The Great American Read discussion

What are you reading in 2020?

Have been thru about 6-8 books this week, mostly a crime series set in Galway, with "The Hate You Give " in the middle-age change in voices made my inner reading voice sit up and take note

Finally got to Dune! It’s been on my shelf for a while and before that on my “to read” list for years. Never got around to it. Probably would qualify for “everyone read this but me”. I’m finding it hard to follow when it comes to Paul and his awareness of the time and space moments which are not many but in all other aspects is a very entertaining read. I find it fascinating how religion and politics unfold in his universe and how frighteningly accurate these powers manipulate people, and in this case, worlds. The Bene Geserrit’s Missionaria Protectiva especially. I plan to read others from my long list that have been sitting there for years but this was a good start.

Right now is Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. It is one of my Amazon 100 mysteries. This is around #77. Trying to decide if I want to do a big book next or the two wounded knee books. Very tragic and intense history

Tinker and his hench men got put aside. It is a sit up and focus book, so will go back to it. Started reading big book #2 (#6 for the year), Game of Thrones. Hope to finish it before end of month

Am reading "The Silent Companions". Overboatd on the Gothic elements, but it's halfway gone and getting really good.

I cannot find the thread, but you had a suggestion for Catch Up. I really like that idea. I was involved in other books the first time around so really did not follow along. I have several on my list, big and not so big. Can we re-visit that idea? Or, should I just "invite" folks to "join" me as I start one?

I am reading big book #3 of 2020 (not GAR), Greg Iles, Natchez Burning (865 pages).

Thinking about what next big book will be. I have not read many of the GAR big books and none of those that have been read.

I have most of those on my list along with several others.

Am waiting on next Boston book club book to arrive, so in meantime read B&N book club read, "Dear Edward". Just okay, but I won their lottery last month (2 months in a row), so read it.
Am going to try and squeeze in "The Institute" before M0nday/Tuesday

Is the prize for the lottery a book? I would rather have a gift card to a book seller so I could pick my book. If there is a book lottery, that is. I'm just that way. :)

Lol, the prize is a copy of the book (hardback) for next month's read. I just don't read a lot of pop fiction in English, and the B&N Book Club selections are chosen at the national level...I wish that would be one of the changes they made with their new CEO, allowing individual stores to choose their own selection. Or, at least, to offer stores a choice of 2 or 3 to choose from. Next month's selection is Cummins' "American Dirt", not one I want to buy in hardback, and I'm not sure I want to read it at all

Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Lol, the prize is a copy of the book (hardback) for next month's read. I just don't read a lot of pop fiction in English, and the B&N Book Club selections are chosen at the national level...I wish ..."

That book has a lot of controversy surrounding it. Have you sent a letter to the CEO with your suggestion? He could read it. You just never know.

No, lol, I haven't! I might, though....yes, it didn't help that B&N programmed it for the same month Oprah put it on her book club list! I decided to give it a try when I was out on Ocean Drive, saw that the next town over had 1 express copy, and in the time it took to drive over (about 20 min), someone had taken it out! When they get one that's really interesting to me, I'll buy the hardback....but hardbacks are too expensive to read when you are pretty sure you won't like them.
The controversy is part of why I probably won't read it. But I think I'll go to the discussion, anyway

I have stopped reading physical books because I used to buy so many, I had no place to put them. Gave to Friends of the Library. Now I can't imagine reading anything but an ebook. It's a bummer I can't share them.

American Dirt is getting some really good reviews from professionals at least. I'm guessing that people who are angry haven't read it. It's my understanding that she handles the subject with incredible sensitivity and a good deal of love.

Well, there's the issue of appropriation....I still haven't read "The Help" for the same reason, even though people say it's great.
Then, I'm wary because one review gave some examples of things that maddened them, smart people making really dumb decisions. And I could see a bit of that from the dust jacket. I'm INTJ, and I know that I tend to zero in on those things

'The Help' is very good. The Black maids definitely come across much better than the White employers. They come across as real people, with hopes and dreams and foibles. It's the white women who almost come across as caricatures. I firmly believe that if you do your homework as an author, and have people of whatever culture you're writing about read it and be totally open to their criticism, then it's perfectly fine.

As for smart people making dumb decisions, I think it probably happens more often than we like to think.

IIRC, the author of The Help based it on the maid(s) her family had when she was young....so..not to say the writing is bad, but....did the maid(s) profit in some way from her former employer's daughter tell her story?

I don't know. Monetarily, probably not. Having the satisfaction that a well-written character is based on you, possibly. Authors find inspiration from everywhere. I believe that she did mention the women she based the maids on (it's been a while since I read it).

Parker wrote: "I don't know. Monetarily, probably not. Having the satisfaction that a well-written character is based on you, possibly. Authors find inspiration from everywhere. I believe that she did mention the..."

Hi again,
Well, I ILL'ed "American".....will give it a try, though I will probably roll my eyes a lot. Watch for updates where I'm screaming and tearing out my hair.
So in discussing this with my B&N cafe employees today (I've decided that they're like another mini book club for me, because we wind up talking books a lot), they said that the author of "The Help" did indeed send checks from the proceeds to the maids. So I'll feel a bit better about reading that one now.

It's great that they were compensated monetarily.

But the question still remains about 'appropiation.' Has it gotten so bad that ONLY that particular group can write novels about themselves? I.e, Blacks can only write about Blacks, Latinos about Latinos, etc. Personally, I think that's way too limiting.

Parker wrote: "It's great that they were compensated monetarily.

But the question still remains about 'appropiation.' Has it gotten so bad that ONLY that particular group can write novels about themselves? I.e,..."

That is a very good and evocative question. I am native and work for my tribe, but I grew up white suburbia in another state. I, personally, would feel a fraud writing about the native experience having not lived it, but I don't think it would be wrong if the story is legitimate and has input from someone with that experience. Don't know if that makes sense.

I am reading more books about natives/by natives in general. I have several on my to read list for this year. Some are non-fiction based on current state of affairs in Indian country. Violence against native women is awful but getting acknowledged more. It is opening my eyes and mind more to the trauma of indian people.

One book I read last year or the year before was about the Osage but written by a non-native - Killers of the Flower Moon - is more a history than experience. Very very sad book but excellent book of history of what happened to the Osage in the early 1900s. I recommend it to all who are interested. There are two parts. Be sure to read both parts. This writer did some great research on the book.

Thanks, Gretchen. Even more complicated in the case of Latinx lit. Because this is an author who didn't neccesarily identify previously as Latina. Once she herself questioned her ability to tell this story, she recognized that her grandmother was half Puerto Rican
That clearly falls into the territory of "all Latinos are alike". Also, since Puerto Ricans have citizenship, that journey isn't one they could identify with. And yes, your husband (an Irishman) is in the country illegally, so you might have the same fears of that being discovered, but the final results if you're discovered will likely be much different than if you're a single Central American woman. So more complicated than it appears.
Again, a large part of the blame lies with the publishing companies that won't give access to a variety of peoples of color, but for an author to say "well, no one else is telling the story, so I guess I will." seems pretty naive.

But if no one tells the story, then the story doesn't get told at all.

I'm a Museum Educator and Living Historian, specialising in Slavery History (Women's and Labour History as well). I am white, and unfortunately, white people are more inclined to listen to a fellow white person tell the same history a black person would. No, I haven't lived through slavery, but I have an excellent imagination and can easily convey what it must have been like to visitors. I've actually been thanked by black people for doing what I do.

Parker... That was my thought too. Someone has to tell the story. And oftentimes, the only way the story is heard is through a non-native. Fortunately, in the case of natives we are getting the story told and, in many areas, it is being heard. By the way, my very small tribe now has a casino, and I am not rolling in the dough. I do get a free lunch on Tuesdays as an elder. :)

Gretchen, are you familiar with Sherman Alexei? I was introduced to his work when I worked at Virginia's Explore Park, interpreting Pre-Contact Monacan/Tutero history. He's funny, satirical and not to everyone's taste.

He is a very good writer, but unfortunately has been accused of many incidents of sexual harassment and inappropriTe behavior. My sister knows him and said this was a "known" issue in the Indian community ( she's a writer too as well as an advocate)

Put on hold through the library the evoke and audiobook of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. The audiobook came first. It is hilarious. Narrated by Stephen Fry who is British comic. (I love the Brits). I am glad I am listening to audiobook. Much more animated, clearly. It is laugh out loud funny. It is a short book and a friend of mine says it is one of her fave books. Very Monty Pythonish.

Gretchen, I've heard people say they liked that book over the years, but have had no idea what it was about. Hearing you say it's like MP is likely enough to make me want to read it!

Gretchen, what's your sister's name? Would love to read something by her.

I'd also heard that about Alexei. However, if you stopped reading books written by people with troubling histories, I'm not sure many books would be read😄

I read Hitchiker's Guide when I was in high school. Loved it. Laughed so hard the tears ran down my leg! I love Stephen Fry too. Will have to check this out. I don't usually listen to audiobooks (I tend to tune them out). However, this sounds like something that would keep me involved!

Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Gretchen, I've heard people say they liked that book over the years, but have had no idea what it was about. Hearing you say it's like MP is likely enough to make me want to read it!"

I do recommend listening to the Stephen Fry version and only if you like silly humor. Again, Monty Python. I believe Douglas Adams did some writing for MP.

Gretchen wrote: "Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Gretchen, I've heard people say they liked that book over the years, but have had no idea what it was about. Hearing you say it's like MP is likely enough to ..."

That's why, after years of hearing the name, I'm going to finally read/listen to it: I love silly humor!
John Cleese;s tweet this weekend, for ex: He was in a hotel in Prov, and his room was cold. He called, they said they couldn't fix it, the heat couldn't keep up. He said, "The hotel has 569 rooms...perhaps I should have stayed in a smaller hotel?"
The power of Twitter: they sent someone up, made a manual adjustment, and it was fine (think it was the Biltmore)

Thanks for the audio tip for Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy! I picked up the book and CD , and I have the audio for 7 days. I like the humor in the language. It's not lol funny for me, but it's clever.

Gretchen, did you read it already?If so, please go ahead and make some comments as soon as I open the threads. Linda has the book now, and Melissa will join us too.

Who else would like to join us?

I did. Read/listened - and I admit, I lol'd. But I like a lot of Monty Python too - silly humor.

Just started reading A Prayer for Owen Meany. I love John Irving's writing and the humor he brings into each story.

Currently reading Jack and Jill - the third installment of the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.

Going through "The Woman in the Window". Wanted to read it before the movie. It's going okay, but I looked up background on the author/book, and feel dirty. Probably won't go see film now

Reading 'The Cooking Gene' by Michael W. Twitty. He's a black Living Historian who tells the history of slavery through cooking demonstrations at plantations. He's been out to Middleton Place (unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to meet him). It's a memoir with recipes.

Still working on A Prayer for Owen Meaning and listening to Career of Evil, #3 from Robert Gailbrath (aka JK Rowling).

Linda, I forgot about that controversy. The author who wrote Woman in the Window reminds me of a character in A Ladder to the Sky by John Boyne. I wonder how many editors steal - or are inspired by - submissions from unknown authors.

Gretchen wrote: "Still working on A Prayer for Owen Meaning and listening to Career of Evil, #3 from Robert Gailbrath (aka JK Rowling)."

Gretchen, did you get to the Christmas play yet? I remember laughing at that part.

Janet wrote: "Currently reading Jack and Jill - the third installment of the Alex Cross series by James Patterson."

I think I made it to book 4 in that series back when the series started. I really liked the first 2 or 3.

Parker wrote: "Reading 'The Cooking Gene' by Michael W. Twitty. He's a black Living Historian who tells the history of slavery through cooking demonstrations at plantations. He's been out to Middleton Place (unfo..."

That sounds interesting. Have you found anything you’d like to make?

Starting “Nothing to see here” and Circe today

I really liked Circe. I loved the audio narration.

just a note to say I'm absent b/c I'm working constantly. I will see you all again when/if this pandemic ends. Sorry to have to dump out like this. Hugs to all & please wash your hands, stay away from other people! miss you!

Ella wrote: "just a note to say I'm absent b/c I'm working constantly. I will see you all again when/if this pandemic ends. Sorry to have to dump out like this. Hugs to all & please wash your hands, stay away f..."
I figured that was why you had not been on the site. Stay safe and try to get a break once in a while so you don't get too tired and lower your resistance. I will wait for a while to read the next installment of Tales of the City.

NancyJ, we already cook most of the recipes in the book (my husband is the rice maven in the family). There are a couple of things I do want to try, so we'll see how it goes😀

Ella wrote: "just a note to say I'm absent b/c I'm working constantly. I will see you all again when/if this pandemic ends. Sorry to have to dump out like this. Hugs to all & please wash your hands, stay away f..."

I hope you're staying safe on the job! Hang in there Ella.