Book Nook Cafe discussion

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "I started The Pillars of the Earth, but I just never got around to reading it all."

I like the idea of this novel but have yet to attemp..."

I'm an outlier on Pillars. I found it very repetitive. Build a church have a war.... build a church have a war. At least that
is my recollection.

I did enjoy the authors other book, Night Over Water

Haha yep that about sums it up!

It’s funny, I have very little interest in the church building & time period, but something about the story telling & character development is so intriguing to me.

It's the architecture of a church which would call to me. Nice description, Alias.

#34: Non-Fiction & Fiction on the same subject, &
#71: Related to Science

I just finished This Is Your Mind on Plants, which I enjoyed, but not quite as much as I expected to. I haven't read Michael Pollan's other work yet, but I've listened to him on Podcasts. I love how he explains the science behind things in a way that anyone can understand. This book was super interesting, but dragged a bit in places.
I'd only recommend it to others who either love plants or want to learn more about the specific "drugs"/plants mentioned (opium/poppies, caffeine/coffee bean, mescaline/peyote).

I may still search for another that fits prompt #34 better, but for now it works (Demon Copperhead is about a boy whose life and world is torn apart due to the Opioid crisis, while Your Mind on Plants discusses the difference between the opium found in poppies and it's legality during the rise of chemical pharmaceuticals - which are featured in Demon Copperhead)

Lindsey wrote: "I may still search for another that fits prompt #34 better, but for now it works (Demon Copperhead is about a boy whose life and world is torn apart due to the Opioid crisis, while Your Mind on Plants discusses the difference between the opium found in poppies and it's legality during the rise of chemical pharmaceuticals - which are featured in Demon Copperhead)..."

Interesting pairing. Good job !

Lindsey wrote: "#34: Non-Fiction & Fiction on the same subject, &
#71: Related to Science

I just finished This Is Your Mind on Plants, which I enjoyed, but not quite as much as I expected to. I h..."

I like those two choices together, Lindsey. Two ends of the same plant, so to speak. I remember liking Pollan's The Botany of Desire: A Plant's-Eye View of the World quite a bit.

madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "#34: Non-Fiction & Fiction on the same subject, &
#71: Related to Science

I just finished This Is Your Mind on Plants, which I enjoyed, but not quite as much as I ..."

Thank you! I don't think I have that one on my TBR yet. I enjoyed Pollan's casual style of writing and ability to make complex science interesting.

Yes, that is a talent i appreciate quite a bit. Much as i like learning about the latest in science, i need a gifted science writer to engage me before my comprehension is enhanced. Otherwise i'm bored or cannot understand what was "explained".

I'm just wrapping up these two:
The Nesting Dolls and The Pearl That Broke Its Shell.

Both fit #38 - A book about or set in a country you don't live in. Nesting Dolls is set in Russia/Siberia for the first half of the book, while The Pearl that Broke its Shell is set in Afghanistan.

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell also fits #20 - Book with a character that lives with a disability (or impairment). There are two main characters with disabilities/impairments, and I was surprised & saddened at the way they're treated. Their immediate families have *some* compassion but are obviously annoyed with the "burden" of having to do extra work as a result. Strangers and their married-families are truly terrible to them. It's clearly ingrained into their culture (as is women having little-to-no importance, aside from birthing boy babies).

Overall, I enjoyed The Pearl That Broke Its Shell, but often felt it lacking (I've been told the author's newer novels are far better, so I'm interested to try another.

The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams fits prompt #100 - Romance, which I was completely unaware of before reading. I tried not to judge too harshly, but romance is absolutely not my thing. I wish it had leaned into the historical period more. It almost felt like the author was downplaying the atrocities and horrific situations the characters found themselves in and chose instead to focus on the lead woman choosing between two men instead.

Thanks for the impressive reports!

Ditto from me!

Good reviews !

Look at you go, Lindsey! Thank you for the reports. It's a pity that such a good title as "The Pearl that Broke its Shell" isn't as sterling a book as one would hope. We appreciate your comments.

madrano wrote: "Look at you go, Lindsey! Thank you for the reports. It's a pity that such a good title as "The Pearl that Broke its Shell" isn't as sterling a book as one would hope. We appreciate your comments."

I agree! I wonder if it's not as good as expected since my expectations were quite high... I've also read some similar stories recently that were amazing, by comparison, so that's likely weighing as well.

Thank you Everyone!

Lindsey wrote: "I agree! I wonder if it's not as good as expected since my expectations were quite high... I've also read some similar stories recently that were amazing, by comparison, so that's likely weighing as well..."

Both very good observations. Living up to expectations must be the bane of an author's existence. We read reviews and hear praise and are sure it's the book for us. Then, it's not. Next book, right?

#8 - Written in the Second Person and #50 - About a person you admire complete!
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters

3 stars
I enjoyed this book but had higher expectations. It wasn't really a memoir (which Gaines was clear about in the beginning), but it didn't have quite enough substance. It wasn't "self-help" either, although it had that feel. I thought it was a cute, honest retelling of a few of the moments that shaped Gaines' early years, but it left me wanting more of a true memoir (or just more of something). It got quite repetitive near the midway point unfortunately.

ETA: the second person part was the part that felt self-help-y. She toggled between writing in the first and second person, which I thought I'd find more annoying, but it was sort of endearing.

Lindsey wrote: "#8 - Written in the Second Person and #50 - About a person you admire complete!
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters

3 stars
I enjoyed this book but had higher ex..."

Sorry it didn't meet your expectations, Lindsey. I like that your review explains what you liked and didn't.

I, too, find many books a bit too repetitious. I wonder if publishers tell authors a book needs to be X number of pages. Often I find myself saying, this could have all been said succinctly in a pamphlet !

Lindsey wrote: "#8 - Written in the Second Person and #50 - About a person you admire complete!
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters...It wasn't really a memoir (which Gaines was clear about in the beginning), but it didn't have quite enough substance...."

I've altered the above passage abit for my own purposes. Your thought about not quite enough substance was how i felt after reading my 2nd person book, The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty--Vendela Vida.

I am wondering if this is some supposed benefit/point in writing in the 2nd person--a sense of not much to hold on to? I cannot say that i felt attached to events related, nor the narrator. Is this an approach? LOL--not even sure what my question is!

Alias Reader wrote: "I, too, find many books a bit too repetitious. I wonder if publishers tell authors a book needs to be X number of pages. Often I find myself saying, this could have all been said succinctly in a pamphlet..."

Well stated, Alias. I feel the same way. And in this case, given the popularity of Gaines, it may be she signed a contract and this was part of the "duty" fulfillment but without heart. The Goodreads reviews echo Lindsey's. They want to know Gaines better but this wasn't the way.

Of course i can't imagine this as a pamphlet, but i know exactly what you mean. Sometimes i feel that way about self-help books, but understand that other readers want it fleshed out more. Same with some essayists--why did you bother when you really had one or two main points? Write a pamphlet! No money in that, so readers are subjected to plenty of padding and not much attachment.

madrano wrote:No money in that, so readers are subjected to plenty of padding and not much attachment.."

Seems like all questions ultimately circle back to that answer. $$$
:(

No kidding. And here we sit. :-)

Alias Reader wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "#8 - Written in the Second Person and #50 - About a person you admire complete!
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters

3 stars
I enjoyed this book b..."

I almost feel like in Gaines' situation - it was just sort of an amateurish first memoir? It's hard to say. It seemed like she tried to open up and she definitely showed some heart. If anything, I feel like her editors didn't do enough to encourage her to add more substance, more stories. I could be wrong, but it came across as though this was a story she has been wanting to tell and finally did. Only... not fully.

madrano wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "I, too, find many books a bit too repetitious. I wonder if publishers tell authors a book needs to be X number of pages. Often I find myself saying, this could have all been sa..."

Yes - and what's weird is that in the very beginning, she says it's not a memoir, and it's not a self-help book. And it kind of isn't either one... because it's not really anything, in a way. She's encouraging others to take a look at their lives and recognize their own stories. To be present and find what's important or meaningful in their own lives (and shares what's impacted hers).

I just wish it had more direction, or that it had been a true memoir. I honestly didn't know much about her before reading this, so I learned a bit, but still felt like she left out about 90% of her "story."

madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "#8 - Written in the Second Person and #50 - About a person you admire complete!
The Stories We Tell: Every Piece of Your Story Matters...It wasn't really a memoir (w..."

That's such an interesting thought Deb... I haven't read many novels written in the second-person. I actually picked up The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty from the library, after seeing it on your list! I'm not far enough in yet to make any judgements. I'd assumed writing in the second person would make the reader feel more connected (as if they were the character almost?) - which is the opposite of what these books have left us with... hmm

If anyone wants a short, easy book to read written in the second person, I can recommend The Siege by Helen Dunmore. You can fly through that one, and the writing is beautiful.

Here is a list by Book Riot.

12 SECOND-PERSON BOOKS JUST FOR YOU
https://bookriot.com/books-written-in...

Here is a GoodReads list
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Here is a list from Reading Matters
8 great novels written in the second person
https://readingmattersblog.com/2019/0...

There are more lists if none of these appeal. Just google books written in second person. Good luck !

I chose Ghost Light by Joseph O'Connor some time ago.

Thank you for all the suggestions! :-)

You're welcome !

Lindsey wrote: "I could be wrong, but it came across as though this was a story she has been wanting to tell and finally did. Only... not fully..."

How interesting, Lindsey. Of course my mind wonders if she didn't like what she felt she needed to share, so didn't.

I definitely like the idea behind the book. We each do have stories and recognizing them is beneficial, both for ourselves & others. It's a pity that she has the attention of her readers/audience but fails to connect her intention.

OR maybe she's waiting to share it in a Big Autobiography!?

Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "If anyone wants a short, easy book to read written in the second person, I can recommend The Siege by Helen Dunmore. You can fly through that one, and the writing is be..."

Thank you for sharing that title, Kiki. I've added it to my TBR, as i am intrigued by this "second person" business. The GR review states this is Dunmore's masterpiece, would you agree? I've read nothing by her.

madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "I could be wrong, but it came across as though this was a story she has been wanting to tell and finally did. Only... not fully..."

How interesting, Lindsey. Of course my mind wond..."

I completely agree. I love her intention behind the book and did appreciate it for what it was. I hope she ends up writing a true memoir one day. I do think she has a wonderfully interesting and unique story to tell.

Alias Reader wrote: "Here is a list by Book Riot.

12 SECOND-PERSON BOOKS JUST FOR YOU
https://bookriot.com/books-written-in...

Here is a GoodReads list
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/......"

Thanks, Alias. I used the first two in selecting my choice. I read but had forgotten the 2nd person of If on a Winter's Night a Traveler--Italo Calvino. Possibly i was so in awe of the creative novel that i didn't realize it was in the 2nd.

The Goodreads list goes on & on, doesn't it? I had forgotten that Interior Chinatown--Charles Yu was 2nd person, too. However, it immediately came back to me when i saw it there. Likely, i recall this because i didn't read i all that long ago, unlike the Calvino, which has been at least a decade.

The third source i missed but, fortunately, i didn't see a title which called to me. It's evident novels are being written in the 2nd person, i'm just barely paying attention. Maybe after this year, i'll take note. :-)

madrano wrote: "The Goodreads list goes on & on, doesn't it?

I believe the GoodReads source is how Goodreads members choose to shelve their books read.

Personally, I just have 2 shelves. Books Read and Currently reading.

GR sources are good ones, imo. My first scan is of my TBR on paper, followed by the wish list at my library, then GR. It's just i had no idea there were so very many. Some repeat titles, which is annoying but i'm a strong person and can get over that. ;-)

My GR shelves are a mess. Every time i decide to cull it, i get waylaid by my self. Of course, it's books, ya know?!

madrano wrote: "Kiki (Formerly TheGirlByTheSeaOfCortez) wrote: "If anyone wants a short, easy book to read written in the second person, I can recommend The Siege by Helen Dunmore. You..."

Yes, I think it is her best, Madrano, but it's not a masterpiece like My Name Is Red or The Books of Jacob. It's much shorter and very straightforward, but the prose is so lovely. It is the fictional tale of one family during the siege of Leningrad.

Thanks for the reply, Kiki. When i first read an author, i like that book to be short. Call me shallow, but there i am.

madrano wrote: "Thanks for the reply, Kiki. When i first read an author, i like that book to be short. Call me shallow, but there i am."

It's not shallow at all, to feel that way, Madrano. The Siege is an easy read. I thought I wouldn't like it because it's written in the second person, but I enjoyed it, mostly for the beautiful prose, but the plot is fine, too.

Thanks, Kiki.

Just finished Lonely Castle in the Mirror which fits #16 (Translated into English), #24 (Speculative Fiction), and #52 (set in Asia).

I was pleasantly surprised and gave this one 5 stars. The story is set in Tokyo, Japan and follows the lives of 7 kids as they're invited into a castle - reachable only through the mirrors in their bedrooms. It's cute and charming and full of twists. It also touches on some heavier topics but does so lightly (& cleverly). Once I got to the last third of the book, I couldn't put it down.

Lindsey wrote: "Just finished Lonely Castle in the Mirror which fits #16 (Translated into English), #24 (Speculative Fiction), and #52 (set in Asia).

I was pleasantly surprised and gave this one ..."

A triple play. Nicely, done Lindsey.

Lindsey wrote: "Just finished Lonely Castle in the Mirror which fits #16 (Translated into English), #24 (Speculative Fiction), and #52 (set in Asia).

I was pleasantly surprised and gave this one ..."

Congrats on the three-fer. Neat sounding story, too, Lindsey. I've not heard of this one. Thanks for sharing about it.

Thank you both!

Somehow this recent book fits 4 categories (!) and has me thinking I could start limiting books to 2 categories. I do foresee it getting a bit more difficult to fill categories as the year progresses, so we'll see how it goes.

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi was outstanding. I gave it 4.5 stars, rounded to 5. It's a fresh and intriguing take on mental health and incorporates ancestry, spirituality, trauma, mental stability, community and more. Each chapter is written by one of the main character's Fractured Selves and we learn a bit more about her (& how her fracturing occurred) the deeper we get into her story.

This book fits #53: Set in Africa, #61: One word title, #73: LGBTQ+, and #81: Mental Health.

Lindsey wrote: "Somehow this recent book fits 4 categories (!) and has me thinking I could start limiting books to 2 categories. I do foresee it getting a bit more difficult to fill categories as the year progress..."

Wow, that's quite a number of prompts met with one book, Lindsey. What i've been doing is reading the books i selected early on with the self-understanding that later in the year i will probably read another which pleases me in fitting the category better than the original. Also, i've begun to realize that i have some other two-fer prompt fillers that i didn't credit on the list. Some were intentional but for some i didn't realize, for instance, that the book was a debut or was going to be set in another country.

I guess this is part of the fun, eh? I must admit that i like the "bookkeeping" aspect of the challenge this year. Last year, not so much.

Lindsey wrote: "Somehow this recent book fits 4 categories (!) and has me thinking I could start limiting books to 2 categories. I do foresee it getting a bit more difficult to fill categories as the year progress..."

Sounds good, Lindsey. Thank you for letting us know about it.

Lindsey wrote: "Somehow this recent book fits 4 categories (!) and has me thinking I could start limiting books to 2 categories. I do foresee it getting a bit more difficult to fill categories as the year progress..."

Nice !

I've been super busy and not keeping up with my list & the group much this month. I did finally finish my second book of the month:

Crying in H Mart - 5 stars
This fits prompt #56 Written by an Asian American

I avoided this book for a while (I generally avoid any book that *everyone* loves because I find I'm often the outlier), but this was an exception. I loved Michelle's voice - quirky, self-aware and endearing- and her approach towards addressing her love of and struggles with her mother, her identity, her loss and more. The infusion of food was done so well and had me searching for recipes and ingredients as I read.

If you enjoy memoirs, whether you know much about Michelle Zauner or not (I hadn't heard of her), you'll likely enjoy this one.

Great description, Lindsey. Thanks for taking the time
Michele

Lindsey wrote: "I've been super busy and not keeping up with my list & the group much this month. I did finally finish my second book of the month:

Crying in H Mart - 5 stars
This fits prompt #56 ..."

I have this on my list!