Constant Reader discussion

Happy New Year, all!

I've been reading around in the new Greil Marcus collection of his essays and reviews, Bob Dylan Writings 19682010 and will report back soon.

Then I'll be starting in on Julian Barnes's The Sense of an Ending for our discussion later this month.

Happy reading!

I don't think I will be reading "Sense Of An Ending" just yet. I will have to wait on library system. I can't choose betweenMudbound or another Mc Call Smith, right now

Late last night, I finished The Ginger Tree, then woke up this morning to reread the final journal entry again. It is the story of Mary Mckenzie who leaves Scotland in 1903 to marry a military attache in Peking, China. She is a conventional girl with a curious mind who grows to be a savvy woman learning to survive through amazing circumstances. In the background is the history of the orient during the first half of the 20th century, particularly Japan as it rises to the status of a super power.

I've had this book on my shelf for a long time because of the recommendations of others. But, I was put off by the fact that it is told in journal entries and a few letters. I generally don't like this means of conveying a story but, in this case, it is very successful. The book called to me throughout the time that I wasn't reading it.

I just finished Graham Greene's The Quiet American. To read it in one day, as I did, really emphasizes the punch it delivers.

I'm starting Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson now, and loving his sense of humor.

Kitty wrote: "I don't think I will be reading "Sense Of An Ending" just yet. I will have to wait on library system. I can't choose betweenMudbound or another Mc Call Smith, right now"


Mudbound was excellent, I found.

Cateline, I really enjoyed The Quiet American too, one of my favorite Greenes.

I'm starting off the year with reading The Sense of an Ending, which seems like a funny title for starting things off.

Yesterday, I finished The Leopard, by Jo Nesbo. I liked it, but it seems like this genre has become so violent.

Cateline wrote: "I just finished Graham Greene's The Quiet American. To read it in one day, as I did, really emphasizes the punch it delivers.

I'm starting Cryptonomicon by Neal Steph..."
One of my favorites also. Plus he is a favorite author of mine.

Barbara wrote: "Late last night, I finished The Ginger Tree, then woke up this morning to reread the final journal entry again. It is the story of Mary Mckenzie who leaves Scotland in 1903 to marry..."
I remember watching the Masterpiece series on this one and enjoying it a lot.

Well I stated re-reading Gone with the Wind and in between Death Comes to Pemberley

Philip wrote: "Cateline, I really enjoyed The Quiet American too, one of my favorite Greenes."



The End of the Affair is the only other Greene I've read so far, I have at least one more on the shelf around here to be read. This year, for sure. :)

Yesterday, I finished Death Comes to Pemberleyby P.D. James, and I must say I was disappointed. I love P.D. James, and at one time I listed her as my favorite mystery author. I thought that this book, which is a sequel to Pride and Prejudice, had none of Austen's wit and irony. Elizabeth Bennet Darcy and her sister Jane are boring in the sequel. The book mainly follows the male characters of P and P, and they aren't that interesting either. This is the reason I gave the book only two stars.

Started [Book: Faces In The Water] today which is a fictionalized first person account of a woman being institutionalized following a nervous breakdown. Very realistic writing and semi-autobiographical.

After that, I will beging [Book: Sense of an Ending].

I've been reading Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain for a few days now, and must report that I'm a bit underwhelmed compared to The Innocents Abroad.

Jane wrote: "Yesterday, I finished Death Comes to Pemberleyby P.D. James, and I must say I was disappointed. I love P.D. James, and at one time I listed her as my favorite mystery author. I th..."

Thanks, Jane. I was tempted a bit by this because I read that it was a homage to Austen by James, but I'm always a little wary of modern spin-offs to the classics. I've never read any of P.D. James' writing, believe it or not. Which one would you recommend to start?

John wrote: "I've been reading Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain for a few days now, and must report that I'm a bit underwhelmed compared to [book:The Innocents Abroa..."

John, I wasn't crazy about The Innocents Abroad, still haven't finished it, though it waits for me on my Kindle. So, I don't think I should try Following the Equator.

I'm finally digging into a book I got for my birthday last summer. Other things kept crowding ahead of it in line. Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds edited by Billy Collins. I'm going to enjoy this one.

The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
Audio Book performed by Mary Woods.
3***

This classic of children’s literature tells the adventures of four good friends – Mole, Rat, Badger and Toad – living on the edge of The Wild Wood. Toad is the most vexing animal! He’s boastful and given to hyperbole; on the other hand, he’s generous with his friends and sincerely remorseful – eventually. Fortunately for him, his friends compensate for his shortcomings. Rat is ever resourceful and a font of information. Badger is the wise old man of the wild wood – somewhat of a recluse, but gracious and eager to help when called up. And then we have the ever curious Mole who starts out the adventure and proves to be steadfast, reliable and intelligent.

Mary Woods does a great job reading this book. I can see why it’s remained popular with children for over 100 years. Somehow I never read it as a child (or have no memory of it). My adult self wasn’t all that impressed, however, so it gets a respectable but not enthusiastic 3 stars.

Ruth wrote: "I'm finally digging into a book I got for my birthday last summer. Other things kept crowding ahead of it in line. Bright Wings: An Illustrated Anthology of Poems About Birds edited ..."

Oh, Ruth, I'm glad to hear about this book. I'll get it for my poet friend, Marylynn who loves poetry (obviously) and birds.

And I started the New Year finishing the book Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout for my book group. So interesting to read this exquisitely written book about a sexual relationship between a teacher and student back to back with another about the same subject--You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik. Strout's book is far more nuanced. Complex in a way that Maksik's isn't. In both books the teenage girl is presented as "ready for the relationship." Strout's Amy felt far more believable than Marie. It's hard to tell if my aversion to Maksik's story is because I discovered that he based his book on his own experience as a teacher asked to leave a French school.

Also read another quick, compelling read--Long Drive Home By Will Allison. A provacative page turner. Great vacation book.

Kitty wrote: "Well I stated re-reading Gone with the Wind..."

First time for me -- it's pulling me in. Those who said it was richer than the movie seem to be correct, judging just from the first few chapters.

Michael wrote: "Kitty wrote: "Well I stated re-reading Gone with the Wind..."

First time for me -- it's pulling me in. Those who said it was richer than the movie seem to be correct, judging just ..."

Even after reading it many times ,I am awed at Mitchell's ability to turn a tale.

Mitchell spent eighteen years rewriting Gone With the Wind. I guess it really paid off. She was bedridden and had the time, and from what I've read, she was really engrossed in making her book perfect. I think the way she manipulates the third person subjective, especially with regard to Scarlett, is magical and masterful.

Mike wrote: "On Crossing to Safety now, by the masterly Mr Stegner. On the immediate book conveyor belt are Rabbit, Run and Notes from the Underground. I'm also much antic..."

I envy you reading Crossing to Safety for the first time, Mike. That is one of my favorite books, along with his Angle of Repose. If I remember correctly, I have Constant Reader Dale Short to thank for recommending them.

Mike wrote: "On Crossing to Safety now, by the masterly Mr Stegner. On the immediate book conveyor belt are Rabbit, Run and Notes from the Underground. I'm also much antic..."

I read "The Vertigo Years": it was informative and "Rabbit Run" was interesting.

I like the Rabbit books very much.

Barbara wrote: "Mike wrote: "On Crossing to Safety now, by the masterly Mr Stegner. On the immediate book conveyor belt are Rabbit, Run and Notes from the Underground. I'm al..."

I have Stegner's All the Little Live Things on my audio TBR pile; I listened to the companion book The Spectator Bird, and loved it!

As for Twain's Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World, I bailed on it yesterday, accepting that I was forcing myself to continue.

I'm also a fan of Gone with the Wind.

Reading The Devil's Dictionary and Giacomo Leopardi's Canti.

John wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Mike wrote: "On Crossing to Safety now, by the masterly Mr Stegner. On the immediate book conveyor belt are Rabbit, Run and [book:Notes from the Underground..."

John, I loved those two of Stegner's as well.

I'm about 1/3 of the way into Delirium as well as The Alchemist's Daughter

I wonder if folks who like Stegner, might not like Joe Coomer's One Vacant Chair?

We have some archived discussions of Stegner, for those who are interested:

http://constantreader.com/discussions...
http://constantreader.com/discussions...
http://constantreader.com/discussions...

Kitty said, "I can't choose between Mudbound or another McCall Smith, right now,"

I agree with Sara. Mudbound was excellent. One of the best of my reads in 2010.

Marge

I decided to start "Gone With The Wind" for the group read. I will get to "Mudbound" soon.

Wallace Stegner, I love his writing too. I remember the first time I read him, with a book group. Crossing to Safety. Such beautiful sentences. For me, that's always what it comes down to in the end. I want a good story and wonderful, surprising but believable characters, but Stegner's sentences are so beautiful I could spend a summer on a deserted island with them.

John wrote: "I wonder if folks who like Stegner, might not like Joe Coomer's One Vacant Chair?"

This looks good, John. I hadn't heard of Coomer before.

Sherry wrote: "We have some archived discussions of Stegner, for those who are interested:

http://constantreader.com/discussions...
http://constantreader.com/discussions...
http:..."

Wow, Sherry, I only had time to skim these a bit tonight but they sure bring back memories. I'm really glad they were saved.

Boy, I guess I'm totally in the minority. I disliked Angle of Repose so intensely that I've never been willing to try any more Stegner. I was so disappointed--I'd heard such great things about his writing!

I sit sort of in the middle. I've read several Stegners and enjoyed them, but not so much I'd seek him out again.

"Repose" doesn't interest me at all based upon the plot description.

and

Edit:

Nightfall by Winter Trabex
Mr. Churchill's Secretary: A Maggie Hope Novel

JC, could you please also put in the name of the book for us people who have trouble reading teeny tiny print.

Listening to The Edible Woman, an early Atwood I've never read. Wonderful so far. It's only the 25th book I've started in the last few days. :-)

On Barb's recco, I ordered The Ginger Tree--sounds very good.

I just started David Guterson's Ed King. I'm not finding it too exciting at the moment but I like the premise enough to stick with it a while longer.

Sherry wrote: "JC, could you please also put in the name of the book for us people who have trouble reading teeny tiny print."

Merely promotion.

Sara wrote: "Sherry wrote: "JC, could you please also put in the name of the book for us people who have trouble reading teeny tiny print."

Merely promotion."

Actually, listing what I'm reading. I got the first for free for editing. I won the second book in a giveaway. Don't you look silly.

Sara, I'll really be interested to hear what you think of The Ginger Tree when you finish. I couldn't put it down.

JC wrote: "Sara wrote: "Sherry wrote: "JC, could you please also put in the name of the book for us people who have trouble reading teeny tiny print."

Merely promotion."

Actually, listing what I'm reading. ..."

Not at all. You joined our group in order to promote a book giveaway of a book you claim to be currently reading and to have edited. How's that work?

Barbara wrote: "Sara, I'll really be interested to hear what you think of The Ginger Tree when you finish. I couldn't put it down."

Will do. Of course, it's analog--on paper--how do I do that again? :-)

Turn page one by one. I find myself trying to click the page. LOL