cabegley's 2009 reading

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cabegley's 2009 reading

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1cabegley
Editado: Jul 11, 2009, 11:35 am

READING NOW:
His Excellency: George Washington, Joseph J. Ellis (Kindle)
Rebecca, Daphne Du Maurier (audio)

READ TO DATE:
53. In the Kitchen, Monica Ali (ER)
52. 26a, Diana Evans
51. Property, Valerie Martin
50. Dear American Airlines, Jonathan Miles (Kindle)
49. Breath, Tim Winton (Kindle)
48. The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire and the Birth of an Obsession, Andrea Wulf
47. The Hero's Walk, Anita Rau Badami
46. Blue Heaven, C.J. Box
45. American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic, Joseph J. Ellis (Kindle)
44.The White Tiger, Aravind Adiga (Kindle)
43. The Hound of the Baskervilles, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
42. 1776, David McCullough
41. NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children, Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman
40. The Road Home, Rose Tremain
39. The Invention of Air, Steven Johnson (Kindle)
38. The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton (Kindle)
37. The Man in the Flying Lawn Chair, George Plimpton
36. Measuring the World, Daniel Kehlmann (Kindle)
35. The Unburied, Charles Palliser
34. Wickett's Remedy, Myla Goldberg (audio)
33. Let the Great World Spin, Colum McCann (Early Reviewers)
32. Unaccustomed Earth, Jhumpa Lahiri
31. The Curious Life of Robert Hooke: The Man Who Measured London, Lisa Jardine
30. Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had, Brad Cohen
29. Mister Pip, Lloyd Jones
28. On a Grander Scale: The Outstanding Life and Tumultuous Times of Sir Christopher Wren, Lisa Jardine
27. The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington, Jennet Conant
26. The Easter Parade, Richard Yates (Early Reviewers)
25. King Charles II, Antonia Fraser
24. The End of the Affair, Graham Greene
23. The London Blitz, David Johnson
22. Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parents' Guide, Tracy Lynne Marsh, ed.
21. At Swim-Two-Birds, Flann O'Brien
20. The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World, Steven Johnson
19. The Reader, Bernhard Schlink
18. The Radetzky March, Joseph Roth
17. Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, Mary Roach (audio)
16. The American Way of Death Revisited, Jessica Mitford
15. The Man Who Wasn't There, Pat Barker
14. Lady Audley's Secret, Mary Elizabeth Braddon
13. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher, Kate Summerscale
12. The Defining Moment, Jonathan Alter
11. The Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Orczy
10. The Sailor from Gibraltar, Marguerite Duras
9. Villette, Charlotte Bronte
8. Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love and Betrayal, Ben Macintyre
7. The Scandal of the Season, Sophie Gee
6. The Letters of Noel Coward, Barry Day, ed.
5. The Bad Girl, Mario Vargas Llosa (Early Reviewers)
4. Nineteen-Eighty Four, George Orwell
3. Nights at the Circus, Angela Carter
2. Animal Farm, George Orwell
1. Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash, Elizabeth Royte

ORIGINAL FIRST POST
For 2008, I gave myself several reading goals:

1. To read an average of 100 pages a day, or 36,600 over the course of the year.

2. To read more books (60%) that I already owned prior to 2008.

3. To read 25 books of nonfiction.

4. To get more global, and read more in translation.

5. To write reviews of the books I read.

How'd I do? Well, I still have until January 4 (I have been keeping track from the date I start a book, and the first book I started in 2008 was January 5), but right now:

1. I'm at 33,286 pages. I really don't think I'll read another 3,314 pages between now and then, but there's a chance, I guess.

2. Of the 93 books I've read to date, 44, or 47% were purchased prior to 2008.

3. I have a fighting chance on this one--I've read 22 books of nonfiction thus far.

4. I have a hard time judging global and translation, but ruling out U.S., Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Australia, I think I read about 16 that qualify. Not great.

5. Reviews were the death of me. I started a blog, and abandoned it by June.

For more on the 93 books I've read so far this year, please see my 50 Book Challenge thread here: http://www.librarything.com/topic/27070 .

And what I learned from this exercise? No goals in 2009! I'm just going to read. (Although I have already embraced amandameale's TBR bowl . . .)

2fannyprice
Dic 14, 2008, 12:01 pm

I support no goals in 2009, although as a list-maker/goal-setter, its probably something I won't stick to. For some, these lists function as motivators or incentives, for me, they are something to create, immediately rebel against, and then feel bad about when I don't complete them. I have a complicated relationship with myself, apparently.

3cabegley
Dic 14, 2008, 9:49 pm

It's funny, Kris--I was going to comment on what you said on the Introductions thread:

"Any reading plan I try to make and stick to almost immediately fails because every book I read spurs in me the desire to read a whole new subset of books; I also hate feeling like reading is “work” and the existence of a list of books automatically causes that for me. Despite this, I constantly make lists of what I am going to read next."

I felt like you were describing me. (It doesn't hurt that I am also a Chris.) I made myself a reading plan a few years ago, and resented reading perfectly good books because I had been told to read them (by me). At the beginning of this year, I made a list of books I plan to read in 2008, and didn't look at the list often, in order to try to avoid tainting the books. I still read fewer than 1/3 of them.

4cocoafiend
Dic 16, 2008, 2:17 am

I love lists! I don't necessarily stick to them, but it helps me organize my ideas about my reading. And I agree that rebelling against reading lists is a perfectly acceptable practice. My students do it all the time... Don't feel badly, fannyprice!

5fannyprice
Dic 21, 2008, 10:43 am

>3 cabegley:, Wow, we are the same. When you said you "resented reading perfectly good books because I had been told to read them (by me)" - that is so me.

6cabegley
Ene 1, 2009, 9:56 pm

I'm starting off 2009 by finishing my last 2008 book, The Swiss Family Robinson. Frankly, I'm not enjoying it nearly as much as I thought I would. I should finish it tonight, and then I'll jump into my actual 2009 reading. I also need to review my reading of the last year and pick my favorites.

7cabegley
Editado: Ene 4, 2009, 9:51 am

My parents took us to Disney World often when we were young, and one of my favorite attractions was The Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (me and perhaps 12 other people--I hear they're tearing it down soon to make way for something exciting). I loved the ingenious contraptions, and the little rooms up in the tree. My husband and I watched the movie with our kids a while back, and it rekindled my interest, so I finally sat down to read the book that inspired it.

What a disappointment! The adventures were interspersed with clumsily inserted dissertations on the various animals encountered (animals from all over the world, mind you--how penguins, walruses, buffalo, lions, elephants, ostriches, jackals, swans, and myriad other creatures all ended up on the same equatorial island was left unexplained), and pompous, humorless behavioral lectures from the father. The mother (called just that throughout, in a first-person narrative by her husband) was mostly relegated to the background, to marvel at the wonderful inventions her husband came up with. And (SPOILER ALERT) the girl, such a great character in the movie, shows up in the last 20 pages--and no pirates!

Ah, well.

I'm now starting Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash by Elizabeth Royte.

8cabegley
Editado: Ene 4, 2009, 9:55 am

My family and I traveled to New Jersey (from Connecticut) and back yesterday for our (thankfully) last holiday party of the season, so I got no physical reading done, but I did listen to 20 minutes of Stiff by Mary Roach. It's still early going, but, as a woman who could never watch a complete episode of E.R. without covering her eyes, this may not have been the best choice of an audiobook for me. I can read much more than I can handle watching, but listening is a nebulous grey area. So far, I have found the subject matter interesting and, while a bit squirm-inducing, told in a matter-of-fact enough way that I haven't had to turn it off. One quibble about the audio format--the book is nonfiction and told in the first person, so having someone other than the author read it is a bit odd.

9kambrogi
Editado: Ene 6, 2009, 1:14 pm

Thanks for the info on SFR -- I shall give that one a miss. We also loved the treehouse, and the whole concept of the movie.

I've got you starred!

10cabegley
Editado: Ene 22, 2009, 8:05 am

Hi, kambrogi!

Last night, I finished my first book of the year:

Garbage Land: On the Secret Trail of Trash by Elizabeth Royte

Guaranteed to make you think about the way you consume and discard. Royte weaves her research well with her own story of examning her trash and trying to follow its journey once it leaves her curb. She ran into a lot of dead ends (visiting landfills is apparently not as easy as just driving in the gate), and discovered over and over that there are no simple answers for how to eliminate our trash responsibly. Also, no matter how close we come to Zero Waste, municipal trash only accounts for 2% of the waste produced--the vast, vast majority of it is produced by industry, in the process of manufacturing the goods we buy.

Garbage Land is well written and entertaining. It has already sparked several discussions in my house about how to handle our trash, of which there are sure to be more.
_____________________________

Next week, I have two book club meetings, and somehow, they are both to discuss George Orwell works. Tonight I'm rereading Animal Farm, and I need to get to the library in the next couple of days to pick up 1984 (I'm not sure what happened to our copy). Since I clearly left this until the last minute, it's a good thing they're both short and both rereads!

11tiffin
Ene 6, 2009, 11:43 pm

Four legs good, two legs bad! Happy reading, Chris.

12cabegley
Editado: Ene 22, 2009, 8:05 am

Halfway through January and I'm already far behind in writing about my reading. I shall try to catch up this weekend.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

As said above, I had a book club to read this for. Unfortunately, the book club was cancelled--apart from the moderator, I was the only person who'd signed up. This was a quick reread--of course, I'd last read it over 25 years ago, so it was like reading it again for the first time. The story has become so much a part of our collective knowledge, though. I did enjoy it much more than my reread of 1984 (more on that later). It's rather dated, but still a fairly good allegory. I did a bit of online reading up on the Russian revolution and Stalin's rule afterwards, and I'd like to find a good nonfiction read on that.

13rebeccanyc
Ene 17, 2009, 9:12 am

An excellent fictional view of the Stalin years, by a revolutionary who sided with Trotsky and thus had to flee the Soviet Union, is The Case of Comrade Tulayev by Victor Serge.

14timjones
Ene 18, 2009, 5:03 am

Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar is a fascinating look at Stalin's rule "from the inside", using declassified Russian papers from Stalin's inner circle. It's a narrowly focused view, but gives you a lot of insight into Stalin's character.

15cabegley
Ene 18, 2009, 10:52 am

Thanks, Rebecca and Tim! They are both now on my bookmooch wishlist.

16cabegley
Editado: Ene 22, 2009, 8:05 am

Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter

Upon suggestion by amandameale, I put together a bowl at the end of 2008 containing slips of paper representing books that were high on my TBR list, but for some reason I hadn't read yet, to be pulled from after I'd read a book of my own "free" choice (so, not a book for book club or another book from the bowl). Books sit waiting to be read for far too long in my house (this may have something to do with my rate of purchase--2 purchased for every 1 read in 2008, for example). As discussed with Kris, above, I do have a resistance problem when it comes to books I'm supposed to read, so I added a rule that I would pull three slips from the bowl, and pick one from there. My first book from the bowl is Nights at the Circus by Angela Carter. I received this book from the generous avaland, who had seen it on my wishlist.

Many, many thanks to avaland for this rich experience! This was a wonderful book. I was completely caught up in the story of Fevvers, the (possibly?) winged aerialiste, and Walser, the journalist-turned-clown who starts out trying to debunk her self-created myth and ends up enchanted by her. Definitely a book to savor.

17cabegley
Editado: Ene 22, 2009, 8:06 am

1984 by George Orwell

What are the chances that both of my book groups would be scheduled to meet last week to discuss George Orwell books, and that both would be postponed?

I was quite relieved that the 1984 discussion was postponed, since I had been too caught up in Nights at the Circus to stop in the middle, and it turns out 1984 isn't nearly as short as I had remembered. I started it Monday, and I still had about 100 pages to go when our Tuesday night meeting was postponed to next Monday.

I last read 1984 in 1984, when I was in high school, and I am sure high-school me could not have really understood this book. While I did understand it this time around, I didn't particularly enjoy it. Part of it may be that it's rather dated, and part of it may be that I'm just not a fan of dystopian fiction (I was rather disappointed in Brave New World a few years ago, as well). I found many parts of the book rather tedious, enlivened by brief periods of action. I thought the mood of the book was very well done, but I doubt I'll be reading this book again.

18avaland
Ene 18, 2009, 11:22 am

>16 cabegley: You're welcome. So glad you liked it. I love this woman and cannot help but wonder might might have been created had she lived beyond the age of 52.

19Medellia
Ene 18, 2009, 11:24 am

So the Angela Carter lovefest has moved from my thread to yours! I haven't read Nights at the Circus yet, so I'll look forward to it even more now. I can recommend The Bloody Chamber and The Infernal Desire Machines of Doctor Hoffman.

20wandering_star
Ene 18, 2009, 5:43 pm

I too love Nights At The Circus and would also highly recommend Wise Children!

21nancyewhite
Ene 21, 2009, 4:00 pm

Thanks for the great comments on Nights At the Circus. I've added it to my wishlist. How could I resist with all of the positive recommendations in this thread alone?

22avaland
Ene 21, 2009, 9:34 pm

Oooo, there's a passage in Nights at the Circus that I just love. It's where she's describing the room with the trunks full of corsets . . . In the hands of anyone else, it would be considered purple prose, but in her hands it is pure delight.

23janeajones
Ene 21, 2009, 10:03 pm

Nights at the Circus is one of my all-time favorite books -- and my favorite of Carter's. I do also love The Magic Toyshop, The Bloody Chamber and Love which has the best description of a 60s party that I have ever read -- rivals Fitzgerald's descriptions of the 20s and parties at Gatsby's manse.

24cabegley
Ene 21, 2009, 10:24 pm

avaland (#22), maybe you can help me--when I read that corsets passage, it rang a bell. Do you know where it's been quoted?

I will certainly need to read Wise Children (which is on my shelf) soon.

I finished The Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa, and Early Reviewers book, over the weekend, but I haven't written my review yet.

I wanted to read something a bit light, so I took The Letters of Noel Coward out of the library, and I'm having great fun with it. I love letters as a window into a person's life--more intimate than a biography, truer and more immediate than the for-posterity retrospective of an an autobiography or memoir. Even diaries are often written (or rewritten--even Anne Frank!) with an eye towards publication. Letters are of the moment, and often show the writer's true colors.

25jfetting
Editado: Ene 21, 2009, 11:50 pm

I loved The Letters of Noel Coward. One of my favorite books of 2008. I wish he was a friend of mine, and wrote letters to me!

My favorite parts of the book, though, may have been the letters other people (Gertrude Lawrence, Marlene Dietrich, Lawrence Olivier etc) wrote to him. They certainly weren't written with an eye towards publication, and were so candid and open that they made these huge stars seem like normal people with almost normal problems.

Anyway, enjoy! I love Coward and am always happy when other people talk about him, too.

26avaland
Ene 22, 2009, 7:38 am

>24 cabegley: well, I know I quoted here on LT in one or two places maybe back in '07. One might have been in the What are You Reading Now group's old threads about quoting something from what you are reading. However, it's a bit vain of me to think that is where you might have seen it quoted:-) I have not read Wise Children yet either, I've been saving it for the post-school days.

27cabegley
Ene 22, 2009, 8:13 am

>26 avaland: Vain or not, I believe you have solved the mystery. I did a Talk search and found that post, and I am sure that is it. The language of the passage was so memorable!

>25 jfetting: Yes! It's the interaction in the letters that really makes the book for me.

28cabegley
Ene 25, 2009, 10:47 am

Finally finished my review of The Bad Girl. I really struggled over what I wanted to say.

I've been home sick for the past few days, and the Coward book was a good one to snuggle in with. For me, the most interesting period was the war years, when Coward was working as a spy for the British government, and being eviscerated in the press for his apparent lack of involvement in war activities. This clearly cut him more than bad reviews ever did, especially since he was forbidden to talk about what he was doing. (He finally opened up about it in 1973, a month before he died.)

Last night, I pulled The Scandal of the Season by Sophie Gee out of the bowl, so prepped for it with a reread of The Rape of the Lock. So far, I'm finding Gee's novel to be a bit more romance-y, and a bit thinner, than I'd expected.

29jfetting
Ene 25, 2009, 11:49 am

cabegley, have you read The Irregulars by Jennet Conant? It's the story of Roald Dahl and his activities as a spy for the British government during wwii (and also touches on some other famous-people-spies like Coward). I haven't read the whole thing yet, just bits and pieces while standing in the bookshop, but if you find this topic interesting it might be a worthwhile read.

30cabegley
Ene 25, 2009, 11:56 am

Thanks, jfettig--it's actually on my wishlist, but I haven't acquired it yet. I find the topic of spies and codebreaking during WWII fascinating.

31fannyprice
Ene 25, 2009, 4:35 pm

>29 jfetting:, jfetting - The Irregulars sounds really cool. I will have to put that on my wishlist as well!

32tiffin
Ene 25, 2009, 5:25 pm

Really interesting range of reactions to The Irregulars, right from one star (with an exclamation mark) right up to thoroughly enjoying it.

33pamelad
Ene 26, 2009, 2:55 am

Cabegley, it's a long time since I read anything by Llosa, but I used to be a fan. Heard him speak here in Melbourne, very entertainingly, about the Aztecs. Suave and distinguished.

You have reminded me that The Feast of the Goat is in my pile, so I must start it soon.

Hope you're feeling better.

34cabegley
Ene 31, 2009, 2:45 pm

Thanks, Pam, I feel much better.

The Scandal of the Season by Sophie Gee

This was an interesting read, unfortunately marred, in my opinion, by poor character development. The Scandal of the Season is a fictional account of the inspiration for Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock. As far as I can tell, from my in-depth Wikipedia research, all the characters were historical figures. Unfortunately, I found the characters themselves rather cardboard. As seems to happen to me more and more lately, I think I would have been happier with a nonfiction version of the story.

35cabegley
Ene 31, 2009, 2:56 pm

Agent Zigzag: A True Story of Nazi Espionage, Love and Betrayal by Ben Macintyre

And so, I turned back to nonfiction.

Eddie Chapman was a ladies' man and safe cracker who ended up in prison in Jersey shortly before the German occupation of the island. In an attempt to get off the island, he offered himself up as a spy, and, after a short stay in a concentration camp, was recruited as such. The Germans spent six months training Chapman and then dropped him via parachute in England, where he promptly contacted the authorities and offered himself as a double agent.

Chapman's life story is so wildly improbable that it would never work as fiction. As nonfiction, however, it is fascinating and completely absorbing. Macintyre based much of his book on relatively recently released MI5 documents, as well as interviews with people involved with Chapman during the '30s and '40s, but his writing is almost novelistic in tone. I am intentionally leaving out much of the story above, but to anyone interested in spies and WWII espionage, or really anyone interested in a good, entertainingly told story, I say read this book. Now.

36cabegley
Ene 31, 2009, 2:59 pm

My latest pick from the bowl is Villette by Charlotte Bronte, which I'm reading with a (largely unhelpful) French-English dictionary by my side. Even though the main character, Lucy Snowe, knows no French before she arrives in France, we the readers are expected to be able to read it. I, alas, am not.

37cushlareads
Ene 31, 2009, 3:27 pm

Great reviews!
I've just added Agent Zigzag to my wishlist on BM. It sounds excellent, as does the Noel Coward book.

I confess to not yet having read 1984. Or Brave New World. (Or any number of other classics...*blush*) But I have read Swiss Family Robinson and loved it when I was a kid, so it's sad that it didn't stand up. I wonder that about quite a few of my favourites. I adored the Chalet School series and suspect that I'd loathe them now!

38lauralkeet
Ene 31, 2009, 5:00 pm

>36 cabegley:: I didn't know that about Villette. I know enough French to be dangerous and might enjoy the mental gymnastics. But I'd have to be in the mood for it.

39rebeccanyc
Ene 31, 2009, 5:02 pm

Chris, I've toyed with buying Agent Zigzag several times in the bookstore, but your review has convinced me to get it the next time I'm there.

40pamelad
Ene 31, 2009, 6:11 pm

Chris, joining the queue of Agent Zigzag seekers. Great review.

41cabegley
Ene 31, 2009, 6:14 pm

Thanks, all--I hope you all find it as interesting and enjoyable as I did.

Laura (#38), I envy you. I just hit a huge chunk of French and resorted to Babel Fish. If I had my laptop at home this weekend, it would make things easier . . .

42cabegley
Feb 3, 2009, 2:35 pm

I read an interview with Tom Stoppard today in the Barnes & Noble Review: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bn-review/note.asp?note=21101552&cds2Pid=22560 , and this sent me off onto an interesting Fashion & Style (!) piece on Stoppard in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/fashion/27POSS.html?scp=4&sq=tom%20stoppar... . (And all this will, of course, send me off onto a Stoppard jag--I haven't read any of his plays in a long time, and haven't seen one since The Invention of Love.)

43cabegley
Feb 8, 2009, 3:20 pm

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

Lucy Snowe, a young woman without family, fortune or face, decides to make her own way in the world and moves to the town of Villette (I believe representing Brussels) on a whim. There, she teaches at a school for young ladies and encounters some people from her past, and resigns herself to a life alone.

When I have my dinner where I can invite any five people from history, Charlotte Bronte will not be on the guest list. Judging from the semiautobiographical character of Lucy Snowe, Charlotte was a xenophobic religious bigot, without a humorous bone in her body. Give me Jane Austen any day.

I am trying to avoid giving any spoilers, but while I didn't take to Lucy, and for the most part did not like the story, I did find a lot to chew on--the religious intolerance (both Lucy's against Catholics and the Catholics against her Protestantism), the gender inequality (and Lucy's seeming acceptance that she should be seen as lesser because of her gender), the strong disconnect between Lucy's inner self and the perception of her by others.

44fannyprice
Feb 8, 2009, 3:33 pm

>43 cabegley:, I'm restarting Villette. I tried to read it last year and when I started up a few days ago at the place I left off, I found I had no memory of what was going on or who anyone was. I hope I like it better than you did. I find your comment: "When I have my dinner where I can invite any five people from history, Charlotte Bronte will not be on the guest list." hilarious.

45lauralkeet
Feb 8, 2009, 8:06 pm

I loved that comment, too! I've only read Jane Eyre but I have to say, I'm not rushing to read Villette now!

46cabegley
Feb 8, 2009, 9:58 pm

Kris, I hope you like it better than I did, too.

Thanks to both of you! Jane Eyre I am rather fond of. I just found the character of Lucy so unpleasant. One thing I found interesting, though, are similarities between her and Agnes Grey, from the book of the same name written by Anne Bronte. In particular, there is a scene where Lucy catches herself unawares in the mirror, and thinks about how unattractive she is--quite similar to Agnes' first look at herself in the mirror after being disfigured by illness. (Agnes, though, is a much more pleasant human being than Lucy.) I would definitely recommend Agnes Grey over Villette.

47avaland
Feb 9, 2009, 8:40 am

I believe Villette is notable because it was the first (?) book that revealed a woman's inner life.

The last time I read it was with a book group a number of years ago and despite the fact that most didn't like it as well as Jane Eyre we had quite an involved discussion about it.

48cabegley
Feb 9, 2009, 9:53 am

I can definitely see that, Lois--I think there's a lot to talk about in it.

49urania1
Feb 9, 2009, 10:15 am

>46 cabegley: Agnes Grey over Villette?!!!!! Sacrilege. As for the anti-Catholicism, yes it's there. But remember poor Charlotte grew up in an isolated hamlet, with a mentally ill brother, a useless clergyman for a father, and two sisters. If you read Jane Eyre, you'll discover that she didn't have much use for the C of E either. Personally, I think Agnes Grey is a whiner. At least Charlotte's heroines have so get up and go.

50cabegley
Feb 9, 2009, 11:09 am

Urania, I think Villette is probably better written than Agnes Grey, but I just found so much in Villette offputting. Paul Emmanuel, in particular, with his hissing and his views on women, made me shudder. I kept trying to tell myself that it was because of the time in which it was written, but it didn't help.

I am fond of Jane Eyre, however.

51Medellia
Feb 9, 2009, 12:38 pm

I've not read Villette yet, but I just ducked in to say...
Personally, I think Agnes Grey is a whiner.
Heresy!! Personally, I think Agnes Grey is sweet and shy and not assertive, which leads to her being stuck in difficult situations. I can sympathize, because I sometimes share those same traits. She manages admirably, within the confines of her personality type, IMHO. And if I had a dog, I'd name him Snap, too. :)

All this controversy is making me want to pick up Villette.

52fannyprice
Feb 9, 2009, 5:45 pm

>51 Medellia:, Really? Its making me want to pick up Agnes Grey. :) Too bad I just went on a book-buying binge & cannot possibly justify buying anything else for a while. Otherwise I might go on a Bronte fest. I don't really like anything I've read by the sisters in the sense that none of it really grabs me & speaks to me, but the more I reflect on Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, the more I love how complex and strange they are. The Bronte sisters themselves are one - of many - things I really want to learn more about.

53sussabmax
Feb 10, 2009, 3:13 pm

You are making me think that I should read more of the Bronte sisters' books. I don't remember being particularly taken by Jane Eyre, but I was pretty young when I tried to read it. Wuthering Heights always sounded a little over-dramatic to me. But, I do feel like an impostor reader without these books in my past. I may need to search them out soon.

54cabegley
Feb 14, 2009, 10:35 am

I have been avoiding writing my review of my latest Early Reviewers book. I'm not sure why that is--when it comes to writing the reviews, I am always reluctant to put my thoughts on paper. Anyway, short as it is, I finally sat down this morning and finished it.

The Sailor from Gibraltar by Marguerite Duras

In this contemporary novel written in 1952, the narrator, after many boring, unhappy years in a minor clerical position at the French Colonial Ministry, and an unfulfilling two-year affair with a coworker, decides to throw away his unsatisfying life and start anew. While on vacation in Italy with his mistress, he hears about the wealthy Anna, who sails the world in her yacht searching for her former lover, the sailor from Gibraltar. He finds Anna, leaves his mistress and, with only the clothes on his back, joins the crew in the search for the sailor.

The Sailor from Gibraltar feels very, very French--a lot of conversation over drinks, while all of the real story is happening in the pauses. Duras' lovely prose, in this well-written translation by Barbara Bray, explores perennial themes in a way that manages to seem fresh and new.

55urania1
Feb 14, 2009, 10:42 am

A nice, concise review. I have long admired Duras. I haven't read this one. I must go dig in my library to see if it is there.

56cabegley
Feb 14, 2009, 11:10 am

The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy

After Villette and The Sailor from Gibraltar, I wanted something light and breezy, so I picked The Scarlet Pimpernel looking for a good adventure story. In a prime example of Not Quite What I Was Expecting, the main character in Baroness Orczy's tale is not the Scarlet Pimpernel at all, but Marguerite Blakeney, the beautiful, witty French woman who takes British society by storm after she marries the wealthy, vapid Lord Blakeney. Blackmailed by French agents into trying to uncover the identity of the Scarlet Pimpernel, the brave and ingenious leader of a small band of English gentlemen dedicated to saving French aristocrats from the guillotine, she then tries to save the Scarlet Pimpernel from capture.

While a decent romp, this was more romance and less adventure than I had anticipated (or wanted), and the plot twists were rather telegraphed. Still, it was a diverting interlude between more challenging books.

57cabegley
Feb 14, 2009, 11:11 am

Thanks, Urania! This was a Early Reviewer book, from Open Letter books. I got the impression it had been out of print (in English, at least) for a while.

58cabegley
Feb 14, 2009, 11:28 am

The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope by Jonathan Alter

A country in a downward economic spiral; an outgoing president unable to deal with the crisis or lift the population out of the psychological depression accompanying the economic one; an incoming president breathing hope into the people through his optimism and his oratory, while still being frank about the sacrifices necessary to change the situation--these are only a few of the many parallels between the start of Roosevelt's administration and what we are living through in the U.S. right now. I don't think there's a better time than now to read this book.

In an accessible style, Alter spends the first half of his book examining the forces that shaped FDR into the man he was on assuming the presidency--his strong (overbearing) mother, his equally strong wife, his early life of ease and security, his devastating polio attack and lifelong paralysis, and his early political career--and the economic crisis gripping the country, as well as Herbert Hoover's attempts to reverse the economic problems. The second half of the book focuses on the first hundred days of Roosevelt's presidency and the unprecendented 15 pieces of legislation proposed by his administration and passed by a willing Congress. Barack Obama read this book in the months leading up to his inauguration, and it will be fascinating to see how this history influences his own hundred days.

59TadAD
Feb 14, 2009, 12:50 pm

>58 cabegley:: Having read the book, did you come to the conclusion that the parallels are strong enough that similar approaches might work? Or, did it come down to "similar problems, but a different world requiring different solutions"?

60cushlareads
Feb 14, 2009, 1:03 pm

I have Agenzt Zigzag out of the library at the moment and am going to look for the FDR book you've just read. That's enough now thanks!

61cabegley
Feb 14, 2009, 2:26 pm

>59 TadAD: That's a difficult question. Not all of the approaches worked, which was part of the overall approach. FDR's tactic was to throw everything against the wall and see what stuck. However, I think a lot could be learned from the successes and the failures of the New Deal. I'm contemplating tackling Arthur Schlesinger, Jr.'s massive 3-volume The Age of Roosevelt this year for a more comprehensive look at the Roosevelt administration.

cmt, I hope you enjoy them both!

62cabegley
Feb 14, 2009, 2:29 pm

>59 TadAD: and 61 Sorry, I meant to say this in the previous post. I think one of the things that was most successful about FDR in the first hundred days is something we're seeing, at least to some extent, with the current administration--he inspired hope in the country that things would get better.

63cabegley
Feb 16, 2009, 10:11 am

The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher: A Shocking Murder and the Undoing of a Great Victorian Detective by Kate Summerscale

On the night of June 29, 1860, the family and servants of Samuel Kent retired to their usual bedrooms in their house in Road, England: Samuel and his second wife, and their 5-year-old daughter in their first-floor bedroom; their 3-year-old son and 1-year-old daughter, with their nurse, in the bedroom across the hall; up on the second floor, the four children from his first marriage--2 daughters in their late 20s sharing one room, and a 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son in two others--were relegated along with the cook and the maid. Come morning, one member of the family would be discovered missing, and eventually found brutally murdered, with the attacker almost certainly one of the household. After two weeks of inept investigation by the local police, Mr. Whicher, one of the original Scotland Yard detectives, would be called in to try and find the murderer.

Summerscale weaves the story of the murder, the investigation, and the aftermath with history of the development of the detective and the detective story in England. Mr. Bucket of Dickens' Bleak House and Sergeant Cuff of Collins' The Moonstone were only two of the fictional detectives inspired by Mr. Whicher. In addition to the huge success of mystery and detective novels at the time, 1860 had seen a huge explosion in newspapers, all of which were reporting the facts and rumors of the Road Hill House murder.

This interesting tale is pushing me to read a number of other books, both fiction and nonfiction. I'm starting today with Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon, which was inspired by the Road Hill House murder, but also on my soon TBR list:

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The Man Who Lost Himself by Robyn Annear
The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Charles Dickens
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Black Swine in the Sewers of Hempstead: Beneath the Surface of Victorian Sensationalism by Thomas Boyle

Not all at once, mind you . . .

64tiffin
Feb 16, 2009, 10:33 am

This sounds fun, Chris. Did the culprit get revealed and the crime solved? I hate books which leave me hanging.

65lauralkeet
Feb 16, 2009, 10:37 am

>63 cabegley:: Is this a true story? Sounds fascinating.

66fannyprice
Feb 16, 2009, 10:42 am

>63 cabegley:, Mr. Winchester has been on the TBR list for a long time. Sounds like its worth moving up?

67marise
Feb 16, 2009, 11:56 am

>63 cabegley: This sounds very interesting. Lady Audley has been sitting on my TBR shelf for too long. I'll be looking forward to reading your review of it.

68cabegley
Feb 16, 2009, 12:04 pm

>65 lauralkeet:: It is a true story, Laura--I somehow missed saying that!

>64 tiffin:: I shall visit you on your profile page, Tui--I don't want to give anything away!

>66 fannyprice:: Kris, I did find it quite interesting, although I'm not sure it'll end up on my top books of the year.

>67 marise:: Thanks! I haven't started it yet--I'm actually moving a bunch of books around in the house order to make some of my books more accessible to my eldest daughter, who's ready for some grown-up fiction--but I'm hoping to dive in tonight.

69arubabookwoman
Feb 16, 2009, 5:10 pm

This sounds like a very good read. I'm adding it to my list of books to read.

I recently enjoyed The Woman in White and Bleak House was my first read of the year. In my review of Bleak House over on the 75 book challenge, I said Inspector Bucket's investigatory techniques reminded me of Colombo (if you're old enough to remember that old tv series).

P.S. I share about 250 books of my 1000 book library with you, making you in my top 3 similar libraries.

70cabegley
Feb 16, 2009, 5:44 pm

I do remember Columbo, although I didn't watch him very often. Bleak House was one of my favorite books from last year. I haven't yet read The Woman in White, although it is on my TBR.

71rebeccanyc
Editado: Feb 16, 2009, 6:39 pm

Chris, I'm interested in your thoughts on The Defining Moment because I'm working my way through the massive Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945 by David M. Kennedy. Although filled with details, it is very readable, and hours in airports and on planes have enabled me to get all the way up to 1936! From this book, I agree with you that the first hundred days were largely inspirational, but that was certainly vital. I chose this book because it was recommended in a New York Times column on good books about the Great Depression, and I am not disappointed -- the Schlesinger trilogy is also recommended there.

72cabegley
Feb 16, 2009, 9:15 pm

Thanks for that link, Rebecca! I'm going to go look for the books mentioned, particularly Freedom from Fear--I like the idea of a one-volume take on the era.

73rebeccanyc
Feb 17, 2009, 7:25 am

The first book I read on the subject was John Kenneth Galbraith's The Great Crash 1929 which has the advantages of being brief and wonderfully written, with barbs of humor. Alas, Kennedy criticizes it in Freedom from Fear for not being strictly factual. I did enjoy it, though, at least as much as one can enjoy a book on such a grim topic.

74cabegley
Feb 17, 2009, 8:37 am

I've had that one on my BookMooch wishlist for a while, Rebecca (I don't remember for sure, but I suspect it was your initial comments when you read it that put it there), but I think I'm going to have to get it from the library (or buy it).

75urania1
Feb 17, 2009, 11:29 am

I haven't read Galbraith's The Great Crash 1929. Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen has cited Galbraith as a great influence. Sen's economic theory is interesting, provocative, and spot on in many places. On the other hand, another Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, whose writing also resonates with me, has sharply criticized Galbraith. Krugman has gone so far as to say that Galbraith was no economist at all. Galbraith has been on my wishlist-must read books for quite some time now. I think I must purchase a copy of The Good Society: The Humane Agenda.

76urania1
Feb 17, 2009, 11:32 am

P.S. Another interesting factoid about Galbraith. Galbraith was dead set against our entering the Vietnam "Conflict." He spoke strongly and sharply with John F. Kennedy on this subject. Let history be the judge on this call.

77aluvalibri
Feb 17, 2009, 11:35 am

Chris, I read both The Woman in White and The Moonstone many years ago.
I don't know which one I would recommend the most, both are enjoyable.
Since you are into this kind of book, perhaps you should try Drood by Dan Simmons, which was published recently and I got in the Early Reviewer program. I still have to write a review (bad Paola) and, even though I liked it, I think it could have been a hundred pages shorter. I cannot say anything about the plot, lest I reveal too much, but I will tell you that the main characters are Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins, plus the elusive, mysterious (real?) Mr. Drood.

78cabegley
Feb 17, 2009, 12:00 pm

>75 urania1:: That sounds like a good one, Mary. I'm going to put it on my wishlist now!

>77 aluvalibri:: I listened to The Moonstone a couple of years ago, Paola, and really enjoyed it. I will probably read The Woman in White this year. I've been wondering about Drood--it sounds somewhat appealing, but it also sounds like it could be cheesy.

79rebeccanyc
Feb 17, 2009, 1:58 pm

I don't know enough economic history myself to know how good an economist Galbraith was, but he's a great writer!

80aluvalibri
Feb 17, 2009, 7:48 pm

Chris, if you are interested, I just posted my review of Drood.

81cushlareads
Feb 17, 2009, 8:13 pm

I'm an economist and it's true that Galbr aith is not well regarded as an economist by most of us, but he is still an excellent writer about economic history. One of his books got me excited about the subject (I think it was Economics: The Past as the Present). I haven't read much else that he's written (yet - The Great Crash is on my TBR list.

Urania, I think I read those comments from Krugman too, mabye in Peddling Prosperity? I really love reading Krugman and am eyeing his latest book, The Return of Depression Economics. He even writes great textbooks!

82arubabookwoman
Feb 17, 2009, 8:23 pm

cmt--I know nothing about economics--I was wondering if you have read The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein and what you thought of it?

83cushlareads
Feb 17, 2009, 8:36 pm

No, I haven't read it , or No Logo. Did you like it?

I don't agree with a lot of what the anti-globalisation movement says (please don't all shoot me!) and suspect I would find her book frustrating. I'd much rather read Krugman.

84urania1
Feb 17, 2009, 8:44 pm

No Logo is a wonderful book. Read it and then read Scarlett Thomas's novel PopCo. The two are wonderful companion pieces. I assigned No Logo to a couple of my classes. They loved it (for what that recommendation is worth).

85cabegley
Feb 17, 2009, 8:55 pm

>80 aluvalibri:: Nice review, Paola! I am a fan of modern takes on Victorian fiction (particularly The Quincunx and Fingersmith). I think I will give Drood a try.

I know next to nothing about economics. There are a lot of good suggestions here! I'm particularly interested in the Klein books.

I have to say, Mary, I didn't like PopCo, and it seemed like it was tailor-made for me--I love math and cryptanalysis, and I sell puzzle magazines for a living. But I felt like there was too much infodumping. And I got all excited at the end, thinking it would go in a different direction than I'd anticipated, which would tie it all together to make sense, but it did not. (This has not stopped me from really wanting to read The End of Mr. Y, so maybe I didn't hate it as much as I think I did.)

86cushlareads
Feb 17, 2009, 8:59 pm

OK, I'll get them both out of the library and report back!

87urania1
Feb 17, 2009, 9:15 pm

Damn it all this is the third time I've tried to post this message. It had better go through this time.

>85 cabegley: Okay, I have to say I found The End of Mr. Y sensational and wonderful. Have you perchance read William Gibson's Pattern Recognition? It deals with some of the same themes.

P.S. I am curious. Where did you think the story was going? And how did you think it would tie up loose ends.? Have you read Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon? I started it four and half years ago while I undergoing treatment for chemo. Not a good time to start a book. I had the feeling that the book would make a fascinating read, but the math was over my head at the time. Consequently, I never finished.

88arubabookwoman
Feb 17, 2009, 9:32 pm

cmt--I have read The Shock Doctrine, and found it well written and well documented. I liked it a lot, and recommend it.

My politics are similar to hers, so I want to trust her judgment on economic issues. However, some of her conclusions are so frightening, I wanted to get some perspective from someone who is expert in economics.

urania--I haven't read No Logo, so I'm going to search for that one. I did read Pattern Recognition. I had tried to read Gibson before, but he was too technological for an old fogey like me so I abandoned him. I quite liked Pattern Recognition though, and just sort of glided through the computer parts.

89bobmcconnaughey
Editado: Feb 17, 2009, 9:58 pm

That's one of the nice features of Pattern Recognition - the puzzle is really in the movie mystery and emergent social structures and not the technology as such. I THINK i've read everything Gibson has written (including his very good pieces in the otherwise pretty useless Wired Magazine), and Pattern Recognition is the one i'd pick as my favorite. While his next,Spook Country, improved on 2nd reading, it was still too techno heavy and light on humanness.

I liked Cryptonomicon a great deal - but it was also the book where it became evident that his publishers were afraid to edit him. The Baroque Cycle would have been great at 2/3 the length. (imo, obviously)

90cabegley
Feb 17, 2009, 9:54 pm

>87 urania1:: I haven't read any Gibson, but I will look for that one. I really liked Cryptonomicon, but it was tough to get into--I would have to guess that, when going through such a difficult time, physically and mentally, a book like that would have been a nonstarter.

Stephenson fascinates me--he has such a vast range of interests, and they all seem to end up in his fiction. I loved his Baroque Cycle, but it took me two tries to get into the first volume. Once I got past the first 200 pages or so, it flew.

This is the first time I've wished I hadn't gotten rid of PopCo, so I could go back and reconstruct my thought process at the time. (I hate to say spoilers at this point, since I can't remember what I'm about to talk about, but, for what it's worth, SPOILERS.) As best I can remember, I think it was at the point where she went off with the group, after they'd recruited her, and I thought perhaps they were kidnapping her to get at the treasure. Something like that. I'm sorry I can't remember more--maybe if I go look at it in the library it'll come to me.

91TadAD
Feb 17, 2009, 11:14 pm

>90 cabegley:: Have you tried his The Diamond Age? I found it a little easier to get into than Cryptonomicon—part of it was that I liked the "past" portions of the latter, but the "present/future" parts of the story lines were a bit flat for me.

92urania1
Feb 18, 2009, 11:13 am

The Diamond Age is good. I found the ending a bit over-the-top. I did like the Judge Dee-like character and the parts riffing on the ancient Chinese legal system.

93avaland
Feb 19, 2009, 9:21 pm

Chris, your Stephenson comments intrigue me. The only Stephenson I've read is The Diamond Age and his small nonfiction book, In the Beginning was the Command Line (it's probably the last book anyone would imagine I would read, but I did love his comparing operating systems to cars).

94bobmcconnaughey
Editado: Feb 19, 2009, 10:21 pm

I've read all of Stephenson, except for the last half of vol 3 of the Baroque Cycle. He's an object lesson in the need for a good editor. On the other hand i'm very empathetic towards him as a geographer writing SF - makes amends for the rather awful books by Jack Chalker (another geographer/SF author).
Stephenson IS awfully well read and up through Cryptonomicon, he avoid total info dumps (though he started wading into those murky depths in that book.

The nicest bit about getting degrees in geography is that you can take almost any course in the university and have it count! Many anthro courses; demography epidemiology - but also courses like comparing structuralist and post-structuralist approaches to romantic literature (Goethe, not heyer) all counted towards my degrees. Not that i remember anything, except i'll hold up sorrows of young werther as the originator of Emo.

(Not quite true - I started Anathem, put it down, but given all the positive feedback the book's received, will pick it back up sometime, assuming i can actually FIND it.

95kiwidoc
Editado: Feb 21, 2009, 2:01 am

#64 To answer Tui's question above - yes, the crime does get 'sewn up' at the end of The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher. It is quite a good read and gives some insight into Victorian life and the detective work involved.

#65 Yes, it is true.

Thanks for the reading list connected with the book - Rebecca. That was my intention after reading the book - but an unfulfilled one.

96timjones
Feb 21, 2009, 7:05 am

Gibson and Stephenson: Gibson writes a much leaner narrative than Stephenson, and nothing I've read by him has topped Neuromancer, his first novel. Perhaps its impact has since been diluted by various movies starring Keanu Reeves in a black duster, but Neuromancer stands at the head of the cyberpunk tradition and is worth reading for that alone.

Like avaland #93, I read and enjoyed The Diamond Age and In the Beginning ... was the Command Line. I also liked Cryptonomicon, though the ratio of infodump to story was beginning to increase to dangerous levels. Quicksilver was the opposite of mercurial: I plodded, plodded, and gave up, and that's as far as I've got with Stephenson.

97tiffin
Feb 21, 2009, 10:12 am

#96: timjones, wholeheartedly agree re Neuromancer. Read it when it first came out and it knocked my socks off. I had to abort Cryptonomicon. I just got bogged in it.

98bobmcconnaughey
Feb 21, 2009, 10:54 am


A lot of us have had a nearly identical experience w/ reading Stephenson who evidently has gotten way to big for his britches in every sense of the word. It's a question of whether one's given up in Crypto or somewhere in the Baroque Cycle.

99tiffin
Feb 21, 2009, 11:28 am

Bob, I thought it was because I have almost no math brain whatsoever. It felt like being in grade 12 again and wondering why on earth I was trying to measure a parabola when I had no plans to do anything parabolic ever in my future, if I could avoid it. Glad to know it was his britches and not my brain at fault!

100cabegley
Feb 21, 2009, 11:46 am

I actually really liked the Baroque Cycle, particularly the middle volume (The Confusion). I think it could have used editing down, but I'm a sucker for science and science history incorporated into fiction, particularly when it concerns the Royal Society.

101cabegley
Feb 21, 2009, 12:00 pm

Lady Audley's Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Robert Audley, nephew of the wealthy and kind Sir Michael Audley, meets up with his friend George Talboys just as George returns from three years in Australia, and is on hand when George discovers in the paper that his wife died before he could return to her with his new fortune. Or did she? After George disappears under mysterious circumstances while he and Robert are visiting the town in which Sir Michael lives with his lovely, young new wife, Robert begins to suspect that George's wife may not actually be dead, and that the new Lady Audley may in some way be tied to the mystery.

Originally published in serial form, this Victorian novel has twists and turns aplenty. The fact that I saw most of them coming a mile didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story. I do have some minor quibbles that I won't disclose here since they are entirely in the nature of spoilers, but all in all it was an exciting romp that kept me up well past my bedtime.

This was much less related to the murder covered in The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher than I'd been led to believe, but I believe Ms. Braddon borrowed quite liberally from Vanity Fair--George Talboys and his father owed a lot to George Osborne and HIS father, and Lady Audley had quite a bit of Becky Sharp in her.

102marise
Feb 21, 2009, 12:24 pm

an exciting romp that kept me up well past my bedtime

That's enough of a recommendation for me!! Sounds like fun.

103amandameale
Feb 22, 2009, 7:22 am

Gosh, Chris, this is a busy thread. And you know I always like to hear your recommendations so thanks for the reviews.

104cabegley
Feb 22, 2009, 8:34 am

>102 marise:: I hope you enjoy it! It wasn't the best Victorian novel I've read, certainly, but it was fun.

>103 amandameale:: Thanks, Amanda--you know I feel the same way about your recommendations!

105cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 10:48 am

The Man Who Wasn't There by Pat Barker

I read this book about a week and a half ago, and couldn't think of what to write about it, so my thread came to a grinding halt. Mostly, I couldn't think of what to write because I didn't quite get it.

Colin, a 12-year-old boy living in post-WWII Britain, lives alone with his mother, who works as what seemed to be a Playboy bunny in a nightclub. Although Colin's mother tells him that his father, who he never knew, was "shot down" in the war, he doesn't really believe this. However, Colin does have a very active fantasy life, in which his father (or other stand-in figures) and he are spies in the French Resistance. Barker melds Colin's real life with movie scripts of his fantasy one, to great effect. Colin is also being followed by a man in black, who may or may not be real, and may or may not be his father or someone else from his fantasy life.

The writing was great, and I especially loved the interplay between the real-life prose and the fantasy drama. But so much was left for the reader to figure out, and this reader didn't quite figure it out. If anyone has read this and can enlighten me on the ending (with a PM on my profile), I'd truly appreciate it.

106tiffin
Mar 1, 2009, 11:02 am

cab, the only other review I could find also says the themes and storyline are "hard to grasp".

107cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 11:09 am

The American Way of Death Revisited by Jessica Mitford

Jessica Mitford wrote her original expose of the funeral industry in America, a prime example of muckraking journalism, in 1963, and was almost done with this update at her death in the '90s. I found the subject matter fascinating and disturbing. Mourners are probably at their most vulnerable when arranging funerals for their loved ones, and are usually neither in a position to research what to do nor to haggle over price. Among other things Mitford discusses embalming (not legally required, although a number of funeral directors will tell you it is) and open-casket viewings or funerals, the selling of vaults and metal caskets for protection of the body, pre-need selling of funerals and plots, the successful effort to build more profit into cremation, and the very successful political lobbying of funeral directors. She makes a brief excursion into the British funeral industry, which is completely unlike the U.S. (much more rational and reasonable), although some of the huge U.S. funeral conglomerates are starting to get into the British market.

Particularly helpful is her listing of not-for-profit funeral and memorial societies in the U.S., because after reading this book, you're going to think twice about going to a funeral director when one of your loved ones dies.

108cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 11:10 am

>106 tiffin: Thanks, tiffin! I looked at reviews here and searched a few newspaper sites, but couldn't find anything too enlightening.

109cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 11:42 am

The Radetzky March by Joseph Roth

I had purchased this book on recommendation from rebeccanyc, and then picked it up after amandameale's recent glowing review. It did not disappoint. This excellent, thought-provoking book traces the decline and fall of the vast Austro-Hungarian empire through the eyes of three generations of the Trotta family. The so-called Hero of Solferino, a peasant-born military man who is honored with a baronetcy after saving the life of Emperor Franz Joseph, later becomes disillusioned with the military after reading a greatly exaggerated description of his heroism in his son's textbook. His only child, whom he does not allow into the military or to become a farmer, goes into a life of public service and becomes a district captain (as near as I can tell, this is a mayor of sorts). Herr von Trotta lives a completely correct life, much of it emotionless and distant. His only son, Carl Joseph, brought up to revere the Hero of Solferino, becomes a lieutenant, first in the calvary and then in the infantry, declining in gambling and drinking after several life disappointments, but always clinging to honor and loyalty.

I read this book slowly, both to savor the language and to ponder the themes. My copy must have originally been somebody's textbook--lots of notes and some highlighting in the first half, which disappeared entirely in the second half. (I suspect this person did not do well in the course.)

One of my favorite quotes from the book: Lieutenant Trotta wasn't experienced enough to know that uncouth peasant boys with noble hearts exist in real life and that a lot of truths about the living world are recorded in bad books; they are just badly written.

110cabegley
Editado: Mar 1, 2009, 11:48 am

The Reader by Bernhard Schlink

This book has been on my shelf for ten years or so, and while I have no plans to see the movie, I did think it was probably about time I read the story.

Especially with a movie out now, I'm not going to discuss the plot, but as to my reaction to the book--I don't know. I found the exploration of the relationship between the post-War generation of Germans and their parents very interesting, and the questions of how to apply the law to the Nazi perpetrators thought-provoking, but I felt that the whole thing was undermined by the subtheme of Hanna's secret (which I don't want to reveal), which seemed to be used as at least a partial excuse for her actions.

It did make me go back and reread this piece on Slate about why literary novels are made into such bad movies: http://www.slate.com/id/2211410/pagenum/all/#p2 .

111cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 12:08 pm

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach (audiobook)

I almost forgot to list this one! I'm very slow with my audiobooks, since I generally listen to them on the 6-minute drive to work after dropping my kids off at school, so I've been listening to this since the beginning of the year.

I was a bit concerned, since I'm rather squeamish, about listening to Stiff (I do much better with reading than with watching movies or TV, but audiobooks are a grey area), but, while I had a few squirmy moments, I made it through ok. Roach goes into more detail than I ever thought existed about what happens to bodies after death--going way beyond the usual decomposition and embalming (which is in there) to look at all the ways we as humans have used or do use cadavers or can have our bodies treated after death (for me, the most interesting option was a method being explored in Sweden for turning us into compost). While a lot of people talk about this book as funny, most of the humor is directed at Roach herself--not just her reactions and asides, but her recognition that her level of curiosity is a bit over the top. I am interested to read more by this author, primarily because of that no-holds-barred curiosity.

112cushlareads
Mar 1, 2009, 2:58 pm

OK, I'm going to avoid The Man Who Wasn't There. Thanks! I finished Agent zigzag last week and really enjoyed it. I'm going to keep an eye out for the Radetzy March.

113cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 3:44 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed Agent Zigzag, cmt! My husband is reading it now and is completely absorbed.

114bobmcconnaughey
Mar 1, 2009, 6:36 pm

i enjoyed the reader a good deal when i read it sometime after last year's spring library book sale. I didn't think the "Hannah secret/subplot" was kept all that hidden in the book. Thus I was surprised when i saw the trailer for the movie and it emphasized the "mystery of the past" which didn't seem mysterious at all in the book. Haven't yet seen the movie, though once it's on dvd i imagine we'll get it from Netflix.

115polutropos
Mar 1, 2009, 7:59 pm

My jaw just dropped, Chris, seeing your reviews. The two books I am planning to read next are Radetzky March and The Reader. I have seen and loved The Reader film but must read the book for comparison purposes. Anyway, what are the chances???

116cabegley
Mar 1, 2009, 8:27 pm

>114 bobmcconnaughey: Bob, I agree that the secret isn't kept all that hidden, although some may not figure it out until the reveal. I'm skeptical about the movie--although I do think Kate Winslet is a marvelous actress--but I may watch it when it comes on cable.

>115 polutropos: Andrew, what are the chances indeed! I'll be interested to hear your reaction to both books, and particularly The Reader in comparison to the movie.

117tiffin
Mar 1, 2009, 8:56 pm

I've got The Radetzky March on order and have been waiting for it to come in. You and Amandameale have made it an impatient wait, with your reviews!

118avaland
Mar 2, 2009, 7:27 pm

dang, it's going to be real difficult to avoid the Joseph Roth now with amandameale, rebeccanyc and your recommendations. Oy!

119cabegley
Mar 2, 2009, 9:59 pm

One of us! One of us! One of us!

120avaland
Mar 3, 2009, 7:54 am

And then I look around the house and wonder if this will be the book that breaks the proverbial camel's back, the house imploding in on itself (like the economy), weight-bearing walls finally collapsing, books tumbling (never mind everything else!)*

*while I'm typing this I'm also deciding what source to buy it from, of course.

121citizenkelly
Mar 3, 2009, 7:59 am

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

122cabegley
Mar 3, 2009, 8:19 am

Have you read The Emperor's Tomb, CK? I'm thinking about seeking that one out.

123citizenkelly
Mar 3, 2009, 8:21 am

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

124rebeccanyc
Mar 3, 2009, 8:25 am

I just picked up The Emperor's Tomb; it's on the TBR . . .

125cabegley
Mar 3, 2009, 8:31 am

We all seem to be following one another around in circles this morning/afternoon.

Besides The Radetzky March and The Emperor's Tomb, are there any in particular you would recommend, CK?

Rebecca, maybe we can read it together at some point?

126citizenkelly
Mar 3, 2009, 8:49 am

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

127polutropos
Mar 3, 2009, 9:00 am

I have not read the Roth yet; it is at the top of the pile now, and will be read as soon as I get though the Willa Cather Project.

But, in terms of works of genius dealing with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and the beginning of World War I, I cannot recommend highly enough The Good Soldier Svejk by Jaroslav Hasek. Joseph Heller said he could not have written Catch-22 if it were not for Svejk.

A key book in the history of central Europe.

128marise
Editado: Mar 3, 2009, 10:30 am

>126 citizenkelly: Thanks for putting in the word for Irmgard Keun. Those first two are now on my wishlist! I am about half way through Radetsky.

129cabegley
Mar 3, 2009, 12:36 pm

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll add them to my wishlist.

>126 citizenkelly: Speaking of tea . . . I am reading The Ghost Map, and I found out last night that the adoption of tea as a national beverage of sorts by the British was directly responsible for a drop in the child mortality rate (because of its antibacterial properties). (Here ends your fun fact for the day.)

130laytonwoman3rd
Editado: Mar 3, 2009, 3:00 pm

I'm in serious danger of dropping everything else and immersing myself in Roth and Keun... and Hasek. That history is calling to me.

131rebeccanyc
Mar 3, 2009, 7:21 pm

#127 Thanks, polutropos, I have The Good Soldier Svejk, but haven't had a chance to read it yet -- will move it up on the list.

132cabegley
Mar 15, 2009, 12:22 pm

I get so far behind in posting on here, and in catching up on other threads, and it just becomes so daunting when I finally settle down to it!

The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic--and How It Changed Science, Cities, and the Modern World by Steven Johnson

In 1854, a cholera outbreak in Soho was used by physician John Snow to prove his theory that the illness was water-borne (in opposition to the current popular theory that it was caused by bad smells in the air). Initially skeptical, cleric Henry Whitehead, in trying to disprove the theory, became a convert and used his intimate knowledge of the area and its inhabitants to support Snow's findings, although the Board of Health continued to cling to the miasma theory for another decade or so. Johnson uses this incident not only to outline the unraveling of a medical mystery, but also to cover the growth of the field of public health, the rise of sustainable cities, statistical analysis, germ theory . . . well, let's just say a whole lot of topics that are relevant and vital to the world today, all crammed into a compelling under-300-page book. Johnson's style is very readable, without talking down or up to the reader. A fascinating book for the lay reader interested in science.

133cabegley
Mar 15, 2009, 12:24 pm

At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien

Apparently, experimental novels are not my cup of tea.

134cabegley
Mar 15, 2009, 12:29 pm

Children with Tourette Syndrome: A Parent Guide, edited by Tracy Lynne Marsh

This is a very readable, seemingly comprehensive volume about diagnosis, treatment, and just generally living with Tourette Syndrome. Most chapters ended with a few pages of short comments from parents whose children have TS. While most of them were rather depressing, it was helpful to see what other people are going through.

135cabegley
Mar 15, 2009, 12:38 pm

The London Blitz by David Johnson

This book was given to me by MaggieO, and while I will make a few comments, I also encourage you to visit her excellent review here: http://www.librarything.com/work/1475362 .

Johnson interviewed scores of eyewitnesses and scoured official documents to put together this interesting account of the night of December 29, 1940, when the Luftwaffe set out to destroy London, dropping mostly incendiary bombs and starting over 1500 fires. Vast sections of the City of London were completely destroyed. Johnson provides the perspective of the Luftwaffe pilots as well as the British on the ground, making for a comprehensive look at this unforgettable night.

My one big objection to this book was the photos and maps--in my small paperback, the maps were unreadable and the photos were extremely hard to make out. I took a trade paperback edition out of the library, which solved the problem with the maps, but the photos were still somewhat disappointing.

136bonniebooks
Editado: Mar 15, 2009, 2:19 pm

Ghost Map... looks good; I'll add that to my "Books to Look at" list. As a teacher/tutor, I'm interested in finding readable books on topics like Children with Tourette Syndrome because I sometimes see children who are (or might be) on the continuum and I want to know the most effective way to support them as learners--so I guess I've got to add that title too! :-)

137cabegley
Mar 15, 2009, 3:51 pm

Hi, Bonnie! While Children with Tourette Syndrome might be helpful, it's definitely geared toward the parent rather than the educator. You may find more useful information at the Tourette Syndrome Association website ( www.tsa-usa.org ) or in their publications. I'm ordering a few of their brochures for school--I can let you know what I think of them when they arrive. I've also seen (but not read) a book for teachers called Teaching the Tiger, which covers attention deficit disorders and OCD in addition to TS.

138bonniebooks
Mar 15, 2009, 5:47 pm

Well, I'm a private tutor--working one-on-one with my students--so often those books for parents work for me too, but I'll definitely check that site out. Thanks!

139bobmcconnaughey
Mar 15, 2009, 6:13 pm

maybe it's because we knew the story well, before reading, but both my friend Mike (a geographer) to whom i gave the ghost map and then i felt a bit let down. John Snow did bring Hippocrates' classic airs waters and places into the modern world of Victorian science and it's an important story to be sure. And i generally have a hard time w/ the genre of popular science books that seek to explain the genesis of a particular advance/device (ie Longitude, Pencilet al).

140pamelad
Mar 15, 2009, 6:45 pm

cabegley, after reading your glowing review, The Radetsky March has moved to the top of my list. I started it once before, but it is not a book to be read in fits and starts on the way to work in a crowded, noisy tram. This time I shall give it the concentration it deserves.

I found the same with Wartime Lies;it requires immersion.

141cabegley
Mar 22, 2009, 9:30 am

>139 bobmcconnaughey:: I guess that would be the difference, Bob--I like popular science books like that. To each her own!

>140 pamelad:: Thanks, Pam! I have Wartime Lies on my wishlist after your review, and I shall remember to save it for a time when I can immerse myself.

142cabegley
Editado: mayo 3, 2009, 10:12 am

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene

This book ended up not being what I expected at all, twisting abruptly about a third of the way through to become something completely different. My book group read it and had a marvelous discussion--there was so much meat to Greene's work. I absolutely hated the main character, and didn't want the book to end.

143cabegley
Mar 22, 2009, 9:42 am

A backwards path to book selection: I have been interested for a long time in the early years of the Royal Society, and periodically go through reading jags on the scientists and discoveries of that period (I'm still looking for a good, comprehensive single-volume work on the start of the Royal Society if anyone has any recommendations). A few weeks ago, I took Lisa Jardine's The Curious Life of Robert Hooke: The Man Who Measured London out of the library, but when I started to read it, I found in her introduction that she had written it as a companion piece to her On a Grander Scale: The Outstanding Life and Tumultuous Times of Sir Christopher Wren, and therefore she was not going to go into any detail on those parts of Hooke's life where the two overlapped. I decided I wouldn't read the Hooke biography until I'd read the Wren, but our library didn't have it. Nor did any bookstore in the area, so my husband tracked them both down on eBay and bought them for me. Then, right before I cracked open the Wren biography, I decided that the King Charles II biography (by Antonia Fraser) that had been languishing on my shelves for over a year would be good as background. Fortunately, my backtracking stopped there, so I am currently reading the Charles II biography. Fraser is not my favorite biographer, and I'm finding it a bit slow-going. Charles' story itself is fascinating, though.

144cabegley
Editado: mayo 3, 2009, 10:16 am

King Charles II by Antonia Fraser

Antonia Fraser is not my favorite biographer, but I still thought this was a serviceable look at the life of the Restoration king.

145cabegley
Editado: mayo 3, 2009, 10:09 am

The Easter Parade by Richard Yates (Early Reviewers book)

A dark, sad, hopeless tale, but still worth a read. My review here:

http://www.librarything.com/work/10142/reviews/43371924

146cabegley
Mar 29, 2009, 9:36 pm

I am currently reading a very poorly proofread and copyedited The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington. While the typos are annoying enough, a phrase like this drives me up the wall:

"Dahl had always been something of an outsider all his life . . . "

147lauralkeet
Mar 30, 2009, 5:51 am

148rebeccanyc
Mar 30, 2009, 7:22 am

Oh, Chris, I have that on my "take a look at list" since it combines two of my interests (spies and Roald Dahl) but now I'm afraid it would drive me too crazy!

The remarkable thing is that Jennet Conant is a well-respected author; haven't checked who the publisher is . . .

149cabegley
Mar 30, 2009, 8:32 am

I'm still not overly enamored of it, Rebecca--I'll report back when I'm done, but as it stands, I'm glad I took it out of the library rather than spend money on it.

150cabegley
Mar 30, 2009, 8:33 am

>148 rebeccanyc:: Sorry--forgot to list the publisher. It's Simon & Schuster.

151cushlareads
Editado: Mar 30, 2009, 5:11 pm

Thanks for the warning! I just returned Tuxedo Park unread to the library because I didn't get to it in time - do you know if that's as bad?

152cabegley
Mar 30, 2009, 6:10 pm

I haven't read that one. It does sound interesting, though.

153rebeccanyc
Mar 30, 2009, 6:54 pm

Tuxedo Park was supposed to be a great book, according to people familiar with some of the people featured in the book. I haven't read it.

154tiffin
Abr 1, 2009, 9:28 am

Let me know how you like the Wren bio when you do get to it, please and thanks.

155Cariola
Abr 1, 2009, 12:28 pm

Jardine's Wren bio is in my stacks somewhere. I also have one of Inigo Jones that looks intriguing, in part because much of my research has been on Ben Jonson.

156avaland
Abr 21, 2009, 7:07 pm

Just checking on you, still reading?

157cabegley
Abr 21, 2009, 9:43 pm

I am, just not writing about it. I do have to remedy that, but life has gotten in the way. Since I last checked in, I finished the aforementioned The Irregulars by Jennet Conant (eh), and have also read:

On a Grander Scale: The Outstanding Life and Tumultuous Times of Sir Christopher Wren by Lisa Jardine (fascinating)
Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones (thank you, Lois!)
Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I Never Had by Brad Cohen and Lisa Wysocky (I learned a few things, but would not recommend in general)

and have just started The Curious Life of Robert Hooke: The Man Who Measured London by Lisa Jardine.

My most urgent posting need is to write a review of the ER book The Easter Parade by Richard Yates, and I fear I am procrastinating.

158avaland
Abr 22, 2009, 8:20 am

>157 cabegley: Did I send Mister Pip? Good grief, I can't remember. Sounds like you enjoyed it (I wasn't keen about the last 1/3 of it, but most seem to be okay with it).

159cabegley
Abr 22, 2009, 10:18 pm

You did. I agree about the last third, and it did seem reminiscent of other books I've read, but I did like the concept, and I thought the on-island part of the book was well handled.

160cabegley
mayo 3, 2009, 10:55 am

The Irregulars: Roald Dahl and the British Spy Ring in Wartime Washington by Jennet Conant

I had such high hopes for this book. After reading a bit about WWII codebreaking, as well as the Noel Coward letters and Agent Zigzag (both discussed above), I was interested in more about the spy work done by the British during WWII. First off, based on the plural used in the main title, and the "Spy Ring" in the subtitle, I thought the book would be an overview of the different personalities in the group of spies (with a main focus on Dahl). However, the book was almost entirely about Dahl--a strange choice, since he showed up in Washington far later than many of the other players. Second, as mentioned above, the book was very poorly proofread and copyedited, which made for a frustrating read.

In overcoming the first objection, I think it's best to look at this book as a biography of Roald Dahl during the war years. His story is fascinating, and there is some good background about the development of the British and American spy networks.

As to the second objection, I don't think it can really be overcome. It's a shame, because overall I think the book was fairly well written, and that Simon and Schuster did Conant a disservice.

Anyone have any good recommendations for a book closer to what I was hoping to find here?

161fannyprice
mayo 3, 2009, 11:08 am

>160 cabegley:, I am so sad that this book was a disappointment for you. I had been really excited to read it when I first saw it. I had no idea Roald Dahl had been a spy & I thought it would be so cool to learn about it. But alas, I've seen nothing but bad reviews of it....

162cabegley
Editado: mayo 3, 2009, 11:23 am

On a Grander Scale: The Outstanding Life and Tumultuous Times of Sir Christopher Wren by Lisa Jardine

The Curious Life of Robert Hooke: The Man Who Measured London by Lisa Jardine

Sir Christopher Wren, whose fortunes were tied from birth to Charles II, is perhaps most famous for his architecture, particularly St. Paul's Cathedral in London, with its iconic dome. Wren was also, however, a scientist and mathematician, and Jardine's biography brings together his achievements in both realms. Robert Hooke, although much less well known, was Wren's partner in his architecture firm, and was also a scientist and mathematician, acting for years in his capacity as the Royal Society's first Curator of Experiments. In these two books, Jardine covers the lives and achievements of these two men as a whole, but also opens up the focus to the Restoration period at large, in particular regarding architecture and science, and gives a good sense of the development of the Royal Society.

Wren and Hooke's early collaborations were on astronomy and microscopy, and they developed a working relationship that lasted for most of Hooke's life, and a friendship to the end. Hooke, who was probably more famous for his fights with other scientists than for his own achievements, was always devoted to Wren.

Of all their joint work, to me the most fascinating is the monument to the Great Fire, an obelisk that also functioned as a telescope and laboratory, combining their official architectural work with their true love of science and discovery.

If I had a quibble with either book, it would be my disappointment that Jardine did not focus more on Hooke's experiments. With the exception of an extended section on Hooke's years of self-medication and meticulous recording of results, most of Hooke's particular experiments are not discussed or are mentioned fleetingly.

I am so glad I made the decision to read Antonia Fraser's King Charles II before starting Jardine's biography of Sir Christopher Wren. While Jardine did give background on Charles's restoration in her book, I appreciated the broader background provided by the Fraser biography, which gave me a deeper understanding of the period and the politics.

I highly recommend both of these books.

163rebeccanyc
mayo 3, 2009, 3:31 pm

#160, 161 Like you and fannyprice, I had high hopes for this book too, but shied away from it because of all the bad reviews. I believe Conant did a good job with Tuxedo Park, which I haven't read but hope to, so this is unfortunate. I'm afraid I don't have any god recommendations for what you're looking for, but if you find one, I'll be interested in learning about it.

164pamelad
mayo 3, 2009, 7:14 pm

Thank you for the reviews Chris. Always interested in reading about scientists. Have added both the Wren and the Hooke book to my wishlist.

165aluvalibri
mayo 4, 2009, 7:23 am

Both books sound intriguing, even to someone like me, who knows practically nothing about science (but is a great admirer of architecture). Thanks!

166avaland
mayo 4, 2009, 7:44 am

Is that a new Colum McCann that you're reading? I so enjoyed Zoli, I might be tempted to read another of his books...

167cabegley
mayo 4, 2009, 8:00 am

>163 rebeccanyc: Tuxedo Park does look good, and I may overlook my experience with The Irregulars and give it a try.

>164 pamelad:, 165 If you read them, I'd be interested to talk about them!

>166 avaland: It is. Let the Great World Spin is coming out in June, and I got a copy of it from the ER program. So far, so good, but I'm not that far into it.

168cabegley
mayo 19, 2009, 8:23 am

Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones

On a tropical island blockaded by military forces, in a village beset alternatively by occupying and insurgent armies, the last white man left on the island reopens the school and attempts to teach the children, primarily through both reading them Great Expectations and inviting their mothers in to give guest talks. The parts on the island were fine, but the book rapidly devolves once we depart.

169cabegley
mayo 19, 2009, 8:31 am

Front of the Class: How Tourette Syndrome Made Me the Teacher I never Had by Brad Cohen with Lisa Wysocky

Brad Cohen, who has severe Tourette Syndrome, has an inspiring story to tell. Through his positive attitude and determination, he got administrators and parents to look past his disability to see his great educational skills in the classroom. The writing of this memoir is only so-so, and Cohen can be a bit too self-promoting, but I am glad to have read his story.

170dchaikin
mayo 19, 2009, 9:14 am

cabegley - This a book I probably should pick up. I've met Brad at least once, probably a few times, as he is a close friend of one of my college roommates. This was maybe 15 years ago. He was an exceptionally nice and likable guy.

171bonniebooks
Editado: mayo 19, 2009, 10:55 am

>168 cabegley:, Wow! I wish I had your ability to summarize a book so well in just one sentence!

>169 cabegley:, On the fence about reading this one. Probably will. I've instigated the "Rule of Three" for myself. Have to hear about a book at least three different times before I add it to my list which is getting way too long since joining LT.

172pamelad
mayo 19, 2009, 8:25 pm

cabegley, agreeing with you on Mr Pip. The last section trivialised everything that had gone before.

173cabegley
mayo 19, 2009, 10:03 pm

>170 dchaikin: He really does sound like a good guy. He's apparently a very good motivational speaker, as well.

>171 bonniebooks: Thanks, Bonnie! I think Front of the Class would be a good book for educators. His teaching methods sound very similar to those used at the charter school my kids go to, and I find them very effective. Again, not the best writing I've come across, but as a parent of a child with TS, I found his story encouraging.

>172 pamelad: I thought it was a shame, Pam. I wish I knew why he chose to take that path.

174avaland
mayo 24, 2009, 8:39 pm

>171 bonniebooks: I don't believe that one's book pile or wishlist can be "way too long":-) I like to think of it as a pile or list of possibilities!

175urania1
mayo 27, 2009, 9:25 am

Lisa Jardine (cultural historian) I like. Antonia Fraser . . . not (although for some perverse reason I've read 5 of her biographies). Go figure.

176cabegley
mayo 27, 2009, 10:35 am

I'm with you, Mary. Jardine's books hold me fascinated, while I find myself aggravated while reading Fraser's. But sometimes Fraser seems to be the only game in town.

177cabegley
Jun 2, 2009, 8:37 am

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri

Lahiri's first book of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies, was one of my favorite books the year I read it, and I still think back on some of the stories in it. Unaccustomed Earth, while it didn't have as much of an impact on me, is still a very strong collection of stories, and Lahiri is a luminous writer. For me, the last three stories, which are linked, were the strongest.

Highly recommended.

178lauralkeet
Jun 2, 2009, 8:48 am

I loved, loved, loved both Interpreter of Maladies and Unaccustomed Earth!

179cabegley
Jun 7, 2009, 5:55 pm

Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann

I have to stop requesting Early Reviewer books, since I seem to have Review Avoidance Syndrome. I've posted a brief review that did not do this lovely book justice, mostly because I avoided writing it until I'd read 9 other books. But do read this book.

180cabegley
Jun 7, 2009, 5:58 pm

The Unburied by Charles Palliser

Last year, I read and loved The Quincunx by Charles Palliser, and was therefore really looking forward to The Unburied. Sadly, The Unburied doesn't hold a candle to The Quincunx. A murder mystery, actually three murder mysteries in three different eras, is gradually unraveled by a visitor to a small English town. I was never particularly gripped by the mysteries, or delighted by the solving of them.

181cabegley
Jun 7, 2009, 6:07 pm

Measuring the World by Daniel Kehlmann

Ah, much better! This book was recommended by citizenkelly, who knows my love of fiction about science.

Measuring the World alternates between the explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who attempts to learn about the world by traveling to its farthest reaches, and the mathematician and astronomer Carl Friedrich Gauss, who succeeds at the same by sitting at home. Kehlmann's quirky, elliptical style was well suited to the story. Those looking for a linear narrative and a straightforward ending, however, should probably stay away.

182cabegley
Jun 7, 2009, 6:11 pm

The Man in the Flying Lawn Chair by George Plimpton

I bought this as a bargain book online at Barnes & Noble, not realizing that this collection of essays was made up of Plimpton's later pieces. The writing was clever and compelling, but I was primarily left wanting to seek out more of his earlier work.

183cabegley
Jun 7, 2009, 6:15 pm

The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton

Last month, I visited The Mount, Edith Wharton's home in Massachusetts, and picked up Hermione Lee's biography of her. However, since I'd only read The Custom of the Country, I decided I had better read more of Wharton's work before reading about her.

If The House of Mirth is any indication, I've set myself an enjoyable task, indeed. Lily Bart's struggles to survive in New York society without sufficient means and family support were sadly fascinating. I was gripped from first to last.

184cabegley
Jun 7, 2009, 6:22 pm

The Invention of Air: A Story of Science, Faith, Revolution and the Birth of America by Steven Johnson

That title's quite a mouthful! Johnson does try to cram all that into his story of Joseph Priestley, although he doesn't quite succeed. Priestley's successful forays into scientific discovery (air, yes, but he also invented soda water!) are fascinating, but Johnson's attempts to tie him so closely to the birth of America, through his early interactions with Benjamin Franklin, and his later ones with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, fall short. Yes, his correspondence with Jefferson about Adams's failings, and the subsequent publication of them, led to Jefferson and Adams's famous correspondence in the last years of their lives, but Priestley's actual involvement with the Revolution was minimal. Altogether, this book didn't resonate with me like Johnson's The Ghost Map did. (But it did send me back to reading about the American Revolution!)

185lauralkeet
Jun 7, 2009, 7:03 pm

>183 cabegley:: so glad to hear you enjoyed The House of Mirth ... I'm hoping to read it this month and am looking forward to it!

186Cariola
Jun 7, 2009, 9:22 pm

I love Wharton's novels but thought the Lee bio was rather tedious.

187tiffin
Jun 7, 2009, 9:29 pm

Glad to read that you enjoyed The House of Mirth - I'm going to hunt down a copy. I have Wharton's autobiography yet to be read. Like you I thought I should read some of her writing first. And I love Lahiri's writing, just love it. You might like the Canadian writer, Anita Rau Badami's The Hero's Walk.

188Cariola
Jun 8, 2009, 9:22 am

Oh, The Hero's Walk has been on my shelf forever. I should probably read this one for Orange July. I also have had Unaccompanied Earth since it came out but haven't gotten around to it yet.

189cabegley
Jun 9, 2009, 8:12 am

>186 Cariola: I'm sorry to hear that! Her life sounded so interesting from the tour of her house.

>187 tiffin:, 188 As with Deborah, I've had The Hero's Walk for years, and now perhaps I'll bump it up to the top of the pile.

190cabegley
Jun 9, 2009, 8:20 am

The Road Home by Rose Tremain

I received this book from lindsacl a few months ago, and now my only regret is I didn't read it right then. The story of Lev, an Eastern European emigrant to London, was gripping and complicated and sad. There are close to 100 reviews of this book on LT, so I'm not going to rehash the plot. Tremain's writing, as always, was marvelous, and I was particularly taken with her creation of this wonderfully three-dimensional, not entirely likeable character. Bonus points for the ending, which thankfully did not have a neat little bow on top.

191lauralkeet
Jun 9, 2009, 7:43 pm

Oh, I'm so happy you enjoyed The Road Home !!

192cabegley
Jun 10, 2009, 10:10 pm

Me too! But I think you knew I would . . .

193cabegley
Jun 10, 2009, 10:13 pm

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

This book, which is coming out in September, turns a lot of current wisdom about child psychology on its head. Sections include lying (and why all kids do it), early testing for giftedness (and why it's useless), teenage defiance (and why it's necessary), etc. I passed it along to the Title I teacher at my children's school to get her take on it. It's a fairly quick read, and I would recommend it.

194cabegley
Jun 10, 2009, 10:20 pm

1776 by David McCullough

This is not at all what I had expected. I had thought it would be focused on the founding fathers, the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, etc. Instead, it was about the war itself--the siege of Boston, the retreat to New York, the Battle of Brooklyn, the retreat to New Jersey, and the Battle of Trenton. Although I have several friends who either currently work in or got their start in military-history publishing, this was my first real encounter with it. And I liked it! Fascinating, balanced look at both sides of the conflict.

195cabegley
Jun 10, 2009, 10:23 pm

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

This was a read for my book group. Sherlock Holmes is not my favorite--I think he's too annoyingly self important. (And yet I like Hercule Poirot, so clearly I'm inconsistent.) Holmes was fortunately absent for large parts of the book. But I knew the culprit early on, and just bided my time til the end. Doyle's descriptions of London and the moors, though, were lovely.

196cabegley
Jun 10, 2009, 10:24 pm

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

This was just OK for me. Again, many, many reviews on LT, so I'm not going to rehash it. But why was it all letters to the Chinese premier? Am I missing something obvious?

197cabegley
Jun 10, 2009, 10:27 pm

Hey, I'm all caught up! I'm currently reading American Creation by Joseph J. Ellis, and spending a good bit of time talking with my 10-year-old about the American Revolution (which she's been studying at school--they recently did a 2-day field trip to Boston).

198tiffin
Jun 10, 2009, 10:33 pm

Chris, I loved Sherlock Holmes when I was about 10. Just devoured it. It scared the tar out of me, delighted me and transported me. That said, I don't know if I could read it as an adult (my disbelief is more difficult to suspend now). However, when I saw Jeremy Brett's Sherlock, I saw the Sherlock of my youthful imagination brought to life, all the twitchiness and obsessive compulsive persnicketyness done to perfection. If I read him, I might think of him as "annoyingly self important". As a ten year old and as an adult watching Brett portray him, there was a whole other dimension to him, a kind of 'out on the periphery where the madmen dance' kind of genius.

199rebeccanyc
Jun 11, 2009, 7:18 am

I too loved Sherlock Holmes when I read it as a child, probably around Tui's age. I remember vividly that my parents gave me my grandfather's copy of The Complete Sherlock Holmes when I was stuck at home with the measles. I don't think the stories scared me, except for "The Speckled Band," but I haven't had the courage to read it again in case I didn't like it now.

200cabegley
Jun 11, 2009, 7:39 am

I think that's part of my problem--I never read Sherlock Holmes as a child. In my book-group discussion, the people who liked the book the most had all read Doyle's stories when they were kids.

201aluvalibri
Jun 11, 2009, 5:44 pm

Well, I loved and still love Sherlock Holmes, which I still periodically re-read. Funny that you mention 'The Speckled Band', Rebecca, because that story has always scared me too.

I know I go against the majority's opinion re Jeremy Brett, but I have always found him too 'bitchy' and quite different from the mental physical image I have always had of SH (much taller, thinner, and with aquiline features).

202Cariola
Jun 11, 2009, 6:39 pm

201> So more like Rupert Everett?

203aluvalibri
Editado: Jun 12, 2009, 7:59 am

Yes, Deborah! How did you guess?
As a matter of fact, a few months ago I saw a movie (The case of the silk stocking), where handsome Rupert played SH. The story is not by Conan Doyle, and I believe it was just written for the movie, but it was quite good. Rupert was magnificent, he WAS Sherlock Holmes.
Too bad he has never played more SH roles.

204Cariola
Jun 12, 2009, 11:08 am

That's exactly why I mentioned him! Somehow, I thought this was a series and not a single movie. But maybe not.

205aluvalibri
Jun 12, 2009, 11:10 am

Unfortunately not a series....:-((

206avaland
Jun 12, 2009, 2:07 pm

Such a lot of great reading, Chris! I enjoy reading your comments so much. I agree with Tiffin in >187 tiffin: that you would probably like The Hero's Walk.

207cabegley
Jun 15, 2009, 7:35 am

I like Rupert Everett (and think he doesn't get enough work). Maybe I'll check out his Sherlock Holmes and see if I prefer him to the one in my mind.

Thanks, Lois! I'm between books this morning--I think I'll pull The Hero's Walk off the shelf.

208laytonwoman3rd
Jul 10, 2009, 6:42 pm

Woefully behind on your thread, Chris. Now I've caught up. I join the throngs of those who loved Sherlock Holmes as a youth. My grandmother gave me The Complete Sherlock Holmes when I was about 11, I suppose. I have occasionally dipped in again...primarily when my daughter was discovering the stories. And I did enjoy Jeremy Brett immensely. So many things depend on timing. And I, too, may read The Hero's Walk during Orange July.

209amandameale
Jul 11, 2009, 3:34 am

As always, lots of interesting books here. Delighted that you liked The Radetsky March - I must order the others which Rebecca has recommended.

Did you recommend The Good Mayor by Andrew Nicoll?? It's my current read and I bought it because I thought you mentioned it somewhere.

210cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 10:21 am

208 > I thought at first you were commenting on how woefully behind I am in my thread--I have 9 books (including The Hero's Walk) to talk about that I've read since The White Tiger. I should nudge my kids to read Sherlock Holmes, since timing does seem to be such a big factor.

209 > The Good Mayor wasn't me, Amanda--I haven't read it.

211rebeccanyc
Jul 11, 2009, 10:22 am

Thank you, Amanda, I'm honored! Chris and I actually like a lot of the same books; for a while we were kind of following each other around, bookwise!

212cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 10:31 am

American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic by Joseph J. Ellis

In American Creation, Ellis views the birth of the United States through six keypoints from 1776-1803. I find Ellis to be very readable, and he often looks at American history from a different angle. I think he tried a bit too hard to tie things in to his central theme, but overall an interesting read.

213cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 10:36 am

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box

A coworker passed this along to me--it had won the Edgar Award this year, and she and I had both attended the Edgars.

My thoughts on the book . . . well, my mother always said, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."

214cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 10:51 am

The Hero's Walk by Anita Rau Badami

I read this on Tiffin and Lois's recommendation (above), and it was a lovely antidote to Blue Heaven. Sripathi Rao, his wife Nirmala and his adult son live with Sripathi's mother and sister in the decaying house of Sripathi's childhood. When his estranged daughter Maya and her husband die in an accident in Canada, Sripathi brings his young granddaughter Nandana, who he's never met, back to India to live with the family. Sripathi, Nirmala, and Nandana's struggles to come to terms with Maya's death form the core of this beautifully written novel, and the interior lives of its more minor characters provide added sparkle.

215urania1
Jul 11, 2009, 10:57 am

The Hero's Walk is one of my favorite books.

216cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 11:05 am

The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire, and the Birth of an Obsession by Andrea Wulf

My boss bought this book for me, explaining to his wife that it was right up my alley, since I like books about 18th-century trans-Atlantic gardeners and botanists.

This is a compulsively readable book about the introduction of many non-indigenous plants to England, the first books about plants and gardening written for a general audience, Carl Linnaeus's creation of a standard botanical nomenclature, and Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander's botanical exploration on Captain Cook's Endeavor voyage, and how all these contributed to the British obsession with gardening. And it was, indeed, right up my alley.

217cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 11:17 am

Breath by Tim Winton

Tim Winton's Breath, which recently won the Miles Franklin Literary Award, is on the surface a coming-of-age novel about surfing in Australia. But at heart, it's much, much more. Another well-written book, although I'm still trying to decide how I feel about it. (And I'll need to pull my thoughts together soon, since my book group is discussing it on Tuesday.)

218cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 11:24 am

Dear American Airlines by Jonathan Miles

Another recommendation by rebeccanyc. Stuck overnight in Chicago's O'Hare Airport while trying to get to his daughter's wedding in California, Benjamin Ford decides to spend his time writing to American Airlines to demand a refund. Bennie's letter is a reflection on his failures in life, and his attempts to redeem them. Well written, sad and funny.

219amandameale
Jul 11, 2009, 11:29 am

#210 The Good Mayor - Yikes! I only bought it because of you.

#211 Rebecca - I'll read anything that you and Chris like.

220cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 11:40 am

219 > I looked at the book page--maybe it was judylou's comments? She seems to have liked it very much. And I've gotten many wonderful recommendations from you, too!

221cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 12:08 pm

Property by Valerie Martin

Manon is a slave owner in the U.S. south who is trapped in a loveless marriage and enraged by her legal lack of control over her own life and money, without ever seeing the injustice of slavery from which she benefits. An uncomfortable book with a deeply unlikeable main character, Property is nevertheless a thought-provoking read. I was inspired to read this after the great discussion on lindsacl's 75-book challenge thread:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/51766

222Cariola
Jul 11, 2009, 12:20 pm

214> I just started The Hero's Walk a few days ago. It started a little slow, so I'm glad to hear that it will be worth sticking with.

223rebeccanyc
Editado: Jul 11, 2009, 12:35 pm

#216, I have a book called Flower Hunters that is also about exploring botanists; I can't recommend it because I haven't read it yet, but if you liked The Brother Gardeners you might like this, too.

Glad you liked Dear American Airlines.

224cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 5:22 pm

Thanks, Rebecca--I've added it to my wishlist.

225cabegley
Jul 11, 2009, 5:25 pm

222 > I hope you do enjoy it, Deborah! I thought she created a complete little world.

226lauralkeet
Jul 12, 2009, 6:05 am

Wow, nice to get caught up on your reading! I like your assessment of Property (uncomfortable, thought-provoking).

227aluvalibri
Jul 12, 2009, 1:11 pm

I have added The Brother Gardeners to my list. Thank you!

228bonniebooks
Jul 12, 2009, 2:21 pm

Wow! You've read a slew of great books. I just added The Hero's Walk and Dear American Airlines to my wish list. Also want to add that I really liked Property. I read it right after The Book of Negroes, and even though it was a much smaller book, and so much more narrow in scope in terms of the story it tells, I actually felt more anguish when reading it than I did reading The Book of Negroes.

229laytonwoman3rd
Editado: Jul 24, 2009, 7:00 pm

Just got caught up with your thread, Chris. We've read a couple of the same books this month---Property and The Hero's Walk. I popped back into Laura's thread from your link to re-read all the discussion there of Property. I thought it was a very powerful book. One point I don't recall being discussed is the character of Sarah. So many novelists try to illustrate the Huck Finn revelation about black slaves having the same feelings as their masters -- "He was thinking about his wife and his children, away up yonder, and he was low and homesick…I do belive he cared just as much for his people as white folks does for their’n. It don’t seem natural, but I reckon it’s so.”-- but in this case it’s obvious that Sarah is just as cold and unfeeling as her white mistress. She cares for no one, including her own children, and if she ever had a streak of tenderness it is long gone.

230avaland
Jul 24, 2009, 3:18 pm

I am way behind with everyone's reading, for good reasons of course, but still... So glad you enjoyed The Hero's Walk and Property.

231cabegley
Ago 9, 2009, 6:01 pm

Thanks for your comments, ladies!

This thread was getting far too long, so I've started part 2 here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/70606&newpost=1#lastmsg