Add another title to my list of favorite Books About Books. Phyllis Rose (almost) randomly selects a shelf in her library with the goal of reading...more Add another title to my list of favorite Books About Books. Phyllis Rose (almost) randomly selects a shelf in her library with the goal of reading (almost) every book on it. Thankfully, she doesn’t choose a completely random shelf; wouldn’t it be awful if she chose a shelf composed of a single, terrible author?! Thankfully, she doesn’t assign herself to read every book on the shelf; wouldn’t it be awful if she had to read every book of an author rather than choosing a sizable sample?!
Her experiment is a nice combination of randomness and choice and all ends well. Rose drifts where the books take her and continues off the path each time, taking us, her readers, on a lovely walk through book countries few of us have ever and will never visit. Yes, a great read for those of us who love Books About Books.
Lane is a masterful dancer. She leads off with a chapter in which it is clear that things in the lives of the Campbell family are a mess. Then she lea...more Lane is a masterful dancer. She leads off with a chapter in which it is clear that things in the lives of the Campbell family are a mess. Then she leads us back, to slowly explore how things fell apart, giving each character time to step to the front of the stage and tell her tale. It is a beautiful dance of a book.
Rieger tells the story of a messy divorce through the e-mails, letters, and legal documents sent back and forth between clients and lawyers and their...more
Emil is off to visit family in Berlin. On the train, he has his money stolen. But the thief underestimates the boy from whom he has snatched the money...more
The Mishras can envision nothing better than America from their hovel in India. Somehow, the family makes its way to America, but the real America tur...more The Mishras can envision nothing better than America from their hovel in India. Somehow, the family makes its way to America, but the real America turns out to be very different from their dreams. And there is no turning back; instead the family must find a way to make a good face for the struggles and tragedies that America brings.
It’s a beautifully told story, with characters so real that I am pretty sure I’ve met them.
Fifty. You can say all you want how fifty is the new forty, but the truth is there: fifty. Fifty brings with it all the things that fifty has always...more
Their mother is dead and Olivia knows she must head out to the setting of her mother's longtime work-in-progress story, and, of course, her sisterJazz...more Their mother is dead and Olivia knows she must head out to the setting of her mother's longtime work-in-progress story, and, of course, her sisterJazz must come, too. There's a tattooed man and a drinking dad and a few other damaged people the two equally damaged sisters meet along the way. It makes for a satisfying story, I think.
It's not a brand-new story (think Fannie Flagg) but it is a story worth hearing again. Man cheats on wife. Wife seeks revenge. Great setting (c'mon, w...more It's not a brand-new story (think Fannie Flagg) but it is a story worth hearing again. Man cheats on wife. Wife seeks revenge. Great setting (c'mon, who doesn't love a Texas tale?!) and fun characters. Yes, take this one along on your next long plane ride. You won't regret it.
Good, old-fashioned, country storytelling that is really hard to find anymore. There is something, even in this day of Internet and gaming and social...more Good, old-fashioned, country storytelling that is really hard to find anymore. There is something, even in this day of Internet and gaming and social media that is still very compelling about storytelling. So try this one. It's good.
Expected too much from this one. Go into it expecting a few odd stories and a couple of insights into modern love and you will walk away satisfied, I...more Expected too much from this one. Go into it expecting a few odd stories and a couple of insights into modern love and you will walk away satisfied, I think.
I almost gave up on Burgess Boys. I was a third of the way in and I wasn’t feeling that I-can’t-stop-turning-the-pages feeling like I did when I read...more
I love Richard Powers. I don’t know a thing about music or genetics or anything else Richard Powers often writes about. It doesn’t matter. I love his...more
I liked it at first. In the middle, a little less. By the end, I was annoyed and bewildered. (That’s the honest-to-goodness truth. You can stop reading...more
I’ve read to the end of the first book of a trilogy and I want to read on. This doesn’t happen to me very often. Usually, book one is enough. Often, m...more
Be prepared. Donoghue is going to take you into the real world of misfits of the San Francisco of 1876. It isn’t ruffles and lace. Before you close th...more
Beha has had much illness in his young life. Beha has had much loss in his young life. When he lost his job and moved him, he decided to challenge hims...more
I’m not sure what I was expecting from this book, but it wasn’t what I got. And I’m glad. I like to be pleasantly surprised. Frangipani Hotel is a plea...more
Noelle is full of fears. She is afraid of all the usual things, like heights and public speaking. And she has many, many other fears, big and small...more
There are a few easy ways to tell if a person loves a story. Sometimes the reader will want to read the book again. Sometimes the reader will tell oth...moreThere are a few easy ways to tell if a person loves a story. Sometimes the reader will want to read the book again. Sometimes the reader will tell others about the story. Sometimes the reader will head online or to the library to find other books by the same author or on the same subject. Sometimes the reader will pass the book on to others.
I wanted to do all these things with this book. If you like historical fiction, if you like to read stories with strong emotional content, if you like characters who stay with you, then read this book.(less)
Is she Esther? Her new family tells her she is. Or is she Kirby? That’s the name and the identity she has grown up with. Who is she, really...moreIs she Esther? Her new family tells her she is. Or is she Kirby? That’s the name and the identity she has grown up with. Who is she, really?
Kirby’s mother disappears and Kirby is sent to live with her uncle and his family. The family is part of a dogmatic fundamentalist religious group. Men make all decisions. There are no tvs, no movies, and no books. Women must marry at sixteen and must dress in clothing that conceals. Rules, rules, rules. But there are also the consolations of strong, supportive family ties and of prayer.
Kirby is confused. She desperately wants to leave; at the same time, she desperately loves this new family. And where is her mother?
A well-written, thoughtful book with a serious look at the difficulties and strengths of following the dictates of a group.
Agnes is condemned to death in Iceland. Until she is to be put to death by the state, she is assigned to live with a family in a remote part of the co...more
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is where we share what we read this past week, what we hope to read this week…. and anything in between. This is a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from. I love being a part of this and I hope you do too. As part of this weekly meme Book Journey loves to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme.
I found several of your new-to-me titles interesting to hear about. I am curious about The Shelf, and wonder if the author explains why she chose that particular part of the alphabet for her experiment. Was it random, or did she check out what books were in that range on the shelf before she started? Just wondering :) have a great week.
I've read a couple of Emma Donoghue's other works - Room and The Sealed Letter - both of which I enjoyed so I might just give Frog Music a go. Her novels seem to be vastly different but what they have in common is her brilliant writing. Happy Reading! :-) Bits & Bobs
Rita, the author of The Shelf chose the shelf she did based on a set of criteria (not just one author; variety of genres, including one classic). But it was also a little random.
Love the idea of The Shelf. Having worked in a library though I wonder how the shelf changed over time due to other items being borrowed, shelf shuffling and weeding. I currently have I See You Made an Effort on my request list at the library - hope the person before me returns it on time! You can check out my Monday here http://www.kyliesreads.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_24.html
I like the new layout of your books with the comments. Easy to read!
ReplyDeleteI found several of your new-to-me titles interesting to hear about. I am curious about The Shelf, and wonder if the author explains why she chose that particular part of the alphabet for her experiment. Was it random, or did she check out what books were in that range on the shelf before she started? Just wondering :) have a great week.
ReplyDeleteSeveral of the books you've read are on my TBR list. I loved Orphan Train, as did the members of one of my book clubs.
ReplyDeleteMy recap: http://www.bookclublibrarian.com/2014/03/weekly-book-recap-59.html
I like the way you did this post! I didn't see any books that you're currently reading. ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe have a few in common. I hope we get to read them all!
ReplyDeleteCheck out what we are reading this week.
Also check out our OUAT 4 year Giveaway.
Leydy @OUaT & RCE
I've read a couple of Emma Donoghue's other works - Room and The Sealed Letter - both of which I enjoyed so I might just give Frog Music a go. Her novels seem to be vastly different but what they have in common is her brilliant writing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
:-)
Bits & Bobs
Holy cow, that is a lot of books! I have Orfeo sitting on my shelf, so I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it. :)
ReplyDeleteI like how you displayed your books! Several of those sound good- I'll have to do some clicking and look a little closer at a few of those. :)
ReplyDeletegreat list and catch up!
ReplyDeletewell done, Deb =)
and a huge fan of short writing here, so now I know there's a book on it to support my habits ! cool -
thanks for sharing - HapPy Reading!
Sorry to read about The Crane Wife. I have it on my shelf. I enjoyed The Divorce Papers too.
ReplyDeleteNice lay-out, long list! Good to see you enjoyed My Year with Eleanor. I found it very inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI remember loving Emile and the Detectives as a child. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Harvee. I like this layout, too.
ReplyDeleteRita, the author of The Shelf chose the shelf she did based on a set of criteria (not just one author; variety of genres, including one classic). But it was also a little random.
ReplyDeleteAfter I read Orphan Train, I liked it so much that I talked my book club into reading it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't post anything I'm currently reading, Natasha. I didn't have room; I had too many reviews to post!
ReplyDeleteI liked Frog Music a lot, but, like her other novels, it's not a cheery story.
ReplyDeleteYes, that is a lot of books. I've been writing up reviews as I have gone along, but I haven't gotten around to posting until now.
ReplyDeleteYou might have an entirely different take on Crane Wife. I thought it was erratic.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of The Shelf. Having worked in a library though I wonder how the shelf changed over time due to other items being borrowed, shelf shuffling and weeding. I currently have I See You Made an Effort on my request list at the library - hope the person before me returns it on time! You can check out my Monday here http://www.kyliesreads.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_24.html
ReplyDeleteWhat a week for you. You certainly read a lot.
ReplyDeleteI read the whole way through The Burgess Boys but didn't think it was that great.
I loved THE ORPHAN TRAIN and BURIAL RITES.
THANKS for this great list.
Have a great week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading