Open Books Chicago discussion

Mine:

Old Man's War
Zeitoun (a re-read for Open Book Club on Tuesday)
Complete Poems and Selected Letters (a little bit at a time)

and I'm still working on one of my favorite books of 2012: The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo

What have you picked up in 2013?

War and PeaceSecond attempt
The Red and the Black(Shaw translation)
Timeless for fun

I read Zeitoun with an extremely skeptical eye. There was something about the way the story was told that raised my hackles. I'm sure there were some truly awful things that happened at that time, I just don't think of Dave Eggers as a thorough investigator. (Full disclosure: I also hated A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

My first book is (as in, I'm reading it currently and started in the new year) Shadow and Bone. Admittedly, I'm reading it for my work-based YA reading group - but it's a fun first read!

dejamo wrote: "War and PeaceSecond attempt
The Red and the Black(Shaw translation)
Timeless for fun

I read Zeitoun with an extremely skeptical eye. There was something about the way the story was told that rais..."

I admit, I did enjoy A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius despite all of its pretentious self-aggrandizing and preciousness, but hated You Shall Know Our Velocity! with a passion. I will say that as Eggers has lived and aged, he's become a much better observer and I thought Zeitoun was the first time I read a book by him where he didn't inject himself into the story. As for the investigation, I never viewed the book as investigative journalism, but rather a curiosity piece. Even Kathy (Zeitoun's wife) has said publicly that the portrayal in the book was an accurate portrayal of their relationship at the time. The question in my mind is whether Eggers missed something, whether the aftermath of the events in the book played a part in changing Zeitoun, or a much more complicated and undocumented reason behind all of this.

I think the recent news regarding Zeitoun adds another unexpected level to what was (and is even more obviously upon second reading) a curious writer's portrait of a complicated individual in an even more complicated situation. I'm eager to discuss this more on Tuesday.

Gremlin wrote: "My first book is (as in, I'm reading it currently and started in the new year) Shadow and Bone. Admittedly, I'm reading it for my work-based YA reading group - but it's a fun first read!"

Super fun! Once I finish my re-read of Zeitoun, I'm looking forward to reading more of Old Man's War as that is my light and fun plot driven kick-off read of 2013!

My 1st book of 2013 is Daring Greatly by Brené Brown.

Sex With Kings: Five Hundred Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge. Overall, a well-organized book, with some areas of problematic slut-shaming on the part of the author towards her subjects.

Kevin wrote: "I think the recent news regarding Zeitoun adds another unexpected level to what was (and is even more obviously upon second reading) a curious writer's portrait of a complicated individual in an even more complicated situation. I'm eager to discuss this more on Tuesday. ..."

That's too funny, Kevin. I didn't even know any of the recent news, but I guess I feel somewhat vindicated for my original reaction to the story. I will agree that there was less of Eggers's hubris in it than in previous works, as evidenced by the fact that I was able to read it all the way through, but there was still a certain one-sidedness to the story that made me suspect. Also, the Slate story I read pointed out that his ex-wife had a lot to lose if it turns out the portrayal was inaccurate.

After I finished the book I never thought I would hear myself say this, but I'm eager to discuss it as well. I don't know if I can make it tomorrow night or not, but I'm going to try.

Shannon wrote: "My 1st book of 2013 is Daring Greatly by Brené Brown."

I really liked Brown's TED Talk on listening to shame!

Also, I saw you recently finished Satantango! That was my favorite book that I read last year. I'd love to hear your reaction/thoughts on it.

Ann wrote: "Sex With Kings: Five Hundred Years of Adultery, Power, Rivalry, and Revenge. Overall, a well-organized book, with some areas of problematic slut-shaming on the part of the author towards her subje..."

I've heard that book is a lot of fun. Boo on the slut-shaming though!

dejamo wrote: "Kevin wrote: "I think the recent news regarding Zeitoun adds another unexpected level to what was (and is even more obviously upon second reading) a curious writer's portrait of a complicated indiv..."

More thoughts/discussion on Zeitoun and a Salon article about the aftermath here: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

First book of 2013: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

completely heartbreaking, uplifting, and all sorts of emotional... and I'm only on chapter 2 :)