Literary Exploration discussion

Apart from The Magicians what are people reading this month?

I'm currently reading Critical Theory: An Introduction by Jennifer Rich to educate myself a little more. Also I'm reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt.

Not sure what else I'll be reading, maybe The Wives of Los Alamos by TaraShea Nesbit and Shovel Ready by Adam Sternbergh. Then who knows; hopefully I'll have my copy of The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas soon.

I'm reading Infernal Devices by K.W. Jeter (after reading The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers I wanted to read more combined SF-Victorian), The Island of Dr. Moreau, SF classic by H.G. Wells, and The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson.

Starting War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, translator Anthony Briggs with my Classics group today. It will be a quarterly read, so will be for the next three months.

Also actively working on:
Ireland, by Frank Delaney
So You Created a Wormhole: The Time Traveler's Guide to Time Travel,
by Phil Hornshawand Nick Hurwitch
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford
The Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James
And starting Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman later tonight.

Currently reading The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry and The Moonstone. Also trying to finish Sycamore Row. My next class is Antigone and I'd also like to read Shotgun Lovesongs this month.

MK wrote: "Starting War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, translator Anthony Briggs with my Classics group today. It will be a quarterly read, so will be for the next th..."

I am reading The Help this month as a buddy read for another group.

MK, is it too late to join in on the quarterly read in the classics group? I've just got a copy of War and Peace and it'd be great to read it with a group over a longer period! :)

Nancy wrote: "Currently reading The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry and The Moonstone. Also trying to finish Sycamore Row. My next class is Antigone and I'd al..."

I wouldn't mind hearing your thoughts on Shotgun Lovesongs, if you get around to it. I wasn't overly keen on it, but that could be just me because it's been getting some great reviews.

I'm currently reading Ruby: A Novel - it's a good book but it's taking it's toll on me emotionally - the subject matters are distressing

then I'd like to start The Fever by Megan Abbott, followed by The Quick by Lauren Owen

Michael wrote: "Apart from The Magicians what are people reading this month?

I'm currently reading Critical Theory: An Introduction by Jennifer Rich to educate myse..."

has your copy arrived? :) - The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

Leanne wrote: "MK wrote: "Starting War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy, translator Anthony Briggs with my Classics group today. It will be a quarterly read, so will be for ..."

No, definitely not too late, Leanne! It's only just beginning. It'd be awesome if you joined us :-))

Michael wrote: "Apart from The Magicians what are people reading this month?

I'm reading The Book Thief. I just finished re-reading all the great books I read when I was 12 and 13 years old, including The Grapes of Wrath, The Good Earth, The Iliad, Farenheit 451, The Call of the Wild, Moby Dick, David Copperfield, and a few others. It was a very enjoyable winter with lots of great memories and deeply engrossing reading. A refreshment to the soul.

Mish wrote: "Michael wrote: "Apart from The Magicians what are people reading this month?

I'm currently reading Critical Theory: An Introduction by Jennifer Rich..."

You haven't been on Twitter have you :P I has arrived and everything else is now on hold

Michael wrote: "Mish wrote: "Michael wrote: "Apart from The Magicians what are people reading this month?

I'm currently reading Critical Theory: An Introduction by [author:Jennifer ..."

Lol I have now - twitter :)

Your enthusiasm is wonderful. So glad it's finally arrived.

Just finished Moby-Dick. I'm starting on Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened now. Does this count as a graphic novel?

Hyperbole, was awesome. I read it in about 45 minutes. The goose story almost made me fall off the chair.

were the books u read when u were younger still as good now.

Lorilee wrote: "Hyperbole, was awesome. I read it in about 45 minutes. The goose story almost made me fall off the chair."

I thought the funniest was Dogs' Guide to Understanding Basic Concepts, but the most thought provoking ones were the last two on self identity. The ones on depression really opened my eyes to what sufferers are going through too. And her dog drawings are wonderful!

Just started The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler and I'm enjoying the cynical humour.

Maggie wrote: "Lorilee wrote: "Hyperbole, was awesome. I read it in about 45 minutes. The goose story almost made me fall off the chair."

I thought the funniest was Dogs' Guide to Understanding Basic Concepts,..."

I am so glad you liked it. The dog stories were great too. I hope we will get more from this author. I think the goose is so funny because I was attacked by one as a child and I think I would react the same way she did!

Jeffrey wrote: "were the books u read when u were younger still as good now."

Yes :)

I recently reread some Madeleine L'Engle and Ruth Chew, favorites from when I was a kid, and yep, they're still great :).


Lorilee and Maggie, I'm picking Hyperbole up from the library tomorrow night. It's a selection this month in one of my groups. Is it really that fast of a read?!?

MK wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "were the books u read when u were younger still as good now."

Yes :)

I recently reread some Madeleine L'Engle and Ruth Chew, favorites from when I was ..."

Yes but very good!

Lorilee wrote: "Maggie wrote: "Lorilee wrote: "Hyperbole, was awesome. I read it in about 45 minutes. The goose story almost made me fall off the chair."

I thought the funniest was Dogs' Guide to Understanding ..."

I've never seen a goose, but I expect I would react the same way if I saw a rat!

MK wrote: "Jeffrey wrote: "were the books u read when u were younger still as good now."

Yes :)

I recently reread some Madeleine L'Engle and Ruth Chew, favorites from when I was ..."

It can be read quickly, but I preferred to read it one chapter at a time, with pauses in between to do other things and think about what I had just read. That's the way I approach short story collections in general.

I can see how it (Hyperbole ...)could be read quickly. I think I'll read it a section at a time tho. It's very funny, so far! I picked it up from the library last night, and have read the intro and the first section (notes to younger self), so far. I was laughing a few times :D

Maggie wrote: "... Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened now. Does this count as a graphic novel?
"

I was wondering how your question would be answered, Maggie. I still haven't yet read a graphic novel, so I'm certain I'm not the one to answer :p, however ... heh ... it doesn't seem like a novel, so, maybe it wouldn't count as a graphic novel?

I am counting it for my graphic novel. I searched for graphic novels and this one came up so that is good enough for me.

I just finished re-reading Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere. Really delectable. I am now slowly trying to cover the tome of Wendy Doniger's On Hinduism. It is a more scholarly approach than her book An alternative history...and hence is a more demanding read.

I read The Help earlier this month, and also Chess Story which is short but really good! I am now reading The Time Machine.

I am also giving Audible a whirl, so I'm listening to A Game of Thrones as I'm too lazy to hold the actual book while reading, it's far too hefty ;)

I just read The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler. The language was wonderful.

I'll be reading nothing but textbooks for the next two weeks as my exams are coming up, but I can't wait to read other things after that!

I'm listening to The Luminaries on audiobook. It's a doorstopper, alright! I'm only just getting into it, 5 chapters in.

CARRIE, by Stephen King

HEART AND SOUL, by Maeve Binchy

THE DOULA, by Bridgit Boland

THE DOOR TO DECEMBER, by Dean Koontz

CASSANDRA AND JANE, by Jill Pitkeathley