The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin, for our book club. I like it very much. There is a good bit of sarcastic humor and banter among the characters. It's kind of like The Shipping News lite, but it's still a very good read.
Literature What are you currently reading?
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I am currently having a lot of fun with a Science Fiction series of books...
"The Vorkosigan Saga" by Lois McMaster Bujold.
The first books in the series were published in 1986, the last one in 2012.
It is a "space saga" about a young man, Miles Vorkosigan, who is born disabled - after a poisoning attempt on his father, the prime minister of a feudal planetary system that affected his pregnant mother, his bones lack the required stability and break easily, and his growth is stunted.
So in a military society that places a high value on fighting prowess and bodily integrity, he is shunned as a "mutant", and the only thing he can rely on to prevail is his brain and his sharp wits. The cycle follows him over the course of his life, and every book I have read so far (about 8) is highly entertaining (to the extent that I have lost a lot of sleep recently, staying up until 4 a.m. a few times to find out how the story will turn out).
Lois McMaster Bujold is a great storyteller, and has lots of fresh ideas (at least they were definitely fresh in 1986, when the first book was published). So, highly advisable for everybody who likes Science Fiction and appreciates a pinch of humour in his books.
The only thing that is a real mess about these books is the reading order, with sequels, prequels, interim-novellas re-published as books, omnibus editions with varying content (there were some changes in the ownership of the license, it seems) and so on. Goodreads lists a total of 30 entries, and discussion forums suggest variuos reading orders. Definitely not easy to keep track.
Best regards,
Andy
"The Vorkosigan Saga" by Lois McMaster Bujold.
The first books in the series were published in 1986, the last one in 2012.
It is a "space saga" about a young man, Miles Vorkosigan, who is born disabled - after a poisoning attempt on his father, the prime minister of a feudal planetary system that affected his pregnant mother, his bones lack the required stability and break easily, and his growth is stunted.
So in a military society that places a high value on fighting prowess and bodily integrity, he is shunned as a "mutant", and the only thing he can rely on to prevail is his brain and his sharp wits. The cycle follows him over the course of his life, and every book I have read so far (about 8) is highly entertaining (to the extent that I have lost a lot of sleep recently, staying up until 4 a.m. a few times to find out how the story will turn out).
Lois McMaster Bujold is a great storyteller, and has lots of fresh ideas (at least they were definitely fresh in 1986, when the first book was published). So, highly advisable for everybody who likes Science Fiction and appreciates a pinch of humour in his books.
The only thing that is a real mess about these books is the reading order, with sequels, prequels, interim-novellas re-published as books, omnibus editions with varying content (there were some changes in the ownership of the license, it seems) and so on. Goodreads lists a total of 30 entries, and discussion forums suggest variuos reading orders. Definitely not easy to keep track.
Best regards,
Andy
I didn't finish that as I couldn't get past the Libertarian stuff.
I've just started reading Mindset: How You Can Fulfil Your Potential - Carol Dweck. I think it would be a good book to read if you are a parent of a young child.
'World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, in decades of research on achievement and success, has discovered a truly groundbreaking idea-the power of our mindset. Dweck explains why it's not just our abilities and talent that bring us success-but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. She makes clear why praising intelligence and ability doesn't foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, but may actually jeopardize success.'
That is weird as I had a Brene Brown book on my wish list for a while but I didn't buy it because of the cost.
I didn't finish that as I couldn't get past the Libertarian stuff.
I've just started reading Mindset: How You Can Fulfil Your Potential - Carol Dweck. I think it would be a good book to read if you are a parent of a young child.
'World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, in decades of research on achievement and success, has discovered a truly groundbreaking idea-the power of our mindset. Dweck explains why it's not just our abilities and talent that bring us success-but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. She makes clear why praising intelligence and ability doesn't foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment, but may actually jeopardize success.'
That is weird as I had a Brene Brown book on my wish list for a while but I didn't buy it because of the cost.
I was planning to either buy it or get it from the library during a trip to California. However, I saw her on Oprah and didn't really like her. I got this strange feeling that she wasn't sincere.
Having said that, I would still read the book if I could get it from the library.
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell, book review: Scandi life has a long lust list | Reviews | Culture | The Independent
A couple decide to move from London to rural Denmark. I have only read the first part but it is quite funny.
A couple decide to move from London to rural Denmark. I have only read the first part but it is quite funny.
hungryraccoon
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I am currently reading 'Smoke & Mirrors' which is a book of short stories by Neil Gaiman. Before that I read another book of his short stories - 'Trigger Warning' which had some great reads in it but I didn't enjoy all of them tbh.
I'm also slowly reading his graphic novel 'The Sandman - Overture' LOVE the artwork.
I'm also slowly reading his graphic novel 'The Sandman - Overture' LOVE the artwork.
MadamSarcastra
MadamSarcastra, over & out.
Naturebound1
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From my local library:
"The Elephant in the Room: Silence and Denial in Everyday Life" by
Eviatar Zerubavel. This book focuses on the social and political aspects of silence and denial, not as much on an intrapersonal level.
"The Elephant in the Room: Silence and Denial in Everyday Life" by
Eviatar Zerubavel. This book focuses on the social and political aspects of silence and denial, not as much on an intrapersonal level.
Aawww I just bought Trigger Warning.
I just read the Lie Tree by Frances Hardinge. It's a kids book (I bought it thinking it was Young Adult) and found it actually quite good. For a kids book it's got a really complex storyline with elements of feminism, evolution vs Christianity, history, etc.
Im just about to start a book called " The Bees" and its told from the point of view of a bee. Sounded wierd/interesting which is my favourite kind of book!
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I just finished Help for the Haunted by John Searles as I couldn't put it down once I started reading. Help for the Haunted by John Searles — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
I thought it was going to be a ghost story, but it was more of a mystery. I was wondering why the couple in it seemed so much like the Warrens from the film The Conjuring and I read that the author grew up in the same town as them.
Gillian Flynn and John Searles on "Help for the Haunted" - Omnivoracious - The Amazon Book Review
Help for the Haunted by John Searles — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, ListsI thought it was going to be a ghost story, but it was more of a mystery. I was wondering why the couple in it seemed so much like the Warrens from the film The Conjuring and I read that the author grew up in the same town as them.
Gillian Flynn and John Searles on "Help for the Haunted" - Omnivoracious - The Amazon Book Review
It took me about 8 hours!
I didn't mean to read the whole thing in one go, but I had to find out what happened to her parents. 
I'm going to read his other books as I think he is a very good writer.I bought a non fiction book called Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery by Henry Marsh. I've no idea what I was thinking as it was too graphic and I couldn't get through it at all!
It got excellent reviews, but I am clearly too squeamish.
Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery review | Books | The Guardian
It got excellent reviews, but I am clearly too squeamish.
Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery review | Books | The Guardian
LorriePaige
Ethical Vegan Hindu
Debbie Macomber books for now but will soon be reading the Neapolitan Novels of Elena Ferrante.
hungryraccoon
Forum Legend
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident - Donnie Eichar.
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
Dead Mountain: The Untold True Story of the Dyatlov Pass Incident by Donnie Eichar — Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
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