The Obscure Reading Group discussion

Williams would probably approve of that version Ken. I know I do.

And so do I.

Thanks, Diane and Sue.

This is just to say...
you're too kind!

Ken wrote: "Ha!

With apologies to William Carlos Williams:


The Type of Company

So much depends
upon

the type of
company

lubricated
with red wine

beside the Maine
lake"

Ah, this is lovely.
Enjoy a peaceful evening.
Jan

Jan wrote: "Ken wrote: "Ha!

With apologies to William Carlos Williams:


The Type of Company

So much depends
upon

the type of
company

lubricated
with red wine

beside the Maine
lake"

Ah, this is lovely.
..."



Thank you, Jan.

I’m halfway done with John Williams’ novel “Stoner.” I see several of you have read it. I am truly enjoying it!!

Stoner was a wonderful surprise for me. I did not know what to expect going in and I found it marvelous.

What is everyone else reading that you would recommend? Yes, Sara. I had read Ken and Laysee reviews of Stoner. That’s why I picked it up. This group is helpful in many ways.

I was on the LIKE team with Stoner, too. I've noticed some backlash on GR, though -- inevitable with any book that garners a lot of positive word of mouth. It builds expectations to the point where, for some, it can't be met.

Will have to look up Stoner, although I do fear that the huuuge pile of TBR's is gonna topple and squash. One that I'm enjoying immensely is Robert Macfarlane's Underland. It's a fascinating journey through the earth beneath our feet. Each chapter explores a new venue. Who knew the Underworld was such an amazing place?

Macfarlane has been on my list forever, AJ. Glad to know you’re enjoying reading him.

AJ wrote: "Will have to look up Stoner, although I do fear that the huuuge pile of TBR's is gonna topple and squash. One that I'm enjoying immensely is Robert Macfarlane's Underland. It's a fascinating journe..."

We'll all know soon enough!

(And I think I read a McFarlane book about walking through the hills of England. Just walking.)

Speaking of toppling TBR's, MacFarlane's The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot is on mine, and I'm assuming is the one you read Ken. Sounds fantastic.

I'm finishing up The Keepers of the House. What a deserving Pulitzer-winner! Soon I'll be starting Abigail, read by this group last year. My library finally bought a copy! :-)

It sounds like we all have similar books on our TBR shelves. MacFarlane’s books and Stoner are some that I would like to read too.

Stoner is one of my favourites. I studied MacFarlane's The Wild Places in a module called "Writing Place". We also studied Hemingway's Moveable Feast.

Kathleen wrote: "Speaking of toppling TBR's, MacFarlane's The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot is on mine, and I'm assuming is the one you read Ken. Sounds fantastic.

I'm finishing up [book:The Keepers ..."

Yes, that's the title I read.


Matthew Ted wrote: "Stoner is one of my favourites. I studied MacFarlane's The Wild Places in a module called "Writing Place". We also studied Hemingway's Moveable Feast."

Are they in any way similar?

Ken wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Speaking of toppling TBR's, MacFarlane's The Old Ways: A Journey on Foot is on mine, and I'm assuming is the one you read Ken. Sounds fantastic.

I'm finishing up [..."

Not at all, but they stick in my memory from the module. The latter started my obsessive Hemingway binge which lasted the subsequent years there.

Am reading short story specialist Joy Williams for the first time in the book Honored Guest.

Here's weird: The first story (title story) was fantastic, whetting my appetite. Then the second story was so bad I had trouble caring enough to finish.

THAT was unexpected. Still, I'm carrying on to the tune of Onward Reading Soldier....

Any Joy Williams readers in the house? Any short story readers, for that matter? I mean, people who read short story collections rather regularly. Seems to me, this breed of reader is almost as rare as the poetry reader or the play reader.

I love short stories, but only read one a day when I'm reading a collection. I like to digest them bit by bit. Never read any Joy Williams. There are some real masters out there, like Alice Munro, William Maxwell and Elizabeth Bishop. A few others who do both long and short fiction well; Wendell Berry and Willa Cather come to mind.

I read quite a lot of short stories, although I mix collections with individual finds. Short stories are a marvelous way to sample an author you don't know. I have not read Joy Williams, but Diane has listed some of my favorites and I recently read Bears Discover Fire and Other Stories and love almost every one of them. Like Diane, I tend to read them one at a time, digest, and then come back to the next, so a collection can take me several weeks sometimes.

I don't read anywhere near the amount of poetry I would like to. A poem can often take more time and concentration than I have available to me right now. I don't think you get much from a poem if you just "read" it...got to think about it and dissect it as well. (okay, I suppose you could say that about any writing, but I hope you guys will know what I mean.) Congrats, Ken! Book Number Three-Bravo.

Interesting thoughts about stories and poetry, and great recommendations--thanks everyone!

I've found the less time/patience/peace of mind that I have, the less poetry and short stories I can read. Novels give me the opportunity to pick up and read for an amount of time and with the amount of concentration that varies according to my situation. Depending on their length, it can be really hard for me to find the right timeframe to fit short stories in. And as Sara said, it feels like poetry demands more. So I've been a little frustrated with these forms for a while.

But big kudos to you Ken, and I'm so looking forward to when I can sit down with your collections. Love your writing!

I'll add my congratulations to the others Ken. Now you can also claim to be an "influencer", as I just got on the library list for Joy Williams.

Thanks, all, for the congratulations, kudos, and well-wishes. In lieu of the book, you can always sample a few poems that are in it on what was once called the World Wide Web (though I'm not sure how "Wide" the free Internet is in the world these days).

Like this one about a nesting Phoebe (if you like or loathe birds), and these two shorties on meditation and illness, and finally one about being a kid with nothing (remember those good old days?) coupled with one about loyalty in 13 lines (what can I say, I got tired before the sonnet finish line flag was waved).

Angela, I didn't know you were a Maine visiter! Let me know and perhaps we can do the lunch thing or the quick coffee thing in Portland (or environs) if restaurants/cafés are still open (the Delta variant's ambitions and easy feeding grounds among the unvaccinated worry me).

Diane wrote: "I'll add my congratulations to the others Ken. Now you can also claim to be an "influencer", as I just got on the library list for Joy Williams."

Cool! (Cooler if only Joy knew!) Maybe I'll be an "influencer" in my next life. I don't have much influence with my wife, but I think that's called "marriage."

Ken, I thought I’d read something by Williams and I have, 99 Stories About God. This is a book of short fictions rather than short stories, with each work coming in at between a paragraph and about 2 pages. I did enjoy this collection quite a bit and rated it 4*. I did write a review for it (I received the book through NetGalley)

I read short stories periodically. And I read them in different ways. Some I do read continuously, especially if there is some common factor such as setting or recurring character(s). Others, where the stories are simply too individually powerful or emotional, I take a break between them.

I’m reading a collection of stories and novellas currently, and almost finished, where I hated the second story so much that I almost stopped completely. I went back a couple of days later and found I loved the next story. I haven’t disliked another story since then.

Sue wrote: "Ken, I thought I’d read something by Williams and I have, 99 Stories About God. This is a book of short fictions rather than short stories, with each work coming in at between a paragraph and about..."

You made me curious. Is it Home of the Floating Lily you're referencing, or The Best of Elizabeth Hand? Both authors are like today's news to me. News.

Ken wrote: "Thanks, all, for the congratulations, kudos, and well-wishes. In lieu of the book, you can always sample a few poems that are in it on what was once called the World Wide Web (though I'm not sure h..."

Ah, thank you for these poems, Ken. All so good and each so different. Meditation Lesson certainly is that, and makes me want to sit with it for a while. "The churn of water under a frog's legs ..." brilliant!!

Kathleen wrote: "Ken wrote: "Thanks, all, for the congratulations, kudos, and well-wishes. In lieu of the book, you can always sample a few poems that are in it on what was once called the World Wide Web (though I'..."


Thank you, Kathleen.

I'm four stories in, so things turned uphill from Story #2. Here's the issue: I seem to slow down when I read stories. Maybe I should do as some of you do -- read this on the side (story a day) as I read something else.

Ken, the book I’m referring to is The Best of Elizabeth Hand. I will probably finish later tonight (this early morning) or Monday during the day. The stories are likely not for everyone because of the fantasy and occasional sci-fi elements, but for the large part, I’m enjoying it.

Oh, Home of The Floating Lily is a debut story collection I just started. It’s centered on stories of the lives of immigrants in Toronto who have come from Bengladesh. The stories are connected so far only by setting and some similarities in their life histories. This is a shorter collection than the Best of Hand.

Thanks, Sue, for the clarification on those books. I read a couple of more Joy Williams, but it's slow going with my parents now visiting. Williams' stories are definitely quirky. Or should I say, her characters are!

I do remember that of those I read, but then God was one of the quirky characters in a way too.

Summer company for two weeks with one to go. This has slowed down my reading AND my writing. Having an old camp (as they're called in Maine) is lovely, but it attracts company (family *and* friends) and isn't the greatest when you're a full-time introvert who enjoys being alone (vs. loneliness).

There's something to be said for fall, winter (spare the holidays), and spring. They're more book-friendly.

Trying my best reading poetry. Works better for stop-and-start reading. So no, you won't catch me diving into a Russian novel now.

Hope everyone else's reading is going swimmingly!

Ah, a kindred spirit. I love my friends and family, but need that time alone. Reading poetry sounds perfect for your situation, Ken. The quieter times will come soon! As the Byrds sang, to everything, there is a season, and reading material for every purpose, under heaven. Or something like that.

I'm reading a choice from the group a while back that my library finally decided to purchase: Abigail by Magda Szabó. So good! About a quarter in, it took off, and I didn't want to put it down. But forced myself because, of course, I have other books going. Just about to finish Seven Gothic Tales by Isak Dinesen, which has been slow-going. There is so much there it takes time to digest.

Happy mid-summer everyone!

I’m reading my usual variety of books and have been thankful for some short stories that offer that interruptible haven when needed. We’ve had so much reading weather during July, I wonder what August will bring!

Sue wrote: "I’m reading my usual variety of books and have been thankful for some short stories that offer that interruptible haven when needed. We’ve had so much reading weather during July, I wonder what Aug..."

Really? The past two weeks have been cooler and rainier in Maine, and you're just down the coast in Mass, no, Sue? I like a bit more sun and warmth on my reading Adirondack, thank you.

So happy you’re all reading! Even in summer. I’m almost finished with “The 7 and 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.” Quite a challenge to my intellect. I’m not keeping up with the details and “clues,” but it’s entertaining. After that I have “The Salt Path” and “The Library Book” awaiting me!!

Ken, I was thinking of the “enforced” reading because of all the rain we’ve had throughout the month. I usually read indoors...allergies continue to influence my decision. I forgot about your Adirondack.

Sandra, I enjoyed The Library Book, but haven’t read the other two books yet. Someday.

Sue wrote: "Ken, I was thinking of the “enforced” reading because of all the rain we’ve had throughout the month. I usually read indoors...allergies continue to influence my decision. I forgot about your Adiro..."


True. Reading is both indoor AND outdoor sport. Cozy can be found in inner confines as well as the open outdoors.

And thank you for the morning laugh. Forgetting about "my Adirondack" made it sound like it's my pet -- which it comes close to being in the warmer months!

I am reading several good books right now including Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which I don't seem to be able to put down once I pick it up. It is an odd but compelling book and despite being over 600 pages I will read through it quickly.

With a fellow goodreads member/off-goodreads friend I am reading Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther which is one of several books on a reading list we are working through that focus on positive stories of species recovery and ecological successes.

I also picked up Stories by Anton Chekhov, Richard Pevear (Introduction, Translation), Larissa Volokhonsky (Translation). I am partly inspired by Ken to read this but also Chekhov was always my favorite of the Russian authors I read in college for my degree and so this is at least a partial re-read for me because I have read most of his short stories and novellas. 25 years later the stories are even better with my older eyes. It also helps that I am not forced to read them for a class!

By the way, a really good overview is The Portable Twentieth-Century Russian Reader by Clarence Brown (Editor). We went through most of these stories in my college class and I loved the book and kept it. I got an A, of course!

I'm reading my way through "Don Quixote" and "Gravity's Rainbow" still. Two big books on the go is exhausting and exciting at once.

I loved The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle! I haven’t read Chekhov for ages, but I loved my Russian Literature class in college. Dostoevsky was my favorite though.

Darrin, I have that Chekhov story collection on my shelves. Another of my “someday” reads. I haven’t read much of his writing but know I want to read more. That other book sounds good.

Darrin wrote: "I am reading several good books right now including Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which I don't seem to be able to put down once I pick it up. It is an odd but compelling book and de..."

Think you'll like that particular Chekhov collection, Darrin. Er... Mr. "A" Team, that is. I was a "sometimes A" guy, never a "straight-A" guy.

Matthew Ted wrote: "I'm reading my way through "Don Quixote" and "Gravity's Rainbow" still. Two big books on the go is exhausting and exciting at once."


I have trouble reading two big boppers at the same time. I find I gravitate more toward one than the other, then keep reading that, orphaning the other.

Sandra wrote: "I loved The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle! I haven’t read Chekhov for ages, but I loved my Russian Literature class in college. Dostoevsky was my favorite though."


Maybe I'll try Wind-Up Bird some day, though I've had bad luck liking that author.

I started reading Ishiguro's " Clara and the Sun", mainly out of curiosity. I've been semi-lost the whole way so far. I feel like I need a degree in Engineering or Robotics to get what's happening, but other than that, it's semi-good.

Ken wrote: "Darrin wrote: "I am reading several good books right now including Haruki Murakami's The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle which I don't seem to be able to put down once I pick it up. It is an odd but compell..."
I say it with pride in that post because it was one of the few times in college that I got an A...I was definitely not on the A team.

Sandra wrote: "I loved The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle! I haven’t read Chekhov for ages, but I loved my Russian Literature class in college. Dostoevsky was my favorite though."
I would not have thought I would like The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle as well as I do. I lean toward Korean authors and Korean fiction in translation just because I lived there and am more familiar with the culture.

I read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment and liked it well enough that I chose Rodion as my Russian name for my Russian Language classes. Overall though Chekhov wound up being my favorite.