Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775020 times)

pedln · « **Reply #4480 on:** February 21, 2013, 02:33:25 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

Gone Girl sounds either like "The book you love to HATE" or the Book you love to LOVE. No in between. Judy, it wasn't me who said boo about it. The only thing I know is that it's been on just about every "Best" list for 2012 that's come out in print.

Tomereader, I checked out J Franzen's Freedom from the Library and loved the first section. But it was so heavy and hard to read in bed that I paid good money to download the Kindle version. And then I hated the rest of the book. Couldn't stand the characters. Not nice people. Son and DIL both liked the book.

Darned if I didn't get that timed out message again. But I foxed them, did a "copy" before posting.

JoanP · « **Reply #4481 on:** February 21, 2013, 06:09:34 PM »

Has anyone read any of Kent Haruf's books - Plainsong, Eventide? He's just come out with a new one after a decade since he last published. The new one is called Benediction - some of the characters appeared in the earlier two. I'm really interested to hear about those...

Also, we are looking for a good Fiction title for group discussion in April. Please stop in the Suggestion box with your ideas...

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4482 on:** February 21, 2013, 06:36:34 PM »

Pedlin, don't think I was the one mentioning J. Franzen's "Freedom" as I have never read one of his books. Must have been someone else here.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4483 on:** February 21, 2013, 06:37:09 PM »

I have read one of Kent Haruf's books, it was the first one I believe.

pedln · « **Reply #4484 on:** February 21, 2013, 10:06:57 PM »

Tomereader -- Re: Franzen -- I was actually responding to your comment about "check it out from the library" and "spending good money" for a book you found disappointing, because I had a similar experience.

In our upcoming March discussion book, The End of Your Life Book Club, Will Schwalbe and his mother share their thoughts on many books and it's very easy to get caught up in the appeal of them. Which is fine as long as one doesn't start buying them all . . . .

(Just got another timed out message)

Steph · « **Reply #4485 on:** February 22, 2013, 06:43:54 AM »

Yesterday I could not get into senior learn until afternoon.. Just flat out insisted it was not there.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4486 on:** February 22, 2013, 08:59:49 AM »

I also had problems with it yesterday Steph. Seems to be OK today.

Rosemary

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4487 on:** February 22, 2013, 12:14:34 PM »

"Darned if I didn't get that timed out message again. But I foxed them, did a "copy" before posting."

Me too Pedln. Technology is wonderful most if the time, very frustrating when not working like we expect.

PatH · « **Reply #4488 on:** February 22, 2013, 02:35:34 PM »

There have been some problems with the server, which are going to be solved by an upgrade. Things should be fixed soon.

JoanP · « **Reply #4489 on:** February 22, 2013, 05:19:29 PM »

What did you think of Kent Haruf's Plainsong, Tomereader? I just read that if you liked Ivan Doig's books, you'll like Haruf. I did.
I think I'm going to pick up Plainsong at the library, and see what Haruf is all about before I even think about his new book just out.

His stories are set in the little town of Holt in Eastern Colorado - where he grew up. Last week I read a glowing review of his latest book, Benedictions. All of the reviews were big welcomes to his return after a 10 year hiatus. I was attracted to the titles of the two previous books...Plainsong and Eventide...which is why I asked if anyone read them. .Read more about Haruf's books here -

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/profiles/article/54801-a-lot-of-living-kent-haruf.html

He got my attention when he said -he "considers William Faulkner the author who perhaps has most influenced him, saying that he likes “to read some Faulkner, Hemingway, or Chekhov before sitting down to write anything.”

marjifay · « **Reply #4490 on:** February 22, 2013, 06:31:35 PM »

"he (Haruf) considers William Faulkner the author who perhaps has most influenced him, saying that he likes “to read some Faulkner, Hemingway, or Chekhov before sitting down to write anything.”

Maybe that's why I couldn't get interested in Haruf's Plainsong. I am not a fan of Faulkner or especially Hemingway. But hearing Haruf discussed here, I'm getting curious to read it. Think I'll nominate it for the SrLearn's April read.

Marj

marjifay · « **Reply #4491 on:** February 22, 2013, 06:52:06 PM »

"he (Haruf) considers William Faulkner the author who perhaps has most influenced him, saying that he likes “to read some Faulkner, Hemingway, or Chekhov before sitting down to write anything.”

Maybe that's why I couldn't get interested in Haruf's Plainsong. I am not a fan of Faulkner or especially Hemingway. But hearing Haruf discussed here, I'm getting curious to read it. Think I'll nominate it for the SrLearn's April read.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #4492 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:31:55 AM »

I have a horrid cold, so did not listen to my course yesterday. I get foggy when I am sick, so did not want to ruin my enjoyment of the course. Picked up a chic vampire story.. witches, vampires and fashion ( sigh), but I really don't have to think in this type of book..
I also have a Netflix of the Best Marigold Hotel to watch..

Babi · « **Reply #4493 on:** February 23, 2013, 09:04:06 AM »

I'm not a fan of Hemingway, either, but the Haruf books do sound good. I'm
embarassed to admit that tho' I've seen many films from Faulkner plays, I've
never read them.

Quote

I really don't have to think in this type of book..

I know
what you mean, STEPH. Some books are perfect to just keep you entertained
until you get sleepy.

ginny · « **Reply #4494 on:** February 23, 2013, 11:20:15 AM »

Two new books out which look really interesting, to me. The new issue of People Magazine has a perfectly wonderful article on Maeve Benchy's last book A Week in Winter which she finished just days before her death last July, was it? The description alone is perfectly marvelous. I have never read one of her books, and I think I'll start with that one, has anybody read it and does it live up to the praise?

Does anybody know how Maeve is pronounced? (Another one I never got straight is Ngaio Marsh). She was a New Zealander and I thought she wrote good mysteries. Have no idea how that name is pronounced, and I did not know how pretty she was.

The second new book out that looks good to me is Peter Mayle's The Marseilles Caper, which came out in 2012. I really enjoy Peter Mayle. He's light but he's smart and literate and enjoyable, he's got that sense of humor pervading his books. I liked his Chasing Cezanne so much; it was a departure for him from his Provence books.

Seeing it at the Barnes and Noble store here reminded me I've not read his A Vintage Caper, which apparently Marseille is a continuation of. It's about wine and the Bordeaux region, it's just fun and light and...enjoyable. I like the occasional light read about these people living these unbelievable lives of luxury and wealth and million dollar bottles of vinegar.

So far it's a delight. Of course it's got its share of negative reviews, sigh sigh, but then again, what doesn't, really? Somebody will always feel snarky about a particular book. Maybe it deserves them, who knows? I like finding out for myself.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #4495 on:** February 23, 2013, 11:20:41 AM »

I'm still enjoying Shaman by Noah Gordon, the second book in the Dr Robt J. Cole series.

It's historical fiction. The first book was set in the 12th century in Europe when the first Robert J. Cole became a physician. This one is in the U. S. where a descendent Dr R. J. Cole has fled the Scottish political scene and ends up in frontier Ohio. In my reading he has just left the Civil War, having been wounded. His son, Robert Jefferson Cole, (Shaman) became deaf as a result of a childhood fever but insists on studying medicine nonetheless. Gordon has done a good job of giving us the "underdog" story of the time - he talks of Native Americans, Robert J. has a minor role in the Underground r.r., is a pacifist and an atheist, he talks of the deaf son's difficulties, and he includes the Jewish community.

I recommend it to those who like historical fiction. It's taking me a while to read it since i always have 4 or 5 books on the nightstand, alternating them based on my mood and this is a long one.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4496 on:** February 23, 2013, 11:38:44 AM »

Ngaio is pronounced "NayOh". I think Maeve would be Mayve.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4497 on:** February 23, 2013, 12:10:47 PM »

And here I thought it was NUH - GUY - OH

AND MAY - FVFF

I do not know how to put my picture in my profile. Is there anyone in here who does know how who I could email my photo to and they could do it for me? Any volunteers?

marypage29@comcast.net

CubFan · « **Reply #4498 on:** February 23, 2013, 12:29:43 PM »

I just finished the latest Maeve Binchy A Week in Winter and enjoyed it very much. I have read all of her books and always liked her writing - very calm and restful. This one was like most of her books, a gathering of strangers who spend time together in in an Irish setting. We learn about their pasts, what brought them together, and the influence they may or may not have on each other.

Mary

marjifay · « **Reply #4499 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:03:32 PM »

If you're looking for something a bit different, you might want to read THE DINNER by Herman Koch (Dutch author). Wow! If you're looking for a nice pleasant read, forget it! Two brothers and their wives meet at a swank restaurant for dinner and to discuss what their teenage sons have done. I liked the author's wry sense of humor, but as the story continues it becomes not only suspenseful but rather strange as you learn what is going on in the mind of the narrating brother. Scary, the lengths to which some people will go to preserve their comfortable way of life. It certainly kept my attention to the end.

Marj

JoanK · « **Reply #4500 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:06:00 PM »

I'm having trouble posting.

Frybabe · « **Reply #4501 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:12:52 PM »

There must be a glitch in the system again. I had lots of trouble logging on.

JoanK · « **Reply #4502 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:20:11 PM »

Now it seems to be all right again.

marjifay · « **Reply #4503 on:** February 23, 2013, 06:24:27 PM »

I have Maeve Binchy's A WEEK IN WINTER on hold at the library. It must be very popular, as I am still 7th on the list. I need something calm and restful after reading The Dinner.

Marj

Steph · « **Reply #4504 on:** February 24, 2013, 06:22:59 AM »

I like Binchy ( except for the lake one) and will read this one at some point. My cold is still with me. bed by 8:30 pm and slept through until 5:45am.. That's after sleeping about half of yesterday. but that's my solution to being sick. Wake, walk and feed dogs, eat something and then back to sleep.

Babi · « **Reply #4505 on:** February 24, 2013, 09:30:36 AM »

Always the best way with a cold, STEPH. The old 'tried and true' formula: Rest and drink plenty of liquids. Oh, and extra Vit. C, too. If you didn't need the sleep, you wouldn't be
able to.

JoanK · « **Reply #4506 on:** February 24, 2013, 03:46:23 PM »

Rest and feel better, Steph.

Steph · « **Reply #4507 on:** February 25, 2013, 06:12:48 AM »

I do feel better, only slept half the day and did not go to bed until the normal time.. So the cold is lifting.. Need a hair cut.. I wish I liked hairdressers, but I hate the fussing with my hair. Just not my thing.. I loved pedicures,, but hate massages and dislike the fussing with my hair. Sort of weird, but there it is..

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4508 on:** February 27, 2013, 05:02:08 AM »

On Sunday my friend and I are going to Stobo Castle at Peebles, which is a spa. Never been before, had a gift token to cover (part of) the cost of 2 nights. We are both so looking forward to it - I'm sure some people go to these places all the time, but for us it's a real treat. Not getting hair done, Steph, but having a massage, facial and a hand treatment - will spend rest of the time in the pool or just lounging about with books.

Rosemary

Frybabe · « **Reply #4509 on:** February 27, 2013, 06:48:45 AM »

I had a day at a local spa some years back. My favorite turned out to be the facial. It was sooooo relaxing and peaceful.

Steph · « **Reply #4510 on:** February 27, 2013, 09:10:23 AM »

I like facials as well, I think it is the starkers under the sheet that throws me..Getting naked with a stranger is not a goal of mine.. Did get a good haircut from a walk in place.. I love it, but watch the girl will be gone when I try the place again.
My older son gave his wife and I a spa day right after Tim died. We were at a casino inBiloxi and the hotel has a wonderful spa.. Some really interesting stuff.. I did like that one..

MaryPage · « **Reply #4511 on:** February 27, 2013, 10:32:55 AM »

I have a granddaughter, My Judith, who owns her own spa in St. Louis, Missouri. She is extremely successful and has just had her first baby, at age 37. A little boy born 12/12/12, and my 22nd great grandchild. Judith's spa is called the (j3) Studio.

http://www.j3-studio.com/

PatH · « **Reply #4512 on:** February 27, 2013, 11:33:30 AM »

Currently booked through mid March; she's very successful.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #4513 on:** February 27, 2013, 01:33:38 PM »

Ginny, Maeve is pronounced MAVE, as in 'rave' or 'save'.

My husband wanted to call one of our daughters Grainne, which I believe is pronounced GRONYA. I said no, but there are some lovely Irish names.

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #4514 on:** February 28, 2013, 06:29:19 AM »

Names are so strange in so many different ways.. Some names fit people and some are never too appropriate... I have a friend whose name is Tammy.. At 70, she says she wishes it were something else..

ginny · « **Reply #4515 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:48:36 AM »

Thank you all for the pronunciation of the names Ngaio and Maeve, aren't they pretty. Love that Grainne story, Rosemary! Thank goodness we didn't go with my first choice for our oldest (and I'm sure he thanks us too): Alistair. I know it's a perfectly good name but in America I am pretty sure he'd be called Alice, and he'd have hated it. I liked it. And after all it would have had that alliterative effect. Of course, again that would have been AA not particularly good either.

Names are so interesting. My grandmother's name was Arsinoe, which is famous in antiquity but which she absolutely hated. Here it was pronounced ar SIGN a. She said she'd haunt me if I named another poor child that after her. hahahaa Happily I had boys, so that did not arise.

(That SPA trip looks to die for, Rosemary, what a place!!)

I'm still enjoying Pater Mayle's A Vintage Caper, they had something very like it on one of those home programs yesterday, Million Dollar Rooms or something like that, where these houses have their own real wine cellars. I think I'll get further in the mood and watch Sideways again with Paul Giamatti. (There's a movie people love or hate.

And speaking of Gone Girl, hahaha, (love or hate) we may have, on CNN's sister station HLN daily, a real life Gone Girl, currently in court in the Jodie Arias murder trial.

maryz · « **Reply #4516 on:** February 28, 2013, 01:17:12 PM »

My dear mother-in-law's (born 1907) name was Oneta Mable. Oneta was the name of an Indian Princess in a popular novel around the turn of the 20th century. I've come across the name dating from that time period several times. She hated the name, and always went by "Nita". I used to tease her and threaten to name one of our girls after her. She'd always threaten to disinherit us if we did. All in fun, of course.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4517 on:** February 28, 2013, 08:08:36 PM »

Two unusual female family names in my family have been Irone and Eula. I had aunts with those names, and they were both named for aunts of theirs. EYE-ROAN, not Irene. And YOU-LAH. I dislike both names, but dearly loved the aunts who had them.

maryz · « **Reply #4518 on:** February 28, 2013, 11:21:12 PM »

My cousin's wife is named Eula - definitely unusual.

Steph · « **Reply #4519 on:** March 01, 2013, 06:00:50 AM »

My family has Stephen Paine Hill Clute .. My Dad was 2, his grandfather was 1, my brother was 3 and his son is 4.. Whew..
Yes, The Arias case sounds a bit like Gone Girl.
Oh Babi, I will miss you so much.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 775020 times)