Book Nook Cafe discussion

Here is the Folder to tell us what your monthly reads for October 2020 were.

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

My November reads were very satisfying.

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz by Erik Larson
Genre: non fiction
Rate 5/5
I've read and enjoyed a few books by Larson and this one didn't disappoint. I read the eBook and also listened to the audio on my exercise walks. The narrator is John Lee and he was very good.
The author used diaries and journals from the various players for much of his research which I think makes it very intimate and engaging and different then the typical history tale. It's a very readable account of Churchill and his family at the start of WWII.
Well done !

The Marrying of Chani Kaufman by Eve Harris
Genre: Fiction
Rate: 3/5
This is the story of 19 year old Londoner and ultra orthodox Jewish girl named Chani. Her story is woven with the story of Rivka the Rabbi's wife and also their son Avromi. Which made the novel have depth. The novel was Longlisted for the 2013 Man Booker Prize.

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
Genre: Non Fiction
Rate: 5/5
This is a well done memoir about how Phil Knight created the sneaker and sports apparel company Nike along with the most unlikely crew of people. Nike is the Greek God of Victory expressing strength and speed. The famous swoosh symbol was to symbolize speed. The path to this 37 billion in revenue company wasn't smooth sailing. But tenacity and luck prevails. The book is well written and easy to read.
This book was one on my 2020 Determination list.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I am almost done with the audio book of
Nevertheless by Alec Baldwin If I finish before the month ends I'll update my post.

The Nike story must have been interesting, Alias. Imagine building such a company from "lowly" running shoes.

I've read a couple of Larson's books and, disappointingly, have decided that he's not an author I enjoy reading. It's a shame because his books always sound interesting. I'm most definitely in the minority. I'm glad his books are being enjoyed and loved.

Chani's story sounds interesting, too. I haven't heard of this book.

Here are my reads for November. I read 4 novellas and 2 non-fiction books (one in audio).

The Sun Also Rises (3-star) - I am slowly warming up to Hemingway's writing. Some books are still misses but considering that I came out of high school very much avoiding any of his works, he's kind of growing on me in some ways.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm taking part in a Novella Tournament in another group and for November we read:
Passing (4-star) - this story follows two women, of black descent, who are light skinned enough to "pass" as white. It's an interesting look at heritage and self.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ru (3-star) - a poetic story of immigration, loss and survival.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Driver's Seat (4-star) - a dark story following a woman in a mission. Very compelling and intriguing.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The two non-fiction books I read were:
The Johnstown Flood (2-star) - while an interesting story, this was so dry and full of names, lists, then more names & lists that it became a bit tedious.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Swerve: How the World Became Modern (audio; 4-star) - an interesting look at an old book, lost in time, hidden in a monastery's library, found in random, that has in small ways changed man's thinking. The Swerve is about the randomness of the universe.
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Petra wrote: "Here are my reads for November. I read 4 novellas and 2 non-fiction books (one in audio).

The Sun Also Rises (3-star) - I am slowly warming up to Hemingway's writing. Some books are st..."


Petra,

It is hard to escape Hemingway. I've never really enjoyed his novels, but greatly admire his short stories, and even more his memoir, A Moveable Feast, which should be read in both editions. See the Guardian review of the revised edition: https://www.theguardian.com/books/201...

But then ... and this is really important, try to read, the Canadian writer, Morley Callaghan's That Summer in Paris. You'll conclude that many lies are embedded in Hemingway's attempt to write one true sentence. And I will say you'll probably still conclude that Hemingway was a better writer than Callaghan ... but Callaghan was a much better man.

My two November reads are listed below:

The Book of Longings

Before the Crown

Petra wrote: "Here are my reads for November. I read 4 novellas and 2 non-fiction books (one in audio).

The Sun Also Rises (3-star) - I am slowly warming up to Hemingway's writing. Some books are st..."

I read a Spark myself this month - great writing, will be rereading some of hers I recall having liked.

Edoardo Ballerini is a great narrator. Many folks liked his reading of Beautiful Ruins, which I have not read.

Larry wrote: "But then ... and this is really important, try to read, the Canadian writer, Morley Callaghan's That Summer in Paris. You'll conclude that many lies are embedded in Hemingway's attempt to write one true sentence. And I will say you'll probably still conclude that Hemingway was a better writer than Callaghan ... but Callaghan was a much better man.
..."

Thank you, Larry. I've added this book to my "for later" list at the library. It's currently checked out.
This was a fascinating time with so many literary greats coming together in one city. It's really interesting that history had them all together like this. What were the odds?!!

I've had A Moveable Feast on my list for years now. Each time I remember to check the library for it, it's checked out. One day.

I've enjoyed a couple of Hemingway's works:
Islands in the Stream and The Garden of Eden.

John wrote: "Edoardo Ballerini is a great narrator. Many folks liked his reading of Beautiful Ruins, which I have not read.
..."

John, I hope to read more of Sparks also one day. I enjoyed her writing style.

I tried listening to Beautiful Ruins a few years back but never made it through. Not because of the narration but the story. Sorry to say that I didn't like it.

Alias Reader wrote: "My November reads were very satisfying.

[book:The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Church..."

I have had Shoe Dog on my list for awhile and definitely going to read it in 2021.

Petra wrote: "Larry wrote: "But then ... and this is really important, try to read, the Canadian writer, Morley Callaghan's That Summer in Paris. You'll conclude that many lies are embedded in Hemingway's attemp..."

The longer the work is, the more I remember what a monster Hemingway was ... not just to women but often to his "friends" like F. Scott Fiitzgerald. It's always a problem when we have to decide whether to enter the world of monsters. I can read Hemingway and I can look at Picasso but I can't watch movies or television shows with Kevin Spacey in it. It's just a personal thing.

Petra wrote: "Here are my reads for November. I read 4 novellas and 2 non-fiction books (one in audio).

The Sun Also Rises (3-star) - I am slowly warming up to Hemingway's writing. Some books are st..."

I enjoyed his novels a lot. He short stories and novellas not so much. I'm not sure why.

Alias, i agree with you on Larson's Churchill book. Using the excerpts from the citizen's diaries was insightful, as much for the very fact of them as what they shared. The entire blitz felt more real and i felt the author did a good job sharing that.

Well done on your DL accomplishment. I always feel good when i get another DL book under my belt. Continued success.

Petra, sorry you don't enjoy Larson's books. You've been more than fair, much more than i would have been, i must say. For some reason i was slow in wanting to read the one mentioned, about Churchill, but i ended up learning much from it.

Like Larry, i find it difficult to like Hemingway. How much of this is the author himself and how much of it is his one-dimensional female characters, i cannot decide. That written, The Old Man and the Sea was wonderful. Still, he managed to ruin that experience when he stated there was no symbolism in it, so stop looking for it. It's frustrating that creative people believe they can tell those "using" their project how to use it. If you didn't want the public's input, don't share it, darnit!

I really liked the Nella Larson novella. It offered insight into the dilemma posed for some people of color. And told a good tale in the process. I decided to also read her novella Quicksand and liked it even more. While there is more drama in it, i felt the character study of the female protagonist fascinating, especially given the era in which it was written.

Thanks for the title by Kim Thúy, it sounds very good. Between you & John, i see even more novels from Muriel Spark in my future. I've liked what i've read by her but don't readily go back for more.

I must tell you, Petra, that my husband agreed with you on David McCullough's presentation of the devastating flood. He really liked learning all the facts but was bogged down by the book itself. He stuck with it because he (we) had so savored his John Adams.

Finally, the Swerve. I read this with an online friend, who insisted (ok, suggested but quite forcefully) that we first read Lucretius's On the Nature of Things first. For me, that was a tough slog but i made it.

Having read it helped me better "get" what Stephen Greenblatt was saying about that work better. However, the pleasure of the book was all the stuff you mentioned & more. I relished the small bits about the pettiness and fisticuffs in the Vatican!

You mentioned you were tempted to read both Lucretius and Thomas More's Utopia. If you decide to give More another chance, try skipping the first Book. My notes state, "Nothing really there. It was very boring, more commentary on how things were run in England & France." Just a thought.

What a busy month for you...and such variety. Thanks for sharing. Reading about the opinions folks have on books i've read has me headed for my own book notes. It's such a delight to do so.

Larry, your reply to Petra's list, re. Hemingway, was interesting. You alit on several points i felt about his Parisian memoirs, particularly his disdain for the life F. Scott Fitzgerald led. If you want to witness cattiness in prose, read this book. Just when i didn't think i could like him less, i read that.

Thanks, too, for the title of the Morley Callaghan book. And your comments on watching Spacey vs. seeing a Picasso, etc. I understand what you are saying. Recently i read Lawrence M. Krauss's A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing, during which i came to appreciate his ability to explain aspects of physics to me. Upon completion, i looked him up online and was repulsed by allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Yes, it flavored my appreciation & i won't be turning to his work again for elucidation on Physics.

I know each of us react differently to such behavior and accusations. It's always a personal decision, just as their acts are.

Simon, i liked both your reviews about your November books. A reminder to others here, you can read his reviews by clicking on his name & scrolling to the title.

Frankly, i was surprised to see that the end of November is here already. This month flew for me.

Avni, you mentioned three classics, in my opinion. The mysteries are beloved by many, even if they aren't fans of Christie or Doyle. Funny you posted about the Hemingway as i was writing my thoughts on that particular book. It is a good one and deserves to be taught in high schools.

I'm glad you posted about these three. It's a bit of a stroll down Memory Lane. Thanks.

Here are my November reads that I feel bear mention here, with links to each review:

Munich Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wasn't crazy about the main character from whose point of view the story is told, but I thought it was much better than the negative reviews might indicate.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

The Chaperone ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I have raved about this one a lot. I gave it five stars. I even bought a copy for my mother!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Only Problem ⭐⭐⭐
Last Muriel Spark novel I had yet to read (pretty much). Did make me want to revisit her work, even if the story itself wasn't for me exactly.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Fires of Vesuvius: Pompeii Lost and Found ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm not a huge fan of archaeology, but the presentation here was perfect for a general reader with an interest in the Roman Empire.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Too Close to the Edge ⭐⭐⭐
Garnier does "twisted" well, in terms of keeping the reader engaged. I plan on reading more of his work.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

John wrote: "Here are my November reads that I feel bear mention here, with links to each review:

Munich Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wasn't crazy about the main character from whose point of view the story is..."

John, about 20 years ago, I flew from Milan into Munich, on a return route to the United States. We got to the boarding gate ... and waited and waited. Finally they brought a portable magnetometer to the gate and screened everyone again. They had discovered missing screws on a panel inside the airplane and were worried about terrorism, maybe a bomb. We took off after a four hour delay, but I was glad that they were so conscious of security matters. I wish that I could have wandered around the Milan airport for those extra four hours, but they kept everyone in that one boarding gate area.

madrano wrote: "Well done on your DL accomplishment. I always feel good when i get another DL book under my belt. Continued success.."

Thank you. It's a bit difficult now with libraries closed.

Avni wrote: "Great list everyone, got some new additions for my TBR.
So, here are my November reads -
1.
This was part of a Spooktober prompt but got carried forw..."

Welcome to Book Nook Cafe, Avni ! Thank you for sharing your reads with us. We are always looking for active posters.

John wrote: "Here are my November reads that I feel bear mention here, with links to each review:

Munich Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wasn't crazy about the main character from whose point of view the story is..."

Wow ! A nice eclectic mix this month.

"John wrote: They had discovered missing screws on a panel inside the airplane and were worried about terrorism, maybe a bomb..."

Yikes. That is nerve wracking.

Larry wrote: "John wrote: "Here are my November reads that I feel bear mention here, with links to each review:

Munich Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wasn't crazy about the main character from whose point of view..."

Larry wrote: "John wrote: "Here are my November reads that I feel bear mention here, with links to each review:

Munich Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wasn't crazy about the main character from whose point of view..."

My visit to Munich Airport was at the opposite end of the spectrum, Larry. They held us on the Viking cruise ship at Passau longer than I think they should have so that we ended up getting to Munich Airport for the flight home with less time to spare than I would have liked.

Alias Reader wrote: ""John wrote: They had discovered missing screws on a panel inside the airplane and were worried about terrorism, maybe a bomb..."

Yikes. That is nerve wracking."

We didn't know about that until an attendant told some of us passengers ... several hours into the flight. Even so, I was really glad when we landed safely.

John wrote: "Here are my November reads that I feel bear mention here, with links to each review:

Munich Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wasn't crazy about the main character from whose point of view the story is..."

Enjoyed The Chaperone when I read it.

John, what a neat reading month for you. It seems only one was a real clunker, how sad that it was the Spark novel.

As i like reading about archeology and was in Naples to see the Pompeii artwork, which was moved from the site, i am going to seek out the Mary Beard book. Thanks for the title & info.

Deb, I read David McCullough's book on the Wright Brothers and really enjoyed it. I will read other books by him. He's learned to edit his writing. The Johnstown Flood is, I think, his first book.

I did pick up a copy of On The Nature of Things and will try it soon (that may mean early in the New Year). I'll be forewarned and prepared to take my time on it.
I tried reading Utopia a few years back and still have my copy. It was dry, dry, dry and I didn't get far. Maybe skipping Book 1 is the key. Thanks for that!! I might help me be more enthused about trying this book again.

Avni and Deb, The Old Man and The Sea is the Hemingway book that turned me away from his writing for 20 or more years. To be fair, it may have been the teacher, who also turned me away from George Orwell. She was a card!
At some point, I thought I would try Hemingway again, in case my aversion was more about the teacher than the writing. I'm glad I did.

I listened to the audio of Old Man & Sea a few years back. I was so hesitant about trying it because of the memories. It was wonderfully written, I agree, but I still thought the story slow. I'm not sure if that was lingering reluctance from my high school reaction.

I don't know much about Hemingway the Man, other than he had a lot of wives.

Larry wrote: "We didn't know about that until an attendant told some of us passengers ... several hours into the flight. Even so, I was really glad when we landed safely...."

No doubt !

So much positive can be said about teachers of literature but there are those who ruin authors for us, too. I was turned off lit because in my high school only classics by men were read & discussed. Fortunately i tumbled into them about 8 years later & loved them.

Periodically i run into an article or person whose praise for Hemingway is strong or well stated. I try again & just end up angrier. Laughing at myself with that.

ANYway, McCullough's bio of John Adams is one of the best bios i've ever read. I felt he was very well balanced throughout most of the book but his defense of one wrong-headed policy detracts the book from perfection, for me. I liked the Wright Bros. bios, too, and liked how well he incorporated their sister into the history.

I won't comment on Hemingway's personal life. I'm sure there are those who don't know & don't care, which i fully respect. It can color the way we look at their books, imo. I have long been offended by the single dimension of his female characters, which tarnishes the prose itself. As others have mentioned, his short stories are good & likable. Perhaps because he hasn't space to offend as much? ;-)

English class in the 70s for us included Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.

For 99 cents at Amazon, I highly recommend Portrait of Hemingway.

John wrote: "English class in the 70s for us included Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton.
"

I read Ethan Frome as an adult and loved it. It's a quiet read but I really enjoyed it.

Alias, i'm with you, i read it later in life. Actually, i read it after reading several other novels by Wharton. It was quite a contrast to The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence, for instance.

For the record, Ethan Frome was not a story teenage boys appreciated.

LOL, John. I'll bet not!

I finally pulled together my November books read list. It's a small number, many of which i've mentioned already on our boards here.

Pavillion of Women--Pearl S. Buck. This was part of my Determination List for a book set in China. The day Madame Wu turns 40, she announces that she will seek a concubine for her husband, ostensibly because she fears having another child. What ensues is the story of the lives she alters by this decision, including her own. I liked the fact she was a curious woman and hired a man to teach her about the wider world. Buck could write well about the nation and i like what i learned, although i cannot say it was a great work.

Kitchens of the Great Midwest--J. Ryan Stradal. The story loosely follows the life of Eva Thorvald, whose mother leaves her and whose father dies soon after. The book is woven with some recipes, comments about our food consumption today and a nice retelling of lives coming together over food. I really liked the way Eva developed throughout the story.

Tales from the Ant World--Edward O. Wilson. It was fascinating to read about Wilson's beginning and his devotion to exploring wild life in his own Alabama neighborhood. His thirst for knowledge about ants and their habits has driven his career to the heights it now is. If you want to learn much about ants around the world but without too many details (read his other books), this is the one to read. I was quite satisfied.

Dandelion Wine--Ray Bradbury. A sort of autobiographical YA novel and the exuberance children have for summer and fun, this book took a couple of chapters for me to find a comfort with the prose. At times the book was a series of chapters about different older characters in the small town, as well as the emotions in a 12 or so year-old, that they create. Nice book. I selected this book, which had been on my Determination List for decades, for my second 2020 DL under the topic "book with a plant on the cover". LOL!

The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier--Thad Carhart. Another for this year's DL, under "Music", i had to search for this one. Ultimately i liked it for all i learned about pianos and the industry. Additionally, the author offered bits about particular musical pieces, which heightened my enjoyment when i listened to them as i read.

Odetta: A Life in Music and Protest--Ian Zack. I found this one while looking for books for the above-mentioned category. I'm a fan of folk music but knew little about Odetta, who was one of the founders of this style in the '50s. Ultimately, i felt the book didn't tell me enough about the woman but i realize this is because she kept control of what she shared with the public. Again, i ended the book with another long list of music, this time folk, spirituals, shanties and such, to seek.

Sounds as though overall you did well for yourself. Any thoughts on a challenge for next year?

I had a friend with a doctorate in entomology, with a focus on caddisflies. If it isn't too bogged down, Wilson's book might actually work for me at some point.

madrano wrote:."
The Piano Shop on the Left Bank: Discovering a Forgotten Passion in a Paris Atelier--Thad Carhart. Another for this year's DL, under "Music", i had to search for this one. Ultimately i liked it for all i learned about pianos and the industry. Additionally, the author offered bits about particular musical pieces, which heightened my enjoyment when i listened to them as i read.

I've thought about reading this one from time to time as I see it on my libraries, available now, list frequently. I appreciate the review. Thanks !

Nice eclectic reading month, deb.

Thanks, Alias. I feel i've been all over the place with that reading, i must say.

John, i felt Wilson's book was quite easy to read. There were a few terms i didn't know but, as i know little about insects, that could be why. In all i felt most readers wouldn't become bogged in the minutia. If you give it a try, please let us know what you think. I was fascinated by the beginning and the parts about his youth, which pulled me deeply into the book.

Well this month wasn't so full - I did cut back quite a bit to almost half of what I read in October. I read 11 books - that is an easier feat than what I read in October - a little more do-able! lol :)

Eight Cylinders by Jason Parent- 4 stars. Cosmic horror that has some touches of Lovecraftian - kind of mix of crime and horror. It was different but good - I have read this author before so I knew what to expect.

The Halloween Store, and Other Tales of All Hallows' Eve by Ronald Kelly - 5 stars. Collection of ghost stories that are wrapped around the Halloween theme. Another author that I have read before and been reading more of him lately. He released a few books and I have been trying to catch up with new and old stuff he has out there.

The Gated Trilogy by Matt Drabble - 4 stars. This was a three book omnibus so it took me a bit to get through it topping out at a little over 1,000 pages. I have read one book by this author before and wanted to check out the rest of his work. This was a really good book - kind of has a "stepford wives" theme to it as the town the characters move to - the neighbors are not what they seem. It was interesting reading.

Grayson Manor Haunting by Cheryl Bradshaw - 4 stars. This was a great book and it is actually part of a trilogy that I will need to get back into at some point. I own quite a few books by this author, but just had not got around to reading her yet. I wanted to step into this world with the manor haunting and I wasn't disappointed. Curious enough - this author writes in two different genres - she also has a crime fiction series of books as well that I need to explore. This book wasn't overly spooky but it had its moments.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling - 5 stars. First time reading the books (I know - shame on me - lol) but I have seen the movies a zillion times so it is not like I don't know the stories of HP. Awesome book - lived up to the movie! LOL Almost everything that happens in the movie is in the book. I was happy to finally be able to say that I stepped into that world by reading the book.

If It Bleeds by Stephen King - 5 stars. Four stories lie within this book - one was very heartwarming with just a small touch of horror like only Stephen King can weave - but none of them were scary - so he did not go that far into the horror zone. Definitely would reread the book again.

Violet Lagoon by John Everson - 4 stars. One of my favorite horror authors - I have read quite a few of his books now and this book I have had on my kindle for about three years (yeah I know - a long time in the book world - lol) and since I have had it that long the book is no longer available as a single book as the author combined it with another book which I will be putting on this list shortly as both books became one volume. The book is about mutant spiders and flies that are on an island - a few young people visit the island and chaos erupts. Great storyline and kept me on my toes!

Violet Eyes by John Everson - 5 stars. - This is the second book to the one I just posted. It is kind of a continuation to that story as the spiders and flies end up on the mainland and are no longer on the island which really causes this book to go into "bug overload"! I could hardly put this book down!

Haunted: Purgatory by Lee Mountford - 5 stars. This author knows how to write the "spooky" and he has become one of my favorite horror authors. I have never been disappointed with anything he writes and when I want to get my "spook" on this is the author I pull out to read! This book is part of the "Haunted: Perron Manor" series and this book just kept me in a state of horror suspense throughout the duration of the book.

Afterlife by Duncan Ralston - 5 stars. Another one of my favorite horror authors and he is writing a trilogy of a "ghost park" - think Jurassic Park but without the dinosaurs and just add in mean ghosts. This is the second book in the trilogy. In this book it is just a continuation of things that happened in the first book. It was really great. Actually doing a reread of it at the moment for a group read.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling - 5 stars. I stepped into the second book this month as well and was delighted to see that it too followed the movie very close. I need to get back to this series this year as I didn't read any in December - focus on Christmas ghost stories mainly for that month. Love the HP world though so going to try and get into the third book within the next two months.

That wraps it up for November and it was an awesome reading month for me.

Happy reading everyone! :)

Wow, Marie, what a great reading month for you. I like reading your reviews to get a sense of whether or not a book might be too much for some of us. The Everson Violet series reminds me of a 1950s classic, The Spider, which i relished as a child. No well-known actors, just a fun and ludicrous notion...and we loved it. The special effects were awful. LOL!

Glad you shared, Marie. Thanks.

madrano wrote: "Wow, Marie, what a great reading month for you. I like reading your reviews to get a sense of whether or not a book might be too much for some of us. The Everson Violet series reminds me of a 1950s..."

Thank you, Madrano! Actually that movie you mentioned sounds familiar of something I had seen on a rerun long time ago when I was growing up. It was a fun month! :)