What Are You Reading?

[kingricefan]

Gracious Host says writers need to read, so since I'm pretending to be a writer, I thought I'd pretend to read.

I was browsing the library and John Updike jumped out at me. Never read him. He's a respected, classic writer. I picked up The Witches of Eastwick and took it home.

Started on it the next night.

Returned it to the library the day after, and not in a good way.

I couldn't get past three pages of it, at which point I'd already read several times about how the speaker steamrolled her R's in her New England way, and it was so distracting that I wasn't even following the dialogue itself. Seriously, I was over the story about five minutes. I thought of getting through the next couple hundred pages in the same slogging fashion, and my very will to live began to diminish.

Grandma gave me an international thriller to get through instead. I'm partway into that, and it's fine, although I can't remember the title or the author at the moment. While we were in Portland at Powell's (what a wonderful bookstore), I picked up Mr. Mercedes. Gracious Host rarely lets me down.

I could spend days in Powells!!!

 

[Steffen]

"I hope if there is another world, we will not be judged too harshly for the things we did wrong here—that we will at least be forgiven for the mistakes we made out of love."

"In a friendship.. you are allowed to inflict a certain amount of pain. This is even expected. But you must cause no serious injury; you must never, under any circumstances, leave wounds that result in permanent scars."

I've started reading 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill. Not bad kid, not bad at all. The old man taught you well.

 

[Doc Creed]

I'm finishing up Until I Find You by John Irving. This one lacks his signature absurdist humor but there are a few lighter moments to balance out the heavy sense of loss. The main character is

Spoiler

molested by older women from the age of four until his teens. It's disconcerting to the reader how normal this becomes to our protagonist. Several women expose their genitals to Jack and blatantly assault him under his mother's nose. I just find the whole thing disturbing. How can anyone find a child sexually desirable? The book sweeps across the globe in different locales and the reader learns some interesting things about tattoos. This is one of his most bizarre books, and that's saying something. I give it a four out of five stars, thus far.

On my TBR list (I'm looking at them now, stacked on my night stand):
Empire Falls- Richard Russo
Black Mountain Breakdown- Lee Smith
The Fourth Hand- John Irving
The Fall of Giants- Ken Follett
The Ridge- Michael Koryta
The Secret History- Donna Tartt

 

[skimom2]

I'm finishing up Until I Find You by John Irving. This one lacks his signature absurdist humor but there are a few lighter moments to balance out the heavy sense of loss. The main character is

Spoiler

molested by older women from the age of four until his teens. It's disconcerting to the reader how normal this becomes to our protagonist. Several women expose their genitals to Jack and blatantly assault him under his mother's nose. I just find the whole thing disturbing. How can anyone find a child sexually desirable? The book sweeps across the globe in different locales and the reader learns some interesting things about tattoos. This is one of his most bizarre books, and that's saying something. I give it a four out of five stars, thus far.

On my TBR list (I'm looking at them now, stacked on my night stand):
Empire Falls- Richard Russo
Black Mountain Breakdown- Lee Smith
The Fourth Hand- John Irving
The Fall of Giants- Ken Follett
The Ridge- Michael Koryta
The Secret History- Donna Tartt

Until I Find You is the absolute nadir of his books, IMHO, because he is far too close to the subject. What's horrifying is how much of what you mention is drawn from life, and how completely normal Irving considers it to have been. He is a tremendous writer, but this story suffers from too much personal truth. "Write what you know" is absolute bollocks, in terms of life events in a story not meant to be nonfiction. Emotional knowledge, maybe, but traumatic life events not so much. I liken this book to the American Idol chestnut of the performer who goes on and on about how much a song means to them: they ALWAYS cock up the performance. ALWAYS. Too close. Art requires a certain distance in the service of objectivity.

Of those on our list that I've read (3), I'd go: The Secret History, The Fourth Hand, The Ridge.

 

[skimom2]

Nick and I are watching Merlin on Netflix, so I felt the need to revisit Arthurian legends. I read The Once and Future King, and liked it, and Excalibur, which I liked even more (aside from a couple of completely hilariously terrible sex scenes).

Now I'm back to review books, but my current one is a book I've been looking forward to reading so it's not like 'work reading' at all

 

[Kurben]

Reading, actually for the first time. some of Du Mauriers shortstories including The Birds. So far its great. I've read two or three of her novels earlier but none of her shorts. So far definitely worth doing.
Oh, and in a sidenote... Can someone knowledgeable out there tell me what kind of form Koontz is in in Cold Fire? I have read some good Koontz and some that wasn't worth my time. He is a Hit-or-Miss with me. Which one is this?? GNT??

 

[Kurben]

Nick and I are watching Merlin on Netflix, so I felt the need to revisit Arthurian legends. I read The Once and Future King, and liked it, and Excalibur, which I liked even more (aside from a couple of completely hilariously terrible sex scenes).

Now I'm back to review books, but my current one is a book I've been looking forward to reading so it's not like 'work reading' at all

Excalibur?? I thought that was a movie (which i remember). Is it a book too? And better than Whites The Once And Future King?? Tell me more. If you feel like more Arthurian stuff you might try The Mists Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The interesting thing about that one is that she casts Morgaine (Morgan le Fay) as the main character and the whole epic is seen through her or other most often female characters eyes. She is not the evil creature she often is in other tellings but one of several players in a complex political intrigue. If you havent read it it is worth a read at least (but i must say my favourite retelling is White.

 

[Doc Creed]

Reading, actually for the first time. some of Du Mauriers shortstories including The Birds. So far its great. I've read two or three of her novels earlier but none of her shorts. So far definitely worth doing.
Oh, and in a sidenote... Can someone knowledgeable out there tell me what kind of form Koontz is in in Cold Fire? I have read some good Koontz and some that wasn't worth my time. He is a Hit-or-Miss with me. Which one is this?? GNT??

Cold Fire is one of my favorite Koontz books. Unlike some of his thrillers, which take time to get moving, this one takes off like a greyhound. I felt attached to the characters right away. Unfortunately, the ending is a letdown; it actually angered me. Maybe others have a different take on the ending, I am not sure. From the ones I've read, I'd still rank it highly with Midnight and Watchers.

 

[Kurben]

Cold Fire is one of my favorite Koontz books. Unlike some of his thrillers, which take time to get moving, this one takes off like a greyhound. I felt attached to the characters right away. Unfortunately, the ending is a letdown; it actually angered me. Maybe others have a different take on the ending, I am not sure. From the ones I've read, I'd still rank it highly with Midnight and Watchers.

Thanks!! Then i'll give it a try.

 

[Doc Creed]

Until I Find You is the absolute nadir of his books, IMHO, because he is far too close to the subject. What's horrifying is how much of what you mention is drawn from life, and how completely normal Irving considers it to have been. He is a tremendous writer, but this story suffers from too much personal truth. "Write what you know" is absolute bollocks, in terms of life events in a story not meant to be nonfiction. Emotional knowledge, maybe, but traumatic life events not so much. I liken this book to the American Idol chestnut of the performer who goes on and on about how much a song means to them: they ALWAYS cock up the performance. ALWAYS. Too close. Art requires a certain distance in the service of objectivity.

Of those on our list that I've read (3), I'd go: The Secret History, The Fourth Hand, The Ridge.

Thanks, I think you're right. It's by no means boring (or bad) but it is missing a vital element that's displayed in his other novels. The American Idol analogy is brilliant, by the way. Also, you picked the exact three I was gravitating toward.

 

[AchtungBaby]

Until I Find You is the absolute nadir of his books, IMHO, because he is far too close to the subject. What's horrifying is how much of what you mention is drawn from life, and how completely normal Irving considers it to have been. He is a tremendous writer, but this story suffers from too much personal truth. "Write what you know" is absolute bollocks, in terms of life events in a story not meant to be nonfiction. Emotional knowledge, maybe, but traumatic life events not so much. I liken this book to the American Idol chestnut of the performer who goes on and on about how much a song means to them: they ALWAYS cock up the performance. ALWAYS. Too close. Art requires a certain distance in the service of objectivity.

Of those on our list that I've read (3), I'd go: The Secret History, The Fourth Hand, The Ridge.

Thanks, I think you're right. It's by no means boring (or bad) but it is missing a vital element that's displayed in his other novels. The American Idol analogy is brilliant, by the way. Also, you picked the exact three I was gravitating toward.

Damn. I'm really curious about this one now.

 

[carrie's younger brother]

I'm reading The Scapegoat by Daphne du Maurier. I'm loving it. I've never seen any film adaptation of it and do not know how it comes out so I'm finding it quite fascinating. I am so glad I have rediscovered du Maurier!

 

[Toni_S_UK]

I have just started Salem's Lot, Never read it before. Been really slack with reading lately so this is the first book I've started in about a month!

 

[kingricefan]

I have just started Salem's Lot, Never read it before. Been really slack with reading lately so this is the first book I've started in about a month!

'Salem's Lot was the very first King book I ever read way back in the '70's. He scared the crap out of me! Haven't stopped since then, although I really didn't appreciate his writing talents until I read Night Shift. Especially when I read Jerusalem's Lot (a prequel) and The Woman In The Room. Those stories made me sit up and say 'D*mn, this guy can write!' Up until then I looked at him as a 'read-him-for-a-good-scary-story, but he was really honing his craft and becoming a very talented wordsmith. I've stuck with him all of these years and have loved every second of it.

 

[Kurben]

I have just started Salem's Lot, Never read it before. Been really slack with reading lately so this is the first book I've started in about a month!

I envy you!! A great book. It was the first King i read. Even the first Vampire book i read. I was 14-15.

 

[skimom2]

Excalibur?? I thought that was a movie (which i remember). Is it a book too? And better than Whites The Once And Future King?? Tell me more. If you feel like more Arthurian stuff you might try The Mists Of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. The interesting thing about that one is that she casts Morgaine (Morgan le Fay) as the main character and the whole epic is seen through her or other most often female characters eyes. She is not the evil creature she often is in other tellings but one of several players in a complex political intrigue. If you havent read it it is worth a read at least (but i must say my favourite retelling is White.

It's definitely pulpier than the White book--lol. It's a quick-ish read, too. White is definitely the more 'literary' writer, but I liked the energy in the Jakes/Kane book. It moves at a fairly quick pace, and tries to ground many of the fantastic elements of Arthurian legend (the search for the grail, the lady of the lake, etc) in reality by explaining where the legends came from. I like Jakes as a writer -- no pretension, lots of action.

I can't remember if I've read the Bradley book. Your description sounds familiar, but I'm not sure. I'm going to have a look at the library today. If you think of any others, let me know

 

[Kurben]

It's definitely pulpier than the White book--lol. It's a quick-ish read, too. White is definitely the more 'literary' writer, but I liked the energy in the Jakes/Kane book. It moves at a fairly quick pace, and tries to ground many of the fantastic elements of Arthurian legend (the search for the grail, the lady of the lake, etc) in reality by explaining where the legends came from. I like Jakes as a writer -- no pretension, lots of action.

I can't remember if I've read the Bradley book. Your description sounds familiar, but I'm not sure. I'm going to have a look at the library today. If you think of any others, let me know

You might be thinking about a TV-series. They made one from her book about 10-15 years ago. Havent seen it so don't know how close it was to the original. I know that Bernard Cromwell, Mary Stewart and Rosemary Sutcliffe all have written series about arthur or persons close to him that were well thought of. Havent read any of them myself. I have read other things by cromwell and his historical things are often rather fastpaced and actionfilled. You might try him. By Jakes do you mean John Jakes? The same guy that wrote North and South? Thats the only Jakes that come to mind. I liked the North and South trilogy.

 

[Kurben]

Finished The Birds! Great short story. Very good. Same basic premise as in Hitchcocksmovie but different setting and story within. On to the next in the collection, Monte Verita!

 

[KJ Norrbotten]

It's July, so another re-re-re-read of Tommyknockers going on. Before that, I can't even remember what. Good thing I have these classic King novels at hand.

 

[Kurben]

It's definitely pulpier than the White book--lol. It's a quick-ish read, too. White is definitely the more 'literary' writer, but I liked the energy in the Jakes/Kane book. It moves at a fairly quick pace, and tries to ground many of the fantastic elements of Arthurian legend (the search for the grail, the lady of the lake, etc) in reality by explaining where the legends came from. I like Jakes as a writer -- no pretension, lots of action.

I can't remember if I've read the Bradley book. Your description sounds familiar, but I'm not sure. I'm going to have a look at the library today. If you think of any others, let me know

If you decide to go for Cromwell it is the Warlord trilogy: The Winter King, Enemy of God and Excalibur: A novel about Arthur.