Reading with Style discussion
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15.3 Celebration of Styles
The Gate by Natsume Sōseki
+15 Task (Lost in Translation)
Season total = 300 (assumes mid-season with a previous total of 285)

Breakfast at Tiffany's and Three Stories by Truman Capote
+15 Task (1001)
Points this post: 15
RwS total: -
CoS total: 15
Season Total: 15
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15.1 .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... ....
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Satellite People (2) by Hans Olav Lahlum
I picked this book because the author noted the series was a homage to Christie. This novel particularly picked up the idea of a confined group of suspects - the attendees at a dinner party - and was told from the 1st person perspective of the detective. The quest for a solution was enjoyable, particularly as past and present events were potentially tied together.
Like a Christie novel, the solution is eventually tidily explained. There were parts of the end I thought were obvious from not very far in, although the detective was not seeing them - the partner brain of the civilian Patricia did, although she doesn't explain everything to the detective. But there was still a satisfying number of twists, turns, and surprises. Including a few things I thought were flavor being significant.
+20 task
+10 review
Task total: 30
Gransd total: 30

Khan: Empire of Silver by Conn Iggulden MPG of War and HF
The fourth book in a series I have been addicted to. Only one more book to read, to wrap of the series, and I am anxious to continue.
This installment concentrates on the sons and grandsons of Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Nation. The conquered lands have stretched in all directions. I will admit, it was surprising to me that the Mongol Tribes entered and conquered parts of Russia. I had no knowledge of that!
I don't think I mentioned this before: Iggulden incorporates strong women into the story. The events taking place in the 13th century, women were not considered anything more than baby makers and house attendants. The women that married into Genghis' family became strong leaders themselves, and it was great to see the author portray them that way.
This is Historical Fiction that will captivate the reader-Highly Recommend.
+20 Task
+10 Review
Task Total 30
Season Total 30

The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
American widow Emily Pollifax is all set to spend her afternoon making cookies for the Art Association when a phone call reminds her that she once accidentally became a spy - and her services are needed again. She must fly to Turkey this very day to save a female double agent who is in terrible danger. For the rendezvous she must carry a copy of ‘Gone with the Wind’.
The story becomes more and more unlikely from there, as Mrs Pollifax makes allies and enemies, crosses Turkey in a caravan, and faces peril after peril - but it's a lot of fun.
+10 Task (number 100 on the list)
+10 Review
+ 5 Oldies (1970)
Post Total: 25
Season Total: 25

The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
A middle grade version of Wool and sort of reminiscent of The Giver. This book holds little interest for an adult reader, who would be better served to check out one of the other listed above. For a middle grade reader, maybe 5th-6th grades, this could hold enough interest and fast enough plotting to be entertaining.
The story is that for some reason "The Builders" constructed an underground city and for some generations, people have been living there not remembering anything about any other way to live. But the city is falling apart, the storerooms are running out of necessary items, and the society is starting to collapse. Luckily, a couple of courageous 12-year-olds to the rescue. The book operates at a pretty superficial level, but again, this might be fine enough for a middle-grade audience. I'm surprised by how many awards this won, so maybe I'm just grumpy or not familiar enough with middle-grade literature.
I won't be continuing with this series.
+20 Task (12 year old POV)
+10 Review
+15 Prize-worthy
Task total: 45
Grand total: 45

Soulless by Gail Carriger
🎓 Gail Carriger born in 1976 (on Google spreadsheet) 🎓
+15 task (Young)
Task total = 15
Season Total = 15

The American Agent by Jacqueline Winspear
"This is the best one" is what I've said to myself after each of the past three books in the Maisie Dobbs series. In this one - 15 of 17 - German bombs are falling on London - the "blitz"- and Maisie and her best buddy, Priscilla, drive ambulances during the raids. Needless to say, the book has some action and death comes close to the several characters. Maisie is assigned to help solve the murder of an American journalist and war correspondent named Catherine Saxon. An American working for the Department of Justice is supposed to be helping solve the murder; however, Maisie suspects that he has an additional job to do.
The ending was a surprise and in addition, I learned some history regarding a certain American ambassador. The author's notes at the end tied everything together. Well done!
+20 Task (journalist/war correspondent role approved in task thread)
+10 Review
Task Total: 30
Season Total: 30

Nothing More Dangerous by Allen Eskens
"Nothing More Dangerous" combines mystery, historical fiction, and coming-of-age to create a riveting read. Boady Sanden is a fifteen-year-old freshman at high school who is saving money to leave his hometown of Jessup, Missouri in the Ozarks in the late 1970s. He's being bullied by Jarvis Holcombe, an athlete at his school, and his two buddies. Jarvis is not happy about Boady's new neighbors, the black Elgin family, moving into town. Charles Elgin has been sent by management to do the supervisory job that Jarvis' father used to perform before there was an embezzlement at the firm and a black woman disappeared. The Holcombes are members of a white supremacist group, the CORPS - Crusaders of Racial Purity and Strength.
Another neighbor, Hoke Gardner, has been a father substitute for Boady since his father died when Boady was five years old. Hoke is a former attorney with a mysterious past. Hoke informs Boady that people are divided into "us" and "them" along lines of race, class, religion, etc which leads to stereotypes and prejudice.
While Boady and his new neighbor, Thomas Elgin, are out camping in the woods, they discover something shocking that sets up a series of dangerous and violent events. "Nothing More Dangerous" is a well-written book full of suspense with an important message at its core.
+10 task
+10 review
Task total: 20
Season total: 20

The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse
The book being set in 1562, several persons write letters in the book: Blanche to Minou, Minou to her father Bernard, Bernard and Cécile to Minou,...
+20 Task
+5 Jumbo (605 pages)
Task total = 25
Points total = 25
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My Italian Bulldozer by Alexander McCall Smith
Scrabble score: 35 pts!
This is a silly and charming book by McCall Smith. One thing he does well is charming.
A food writer, whose life is in the dumps after his longtime girlfriend leaves him, decides to go to Tuscany to finish his latest book (as you do!). The silliness begins once he lands in Pisa; and yes there is a bulldozer involved (not a spoiler – this is on the book jacket). He spends his time in a very small town, and this is where the charm begins. He meets some locals, eats and drinks well, admires a beautiful view from his hotel room, lives some life; writes and mends his heart.
As with Botswana, it seems that McCall Smith is in love with the Tuscan countryside. He has made me want to bolt off there! 3.5*
10 task
10 review
_____
20
Running total: 20

Cured: Strengthen Your Immune System and Heal Your Life by Jeffrey Rediger
+15 not a novel
Season total : 15

Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun by Sarah Ladipo Manyika
+10 Task
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 10

Ultramarine by Mariette Navarro
+15 Task (Lost in Translation)
Season Total: 25

Paul O'Grady's Country Life by Paul O'Grady
I knew less than nothing about this fellow (apparently he is famous in the UK at least) - but the book still was a fun read.
15 task (not a novel)
_____
15
Running total: 35

How the Gods Wove in Kyrannon by Ardath Mayhar
I enjoyed the book, although the ending was a bit more mystical than I was expecting. The narrative style was typical of sff in the 70s - a telling of a tale, a bit flatter and less experiential than is currently regarded well, even though all sections were point of view of a single character. The changing of pov was one of the best parts of the book, moving from one person to another as we learn what is going on and as the story develops, but it is not overwhelmng as the book is not too long. This is a story of strong women and men whose ties to family and nature allow them to overcome adversity in a world where moral righteousness seems to bE expected and supported by the gods.
+10 review
+5 pub 1979
+10 task
Task total: 25
Grand total: 65

Alice Guy: First Lady of Film by José-Louis Bocquet and Catel
The book spans for the whole life of Alice Guy (who died at 93)
+20 Task
No style, graphic novel
Task total = 20
Points total = 45
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The Town I Call Home by Veronica Mixon
+10 task - Pine Valley, Georgia
Task total: 10
Grand total: 10

The Fire Rose by Mercedes Lackey
Paul du Mond writes letters on behalf of Jason Cameron, to friends and agents for the personal touch and is quite fond of his calligraphy - see pages 110-111
Task : 20
First published in 1995 - 5
Post total: 25
Season total: 25

The Keeper of Lost Causes by Jussi Adler-Olsen
I don't read much from the Scandinavian Noir genre, so I'd never heard of this "international sensation." I enjoyed the book well enough--the plot is full of tension as the case of an unsolved disappearance is solved by the cranky detective who has just been put in charge of a stack of cold cases. The scenes are gritty and real, with not-so-happy outcomes for many of the characters.
This is definitely a man's book. The victim is described repeatedly, and endlessly, as breathtakingly beautiful. The detective has vaguely negative relationships with women. The only women who seem to work for the homicide unit are secretaries who, again, are described by their physical characteristics. These descriptions are consistent with the protagonist's relationships with women, but still make this a very male-gaze book.
I'd read another book in this series or by this author at some point, but don't feel any real desire to pick up the next one immediately. Maybe I should go read something about rainbows and unicorns first.
+20 Task
+10 Review
+15 Prize-worthy (Barry Award for Best Novel (2012), Prix du meilleur polar scandinave, Grand Prix des lectrices de Elle for roman policier (2012), Sealed Room Award (2012))
Task total: 45
Grand total: 90

Act of Mercy by Peter Tremayne
+15 Task (Aged, Peter Tremayne b. 1943)
Season total = 15

The Thursday Night Killers Book Club by Jill Brock
+20 task - letters from Mrs. Winterbottom written on cream colored paper stock by a hand used to writing letters
Task total: 20
Grand total: 30

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
🎓 Becky Chambers born in 1985 (on Google spreadsheet) 🎓
+15 task (Young)
Task total = 15
Season Total = 30

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
+15 task (1001)
Task total = 15
Season Total = 45

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
Maybe when I was younger I wouldn’t have found this as moving. Now, with a Father-in-law on the way out, this is even more beautiful and sad. Every moment is important. I only hope I have someone in my life who will care enough about me in my final years as the ‘housekeeper’ does for the Professor. Once again, this a book about small yet important moments in day to day life. The housekeeper (the narrator) is very empathetic and in tune with her charge and become his friend. Through math and patience, she and her son develop an important connection with the Professor. This is a lovely book that should be on your TBR list. 4*
10 task
5 prize
10 review
_____
25
Running total: 60

A Long Stretch of Bad Days by Mindy McGinnis
I went into this book blind, and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I expected the "long stretch of bad days" to refer to a series of challenges the characters themselves had to overcome, rather than just a catchy name for a historical event they were investigating. I felt like the characters encountered some of the puzzle pieces they needed to uncover the mystery a little conveniently, but the mystery was interesting. The book emphasizes some points about class and privilege, but nothing novel, and a little repetitively at times. The two characters complemented each other well, and that was one of the strongest points of the book for me.
+10 Task (36 points)
+10 Review
Task total: 20
Season total: 20

A Fugue in Time by Rumer Godden
"A Fugue in Time" is an experimental novel where Rumer Godden interweaves the lives of three generations of a family in a London house. It's similar to the way that themes in a fugue repeat and intertwine. The author pretends that she is in an airplane over the house watching everything that has happened during a 99-year lease of the home. The book is mostly written in the present tense, but it's not confusing after the reader knows when the various characters were born and died.
The characters are very well-written, especially the smart, talented female characters restrained by society's expectations. Griselda is presented in depth as a Victorian woman trapped by her role of the wife and the mother of a large family, but wanting to see the world beyond her family. Many of the servants are the young relatives of the older servants so there is continuity there too.
The large house is an important character - a solid shelter that has seen it all and knows everyone's memories and secrets. There is a garden with a plane tree whose roots run under the house. The youngest son, Rolls, thinks of himself as part of the plane tree with his roots also attached to the house. He's haunted by memories of what could have been, and wondering what will come next when the 99-year lease ends.
I enjoyed reading a book that plays with time in an experimental way. I've loved Rumer Godden's characterizations in her other books, and this was no exception. I'm planning on reading several more of her novels in the coming year.
+20 task (over 99 years)
+10 review
+10 oldie (pub 1945)
Task total: 40
Season total: 60

The Curse of Chalion (World of the Five Gods (Publication) #1) by Lois McMaster Bujold
+10 Task
+5 Prize-Worthy
Post Total: 15
Season Total: 45

Terminus Malaussène by Daniel Pennac
Aged (born 1944)
+15 Task
Task total = 15
Points total = 60
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It’s Boba Time for Pearl Li! by Nicole Chen
This was great! Pearl Li is twelve years old and lives in Sunnydale, California. She is Taiwanese-American, and her best friends are Priya Gupta (Indian-American) and Cindy, a new student from Hong Kong. Pearl lives with her parents and 16 year-old sister, Jade; they are all goal-oriented tech types except Pearl who loves crafts and especially amigurumi crochet. To escape the tech conversations at home, she rides her bike to Auntie Cha's tea shop called Boba Time. Boba Time and Auntie Cha mean so much to Pearl that she connives a way to earn money from crocheting to save Auntie Cha's shop when the store fridge must be replaced and funds are lacking. Various consequences teach Pearl lessons about friendship, honesty, family, forgiveness, business management, creativity, and more.
I was searching for a book for this task and discovered this title on the library's list of 20 new kids' books to celebrate AAPI heritage month. The dialogue between Pearl and other characters seemed realistic; some child characters in other books came off as obnoxious mini-adults or troubled rebels. I found Pearl endearing and relatable. This book could also work for the Debut task; it is the author's first novel. Bonus: free recipe for Pearl's favorite drink: sparkling mango green tea boba.
+20 Task
+10 Review
Task total: 30
Season total: 60

Alice Guy: First Lady of Film by José-Louis Bocquet and Catel
The book spans for the whole life of Alice Guy (who died at 93)
+20 Ta..."
The Lexile rule is not in effect this season, so all books for RwS tasks qualify for styles. If you have something to add, please do it in a new post and tell us which post it refers to.

The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yōko Ogawa
Maybe when I was younger I wouldn’t have found this as moving. Now, with a Father-in-law on the way out,..."
+5 Prize-worthy - there are 2 prizes for this (thanks, Anika!)

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
I knew nothing about this book other than I liked the look of the cover and knew that several people in RwS had read it and seemed to like it. I did not expect the rollercoaster of emotion I was in for.
Sam and Sadie meet while Sam is in the hospital and Sadie is visiting her sister in the hospital. A nurse sees that Sadie is bored and tells her to go to the game room where they have, among other things, some video games. Sam is there playing already and lets Sadie join. They have a conversation while playing and then it's time for Sadie to go. Such a simple beginning...
The rest of the story is how their relationship grows and breaks and becomes stronger and then almost dissolves and on and on and it's so relatable and touching and NOT romantic...
The story, while compelling, is background to the characters. They are so well drawn, so flawed but relatable, you feel as if they truly are your friends, too.
(view spoiler)
There are books that so entirely wring me out that it takes me a few days to pick something else up. This was absolutely one of those books.
+20 Task, Sadie writes a letter to Sam in the hospital, folds it in half, and writes "README" on the outside of the paper
+10 Review
Task total: 30
Season total: 30

Acorna's Searchby Anne McCaffrey
Aged born 1926-died 2011, found on author's goodread page
Task +15
Grand total:15

Dragon's Teeth by Upton Sinclair
I was glad to finally get to this third in the series. I see that it has been just over 2 years since I read the last one. Sinclair gives enough in each installment to help remember what has gone on before, but I want to get to the rest without leaving so much time between them.
Lanny Budd, the main character and series name, is a person who witnesses history up close and personal. He is the son of Robbie Budd, of Budd Gun Works which does business in Connecticutt. Here we are reminded that Lanny has been a close friend of the Robin family. They are Jews, living in Berlin. Johannes Robin is the head of the family. He grew up poor and made his way in life to become a very wealthy man with investments in many industries - including Budd Gun Works..
Many members have shelved this as WWII, but the series doesn't really get there yet. The time period is about the 5 years between the 1929 crash of Wall Street to about mid-1934. It is a time of political turmoil in Europe when not only the Fascists/Nazis were a political force, but there were also large groups of Communists outside Russia, Socialists, Monarchists and more. The book touches on these - Lanny is a Socialist and has an uncle who is a Communist. But Hitler is on the rise and the book deals more with Hitler gaining power in Germany.
I like how Sinclair writes. I like his characterizations. There is not a huge amount of plot but later in the book it feels somewhat thrillerish. With all that Sinclair writes about Hitler and his cronies, it's a wonder that, at the end of the war, so many seemed clueless about the concentration camps and what went on there. Dragon's Teeth won the Pulitzer in 1943. That may be more due to the subject matter in the middle of the war. For me, this was a good 4-stars.
+20 Task (has both requirements as MPG)
+10 Review
+ 5 Prize-worthy (Pulitzer)
+10 Oldies (1942)
+ 5 Jumbo (MPE 631 pgs)
Task total = 50
First Post

Letter From Home by Carolyn G. Hart
Gretchen Gilman, a world-famous journalist, received a letter from her childhood friend, Barb. It brought back memories of the summer of 1944 when Gretchen had her first job working for the newspaper in her small Oklahoma hometown. The letter also reminded her of the violent death of a neighbor and some soldiers who never returned from the war. Gretchen was a good friend to Barb over the summer when Barb's life was falling apart.
The book revolves around a murder that shocked the townspeople, the gossip and speculation about the victim, and Gretchen's roles as a novice reporter and a friend. I enjoyed this novel as a thoughtful coming-of-age story, as well as a realistic mystery that won the Agatha Award.
+20 task (Barb wrote a letter to Gretchen)
+10 review
+ 5 prize-worthy (Agatha Award for Best Novel 2003)
Task total: 35
Season total: 75

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
Lost in Translation
+15 task
Post Total = 15
Season Total = 15
15.1

Ghost Music by An Yu
Towards the bottom, a small white envelope had slid between the flaps of a brochure. The words in it were written in small, neat handwriting. It was addressed to Miss Tien. Dear Miss Tien, first of all let me be clear, the Miss Tien I am addressing this letter to ..." (At this stage the letter writer is unknown, and unsigned).
It seems that Song Yan's life may have been fairly empty before now, but in trying, and failing, to get a long with and please her mother in law, finding that perhaps she doesn't actually know her husband, it seems that there is nothing in her life is what it had seemed.
In meeting Bai Yu, the missing world-famous pianist, it seems to awaken something in both of them. From there, she seems to find who she is and is able to look at those missing parts and find strength in herself.
I listened to the audiobook, and, like An Yu's other novel, Braised Pork, it feels like the use of language is sparse and measured. Like the woman Song Yan meets in Bai Yu's house, she uses only the words that are necessary and nothing more. This is not a bad thing, it gives the telling a poignancy without being dramatic, something I enjoy in a novel.
This is my second novel by An Yu in as many months, which would seem to me a good recommendation for her works.
+20 task
+10 review
Post Total = 30
Season Total = 45
15.1
20.10

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells
According to Wikipedia, Martha Wells was born on September 1st, 1964
A possible murder on Preservation Staion? Oh, no! Can Murderbot, our rogue Sec-Unit narrator, solve the mystery without eye-rolling his eyes out of their sockets? Will Preservation Station security learn to trust him and see him as more than a dangerous weapon?
I am not going to hide the fact that I love The Murderbot Diaries. The character's sarcasm and wry observations make me laugh, and watching him learn to deal with his emerging feelings in regards to the now regular Preservation characters has been amusing. Possibly, in this period of concern regarding AI, watching a non-human character develop human emotions and learn how to control them is somewhat reassuring, but it still down with a very rationalist perspective (by Murderbot).
I actually enjoyed this one more than the last couple, perhaps because it remained in one location, and didn't introduce too many new characters (and taking place on Preservation Station makes it seem likely that some of these new characters will appear again), making it less work and more fun than the last couple had been.
+10 task
+10 review
+5 Prizeworthy (Locus Award for best Novella 2022)
Post Total = 25
Season Total = 70
10.6
15.1
20.10

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
This book is gut-wrenching, ugly, and brutal. There is abuse, rape, incest, bullying, mental illness and racism. The story is told in a disjointed but effective way. It has left an indelible impression on me—how difficult and ugly some people’s lives are. And there doesn’t seem to be a ray of hope or joy in this world.
The story focuses on three black girls in small town Ohio when Shirley Temple is the standard of beauty for girls, the dolls are white, and the characters in the school books are all white. I have a difficult time reading about the adults in the story justifying their actions.I am glad I have finally read this, I think.
+20 task Pecola is 12
+10 review
+5 oldie
Task total: 35
Season total: 50

Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
+10 Task (2023, also longlisted for the Booker Prize)
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 65

The Georges and the Jewels by Jane Smiley
+10 Task (September 26)
Task Total: 10
Season Total: 75

The Captain's Daughter by Alexander Pushkin
+20 Task (...he informed me that it was his intention to write to my future chief, and he called for paper and pen. (The captain then writes the letter) p11 - 13)
+15 Oldies (1836)
Task Total: 35
Season Total: 110

Once in a Blue Moon Lodge by Lorna Landvik
Review-The task I was most worried about, solved itself immediately. I had planned to read for Sun & Moon task, but within first couple chapters, the letter writing commenced. The story begins roughly in late 1980’s and features a tight-knit extended family that includes several generations, foster children, ex-spouses, new spouses, steps, in-laws, rescues and family friends. Pretty much if you encounter this tribe under any emotional situation, you are a member, never to be forgotten or estranged from it for the rest of your life. That includes writing to the family for every extended trip, whether to go to school, take overseas trip, visit other family, move an hour away, then there are Christmas letters, birthday wishes, long descriptions of birth events or weddings. This is a sequel to Patty Jane's House of Curl, which gives the back story of the core characters and would be helpful to read first. The saga following the clan begins where the former left off, new babies are born that become parents by end of book, so that by the very last couple of chapters, email is first becoming fashionable. Summarizing-A book about a core Norwegian family, living in Minnesota whose family over the years extends to their community, new family bonds and growth through generations so that the clan includes multiple unique and eccentric characters of diverse backgrounds, religions and ethnicities all held together with the superglue of love and acceptance. Easy fun read.
+20 pts - Task
+10 pts - Review
Task Total - 30 pts
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Books mentioned in this topic
The Hank Show: How a House-Painting, Drug-Running DEA Informant Built the Machine That Rules Our Lives (other topics)Dialogues and Essays (other topics)
Behold the Dreamers (other topics)
End of Watch (other topics)
Quite Frankly: Dilf Mania (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
McKenzie Funk (other topics)Seneca (other topics)
Imbolo Mbue (other topics)
Stephen King (other topics)
Mayra Statham (other topics)
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Please use the add book/author link for the book titles and include both title and author in your post.
If using an outside source to qualify a book for points, please be sure to post in the appropriate task thread prior to posting in this thread.
Sample Post
20.2 War
Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor
[100+ word Review]
+20 Task
+10 Review
+ 5 Multiple (previous post # 150)
+ 5 Prize-Worthy (Pulitzer Prize 1956)
+ 5 Oldies (pub'd 1955)
+10 Jumbo (797 pgs)
Task total = 55
Season total = 285 (assumes mid-season with a previous total of 230)