Book Forum–let’s get going!
I was gratified to hear from several of you that you would love HSN to start up a book forum. While we’re waiting for the PTB to make up their minds on this matter, I propose that we just start discussing books right away.
In response to my original thread, some of you offered thoughts, including. . .
(from chimain) "Over the past winter, I started to read Therese Raquin by Emile Zola. It’s pretty interesting, but I put it down when parts of the story became a bit repetitive. The storyline is also very heavy and somewhat depressing. I never really picked it up again."
(I’d like to comment here that I read this book a couple years ago, and pretty much had the same reactions as chimain. However, I also prided myself on finishing all books– so I did complete it. Not really worth it, though! The thing is that I saw this on Masterpiece Theater a million years ago and it was a very HOT show. It doesn’t seem to be available anywhere now, though.)
(from southernlights55) "I am an avid reader, everything and anything. I love romance novels along the lines of Danielle Steele, Jennifer Weiner and Sophie Kinsella. Helps me escape for a bit and venture into another time and place. I also love a good autobiography or nonfiction book about a time or place in history."
(my comment: I also adore Sophie Kinsella–I recommend trying to get the audio versions of her books. They’re read brilliantly and are enormously funny!)
(from massha) "I have recently re-read The Fellowship of the Rings (just that book, not the other two) and it is incredible how interesting it is and how much I forgot in the 25 years since I read it. . .
"Right now I am giving a second listen to Necronomion by Lovecraft. . .I wish this book was available to me when I was 15. Oh MY!. . .Some of this book is incredibly campy, and some truly inspired. . .
"My reading queue, now that I am almost done with Terry Pratchett, consists mostly of books that got a Nebula award, plus some follow-up books by those authors. . ."
"I am also very fond of popular science and history books, especially written by real scientists. . .
"I keep meaning to read the whole Ulysses by James Joyce but can’t muster enough interest in it, plus I can’t get over my disgust over Molly Bloom. She viscerally revolts me."
(my comment: I took a senior citizen class on Ulysses a few years ago, and it helped enormously. The teacher used a variety of film clips and audio readings to help us along. I would have never gotten through it without him. Nevertheless, I don’t really recommend this book.)
"I am up for a dialogue about any good classical book (why did Raskolnikov kill the old lady for a quarter?). . .
(my take: Crime and Punishment really disappointed me. I was expecting more.)
"A book I will not touch: romance novel. . .the soppy tear-filled love stories of today.
"Also not happening: feminist books, soppy books, revolutionary/marxist books, Christian books on why God loves me. . ."
I would say Massha has given us a lot to comment on!
(from LoriW57) "I’m finishing The Name of the Rose. This will be the third time in 30 years I’ve read the book. The movie starring Sean Connery is equally good."
(my remarks: I am super impressed that you’ve read this book so many times! It’s quite a challenge. I was fortunate enough the take a class on it–taught by the same man who guided us through Ulysses, and it made a huge difference. He also showed us the movie.)
(from Cindy 819) "I love to read when I have time. . .mostly nonfiction, true life, murder stories, behind the scenes
. . .like at the White House right now. . .Have stacks and stacks. I’ve never gotten into romance novels. I used to read horror. . .but not so much any more. I do love Stephen King tho."
(from Kathzy) "I’ve gone through five of the seven books for The Game of Thrones two times around. I’m waiting for book six to come out in 2016 . . .The books so far have a good story but are really out there and a lot of people might be offended but the story line is great and it really grabs you. None of the characters is safe and even some of the heroes die."
(my comment: two times around–that’s determination!)
As for me, I am an obsessed reader. I have a dozen favorite authors, and I read everything they write (although I don’t know if I’ll ever catch up with Joyce Carol Oates; I’ve read over a hundred of hers, and have a couple dozen more to go, at this point).
I especially enjoy stories set in England (it goes back to my childhood love of Mary Poppins and Winnie-the-Pooh). I treasure authors who write about village life: Barbara Pym, in particular.
I’ve belonged to many book clubs over the years, and they really have expanded my reading horizons. But I’ve cut back lately. . a little too much going on.
I like to keep a lot of books going at one time.
Join in with your comments on books. After a while, we can start threads focusing on certain items, but, for now, we’ll keep under this roof. Looking forward to your thoughts!
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I was able to adjust the contrast on my computer so I can actually see that black box or whatever it is that sits in the corner. You might try playing around with it and see what you can get.
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I hate the control room, it’s SO dark.
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Be sure to check for the red button on the remote in the TV studio scene.
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I think this is one of Mr. B’s favorite games, too. He uses it to ticket hunt.
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Betsy..you are hysterical…….lolololol
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Larry, you will probably like this game. I know you will be good at it!
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Me Either!!! and I doubt if I will..lol
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I’ve only played this once I think. I don’t think this is a popular game in the club except for Cindy.
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Uh oh another game I haven’t played lol.
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Massha, I realize I didn’t include the full joke about the old lady. Sorry!
Also, our interests don’t necessarily have to overlap. I like to hear what other people are reading–this steers me towards getting out of the occasional rut.
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Thank you for the lovely summary.
Today, I talked to some friends and one way or another, conversation turned to John Adams, among other things. He is my favorite Founding Father and I have the greatest respect for him; I read a couple books about him most notably, McCullough’s 1976 and John Adams. Anyways, apparently there is a pretty good autobiography by his grandson Henry, called "the education of Henry Adams." It even won a Pullitzer prize in 1919 (even though I do not usually follow Pullitzers, but a sign of quality is a sign of quality). Got the audiobook now, will listen. Funny story – on Audible there’s FOUR unabridged recordings. Took me a while to choose the BBC production read by David Colacci, and I am still not sure that it’s the best choice.
Game of thrones – one of these days I will get to that book too.
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Insominac, I read Crime And Punishment a number of years ago and was equally as disappointed in it. All of that somewhat boring build up was not worth the lackluster, bland ending. It’s a complicated book with a lot of complex characters, and I read it a long time ago. So, I don’t think I could fake my way through an intellectual dialogue. To answer your question: Why did Raskolnikov kill the old lady for a quarter? I think he saw himself as someone with a superior intellect. He murdered her to prove to himself he could get away with it. Also, I think his crushing poverty and the inhumanity of living in impoverishment psychologically broke him down.
Ps feminist books are some of my favorite reads.
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08.13.15 3:58 AM
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