Book Nook Cafe discussion

This the thread for general book discussions for October 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 !
:)

What are you starting October reading ?

I'm finishing up At Seventy: A Journal-May Sarton

James Patterson donates $2m to help PEN America raise its reach, voice, and influence

James Patterson, the best-selling author, has donated $2 million to PEN America to build communications capacity and help the premier writers’ organization speak louder in defense of free expression against evolving threats in the United States, online, and around the world.

The gift to PEN America from the Patterson Family Foundation marks a milestone in the prolific author’s philanthropy with a total of $100 million donated to literacy causes. Patterson has long been an advocate for writers and reading, donating more than one million books to schools across the United States, cultivating the careers of thousands of teachers and young writers, fortifying classroom libraries around the country, and backing independent booksellers who needed money to keep operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Pen America

James Patterson

My October begins with continuing the May Sarton book Alias & i are reading together. Next up will be Living in a World That Can't Be Fixed: Reimagining Counterculture Today—Curtis White.

I’m pleased to read about Patterson’s outstanding donations! Wow!

Alias Reader wrote: "James Patterson donates $2m to help PEN America raise its reach, voice, and influence

James Patterson, the best-selling author, has donated $2 million to PEN America to build communications capaci..."

This is amazing!!

I have quite a few books lined up, but excited as I have picked up The Kite Runner among others.

Prosenjit "Librarywallah" wrote: "I have quite a few books lined up, but excited as I have picked up The Kite Runner among others."

That is an excellent read.

I liked Kite Runner very much.

I'm working on this one right now. It's different, but pretty good so far. I'm close to being half way done, so I'll probably finish it to see where it goes.

Reading The Divider and American Psychosis. Up next, the new book by Denver Riggleman about collecting metadata re Jan 6. After that, I hope to get back to fiction!

~*Kim*~ wrote: "I'm working on this one right now. It's different, but pretty good so far. I'm close to being half way done, so I'll probably finish it to see where it goes.

"

Almond-Sohn Won-Pyung

Almond sounds very interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I've never heard of Alexithymia before.

Definitions from Oxford Languages PSYCHIATRY
the inability to recognize or describe one's own emotions.
"alexithymia has been linked to depression and suicidal behavior"

Michele wrote: "Reading The Divider and American Psychosis. Up next, the new book by Denver Riggleman about collecting metadata re Jan 6. After that, I hope to get back to fiction!"

The Divider and American Psychosis. I couldn't find a link to this book, Michele. Who is the author?

Here is the link for the Riggleman book.
The Breach: The Untold Story of the Investigation into January 6th-Denver Riggleman

I think my next read will be
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

I enjoyed her other book
The Authenticity Project

Wilma Mankiller was some woman! Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara picked a remarkable Cherokee woman who rose from 'dirt-poor' to represent her Nation. It's another excellent addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS collection. I'm so glad I met her in this little book.
5★ My review of Wilma Mankiller with a few illustrations

Why would a nurse who is highly sought-after by an attentive, handsome, wealthy doctor ask to Make Me Disappear? This is Jessica Payne's debut thriller, and I think many thriller readers will enjoy it.
3★ My review of Make Me Disappear

Finished The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/5004031835

Little Souls by Sandra Dallas

During the Spanish Flu pandemic, which coincided with WWI, two sisters in Denver experience life-changing events.

Good story. 3.5 stars

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

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Why would a nurse who is highly sought-after by an attentive, handsome, wealthy doctor ask to Make Me Disappear? This is Jessica Payne's debut thriller, and I thin..."

Sorry to hear it wasn't a winner for you. Onward !

Dem wrote: Finished The Marriage Portrait The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell by Maggie O'Farrell..."

"I bought it, I read it, I loved it" I'm glad you started your Autumn with a 5 star read.

Barbara wrote: "Little Souls by Sandra Dallas

During the Spanish Flu pandemic, which coincided with WWI, two sisters in Denver experience life-chan..."


Sounds like the audio added to the enjoyment of this book.

2022 National Book Award Finalists Announced


Fiction

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty (Knopf)

The Birdcatcher by Gayl Jones (Beacon)

The Haunting of Hajji Hotak and Other Stories by Jamil Jan Kochai (Viking)

All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews (Viking)

The Town of Babylon by Alejandro Varela (Astra House)


Nonfiction

The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke (Riverhead)

South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Imani Perry (Ecco)

Breathless: The Scientific Race to Defeat a Deadly Virus by David Quammen (Simon & Schuster)

The Man Who Could Move Clouds: A Memoir by Ingrid Rojas Contreras (Doubleday)

His Name Is George Floyd: One Man’s Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa (Viking)


https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...

As much as I wanted to, couldn't get into my last book. Started this one for one of my other groups.

~*Kim*~ wrote: "As much as I wanted to, couldn't get into my last book. Started this one for one of my other groups.

"

I see some of the reviews use words like, gruesome, horror and violence. I am a baby when it comes to books like that. I'll pass.

Alias Reader wrote: "I see some of the reviews use words like, gruesome, horror and violence. I am a baby when it comes to books like that. I'll pass."

I haven't gotten to anything that gruesome yet, but I'm only 35% into it. Our theme for my other group this month is "scary" and I already had this one on my Kindle, so I chose it first.

Alias Reader wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Why would a nurse who is highly sought-after by an attentive, handsome, wealthy doctor ask to Make Me Disappear? This is Jessica Payne's d...

"I bought it, I read it, I loved it" I'm glad you started your Autumn with a 5 star read."

AR - I'm sure that post was aimed at Dem and her great review of Maggie O'Farrell's latest, The Marriage Portrait.

I did move on, see below!

The Carnival is Over by Aussie author Greg Woodland is an excellent rural crime novel set in a small inland town where people are creating their own 'opportunities' and getting away with it.
4.5★ My review of The Carnival is Over

PattyMacDotComma wrote:
AR - I'm sure that post was aimed at Dem and her great review of Maggie O'Farrell's latest, The Marriage Portrait.."

Yes ! Sorry. I clicked on the wrong post when I went to reply.

I'll fix it. Thanks for the heads-up.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "The Carnival is Over by Aussie author Greg Woodland is an excellent rural crime novel set in a small inland town where people are creating their own 'opportunities..."

I think this one is a cut above the previous book, and it stands alone very well. I’m looking forward to what’s next.


It sounds like the author is hitting his stride with this series.

Alias Reader wrote: "

What are you starting October reading ?

I'm finishing up At Seventy: A Journal-May Sarton"

I read ...nothing deep but I am a sucker for books about libraries! The Last Chance Library

Getting ready to read Fly Girl: A Memoir. I love Ann Hood's books and this is about my "era".

Alias Reader wrote: "I think my next read will be
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley

I enjoyed her other book
[b..."

sounds like a great story. Just reserved it!

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote:
I read ...nothing deep but I am a sucker for books about libraries! The Last Chance Library.."

I read and enjoyed The Last Chance Library

re:Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting

JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: sounds like a great story. Just reserved it!
."

JoAnn, I also enjoyed her other book, The Authenticity Project

They are feel good type reads.

Outstanding. Thirty years after she won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Annie Proulx turned her passion for the natural world into an essay project that became Fen, Bog and Swamp: A Short History of Peatland Destruction and Its Role in the Climate Crisis.

She means it, and she's right: “In the end all humans will be ‘haunted by waters.’”
5★ My review of Fen, Bog and Swamp

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Outstanding. Thirty years after she won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Annie Proulx turned her passion for the natural world into an essay project that became [book:Fen, Bog ..."

This looks like a great read. Thanks so much for sharing!

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Outstanding. Thirty years after she won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Annie Proulx turned her passion for the natural world into an essay project that became [book:Fen, Bog ..."

Well done review on an important topic, Patty !

French writer Annie Ernaux wins the 2022 Nobel Prize in literature

The French writer Annie Ernaux has been awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in literature. The 82-year-old writer is known for works that blur the line between memoir and fiction.

In making the announcement, the committee noted the "clinical acuity with which she uncovers the roots, estrangements and collective restraints of personal memory." The permanent secretary also noted during his announcement that they had not been able to reach Ernaux to let her know of the win.

Full article
https://www.npr.org/2022/10/06/112716...


Annie Ernaux


--------------------------------------------------------------------
"It’s a big day for a smaller publisher.
Thursday was a big day for Ernaux’s publisher in the United States, Seven Stories Press, a small independent house with only 16 employees on staff.

Seven Stories, which is based in New York City, has been publishing Ernaux for 31 years, according to its founder, Dan Simon. Twelve of her books are in print, Simon said, and on Thursday, the publisher ordered about 100,000 new copies of various Ernaux works, including “Simple Passion”; “A Woman’s Story”; “Getting Lost,” the newest translation of her work; and “The Years,” the memoir for which she is perhaps best known outside of France."
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/...


Simple Passion

A Woman's Story

The Years

Congratulations Annie Ernaux. 🎈✨🎈

~*Kim*~ wrote: "I'm working on this one right now. It's different, but pretty good so far. I'm close to being half way done, so I'll probably finish it to see where it goes.

"

Interesting topic, Kim. I’ll be eager to read your comments on this book. Enjoy!

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Wilma Mankiller was some woman! Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara picked a remarkable Cherokee woman who rose from 'dirt-poor' to represent her Nation. It's another exce..."

Outstanding leader. She definitely had her tribal detractors, sad to say. The tribe grew in strength under her leadership.

The thriller would get under my skin from the beginning. I fear i’ve known several women over the years in such relationships. Talk about feeling dehumanized.

Thanks for both reviews, Patty.

Dem wrote: "Finished The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/5004031835"

We watched a Netflix series on the Medici family last month, which we liked. This will be a good follow up. Thanks for sharing, Dem.

Barbara wrote: "Little Souls by Sandra Dallas

During the Spanish Flu pandemic, which coincided with WWI, two sisters in Denver experience life-chan..."

Neat recap, Barbara. You covered so much—a marvelously complex story. Thanks.

Alias Reader wrote: "2022 National Book Award Finalists Announced
Fiction

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty (Knopf)..."

Thanks for sharing the list, Alias. I haven’t heard of any of them but the NF finalists sound good.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "The Carnival is Over by Aussie author Greg Woodland is an excellent rural crime novel set in a small inland town where people are creating their own 'opportunities..."

Sounds good, Patty. I appreciate the Australia-based books you bring to our attention. Thank you.

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Outstanding. Thirty years after she won the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Annie Proulx turned her passion for the natural world into an essay project that became Fen, Bog ..."</i>

Since seeing the bogs while in Ireland and learning about the bodies, rites and customs, my daughter & i have been suckers for Things Bog. This goes on the list. Presently i’m reading a series by [author:Erin Hart based on bog artifact recovery. Neat stuff.

Alias Reader wrote: "French writer Annie Ernaux wins the 2022 Nobel Prize in literature

The French writer Annie Ernaux has been awarded the 2022 Nobel Prize in literature. The 82-year-old writer is known for works tha..."

I was just wondering about this year’s winner. Thank you for the info on both fronts, Alias.

Oddness. I finished At Seventy: A Journal, not liking it as much as previous works by May Sarton. The next book i read was Living in a World That Can't Be Fixed: Reimagining Counterculture Today. In one of the later chapters Curtis White quotes Sarton! “… as the poet and memoirist May Sarton put it, ‘One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.’”

Thanks to John for sharing his thoughts onWinter in Sokcho—Elisa Shua Dusapin. I liked it very much and look forward to reading more by her. Another oddity, as it happens, my next book is A Kim Jong-Il Production: The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power—Paul Fischer. Random and good ways to visit the Koreas.

madrano wrote: "Interesting topic, Kim. I’ll be eager to read your comments on this book (Almond). Enjoy!"

I tried, but couldn't get into the rest of it. I gave up and moved on. Just finished The Butterfly Garden (5 Stars) and just started The Haunting of Ashburn House.

madrano wrote: Oddness. I finished At Seventy: A Journal, not liking it as much as previous works by May Sarton. The next book i read was Living in a World That Can't Be Fixed: Reimagining Counterculture Today. In one of the later chapters Curtis White quotes Sarton! “… as the poet and memoirist May Sarton put it, ‘One must think like a hero to behave like a merely decent human being.’”..."

:) I love when this happens.

madrano wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Little Souls by Sandra Dallas

Neat recap, Barbara. You covered so much—a marvelously complex story. Thanks.."

You're welcome madrano. 🌞

When the Thrill Is Gone by Walter Mosley

New York private detective Leonid McGill is hired by a beautiful woman who fears for her life.

Good noir mystery. 3.5 stars

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