Book Nook Cafe discussion

This the thread for general book discussions for August 2022

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 !
:)

Happy Birthday, Herman Melville.



-----Wikipedia
Herman Melville was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet of the American Renaissance period. Among his best-known works are Moby-Dick; Typee, a romanticized account of his experiences in Polynesia; and Billy Budd, Sailor, a posthumously published novella.

Born: August 1, 1819, New York, NY
Died: September 28, 1891, New York, NY

Moby-Dick or, the Whale-Herman Melville

What's not to like in a Mick Herron novella? You don't know have to know Herron's work to enjoy poor old 'retired' spook John Bachelor's dilemma in The Catch.
4.5★ My review

I have enjoyed every book and story i've read by Melville. Although, i didn't like Budd when i was in high school--to the point i didn't even finish it & bluffed in class discussions. Subsequent writing, including his Polynesian stories, have pleased me.

His short (not too short, though) story, Bartleby the Scrivener, was a bizarre and fascinating story. I've reread it a couple of times, so strange is it.

Thanks, and Happy B-day, Herman!

I read Slow Horses, thanks to your review, Patty, and liked it. So, first, thanks for that & this review, as well.

One thing i appreciate about the short novellas/stories writers offer about their series characters is that they give readers an opportunity to taste their style first. When i'm on the fence, i see if there is a story or novella about the same characters/groups, to help me decide. It isn't foolproof, i hasten to add, but an indicator.

My first August book read is The Outsiders a perennial teenage favorite since the late '80s. Somehow i missed reading this when my kids were teens & read it. Oh how i wish i'd read it with them.

It's set in Tulsa, OK, and about kids in the same part of town, who have been more or less divided into Greasers and Socs (pronounced Sosh-s), the latter meaning those with advantages of home with money, their own cars and socially acceptable most of the time. The Socs go out of their way to confront Greasers when they are walking in their own part of the town.

ANYway, the narrator, Ponyboy (legal name!), who is around 14 and a greaser, whose parents died less than a year earlier. The oldest brother, 20-year old Darry, has given up his future to raise his brothers at home. They are all greasers and their home is a sort of gathering place for other Greasers. We meet them all and learn about their personalities and home arrangements.

The story, characters and outcome moved me. Again, i'm sorry it took me so long to read it. I later learned that this is considered the first YA novel and S.E. Hinton was awarded the inaugural 1988 Margaret A. Edwards Award from American YA librarians for it. Outstanding!

My edition had an author interview and i really liked what she said about reading, even as a kid, “The act of reading was so pleasurable for me. For an introverted kid, it’s a means of communication, because you interact with the author even if you aren’t sitting there conversing with her.”

re: Bartleby the Scrivener-Herman Melville

madrano wrote: "His short (not too short, though) story, Bartleby the Scrivener, was a bizarre and fascinating story...."

I read that with you when this group was on AOL. :)

madrano wrote: "My first August book read is The Outsiders a perennial teenage favorite since the late '80s. Somehow i missed reading this when my kids were teens & read it. Oh how i wish i'd read it..."

I think I saw the movie.

I'm starting August reading The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen

So far I am enjoying it. The author assumes a bit more knowledge then I have. To be honest, my knowledge is zero. Therefore, it won't be a quick read as I am not familiar with Russian history. Therefore, I am googling a lot.

Also all the 15 letter long names makes my head spin. Additionally, apparently there are various diminutive forms of Vladimir. He is called Volodya, Vova, Volod'ka, and Vovka, for example. It's usually clear but it does slow my reading down.

The book was published in 2012. So, I will have to find something more current at some point. However, this fits the bill for me as it discusses his childhood and how he came to power.

Alias Reader wrote: "I read that with you when this group was on AOL. :) ..."

I'd forgotten that! I think we were all a tad befuddled by the story. I've since reread it a time or two and feel more comfortable with it, but that first time--wow.

Re. The Outsiders. I have not seen the film but now would like to. I'm going to admit to something i don't usually do. From the onset, i knew there were going to be many characters, so i looked at the cast of the film in order to set a picture in my mind of the characters. It worked, for better or worse. I was seldom confused as a result of having an image for the character in my head. Usually i dislike the actor/character connection but it worked well this time.

Alias Reader wrote: "I'm starting August reading The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen

So far I am enjoying it. The author assumes a bit more knowle..."

As you wrote, Alias, i realized i was sounding out each name as i read. Often i just get a sense of the name, then continue using it throughout the book. But because i don't know or read much about Russia, i decided to learn it right the first time. I'm glad i did, as it's come in handy.

I don't think i realized the book was published in '12, as i saw her talking about it in late '16. So, i thought it was new then. This fact makes it a decade old, which doesn't change his youth, as you noted, but could offer explanations in light of what we are now experiencing.

madrano wrote: "I'm going to admit to something i don't usually do. From the onset, i knew there were going to be many characters, so i looked at the cast of the film in order to set a picture in my mind of the characters. ..."

That's a terrific idea. Since it's confession time, I'll admit any book with more than a handful of characters, I have to write them down or I'm lost. It's pathetic. :(

Happy Birthday, James Baldwin.




---- Wikipedia
James Arthur Baldwin was an American writer and activist. As a writer, he garnered acclaim across various mediums, including essays, novels, plays, and poems.

Born: August 2, 1924, Harlem, New York, NY
Died: December 1, 1987, Saint Paul de Vence, France

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_B...

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Giovanni's Room

The Fire Next Time

Go Tell It on the Mountain

If Beale Street Could Talk

Notes of a Native Son

madrano wrote: "My first August book read is The Outsiders a perennial teenage favorite since the late '80s. Somehow i missed reading this when my kids were teens & read it. Oh how i wish i'd read it..."

madrano, I work in a middle school and have read The Outsiders a few times along with classes that had to read it in school. The one teacher I work with hosts a party after they finish reading the novel. The students dress up as Socs or Greasers and bring food in that was mentioned in the book and then the class watches the movie. There are so many awesome actors that were in the movie and it's funny seeing them when they were in their teens and twenties. It's amazing that Hinton was only 16 when she wrote it.

Alias Reader wrote: "That's a terrific idea. Since it's confession time, I'll admit any book with more than a handful of characters, I have to write them down or I'm lost. It's pathetic. :(..."

Not pathetic, ingenious!

Alias Reader wrote: "Happy Birthday, James Baldwin...."

I've read and appreciated Go Tell and Notes of Native. Happy Birthday, James Baldwin.

Dru83 wrote: "The students dress up as Socs or Greasers and bring food in that was mentioned in the book and then the class watches the movie. There are so many awesome actors that were in the movie and it's funny seeing them when they were in their teens and twenties. It's amazing that Hinton was only 16 when she wrote it..."

Dru, that is so neat. Good teaching technique, too. Initially i thought about all the junk food they ate but remembered mention of roasted chicken and some veggies, too. NOT that the students would bring that, of course.

It is totally remarkable that Hinton was so young. When i got to the end, i realized what an accomplishment it was for her. And, as i noted elsewhere, YA literature. The tone was perfect, imo.

madrano wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "Happy Birthday, James Baldwin...."

I've read and appreciated Go Tell and Notes of Native. Happy Birthday, James Baldwin."

I read ages ago, Go Tell It on the Mountain

I have Giovanni's Room in my TBR notebook

I thought someone on this board mentioned having Giovanni's Room. I guess it was you. :-)

madrano wrote: "My first August book read is The Outsiders a perennial teenage favorite since the late '80s. Somehow i missed reading this when my kids were teens & read it. Oh how i wish i'd read it..."

I loved that book and I know I read it at least twice if not three times.

Julie, the book has stayed with me longer than any other novel i've read this year. My sister hasn't read it (she's 10 years younger than me) but has read Hinton's That Was Then, This Is Now which she still remembers fondly, which is saying much, as she isn't much of a reader. I'm thinking i'll try this one next.

madrano wrote: "I thought someone on this board mentioned having Giovanni's Room. I guess it was you. :-)"

John read it. It's in the July 2021 what I read thread.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Happy Birthday, P.D. James !



---- Wikipedia
Phyllis Dorothy James, Baroness James of Holland Park, OBE, FRSA, FRSL (3 August 1920 – 27 November 2014), known professionally as P. D. James, was an English novelist and life peer. Her rise to fame came with her series of detective novels featuring Adam Dalgliesh, the police commander and poet.

Born: August 3, 1920, Oxford, United Kingdom
Died: November 27, 2014, Oxford, United Kingdom

Full wiki bio
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._D._J...

NY Times Obituary
A consummate stylist, she accumulated numerous awards for the 18 crime novels produced during a writing career spanning a half-century. Seven of her mysteries were adapted for the public-television series “Mystery!” and were broadcast in Britain and the United States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/28/ar...

Death Comes to Pemberley

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman

A Certain Justice

Cover Her Face--The first in the series of scintillating mysteries to feature cunning Scotland Yard detective, Adam Dalgliesh from P.D. James, the bestselling author hailed by People magazine as “the greatest living mystery writer.”

P.D. James


----------------
If anyone has read her novels, do you have a favorite ?

Re:Penguin Random House’s acquisition of rival
Simon & Schuster


Author Stephen King testifies as star witness in books merger trial

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/auth...

-------------------------------------------

DOJ trial to block PRH/S&S merger begins


The government’s bid to block Penguin Random House’s acquisition of rival Big Five publisher Simon & Schuster gets underway today in Washington, D.C., today, with the case expected to run about three weeks. Meanwhile, filings made public late on July 29 shed light on a lingering pre-trial evidence dispute that could impact PRH’s defense.

The dispute involves PRH’s claims that its acquisition of Simon & Schuster would create “cognizable merger-specific efficiencies.” But according to court filings, PRH’s expert witness, Edward Snyder, conceded in his testimony he did not seek to independently verify the numbers he used in forming his opinion on such efficiencies...

Source: Publishers Weekly

Alias Reader wrote: "Re:Penguin Random House’s acquisition of rival
Simon & Schuster


Author Stephen King testifies as star witness in books merger trial

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/auth......"

That sounds like PRH is just saying "well, everybody KNOWS that a big outfit would be more efficient". I am delighted to read that Stephen King can speak from experience what it means to have competition between publishers. I'm glad he's masked up and testifying!

My Name Is Yip by Paddy Crewe is the off-beat 'memoir' of a most unusual character. Yip is like no one I've ever met (or am likely to meet), and I loved the way he told his story of early nineteenth century America.
4★ My review of My Name is Yip

Alias Reader wrote: "John read it. It's in the July 2021 what I read thread. ..."

Giovanni's Room. Thanks, Alias. I now remember it well. ;-)

Alias Reader wrote: "Happy Birthday, P.D. James !...
If anyone has read her novels, do you have a favorite ?..."

This seems strange to me, as she is primarily known for her mysteries. However, i've read two novels by her, neither a mystery, per se.

I read The Children of Men after seeing the movie, the premise of which i found intriguing. However, for me, this was a case of the film being better than the book. To be fair, i was hoping for the science fiction of the film to be fleshed out better and it wasn't. So, that's as much on me as James.

Death Comes to Pemberley was just plain disappointing. I was in the mood for something Austenish and figured this respected author could perform the job. WRONG!

Which isn't to say i don't wish her a Joyous Birthday.

Alias Reader wrote: "Re:Penguin Random House’s acquisition of rival
Simon & Schuster


Author Stephen King testifies as star witness in books merger trial
.."

I'm glad an author of his stature and reputation testified. I hope it helps. The article mentioned the 5 publishers--Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishing, Macmillan and Hachette. I've not even heard of Hachette, so looked them up. I see this French company purchased Time-Life books to get a hold of the US market. Thanks for the info, Alias.

Thanks, Patty. I particularly appreciate your comments on quotation marks and capitalization. As one who Like to Emphasize my words using Caps, i probably would have smiled when i saw them in this book. This sounds as though it will be fascinating.

I had no idea Georgia ever had a gold rush but i suppose it was small compared to subsequent ones out west.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: That sounds like PRH is just saying "well, everybody KNOWS that a big outfit would be more efficient". I am delighted to read that Stephen King can speak from experience what it means to have competition between publishers. I'm glad he's masked up and testifying!
.."

Me, too ! It means a lot when someone like him steps forward.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "My Name Is Yip by Paddy Crewe is the off-beat 'memoir' of a most unusual character. Yip is like no one I've ever met (or am likely to meet), and I loved the way he..."

I this the review on Amazon says "A bold, revisionist take on the Western novel set in the Georgia gold rush, for readers of Charles Portis and Cormac McCarthy, by a powerful debut novelist with an original voice"

Thanks for the interesting review.

I saw reference to Charles Portis in the GR synopsis too but had no idea who he was. I've heard of his True Grit only because of the movie. Placing his name with McCarthy's speaks volumes to me, so i think i'll put one of his books on my TBR. Maybe each generation has its own Western novelist?

Started the last couple days my historical fiction book club's August pick Five Little Indians which is a novel written by a Canadian Cree author Michelle Good which follows five survivors of the Canadian Residential Schools in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Simon wrote: "Started the last couple days my historical fiction book club's August pick Five Little Indians which is a novel written by a Canadian Cree author Michelle Good whic..."

Wow ! The book has a slew of awards. Thank you, Simon, for bringing the title to my attention.

WINNER: Canada Reads 2022

WINNER: Governor General’s Literary Award for Fiction

WINNER: Amazon First Novel Award

WINNER: Kobo Emerging Author Prize

Finalist: Scotiabank Giller Prize

Finalist: Atwood Gibson Writers Trust Prize

Finalist: BC & Yukon Book Prize

Shortlist: Indigenous Voices Awards

National Bestseller; A Globe and Mail Top 100 Book of the Year; A CBC Best Book of the Year; An Apple Best Book of the Year; A Kobo Best Book of the Year; An Indigo Best Book of the Year

Alias Reader wrote: "Simon wrote: "Started the last couple days my historical fiction book club's August pick Five Little Indians which is a novel written by a Canadian Cree author [author:Michelle Good..."

Yeah, it's won a LOT of awards - and is a very timely novel because of Pope Francis' visit to Canada just recently.

Re:Five Little Indians

Simon wrote:Yeah, it's won a LOT of awards - and is a very timely novel because of Pope Francis' visit to Canada just recently...."

Yes. I am sure this book and his visit will make for a wonderful book discussion.

Alias Reader wrote: "Re:Five Little Indians

Simon wrote:Yeah, it's won a LOT of awards - and is a very timely novel because of Pope Francis' visit to Canada just recently...."

Yes. I am sure this book..."

Yeah - I chose this novel to introduce a Canadian historical fiction novel as a lot of our members are in the US, and in spring 2021 when unmarked graves were located at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC - I knew for sure this would be a good one.

Simon wrote: "
Yeah - I chose this novel to introduce a Canadian historical fiction novel as a lot of our members are in the US, and in spring 2021 when unmarked graves were located at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC - I knew for sure this would be a good one...."

Great choice, Simon. Thanks for sharing the title with us. It's now on my list, too.

Happy Birthday, Dennis Lehanne !



--- Wikipedia
Dennis Lehane is an American author. He has published more than a dozen novels; the first several were a series of mysteries featuring recurring characters, including A Drink Before the War.

Born: August 4, 1965 (age 57 years), Boston, MA

Shutter Island

Mystic River

A Drink Before the War

Since We Fell

Dennis Lehane

madrano wrote: "Simon wrote: "
Yeah - I chose this novel to introduce a Canadian historical fiction novel as a lot of our members are in the US, and in spring 2021 when unmarked graves were located at a former res..."

You're welcome :)

This quote is from Bruce Feiler's 8/4 newsletter.
Where do you like to read ?

For me, it's in the AC all the way. LOL Though I am on team Marcel Proust in his wish for quiet and privacy.

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"Marcel Proust liked to read during the summer, but he hated reading outdoors. Instead, he preferred reading in the emptiest room in the house. As he wrote in his journal:

In the mornings, after returning from the park, when everyone had gone out for a walk, I would slip into the dining room, where no one would be coming until the distant hour for lunch …, and where I would have for my sole companions, most respectful of reading, the painted plates hanging on the wall, the calendar from which the previous day’s page had been newly torn, the clock and the fire.

I learned this story from the book I’m reading this week, A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel."

A History of Reading by Alberto Manguel


Source:
Newsletter- Bruce Feiler - The nonlinear life 8/4/22
https://brucefeiler.bulletin.com/who-...

Bruce Feiler, in the same newsletter as I shared in my other post commented about summer reading and how it's somehow turned to mean mindless beach reads. What do you say ?

Is summer a time to relax and not read anything too demanding?
Is summer when you have more time and would like to read something more challenging ? Do you prefer a mix?

Personally, I don't think I change my reading habits by season. The exception may be Christmas, where I might throw in a holiday read.

Here is Feiler's newsletter where he states, "It’s time to reclaim summer reading. Somehow, without anyone really noticing, beach read had come to mean mindless pulp. I’m all for mindless pulp. I’m all for reading of any kind!

What I’m not all for is the idea that these types of books are the only books you can read in public in a bathing suit."

"Check out the long list of suggestions on that thread. In the meantime, below are eight suggestions from me for Beach Reads that are Fun and Smart. And below, 16 more from readers."

--- See link for book suggestions and full article
https://brucefeiler.bulletin.com/who-...

Beware your TBR will expand ! :)

Alias Reader wrote: "Bruce Feiler, in the same newsletter as I shared in my other post commented about summer reading and how it's somehow turned to mean mindless beach reads. What do you say ?..."

I'm too nosy to read at a beach--i want to see what folks are up to. Is that the point? That it won't matter if you were only reading words and not stringing them into sentences? In our 100 Challenge, coming up with a Beach Read (49) was, indeed, a challenge until i looked at it this way. But, for me, i wouldn't stick with a book that was that inane. In my case the Beach Read led me to continue the series. :-)

I don't think my reading changes much throughout the year, although there may be a pattern i just don't see. I go in spurts of mystery series but i can't zero in on one season for that. Primarily i think i turn to those after reading several large-ish nonfiction books which took me a month or more to complete.

I'm not even good at reading a holiday-themed book in winter. Each year i intend to do so, usually to no avail. Go figure.

madrano wrote: "I thought someone on this board mentioned having Giovanni's Room. I guess it was you. :-)"

It may have been me, as I read it this year. I was totally amazed at his ability to capture a main character from a background so different from Baldwin's own. I can see why it's often seen as a classic.

Thanks, John. Reading your post, i now recall what it was that made it sound appealing to me, as well.

Early last month i began reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Robin DiAngelo is an "anti-racist educator", hoping to help us understand racism. I have mixed feelings about this book but a white friend & i discussed it, deciding to read it this year. As noted, i began in early July and finished today. My friend, who is much, much busier than i am, read chapter one & realized she'd need more time with it, so has yet to return to it.

I'd say we would both agree on that point. There is much to think about and at times i stopped reading in order to decide if i agreed with her points. Ultimately i felt this is a good primer, allowing white readers to consider how often we stunt conversations about race by trying to excuse our actions. DiAngelo encourages white readers to instead learn what the person of color with whom we are speaking interpreted what we were saying. Given their own POV, we may be able to see why what was said was offensive. Then, she suggests, try not to respond beyond, "I'm going to give this more thought. I hope we can discuss this again later." Trying to defend one's words will probably end up in continued discomfort on both sides. Frustrating, i know, but her wording helped me understand that this allows us time to TRULY consider what the other person is saying, as well as allows her/him to know you are really concerned about the problem.

Still, she makes excellent points in stating that sharing such topics requires a level of honesty few of us have with people of color, not even in "safe" workshops, such as she holds. There is much to be said on this point because people could walk away from such discussions feeling angry and hurt, rather than informed. To understand the courage it took to make the statement is a good first step.

As i wrote, it seems more a primer, to prepare white people to consider the seemingly innocuous things we say in another light, from the shoes of the person of color. To be honest, i wish she had given more examples of misstatements but i am glad for the language she suggests to approach attempts to change poor first impressions.

Do NOT read this book if you are not prepared to realize how whites have been pretty much raised to be racists because white society is the one which has educated us. This can set up hackles but remember she holds workshops on this topic & i think this is a valued step. Even if one doesn't agree, reading these comments is helpful. I suspect she feels she can be tougher with fellow white people than a person of color saying the same thing could be. However, once more, it is a first step only.

One of her "suggested readings" is The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness--Michelle Alexander. I began reading it last year but had to return it. Since then i've seen it referenced in three different books about race relations, more than evenIsabel Wilkerson books, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents and The Warmth of Other Suns: the Epic Story of America's Great Migration. I'm not sure which i'll read, although i noted GR commentators suggest Caste.

If my post upsets you, i understand. I'm awful at trying to give a synopsis and this is a tender topic. I'm glad i read it but realize this will be a lifelong issue and i will never know it all. (Something i learned from the book.)

Deb, thank you for the review.

The Warmth of Other Suns: the Epic Story of America's Great Migration is excellent.

I also read and enjoyed Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents

On this topic I also read and can recommend Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

I thought we had a book list somewhere on BNC about racism. Unfortunately, I can't locate it.

Here are two I found online that are comprehensive.

Chicago Public Library
https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/l...

Harvard Kennedy School
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-r...

madrano wrote: "Early last month i began reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Robin DiAngelo is an "anti-racist educator", hoping to hel..."

I'm white and no expert on being on the receiving end of racism, which is inescapable if you are not part of the majority wherever you happen to live.

I am, however, female and have lived in other countries. I think all females have experienced unjustified prejudice against them, but they have the advantage of knowing half the population is female.

When you're foreign, depending how you look and sound, you may be accepted or ignored or stared at or shunned. You're never quite sure which it will be, but you can probably hazard a guess.

But if you're the 'wrong' colour for where you live, it's a problem. I recommend reading Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Americanah which I reviewed here.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It's a real eye-opener about colour and racism. I linked to her TED talk in my review. You can listen to her or read the transcript. It is an endlessly fascinating subject! I hope to read the books you've been talking about. Great discussion!

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "madrano wrote: "Early last month i began reading White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism. Robin DiAngelo is an "anti-racist educator..."

Thank you for your review and the link to the Ted Talk. I will definitely listen to it.