75 Books...More or Less! discussion

My 1st book for 2011: Cleopatra, A Life by Stacy Schiff 2/5 stars

I found this book a chore to get through until the final, somewhat poignant end. Because there are few, if any, hard "facts" about or even images of Cleopatra, much of her story is based on conjecture and other anecdotal research. There is a lot of "Cleopatra may very well have felt..." or "It is likely that she did...". I found the prose dry and quite wordy. But the book has tried to debunk some myths, such as Cleopatra's great beauty and hyper-sexuality that we have assumed are facts. It does not appear that she looked like Elizabeth Taylor. It seems that her intelligence and shrewdness may have trumped her physical beauty. Those few images and actual written words passed down do not appear to portray her as a great beauty. Schiff stresses her education and ability to speak many languages, and her talent as a strategist and negotiator. Also, she contrasts the role that Eyptian women played in society versus the more subservient role that Roman women assumed. This strong, female ruler antagonized the Romans by her very being, making her fodder for the final assault on her by Octavian. He had no trouble spreading rumours and innuendos about her that the Romans readily believed. This was not a terribly enjoyable read for me, but obviously some people feel differently about it, as this book was named one of the ten best of 2010 by the New York Times Book Review. I have even read that this book was optioned as a film with Angelina Jolie to star as Cleo!

The Four Stages of Cruelty by Keith Hollihan 3/5 stars

This is a gritty, seemingly realistic prison novel. The story is told through two voices, a female prison guard, Kali, and a young inmate, Joshua. Some of it is quite well-written, and the reader can feel what the "inside" might be like, and the view of the COs and other guards working in the prison is evoked nicely. But the narrative kind of lost me at times, as the thread of the story/mystery felt a bit disjointed. But it's a good debut novel.

Alecia, I was surprised by your low rating for Cleopatra! The reviews seem to be really good, but your the second person I know who said it was jsut okay.

Andrea,

No one was more surprised than I was! I couldn't wait for it to come through on my library wait list, and fullly expected to love it. Maybe you might think differently. If you read it, let me know what you thought.

With such mixed reviews I'll wait until I pick it up somewhere for a couple of bucks or at the library!...lol

Book # 3 Pops by Terry Teachout 3/5 stars

This book makes me want to listen to some Louis (pronounced Lew-isss)Armstrong music anew, especially his duets with Ella. Jazz and history buffs may find the reviews and recollections of his recordings and concerts very interesting. After somewhat of a dry beginning, I found myself enjoying the read, and feeling a great affection and admiration for this man. In spite of his human frailties, he comes off in this biography as a hard working, supremely gifted and very nice human being.

Book # 4 Solar by Ian McEwan 4/5 stars

Ian McEwan is funny! Who'd have thought it? I liked this book a lot, except it seemed disjointed to me. Some of the parts could even have been short stories with the same main character, Michael Beard. Also, with McEwan in a more comic mode, the main character Michael Beard even reminded me of some of Philip Roth's protagonists, and the prose itself reminded me of Roth's. That is a compliment.

Beard has gone through 5 marriages, is a compulsive womanizer, and is a Nobel Prize winning physicist. He is physically unappealing (by his own description), and is a real sensualist, loving food as much as he does his variety of women. He has dubious moral scruples, and a way of rationalizing everything. He seems to acknowledge his human frailties and carry on.

I loved his hilarious dilemma at a conference in the frigid tundra, as well as his speech in a later chapter where is ill from something he ate, and his experience with a fellow passenger on a train. His character is like a train wreck (albeit an amusing one), and I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable I found this book.

Book #5 All is Forgotten, Nothing is Lost by Lan Samantha Chang 3/5 stars

Even though I have never been in a writing program of any sort, I enjoyed this book. The characters in this short novel are mostly poets. It begins in a class/workshop with the revered teacher/poet Miranda. Roman and his friend Bernard are very gifted, and there are a group Roman calls "acolytes" as they whirl around and worship Miranda's every word. But so do Roman and Bernard who yearn, as the whole class does, for a crumb of approval or encouragement. This is part one," A Poetic Education". Then the story progresses as we follow some of these characters through their lives. Their art is always at the forefront, and the yearning for greatness is always present. Broken hearts and friendships are included in this mix, and the writing is quite lovely.

Book # 6 Comeback by Richard Stark 4/5 stars

I so enjoy the Parker series. Although I am grateful to have found these books, I am sad that Donald Westlake (Richard Stark) is gone and no longer writing any new ones. But I've got a few more to go. This one is especially good as Parker and his cronies do a heist of a Christian crusade. Of course there's a double cross, but Parker always survives for the next robbery.

Book # 7 Backflash by Ridhard Startl 4/5 stars

This Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake) series is always a reading pleasure, and another winner among the Parker novels. This time, Parker and his ever-changing band of criminal partners plan an elaborate heist on a gambling ship in upstate NY. It's a vey ingenious plan, but of course there's a surprise and a double-cross in store. Parker again takes no prisoners. If he does, he regrets it.

Book # 8 Flashfire by Richard Stark 4/5 stars

I especially liked this Parker novel as Stark (aka Donald Westlake) uses his acerbic sense of humor to take on Palm Beach, FL. Even though the Parker series is not funny per se, Stark cannot keep his humor stifled during the whole narrative. No matter how grim and brutal it gets, there's always something very wryly observed to make the reader smile a little. In this story, Parker feels slighted by his partners in crime at the beginning of the narrative. He spends the rest of the time planning his revenge, and that leads him to Palm Beach. He also picks up an unusual partner who helps him achieve his goal. I have read three of these in a row, and it's been fun. I've got a few more left in this series that I haven't read, and am saving and anticipating reading them in the near future.

Book #9 Painted Ladies by Robert Parker 2/5 stars

I believe that this novel is one of two that were published after Robert Parker's death. No matter what, I will read the last one also. Painted Ladies is standard Spenser, sans Hawk. It's like comfort food, and I will miss having these "easy" mysteries around to read for fill. I think I've read the entire Spenser series. So, it's like a good friend passing away. However, this entry in the series was just "OK".

Ohhh Alecia, I still feel like I lost a good friend :( I wish I had an opportunity to exprexx to Parker how much I love his books. I envy people who are just discovering him. I have many more books by him but I try to spread them out and make them last!

Andrea, I know. It really is as if someone we know and are very fond of is lost. I cannot believe there will no new Spenser books. We grow to like and enjoy the characters that he created, and then, without him, no more. You're right to spread them out!

Book # 10 American Rose, A Nation Laid Bare, The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee by Karen Abbott 3/5 stars

This book has a very interesting topic (Gypsy Rose Lee), and the author tries to weave a parallel story about the Minsky brother's saga. I found these alternating chapters rather uninteresting. I also found the author's prose a little stilted and dry at times. While I enjoyed most of the chapters on Gypsy, her sister June, and her notorious stage mother, Rose, some of the writing left me cold. There are interesting tidbits to be gleaned from a reader who has an interest in this subject. And Gypsy herself was quite a phenomenon. But, overall, not enagaging enough for me.

Book # 11 The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton 2.5/5 stars

This novel has an interesting conceit...a mute young man who has a natural gift for opening locks is the protagonist. This gift leads him into dubious company, where various people want to use his gifts to complete their criminal heists. I found the two threads of the story somewhat confusing, as they are both set in different timelines with a lot of the same characters. I also found this shift back and forth an interruption and somewhat annoying. Michael's inability to speak also has a background story. I expected more from this novel due to the excellent reviews, and was left underwhelmed after reading it. I think I'd give it a 2.5/5 rating.

Alecia, I keep seeing advertisements for American Rose. I just said to my mom "wow, they really are pushing that book!"

Andrea, I have not seen the ads, just came across the book in the library. Obviously, Gypsy Rose Lee sounds like an interesting bio, but as you can see from my review, not as good as I had hoped! Maybe they'll sell books because of the subject matter plus all that advertising.

Book # 12 Breakout by Richard Stark 3/5 stars

I'm on the countdown to finishing the entire Parker series, and I always enjoy these books. I will be so sad when I am through! I liked this one, but the middle lags a little bit. This plot is about Parker and some other prisoners breaking out of prison, and what they encounter afterwards. I have a favorite quote from this book that just about sums up the amoral thought process between these criminals, and it made me smile. Speaking about what to do with a man they just held captive, the character Mackey says to Parker, " The simplest thing, of course, is a bullet in the head. But you know, it's hard to go with the bullet in the head once a guy's made you lunch". This is also classic Westlake seeping through the grim, noir Stark persona. Funny, but Parker is a very grim and purposeful character.

Book # 13 J. D. Salinger, A Life by Kenneth Slawenski 3/5 stars

I was one of those multitudes of young people touched by Holden Caufield. Now I am much older, but still remember how his words (through Salinger, of course) moved and reached me in my youth. I also read anything else by Salinger that I could get my eager hands on. So, when he died last year, I was touched to the core. I, like many others, followed his seclusion with interest. And yet, even though he hadn't published in many years, I felt a loss at the news of his death.

This is a loving, well-researched biography. The author was a huge fan who had created a website devoted to Salinger. I did find myself skimming over the analysis of several short stories. But I did find the details of his life, and especially his service in World War II very poignant and revealing. He never spoke about his time serving (he was in the D-Day Campaign), but probably suffered post-traumatic stress syndrome when they did not have a name for it. In his later years, it appears he was quite depressed and anti-social. His interest in Buddhism and other eastern religions was also of interest. Above all, there is the voice of Holden. This inspired me to haul out my old copy of The Catcher in the Rye, and I am currently reading it again.

How interesting Alecia! I also have the Catcher and the Rye to read at some point soon.

Book # 14 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D.Salinger 5/5 stars

I am tempted to write this review a la Holdenspeak, but I will resist. I read this book many years ago when I was a young teen. I loved it,as many young people did, and felt Holden was speaking for me. I was inspired to reread it after just finishing the latest biography of J.D. Salinger. As a matter of fact, while I was finishing the bio, I retrieved my old paperback and started it. Well, reader, I am happy to say that my (much) older self was just as moved as my youngerr self, perhaps in different ways. This time, I identified Salinger's voice as Holden after having learned more about him. For instance, Holden has a fictional brother named D.B. This older brother is a writer who has "sold out" in Holden's eyes by going to Hollywood to write for the movies. As all Holden Caufield fans know, this made him a "phoney". Knowing now how Salinger felt about Hollywood, this briefly mentioned character stood out a bit more. Also, after learning about Salinger's deep interest in Zen Buddhism and other Eastern religions, I noticed a thread of that in this novel. But, above all, there is the miracle of Holden Caufield. Whatever else J.D. Salinger did or did not accomplish in his years as a recluse, he gave us Holden.

Andrea wrote: "How interesting Alecia! I also have the Catcher and the Rye to read at some point soon."

Andrea,

Have you read Catcher in the Rye before? As you can see from my review, I loved it all over again. It was very interesting reading it right after the Salinger bio.

I may have read it as a YA but I never wrote it down and I don't remember it at all. I'm pretty sure this will be the first time!

Book # 15 Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh 3/5 stars

I have been enjoying Wambaugh's "Hollywood " series. I gave 4 stars each to the others I previously read. I am going backwards in the time frame when these novels werre written, having started with the latest first. I liked that one so much, I have continued reading them. Hollywood Station is not quite as gripping as the later ones. It feels a bit more disjointed as he gathers the different story threads together. Sometimes there is one intriguing little snippet which is just dropped altogether (one about two of the the cops finding abused little children). But, all in all, this is a good, solid police procedural filled with realism, insight, and humor. I will keep reading this series.

Book # 16 The Sour Lemon Score by Richard Stark 4/5 stars

A very short Parker novel, but very good, as always. Once again, there is a doublecross on one of Parker's heists, and Parker spends most of the book tracking down the guy who did it. It is a very satisfying read for Parker fans.

Book # 17 The Deadly Edge by Richard Stark 4/5 stars

Two Parker books in a row...my cup runneth over! In this one, the heist goes alright, but soon afterwards, members of the gang start getting mysteriously killed. Parker and "his woman", Claire, are soon at risk.

Book # 18 Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith 3/5 stars

Tom Rob Smith is quite a storyteller. I liked his pacing and narrative skills. I have heard this book is already optioned to be a movie (I hear Ridley Scott). It has a chance of being a very good movie. But, as a novel, I found the ending too pat, and some of the writing/scenes a little hacknied. However, I have to give Smith creds for moving this long (maybe also a little more editing needed?)detailed mystery/political thriller along very nicely. The descriptions of life in the Soviet Union in the 50's are scary and quite well-wrought.

Alecia wrote: "Book # 18 Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith 3/5 stars

Tom Rob Smith is quite a storyteller. I liked his pacing and narrative skills. I have heard this book is already optioned to be a movie (I hear Ridl..."

I enjoyed that book immensely. And it has one of my favorite opening lines: "Since Maria had decided to die her cat would have to fend for itself."

The follow up, The Secret Speech, wasn't quite as good.

Book #19 Major Pettigrew's Last Stand 3/5 stars

I bought this book as a paperback to take with me while on vacation. Since I read most books that interest me in hardcover (usually from the library), I don't seem to have a lot of choice when "paperback time" comes around. For some reason I thought this might be a mystery, but that is definitely not the case. It is a light love story, and I rather enjoyed it at first. I actually chuckled out loud a few times in the beginning, as the author has a wry sense of humour. But as the story went on, I felt it to be a bit cliched and predictable. I did like the idea of the romance and love between Major Petigrew and Mrs. Ali, the local shopkeeper. I liked reading about their love blossoming amidst the townspeople's and family's disapproval. But there is some drama inserted at the end that didn't resonate with me, and, although a likeable book, it was not strong enough to be memorable for me.

Book #20 The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht 2/5 stars

It's very hard to go against the popular tide of opinion, especially a with a new, much-lauded book such as this. But I have to say I struggled to finish it. I can see the beauty of Obreht's writing, and perhaps I will try her again if she comes out with another novel. But all of the side stories took away from the main story that was supposed to be holding it all together. I did like the side stories of the "deathless man", especially in the beginning. I found them original, amusing and comical, and I liked the way they were presented. But, for my personal taste, allegories, fables and folk tales are generally not my cup of tea. And I kept losing the entire thread of the narrative

Alecia wrote: "It's very hard to go against the popular tide of opinion, especially a with a new, much-lauded book such as this..."

I always feel this way when I read something that everyone loved, and I just didn't care for, whether it's the latest bestseller or more of a classic. But not every book is for everyone, and I think most readers understand that.

Thanks, Charleen. It always makes me wonder, though, what am I missing? Or what are the reviewers seeing? As you say, not every book is for everyone.

I think we all wonder what we missed when we don't get the hype over a particular book. A lot of the time I think it is just a lack of connection to the story or the writing style that didn't agree with us as readers.

It is interesting to read the other reader's responses. Then we can see what a big, wide world it is, full of different opinions.

Book #21 Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan 4/5 stars

I love Stewart O'Nan. I have read many of his other novels, and especially liked Last Night at the Lobster. This one is a slow (not to mean boring) take on a year in the life of an ageing woman. Emily's husband and friends have mostly died off, except for her sister-in-law, Arlene. Emily and Arlene enjoy two-for-one breakfasts together, and provide each other with companionship. We read about Emily's relationship with her children and grandchildren, and her musings on her husband and her parents,long dead. Her every-day life is given respectible, honored weight. This is a life where death is expected sooner rather than later. And the description of her love and joy when winter ends, and her beloved gardening can begin are also a joy to read. Her worry about her ageing dog is also quite poignant. I also enjoyed her acerbic takes on her neighbors, and her children's and grandchildren's behavior and lifestyles. Emily is no saint. But she knows this, and we, the readers, know this and enjoy her all the more for it. This is not a book for those expecting a fast, action-packed read. But it is full of beautiful prose and stars a wonderful, very human, leading lady.

Alecia wrote: "Book #21 Emily, Alone by Stewart O'Nan 4/5 stars

I love Stewart O'Nan. I have read many of his other novels, and especially liked Last Night at the Lobster. This one is a slow (not to mean borin..."

::sigh:: you've convinced me!! I must add Stewart O'Nan to my "New Authors to check out" list! This could be a bad thing, because when I find a writer I like I usually go nuts buying all their stuff!! Oh my poor pocketbook!! =)

Joy,

O'Nan wasn't an instant "love affair" with me. His books and writing grew on me after reading one years ago. He is a "gentle", observant writer, so if you prefer a lot of action or drama, he's not going to be for you. Give him a try, and sorry to have added to your lists!:-) I really liked Last Night at the Lobster which is short, almost a novella.

Alecia wrote: "Joy,

O'Nan wasn't an instant "love affair" with me. His books and writing grew on me after reading one years ago. He is a "gentle", observant writer, so if you prefer a lot of action or drama, h..."

Thank you for your thoughts and input! I will maybe start with Last Night at the Lobster then...thanks! =)

Joy, I don't know if you have access to The New York Times Book Review, but there is (coincidentally) an excellent review of Emily, Alone in it (April 3, 2011). I get mine early as they deliver the paper to me in two parts. The reviewer also comments on O'Nan as a writer, and talks about his writing style better than I could. Emily, Alone is a sequel to Wish You Were Here. I did read that also and you might want to try that one. We keep adding to your list!

Alecia wrote: "Joy, I don't know if you have access to The New York Times Book Review, but there is (coincidentally) an excellent review of Emily, Alone in it (April 3, 2011). I get mine early as they deliver the..."

I, sadly do not have access to the NYT book review...one of the many things I miss about being stateside...=(


Ooooh....wait just a second!!!! A-ha!! I can access it online!!! Woot!!!!=)http://www.nytimes.com/pages/books/re...

Joy,

Yay!!

Alecia

Book # 22 London Boulevard by Ken Bruen 2.5/5 stars

Sunset Boulevard redux. I was torn between giving this 2 or 3 stars. I would've preferred 2.5, so that is what my rating is officially. Bruen's writing style is quite unique, so that tips the scales, as I see it, to a higher score. But the derivative story! Is it supposed to be ironically recognizable? I wasn't sure, but it is so similar, right down to the slavishly devoted butler, Jordan, the quite mad ageing star, and the girfriend our hero falls in love with. Of course, the hero in this bok is quite a violent villian. The prose style is different, and I did like that. Other than that, it was OK for those who do not mind a familiar story told in a different, more violent setting.

Book # 23 When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle 2/5 stars

With the exception of Boyle's excellent beginning chapter, I found this book a chore to wade through. I have enjoyed many books by T.C. Boyle in the past, but this was not one of them. I know he tackled an interesting question, trying to drmamtize the collision between different factions of people protecting the environment. But I found it quite boring in too many parts, and I thought it was an unsuccessful attempt on his part. The Tortilla Curtain, his book from many years ago, was a much more successful effort to dramatize different sides of an issue (in that case immigration). His writing is excellent, but it did not form a cohesive whole in When the Killing's Done (I also think this title is quite awkward).

Book # 24 Red Herring by Archer Mayor 2/5 stars

I thought this was an OK mystery with way too much forensic information interspersed between the action. I was not engaged enough to make the reading of this enjoyable for me.

Book # 25 When Tito Loved Clara by John Michaud 3/5 stars

I enjoyed this novel, and liked Michaud's writing. I found the Dominican lead characters were well-wrought and had depth, both Tito and Clara. A nice tale of unrequited love (on Tito's part) with some gritty real life stories woven in between.

Book # 26 The Heights by Peter Hedges 2.5/5 stars

I would actually give this a 2.5 rating, if that rating was available. The author's writing moves this novel of parenthood, adultery and Brooklyn living along pretty well at first. Then, I found the second half of the novel started lagging as Hedges strived to wrap things up with the book's starring couple, Kate and Ted. This is Tom Perotta territory, and he does it much better.

Book # 27 The Silent Land by Graham Joyce, 4/5 stars

I really did not expect this rather short novel to be what it turned into. I was not prepared for it to turn into a quite beautiful elegy of love, death, and the unknown. At first, I thought it was just a spooky, kind of scary ghost story (which part of it remains). But I think it also turned into much more than that.

Jake and Zoe, a youg married couple, are on a skiing holiday in France, when they are buried under a sudden avalanche. Jake rescues Zoe, and the tale weaves it's way from there. It is by turns eerie, spooky, very thought-provoking, and a page-turner. I found the ending to be poignant, lovely, and unexpected.

Alecia wrote: "Book # 27 The Silent Land by Graham Joyce, 4/5 stars

I really did not expect this rather short novel to be what it turned into. I was not prepared for it to turn into a quite beautiful elegy of ..."

That sounds really interesting! I 'm going to have to check it out. Thanks

Amy wrote: "Alecia wrote: "Book # 27 The Silent Land by Graham Joyce, 4/5 stars

I really did not expect this rather short novel to be what it turned into. I was not prepared for it to turn into a quite beauti..."

Amy, if you read it, I'll be interested to know how you liked it!