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What Are You Reading? Fall Edition
Throughout all the ebbs and flows of my social life, from voracious dater, to live-in boyfriend, to craving alone time at home with my dog, I’ve been an avid reader. Not much gets in the way of me and a book. Right now, it’s All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. How about you?
From The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover
Discussion
36 comments for “What Are You Reading? Fall Edition”
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Silver Ley by Adrian Bell
http://apenguinaweek.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/penguin-no-278-silver-ley-by-adrian-bell.html I read his Corduroy before this one … all about his life as a farmer …
I have several thousand books here … I cannot imagine life without books … not without over-whelming despair …
Where do you keep all your books?
Do audiobooks count? In that medium I have recently started ‘The war that ended peace’ by Margaret MacMillan. I am drawn to books about World War I, and see it as such a pivotal event in world history that I am still trying to understand all the ramifications that resulted from the war as well as the postwar ‘peacemaking’ that led directly to some of the issues we are still seeing played out today.
Also reading ‘The likeness’ by Tana French, an Irish crime fiction writer, a very compelling and well-written book.
For many years (20+) I kept a list of all the books I read. Sad to say I don’t read as much as I used to but still consider books an essential part of life… and audiobooks are sometimes practical, but not the same as the ‘real thing.’
What’s the experiential difference between hearing a book and reading it.
For me, in reading the printed page there is the anticipation of seeing (peripherally) the coming sentences and paragraphs and having more of a sense of anticipation of what’s ahead. I can tell if it is a long dense and evocative description, or many lines of dialogue that will move quickly. Listening is frustrating in a way; with nonfiction maybe it’s easier but I am very visual so I like seeing a glimpse of what’s to come when I am reading fiction. I have often wondered if others have the same experience.
That’s a great description. I hadn’t thought about the visual element of what’s ahead.
Just finished the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett- quite good historically and great character development. Then also three books (Americannah, Half a Yellow Sun, Purple Hibiscus) by a gifted Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie- Americannah is my favorite of the three. Excellent eye opener about race in America from the perspective of an African black as opposed to African American black, I have been on a reading frenzy – all so good.
What’s up for you next?
The Invention of Wings
I hadn’t heard of this book, and just looked it up on Amazon. These women’s stories are so important, now more than ever.
Loved Americanah.
Consensus!
Loved Americanah as well!
You’re all swaying me now.
Wendy – I loved that book! I didn’t think I would when I first started, but the characters really took a hold of me. How are you liking it so far?
Right now, I’m in yet another Dean Koontz novel – its like junk food for the brain. I cycle between books that make me think and the fluff. I find that especially when I’m very busy with work, I find that some fluff at the end of the day helps me relax and fall into a peaceful sleep (even if its a book about zombies or killer aliens, ha).
When I get into the “real” books, sometimes I find I am too tired to read them when I’ve had a full day. But the next one on my list is The Water Is Wide, by Pat Conroy. I haven’t read any of his books since the Prince of Tides, which has haunted me for years.
I agree that books like Doerr’s are hard to read at night. I do my best reading on a weekend day. I’m about half way through, and enjoying it. The prose is exquisite, and the story is magical, though a little slow going.
‘Brooklyn’ by Colm Toibin, for a book group I’m attending this Sunday. Have enjoyed it so far, looks like it will be a quick read, and it will be fun to see the movie in November after having read the book.
I just watched the trailer for Brooklyn. It looks good. https://youtu.be/15syDwC000k
yeah, from the trailer it appears that we’re supposed to feel deeply sorry for this character who has TWO men in hot pursuit of her. kind of makes me groan, but I’ve found the story engrossing nonetheless.
Two hot men in hot pursuit
lol. that poor thing.
Let’s throw her a pity party.
Yep, books have always been there. I’m reading A Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. It’s an anatomy of grief. Not a mood lifter, but it’s an important subject.
That book is amazing. But of course, it’s Joan Didion.
All the Light is gorgeous and perfect and masterful. I hope you like it.
It is beautiful. At the midpoint now, and curious to see where the story goes.
Currently a few chapters into So, Anyway… by John Cleese, and already seeing hints of his Pythonesque humor in his high school days. Before that was Einstein by Walter Isaascson. And I interrupted that for The Martian by Andy Weir–science fiction that uses actual science, a great roller coaster ride, and lots of characters to cheer for. A refreshing aspect of the main character, Mark Watney, is the fact that he’s single and apparently has had no luck with women–something I can completely relate to. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but the trailer seems to imply that Hollywood decided that detail just had to go (“What? A hero without a woman?! SACRILEGE!!”). I hope that’s not the case. It’s so nice to see a writer acknowledge that people like us exist AND not put us in a negative light.
I’m really psyched about seeing the movie, The Martian. I hear it’s good. Though now that you’ve read the book, I wonder how it will compare.
I just saw the movie, and it holds up pretty well. They dropped some of the problems Mark faced, several scenes, and didn’t get as deep into the science. But then, what movie adaptation doesn’t leave out stuff? Thankfully, they didn’t muck with his single status. The trailer is misleading. Anyway…the main appeal of the story is that the hero has to work is way through a life-or-death situation using his brains…his knowledge of science. No hitting or shooting. But one warning: if you hate disco, go prepared–it’s used as a running joke. I’ve been fighting an ABBA earworm the last few days.
I’m a big Ridley Scott fan (yeah, I know he’s had some real clunkers). So this movie is high up on my list. And now, I’ll be ready for disco.
Loved All the Light! Right now it’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North which is wonderful so far. Also read The Martian, The Namesake, and Far From the Tree this month. On deck is Between the World and Me. I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t read. It’s like satisfying a craving for me.
2 votes for The Martian. Interesting.
All The Light was a beautiful book with fascinating protagonists. Alas, with the initial crisping of the air, my attention turns to cookbooks! So my pleasure reading is less “deep” right now, but the cookbooks have welcomed me back.
I can conceptualize hearty stews and chilis, but it’s still broiling here in L.A. I can hardly bear to turn on the oven.
If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name. Stories from Haines, Alaska, by Heather Lende. I like it, and the interesting characters that inhabit her town.
What drew you to this book, Navarre?