Book Nook Cafe discussion

Michele wrote: "I agree, Lindsey. I had difficulty caring about this book at all. And the oremise was very similar to a short story by George Saunders so it didnt even seem original."

Oh, interesting! I haven't read the short story, but nothing about this book seemed particularly ground-breaking or new. I kept waiting for the twist or unveiling of something new/exciting that never came.

Alias Reader wrote: "I took a pass as I don't like magical realism."

I tend to agree. I read Lonely Castle in the Mirror which is magical realism and loved it, so I thought maybe I was starting to get into it more... turns out that was more of an exception to the rule :)

madrano wrote: "He has been a hit or miss author for me. Lindsey & Michele, i appreciate your comments on this one because i wondered if i should give it a go, even though i liked the premise.

Congrats, Lindsey,..."

Thank you! Are there any you've read by Kazuo Ishiguro that you particularly liked or would recommend? I might try another, as it was at least a quick read.

Hey, Lindsey. I only read one other book by Ishiguro, which was When We Were Orphans. It's about two small boys who lived next door to one another in the British area of Singapore just before WWII broke out. His parents disappeared, his neighborhood friend left for Japan with his parents, and the boy himself was removed by people who knew his father. He had many unhappy adventures and ended up in the US. This is the story of how he finds out what happened to his family. It was pretty good, as I remember. I also have Never Let Me Go on my Kindle since 2021, though I have not yet read it!
Michele

Michele wrote: "Hey, Lindsey. I only read one other book by Ishiguro, which was When We Were Orphans. It's about two small boys who lived next door to one another in the British area of Singapore just before WWII ..."

Oh wow, very different than Klara & the Sun with its AI/magical realism theme, Thanks!

Lindsey wrote: "Thank you! Are there any you've read by Kazuo Ishiguro that you particularly liked or would recommend? I might try another, as it was at least a quick read..."

While i liked The Remains of the Day, i was unsure if some of that favorable impression was because i liked the film. I wasn't as fond of Never Let Me Go but liked the premise. The last i read was A Pale View of Hills, which was shorter than his usual works. While i was unclear about the ending, i liked following the main character's mind. That ending had me thinking about the novel for days after reading the book. It's about an older Japanese woman resettled in England after WWII.

madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Thank you! Are there any you've read by Kazuo Ishiguro that you particularly liked or would recommend? I might try another, as it was at least a quick read..."

While i liked [book:..."

Thanks for sharing! I think I'll try one of these and give the author another shot... they seem quite different from the one I read (& a bit more my style!)

Lindsey wrote: "madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Thank you! Are there any you've read by Kazuo Ishiguro that you particularly liked or would recommend? I might try another, as it was at least a quick read..."

Lindsey, I've recently read three books by Ishiguro, each one a different exploration of life, and nominally in different genres.

Never Let Me Go (2005) - I won't talk much about the plot of this book, as it reveals itself quite nicely and neatly. The setting isn't what it initially appears to be, and the characters aren't who you may first think they are.

An Artist of the Floating World (1986) In post-war Japan, a celebrated artist deals with his remaining family and the choices that were made before, during, and after the war. But this, like all of the Ishiguro that I've read,
is really so much more than what it is "about".

The Buried Giant (2015) In post-Arthurian Britain, an elderly couple embark on a journey to visit their son, but a strange mist covers the land, one that makes it difficult to remember where they are going -- and where they've been. This is my favorite of these three, but it also happens to be a book that many revile, for what seems to be a variety of reasons.

Each book is different, with a different voice, a different pace, and different devices, but for me they were each deeply moving and thoughtful. But as they used to say on the car commercials -- "your mileage may vary".

James wrote: "Each book is different, with a different voice, a different pace, and different devices, but for me they were each deeply moving and thoughtful. But as they used to say on the car commercials -- "your mileage may vary"..."

The variations of themes and tones are one of the highlights of reading some authors, imo. I like the mileage quote, as it's fitting.

Thank you for sharing those titles, James. I'd not heard of the third but it appeals to me.

James - thank you for the suggestions and detailed info on each! Although I didn't love Klara and the Sun, I did enjoy Kazuo Ishiguro's style of writing. I'll try one of these!

Just finished prompt #45: Booker Winner with


3 stars
I was surprised that I didn't enjoy this one more. I generally love biography-leaning novels, especially historical ones or those that pull at our heart-strings. This should have fit all of those, but it fell flat for me.
Curious if others have read it and loved it - maybe I missed some nuance?? It would be a good book club read for sure.

Lindsey wrote: "Just finished prompt #45: Booker Winner with


3 stars
I was surprised that I didn't enjoy this one more. I generally love biography-leaning novels, especially hist..."

I've seen people mention it a lot online, but I've not read it, Lindsey.

Lindsey wrote: "Just finished prompt #45: Booker Winner with
3 stars
I was surprised that I didn't enjoy this one more. I generally love biography-leaning novels, especially hist..."

Lindsey, I posted about that book back in June, I think -- my review was brief:
✔️45- A Booker winner
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (2020 Booker Prize)

I have tried to write a synopsis of this book and my reaction to it in several different ways, and none of them have quite hit it, so I am going to just leave it at this: superbly written but relentlessly grim. I remember feeling about the same way after reading Last Exit to BrooklynLast Exit to Brooklyn some years ago.

I remember trying to read Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr. and just couldn't get into it. I was young, so possibly i was missing much. Or maybe i wasn't prepared for grim. It was suggested by my mom, which surprises me now that i think about it.

Lindsey, if that was your feeling, i can understand. It's commendable that you stayed with it, hoping for more.

madrano wrote: "I remember trying to read Brooklyn by Hubert Selby Jr. and just couldn't get into it. I was young, so possibly i was missing much. Or maybe i wasn't prepared for grim. It was suggest..."

Yes, I think grim is a good descriptor for this one. I have read a few truly sad books this year, but they were beautiful and emotional (& grim). I just didn't get that combination of feelings with this one. Perhaps I've read a few too many this year and need some happier books in the lineup!

#66 - Involving Weather

A Children's Bible

Another 3-star for me. I somewhat enjoyed this one. It was a quick read, but also just a little bit slow/boring in parts, and I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending. Parts of the story (particularly the actions of the parents) just weren't believable. Some back-story (how the world got here, for one) might make it more believable.

Or maybe dystopian novels just aren't my thing... anyone have suggestions for ones you've enjoyed?

I loved 1984 and some Isaac Asimov books in high school, but I haven't loved any of the newer dystopian books I've read in the last year or two.

James wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "Just finished prompt #45: Booker Winner with
3 stars
I was surprised that I didn't enjoy this one more. I generally love biography-leaning novels, ..."

James, that's a perfect way to describe this book. My feelings exactly.

Lindsey wrote: "beautiful and emotional (& grim). I just didn't get that combination of feelings with this one. Perhaps I've read a few too many this year and need some happier books in the lineup!..."

This is quite possible, i presume. The dark factor in what you've described could be wearing away at your reading well being, despite the rewarding aspects of most of them. In ways that makes sense. As i recall, i've had a similar feeling about sad parts of world history myself. WWII concentration camp literature, fiction & non, overwhelmed me a few years ago. Now i find, without intending to do so, that i limit myself to one or two a year.

Good luck in upbeat book searches! But don't go too far. ;-)

Lindsey wrote: "Or maybe dystopian novels just aren't my thing... anyone have suggestions for ones you've enjoyed?..."

"Enjoyed" is such an iffy word when it comes to dystopian. One thing i like about them is the realization characters have that what they experience may last their lifetimes. I also like reading how they overcome some of those difficulties. In the past when i've shared dystopian titles, few agree the book was worth the time spent, so i'm hesitant. But not so hesitant i won't share!

Moon of the Crusted Snow--Waubgeshig Rice, set in an Anishinaabe community in the north. Due to their isolation, there is a slow understanding of what's happening. I liked it, leading me to a similar theme,

When the English Fall--David Williams but set in a Pennsylvania Amish community. I liked the first more but both satisfied and the above-mentioned desires.

The Unfamiliar Garden--Benjamin Percy was a different sort of dystopian because it is also a murder mystery.

The Drift--C.J. Tudor was good for me, possibly because it included frigid temps, which always delight me.

Those are the last four i've read. I have some YA favorites but will spare you those. Finally, i will mention a novel i truly enjoyed but absolutely hated when "they" filmed it, Station Eleven--Emily St. John Mandel.

Just finished two more:

Prompt #25 Retelling of a Fairy Tale
I gave this one 3 stars, but was a bit torn - I would have given 5 simply for the story. But 1-2 stars for the writing.
The story itself was thought-provoking and kept me on my toes, constantly wanting to know what was coming next.
But it was written in such a dramatic tone that I found myself rolling my eyes every few pages. I almost quit after a few chapters, but by then the story had hooked me.
The paragraphs in Wendy's head were distracting and silly, not needed IMO, but the story itself was great.




Prompts #70 (business) & #101 (NF about an Artist):
Another 3-star for me. As an artist, I got a lot of great information and advice from this book. Oddly enough, this was another where the writing style just wasn't for me.
The author had some great advice to give, but some of her opinions gave less credibility to what she was saying. She mentioned multiple times that artists shouldn't be "giving money and time to the Zuckerverse" while also telling stories of her clients who have had huge success selling art via Instagram and FB. Just one example of many that made me sift through some of her opinions to find the gems among them. Which there were - this book could likely help any type of artist looking to make money or become more successful.



24 prompts left!
I have two books lined up which will fill 5 prompts (!!) so gradually getting there. Although I definitely won't get all 100, I think I'll come closer than I did on last year's 100-Prompt Challenge, so there's that :)

Very well done, Lindsey !

I'm sorry to hear the writing wasn't that great. At least the subject matter was good. I wonder if an editor could have helped more on the writing.

Neat selections, Lindsey. Thanks for sharing what you liked & found disappointing, as well.

In the last 5 years i've had people ask me about how folks could make money with their art via the Internet. Now i know what to share--the book title. (They ask me because we have a friend who has been able to make a small living selling his art online, as well as lessons. Would i turn to him? Nope, but plenty do.)

Finally got my first ever Agatha Christie book read! Thanks to a free copy available on my new Nook.


I don't generally read mystery novels, but really enjoyed it, especially the pace and characters.
I completely fell for her "trap" and thought I'd solved the mystery halfway through - ha!
I enjoyed her writing and will read another.
Thanks to the 100 book prompt (& whoever chose this specific prompt) - otherwise I might never have actually picked up an Agatha Christie book :)

15 more to reach 100 - Highly unlikely to get them all, but currently reading a book that will fit 2 prompts.

Well done, Lindsey !

The reading challenge also led me to many books I otherwise would never have tried.

Terrific, Lindsey!

It's neat when we really appreciate the "stretch" we take to complete a prompt.

You've fulfilled so many of your prompts. Congratulations. And continued success. We still have more than half the month, laughs the woman who is now on week 5 of not completing a single book. 😣

madrano wrote: "Terrific, Lindsey!

It's neat when we really appreciate the "stretch" we take to complete a prompt.

You've fulfilled so many of your prompts. Congratulations. And continued success. We still hav..."

yes! Wonderful way of putting that. I've been pleasantly surprised by some (& others have reinforced why I don't read certain genres, win win I think)

I'm feeling that end of year slog too... My recent books have all been shorter so I can feel some accomplishment near the end ;)

Alias Reader wrote: "Well done, Lindsey !

The reading challenge also led me to many books I otherwise would never have tried."

Thank you! I love that aspect of this challenge.

Good job, Lindsey. I didn't read a book for every prompt, either. Let's see what 2024 brings.

Lindsey wrote: "I've been pleasantly surprised by some (& others have reinforced why I don't read certain genres, win win I think)e..."

True! It's been two years in a row that i've read a book from the "Romance" genre. My temperament and i have found that my dislike for the genre runs deep. Possibly it's the predictability of them but, then, why am i okay with reading cozy mysteries? I'm still not sure why i don't care for some genres but i think i've reached the end of trying for this one.

madrano wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "I've been pleasantly surprised by some (& others have reinforced why I don't read certain genres, win win I think)e..."

True! It's been two years in a row that i've read a book from the "Romance" genre. My temperament and i have found that my dislike for the genre runs deep. Possibly it's the predictability of them but, then, why am i okay with reading cozy mysteries? I'm still not sure why i don't care for some genres but i think i've reached the end of trying for this one.
"

I find the category of Romance can encompass a lot. It need not be a a typical Hallmark or boddice ripper. I think of the category as love. Which of course can take place under a number of circumstance and in a variety of ways.

In fact, Amazon lists these sub categories under Romance.
Romance
Action & Adventure
Adaptations
Alpha Male
Amish
Billionaires
Billionaires & Millionaires
Black & African American
Clean & Wholesome
Collections & Anthologies
Contemporary
Enemies to Lovers
Erotica
Fantasy
Gothic
Historical
Holidays
Inspirational
Later in Life
LGBTQ+ Romance
Love Triangle
Mafia Romance
Multicultural & Interracial
New Adult & College
Paranormal
Polyamory
Rockstar Romance
Romance in Uniform
Romantic Comedy
Romantic Suspense
Science Fiction
Small Town Romance
Sports
Time Travel
Vampires
Werewolves & Shifters
Western & Frontier
Workplace Romance
Writing

It's why when I am making the categories this year for the challenge I am going to keep most prompts vague and not so specific. The point of the challenge is to widen our reading horizons, not to torture us ! LOL

Which of course reminds me I do need to get the 100 challenge, year end best and worst lists thread and the Determination List thing going. I'll try to work on all that this week.

That’s quite the list!

I definitely don’t mind the infusion of love and love stories into novels. I think it’s the overly dramatized love (or maybe it’s the dramatic writing style?), or perhaps when that’s all a book is about, that I don’t enjoy so much.

Alias Reader wrote: " The point of the challenge is to widen our reading horizons, not to torture us ! LOL..."

LOL!

I had no inkling there were that many Romance categories. Billionaires genre?! AND Billionaires & Millionaires!

If you are going to fantasize, i suppose going big is the best route.

Thanks for the eye-opener, Alias. Btw, this year my romance was The Rodeo Queen--Marcella Bell, which is part of a larger series. I suppose these fall under the Western & Frontier category. I might have divided them under "Old West" and "Modern West". But where to put Cap Iversen series, set in the Old West, with main character Dakota Taylor? I enjoyed the series, which begins with Arson!.

Lindsey wrote: "That’s quite the list!

I definitely don’t mind the infusion of love and love stories into novels. I think it’s the overly dramatized love (or maybe it’s the dramatic writing style?), or perhaps wh..."

Totally agree with you. When that is the whole point of the story, I'm out of there.

madrano wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: " The point of the challenge is to widen our reading horizons, not to torture us ! LOL..."

LOL!

I had no inkling there were that many Romance categories. Billionaires genre?! ..."

I had no idea there were so many sub categories either ! It's good to keep in mind when one is searching for a book to fit a prompt.

I usually don't care for Sci-fi. So I'll have to check out Amazon's sub categories.

Good point about checking those sub categories for un-cared-for genres in future challenges.

Lindsey, I'm enjoying looking over your master list of books for 2023.

You had a very good 2023 reading year.

Alias Reader wrote: "Lindsey, I'm enjoying looking over your master list of books for 2023.

You had a very good 2023 reading year."

Thanks Alias! I'm loving everyone's year-end wrap-ups. I need to go through your finished list as well - we seem to have a lot of overlap in favorite books/genres.

Lindsey wrote: "Awe seem to have a lot of overlap in favorite books/genres.

Yes, I noticed that, Lindsey ! While I was reading your list, I was saying to myself, Oh I read that book, do I need to fill that prompt? LOL

Neat for both of you!

Considering a few different options for my 1 additional prompt. For now, I’m leaning towards “Book written by an Indie author”.

Sounds good. We can add your prompt any time. No rush.

Lindsey wrote: "Considering a few different options for my 1 additional prompt. For now, I’m leaning towards “Book written by an Indie author”."

Color me dense. What is an Indie author? I'm guessing one who self-publishes but am not certain.

According to Google

An indie author is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry books who self-publishes their own work and retains and controls their own publishing rights.

I would probably add on to that prompt,-- or indie press. To broaden the category.

---A small press is a publisher with annual sales below a certain level or below a certain number of titles published. The terms "indie publisher" and "independent press" and others are sometimes used interchangeably. Wikipedia

Alias Reader wrote: "According to Google

An indie author is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry books who self-publishes their own work and retains and controls their own publishing rights.

I would probably ad..."

Good idea to add Indie Press to the prompt. I hadn't realized they weren't technically one in the same.

Thank you, Alias, for the definition. I'm with Lindsey, adding that to the prompt is good. New question--are University Presses considered Indie Press? I like finding "small" history books from Uni Presses. By "small", i mean a history exploring a mostly unknown, in-state historic event. They are slices of concerns from non-politicians which impact communities. Love those.

Prompts #75 Book you started but didn't finish & #94: Legal Profession



I already wrote my thoughts in the December Book thread, but basically - everyone should read this one. So so good. I'm in awe of Brittany K. Barnett.

Congratulations on the legal prompt, Lindsey ! The book fit perfectly. Glad it was a winner. It sounds very informative.

Deb, I'm going to answer your question in the Q& A for 2024 challenge thread.

Terrific news, Lindsey, about the prompt. I appreciate you sharing about that. The last two years i've used fiction for the legal prompt and have been disappointed. Maybe Real Life will work better this year.

Years ago legal thrillers were my jam. I haven't read one in ages.

Alias Reader wrote: "Deb, I'm going to answer your question in the Q& A for 2024 challenge thread."

Thanks, Alias. That's a much more appropriate place to reply.