Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[mlewis78]

I just started Cheryl Strayed's Wild. Recently read the first Grantchester book by James Runcie. I've been watching the TV series on PBS.

[Rev. Bob]

Due to some upcoming deadlines, I'm in the middle of some beta reading, and it wouldn't be right to name the books. After that, I've got some edits to work through with the author for whom I'm handling e-formatting and cover duties, and then maybe I can get back to my regular TBR pile. I understand that author's also reading some free-for-review books.

[Dryhte]

I'm just finishing up Murakami's 1Q84 (love it - love the 'magical realism' style. Quite some of our local Flemish authors used it in the seventies and eighties, and I used to like those as well).

Next up will be some books from Douglas Coupland (among which Generation A), and then a whole pile of Steampunk I just stumbled upon - among which a novella by Cherie Priest I found in the latest Humble Ebook Bundle. Since I loved Boneshaker, this should work out fine

After a youth filled with books, I studied literature at Uni and immediately stopped reading The fun went out of it. I only really rediscovered the fun of reading when I bought my first e-reader (Kobo Touch) a couple of years ago.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I finished Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood. So why hadn't I read Atwood prior to this?

I picked up the second book in the series at the library at lunch and will be diving into that soon.

Now on my TBR list, thanks.

I am reading the latest in the Alex Delaware series, Motive, by Jonathan Kellerman. Has had some mixed reviews, but even if the pace is a bit slow, it's still good to be immersed once more in the world of Delaware and Sturgis.

[Dngrsone]

Finished Heart Collector, now at a loss as to what to read next.

I may dig out a favorite scifi novel, maybe... Asimov's Gold is okay, but I am taking it in doses...

[Dryhte]

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

Finished Heart Collector, now at a loss as to what to read next.

I may dig out a favorite scifi novel, maybe... Asimov's Gold is okay, but I am taking it in doses...

Stephenson's 'Anathem' is a gorgeous piece of work (alternate reality/math SF). I wholeheartedly endorse it!

[Stitchawl]

Reading 'The Target' by David Balducci. 1/3 of the way into the book and enjoying it. He certainly does know how to set up a complex thriller!


Stitchawl

[HomeInMyShoes]

Originally Posted by Quexos

I am spreading myself between 3 books these days, I swear I won't open another book till I'm done with these.

No problems there. I've usually got two on the go. One in paper, one electronic and then, sometimes one non-fiction book as well.

[Luffy]

The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas - 2/5

I am aware how this doorstop from the past is accessible in its peerless translation to me...I, who found many ancient books boring and obscure and inaccessible to my contemporary mind. I acknowledge how certain parts of the book are delectable to read. Should that have been enough? Am I wrong in wanting the impossible from a book overtaken by obsolescence? I must hasten to state that the prose is modern but some ideas are clunky and outdated. But I don't regret in reading Monte Christo, because I need to tread trodden paths to recognize the merit in books that are humble and promise little, only to deliver on all counts.

The major problem of the book is that it requires us to be invested emotionally in all characters equally, without laying the foundation for us to care about the newer persons that appear in the book. The chapters dedicated to Abbe Faria are among the best I've read. This performance failed to reappear in the sometimes melodramatic meanderings of the middle and conclusive chapters. The more sentimental chapters remind me of an off form Dickens, or of a faithful Dickens, depending on your opinion.

Regardless of the complaints I have against Monte Christo, it's surprisingly modern and there are no cultural shockers here. It's just that sometimes the book takes on the form of ancient and boring texts, such as aesop's tales, the arabian nights, or the Odyssey. Narrators' characters narrate in their turn. Newcomers adopt painstakingly detailed orations of what new information they bring. As someone who looks forward to sad turns of the phrase and poetic insights, I was left cold by the fate of Mercedes, and Albert. There's something wrong in preparing me for caring about these innocent characters, then treating them coolly and giving them no closure. They were the key to humanizing the Count's revenge. These people were spared, but their destiny was not given enough gravitas. This sat ill with me, who was looking forward to see how well the endless flow of words would conclude. I feel the book is average and I feel my rating of two stars reflects my reaction to the book. Others will no doubt have different views.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Luffy

The Count of Monte Cristo
by Alexandre Dumas - 2/5

Which translation did you read? The 1846 Chapman and Hall public domain one, or the much better modern one by Robin Buss? The Chapman and Hall translation is pretty heavily redacted for the morals of a Victorian English readership.

[DiapDealer]

Arabian Nights and the Odyssey referred to as "ancient and boring texts." Everybody's, of course, entitled to their opinions, but wow!.... couldn't disagree more. "Ancient" I'll give you.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Arabian Nights and the Odyssey referred to as "ancient and boring texts." Everybody's, of course, entitled to their opinions, but wow!.... couldn't disagree more. "Ancient" I'll give you.

In fairness, different things appeal to different people. I think that the "Odyssey" is wonderful, but "Arabian Nights" does nothing for me.

[ReneAZ]

Just finished "The Whole Truth" by David Baldacci - another great read.

Needed a break from all the action I guess so I picked up the first in Louise Penny's Inspector Gamache series -- "Still Life". I don't know why, but I had trouble getting into her books before. (She has soooo many awards for this series, I was kind of surprised.) I think I just didn't give it enough time (kind of impatient to get 'hooked'). But I gave it a good 20-30 pages and, wow, is it good. Her writing is wonderful and a joy to read. Her characters and the setting come alive. And, of course, the mystery pulls me in. Surprisingly, it's become a 'can't put down' book, so off I go.

(Being retired I get to read daily. I am about 9 books ahead of my Goodreads goal and it's not even March! )

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by HarryT

In fairness, different things appeal to different people. I think that the "Odyssey" is wonderful, but "Arabian Nights" does nothing for me.

Ah, but didn't you read The Odyssey in the original Greek? It probably makes all the difference in the world.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by HarryT

In fairness, different things appeal to different people. I think that the "Odyssey" is wonderful, but "Arabian Nights" does nothing for me.

Oh, without a doubt; to each their own. I would just never use "boring" to describe books/stories that have as much action as the two that were mentioned do--even if I didn't like them. I'm not a fan of modern thrillers, but I wouldn't describe one as boring.