 movie and wonder if those of you who saw it and have read the book thought that the movie was a good adaptation of the book.

I’m just starting Cion by Zakes Mda .
I recently saw a performance of Cion: Requiem for Ravel’s Bolero by Vuyani Dance Theatre- it was excellent https://vuyani.co.za/cion-rep-2/

I finally found Night Boat to Tangier, in a corner hiding under an old New Yorker. Looking forward to getting back into it.

I just read the short story Sweetness by Toni Morrison about what we do to children when we feel shame and try to protect them from the world's ugliness. Sad for both the daughter and the mother.

The Fabulous Bouvier Sisters – Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger – 4****
The subtitle is all the synopsis anyone needs: The Tragic and Glamorous lives of Jackie and Lee. The authors have crafted a mini biography and exploration of their complicated and tight relationship. I found it fascinating and full of the kind of gossip that enthralls me. It’s an interesting look at the dynamic between these two sisters and their claims to fame.
My full review HERE

Have you heard of geophagy, eating dirt/clay? Zakes Mda mentions it in Cion - so I looked into it - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20...

The BBC article explains it is common in many places and is not necessarily bad. Turns out Georgia, in the USA, is known for edible white dirt. I had no idea...

I’ve heard of it. Doesn’t sound tasty.

Ruth wrote: "I’ve heard of it. Doesn’t sound tasty."

You never at mud pies? Yum! Lol

Aussie author Terence J. Quinn's The Scoop is a rip-roaring modern pirate story that may make you rethink what fun it would be to sail around the world. Many readers have loved it, so I feel like a traitor!
3.5★ Link to my 'Scoop' review

I always enjoy Aussie Emma Viskic's deaf detective, Caleb Zelic, his deaf community, his Aboriginal extended family, and the harrowing escapades he gets caught up in in spite of his best intentions.
Darkness for Light is the third in the series.
4.5★ Link to my review

Thank you, Patty! I hadn't heard of this series!

Joan wrote: "Have you heard of geophagy, eating dirt/clay? Zakes Mda mentions it in Cion - so I looked into it - https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20......"

Even though I was born and raised in Georgia, I never heard of this. You learn something new every day.

A few weeks ago, Carol said she was reading books on the same subject. It sounded like a great idea to me, but now it seems that I am doing exactly that, totally by coincidence.

I just finished reading The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes, which I liked, a novel about the women who delivered library books in the mountains of Kentucky during the WPA years. I gave it 4****.

Now I've started The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, another novel about a young woman who delivers library books during that time.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek is on my TBR, Mary Anne. I'll be interested to see if you recommend it.

Maybe not such a coincidence? I recently came upon this news about JoJo Moyes' book...

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/...

That is really interesting, Adele. Mary Anne, I'll be interested in your thoughts and comparisons after you finish Richardson's book. After reading about Richardson's background and research, I would be inclined to start with hers. But, that doesn't take the quality of the writing into account.

Just finished Olive, Again. I just love Elizabeth Strout. I think she is one of the best authors today, so it comes as no surprise that I read Olive, Again in just four days. I loved watching Olive grow old and dealing with the unpleasantries of old age, and her making real connections with people along the way. This book is darker than Olive Kitteridge, but oh so real.

Hanif Abdurraqib’s GO AHEAD IN THE RAIN:NOTES TO A TRIBE CALLED QUEST. Abdurraqib is one of the authors selected this year for our local library’s author visit series. So... being curious, I decided to listen to his most recent book. I’m not a fan of rap although I am drawn to the percussive beat and the rhythm. I know absolutely nothing about the history of the genre or the artists. And yet, I enjoyed this book. I learned a lot - the significance of percussion and rhythm to the culture and history of blacks in the United States, the technique of sampling, the connection to jazz, the rivalry between east coast and west coast and ultimately the move to Atlanta - and along the way I came to know something about and to respect A Tribe Called Quest as well as the author Hanif Abdurraqib. I downloaded some of their music. I look forward to reading some of HA’s poetry as well as more of his non-fiction work. He writes like a man who loves language, who loves to see and hear words strung together.

Mary, that does sound interesting. I am a fan of “old school rap”, the rappers are often clever with their rhymes and rich with social commentary. Listening to rap live is just amazing. However, I often feel a bit guilty for accepting the misogyny and racism that seems pervasive.

Barbara wrote: "Thank you, Patty! I hadn't heard of this series!"

It's a good one, and a bit different, Barbara.

I am a firm fan of Louise Penny's Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. I love visiting the fictional village of Three Pines, although it does seem to have a lot of homicides! How the Light Gets In is my favourite in the series so far.
5★ Link to my review

For the last 3 weeks I have been reading, one essay or poem almost every day, THE FIRE THIS TIME: A NEW GENERATION SPEAKS ABOUT RACE, edited by Jesmyn Ward. I think this is an important book. It requires reflection, discussion, behavior change and action. It is sad, distressing, provocative, and ultimately strives to end on a note of hopeful although very cautious optimism. I look forward to leading my face-to-face book club’s discussion of it in 2 weeks.

Honolulu – Alan Brennert – 3.5***
Regret / Jin is a marvelous character. She starts out a shy, subservient girl and grows throughout the novel into a strong woman. I’ve visited Hawaii several times and could picture many of the settings depicted in the novel, despite the vast differences in today’s Honolulu from that of 1914. I was fascinated by the history lesson and the glimpse into life during that time period.
My full review HERE

Erotic Stories For Punjabi Widows – Balli Kaur Jaswal – 4****
I was expecting something light and breezy and I was pleasantly surprised to find some depth here. Nikki is a wonderful character but I really loved the women in her “creative writing” class. Some of their stories were heartbreaking, but all of them were so willing to be open and honest in their writing. That their subject matter would “shock” their peers was not a deterrent to their need to express themselves. Brava, ladies!
My full review HERE

Kate Quinn’s THE HUNTRESS, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld. Another book I’ve read because the author will be participating in my local library’s series of author visits. It wasn’t a bad book - just something I didn’t enjoy very much - and way too long. I felt the characters - except perhaps for Nina - were somewhat stereotypical and the plot was overworked and needed editing. I won’t be surprised to see it made into a movie. Who knows, it might be better in that format.

Maybe I should have listened to the Tom Hanks audio of The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, which has had some rave reviews.
3.5★ Link to my "Dutch House" review

Address Unknown by Kathrine Kressmann Taylor is a terrific story, first published in the US in 1938, as Hitler was promising to restore German prosperity. It had an amazing impact then, and it's no less amazing now. READ IT!
5★ Link to my review and where you can find the story

Jacqueline Woodson’s RED AT THE BONE, narrated by the author, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Peter Francis James, Shayna Small and Bahni Turpin. For me, this book is like a rare gem, flawless and perfectly faceted, sparkling brilliantly. I enjoyed it so much I listened to it twice over 2 consecutive days.