Books on the Nightstand discussion

Begin your August 2010 reading comments here!

As for me, I'm still working my way through Middlesex and truly enjoying it. I'm taking graphic novel breaks here are there and last night I finished The Walking Dead Vol. 1 and fear I am HOOKED on the series. Have ordered the HC omnibuses from a friend's comic shop and hope to get them on Friday!

When I'm driving, which I did a fair bit of today, I've been listening to Little Brother. It's great!

I am almost finished with Middlesex and have started listening to Carl Hyacinths newest called Star Island.

Almost done with 1984, and getting ready to start The Handmaid's Tale

Just started The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and loving it. As the youngest of three girls I can identify with Flavia's persecution by the others.

Halfway through The Passage. Wow...

A pair of historical epics: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet and The Count of Monte Cristo (1,276 pages unabridged). I'm really enjoying both of them.

I am currently bogged down in seven books!I need to finish a couple of them!

Eric wrote: "I am currently bogged down in seven books!I need to finish a couple of them!"

I am happy to hear that I'm not the only one!

Eric wrote: "I am currently bogged down in seven books!I need to finish a couple of them!"

Lightweight! :)

I am enjoying Grounded: A Down to Earth Journey Around the World by Seth Stevenson.

Just starting The Three Weissmanns of Westport by Cathleen Schine.

I was reading The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, but then The Lost City of Z came in at the library. I'm switching between the two.

Carla wrote: "I am almost finished with Middlesex and have started listening to Carl Hyacinths newest called Star Island."

I've never been able to finish Middlesex, but after the last podcast (or was it the one before?), I'm dying to read Star Island. How is it?

Ashley wrote: "I was reading The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, but then The Lost City of Z came in at the library. I'm switching between the two."

I loved The Windup Girl. Probably one of the best books I've read all year.

I've read Justin Cronin's Mary and O'neil and Tinkers by Paul Harding both excellent. Currently I am reading Cutting for Stone, just mesmeried by the story and so far my best read for 2010. I got very bored with South of Broad though I did finish it.

Eric wrote: "I am currently bogged down in seven books!I need to finish a couple of them!"

You're not the only one. I've got a few going as well. I just started The Handmaid's Tale as well as Animal Farm, The Iliad, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Am starting to feel a little overwhelmed, gonna have to set something aside but its hard to decide which one.

Just finished The Passage and started Major Pettigrew's Last Stand: A Novel, still reading The Covenant. The Passage was great. I had a hard time skipping ahead to see who was still around. I'm really liking Major Pettigrew. He's so loveable! The Covenant is amazing, epic, overwhelming . . . and taking me forever to read. I keep getting sidetracked as I learn new things about South Africa. I just finished the part about Shaka Zulu and spend two weeks researching him instead of continuing reading the book. It's been that way all the way through! Great Book!

I struggled with finishing Middlesex. Star Island is his usual quirky, cracked up story. All of his people do outrageous things. you never know what is coming next.

Ive just finished reading Carol Shields "The Box Garden" which I loved - I love her style of writing and Would highly recommend "Unless" which was her last book I believe, and "The Stone Diaries", both are amazing and the characters are so real! Ive also read her non fiction book on Jane Austen which was a real insight for me and very well written - Just started reading a bit of what I would call lighter more formulaic reading - Jodi PIcoult's "The Tenth Circle" - Theyre usually gripping reads which I speed through on my journeys to work - Im also reading "The Passage" but as its hard back and a huge tome of 800 odd pages I dont have the arm muscle capacity to lug it to work every day so Im reading that in the evenings - anyway - happy readings x

I just got back from vacation late Saturday night/early Sunday morning and I'm still a little muddled in the head (why is air travel so exhausting even though you're just sitting down for hours?) Most of these titles are actually July reads but here I am in August, so here goes:

The Game On! Diet (by Krista Vernoff and A Ferguson) - see my comments at: http://dogearedcopy.blogspot.com/2010...

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files Book #3 by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters) - Jim Butcher kicks off this novel with the introduction of a new character in the series, Michael Carpenter, a righteous man who helps Harry Dresden take on ghosts, vampires and a fairy godmother. Excellent narration spoilt by mispronunciations ("foci," "demesne," "impotence" and "wretched!")

Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet Book #3by Nora Roberts) - Part of a contemporary romance series, each book featuring one of four friends who runs a wedding planning and catering service in Connecticut. This title features the pastry chef. I must have a schizoid brain! I'm in Sherman's Bookstore in Boothbay, ME, I see this on the table and I think "DON'T GET THAT! It's lame. You know it's lame. You read the first two in the Bride Quartet and you hated them!" and yet, I bought it. And read it. Serves me right.

The Things They Carried (by Tim O'Brien) - The question that has surfaced recently in the blogosphere is "Is Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (by Karl Marlantes) the best book ever written about Vietnam?" To answer this, I guess I would have to read more books about Vietnam and I chose to start with this one. It's a blend of fiction and fact which recounts the author's experience in Vietnam. It's more a book about writing about VIetnam and; despite (or perhaps because of) the adamant protestations of the author that TTTC is not writing therapy to exorcise his grief, that's exactly what it comes across as. So far, Matterhorn = 1, Other Vietnam novels= 0.

Wide Sargasso Sea (by Jean Rhys) This is the acclaimed novel about the mad woman married to Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre (by Charlotte Bronte.) Fear not, this is not written in the (heavy) Gothic Romantic style of Jane Eyre; but nor does it have the weight of literary craft of the 19th century Classic. The West Indies locales are well described, but time, characters and mood are arguably less well defined.

Heaven's Prisoners (Dave Robicheaux series Book #2 by James Lee Burke) - This title is not available in unabridged audio so I bought the trade paperback edition at Longfellows in Portland, ME. As you would expect, lush descriptions of the New Orleans and Little Iberia landscapes. There is a tragic irony in that Dave Robicheaux mourns the passing of the Louisiana he knew growing up, while this book could also serve as a memorial to the LA we will never know.

Skinny Bitch (Deluxe Edition): A No-Nonsense, Tough-Love Guide for Savvy Girls Who Want to Stop Eating Crap and Start Looking Fabulous AND Skinny Bitch: In The Kitch (by Rory Freedman & Kim Barnouin; narrated by Renee Raudman) - see my comments at http://dogearedcopy.blogspot.com/2010...

Right now I'm listening to Paul Is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion (Alan Goldsher; narrated by Simon Vance) - The Beatles Forever. Literally. Because they're zombies. This is actually a fun and clever oral history of The Beatles and I'm eager to see what Alan Goldsher will come up with after this!

Goodreads' list-creation feature is inspiring me to go back to novels I originally enjoyed in the '70s and '80s. At the moment I'm rereading Robert B. Parker's Promised Land and Max Allan Collins' Nice Weekend for a Murder . At intervals I'm also dipping into an interesting nonfiction book about the sorts of possessions people have and hang on to, as well as an overly theoretical analysis of children's literature.

Is anyone aware of a site that lists the characters in a specific book? My dad is looking for a list of characters in New York. He was able to find a list for the book The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoeton Wikipedia, but has been unable to find a list for New York. Any ideas?

Joel wrote: "Ashley wrote: "I was reading The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, but then The Lost City of Z came in at the library. I'm switching between the two."

I loved The Win..."

I'm currently listening to The Windup Girl on audiobook. It's ok. However, I'm reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. It's an eye-opener.

I can't believe how convincing Nabokov has made Humbert Humbert. What goes on inside that man's head is incredible. I'm wondering whether Nabokov interviewed any paedophiles or psychiatrists to create such a character - or did he just focus on the nature of obsession?

Also, it's my first book on my new Kindle!

I'm reading "Atonement," and engaged in a long-term struggle with "From Here to Eternity."
Everyone's mentioning books that I would love to be reading, like "The Passage" and "The Windup Girl," but my stacks of to-reads are already out of control.

Finished The Passage last night.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

Hey Cronin. Stephen King much?

Seriously, you could read this book aloud at a party and make a drinking game of calling out all the Stephen King parallels. Super-virus leading to apocalypse? Check. Metaphysical struggle between good and evil? Check. Legion of vampires led by older vampire named Barlow? (Sorry, Babcock in this book). Check. 100 year old black woman who acts as a spirit guide? Check. (Well, actually, there are TWO such "Mother Abigails" in this book). Shadowy government program that lets an awful cat out of the bag? Check.

There's even a sequence near the end where the heroes hide out in an empty, snowed-in Colorado hotel. The description leaves no doubt that we're supposed to be reminded of the Overlook Hotel from "The Shining". That's an obvious homage to King, but after ripping off the entire chunks of his oeuvre, it doesn't seem too kind.

For a little vacation from Stephen King-isms, there's a detour into Richard Adams-land, as the heroes arrive at a community of overly happy folks that are being used as a human-breeding farm for the vamps. You know, like the similar scenario used in "Watership Down".

Cronin has written a restless novel. He never spends enough time in one locale or with one character to get the reader locked in. So much is thrown at the wall that nothing sticks. Characters are given extensive back-stories and then seemingly thrown way. It's a mess, to be honest. Maybe an editor with a strong hand could have made this book stronger.

I hope I find this review in a couple years and reread it before deciding to read the next book in the series.. I may want to save myself the trouble.

Since I have no computer at the present time, I am reading more, but it seems that I am going from book to book, trying to relieve the bordem a bit. I am really trying to read "the three weismans", but then I am trying to read "the book of neogroes" and then I go to a cheeky Christian novel that I signed out a month ago from my church, but then I really want to read "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and "The Passage", but I just borrowed the newest Jodi Picoult book. Argh.

Tanya wrote: "Right now I'm listening to Paul Is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion (Alan Goldsher; narrated by Simon Vance) - The Beatles Forever. Literally. Because they're zombies. This is actually a fun and clever oral history of The Beatles and I'm eager to see what Alan Goldsher will come up with after this! "

I finished up Paul Is Undead: The British Zombie Invasion (by Alan Goldsher; narrated by Simon Vance) which was funny and clever. It's a fake oral history of The Beatles as if they were zombies. The narrator in the story is a Chicago reporter who interviews all of the Beatles and a number of personalities involved in their career as the Fab Four. There are lots of quotable lines and I think I showed admirable restraint in not tweeting a ton of them! I'm not into The Beatles or zombies or mash-ups of any kind, but this was fun and I'm looking forward to the sequel "Poppermost Over America."

I'm now listening to Summer Knight (The Dresden Files book 4 by Jim Butcher; narrated by James Marsters.) The Dresden Files feature a wizard, Harry Dresden who works out of Chicago. In this book, a war ignited by a series of events in Grave Peril (book 3) is being waged between the Red Court of Vampires and the White Council of Wizards. Also, Harry's soul debt has been sold to Queen Mab (he might be able to work the debt off...) Wow, when I put it like that, it sounds absolutely SFF; but all much more human than that! The Dresden Files is an urban fantasy series that is absolutely addicting with James Marsters narrating.

I've also started The Bone Garden (by Tess Gerritson) - in print. It's a bestselling title and I expected banal writing; but I've been pleasantly surprised that it doesn't totally suck! That said, I'm only reading a couple chapters a day. The writing isn't compelling enough to have me whipping through the pages. TBG is primarily about a serial murder taking place in 1830's Boston; juxtaposed against the discovery of a skeleton found in the Boston area in 2005-ish. The descriptions of medical school at that time are vivid and somewhat grotesque by today's standards and I'm very interested in the historical storyline; the modern story not so much. Maura Isles makes a cameo apperance; but this is a stand-alone novel.

I'm reading Lord of the Flies for my book group (I somehow managed to never read it in high school along with everyone else.) I can't seem to get very far though until I finish Death of a Red Heroine which is a totally absorbing novel about a Shanghai police inspector/poet in 1990 (the year after Tiananmen) investigating the murder of a national model worker. I'm thinking it's more of a police procedural than a mystery but I am hooked on the location and unique characters and the role the Communist party, the (figurative) ghost of Mao and history play in the characters' lives.

Definitely have to read more about China now.

I just finished The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. What a wonderful book.

Reading The Passage this month, loving it so far. Hoping to read "The Stand" when I'm done. Pretty ambitious month if I do say so myself.

@ Eric - Amen, brother, amen. I couldn't figure out how to express how I felt about The Passage. Well, you hit the nail on that head!

Currently reading The Astronomer: A Novel of Suspense in print, which I got through the Goodreads giveaway program. It's ok so far, although I'm having a slight problem with it- it takes place in Paris, so all of the names are French. Since I don't speak French, I get caught up trying to figure out how words are supposed to be pronounced. I had a similar problem with Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, it drives me a little crazy.

Finally finished The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers, which I really enjoyed, although it took me a loooong time to get through. I just started Mistress of Magic (the first book from Mysts of Avalon) on audio, and I'm loving the narrator, Davina Porter. My tastes have definitely shifted to more historical fiction as of late, which I always thought I would find boring. I am loving this though.

Looking for something a little different? I'm really enjoying Lean on Pete by Willy Vlautin. The writing is honest and clear, easy to get lost in. What a perfect Sunday; A little rainy, no plans, some time alone and a good book.

I am currently reading the Blind Contessa's New Machine by Carey Wallace and I love it, so far. This is a slim volume written in third person, and despite the fact that I've run into no magic -- it has such a magical feel. The author's turn a phrase is beautiful. I love to collect quotes from books, but in this one I feel like I'm writing the whole book down in my notebook. I hope it ends as well as it has begun.

That book looks interesting. A little factual history thrown in too - the typewriter. Thanks for the reference AM. I've just put a hold on it at the library.

Reading "The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise" by Julia Stuart. After the rave review on the podcast,I believe by Michael, I finally get to read noe that it has hit the shelves as of yesterday. 20 pages in and really enjoying it. I never knew what the Beefeaters were or what their job entailed, so I am liking the history lesson I am getting.
Thanks as always for the recommendations!

It was Ann's recommendation Jackie, and she's really made me want to read it too!

I've almost finished listening to an excellent unabridged audio version of Paolo Bacigalupi's "pump six and other stories" If you liked (even a little) The Windup Girl, you will l.o.v.e. these short stories. There's no doubt that this is an author who shines in the short story format.

Next in the queue is 'Quicksilver"- in unabridged audio! I am EXCITED.

Not reading-reading anything at the moment as I seem to have found my crafting mojo again and am back to doing a lot of handwork.

You guys are so interesting! I'm picturing us all sitting around a crackling fire at a cozy inn ... oh, wait. ;)

I'm reading The Poisonwood Bible, which was the book you all "assigned" me in the summer reading vote. You'll hear more about that in the next podcast episode.

While I was on vacation I read a PHENOMENAL young adult book called REVOLUTION, by Jennifer Donnelly. You will all hear more about that, too, but a little bit later. In the meantime, I've just gotten Donnelly's earlier book, NORTHERN LIGHT, on audio. I don't start traveling again for a few weeks, so it might take me a long time to get through it, but it came highly recommended.

OOps, want to make sure to give credit to the right person, so THANK YOU ANN! I am half way through and it is wonderful!

I just finished Rebecca which I really liked altho i wish the 2nd Mrs De Winter had been given a name.

I'm moving on to The Secret Life of Bees

Just wanted to let you guys know that The Quickening just got short-listed for Flaherty-Dunnan First Novel Prize, which the Center for Fiction in NYC gives out every year. In case you're on the fence about reading it, this is a great endorsement! Aside from my own of course; I love this book!

Yay!! We'll mention this on the podcast, too -- I know there are a lot of fans of the book that listen.

I am off on vacation and reading and am just starting for my September Book Club meeting. I hope Little Bee is good or has great discussion points since I chose it for our group.

Am currently reading House Rules by Jodi Picoult (I have AS myself and find Jacob's character insightful and kinda scary at the same time).

Finished The Secret Life of Bees which I really liked and getting ready to start The White Queen

Finished Mistress of Magic yesterday on my way home, will dl the next one on Monday... I love it so far, SO glad I finally broke down and bought it. The narrator is great, and I am really enjoying the storyline. When it ended, I yelled at my mp3 player, "Noooooooo!" I hated not know what happened next!

I also finished The Astronomer: A Novel of Suspense today. It was good, although I got really caught up in not knowing how to pronounce names and phrases (which were in French). I would say it was not as advertised, since the actual assassination attempt on Copernicus was not really the focal point of the story. The actual storyline was pretty well done and very well researched, I liked the character of Amaury very much, I felt like he was a very sympathetic character, someone who kind of got sucked into something way beyond expectation. I give this a moderate recommendation. It's good because it's relatively short (which is good for anything with the word "Suspense" in the title), but parts were still disjointed ad slow.

Next on my list is The Help, which I'm hoping I enjoy as much as everyone else seems to have!

Kate said that her Sept reading group was reading "Little Bea", well out here in Ephrata, WA, both of my reading groups are reading that book as well. I haven't checked out the back cover so will be a surprise to discover just what the book is about. Enjoy the rest of the summer!

I'm currently reading The Fire by Katherine Neville and rereading A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. For some reason, I never continued on after reading A Game of Thrones for the first time years ago, so I've decided to start over and read all the books in the series that are already out back-to-back.

I've got two I'm working on - Anna Karenina and The Thieves of Manhattan. I have myself on a book-buying ban until I can get through the 100 in my house that I haven't read yet. Thank God I had already pre-ordered Mockingjay before I started the ban :)