Book Nook Cafe discussion

Please share with us what you read November 2019 !

Please provide:

~ A GoodReads link
~ A few sentences telling us how you felt about the book.
~ How would you rate the book

Hello! These are my November reads. Not many books this time, although I've been sitting home all this time. November is never sitting well with me.

The Vampire Omnibus by Peter Haining
Genre: Vampire Fiction, Classics, Short Story
Rating: B
Review: A collection of short fiction with vampire theme, put together by a long time fan and authority on vampire fiction. It features 34 short stories divided into three categories: The Prototypes, The Films and The Archetypes. The first group features the stories (all but one) written before Bram Stoker's Dracula which might have influenced the great author while writing THE novel. The Films category features the short stories that were either written after a film was made or were adapted for TV or cinema. The Archetypes category feature the short stories written about the famous "real-life" vampires, people who were the basis of all the gory stories and legends about vampires.
All in all, a very interesting collection. Not all of the stories were good, but that's a matter of personal taste, I guess.

Contribution to the Study of Contemporary Folklore in Croatia by Zorica Rajković (Editor-in-Chief)
Genre: Essays, Folklore, Croatia, Yugoslavia
Rating: C
Review: A collection of essays about Contemporary Folklore of Croatia but within the context of Yugoslavia as all the text were written before and in 1988 when Croatia still formed part of Yugoslavia. Some text were pretty interesting, some downright boring, all written in a very technical language primarily understood by Linguists and Ethnologists. Still, I persevered and learned something new (which is actually quite outdated, but never mind).

The Man Who Could Work Miracles by H.G. Wells
Genre: Short Story
Rating: B
Review: George McWhirter Fotheringay is just an ordinary man who, at the start of the story, is drinking in his favourite bar and discussing with a rather annoying acquaintance of his about the existence of miracles. George doesn't believe in them and wants to prove it to his listeners. In trying to prove that the miracles do not exist, her orders a lamp to turn upside-down, which the lamp does. And that's where the havoc ensues.

La gallina degollada by Horacio Quiroga
Genre: Short Story
Rating: A
Review: This is definitely one of the freakiest stories I read so far. Forget about zombies of vampires, they are nothing compared to 4 neglected idiot (idiot as in mental health issue) brothers killing their own healthy baby sister. Yes, you read it correctly.

The Falls by George Saunders
Genre: Short Story
Rating: A
Review: This is a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and laughed out loud for the better part of it.

The Queen of the Night by Alexander Chee
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B
Review: The author created an intriguing story. He placed the protagonist (Lilliet) and her story in the midst of real-life events and included a lot of real-life and important people in Europe's history. At the end of this edition there are Historical Notes, written by the author, in which he explains who Lilliet is (loosely) based on and the historical authenticity of his story. The only problem that I had with the book is that it was a bit long. It took me a bit longer to finish it because some parts were a bit over-written and boring, but the last 100 pages definitely saved the book from a C+.

Samanta, that's another varied reading month. Lots of "horror" type books.
For December, have you read The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror? It's a fun, whacky Christmas story with some elements of "horror".

In November I read:

The Last Quarter of the Moon by Zijian Chi - a 90 year old Evenki woman tells her life story. Her story shows how the World changes in this time and the effects of this on her people's lifestyle. Well written.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert A. Heinlein (audio) - a really fun story. The moon, a penal colony with no rights, battles for independence and the right to govern themselves. I really enjoyed this story.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

To the River: Losing My Brother by Don Gillmore - the authorr tries to make sense of his brother's suicide and explores suicide in society.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell (audio) - an enjoyable murder mystery. Wallander is sent to Latvia to help solve a murder. He struggles to find a path in all the mysterious ways of the Soviet regime and the secrets that implies.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Petra wrote: "Samanta, that's another varied reading month. Lots of "horror" type books.
For December, have you read The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror? It's a fun, whacky..."

Never heard of it, but I'll check it out. Thanks! :)

For a person who dislikes Horror, I admit there is a lot of Horror on my list. LOL!

Petra wrote: "In November I read:

The Last Quarter of the Moon by Zijian Chi - a 90 year old Evenki woman tells her life story. Her story shows how the World changes in this time and the effects..."

Nice mix of books, Petra.

I finished 3 this month.

Doing Justice: A Prosecutor's Thoughts on Crime, Punishment, and the Rule of Law----Preet Bharara
Non-fiction
Rate: 3/5
Preet Bharara was the federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York until Donald Trump fired him in 2017. This book is sort of his guide on how the judicial system works. The book takes you through the process of a criminal investigation with sections on the Inquiry, Accusation, Judgment and Punishment. I found it to be pretty basic and way too repetitive. I guess I was expecting a lot more after enjoying him on his many TV appearances. Still, there were some interesting parts when he talks about the some of the cases he dealt with.

Prodigal Son----Edward Villella
Non-fiction
Rate: 5/5
Edward Villella was a principal dancer with New York City Ballet. He worked with the legendary George Balanchine. I found this memoir quite engaging and well written.
Here is a short clip of him dancing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dORhT...

The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life-----Twyla Tharp
Non-fiction
Rate 2/5
I thought this book was okay. I think it would have greater appeal for people who are artistic is some way. I am not, so I wasn't really the target audience. Still, I found it interesting to read about her creative process. I plan on reading her new book
Keep It Moving: Lessons for the Rest of Your Life

I read a WWII memoir that originally appeared in French in 1945, and has just been translated into English under the title of A Bookshop in Berlin: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman's Harrowing Escape from the Nazis by Françoise Frenkel.

I reviewed it for the blog tour on my blog at https://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/2...

I wondered about some aspects of her life that I thought were important to include, but I did make a surprising discovery about WWII history that is mentioned in my review.

Shomeret wrote: "I read a WWII memoir that originally appeared in French in 1945, and has just been translated into English under the title of [book:A Bookshop in Berlin: The Rediscovered Memoir of One Woman's Harr..."

That sounds interesting. I hope my library gets it.

Here are my notable reads from last month:

Live a Little
I tend to read more nonfiction, but picked up this novel as I'd read the author's non-fiction works, and the premise seemed interesting. For the most part, it held my attention well, even though Shimi seemed a bit of a nebbish at times.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation
At first, I really wasn't sure about this protagonist as she is just so self-absorbed. However, I took that as satire and all was well. She makes an effort on behalf of her (only) friend in the middle, which signals a shift. Not sure I bought the resolution device, but looking forward to the author's next book next year based on this one.

Food: A Cultural Culinary History
Part of the Great Courses lecture series, so audio only no print edition exists. If your library has it, highly recommended although I found the politics of the later chapters less interesting.

A Shadow On The Lens
Excellent historical fiction, with a ton of suspense, almost too much so as the negative point would be that it's exhausting rushing around with the protagonist from red herring to red herring until we get to the resolution. Has terrific series potential.

My November reads
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympicsby Daniel James Brown
Rating 5/5
I loved this book about the University of Washington crew team that won gold in the 1936 Olympics. The story follows the nine members of the crew tea, their coaches and boat builder through the 4 years leading up and including the 1936 Olympics. You are also shown what was going on in America and Germany during this period
The Oysterville Sewing Circleby Susan Wiggs
Rating 3/5
A solid story about woman who returns to her hometown after her fashion design dreams are destroyed. As she helps to rebuild the lives of other women, her dreams get rebuilt.
A House With No Windows by Nadia Hashimi
Rating 4/5
A story showing how women are viewed by Afghan judicial system and how an idealistic lawyer changes the outcome of the protagonist's case

John wrote: "Here are my notable reads from last month:

Live a Little
I tend to read more nonfiction, but picked up this novel as I dread the authors non-fiction works, and the premise seemed i..."

Nice eclectic mix.

Meredith wrote: "My November reads
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympicsby Daniel James Brown
Rating 5/5
I loved this book ab..."

I agree. That was a good book.

Meredith wrote: "My November reads
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympicsby Daniel James Brown
Rating 5/5
I loved this book ab..."

Meredith - I loved The Boys in the Boat when I read it a few years ago. PBS had a movie on it and you may be able to get it on DVD at your library but it is also on the PBS website - https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexpe...

Samanta, i'm not one for horror, either. I've read a couple of Zombie books (see my list from November Reads) but only Stoker's Dracula as far as vampires go. You've given those interested in exploring the genre a good start with those stories.

It's a pity the Folklore book was a bust. I like reading such books, feeling i learn much about the culture & outlooks. However, it's important to me that they not be too technical or i fade. That written, i do like it when such books include essays by those you found too technical, particularly linguists. They can help me see how sometimes language develops with the stories in mind. I'm glad you shared with us.

Petra, the winter holiday title you shared sounds fun. I see the author, Christopher Moore, also wrote the highly praised Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal as well.

The Mankell mystery sounds good because he's out of his own country. However, it's the Chi book, about a 90 year old woman which calls to me. Just this weekend we were talking about all the changes my 93 year old mother-in-law has seen. What marvels!

Alias, it's disappointing to learn Bharara's book wasn't as anticipated. Hearing him on television helps me clearly see the work entailed in prosecuting white collar crimes.

Interesting that your other two books are by ballet dancers. We are lucky that you share titles & material from such books with us. I, for one, probably wouldn't read them but like knowing that they are written and worth a read for those interested. I appreciated the video, too. What leaps! Twyla Tharp has been writing for years about dance & i've liked seeing her plug her works, too.

Shomeret, thanks for the link to your review. You ask some good questions and i'm sorry the book didn't provide them. It seems like odd things to omit--the humans closest to you growing up & your spouse. Curious.

I am grateful for such books being republished, translated & shared. There are some remarkable stories about which we knew little or nothing that help flesh out details of the second World War. A decade or so ago my husband & i read a book Wine and War: The French, the Nazis, and the Battle for France's Greatest Treasure while we were in Europe (i think we found it there, actually). It was a slim volume explaining the ways French winemakers hid much of their fine wine from the Nazis. Who knew?

John wrote: "Here are my notable reads from last month:..."

John, it's such fun reading the titles of books you've read recently. I am familiar with so few of them (or their authors). You keep me alert to new diversions and i surely appreciate it.

Meredith, your books for November are varied, too. I noticed the cover of the Wiggs book is similar to Anne Tyler's somewhat recent novel A Spool of Blue Thread. Amusing.

madrano wrote: "Petra, the winter holiday title you shared sounds fun. I see the author, Christopher Moore, also wrote the highly praised Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal."

Deb, I loved Lamb. Yeah, there were some "weird" parts but the entire book was humorous and a lot of fun.
The Stupidest Angel is in the prologue to Lamb as well. It was humorous to read how the two stories overlapped in a small way through the Angel.
I also like Christopher Moore's Pine Cove "series" (said loosely as the books are fairly stand-alone.....although there is an order to them). The first book where Tucker Chase and Roberto are mentioned are Island of the Sequined Love Nun and I would consider that the first of the Pine Cove series, although it doesn't take place in Pine Cove.

November Reads follow.

Masters of Art: Raphael by James H. Beck. The reproductions of Raphael's work were good and the text was fine. I thought i wanted more about R's life but ultimately i preferred what Beck wrote about the art atoned for it all.

The Memory Police was an intriguing novel by Yōko Ogawa, whose The Housekeeper and the Professor i am more interested in reading now (warning to Alias, who mentioned she wanted to read it, too). The premise is that announcements are made that some item or idea is now illegal. Citizens then gather up whatever has been banned and not only get rid of it but forget it ever existed. I wanted to know how they could do that, particularly with the sort of ease they appeared to have. One man tried to persuade his writer friend she didn't have to forget but she seemed unable to defy. Curious ditty.

Quicksand is the first of two novels written and published by Nella Larsen. For me, it was better than her better known book, Passing. It followed the life of Helga Crane, a successful but unsatisfied teacher at a Tuskegee-like college. Part Danish and part African American, she travels to Copenhagen and back. It ended unusually, imo, but i liked it very much.

On this board Anita introduced me to My Life as a White Trash Zombie, the first in a zombie series by Diana Rowland. It was too similar to the TV program I Zombie for my comfort, so it seemed like a retread. I do not know which came first but i think the Louisiana of the Rowland book didn't come through strong enough to distinguish it for me. But had i not watched a season of the tv show, who knows?

Inspector Imanishi Investigates, the first in this series by Seichō Matsumoto was set (& written) in Japan in the 1960s. I felt that era lent itself to dual meanings on some fronts. I liked the mystery, even though the pace was slow, because it made sense that this was the way police sometimes must work. I send thanks to Petra for reading & mentioning this novel in October. It's a keeper!

The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite is a romance novel, which i hadn't quite realized when i saw the listing on this board. I'm not much for romance, nor am i fond of descriptions of lovemaking. However, the science, the needlework, art and history of this book made up for the parts i didn't like. In this story recently orphaned 20-something Lucy seeks out the Countess of Moth, who was looking for someone to translate a groundbreaking French text on astronomy, which was Lucy's father's specialty (and, as his right hand aide, hers, too). There is much about the exclusion of females by scientific organizations of the era (1816 at beginning). The descriptions of art & needlework made one wish photos were available, particularly those astronomically-themed works.

Interesting selections this month, deb. As always, I enjoyed reading your reviews.

Thank you. I had to edit the post because i realized i forgot to list one book on my "Books Read" chart. Oops!

Petra wrote: "madrano wrote: "I also like Christopher Moore's Pine Cove "series" (said loosely as the books are fairly stand-alone.....although there is an order to them). The first book where Tucker Chase and Roberto are mentioned are Island of the Sequined Love Nun and I would consider that the first of the Pine Cove series, although it doesn't take place in Pine Cove...."

Thank you for this additional info, Petra. I am going to add that to my list, so i can decide later if i want to start from the beginning or not. Much of that depends on how much i read while we travel, naturally. Again, i appreciate the point because i like to read from the beginning of a series.

Btw, Petra, i meant to tell you yesterday that the link for your review of the Heinlein is the same as for the Chi. And thanks for linking to your reviews, it's a nice touch as i haven't read them previously in the month.

The Yellow Bird Sings

5/5
Inspired by the true stories of Jewish children being hidden during WWII. Could you bear to part with your child? What if that meant the only way for your child to survive war?
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Rodin's Lover

5/5
Camille Claudel (1864-1943) was a French sculptor, recognized for the originality and quality of her work. She had experimented with materials, “demonstrating her immeasurable talent for crafting with difficult materials.”
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Beheld

5/5
This story sheds light on struggles of the first pilgrims, who weren’t just Puritans. And not the struggles pertaining to their survival, but the struggles within their community – living with non-Puritans.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Queen of Paris: A Novel of Coco Chanel

5/5
Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel (1883-1972) remains to be an icon of couture and perfume Chanel No. 5. But what probably most of us don’t know, she was also Nazi spy. By playing with fire, she put herself into fire. To save something or someone she dearly loved, she had collaborated with Nazi.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Nice reviews, Annette. I'm particularly grateful when you explain that a book, like the first by Jennifer Rosner, is less about the historic context and more about human choices.

I am drawn to TaraShea Nesbit novel about Puritans. My family history includes the fact that we were once Quakers, who were persecuted by the Puritans for not appearing in church on the Sabbath they honored. If a member of the Religious Society of Friends did not attend the Puritan service (despite having attended their own community's service), they could be arrested. Apparently this happened to my ancestors. John Greenleaf Whittier wrote a poem about my g-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-grandmother Provided (called Cassandra in the poem, although Cassandra was her mother's name). Here is a link to the long poem, https://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cassa...

ANYway, i'll be checking out Nesbit's book. Thanks for the info on this & the other books, Annette.

Thank you, Deb. I fixed that link.

Nice selection of books! I'm glad you enjoyed Inspector Imanishi. I liked it as well. I agree the mystery was a tad slow yet the cultural aspects held my attention. The mystery did, too......I don't mean to imply that it didn't.

I enjoyed The Housekeeper & The Professor years ago. I'll look into this other book. Thanks.

Annette, you've had a spectacular reading month. Four 5/5 reads! Nice!

The great:
Permanent Record by Edward Snowden

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

The good:

Pressure by Jeff Strand

Nearest Thing to Crazy by Elizabeth Forbes


The bad, did not finish:

Dimension of Miracles by Robert Sheckley

Night of the Assholes by Kevin L. Donihe

I agree, Petra, about the mystery, slow but i liked learning about the era in Japan.

Anita, that was a pretty mixed month. I'm glad you didn't feel compelled to finish books you just didn't like. And i'm glad Snowden wrote a book about his side of events.

Annette wrote: "The Yellow Bird Sings

5/5
Inspired by the true stories of Jewish children being hidden during WWII. Could you bear to part with your chil..."

Very nice reviews, Annette. Congratulations on the 5 star reading month !

Anita wrote: "The great:
Permanent Record by Edward Snowden


I wasn't aware he had a book out. Thanks for the heads-up.

Still backtracking! :)

November reads:

Midnight in the Graveyard by Kenneth W. Cain - five stars - one of the best horror anthologies I have read in awhile and it was a debut book for a new publishing company as well. There are quite a few indie authors in this book and most of them have lots of books out.

The Sorrows by Jonathan Janz - four stars - this was a great ghost story and I have read this author before. He is always able to capture the essence of hauntings. :)

I’m having fun reading what you’ve read & your comments about them, Marie.

madrano wrote: "I’m having fun reading what you’ve read & your comments about them, Marie."

Thank you, Madrano! I am going to keep backtracking for you all! :)

Marie wrote: “Thank you, Madrano! I am going to keep backtracking for you all! :)"

We look forward to it. I see that for October’s books you linked to your reviews—love it! Thanks.