Constant Reader discussion

I can't believe that it's June! I will now close down the May thread.

I am reading The Real Life of Sebastian Knight by Vladimir Nabokov. I didn't think I would get into it at first, but now, I can't put it down.

An Unfinished Life – Mark Spragg
Audio book performed by Tony Amendola and Judith Marx
5*****

Jane Gilkyson has finally decided to leave her abusive boyfriend. With her 10-year-old daughter, Griff, she takes off in her ancient car, headed for the Pacific Ocean. But when the car dies and she’s left stranded, she has nowhere to turn but to her father-in-law, a man who blames her for the death of his son, and who is living his life in bitterness and misery on a small ranch in Ishawooa, Wyoming. Einar Gilkyson would probably be dead by now, too, except his oldest friend needs him, and that’s about all that keeps him going. It will be up to Griff to help them all see the need to let go of recrimination and regret, and to embrace love and forgiveness.

This is the first book by Mark Spragg that I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. He has mastered the art of “show, don’t tell,” giving us insight into these characters and their complex relationships without spelling anything out. His writing is rather spare, yet he conveys a strong sense of place. The dialogue is spot on; Griff asks intelligent questions but nothing a 10-year-old wouldn’t wonder, especially one who has grown to be a keen observer of others and learned to hold her questions until “the right time.” Einar and Mitch spar like the close friends they are – almost like an old married couple, they can anticipate each other’s thoughts and reactions. There is no pretty bow tying up the ending, either. There is hope for these people, but they still have a ways to go. I like a little ambiguity in my endings.

Spragg alternates different characters’ points of view. This lets the reader know what each character is thinking, but also serves to build suspense in that we aren’t privy to all the information at once. The audio book is masterfully performed by Tony Amendola and Judith Marx.

Thanks for the review, BC. My library has this audiobook on its shelves so I will be listening to it soon. I haven't heard of Mark Spragg before but I am assuming that this is the book that the movie with Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez was based on. I haven't seen that either.

Barbara wrote: "Thanks for the review, BC. I haven't heard of Mark Spragg before but I am assuming that this is the book that the movie with Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez was based on. I haven't seen that either...."

I've never seen the movie, but I think it's based on this novel. Wouldn't see Lopez as Jean at all! But I could easily see Eastwood and Freeman as Einar and Mitch.

The last few days I have been looking at (and reading ... for there is a good bit of text about collecting) MASTERWORKS: THE BARNES FOUNDATION Great book about the wonderful collection.

It made me recall the relationship between James Michener and Barnes as recounted in Michener's Literary Reflections. Barnes was a genius but could be a monster also.

My reads change almost daily, so I won't post them here :) Since I let word out that I review books (and publish but never review what I publish) my book stack has piled quite high. Thank goodness a number are ebooks otherwise there wouldn't be a place left to sit!

Sara -- I read rather fast so don't always put a lot of "currently reading" here at GR myself. However, I'd appreciate it if you'd chime in occasionally to mention a book that you find truly "above average" in future - thanks!

Thanks, John. I'll tell you the best book I read in the past couple of weeks was Magic Bridge by Thomasina Burke. I'm currently reading a good one as well, Wired by Douglas E. Richards. I'm about 10% into it, and it's quite a thriller so far. Magic Bridge touches many parts of the reader, don't go in unarmed with tissues.

Haven't posted in a long while due to work craziness, but trying to fit in more time for reading. Just finished Stephen King's Bag of Bones, which was disappointing. The elements of a darn good yarn were buried in this novel, but somehow just didn't come to fruition.

Listening to my first audiobook to take advantage of driving time - The Secret Scripture. After I finish it I look forward to reading the comments on this site.

Plan to start Camus' The Plague today --this one has been on my TBR pile for awhile.

I liked The Plague

I liked THE PLAGUE as well; I preferred it to THE STRANGER, which (at least at the time I read it) got much more attention. Of course they are both remarkable and unusually memorable, at least for me.

just finished Bring Up the Bodies. I know many CRs are anxious to read it, so no spoilers here. However, I will say I found it even better than Wolf Hall and find myself thinking of Thomas Cromwell a lot.

I am now debating what to move on to in the TBR pile. I find it can be challenging, but certainly doable, to follow up something really good with something equally good!

Al, I'm so glad to hear that! The reviewer in BOOK FORUM didn't like it quite as much as WOLF HALL, so I was worrying, but as long as the consensus is split I'm happy. I've already bought it, but don't know when I'll get to it. Big pile. (Or from the digital perspective, many megabytes.)

Kat,
I will check out that review. I think it definitely helps to have read Wolf Hall first. I will be glad to hear your thoughts post-reading!

I just finished Goliath, the third book in Scott Westerfeld's very enjoyable Leviathan series. It's YA (recommended to me by my son), so it had lots of adventure and excitement, and appealing characters.

Now I'm re-reading The Polysyllabic Spree, by Nick Hornby. I'm mining it for titles to add to my to-read list -- because... you know... that list is so short, and I really need to add more books to it.

Al, I'm glad to hear your opinion of Bring Up the Bodies too. I'm dedicated to eastern European reading just now in preparation for a trip. But, when I get back, Mantel is first on the list. I think this is supposed to be a trilogy eventually.

I just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It's by a woman who hiked much of the Pacific Crest Trail, solo. She's a good writer and she weaves her personal story, what led her to take on a challenge she really wasn't prepared for, with stories of the trail. Her route came near to the mountains my family visits most summers--in Lassen Volcanic Park, so I could imagine the mountains and vistas she describes. Worth the read.

Jane wrote: "I just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It's by a woman who hiked much of the Pacific Crest Trail, solo. She's a good writer and she weaves her personal story, what led her to take on a challenge s..."

I found Strayed's story as recounted in WILD to be one of great courage. Her writing is just so honest. I know that the honesty of her mistakes has evoked criticism of her life choices. I wonder if these critics really took time to read the whole book.

I totally agree that Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail was a gripping read, due to her honest writing. Jane, that is so cool that you have spent time near the PCT. I had not heard of it before this book. I am a little curious about her novel, but not sure if I know too much of her personal story now to enjoy it.

Larry wrote: "Jane wrote: "I just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It's by a woman who hiked much of the Pacific Crest Trail, solo. She's a good writer and she weaves her personal story, what led her to take on ..."

I thought the honesty made the book wonderful. I didn't realize she'd been criticized for her choices. I can see why, I guess, but her honesty was so refreshing. It wasn't self-justifying at all, simply very humbly--honest. Knowing about the critics, I love the book even more.

Jane wrote: "Larry wrote: "Jane wrote: "I just finished Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It's by a woman who hiked much of the Pacific Crest Trail, solo. She's a good writer and she weaves her personal story, what led h..."

When I was about half way through the book, I bought a used copy of the National Geographic hardback (published about 30 years ago) THE PACIFIC CREST TRAIL. I had a copy of this but had donated it to the library about 10 years ago. The book really isn't that great. I only mention it because Strayed's book made such an impression me I want to see some of the sights she was seeing. I probably would have done better just using Google Earth! ;-)

I can't do it now, because I am struggling to finish my school year, having to pack up my entire classroom and recover from a knee replacement...partially caused by hiking in Lassen Park through snow drifts (3 to six feet) during record snows, but I'll send a few photos of our section of the park. They make me wish I were still in my twenties rather than my sixties, and could imagine doing the PCT myself. I remember once, hiking around Juniper Lake in the early morning, taking a wrong turn, and hiking up Harkness Mt. then heading back to the cabin for breakfast, four hours later. Those were the days.

I started listening to The Forsyte Saga last night, watched a ghost movie this morning and then, while taking a nap, dreamed Soames Forsyte's ghost (yeah, I'm aware he's fictional) was after me. It was scary! Don't know that I'll continue the listen tonight. :-)

I am completely addicted to the Victorian England era mysteries by Anne Perry: detectives Monk and Pitt and the feisty women Hester, Callandra, Charlotte and Emily and Aunt Vespasia. The division between the classes is portrayed excellently and she captures the tones and textures of the times. Her characters have their flaws, their dark sides, yet fight relentlessly for justice and the disenfranchised. Plus a mystery to solve! Perfect bus reading or tucked into bed with tea reading...Anne Perry

Summer has started up, so I'm suddenly working three part-time jobs - phew - and my spare time has been devoted towards researching activist Dominican & BVM nuns. I'm almost done with the secondary sources - the Vatican is driving me batty - and on to primary sources next week. When I can't focus on that, I've been reading Siddhartha and plan to read the House in Paris next, though I'll be a bit late to the party.

Has anyone read Justin Cronin's The Passage? I've been told that I must read it, but I've got so much else going on it's hard to prioritize it. Getting a second opinion would be nice!

Anne wrote: "Summer has started up, so I'm suddenly working three part-time jobs - phew - and my spare time has been devoted towards researching activist Dominican & BVM nuns. I'm almost done with the secondary..."

Anne, I read Cronin's THE PASSAGE when it came out. I really don't read vampire novels, except for Stephen King's SALEM'S LOT years ago. But I liked THE PASSAGE a lot and look forward to the next novel in this series. Interesting characters and an enjoyable plot.

When I returned to reading on my Kindle just now, I caught myself thinking I was still following the characters of 2666 (which I'm listening to) while actually reading The Lord of the Rings. It passed after only a flash of dissonance, but it made me think how much more interesting it would be to follow Frodo and gang as they traipsed about Europe and Mexico on the hunt for an author or mountain pass.

I loved 2666, could barely get into Lord of the Rings. :)

Yulia, the characters I am listening to and the ones I am reading almost always "meet" in my mind!

A Room With a View - E M Forster
3***

Lucy Highchurch is a well-bred young woman of some means. While in Florence with her spinster cousin Miss Charlotte Bartlett, she meets George Emerson, a fellow guest at their pension. He is handsome but only a bank clerk, rather forward and totally unsuitable for a girl of Lucy’s station. To avoid further contact, the two women continue on to Rome, where Lucy encounters Cecil Vyse, a rather superior gentleman. She accepts Cecil’s proposal but continues to pine for the lowly clerk who has truly captured her heart. When she realizes she has made a terrible mistake, her confusion leads to even more “muddle.”

Forster’s novel takes aim at the British ideas of respectability and social class. Lucy wants to rebel against the many rules that govern her conduct, but she is torn. She loves her mother and brother, and wants the admiration of her social set, but she finds so many of these people tiresome and hypocritical. I was struck by how frequently the title phrase is mentioned. There are the obvious references to her room at the pension in Florence and to the view from the salon at her home in England. But Forster also explores the “view” of one’s acquaintances vs the reality of their inner core. It’s when this second way of looking at things (pun intended) comes into play that the novel really got interesting for me.

I did find the middle section – from the time Lucy and Charlotte left for Rome to Lucy’s epiphany regarding George and Cecil – somewhat slow going. In fact, I just about gave up on the book. But I’m glad I persevered; the last five chapters redeemed the work for me.

For very different reasons, I have problems with both 2666 and lord of the Rings, but they seem to work when read together :)

Al, that's very cool. It makes me wonder how different sets of characters would fare in other novels' worlds. The Bennett sisters of Pride and Prejudice in The Hunger Games. Lisbeth Salander transported to The Help?

Book Mash-ups!

I haven't had time to post in a while. I am currently trying to get into Wolf Hall, but just can't seem to get into it. But, since I keep seeing good comments on it I'll keep trying.
Looking over my recent read list, want to recommend a couple of books.
The Shoemakers Wife-Adriana Trigiani was really really a good read.
Sisters Brothers (which I believe is on our upcoming list), was surprisingly good. What I loved about it was the language. It made me smile to read such eloquent language in the type of characters represented :).
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner-what a great story.
The Things they carried-made me cry

The Marriage Plot-I missed the discussion-thought it was ok, certainly could relate to a lot of it as it was my time frame for college.

Behind the Beautiful Forevers (a must read).

Sylvia,
THE THINGS THEY CARRIED was the best war book I ever read. We read ANGEL OF REPOSE on Classics Corner many years ago. I loved it.

Ann

I've finished reading The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks earlier and now I'm starting Seven Up by Janet Evanovich.

Here's a link to one of our old discussions of Angle of Repose. I think we may have discussed this more than once:
http://constantreader.com/discussions...

Unfortunately our discussion of The Things They Carried must have been lost in the ether. I can't find it.

Almost done with Morning Star by Desiree Finkbeiner

I am trying to settle into Mosquito Coast. I can't seem to concentrate lately .
I like what I have read so far.

I read the Wild by Sheryl Stray recently too. I thought it was ok. There was a bit TMI in there for me (her children might read her book one day), but it was certainly a story of triumph, which I can totally appreciate.

I was doing some research for a project and found a page I think many of the writers on Good reads might enjoy. Take a look at the Glossary link-very humorous :)
How to Get a Book Published in 10 Not-So-Easy Steps

not sure if the link on the glossary of terms came up before so copying the whole thing -again.
How to Get a Book Published in 10 Not-So-Easy Stepswww.rightreading.com/publishing/... - Similar
You +1'd this publicly. Undo
A basic guide to seeing your manuscript through to book publication.

Still going with the first book of The Forsyte Saga which is quite wonderful. Makes me think a lot of my dad (what would have been his 96th birthday is in a couple of weeks) who was a huge fan of the books and introduced me to the original series when I was around nine.

Also started Gone Girl--I really enjoyed her first two books which had their (quite) perverse moments, but were quite the ride. Only managed a little past the first chapter last night, but this one promises to be just as good.

Sara wrote: "Still going with the first book of The Forsyte Saga which is quite wonderful. Makes me think a lot of my dad (what would have been his 96th birthday is in a couple of weeks) who was a huge fan of ..."

Sara, I remember The Forsyte Saga on my parents' bookshelf. They had all the series, 6 or 9 volumes, and I know they loved them all. I guess I will try to read them, although the number of voulmes is somewhat intimidating.

For now, I am reading Eye of the Needle and listening to The Song of Achilles, both very good. The Achilles one especially, is narrated from Patroclus's point of view, a different angle of the same story.

Sara,
I've been thinking of buying GONE GIRL for my Kindle. Let me know if it holds up.

Ann

Ioana,

I am anxiously awaiting The Song of Achilles, as soon as it comes in from the library, it is going to the top of the pile!

Sara, I just requested Gone Girl. Keep us posted.

I got The Newlyweds from the library. Started it before I even got out of the car. Think I will take it with me onnvacation starting Sunday.

I've been trying to learn my new computer's program functions and also reading lots of information for summer travel plans so my pleasure reading has been curtailed quite a bit. I finally finished The Madonnas of Leningrad.

This beautifully written novel is like reading several stories at once. The main character is an elderly woman, emigrated from Russia, who is descending into the bowels of Alzheimer’s. The setting of the first storyline is a weekend trip to attend her granddaughter’s wedding. Alternating with this narrative is her experience as a young woman who was one of the workers entrusted with packing treasures of the Hermitage Museum to be sent off for safekeeping away from potential destruction during world war two. She endures the harshness of brutal winter, starvation and death all around her in part by wandering the empty museum’s halls and creating a mental inventory of the removed works of art in their original locations. Woven throughout this tale are evocative descriptions of priceless paintings and in particular the many renderings of Madonnas in the Hermitage collection.

I'm halfway through Visitation Very strange book, but it's growing on me.

Janet wrote: "I finally finished The Madonnas of Leningrad...."

I loved Madonnas of Leningrad.

My library has the audio download for Gone Girl, about which I'm quite psyched!

John wrote: "My library has the audio download for Gone Girl, about which I'm quite psyched!"

I read Gone Girl not long ago and I really enjoyed it up til the ending which I was didn't like.

I just finished Songs in Ordinary Time and recommend it. At first it was just a little interesting, then really built to become a world inhabited by characters with struggles that I came to really care about. I love how this author created flawed human beings as characters realistically and skillfully, then managed an ending that is satisfying and hopeful while remaining realistic.