Book Nook Cafe discussion

Samanta wrote: "50- book written by a BIPOC author or character is BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color )) F/NF

by Toni Morrison--
From your comments on the book, "Through out the story we never find out which one of the girls is black and which one is white. Toni Morrison leaves confusing clues all over the story, preventing us from coming to a conclusion.

This edition features an introduction by Zadie Smith, which give a good perspective of the story, but it's longer than the actual story, so my rating is a B."..."

Samanta, i am catching up with the book boards, so apologize for my late reply & questions. You've had a great reading month, i must add.

Question #1. Did you mind that you never learned which girl was which race? I suppose it was part of Morrison's intent to let the reader consider the question, which is neat.

Question #2. Actually, this is more a comment. This bothers me. It's as though the commentator feels the story won't stand on its own merits. I've read a couple of stories/books like that & end up quite frustrated, even when the offering is from a well-liked author, such as Smith.

I'm glad you shared about this.

Samanta wrote: "25- A book published before you were born

P.S. Medieval writing is sooo dramatic...."

TRUE! I like your assessment of the story, Samanta. Thanks for sharing with us.

madrano wrote: "Samanta wrote: "15- philosophy, ethics, morality

by

This sounds interesting, Samanta. I'm not one to read philosophy but this coupling with a Greek Island appeals. I see Klein also wrote a mystery series, featuring Elvis Presley! Kill Me Tender Who knew!?

I haven't seen that. Thanks for the info.

This is my first Klein book, but I like his writing style and I would definitely read him again if I got the chance.

madrano wrote: "Samanta wrote: "25- A book published before you were born

P.S. Medieval writing is sooo dramatic...."

TRUE! I like your assessment of the story, Samanta. Thanks for sharing with us."

Hahahaha...I immediately realised I was being a bit dramatic, too, but, you know, "When in Rome..." :D :D

LOL!

4- History

by Jorge Ángel Livraga Rizzi
Date: 30. 9. 2024.
Rating: C
Genre: History, Ancient Egypt
Review: A short and concise review of Ancient Egyptian royal dynasties, and its history, culture and beliefs. They only difference between this book and other of the same or similar topic is that that author shares some if his "unorthodox" opinions, life the idea that once upon a time Egypt belonged to the mythical Atlantis. I'm not sure if I should take him seriously, but it was interesting to read his take on the history, beliefs and customs of Ancient Egypt.

How interesting, Samanta, connecting ancient Egypt to Atlantis. I hope he at least got his history on Egypt correct.

This is a good selection for a history prompt, imo. It would keep your interest, if only to "debate" his "facts", so to speak.

Congratulations on fulfilling this prompt.

Thank you, madrano.

I am a huge fan of Assassins Creed game franchise, and the whole back story revolves around the existence of a higher race that created human beings. Human race perceived them as gods throughout history, but they were actually just a superior race. Reading this book felt a bit like following the back story of the game. I am definitely not sure what to think.

Samanta wrote: "4- History

by Jorge Ángel Livraga Rizzi
Date: 30. 9. 2024.
Rating: C
Genre: History, Ancient Egypt
Review: ..."

At least it was short and concise. Sorry it was only a "C" for you.

Samanta wrote: "Thank you, madrano.

I am a huge fan of Assassins Creed game franchise, and the whole back story revolves around the existence of a higher race that created human beings. Human race perceived them..."

I am unfamiliar with the game but have heard of it, i think. What a fascinating premise! Thanks for the further explanation, Samanta.

14-travel F/NF

by Jon Krakauer
Date: 7. 10. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Travel, Biography, Memoir
Review: Into the Wild is a recounting of the life and death of Chris McCandless, a young man who was found dead in an abandoned bus on the Stampede Trail in Alaska in 1992.
McCandless came from a family of good standing and money. His mother and father were two hard-working people who built their business from scratch, so McCandless was able to get the highest posssible education. But he was always restless, and while he was still in high school he developed a strong aversion towards social systems in which the rich rule the world, and there is so much poverty. As soon as he could, he bought a used car and started doing road trips all over the US. It all got worse when he found out that at some point in his early childhood, his father lived a double life with his mother and his ex-wife, and this made him shut his family down completely and disappear without a trace. He went back to basics, and decided to hitchhike and live of what he could get along the way.
His biggest dream was to go to Alaska, but his stubborn nature did not let him be well prepared, despite all the advice he received from the people he had met along the way, which ultimately cost him his life.

Jon Krakauer is the journalist who wrote the initial article about McCandless when his body was first found, and eventually he decided to write a book about McCandless' life to try to figure out what led him to make the ultimately lethal decisions. He also gave a bit of a background to McCandless' life, his own experiences as a mountaineer, as well as the stories of some other men who ended up more or less the same as McCandless.

This was a hard book to read, at first. I did not agree with McCandless' reasoning. I though him to be hotheaded and unforgiving, but then I realised he was a young man in his 20s, and I might have been as hotheaded in that age as he was. He also had a very difficult character, despite being a good person, and I have three people that I love dearly, with more or less the same character, so I can relate a bit. :D :D

8- LGBTQ+ character F/NF

by James Baldwin
Date: 13. 10. 2024.
Rating: C
Genre: Classic American Literature, LGBTQ+
Review: Giovanni's Room is a story of a hidden love affair between David, an American temporarily living in Paris, and Giovanni, his Italian counterpart.

David realised early on that he was attracted to other men, but has since been struggling with coming to terms with his sexual orientation. He flees the homophobic society of the States and settles in Paris, a go-to place to feel free. Not being able to accept the truth, he starts a relationship with a young American girl, Hella, who is an art student in Paris. In order to determine if their relationship has a future, Hella travels to Spain, and leaves David in Paris. While there alone, he spends his days enjoying Paris nightlife, and spending his inheritance or other people's money. On one such night, he meets Giovanni, a young Italian bartender. They start a love affair that will turn David's life upside-down and demolish his carefully constructed pretend life.

Although the topic is very interesting and Baldwin's prose is beautiful, for the better part of the story I struggled with the characters. I just couldn't connect with any of the them, or find sympathy for them. I do not, nor have I ever, even as a younger person, liked the bonvivant life style, so I found all of the characters superficial and unlikable. As the story was coming to its conclusion, when decisions had to finally be made, I was more engrossed in it. I did eventually connect with Hella, as she realised that she was so close to marrying a man that would never truly love her, and as she decided to be strong and find a better future for herself.

42- audio book

by Zrinka Posavec
Date: 13. 10. 2024.
Rating: B+
Genre: Poetry, Audio Book
Review: This is a collection of poetry by different Croatian and regional poetesses about women's rights, femicide, violence, etc. The reading of each poem is done with a piece of music in the background that sets the mood of the topic.

There are in total 27 poems, short and long, of which one is an epitaph to a "real" victim, a young 18 year-old Kristina, who was stabbed 70 times by her jealous ex-boyfriend who could not get over the fact that she had left him and had started another relationship. She was also pregnant at the time. He was sentenced to 25 years. This happened in 2017., and without knowing anything, in 2021. I worked for his father for a short while.

One of my favourite poems is "Ne čitaš žene" ("You don't read women") by Olja Savičević-Ivančević.

NE ČITAŠ ŽENE

Kažeš ne čitaš žene
Što bi ti one mogle reći
Naučile su te govoriti
Naučile su te hodati
Naučile su te jesti
Naučile su te pišati
Naučile su te voditi ljubav
Uistinu što bi one
Mogle znati o tebi
I tvome iskustvu
Sva ta stoljeća nisu iznjedrila
Jednu koja bi bila velika
Kao veliki pisac
Kojemu je prala čarape
Kažeš ne čitaš žene
Žene su te učile čitati
Učile pisati
Učile živjeti
Uistinu, dječače
Bio je to
U najboljem slučaju
Uzaludan posao

TRANSLATION INTO ENGLISH:

YOU DON'T READ WOMEN

You say you don't read women
For what could they say to you
They taught you how to talk
They taught you how to walk
They taught you how to eat
They taught you how to piss
They taught you how to make love
What could they, really,
Know about you
And your experience
In all the centuries there hasn't been
One that could be as grand
As an important writer
To whom she washed socks
You say you don't read women
Women taught you how to read
Taught you how to write
Taught you how to live
Indeed, dear boy
It was
At best
A futile job

Translated by: Samanta Bićanić

Samanta wrote: "14-travel F/NF

by Jon Krakauer
Date: 7. 10. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Travel, Biography, Memoir
Review: Into the Wild is a..."

Thank you for sharing your review, as well as your familiarity with that sort of person. I have not read the book but have read enough about it to realize it would depress me. Still, Krakauer is a good writer.

Congratulations on completing so many prompts with one book, too! I love seeing that.

Samanta wrote: "14-travel F/NF

by Jon Krakauer
Date: 7. 10. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Travel, Biography, Memoir
Review: Into the Wild is a..."

I enjoyed reading Into the Wild. Though it's quite sad. If I recall correctly he wasn't that far from civilization but he didn't realize it. I just checked online and it was less then 20 miles. Google also notes, "Distance from help: If McCandless had started a fire next to his bus, firefighters could have reached him from the north side of Denali National Park and Preserve".

It was also a movie. Here is the trailer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZG1F...

There were also documentaries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIUxM...

madrano wrote: "Samanta wrote: "14-travel F/NF

by Jon Krakauer
Date: 7. 10. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Travel, Biography, Memoir
Review: In..."

Ha! it's because I hadn't realised until recently that I can fill 3 prompts with one book. I decided to stick with one prompt-one book.

Alias Reader wrote: "Samanta wrote: "14-travel F/NF

by Jon Krakauer
Date: 7. 10. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Travel, Biography, Memoir
Review: In..."

Thank you! I'll check them out.

Samanta wrote:

it's because I hadn't realised until recently that I can fill 3 prompts with one book. I decided to stick with one prompt-one book..."

Everyone can do the challenge however it suits them.

I did one book per prompt. I have just one more prompt to finish. The book I am thinking of using for that prompt has a library wait. So I'll see how long it takes. If I don't get it by the end of the month I'll look for another book to fit the prompt.

Alias Reader wrote: "Samanta wrote:

it's because I hadn't realised until recently that I can fill 3 prompts with one book. I decided to stick with one prompt-one book..."

Everyone can do the challenge however it suit..."

I might not be able to do the whole challenge, but even i I do half of it, I'm ok. It is still a lot of diverse books.

Exactly, Samanta. That is the whole goal. To help increase the range of genre we read.

Samanta wrote: "I might not be able to do the whole challenge, but even i I do half of it, I'm ok. It is still a lot of diverse books...."

This is my feeling exactly, Samanta. What a variety on offer!

24- A play

by Henrik Ibsen
Date: 15. 10. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Classical Play
Review: Hedda Gabler is a story of Hedda Tesman, a wealthy general's daughter, who grew up in high society and who is used to getting everything she wants. She is a very passionate, self-absorbed and selfish woman. On a whim, she marries George Tesman, a young and aspiring scholar, whom she does not love, and who, as she puts it, "bores her to death".
In the play, Hedda and Gorge have just come back from their 6-months long honeymoon, and they are trying to establish a home for themselves, when, all of a sudden, George's academic rival and sort-of friend, Eilert Løvborg, who also happens to be Hedda's former lover, reappears in their lives, and creates havoc that will bring about a tragic ending.

I've had an issue with the characters in this story, too. I could not stand how superficial and selfish Hedda was, and George, although obviously a good-natured person, is so absorbed in his work, he doesn't realise he entered into a loveless marriage. The side characters were also either, too good and gullible for their own good, or wolfs in sheep's disguise.

Samanta wrote: "24- A play

by Henrik Ibsen
Date: 15. 10. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Classical Play
Review: Hedda Gabler is a story o..."

I saw this play on Broadway. I think since a play is written to be performed it does make a difference. I enjoyed it.

Gosh I see I saw this at the Roundabout 13 years ago ! Yikes the years do fly by.

Opening Night: Hedda Gabler
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6xq7...

Samanta wrote: "24- A play

by Henrik Ibsen
Date: 15. 10. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Classical Play
Review: Hedda Gabler is a story o..."

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Samanta. I agree about the character of Gabler. Her husband was probably typical of those times, but tragically so in this case.

Alias, time flies! I'd love to see this in person, as opposed to on tv, which is how i've seen it.

Yes, I know how you feel. I have those kind of events, too. :D

23- Award winning book or nominated for award

Prorok Prorokov vrt by Kahlil Gibran
Date: 14. 11. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Poetry and essays collection
Review: This collection translated into Serbo-Croatian language (1987 edition), consists of the stories The Prophet and The Garden of the Prophet, as well as a selection of Gibran's poetry. I have already read Gibran in high school so I was familiar with his writing style and topics. I really enjoyed the whole collection. His words and messages are so beautiful. I gave it four stars because of this particular edition. The language of the translation is outdated, and the phrasing is all over the place. Instead of enjoying the stories, I kept proofreading and revising the translated text. I have already looked up the original text to see how Gibran actually wrote it.

The Prophet won the 2023 Retroactive Book Award which is "the Associates of the Boston Public Library Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award, an annual event which highlights the best book published a century ago."

You can read the whole article here: https://bunewsservice.com/boston-hund...

Samanta wrote:
"The Prophet won the 2023 Retroactive Book Award which is "the Associates of the Boston Public Library Hundred-Year Retroactive Book Award, an annual event which highlights the best book published a century ago."
."

That's such a great idea and cool award !

I know! I've never heard of it before. :)

Samanta wrote: "23- Award winning book or nominated for award

Prorok Prorokov vrt by Kahlil Gibran
Date: 14. 11. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Poetry and essays collection
Review: This co..."

Like you, i've never heard of this award. Thank you for sharing the link about the selection. What an interesting article and idea. The discussion shared was brilliant, imo. Honoring a long gone author & book is outstanding!

I agreed with both the person who mentioned Bambi: A Life in the Woods--Felix Salten and Agatha Christie's The Murder on the Links. I've read Bambi & its brutal images surprised me...Disney has a lot to atone for with their production. While i haven't read the specific Christie book, the woman who advocated for her made a good point about mystery authors not being as "revered" as other genre writers.

Congratulations on a neat choice for this prompt, Samanta. I read The Prophet years ago and have been impressed by how often its quoted since that time.

madrano wrote: "Samanta wrote: "23- Award winning book or nominated for award

Prorok Prorokov vrt by Kahlil Gibran
Date: 14. 11. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Poetry and essays collection..."

I can't remember if I ever read Bambi. I wasn't that keen on reading until I was a bit older. I also haven't read any of Christie's books, simply because I never got around to read them. I did watch a lot of episodes of Poirot, though, and I do agree that she has an impact today. She is still one of the most famous mystery writers in the world.

I love Gibran's writing. Every page is pure wisdom. I can't understand how he got to be so wise.

I admit that i didn't read Bambi until i was donated our old books to the Friends of the Library in Maryland. This means, i read it when i was in my 50s! And was moved by it.

One does wonder how he became so wise. The wording of the wisdom that he shares are often exquisite. This imagery stayed with me ever since i read it in my 20s, before we had children.. "You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth."

11- Political, social science or governments F/NF

by Ernesto Sabato
Date: 29. 11. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: Memoirs
Review: Ernesto Sabato is a renown Argentinian novelist and essayist. Just as the title suggests (translation: Before the end), this book is a sort of a farewell to his readers, supporters and admirers, especially younger people who how to live in the terrible world the older generations created.
Ernesto was born in a family of immigrants. His mother was of Albanian and his father of Italian descent. Although, life wasn't easy, they manage to get him an education. He finished his studies in physics, and worked for some time as a teacher. He was also very politically outspoken as a staunch anti-Peronist, which cost him his teaching position. He didn't really lament that as deep down he always wanted to write, but it made his life harder because his family had to endure many hardships due to lack of money. During his eventful life her met many famous politicians, scientists, writers and artists, and wrote many novels and essays about the political regimes, human rights and society we live in. He also took part in the massive and terrible project of discovering all the "desaparecidos" during Peron's regime, on of the darkest times in Argentinian history.

This book is a mix of his memories and reflections on the society, politics and human rights, or lack of thereof. Generally speaking, his point of view was very pessimistic, although I cannot say that I disagree with what he had to say.

Samanta wrote: "11- Political, social science or governments F/NF
Review: Ernesto Sabato is a renown Argentinian novelist and essayist. Just as the title suggests (translation: Before the end), this book is a sort of a farewell to his readers, supporters and admirers, especially younger people who how to live in the terrible world the older generations created.
"

Well done on another prompt !

Things do seem like quite a mess. :(

I don't see a English translation of the book you read. Maybe it will be out soon.

Though I do see The Tunnel (Penguin Classics). Have you read that one ? If so, what did you think of it? Thanks.

The Tunnel--Ernesto Sabato

An unforgettable psychological novel of obsessive love, The Tunnel was championed by Albert Camus, Thomas Mann, and Graham Greene upon its publication in 1948 and went on to become an international bestseller. At its center is an artist named Juan Pablo Castel, who recounts from his prison cell his murder of a woman named María Iribarne. Obsessed from the moment he sees her examining one of his paintings, Castel fantasizes for months about how they might meet again. When he happens upon her one day, a relationship develops that convinces him of their mutual love. But Castel's growing paranoia leads him to destroy the one thing he truly cares about.

Samanta wrote: "11- Political, social science or governments F/NF

by Ernesto Sabato
Date: 29. 11. 2024.
Rating: B
Genre: M..."

Thank you for the introduction to Sabato, Samanta. It appears this book isn't in my library system, so i put a hold on The Tunnel instead. It sounds provocative.

His pessimism is probably appropriate, given what Argentina has experienced in the last 100 years. At least he may have the satisfaction of trying to fight against things.

Thank you for sharing about this man & his memoir.

Alias Reader wrote: "Samanta wrote: "11- Political, social science or governments F/NF
Review: Ernesto Sabato is a renown Argentinian novelist and essayist. Just as the title suggests (translation: Before the end), thi..."

I have read it as a part of a reading club in Spanish, but it was during the pandemic, I think, so I do not remember much. I'll have to see if I can find it and maybe read it again.

It seems there is no English translation, which is odd given his fame and translations into Croatian, Serbian, Albanian and Arabic, among other languages.

madrano wrote: "Samanta wrote: "11- Political, social science or governments F/NF

by Ernesto Sabato
Date: 29. 11. 2024.
Ra..."

If you're up for it (not an obligation), we can make it a buddy read next year.

If you are talking about The Tunnel, that sounds fun, Samanta! Our schedule is still up in the air so i'm not sure when. Do you have a preference of when next year?

madrano wrote: "If you are talking about The Tunnel, that sounds fun, Samanta! Our schedule is still up in the air so i'm not sure when. Do you have a preference of when next year?"

Yes, next year. No preference, except next year and not the first week in April, as I'll be travelling to Madrid. I still have to check the library for a copy.

Ok!

Madrid, what a large city. I hope you enjoy it there. For the only copy my library has, there is a waiting list. Once we decide, i'll place a hold.

madrano wrote: "Ok!

Madrid, what a large city. I hope you enjoy it there. For the only copy my library has, there is a waiting list. Once we decide, i'll place a hold."

When you decide on a date, I'll set up a thread for your discussion.

Thank you, Alias! :)

Thanks, Alias.

48- Book that takes place in or is about a country you don't live in. F/NF

JAPAN

by Hiro Arikawa
Date: 14. 12. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Fiction, Japanese, Animals
Review: It's been a while since a story made me cry. This one did it! And not just a few tears, but an ugly cry with pressure in my chest in the middle of the street while I was waiting for my group to arrive. I could barely contain myself.

It's a beautiful story of a relationship between a young man and his soulcat. I had my soulcat and I know the happiness and the pain. I guessed the most likely ending pretty soon into reading, but I kept on reading it because it was such a beautiful story and the ending was so heart-wrenching. I almost stopped a few pages before the ending. I'm glad I didn't, because the book reminded me of how much I love my cats, past and present.

Samanta wrote: "48- Book that takes place in or is about a country you don't live in. F/NF

JAPAN

by Hiro Arikawa

Thanks for sharing.

Ah, Samanta, what a good book experience you shared with us. When a book can convey emotions you well remember, an event has occurred. I appreciate that you shared this with us.

And congratulations on another completed prompt!

Thank you! :) :)

Samanta wrote: "48- Book that takes place in or is about a country you don't live in. F/NF

JAPAN

by [author:Hiro Arikawa|4823..."

Aw, such a sweet story, thanks for sharing this. I have it on my TBR and need to get around to it next year.

Lindsey wrote: "Samanta wrote: "48- Book that takes place in or is about a country you don't live in. F/NF

JAPAN

by [author:H..."

You might cry, but you won't regret reading it. :D

18- book that takes place during a holiday. Any holiday.

by J.R.R. Tolkien
Date: 19. 12. 2024.
Rating: A
Genre: Christmas, Letters, Fantasy
Review: Every year in, sometimes already in November, and definitely just before Christmas, a letter from Father Christmas and his helpers would arrive for the Tolkien children. The letters started coming in 1926 when the oldest, John, was 3 years old, and continued with Michael, Christopher, and eventually Priscilla. The last letter was sent in 1943 when Priscilla was slowly growing up. At first they were just sort of "thank you" notes for letters the children had sent, but eventually they became full-on stories of the adventures of Father Christmas, his right hand, the Polar Bear, as well as other helpers or mischief-makers. Almost always, there was a drawing that followed the story in the letter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the stories, the drawing and the images of the original letters, written with sort of flowing letters because Father Christmas has a shaky writing due to his age. :D Tolkien though of everything to make this a wonderful experience for his children, even during the times of the WWII. I loved his writing before, but this is really something special, and shows that he was not only a great writer and storyteller, but also a wonderful father. The Tolkien children were the lucky ones.