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Post by pjaye on Nov 10, 2014 10:55:19 GMT
I haven't seen a reading thread for this week yet - so here it is.
This week I finished listening to The Rise & Fall of Great Powers by Tom Rachman. I really enjoyed this – the story of Tooly with her strange upbringing and her quest to understand her background and her eventual discovery that family isn’t always who you are related to.
This is a book about people & relationships and not much happens and if you like this sort of thing (I do!) then I’d recommend it. 4 out of 5 stars from me.
Next up was Gretel and the Dark by Eliza Granville. This is a fairy-tale influenced narrative that takes you from dark reality to fantasy and back again. The protagonist is Krysta a spoiled and stubborn little girl who won’t do what she is told and her nanny tells her horrible versions of fairy tales to try to ensure her obedience. Krysta’s father is a doctor who conducts experiments on the “animal people” who are kept in the nearby buildings.
Then one day Krysta’s whole world changes and becomes far worse any Grimm fairy-tale. As a child Krysta struggles to understand what is going on around her, but as an adult reader it becomes clear very quickly that this book is really all about. .. Ravensbrück was a purpose built concentration camp for women and children.
This is as dark and heartbreaking as any book like this is bound to be but definitely worth reading as a unique perspective on the Holocaust. But be warned, despite the fairy-tale element this is still a book about the horrors of the Holocaust.
I gave this 4 out of 5 stars as well.
Usually I have to spread out books about WW2 otherwise the details just get into my head too much, however this time I did feel like I was able to continue on to All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I’ve owned this since it was first released but haven’t felt able to listen to it until now. I’m about 30% through and the two main stories are compelling (but have fast forwarded through two small sections). This book has been mentioned a lot here – but in brief it’s the story of a young blind girl living in Paris during the devastation of WW2 & also the story of a young German orphan boy, good at building radios who gets taken into the Hitler youth. I assume their paths will cross, but I'm not at that part yet.
So what has everyone else been reading this week?
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Post by tommygirl on Nov 10, 2014 14:47:40 GMT
I took a break from the Outlander book I am reading and read 2 funny books- Bossy pants by Tina Fey and Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Both were laugh out loud funny.
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Post by ExpatBackHome on Nov 10, 2014 15:03:53 GMT
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Post by thegreatgatspea on Nov 10, 2014 15:23:19 GMT
I just finished Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. I read this for my book group. I do enjoy historical fiction and this really gave me insight to the Grimke sisters. I read 12 Years A Slave this summer ,so it was an interesting perspective about slavery, from an abolitionist perspective. Great writing and a well told story. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
I also just finished Shipwrecks by Akita Yashimura. This is an older book translated from Japanese . It was beautifully written but very sad. It is about a young 10 year old Boy in Medieval Japan whose family is faced with starvation. The village awaits shipwrecks for cargo to feed their village. If you enjoy good literature , you will enjoy this short poignant book. I gave it 5 out of 5 starts.
I am currently reading Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. This story is set in Iceland in the mid 1800's. A woman is convicted of murder and is send to an isolated farm , to await execution. Well written and if you like interesting characters, this is for you. I think there is a twist in the story but ,I'm not quite finished.
I must admit this is one of my favorite 2 Peas threads. I love to read all your suggestions
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~Lauren~
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Post by ~Lauren~ on Nov 10, 2014 15:29:24 GMT
I also just finished Invention of Wings. I really enjoyed it.
Also read Sisters of Treason by Elizabeth Fremantle. It's the story of Katherine and Mary Grey (sisters of Jane Grey) and what their lives were like living under the reign of Elizabeth I. Each spent extensive time in the Tower for having the nerve to marry without Elizabeth's permission. I enjoyed it. It was not easy being in line to the throne during the reign of the Tudors.
Finally, I read The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg. A work of fiction but based on the true story to two men who managed to escape from the concentration camp. Excellent read.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 15:32:26 GMT
I've just started Someone Else's Skin by Sarah Hilary. It's dark and bleak but I like it so far. Kind of suits my mood!
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Post by kckckc on Nov 10, 2014 15:34:57 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread pjaye!
I finished three books this week.
The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami. Told from the viewpoint of a Moroccan slave, this is the story of a group of conquistadors exploring America in the 1500s. I liked this one, although I thought it was a little slow going in the middle.
Little Men by Louisa May Alcott. I am trying to catch up on some classics by listening to them on audio. I remember loving Little Women when I read it (probably 45 years ago). I remember Jo being such a strong character. In this one she seems very stereotypically female. The book is also very "preachy". I would like to go back and reread Little Women and see if the two books are that different, or if I have just changed.
Summer of the Dead by Julia Keller. The latest in the Bell Elkins mystery series. I am enjoying the series which is set in rural West Virginia.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 15:46:06 GMT
I just finished Birthdays for the Dead by Stuart MacBride. The first in the Ash Henderson mysteries. This was one of the darkest mysteries I've ever read -- what a horrific story. He's my current favorite writer. What a sick mind, and what a good writer -- Ash and Alice are such fantastic characters. I hope he continues the series.
I also read Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes. This one is more horror than mystery, with its supernatural aspect. It made me think of Joe Hill's The Heart Shaped Box, although her writing style is very different. It was a little bit confusing with all the jumping around in perspective. Her style is very fast paced, and I love how she places characters in scenes. Sometimes the characters pass each other or notice each other, even though they never connect more deeply in the story.
I'm just starting Bitter River by Julia Keller. I loved the first, and I have Summer of the Dead sitting on my table to read after I finish this one. I love all the descriptions of West Virginia, which is a place I've never been.
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Mystie
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Post by Mystie on Nov 10, 2014 16:07:10 GMT
This week I read Landlineby Rainbow Rowell...thought it was okay, not great, but a nice read nonetheless. It took me back to my own dating days in the late 80s and early 90s and the long phone calls with my then-boyfriend, now-DH.
I also read The Card: Collectors, Con Men, and the True Story of History's Most Desired Baseball Card by Michael O'Keefe. This was a quick, easy read about the T206 Honus Wagner baseball card that is the most expensive, sought-after card in the history of collecting. Lots of trivia about Wagner himself, the history of card collecting, and the shenanigans that accompanied the hobby. I enjoyed it.
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Post by epeanymous on Nov 10, 2014 16:16:45 GMT
I read All he Light we Cannot See last week and look forward to talking out it in the book club. I also read Sophie Hannah's book The Orphan Choir, which wasn't very good.
I am reading Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann right now.
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Nov 10, 2014 16:30:07 GMT
Usually I have to spread out books about WW2 otherwise the details just get into my head too much, however this time I did feel like I was able to continue on to All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I’ve owned this since it was first released but haven’t felt able to listen to it until now. I’m about 30% through and the two main stories are compelling (but have fast forwarded through two small sections). This book has been mentioned a lot here – but in brief it’s the story of a young blind girl living in Paris during the devastation of WW2 & also the story of a young German orphan boy, good at building radios who gets taken into the Hitler youth. I assume their paths will cross, but I'm not at that part yet. So what has everyone else been reading this week? Pjaye, are you listening (I know you're an audio gal) to All the Light We Cannot See? I did and although the book is very well written, I felt slightly confused on what time period they were referring to, since it goes back and forth in time and with people. But an excellent book nonetheless. And I enjoyed the narrator. I've been on a fluff kick recently. First was Janet Evanovichs' Top Secret Twenty-One. I have to say that I'm over the Steph, Morelli, Ranger thing and not sure why I keep reading these books. I guess I just need closure.  . But I'm pleasantly surprised to say I liked this one. Especially the minions. You gotta love the minions! Then I read Baby Proof by Emily Giffin. I bought all her books a month or so ago when they were $1.99 and I've been reading them as tweener books. (a tweener book is something light and easy when you need a break). I like her writing style. Anyway, I liked this book, too. I'm back to Edge Of Eternity on audio. And I'm finding that since I took a break from it, I've come back more interested. On Kindle, I'm STILL trying to finish Love in the Time of Cholera. That is why I keep picking up the tweeners. |
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gottapeanow
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Post by gottapeanow on Nov 10, 2014 16:59:35 GMT
Last week was kind of busy, so I only finished one book.
All the Light We Cannot See, which many of you have read or are reading or plan to read.
Wow. Such incredibly rich and gorgeous writing. I started my GR review with "This book is why I read." I have more to add to the review, but it is my favorite book of the year. 5/5 stars, only because I couldn't rate it higher.
Lisa
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Post by auntkelly on Nov 10, 2014 17:22:49 GMT
I've read two books over the past couple of weeks.
I read The Good Son: JFK Jr. and the Mother He Loved by Christopher Anderson. It was a quick and enjoyable read. Like most people my age, I'm fascinated with the Kennedys and I found this book really entertaining. Like most books I've read about John F. Kennedy, Jr. it sounds like he was a very nice guy who wasn't very academic. He knew he had been born w/ a silver spoon in his mouth and he was very grateful for all the advantages he had in life as a result of being born a Kennedy, and he didn't dwell on the baggage that came along with that name.
I also finished The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. I thought the first half of the book was a big snooze fest, but then the plot took an unexpected turn and the second half of the book turned out to be really good.
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Post by grammy2emmasophia on Nov 10, 2014 21:29:50 GMT
Just downloaded Bird in Hand by Christina Baker Kline. It's about a car accident that causes to families lives two change forever. I read the sample and it looked good so I used my B&N credit and figured I would give it a shot. We will see how it goes.
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Post by picotjo on Nov 10, 2014 21:50:15 GMT
I am still reading Natchez Burning It is really good but long. Over 800 pages. I only have 100 pages to go and then I will read Jodi Picoult's new one.
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mimima
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Post by mimima on Nov 10, 2014 21:58:49 GMT
I hardly ever give up on a a book, but I got about 100 pages into The Rose of Sevastapol by Katharine McMahaon, and gave up. I didn't like the characters and wasn't that interested in the plot.
My Dh read Carrie by Stephen King for the first time. That reminded me that it had been years since I read it, so I picked it up and re-read. You could tell it was his first novel, but the storyline was as engaging as I'd remembered. My Dh now recommends that I watch the movie as I've somehow managed to never see it.
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The Great Carpezio
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Post by The Great Carpezio on Nov 10, 2014 22:18:14 GMT
I read one this week, Far Far Away. It is narrated by the ghost of Jacob Grimm who hangs out with a young man of modern times who can hear him. Unfortunately, many forces are working against the young man, and Jacob is trying to help him. Soon, his life takes an even more sinister turn that mimics the most horrific of the collected Grimm's tales.
4/5. It is YA.
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Post by RobbyKay on Nov 11, 2014 2:20:41 GMT
Thanks to Pjaye's post last week listing the Goodreads "It" books of 2014, I decided to take a stab at reading the list by the end of the year.
First up this week was Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. It's the story of a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the world population, and how the survivor's cope. It was really good.
Next I tackled Rainbow Rowell's Landline. It's about a middle aged couple going through a rough patch in their marriage, and they get a chance to revisit the early days of their relationship. It was a fun read, and like a prior poster, reminded me of the "salad days" of our relationship. I enjoyed it, but I'm not sure why it's an "it" book.
Now I've moved on to All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I'm looking forward to getting into this one.
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Post by pjaye on Nov 11, 2014 9:20:08 GMT
Definitely listening...if it's not on audio chances are I'll never get around to it. I agree, the narrator is excellent first book I've heard her read, but really enjoying her voice.
In regards to the times, personally I've found in books like this to try not to think where a part of the story 'fits' in the chronological order - I just listen to what is happening and it will either become obvious now or at some point later. I figure if I just listen and don't over think it...then it will all fall into place.
The GR definition was - "It" books they're the ones that we pass along, that we hope our friends have read so that we can discuss and debate. Love them or hate them, we can't stop talking about them!
So they were essentially the most searched for and talked about books on Goodreads.
I figure some of them would be good and some of them would just be popular...but at least if you love reading there's a good chance that other people will have read them too so it will give you some books to talk about with others.
Probably part of the 'buzz' around Landline is still from the success of Eleanor & Park.
That sounds interesting, I'll be adding this one to my 'to read' list.
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Post by lynnek on Nov 11, 2014 17:04:19 GMT
I finished John Grisham's new book, Grey Mountain. I was disappointed. I usually enjoy his books and I spent this whole book waiting for something to happen.
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Post by Fidget on Nov 11, 2014 17:24:46 GMT
I tried to read The House Girl for bookclub this month. I just couldn't do it, most awful book I've come across in a long long time. I'm curious if any of the peas have read this and what they thought. |
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pudgygroundhog
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Nov 11, 2014 18:28:03 GMT
I haven't posted on these threads in awhile. In the past two weeks I've read:
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. Loved it. 5/5
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Great book. 4/5
Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Love her and enjoyed the book. 4/5
Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris. Wanted to love it. Love him, but thought the book was only okay. 3/5
Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke. I think I just didn't click with his writing style. 3/5
Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer. Ugh. Enjoyed The Interestings, which is why I picked up this one. Dislike, dislike, dislike. 1/5
Next up is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. I plan to read Gilead, Home, and her new one Lila. Unless of course I hate the first book, but I think I will like it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2014 19:57:42 GMT
I gave up on The Paying Guests. I also think I have given up on Lila. Come to think of it, I have given up on a ton of books the last couple of weeks. Maybe I am losing it!
I liked Chevy Stevens New one: That Night. Leaving Time (Piclout) was readable and Caroline Leavitt: Pictures of You was good.
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Post by mom2luke on Nov 11, 2014 20:03:21 GMT
I am nearly finished with The Red Tent. I don't know why it took me so long to read this. But I love it. I will read this book again.
I am also still reading The Edge of Eternity. I am about half-way through this. I put it down a couple of weeks ago and haven't picked it up again. It's not bad so I don't know why I put it down...
Thank you to everyone that contributes to this thread. [
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luckyexwife
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Post by luckyexwife on Nov 11, 2014 20:05:54 GMT
I finished Little Mercies by Heather Gudenkauf. 4/5 stars. Some parts were hard to read, but it was well written.
Right now I'm halfway through Acts of Contrition by Jennifer Handford. I struggled through the beginning, and almost quit, but it is finally getting good.
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pudgygroundhog
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Nov 11, 2014 20:20:09 GMT
I am nearly finished with The Red Tent. I don't know why it took me so long to read this. But I love it. I will read this book again. I am also still reading The Edge of Eternity. I am about half-way through this. I put it down a couple of weeks ago and haven't picked it up again. It's not bad so I don't know why I put it down... Thank you to everyone that contributes to this thread. [ I read Edge of Eternity this past month and I thought it was the weakest book of the trilogy. I haven't read much historical fiction set during the Cold War, so was interested to read it. I liked the historical info, but didn't like the storylines/characters as much. |
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Judy26
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Post by Judy26 on Nov 11, 2014 20:22:18 GMT
I haven't posted on these threads in awhile. In the past two weeks I've read:
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. Loved it. 5/5
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Great book. 4/5 Yes Please by Amy Poehler. Love her and enjoyed the book. 4/5 Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris. Wanted to love it. Love him, but thought the book was only okay. 3/5 Wayfaring Stranger by James Lee Burke. I think I just didn't click with his writing style. 3/5 Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer. Ugh. Enjoyed The Interestings, which is why I picked up this one. Dislike, dislike, dislike. 1/5 Next up is Gilead by Marilynne Robinson. I plan to read Gilead, Home, and her new one Lila. Unless of course I hate the first book, but I think I will like it. I loved Gilead. Read it slowly and savor the writing. It is so beautifully crafted. I have read several easy Rosenfeld mysteries and am in the middle of Big Little Lies. I am looking forward to The Bone Clocks. It's up next. |
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Post by mom2luke on Nov 11, 2014 21:30:58 GMT
I agree it is definitely the weakest of the trilogy. But I have also read the other two books...so I feel I have to finish this one. The real problem with this book is that I bought the actual book. I do a lot of my reading at night. If I read on my Nook - I do not have to get my glasses. When I read the actual book - I need my glasses and as weak as that reason is...that's why I haven't finished it!
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Post by birukitty on Nov 12, 2014 23:13:15 GMT
I also set aside my current Outlander novel (I think I'm on book 6) to start reading "All the Light we Cannot See) for the Peas bookclub this week. I'm already halfway through this book it is so good. I'm am really loving everything about it. I already love reading about this time in history, but this writer is wonderful with detail writing which I always appreciate. I can "see" what he is writing as surely as if it were a movie.
I can't believe how fast I'm going through this novel and will have to write down my thoughts so I don't forget them when I finish, so that I am ready for out Peas Book Club discussion at the end of this month. Of course it probably seems much faster since I've spent the last 5 books reading novels that are each 800+ pages!
Oh and Mimima-how interesting that you recently reread "Carrie" by Stephen King. I recommend if you are going to watch the movie do yourself a favor and watch the original movie that came out in 1976 with Sissy Spacek in the title role, not that horrible remake. I've seen both-and the original in my opinion is far better. I saw it when it came out at the movie theater (dating myself here). I haven't read "Carrie" in years, but recently went back and reread my favorite Stephen King book, "Salem's Lot" last year. That one I hadn't read since I was a teen in the late 1970's, and it was just as scary as it was back then. I saw the movie recently as I was flipping through the channels on TV one night but it was beyond horrible.
Debbie in MD.
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janeliz
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Post by janeliz on Nov 12, 2014 23:56:15 GMT
I'm reading Don't Try to Find Me by Holly Brown. It's plodding along a bit right now, but I'm interested to see how it wraps up so I'm sticking with it.
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My original pea date was November 1999 and my number was 1803
. But I'm pleasantly surprised to say I liked this one. Especially the minions. You gotta love the minions!
