What Are You Reading? Part Deux

[Kurben]

Yes, I'm looking forward to that one. When it first came out in paperback (years ago) I was reading it on my lunch break at work, but I only got to around page 50. I think I borrowed it from a coworker so I had to give it back. Anyway, thanks for the info, Kurb. I've heard Michener uses a similar approach to history, as you said. I should find something by him next time I go to the book store. Once upon a time I was thinking about reading Hawaii and Chesapeake (forget title). You have any preferences?

My aqqauintance with Michener is limited but i liked The Source very much, Also Hawaii and Centennial. Then i am interested in Alaska, Texas and Poland if i could get my hands on them. The source takes place in Israel starting in prehistory. And Centennial in Colorado.

 

[Spideyman]

Kurben

add on: You can easily skip a book in the series as each is stand alone, just the characters hold over and are mentioned.

Last Words is very good.



Those Who Wish me Dead was my favorite.

 

[Dana Jean]

OK. You all have heaped praise upon Michael Koryta. I came across 4 of his cheap and now i'm asking for opinions. Where to start? Any book in particalar i must read? Of these four which should i start with? Any opinions welcome. Koryta is a new author for me. I've got A Welcome Grave, Tonight I Said Goodbye, Last Words and Rise The Dark.

Kurben

add on: You can easily skip a book in the series as each is stand alone, just the characters hold over and are mentioned.

Last Words is very good.



Those Who Wish me Dead was my favorite.

I agree with Spidey, THose Who Wish Me Dead is very good.

 

[Dana Jean]

If you like historical novel you might like The Forest. Rutherford always concentrates on a place, not a person or event when he writes. So he follows what goes on in that place for centuries, millennia even. A kind of red thread is the clans, families and so on that lives in the spot and of which we will meet different members in different chapters. Another author that tried a similar approach to Historical fiction is James Michener (The Source, Hawaii, etc). Happy reading. I always like Oates even if Mulvaneys isn't my fave of hers. The others i havent read.

OK. You all have heaped praise upon Michael Koryta. I came across 4 of his cheap and now i'm asking for opinions. Where to start? Any book in particalar i must read? Of these four which should i start with? Any opinions welcome. Koryta is a new author for me. I've got A Welcome Grave, Tonight I Said Goodbye, Last Words and Rise The Dark.

I loved The Source, Centennial -- And stick with it. The set up is tedious, but interesting once you get to the story. Amazing body of work, Michener has.

 

[Dana Jean]

I would very much like to encourage people who enjoyed Eyes of the Dragon to read Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant. Eyes is one of my top 10 Stephen King, and Ishiguro's The Buried Giant is a lovely story along those lines.

I still have 30 pages to go, so unless he totally messes this ending up, I know I am heading to a beautiful, tear-jerking ending.

I'm such a cry baby these days. Any hint of kindness, any moment of quiet beauty or joy or triumph -- I am just weeping.

 

[Doc Creed]

I would very much like to encourage people who enjoyed Eyes of the Dragon to read Kazuo Ishiguro's The Buried Giant. Eyes is one of my top 10 Stephen King, and Ishiguro's The Buried Giant is a lovely story along those lines.

I still have 30 pages to go, so unless he totally messes this ending up, I know I am heading to a beautiful, tear-jerking ending.

I'm such a cry baby these days. Any hint of kindness, any moment of quiet beauty or joy or triumph -- I am just weeping.

I just finished his The Remains of the Day last month. I will look for this at the book store. I saw it on last visit and almost threw it in cart. I think I'll pick up Never Let Me Go, too.

 

[Dana Jean]

I just finished his The Remains of the Day last month. I will look for this at the book store. I saw it on last visit and almost threw it in cart.

What did you think of The Remains of the Day? I have not seen the movie so I don't know a lot about it.

His writing is so fluid. Wonderful writer.

 

[Doc Creed]

What did you think of The Remains of the Day? I have not seen the movie so I don't know a lot about it.

His writing is so fluid. Wonderful writer.

I haven't seen the movie, either. I liked the book a lot and it even made me laugh in several parts which surprised me. The narrator is a butler and very fastidious in everything, even his speech. This grated on my nerves in places. It wasn't enough to ruin the book, though, and I realize his speech is supposed to sound that way. Beautiful book. I think you will like it and I predict you will like a certain female character in it.

 

[Dana Jean]

I haven't seen the movie, either. I liked the book a lot and it even made me laugh in several parts which surprised me. The narrator is a butler and very fastidious in everything, even his speech. This grated on my nerves in places. It wasn't enough to ruin the book, though, and I realize his speech is supposed to sound that way. Beautiful book. I think you will like it and I predict you will like a certain female character in it.

I'm trying to look at an author's writing different nowadays. Like you, there are times things get on my nerves too, but now I'm trying to embrace that maybe that's exactly what the author wanted you to feel in context with the story. He wanted you irritated. He wanted to pull that feeling from you.

I always thought most authors were amazing talents, but I'm starting to think they are a bit magician, behavioral psychologist and anthropologist -- introducing these creative things to us and then sitting back and manipulating, watching, listening and fascinated by our observations. We are fish in their fish tanks.

 

[Doc Creed]

I'm trying to look at an author's writing different nowadays. Like you, there are times things get on my nerves too, but now I'm trying to embrace that maybe that's exactly what the author wanted you to feel in context with the story. He wanted you irritated. He wanted to pull that feeling from you.

I always thought most authors were amazing talents, but I'm starting to think they are a bit magician, behavioral psychologist and anthropologist -- introducing these creative things to us and then sitting back and observing, watching, listening and fascinated by our observations. We are fish in their fish tanks.

No, the thing which was annoying me was basically an excessive use of the phrase 'that is to say'. It is in keeping with an old English butler, and he certainly uses it for effect, but it just rubbed me raw at times. Also, I've always thought a person should express what they mean on the first try without the codicil 'that is to say', which is meant to clarify. Kazuo knows this so I'm certain it is just unique to this character. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

And yes, I like to accept a book on its own terms as you describe. Ultimately, I like to critique it in a fair and balanced way.

 

[Doc Creed]

I'm trying to look at an author's writing different nowadays. Like you, there are times things get on my nerves too, but now I'm trying to embrace that maybe that's exactly what the author wanted you to feel in context with the story. He wanted you irritated. He wanted to pull that feeling from you.

I always thought most authors were amazing talents, but I'm starting to think they are a bit magician, behavioral psychologist and anthropologist -- introducing these creative things to us and then sitting back and manipulating, watching, listening and fascinated by our observations. We are fish in their fish tanks.

I also agree with your second statement. Other than experience, fiction (and reading in general) is the best teacher. Fiction, in particular, because it allows us to exercise our empathy muscles. Like when Atticus tells Scout: we don't really know a person until we've walked around in their shoes.

 

[Dana Jean]

No, the thing which was annoying me was basically an excessive use of the phrase 'that is to say'. It is in keeping with an old English butler, and he certainly uses it for effect, but it just rubbed me raw at times. Also, I've always thought a person should express what they mean on the first try without the codicil 'that is to say', which is meant to clarify. Kazuo knows this so I'm certain it is just unique to this character. You'll see what I mean when you read it.

And yes, I like to accept a book on its own terms as you describe. Ultimately, I like to critique it in a fair and balanced way.

Ahhhh, I see. But maybe he wanted you to see the rigidity in the character, how because of his job and upbringing, he couldn't step out of that butler box ever, almost a robot with that flat affect. I'll definitely put it on my list.

 

[Dana Jean]

I also agree about your second statement. Other than experience, fiction (and reading in general) is the best teacher. Fiction, in particular, because it allows us to exercise our empathy muscles. Like when Atticus tells Scout: we don't really know a person until we've walked around in their shoes.

Love to Kill a Mockingbird. Beautiful story.

 

[GNTLGNT]

 

[Tery]

Picked up a brand-new HC of Go Set A Watchman at the thrift shop. Also one of Horns, which I was itching to re-read.

 

[Kurben]

Kurben

add on: You can easily skip a book in the series as each is stand alone, just the characters hold over and are mentioned.

Last Words is very good.



Those Who Wish me Dead was my favorite.

Thank you, Spidey and DJ. I've started Last Words. About halfway in, and it is real good. I will be looking for Those Who Wish Me Dead!

 

[Spideyman]

Thank you, Spidey and DJ. I've started Last Words. About halfway in, and it is real good. I will be looking for Those Who Wish Me Dead!

I know you are international, so maybe not available. But amazon via ebooks Kindle offers Those Who Wish me Dead first 10 chapters free. Get's you hooked!!

 

[Kurben]

Finished Last Words. Starting A Welcome Grave.
And thanks, Spidey, for the tip. I have found that Amazon usually have most of what you want in books at reasonable prices. Only exception i can remember right now is Robert McCammons Matthew Corbett books. Too expensive for me. Just managed to get my hands on 3 of them.

 

[Dana Jean]

I loved The Source, Centennial -- And stick with it. The set up is tedious, but interesting once you get to the story. Amazing body of work, Michener has.

I meant to quote Doc Creed here.

 

[fljoe0]

OK. You all have heaped praise upon Michael Koryta. I came across 4 of his cheap and now i'm asking for opinions. Where to start? Any book in particalar i must read? Of these four which should i start with? Any opinions welcome. Koryta is a new author for me. I've got A Welcome Grave, Tonight I Said Goodbye, Last Words and Rise The Dark.

Start with Last Words and then Rise The Dark