Book Nook Cafe discussion

Marialyce wrote: "This month I read and mostly enjoyed:
"

my comments on your comments .....

I admire your desire to finish a book on which you needed to take a lot of notes. I would have stopped reading after 20 pages, most likely. Or, seeing "parable" in the description, would probably never have even picked it up!

My daughter loved the Gabaldon series. I thought I had taught her my dislike of time-travel! Guess not.

Left Neglected...I want to force everyone (mostly young people) who text while driving to read this.

Cranford...I tried reading the book but after seeing the series on PBS, it was hopeless for me. Loved the series.

I got tired of Jodi Picoult years ago. Her writing has gotten shoddy. Her early books were amazing and well-done. Then she started churning books out and the quality of the writing went way down, IMHO. Nothing wrong with the plots, I suppose. They sell well, for sure.

Isn't it odd that Picoult would title her book Sing You Home when just a year earlier, Stephanie Kallos had a book entitled Sing Them Home?

Marialyce wrote:
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America 4 solid stars
This was a tightly written non fiction book about the Chicago World's Fair and a serial killer,
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Glad to read that our Sept. group read is a winner.

I had my doubts as the Chicago World's fair is not really a topic of interest to me.

Alias Reader wrote: "July 30
Vincent van Gogh died on this date in 1890. ..."

Thank you for this! Its so sad to read that such a talented person so no readon to go on.

Alias Reader wrote: "Well, this month started off well, but quickly went downhill fast. I hope August is better..."

That stinks...that can be enough for me to get into a reading slump. Hopefully next month (or this month) will bring better reading.

Marialyce wrote: "Child 44 3+
Imagine a serial killer roaming about and then imagine that killer living in Stalinist Russia where all things are so perfect that a person of this ilk would never exist. If you have done all this you will be able to know the premise of this novel..."

Hmmm this is sitting on my shelf for a long time. Still debating if it is a to read

This is transferred from the June What i read this month board, where i misplaces it earlier this morning. Forgive. I'll work really hard to not do this next month. Really!

My reading slowed down this month, partly because i got hung up on
Stand Facing the Stove: The Story of the Women Who Gave America The Joy of Cooking, which i still haven't finished. I am liking it but it's too long for summer reading, imo. It'll go on next month's list. Meanwhile...

The Case of the Missing Servant by Tarquin Hall was mentioned on this board months ago. It sounded intriguing, even though i know little about India. The author generously included a glossary at the end of the book but i was flipping back there so often, that it made reading tedious, so i stopped. While i don't think i missed a thing, neither the characters nor the writing were good enough to want to read more in the series. Not bad, just far from worth my time investment.

Here's Looking at Euclid: A Surprising Excursion Through the Astonishing World of Math by Alex Bellos was a fun romp through math. Each stand-alone chapter covered some aspect of math. In keeping with the math theme his first chapter was Chapter 0, which was confusing when referring to the book with another person who read the book with me. There was much history, some math explanations and quite a bit of fun. Here is a link to his web site, which includes articles about math. http://alexbellos.com/ Good enough that i've suggested it to a few others i know are intrigued with math and concepts, not to mention sudoku. Link to the discussion shared with the other person who read this with me here-- http://books.hyperboards.com/index.php?a...

Sweeping Up Glass by Carolyn Wall. Kentucky family in a land where the wolves were imported by the main character's grandfather, all the way from Alaska, decades ago. Olivia Harker is a grandmother living with her grandson when the book opens. It goes back to share her history, the story of her mother's insanity & the way her father raised her. Author Wall is a mentor to my cousin, so i thought i'd give it a whirl. It was well written, imo, so Cousin is in good hands. However, i wouldn't go out of my way to read another book by the woman.

The House by the Sea: A Journal by May Sarton. A Book Buddy read with others on this board. I liked it very much, giving many points for discussion and individual pondering. Sarton is a gem i've enjoyed discovering with others here. This book, about the author's move to Maine, includes the author's acceptance of the death of friends and the Alzheimer's of her former long-term lover. Link to our discussion here-- http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5892...


The Woman Who Watches Over the World: A Native Memoir by Linda Hogan. Interesting memoir, a non-linear work, making it a challenge to read. However, all i learned about tribes around the country and their issues, about problems with Hogan's health (including being bucked off a horse and her adoption of two Sioux children who had severe attachment disorders, was fascinating. Often she alit on a subject just enough to give an outline, never going too deep. Initially this was frustrating but i ended up liking where she lead working this way. Not for everyone but her writing and experiences are rich and worth my reading time.

Onward to August!

deborah

Thanks for sharing, Deb. I enjoyed reading your reviews. And I enjoyed being your Book Buddy for Sarton. :)

Madrano wrote: "The Woman Who Watches Over the World: A Native Memoir by Linda Hogan. Interesting memoir, a non-linear work, making it a challenge to read. However, all i learned about tribes around the country and their issues, about problems with Hogan's health (including being ..."

This looks interesting. I really want to read more on the tribes and how they are today or more recent past. Thanks for sharing!

Marialyce wrote:: "This was a tightly written non fiction book about the Chicago World's Fair and a serial killer, "

good to know. My main complaint about the one book of his that I read is that it was too wordy, not at all tightly written. It meandered excessively.

Madrano wrote: "This is transferred from the June What i read this month board, where i misplaces it earlier this morning. Forgive. I'll work really hard to not do this next month. Really!

.."

you do know that you can delete the other post in the "June reads" folder.....

I read last month in July this book "Fly Me to the Moon" by Alyson Noel.
I giving 5 stars.
Is a story about flight attendant Hailey Lane which she learns the rest of her trip has been cancelled and she can fly straight at home to spend her birthday with her boyfriend Michael, but she found that her boyfriend cheated her. She grabs her bags and moving out from him. She realize that she need clear her head and broken heart. She took long holiday around the world from New York, Paris, Puerto Rico to Greece, but during her job a flight attendant she met on board at the aircraft many interesting people and mans. For me it was nice and comfortable reading and I enjoyed.

Elaine wrote: "This looks interesting. I really want to read more on the tribes and how they are today or more recent past. Thanks for sharing! ..."

Elaine, i hasten to add that her memoir was very non-linear and even often seemed off-topic, in some way. At times i had no idea why she introduced topics she did but liked her writing enough to not care. I wanted to add this because hers may not be the best for education yourself. On the other hand, i can't think of another which might fill the bill.

deborah

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "you do know that you can delete the other post in the "June reads" folder..... ..."

I am aware. I didn't because i thought others might benefit from my error. Clearly i learned nothing from it Last Time, though, so maybe i should.

Maria wrote: he took long holiday around the world from New York, Paris, Puerto Rico to Greece
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Sounds as if it was inspired by Eat, Pray, Love

It nice to find a book that is nice and comfortable. They are not so easy to find.

Madrano wrote: "Elaine wrote: "This looks interesting. I really want to read more on the tribes and how they are today or more recent past. Thanks for sharing! ..."

Elaine, i hasten to add that her memoir was ver..."

Thanks for the warning. It is really hard to find a good book on more recent tribes in america. hmm. At least that is what I am finding.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - a great book but not for people with weak stomachs.

The Comancheros - only an ok book but was later made into a fun John Wayne duster movie.

Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France - a fun book to brush up on your forgotten high school French. The author's current blog is very interesting too.

Lauchlin of the Bad Heart - my token Canadian book for the month, good beginning and end, slow in the middle.

John wrote: "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - a great book but not for people with weak stomachs.

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Thanks for sharing your July reads with us, John.

I totally agree with your assessment of Unbroken. Parts of it were painful to read. How a person actually survived it, I have no idea.

I was pleased to read that "On May 21, 2011, Zamperini threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Red Sox-Cubs game at Fenway Park in Boston"

There is a picture of him at this link.
http://www.athleteoutreach.com/index....

I was mesmerized by Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City, because as a child in Chicago, I didn't know why the adults clammed up if they were discussing White City and we children entered the room, or why they lowered their voices if we drove past White City.

Larsen once again kept me turning pages in In the Garden of the Beasts, the true account of University of Chicago's William Dodd, the reluctant first U.S. Ambassador sent to Berlin during the time of Hitler's rise which wasn't being taken seriously in the United States. The story of his growing understanding of the horror of Hitler's ascendancy, awareness of the persecution of the Jewish people juxtaposed with the party-loving Dodd daughter's social experience is fascinating. Besides the historical facts, we read about his daughter's various liaisons....Carl Sandburg, Thornton Wilder, and even a blind date with Hitler.

Many letters and quotes are documented, but I have such confidence in Larson and his research that I didn't look up any of them. This is one of the best non-fiction books I have read in a long time.

Lois

Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption - a great book but not for people with weak stomachs.

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Thanks for sharing your ..."

Thanks for the link. It is nice to see he is still alive and the news video was great!

Kriverbend wrote: "I was mesmerized by Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City, because as a child in Chicago, I didn't know why the adults clammed up if they were discussing White City and we children entered the ..."
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Hi, Lois. Good to see you here and I'm glad you like both Larson books. I am looking forward to the discussion next month. I hope you join in.

John wrote: Thanks for the link
It is nice to see he is still alive and the news video was great!
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You're welcome. :)

I've finally gotten it together, so here are my reads for July. I definitely need to get back to my DL.

My reads for July weren't the most edifying. Guess I am still into summer doldrums.

The Glass Castle Jeannette Walls I enjoyed this book for the most part. Another one of those books that I probably wouldn't have read if it wasn't for this group. Lots of issues which we are currently discussing on our group read thread.

Tabloid City: A Novel Pete Hamill I am a big fan of Pete Hamill so while this might not be my most favorite book of his I did enjoy it. I have the advantage of knowing how authentic his writing is in terms of the local color of NYC. Love that.

The Black Echo Michael Connelly Harry Boesch novel. One of those old fashioned detective stuff books. As I was reading it I was thinking that some young person would say -- you mean they didn't have cell phones? LOL We forget what a difference all these items make in our daily lives.

Tangled Webs: How False Statements are Undermining America: From Martha Stewart to Bernie Madoff James B. Stewart I liked this book, but it was more of a slog than I expected it to be, which kind of cut down on my results for June and July both. I was also disappointed that there wasn't more about the Madoff case. Anyway -- sufficient food for thought.

Thanks for sharing your July reads with us, Barbara. I enjoyed reading your reviews.

Some people think that The Glass Castle is more fiction than fact, but I "enjoyed" it.

"Good to see you here and I'm glad you like both Larson books. I am looking forward to the discussion next month. I hope you join in."

Thanks, Alias. The only reason I don't join in is because my job requires me to read the newest books. I read two or three books a week, but don't digest enough to later discuss them intelligently. It's a pleasure to find new insights on books I've read from those of you who post faithfully.

Lois

What kind of job do you have, Lois, and how can I get one? :)

Kriverbend wrote: ""Good to see you here and I'm glad you like both Larson books. I am looking forward to the discussion next month. I hope you join in."

Thanks, Alias. The only reason I don't join in is because m..."

I want you job. Can't be publishing editor or book reviewer because you'd have to go in depth. what do you do?

Kriverbend wrote: "I was mesmerized by Erik Larson's The Devil in the White City, because as a child in Chicago, I didn't know why the adults clammed up if they were discussing White City and we children entered the ..."

Very interesting, Lois. All i knew about that fair was a handkerchief my greatgrandmother bought when there. Of course it sparked my imagination. And knowing she was there made it even more "real". This is about the Fair itself, not the other part of this remarkable story.

And thank you for the other Larson title, In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin. It sounds as though it, too, will be a good book.

deborah

I'm a bookseller....opened the bookstore in 1979.
Don't be misled into thinking that I do nothing but sit around and read all day...all my book readng is at night, thanks to a husband who has learned to sleep with the light on!

Lois

Kriverbend wrote: "I'm a bookseller....opened the bookstore in 1979.
Don't be misled into thinking that I do nothing but sit around and read all day...all my book readng is at night, thanks to a husband who has le..."
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I'm amazed you can read a few books a week, Lois. I was talking to the local indie store that opened about a year ago. She said she can barely find the time to fit in our monthly group read and the children's discussion book read she does each month.

I hope she can make a go of the store. But the library, E-readers and online booksellers I fear are too much competition. :(

My July books:

The Gate of Angels--This was okay, but not my favorite of this author's books that I've read. It takes place in 1912 at Cambridge Univ. A junior fellow at the college, the son of a cleric, is finding that he is losing his faith and that science will soon provide all the answers. He falls madly in love with Daisy, a mysterious stranger whom he meets in an accident. Will Fred eventually learn that science isn't everything?

The Closers--I always like these Harry Bosch novels. Harry has returned to the LAPD after a brief retirement, and is placed on the new Open-Unsolved squad (cold cases). He is determined to find out who took a teen-aged girl from her home one night and killed her. And was there a cover-up?

Still Alice--Very good novel about a 50-year-old Harvard professor who starts having memory problems and is soon diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The story is told from the viewpoint of Alice, the victim. In our book group discussion, some wondered how the story would have differed if told by another family member. That's another book, I suppose.

I did like Still Alice quite a bit. I am glad you did too!

Kriverbend wrote: "I'm a bookseller....opened the bookstore in 1979.
Don't be misled into thinking that I do nothing but sit around and read all day...all my book readng is at night, thanks to a husband who has le..."

I've always wanted work in a bookstore... But a large part of that motivation was because I wanted to read lots of books for most of the day, snag the best buy backs first, and meet intelligent, well read, cute boys. I suppose that's still a good motivation.

Stephanie, I worked in a bookstore here at the beach about 12 summers ago. The store was so busy all the time that I never had time to LOOK at books during working hours, let alone time to talk to customers. And I met no cute boys! LOL

this month, I read two books :

Ordinary Thunderstorms, by William Boyd, an english writer. It's about a man, who lost everything in his life (job, house, love, family), because the police thinks he's a murderer... I gave it 3 star's because i prefer an other william boyd's book (Any Human Heart

The second book is written by Katarina Mazetti, Benny & Shrimp. It's a romance between a farmer and a librarian, Sweden.

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "Stephanie, I worked in a bookstore here at the beach about 12 summers ago. The store was so busy all the time that I never had time to LOOK at books during working hours, let alone time to talk to ..."

I worked in a bookstore to get discounts on books. During that time I worked another job too, and I think I read the least that year then any other year of my life!!!

Thanks for sharing, Lydie.
:)

Marialyce wrote: "Some people think that The Glass Castle is more fiction than fact, but I "enjoyed" it."

Hopefully I will be able to start this book soon!

Elaine wrote: "I worked in a bookstore to get discounts on books. During that time I worked another job too, and I think I read the least that year then any other year of my life!!! ..."

Elaine, i have a friend who reported exactly the same. Her reason & the reading result mirror your experience. On the flip side, her family & friends benefited when we received some fabulous books from her since her budget could stretch further.

deborah

Julie wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Some people think that The Glass Castle is more fiction than fact, but I "enjoyed" it."

Hopefully I will be able to start this book soon!"

Do people think that this is one of those memoirs that turned out to be untrue??

Bobbie57 wrote: "
Do people think that this is one of those memoirs that turned out to be untrue?? "

I had not read much of THE GLASS CASTLE before I read an exact quote about something that happened when the author was 3 years old.

How many ways can I say "abandoned"? LOL

Someone else wrote this and I agree entirely

<< The entire second chapter is a play-by-play description of Ms Walls being three years old, cooking hot dogs while her mother is absorbed in painting pictures, and having her little dress catch on fire. The tiny girl is burned so severely that she's hospitalized for six weeks before her father decides he's had enough of "..these heads-up-their-asses med-school quacks.." , grabs her out of the hospital bed, tells her he's checking her out of there,"..Rex Walls-style..", and whisks her back to whatever hovel the Walls family was calling home at the time. A few days later she's again cooking herself some hot dogs when her picture-painting head-in-the-clouds mother tells her,"Good for you...You've got to get right back in the saddle. You can't live in fear of something as basic as fire."

She's THREE YEARS OLD and she remembers details and conversations with this amazing accuracy? Can you remember when you were three years old? I can't. She's a baby who's been burned severely - and no authorities investigated? Ding, ding go my mental alarm bells and 'exaggerated memoir' flashes in my mind. >>>

Maybe she remembers things from other people talking about them later? I don't expect any quotes in memoirs to be exact quotes. Most people can't remember the exact words of something someone said a week ago, let alone years ago! To me a memoir is a story that tells how a person's life was...the general story, but not a non-fiction every-detail-is-correct kind of book.

Julie wrote: "I don't expect any quotes in memoirs to be exact quotes...."

Then perhaps they should not use quotation marks, which definitely are meant to denote an exact quote. Why these memoirists don't just use narrative is beyond me!

I agree with Julie--I think it's pretty much expected that the quotes are only about how the conversations might have gone. And I would think they wouldn't want to always use narrative because it can get pretty bland with the back and forth of he said this and I said that.

As for the hot dog thing...I'm willing to believe. It was a traumatic event, and those usually are the ones that stick with a child.

I was wondering about the lack of investigation, but considering her father, it would be just like him to put a fake address down on her entry form and whatnot.

The realism doesn't really bother me so much. It's a good story, at least so far for me and I'm enjoying it. Though we should probably be talking about all this on the actual book discussion thread, which I haven't peeked at yet since I'm still in the middle of the book. :)

My husband claims to remeber going to football games when he was three. What I want to know is how you can understand anything about it at that age!

Miss Jimenez wrote: "The Grand Mosque of Paris: A Story of How Muslims Rescued Jews During the Holocaust:
5 stars
t's been a while since I've read a picture book but the story behind it caught my interest along with the illustrations. It's mainly about how Muslims in Paris were able to save Jews during the occupation by hiding them in the city's largest mosque. Not only would they give them shelter but fake names and papers to escape to a safer region away from the German Nazis.
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Miss Jimenez, after reading your post on this book I decided to check it out at my library. Like you, I haven't read a picture book since I was a child.

The illustrations in the book were marvelous. The story is fascinating, too. Since it is a picture book I was able to read it while I was at the library. Thanks !

Julie wrote: "My husband claims to remeber going to football games when he was three. What I want to know is how you can understand anything about it at that age!"

You can't!

I remember being in the hospital to have my tonsils out when I was three. But I do not remember enough about it to write an entire chapter! I just have a vague memory -- no quotes!

I remember being in my own backyard when my parents just purchased their first home. Clearly i can tell you where i stood (it was an odd piece of electricity gauging) and my exact words, "I'm home! I'm home!"

It's not a memory my parents shared with me or others, either. Indeed, it's one i treasured but didn't repeat or try to share until i was in my 20s. At that time i asked about it & they informed me i was 2 1/2 years old when it occurred and they both had almost forgotten about it until i described it. They were amazed, too.

I think that people do have varying degrees of memory, including some quotes. My joy must have been incredible for it to stay with me all these years. There are no memories of the birth of my sister. They tell me i was awfully mean about it (moi?). Somehow it seems to me a more traumatic experience would stay with a person better/longer.

deborah

Madrano wrote: "I remember being in my own backyard when my parents just purchased their first home. Clearly i can tell you where i stood (it was an odd piece of electricity gauging) and my exact words, "I'm home!..."

.....but could you write an entire chapter about this, including the conversation that ensued? A description of the house? the weather? what you were wearing? Yeah, you could----if you made it up!