Since I write for myself(well, most of the time) and don't care too much how many comments I get, I tend to ramble and share too many anecdotes. So, does that make me Cory Doctorow, according to this site? Or in a couple different samples of writing, Gertrude Stein? How about Stephen King? I got a little addicted to self-analysis, OK? I also ordered LOTS of tulips on-line(Brecks, a dangerous place!); I blame it on the Tulip Festival last weekend. How will I plant that many bulbs? I guess I'll worry about it in the fall! Any local people feel like helping out with that project? *sigh* Let's not talk about school in 70 degree sunshine in April with lazy administrators and even lazier students. I'd rather not discuss my internet BIL tracking where I've discovered that he's been banned, criticized and chastised by numerous people on news discussion sites...it verifies how crazy he is, but I wish I could tell my husband about it. I really, really miss sharing everything with him. He would have rolled his eyes. He would have told me, "That's just B." Although he eventually gave up on B.,after many decades of understanding and effort, he would have laughed about the fact that BIL has also antagonized most of the rest of the world. How to move on without Mr. Stargazer and his logical and sometimes unique perspective? I have no clue.
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April 24, 2013
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October 2024
Book Club Reads
Krueger, William Kent: The River We Remember: A Novel
After "Ordinary Grace" and "This Tender Land" I was disappointed in this novel. The writing was repetitive although beautiful in spots. I couldn't bond with the characters, nor did I care about any of them. I found myself bored during a lot of the middle of the book. 3 1/2 stars. (****)Groff, Lauren: The Vaster Wilds: A Novel
I could rate this between *** and ***** and have no idea how to describe the book or what to think of it. Gorgeous writing, no real story, a depth to it that may lead to an insightful discussion. It's another illustration of how brutal, powerless and tragic women's lives were in the past. (****)Rutledge, Lynda: West with Giraffes: A Novel
The plusses were excellent and quirky characters and an atmospheric, although often depressing, setting and time period. I don't know that I'm that interested in giraffes or consider them mystical creatures though. (****)See, Lisa: Lady Tan's Circle of Women: A Novel
I learned so much about China in the 1400s and specifically about the unusual female doctor that this book is based on. The cultural information was fascinating although the details about foot binding were gruesome. An enjoyable and well-written book. (****)Gunty, Tess: The Rabbit Hutch: A novel
It won the National Book Award and sounds interesting, but it's (to me) not well-constructed and drags in many spots where there is too much description, too much dialogue or too much heavy philosophizing. I found the writing self-indulgent and pretentious with tortured metaphors and passages that even after re-reading I couldn't completely understand. I'm hoping it will provide a decent discussion at least! (**)Verghese, Abraham: The Covenant of Water (Oprah's Book Club)
The positives were the immersion into the culture and history of India, the fascinating medical stories and the beautiful ending. What I didn't enjoy were the length of the saga (much too long and dragged at times) and the sometimes underdeveloped characters. The love stories also left me cold. (****)McBride, James: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store: A Novel
Very well-written but a jumble at times and full of fascinating but overwhelming characters. The ending was unbelievably beautiful and took it up to 4 1/2 stars. (****)Patchett, Ann: Tom Lake: A Reese's Book Club Pick
Because of the lovely writing (typical Patchett) I rated this one higher than I would have normally. It's slooowwww.There is no action and no plot; most of the events take place in the past. I'm not sure how we'll talk about this at Book Club, so I'm hoping for excellent discussion questions! (****)Napolitano, Ann: Hello Beautiful (Oprah's Book Club): A Novel
Although it wouldn't be everyone's style, I bonded strongly with this family saga and its complicated and endearing characters. I found it well-written (sometimes repetitive), and emotionally satisfying. It isn't plot driven and the family members are messy and confused at times, but overall, it was an excellent read. 4 1/2 stars (*****)Brooks, Geraldine: Horse: A Novel (Random House Large Print)
At the beginning I thought it would be a solid 5 star, but I didn't find the modern-day stories (especially the love angle) compelling. It often felt like a vehicle for sending messages about the dangers in the present, as well as the past, for black people in the U.S. (tragically true) The parts about the horse, horse racing circles, Jarret, and the pre- and post-Civil War era were absorbing and deserve 5 stars. (****)
Book Links
- Love and Other Consolation Prizes-July
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed learning more about the history of Seattle and the two World Fairs. The author had a tendency to overwrite and get flowery; the number of details and name dropping also bogged down the story at times. Generally though it was an easy read. - Night Watch-August
At first, I didn't know what to make of the style or different voices of this book; later, I became engrossed in the story and caught up in the characters. I wept happy and sad tears at the end and fully understand why it won a Pulitzer Prize. 4 1/2 stars. - Go as a River-September
4 stars for the often beautiful writing although sometimes it was (for me) overly descriptive/flowery. My major complaint was the romance section which I didn't think was realistic or well-written. In general though, I enjoyed the book and the characters were mostly compelling. - The Berry Pickers-October
4 stars for this book, mostly due to its well-drawn cast of characters and the setting/time period which I found fascinating. The writing was decent although not stellar (in my opinion) and I didn't always like the jumping around in time. - Sipsworth-December
This charming book got off to a slow start, but suddenly I found myself hooked on it and reading it compulsively while not wanting it to end. A lovely story, unraveling its characters and back story bit by bit. 4 1/2 stars.
I'm feeling compelled to read something, anything, by Cory Doctorow. Though, considering I'm not a fan of my own rambling style I am imagining I should probably get a few sample chapters on the Kindle. You know, just so I can say, "Oh my god, I write like that?"
I know it's not the same but I still find myself wanting to tell Mom things, knowing what she'd get a kick out of, what would make her laugh. Alzheimer's isn't the same as death but I get the way you turn to him, expecting him to be there.
Posted by: Zazzy | April 24, 2013 at 10:09 PM
Like Zazzy, I now want to read something written by Cory Doctorow. However, according to Goodreads he writes Science Fiction & Fantasy, YA + Nonfiction. His common themes are "digital rights management, file sharing, Disney, and post-scarcity economics." Try as I might these are not topics that I'm drawn to. Still, in the interest of trying to figure out why your writing is like his, I will read something by Doctorow. Someday. ;-)
Posted by: Ally Bean | April 25, 2013 at 07:20 AM
I'm going to have to check out the Brecks site. Who knows, maybe by next fall there will be obvious locations at Harstine where splashes of tulips will look pretty nice -- and I can imagine how uplifting it would be to see them after slogging through all of this house construction chaos.
After almost 7 years, I find myself wondering what my mom would think about so many different things (because life has changed quite a lot in those 7 years). She would love Obama! And I'm quite sure she would have herself an iPad! Sigh.
Posted by: Tonya | April 25, 2013 at 12:22 PM
So far I write like Arthur C Clarke, Ursula K Le Guin, David Foster Wallace and Margaret Atwood, depending on what journal entry I use. I guess I'm varied? It sounds nicer than "inconsistent".
Also, the game I was playing the other night is World of Warcraft. I took it up again after an absence of more than a year. It's fun to come back to now and again.
Posted by: Adrasteia | April 25, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Based on my blahg entry from yesterday, which was just about the most random BS on earth, I write like Margaret Mitchell. Not at all sure how to process that one...
Posted by: kayak woman | April 25, 2013 at 03:28 PM
I couldn't resist. Dan Brown.
Posted by: Michelle | April 26, 2013 at 08:55 AM
It looks for keywords and passages that sound like well-known authors. Mention Bangor, Maine or Marsten House or 'Salem's Lot and you get Stephen King. Use an excerpt from the same book without any of those specific words but including something about the wind blowing through the trees and you get Margaret Mitchell.
If you talk about comets and space, you get Arthur C Clarke (2001: A Space Odyssey), and if you discuss fantasy, you get Ursula K Le Guin (Earthsea Trilogy). It's a pretty simplistic algorithm.
Posted by: Adrasteia | April 26, 2013 at 03:00 PM
I couldn't resist either. Chuck Palahniuk. Who?
Posted by: Pam J. | April 26, 2013 at 03:15 PM
I've drooled over a Breck's catalog before and bought bulbs once. Loved the flowers!
I suppose your investigating didn't really surprise you, hmmm? ;)
Posted by: Marie K | April 26, 2013 at 10:29 PM
Cory Doctorow... Is it bad that I had to look up who that is?
Posted by: Tracy | April 29, 2013 at 11:11 AM