This Week I are mostly reading (contd)

SarahBM

Slattsy wrote: »

This is one weird/****ed up book - but sweet baby Allah its class so far

I found the Master and Margarita one of the most difficult books to read EVER! I liked the part set back when the Romans ruled but, gawd almighty I struggled with the rest. Glad you like it though.

gramar

Halfway through the Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. I've been debating since the first few chapters whether I should stop or not. I don't know where to begin to describe how poor it is in every way.

Belle E. Flops

Finished Turn of the Screw, which I really enjoyed.

Just about to start Animal Farm by George Orwell.

OakeyDokey

Belle E. Flops wrote: »

Just about to start Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Ugh! That book gave me nightmares! I haven't been able to look at pigs in the same way again :(

AnnyHallsal

I finished Jeanette Winterson's Why Be Happy When You Can Be Normal. The first three-quarters us particularly strong. Her prose is so striking, Biblical, dark but scabrously funny. Anyone who enjoyed Oranges are not the Only Fruit will love this too.

Now reading Proust was a Neuroscientist. Full of fascinating titbits about how the brain works and the artists who anticipated it. One of those books that makes you annoy everyone by around you by making you lean over with a "Here, listen to this .." every five minutes :P

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I'm reading North and South (Gaskell) and it's okay so far.

Mr. Thornton just confessed his love to Margaret but it's almost like it's come out of nowhere. I was as surprised by it as Margaret was. She's done nothing but annoy him up until now and yet he loves her?

SarahBM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I'm reading North and South (Gaskell) and it's okay so far.

Mr. Thornton just confessed his love to Margaret but it's almost like it's come out of nowhere. I was as surprised by it as Margaret was. She's done nothing but annoy him up until now and yet he loves her?

Ya, I vaguely remember that, its been so long since I read it.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

SarahBM wrote: »

Ya, I vaguely remember that, its been so long since I read it.

It just seems a bit sudden even for this era. He's remarked on her beauty before but otherwise she's been a right pain in the bum. I shall read on and see if it makes any more sense.

That said I am quite enjoying it

[-0-]

Currently reading Moby Dick, and loving it. It's.... just fantastic. Better than I had hoped actually. I'm about half way through at this point.

Callan57

Just finished The Boy Who Lived With Ghosts by John Mitchell - A Memoir
An amazing story of a childhood lived in 1960s, a family falling apart and the specter of mental illness. It is superbly written and the voice of the child is superbly maintained throughout. A disturbing but brilliant read.

Now I must get back to finishing Wolf Totem

Monkeybonkers

[-0-] wrote: »

Currently reading Moby Dick, and loving it. It's.... just fantastic. Better than I had hoped actually. I'm about half way through at this point.

I would be interested to hear what it is you liked about this book?

I read it and thought it was the biggest load of rubbish. I really struggled to finish it. The long-winded descriptions of whaling techniques nearly broke my heart. I'm always pleasantly surprised when someone else has a completely different opinion of a book than myself. Brings it home that everyones opinion of each book is subjective.

If the book consisted of the first and last chapters with everything else in between left out I think it would improve it by at least 500%

Tombo2001

I've been reading My Fathers Tears, a book of short stories by John Updike. Very interesting. What I particularly like is as follows.......it was Updikes last book, written maybe five years ago when he was around 78 or so. He died three years ago. It reminds me in ways of Memoir by John McGahern, where he delves back into his childhood in particular and his formative years. While the short stories are fictional, they read in someways as a memoir to me. And it is very interesting to read stories set in the 1930s or 1940s, written in the age of google and ipads and so on, by someone who grew up then and has seen everything that has happened since. It was a reminder that technology and possessions are an irrelevance when you are looking back over your life.

Separate point - I have been getting more into short stories - I love a good short story; but outside of Irish writers and collections, there is very little to choose from in our libraries or book shops.

Censorsh!t

I'm reading The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood. Love it so far. I really enjoyed Oryx and Crake and The Handmaid's Tale, so I'm looking forward to reading more by her

Callan57

Tombo2001 wrote: »

I've been reading My Fathers Tears, a book of short stories by John Updike. Very interesting. What I particularly like is as follows.......it was Updikes last book, written maybe five years ago when he was around 78 or so. He died three years ago. It reminds me in ways of Memoir by John McGahern, where he delves back into his childhood in particular and his formative years. While the short stories are fictional, they read in someways as a memoir to me. And it is very interesting to read stories set in the 1930s or 1940s, written in the age of google and ipads and so on, by someone who grew up then and has seen everything that has happened since. It was a reminder that technology and possessions are an irrelevance when you are looking back over your life.

Separate point - I have been getting more into short stories - I love a good short story; but outside of Irish writers and collections, there is very little to choose from in our libraries or book shops.

I go through short story phases too - have you read any of Joyce Carol Oates? The Female of the Species, The Museum of Dr Moses and Give Me Your Heart I found superb. Also Bernhard Schlink's Flights of Love and Kate Atkinson's Not the End of the World are superb.

Aenaes

Finished Dr. Bloodmoney by Philip K. Dick. The 2nd novel of his I have read and both now feel a bit "meh". Sci-fi generally isn't one of particular likings so that doesn't help but even his style of writing was poor, in my opinion.

I've started Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carrè. Settling into it very nicely indeed, I can tell I'm going to enjoy it.

salacious crumb

Aenaes wrote: »

Finished Dr. Bloodmoney by Philip K. Dick. The 2nd novel of his I have read and both now feel a bit "meh". Sci-fi generally isn't one of particular likings so that doesn't help but even his style of writing was poor, in my opinion.

Dr. Bloodmoney isn't one of his best works. What was the other of his novels you've read?

Aenaes

It was Martian Time-Slip, I found myself wanting to get through it just as quickly as possible.

Sammy Jennings

Aenaes wrote: »

It was Martian Time-Slip, I found myself wanting to get through it just as quickly as possible.

Would recommend a collection of his stories instead. They are much more focused than his novels, which tend to be harum-scarum.

Sammy Jennings

maynoothlizard wrote: »

Staring at Lakes by Michael Harding

Don't think I can finish this one.

Dont blame you!

Used to read his columns before realising they were all the same. "I made eye contact with a woman. We have lost our way as a society. Why does it hurt when I p***."

salacious crumb

Aenaes wrote: »

It was Martian Time-Slip, I found myself wanting to get through it just as quickly as possible.

Ah, one of the few I haven't read. His work is quite erratic though, some of it is absolutely fantastic, and some of it is sh*t.

Honey-ec

Finally finished The Tommyknockers last night. Even my sister commented that she has never seen me take so long to read a King novel. By far the weakest work of his I've ever read. And I've read almost everything he's published.

Back to The Mammoth Book of Zombies, which was also disappointing me before I abandoned it in favour of Monsieur King.

Callan57

Finished Wolf Totem - a great read but gruesome and cruel in parts. I'll never think of a wolf the same again.

Next for me is Winter of the World by Ken Follett

Merkin

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Separate point - I have been getting more into short stories - I love a good short story; but outside of Irish writers and collections, there is very little to choose from in our libraries or book shops.

I'd really recommend Roald Dahl's collection of short stories if that's the case. It's a pretty big book and there are lots of wonderful stories to dip into.Although better known for his work for children, these are for adults and you will enjoy them!

Honey-ec

John Connolly also has a good collection of short stories called "Nocturnes".

Stephen King has oodles of anthologies. If I had to pick just one, I'd go for "Nightmares and Dreamscapes".

Plus one on whoever mentioned Joyce Carol Oates. Or, if you like sci-fi "Songs of a Dying Earth" is a good one.

Antibac

Just started Godspeaker by Karen Miller. So far so good. Hopefully the rest of the series is good

emeraldstar

Merkin wrote: »

I'd really recommend Roald Dahl's collection of short stories if that's the case. It's a pretty big book and there are lots of wonderful stories to dip into.Although better known for his work for children, these are for adults and you will enjoy them!

Great suggestion. Dahl's short stories are deliciously grotesque.

eire4

Honey-ec wrote: »

John Connolly also has a good collection of short stories called "Nocturnes".

Stephen King has oodles of anthologies. If I had to pick just one, I'd go for "Nightmares and Dreamscapes".

Plus one on whoever mentioned Joyce Carol Oates. Or, if you like sci-fi "Songs of a Dying Earth" is a good one.

I have read Nocturnes as well and enjoyed it as I have all his novels.

Miss Mayhem

Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. Chilling, terrifying novel. Loosely based on the kidnap and murder of Lindsay Buziak in Canada in 2008.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Just finished North and South and I have to say I was not impressed.

I liked the characters and I found myself reading large chunks of it at a time but overall the development of the romantic plot seemed very poor to me.

[spoilers] Margaret's a snooty cow to Mr. Thornton so he decides overnight he loves her. She's having none of it so he ignores her for long enough. Everyone she knows dies and suddenly she loves him too. The end. [/spoilers]

Maybe I need more time to think about it but yeah... not impressed.

SarahBM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Just finished North and South and I have to say I was not impressed.

I liked the characters and I found myself reading large chunks of it at a time but overall the development of the romantic plot seemed very poor to me.

[spoilers] Margaret's a snooty cow to Mr. Thornton so he decides overnight he loves her. She's having none of it so he ignores her for long enough. Everyone she knows dies and suddenly she loves him too. The end. [/spoilers]

Maybe I need more time to think about it but yeah... not impressed.

wow, I think that is a pretty cynical take on the whole love story.

I dont think she fell in love with Thornton over night, or him with her. I think it just took them both a while to realise it because they were both so stubborn.

But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Im still on the Count of Monte Cristo. I should be half way through by the wknd. I am finding it hard to get the time to sit down and get a good run at it. Not enough hours in the day dammit. :rolleyes:

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

SarahBM wrote: »

wow, I think that is a pretty cynical take on the whole love story.

I dont think she fell in love with Thornton over night, or him with her. I think it just took them both a while to realise it because they were both so stubborn.

But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Well, like I said maybe I need to stew on it a while. I'm going to watch the BBC mini series and see if it sheds any more light on it for me. (also to swoon at Richard Armitage)

ncmc

Honey-ec wrote: »

Finally finished The Tommyknockers last night. Even my sister commented that she has never seen me take so long to read a King novel. By far the weakest work of his I've ever read. And I've read almost everything he's published.

Back to The Mammoth Book of Zombies, which was also disappointing me before I abandoned it in favour of Monsieur King.

I agree, I've never actually managed to finish it, despite starting it several times.

Callan57 wrote: »

Finished Wolf Totem - a great read but gruesome and cruel in parts. I'll never think of a wolf the same again.

Next for me is Winter of the World by Ken Follett

Don't do it! It's absolutely rubbish (and I really enjoyed Fall of Giants) It's so badly written and has such a huge amount of un-neccesary padding. It reads like he had a certain amount of pages to write and just filled half of them with rubbish. The characters are total cardboard cutouts, I nearly threw it across the room several times (except I didn't want to break my Kindle over such a rubbish book )

I'm just back from my holidays, so read a few books.

I am Pilgrim - Terry Hayes - I enjoyed this, it has a bit of a 'written for screenplay' vibe about it - and in fact the author is a screenwriter - this is his first novel - also it has a supplementary story which I felt was a bit superfluous, although he may be setting it up for a sequel. Overall it's a good solid read.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce - I enjoyed this, I would say it's very good and almost great. I can't put my finger on why I would give this 4 stars instead of 5, I think it's because the character of Harold and his wife were slightly frustrating. Harold was a walkover with everyone he met and I found myself getting annoyed by him.

Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn - Again, another one with 'movie' written all over it. I felt it was pretty poor. The idea was quite good, but the execution wasn't. I just found both the main characters completely unbelievable.

Currently reading The Universe Versus Alex Wood. Enjoying it so far, but finding it hard to get a good run at reading it, seem to be reading a chapter here and there.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

ncmc wrote: »

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry - Rachel Joyce - I enjoyed this, I would say it's very good and almost great. I can't put my finger on why I would give this 4 stars instead of 5, I think it's because the character of Harold and his wife were slightly frustrating. Harold was a walkover with everyone he met and I found myself getting annoyed by him.

I enjoyed Harold Fry for the first third of the book, maybe. Then it just got a bit repetitive and I was bored by the end of it.

ncmc

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I enjoyed Harold Fry for the first third of the book, maybe. Then it just got a bit repetitive and I was bored by the end of it.

Yes, I think that was it. Once all the followers started walking with him, I got bored. I was shouting at the book "would you just ever tell them to f*ck off!"

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

ncmc wrote: »

Yes, I think that was it. Once all the followers started walking with him, I got bored. I was shouting at the book "would you just ever tell them to f*ck off!"

I admit I was sad when

the dog left him

but other than that they were a pain.

ncmc

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I admit I was sad when

the dog left him

but other than that they were a pain.

Me too! I almost cried at that bit yet didn't when

Queenie died or it was revealed his son was dead

:pac:

AnnyHallsal

I'm reading Susan Cain's Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking.

It's really good, highly enlightening and identifiable for anyone of a shyer disposition. I feel like I've learned a little about myself and others and it's given me a lot to think about, careerwise.

Callan57

Making my way through Winter of the World but I needed something with less physical weight as I was on the move today.
So I picked off my shelf Cry, The Beloved Country by Alan Paton which I have been intending to read for a long time. Liking it a lot so far.

Aenaes

So I finished Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Pretty good, gonna check out the TV series and film versions soon. I also have to read some more le Carrè's work.

Now on to Jospeh Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

Tombo2001

Callan57 wrote: »

I go through short story phases too - have you read any of Joyce Carol Oates? The Female of the Species, The Museum of Dr Moses and Give Me Your Heart I found superb. Also Bernhard Schlink's Flights of Love and Kate Atkinson's Not the End of the World are superb.

Thanks for the recommendations, I've only read her in anthologies but will look out for those titles.

Belle E. Flops

Finished Animal Farm a couple of days ago. It isn't a a feel good book by any means, but it is interesting and very political. Glad I read it but doubt I'll read it again.

Have just started 'Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure' by John Cleland.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

I've started Persuasion by Jane Austen.

I've run out of books and found it lying in a box in the shed, so why not? I'd been thinking I should read a few more of the "classics" anyway, so good timing.

SarahBM

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

I've started Persuasion by Jane Austen.

I've run out of books and found it lying in a box in the shed, so why not? I'd been thinking I should read a few more of the "classics" anyway, so good timing.

I love Austen and Persuasion is by far my favourite. Pride and Prejudice is very good, quiet funny.

If you want to read more classics, Tess of D'Urbervilles is good. Rebecca is another I would highly recommend. Out of curiosity, what else was in the box?

Callan57

SarahBM wrote: »

I love Austen and Persuasion is by far my favourite. Pride and Prejudice is very good, quiet funny.

If you want to read more classics, Tess of D'Urbervilles is good. Rebecca is another I would highly recommend. Out of curiosity, what else was in the box?

That proves you are a true book addict

SarahBM

Callan57 wrote: »

That proves you are a true book addict

My TO READ pile is getting so big. I wish I was a faster reader so I could read more. There just are not enough hours in the day.

I have hit the half way mark in the Count of Monte Cristo. The print is so small

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

SarahBM wrote: »

I love Austen and Persuasion is by far my favourite. Pride and Prejudice is very good, quiet funny.

If you want to read more classics, Tess of D'Urbervilles is good. Rebecca is another I would highly recommend. Out of curiosity, what else was in the box?

It wasn't all books but there was a few Austen's in it. Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility and my personal favourite, Emma. I'm not sure if I've read S&S or just seen the film. Emma I've read about 10 times

Wuthering Heights was there too and a few Dickens' too. Most of them I've read but they've been in the shed for quite a few years so I might give a few of them a re read.

I was thinking of adding Far From the Madding Crowd to my list too. I read the other day that they're making a new film version of it so I thought I should give it a read before it comes out so I can moan about how it's not as good as the book

Belle E. Flops

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

It wasn't all books but there was a few Austen's in it. Mansfield Park, Sense & Sensibility and my personal favourite, Emma. I'm not sure if I've read S&S or just seen the film. Emma I've read about 10 times

Wuthering Heights was there too and a few Dickens' too. Most of them I've read but they've been in the shed for quite a few years so I might give a few of them a re read.

I have a lot of Austen's books, but have only read Pride and Prejudice and Emma so far. Really liked P+p, but absolutely loved Emma.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Belle E. Flops wrote: »

I have a lot of Austen's books, but have only read Pride and Prejudice and Emma so far. Really liked P+p, but absolutely loved Emma.

Emma is one of my all time favourite books by any author. I also love Clueless, which is based on it, and the most recent BBC adaptation of it was pretty much perfect. One of the rare cases of the "film" being as good as the book.

MagicMarker

Currently reading All the President's Men. Absolutely brilliant.

chasmcb

Just finished Strumpet City, had never read it before. Terrific read. Odd that RTE didn't re-run their TV adaptation this year given it's the Lockout centenary -maybe they wiped the tapes! Am now half-way through 'Comanche Moon', Larry McMurtry's prequel to 'Lonesome Dove' which is enjoyable but a bit patchy compared to 'Dove'.