Book Nook Cafe discussion

This the thread for general book discussions for June 2020.

Tell us what you just read, are currently reading or plan to read. Tell us about your favorite author. Have you read some book news? Share it with the group. Anything related to books and reading, we want to hear all about it !
:)

I made a goal for myself this month. I believe i can finish my 2020 Determination List this month. If i recall correctly (i'll check later), i have the bio of Chester Arthur, which i've begun (The Unexpected President: The Life and Times of Chester A. Arthur by Scott S. Greenberger); The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen and Gregg Andrew Hurwitz's Orphan X.

And for the rest of the year, i am delving into my boxes of books for selections, as i see many i want to read now.

madrano wrote: "I made a goal for myself this month. I believe i can finish my 2020 Determination List this month. If i recall correctly (i'll check later), i have the bio of Chester Arthur, which i've begun ([boo..."

You can do it, deb ! Well done.

Hi Five by Joe Ide

In this 4th book in the IQ series, the California investigator looks into the murder of an arms dealer's right-hand-man.

The book refers to events in previous stories, but the salient details are explained well enough that the book works fine as a standalone.

Interesting characters. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Deb, you can do this! We'll be here to celebrate with you when you read the last page of the last book of your goal.

I'm currently half way through Charles Dickens' David Copperfield and really enjoying it. Dickens has a good sense of humor, as well as a way of building tension and intrigue.

Thank you, Alias & Petra. Once i realize i was close to finishing and that all the books were available, i decided i had to try. I appreciate the encouragement.

Barbara, it's interesting to watch some series authors change directions with characters we like over a few books. It is dangerous for them, too, i suspect. I know i've dropped two series when the MC just seemed to take an about face. True to life? I'm not sure but often i read mysteries because i like the lightness or city or something in addition to the MC. Nice, contemplating review.

Petra, for me, one of the joys of reading Dickens is that tension. As i read his works, i often imagine him sitting in a room, telling the story to an eager audience. It must have been a delight.

Enjoy!

Just finished and enjoyed House of Glass: The story and secrets of a twentieth-century Jewish family


My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3352791609

I like those sort of family research stories, as well, Dem. Nice review.

madrano wrote: "I made a goal for myself this month. I believe i can finish my 2020 Determination List this month. If i recall correctly (i'll check later), i have the bio of Chester Arthur, which i've begun ([boo..."

What an intriguing mix of books, Deb! Enjoy!

I enjoyed a delightful short story, by Amor Towles who wrote the highly acclaimed A Gentleman in Moscow. This story, A Whimsy of the World, is a real treat. Trust me. Read it and enjoy!
5★ My 'Whimsy' review, with a link to the story

On a completely different note, I recently read Taboo by much-awarded Australian Indigenous author Kim Scott, about contemporary SW Western Australia. (the bottom left corner of the country) Pretty strong stuff.
4★ My review of 'Taboo'

What a...dare i say it?...whimsical story, Patty. Thanks. I reveled in the descriptions of places visited and sensory perceptions of familiarity.

The ending of your review of the Scott book reminded me that i still haven't read Miles Franklin's My Brilliant Career, which i purchased 10 years ago, having seen the wonderful Judy Davis in the filmed version over 30 years ago! Clearly, i need to add it to my list.

On this day in 1962, William Faulkner’s The Reivers was published. It was the last novel he published before his death. The provisional title was “The Stealers,” but Faulkner changed it to “The Reavers,” using an old word for thieves. Then he wrote his publisher to say that he wanted to spell Reavers the old, Scottish way, E-I, instead of E-A.
-Garrison Keillor

The Reivers--William Faulkner

On this day in 1940, Carson McCullers’ novel The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter first appeared. She was 23 and the only thing she had published before was a short story. The novel, about a group of outcasts all drawn to the same deaf man, was a magnificent success. She wrote later: “For a whole year I worked on The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter without understanding it at all. Each character was talking to a central character, but why, I didn’t know. I’d almost decided that the book was no novel, that I should chop it up into short stories. But I could feel the mutilation in my body when I had that idea, and I was in despair. Suddenly it occurred me that Harry Minowitz, the character all the other characters were talking to, was a different man, a deaf mute, and immediately the name was changed to John Singer. The whole focus of the novel was fixed and I was for the first time committed with my whole soul to The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter.”
-Garrison Keillor

The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullers

Here's to strong US literature, helping to shine a light on citizens of all sorts! Good info.

Finished and loved The Green Mile by Stephen King

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3373643302

Alias Reader wrote: "On this day in 1940, Carson McCullers’ novel The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter first appeared. She was 23 and the only thing she had published before was a short story. The novel, about a group of outca..."

What an interesting thing to know. I only just read this, and I liked that the mute character's name was Singer, because he did give off some kind of vibes that people tuned into. It was a book I'd always meant to read and finally did.

openlibrary.org has it, as well as a lot of other old books.

You Are Lovely! by words&pictures is a clever little board book for tiny tots.
5★ Link to my review of "You Are Lovely" with illustrations

John Boyne probably broke all kinds of rules writing his new novel, A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom, so of course, I loved it!
5★ My review of 'Traveller'

Encouraging review, Dem. I saw parts of the film but haven't read the book. Still, even if i see an ad for a film based on a book, the actors are in my head & shade my reading. Pity, that.

The physical book for the children's book sounds wonderful for children. Those drawings are so different, too. My son was often drawn to books for their unusual visual presentations, such as this one. Kids are fascinating with books, so this one sounds like a gem.

Patty, what a great introduction to the Boyne novel. It has aspects which would call to many. My pull was Ovid and mythology. Overall it sounds as though it offers hours of reading pleasure. Thanks.

I am reading a novel my aunt recommended several years ago, Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer. The story is told by a man who works for both sides during the Vietnam war. Beginning with the fall of Saigon, as told to an as yet (only 1/3 finished) Commandant, the story moves next to the US and stories of how immigrants adjusted to their new lives here.

But the language Nguyen uses is exquisite. I haven't felt this excited about the English language since i read Cormac McCarthy's Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West, a gruesome book made outstanding by his command of our language. It makes me realize that even when i love books i've read, the selection of descriptive words authors use are uninspired.

The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story
by Hyeonseo Lee

This is the true story of Hyeonseo Lee, a young woman whose escape from North Korea to South Korea - by way of China - was a daring and dangerous adventure.

Excellent narrative. 4 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Barbara wrote: " The Girl with Seven Names: A North Korean Defector’s Story
by Hyeonseo Lee

This is..."

That is a fantastic summary, Barb, and I love the maps so we can get a good idea of where she went and how. What nerve!

PattyMacDotComma wrote:

"That is a fantastic summary, Barb, and I love the maps so we can get a good idea of where she went and how. What nerve! "

Thank you Patty. I know...she had nerve (and also a strong rebellious streak I'd say). 😊

Having recently read Barbara Demick's Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, i like that Lee's story follows one woman along her trail out of NK. There were many different stories in Demick's book, which included all but the good Samaritan, but made it tough to observe the full impact of the struggles and changes in one individual.

And thank you for the word "songbun", the status system which burdens families for their station in life. I don't recall a word being given in the Demick work but it is such an important part of being in North Korea. I appreciate the title & story, Barbara. Thanks.

Just finished The Mage & the Magpie and the ending was very strange. Overall I thought the writing was good but I don't think that I would recommend it.

Next up is Hyperion which should be fun, and a very different vibe!

It's always disappointing with a book (particularly the first in a new series) doesn't work out for you. It seems those who rated the book on GR are mixed about the Austin J. Bailey, so you aren't alone. Better luck with Dan Simmons novel.

madrano wrote: I appreciate the title & story, Barbara. Thanks.

..."

You're welcome Madrano. 🙂

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

In this classic a scientist finds a way to make himself invisible, but this leads to mental instability and violence.

Interesting premise that's spawned a jillion movies. 3 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Fun review in many ways, Barbara. I remember marveling at the fact he turned to crime so quickly. Seeing how the character has been altered over the years is amusing, too. Kinda like the original Dracula. What would Bram Stoker think of the re-imaginings?

madrano wrote:

"Seeing how the character has been altered over the years is amusing, too. Kinda like the original Dracula. What would Bram Stoker think of the re-imaginings? "

I know!! What later generations have done with some famous characters would amaze the original authors. LOL 😊

really enjoyed this book. I ended up reading it in a few days as it was easy to read and it just flowed. The story was interesting and entertaining. For the most part, the characters are likable, except for the ones that you are not supposed to like.

I am going to read the rest of the series.

Ashley wrote: "really enjoyed this book. I ended up reading it in a few days as it was easy to read and it just flowed. The story was interesting and entertaining. For the most part, the characters are likable, e..."

Can you give us a link to the book and to your review, if you wrote a few words, Ashley?

Of course I knew I'd enjoy a trip to Botswana with Alexander McCall Smith's Mma Ramotswe and her No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency. Morality for Beautiful Girls is the third enjoyable book, and there are more!
4★ My "Morality" review

PattyMacDotComma quoted from the book: "“if you were in a well-paid job and had a house of the size which Mma Ramotswe did, then not to employ a maid—or indeed not to support several domestic servants—would have been seen as selfishness.”..."

Now why didn't i think of that reasoning when we had a home?!

Nice recap of this book but also the series, Patty. I have read a couple and liked that there was more than one mystery per book.

Ashley, i am not seeing the title of your book. Perhaps you forgot to link to it or something? I'm eager to learn which book it is.

I read one of the book from my Determination List last week. This is the one my aunt recommended several years ago, Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer. His way with the English language is rich and i felt he really gave me a sense of place, from Vietnam to Los Angeles to the Phillipines and back.

The first half of the book was a pleasure to read and a good recap of event during & after the fall of Saigon. (WARNING: This may be a spoiler but i also feel readers should be prepared.) Therefore, i was unprepared for one character's torture and a rape scene depiction which was related during the torture. I wasn't prepared for this dramatic change of pace and, therefore, it made the book rather difficult to read. I'm not generally squeamish, so i think the surprising change of it is why my reaction was as it is.

Jill Scott in the No. 1 Ladies Detective videos struck me as younger than Precious in the books. Aneka Noni Rose is great as Mma Makutsi. I listen to the series read by Lisette Lecat, whose tone could best be described as "gentle".

Finished and enjoyed The Bell in the Lake by Lars Mytting

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/3172763224

The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale

This true crime book is about Robert Coombes, who killed his mother when he was thirteen years old. If Robert had been hung his story would have ended there, but Robert was spared, and went on to become a respected member of society.

Very good book. 4 stars

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

madrano wrote: "I read one of the book from my Determination List last week. This is the one my aunt recommended several years ago, Viet Thanh Nguyen's The Sympathizer. His way with..."

This kind of violence is so disturbing to read about. Maybe books should come with warnings.

Dem, i'm not familiar with stave churches and their history. This sounds as though it is a good story about them, people living in such communities and more. Nice and encouraging review.

Barbara, remarkable story. The fact it is true makes one reconsider all we know about juvenile justice. I'm grateful that you shared the title & story.

Your comment about warnings on books sounds good. As one who tries not to know much about books before reading them, i would need a Big Banner, i suppose. When violence appears to come out of the blue, i am floored. This was the case in the book i read.

I pay attention to reviews that warn of any sort of violence. I liked the SPQR mystery series by John Maddox Roberts set in ancient Rome, but the detective/hero brawled a lot with some fairly graphic details - ugh!

Finished The Ninth Child

www.goodreads.com/review/show/3370943415

Dem, i appreciate the honesty in your review. It's hard to believe one can enjoy one aspect of a novel and still end up not reading it for another reason. Magic realism is a tough one for me.