Literary Exploration discussion

And so we come to the end of the year. A busy month for most people how much reading will you be able to squeeze in?

I'm heading overseas to Seattle for most of the month so my reading will be much reduced though the plane flights should allow for a couple books.

I will be reading The Handmaid's Tale for this club, The Postman Always Rings Twice for the Noir club and Ready Player One for the Sci-Fi/Fantasy club.

I want to finish Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and also fit in Watership Down, Inheritance, The Hunger Games and whatever else I find time for.

Happy Holidays :)

I'll be reading The Handmaid's Tale, I might reread The Postman Always Rings Twice, but also want to complete Room and The Thirty-Nine Steps, after that, not sure yet.

I am reading "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik van Loon, a YA nonfiction that's actually very good even though written many decades ago. Next on tap is Salmon Rushdie's "The Enchantress of Florence."

My December stack is ready and waiting. I'm going to read The Battle for Christmas, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn for another group, and reread The Postman Always Rings Twice for yet another group.

Although it's been 24 years since I read The Handmaid's Tale, I'm probably not going to reread - mainly because there's a big ole gaping hole on the shelf where the book used to be. I seem to remember my oldest son taking it into his room almost two years ago, and there's no way I'm going in there looking for it. The horror, the horror!

Im having a problem just picking up a book at the moment,for some reason feeling too restless to read which is really annoying because im halfway through 1Q84 which is a really good book and i cant wait to see how it develops.

I am reading "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell". Has anyone read this? I'm having a hard time getting through it. I love the writing, the concept, the characters, and the story. It's cleverly written, but there is something about it that is preventing me from finishing it. I know it's 800 pages, but I am usually a much faster reader than this.

I'm in the middle of The Handmaids Tale our book club choice and will follow with an easy quaint read Fannie Flaggs 'Fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe'. After that I will be checking out what everyone else is reading and enjoying and go from there.

"The Handmaid's Tale" for Literary Explorations. Check!
"The Postman Always Rings Twice" for Pulp Fiction. Check!
Currently in "Brighton Beach," Graham Greene.
And thinking about a re-read of "The Quiet American."
But always checking everyone's reviews for the next best book.

Mike wrote: ""The Handmaid's Tale" for Literary Explorations. Check!
"The Postman Always Rings Twice" for Pulp Fiction. Check!
Currently in "Brighton Beach," Graham Greene.
And thinking about a re-read of "Th..."

Hi Mike, I've done a brief review on "Hangover Square" (if you are interested to have a look at), highly recommend this book, it was a reat treat.

Wendy wrote: "Im having a problem just picking up a book at the moment,for some reason feeling too restless to read which is really annoying because im halfway through 1Q84 which is a really good book and i cant..."

Hi Wendy, I am finishing listening to the audiobook of volume one of 1Q84 and also enjoying it so much. Every chapter brings an unexpected angle and subplot that i keep adniring at. Also veery eager to know how it is going to develop.

I've become annoyed with biology taking up most of my time during these last three months, so I am extremely anxious for it to end (countdown: 4 days). That said, I have a list of books I am determined to read this month, most of which I had started but had to put on hiatus:
*Autobiography of a Fat Bride: True Tales of a Pretend Adulthood
*An Idiot Girl's Christmas: True Tales from the Top of the Naughty List.
*It's Not Me, It's You: Subjective Recollections from a Terminally Optimistic, Chronically Sarcastic and Occasionally Inebriated Woman
*The Mrs. Dalloway Reader
*The Name of the Rose (I know, this was last month's read, but life forced me to put it down.)
*The Five People You Meet in Heaven
*North and South
*Dracula (Picked this up back in September. Again: life got in the way.)
*A Christmas Carol
*It's All Relative
*The Alchemist

And of course: The Handmaid's Tale. I picked this up yesterday and would read it now if I weren't facing finals. Maybe this time I'll be able to pop in on the group discussion.

I will read these books. All of them. I have a goal.

Because I keep hearing good, good things about 1Q84, I think I will buy it with a few others I've been wanting.

Pupukat wrote: "I am reading "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell". Has anyone read this? I'm having a hard time getting through it. I love the writing, the concept, the characters, and the story. It's cleverly written, but there is something about it that is preventing me from finishing it. I know it's 800 pages, but I am usually a much faster reader than this."

Having read this, I can tell you that it's a very slow read, mostly because it's written in the format of an 18th Century novel. There are plenty of ponderous footnotes, running across pages sometimes, giving us the background of the magical England that Strange and Norrel inhabit. I think it is meant to be read slowly, savouring the feel and the atmosphere. My advice is to take your time - you will benefit by it.

Good luck with those finals, Raya. It's SO annoying when real life interferes with your reading time.

Raya wrote: "I've become annoyed with biology taking up most of my time during these last three months, so I am extremely anxious for it to end (countdown: 4 days). That said, I have a list of books I am determ..."

Raya, that's an impressive list of books. I read and enjoyed The Five People You Meet in Heaven and have North and South as one of my to reads at some point. (I saw the first half of the miniseries and thought it looked interesting).

This month, I'm planning on finishing A Passage to India (fingers crossed...half way through) and reading the Noir book choice, The Postman Always Rings Twice, as well as this month's selection, The Handmaid's Tale, and Drood, if there is any time left.

Have just read 'The Sense of an Ending' by julian Barnes - Amazing...
I am about to read 'The Forgotten Waltz' by Anne Enright

Yay, more people who thought The Sense of an Ending was amazing

I just finished The Handmaid's Tale so I am now reading How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas to get me into the Christmas spirit. I read The Autobiography of Santa Claus several years ago and it was a light, fun book with a little history woven into the fiction that I found fun to read. If I get the Mrs. Claus story done before Christmas Jeff Guinn wrote a third Christmas tale called The Great Santa Search. I guess I just have to see how much time I have..

I read Jonathon Strange and Mr. Norrell years ago and didn't like it as much as I wanted to like it. I felt it kind of dragged along.

I'm humbled by Raya's list! :)

I'm currently reading Legend - a page turner! New YA release and debut novel; already
film optioned - and I can see why. Futuristic class warfare, with 2 great young protagonists on opposite sides (at the start) - fast moving chase - a breath of fresh air - lots of fun.

Thanks, Melki! I've put myself in a pinch, cramming for eight chapters covered in biology and I'm a little concerned about the time I'll have left to review math. At least I took two class this quarter as opposed to... more. :P

Franky: I saw the film adaption of The Five People You Meet in Heaven when it came out. I enjoyed it, but it never occurred to me to read the book until now! Sadly, I read about 50 or so pages of North and South (just where the plot seems to get a move-on!) before classes took priority. The language has a tendency to trip my own tongue from time to time, but I'm eager to return to where I left off.

Knowledge Lost wrote: "Yay, more people who thought The Sense of an Ending was amazing"

I think this is a book (novella) that will stay with me for a very long time. May have to read it one more time very soon. Amazing that so much can be said and implied in such few pages. Very special book. Great choice for the Man Booker Prize 2011.

Found my copy of The Handmaid's Tale under my son's bed yesterday, along with some other stuff I don't want to talk, or even think about. I can't stand the thought of you all enjoying it without me. It was in my stack for ten minutes before my husband took it and put it in his stack.
Perhaps a second copy of this book is in order?

I finished Legend and it was really exciting. It's a trilogy and will be looking forward to the next one. The setting is Los Angeles and it was fascinating to read of familiar places in a dystopian world! :)

Now reading an absolute favorite, The Hobbit - for about the 6th-7th time.

I just finished the The Handmaid's Tale which - reading it for the second time - I loved just as much as the first time around. I will now start reading The Map and the Territory by Houllebecq which I have been looking forward to for quite some time now, throw a bit of Joyce's The Dead in between (he's so much less scary in smaller formats) and towards Christmas I am planning to finally come around to ta ta ta taaaa! The Name of the Rose

Just started The Handmaid's Tale and very much enjoying it. Ironically it's one of those books that in my secondary school book group, the librarian was always trying to get us to read because she throught we'd find it interesting (being an all girls school, where they desperately tried to turn us all in to modern day feminists) and as a result of her recommendation we all determined not to read it at all, as some of her previous suggestions had generally left much to be desired. So I'm glad it came up here, else otherwise I may never have touched it!

Have A Christmas Carol on hold atm, as I think it will be a perfect read for Christmas eve evening when I'm perfectly organised all the food for the next day is prepared, I have a nice glass of mulled wine (or some other festive drink), all the presents are wrapped etc etc and I'm sitting with my feet up. Of course, I imagine that in actual practice this won't be the case but I'm going to live in hope and try and squeeze it in then if possible!

Also hoping to get The Name of the Rose completed this month!

I told myself I was going to read it first. No matter what. So I´m still occupied for a week or so (got exams at the moment) to finish The Name of The Rose and then I´ll move to The Handmaids Tale.
I´m really curious how it´s going to be, because I only found people who liked it so far... mmh...

Marlene wrote: "I told myself I was going to read it first. No matter what. So I´m still occupied for a week or so (got exams at the moment) to finish The Name of The Rose and then I´ll move to The Handmaids Tale...."

The Handmaid's Tale is much easier reading than The Name of The Rose. With Name of the Rose I feel a bit like I should only read it when I can give it my complete attention as there is SO much happening. Handmaid's tale is perfect for when you can only squeeze in a couple of minutes reading!

Good luck with your exams!

Thanks! :)

But I´m stubborn that way. I´ve read day two, three and four today, so I schould be able to finish it by sunday, the latest.
After this I´m aiming for Frankenstein and Jane Eyre - and there is christmas to think about, right?

I am currently devouring reading Leviathan by Auster and I think it's brilliant until now. It's one of these books that really have an effect on who you are while reading it. Both because it is quite an emotionally draining read and because I almost feel as if the ideas he's playing with in the book (like one of his ongoing obsessions: the idea of chance) have taken me hostage for the duration of the read.

Reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon.

Flash Beagle wrote: "Reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon."

One of my favorite books ever.

I"m reading various Sherlock Holmes books. I downloaded the free Kindle versions, and I'm trying to read them in order.

I also am reading Two for the Dough.

I have other various books that I have been meaning to finish, but haven't gotten the chance to. I'm looking to finish those soon. I have a long winter break, so I think I'll do some reading.

Soon, I will have a couple more books finished, since school will be over on the 21st.

You´ll need a lot of time for the Sherlock Holmes books. Believe me, I read them myself, but after a while (after I read all the novels and half of the short stories) I changed my strategy and am reading only one short story a day.
They somhow blurr together when you read too many at once.
My all-time favorite is The Hound of the Baskervilles!

It took me a short time, actually. Well, I guess it depends on the reader. But I couldn't stop reading.
I like all the Sherlock Holmes' stories but Dr. Challenger it's really good too.
I'll soon gonna pick The Hound of The Baskervilles.
And I'm currently reading Tiger, Tiger

I just finished a Study in Scarlet.

Deborah wrote: "Flash Beagle wrote: "Reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon."

One of my favorite books ever."

It's a great book - Chabon's writing is...incredible - think it will be one of my favorites too!

Marlene wrote: "You´ll need a lot of time for the Sherlock Holmes books. Believe me, I read them myself, but after a while (after I read all the novels and half of the short stories) I changed my strategy and am r..."

I have the same kind of strategy with Holmes stories. There are a few I come back to and read again, but try to distance some time between them. I also loved The Hound of the Baskervilles.

I'm currently reading the Island of Dr. Moreau, and loving it. Then I'm onto Camus' The Stranger...followed by Catch 22 - a book I've owned for years and am finally going to force myself to read!

Nice choices :)

I just finished reading Zeitoun. Great book! If you want to find out about what really happened in NO during Hurricane Katrina, it's a quick and good book to read. Now I'm reading a mystery novel set in Laos called The Coroner's Lunch.

I've been doing the same with G K Chesterton Father Brown stories. If I read too many in one sitting they all blur together so I read one before going to sleep each night.

I read the Handmaid's Tale last month so am currently reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire and listening to the audio version of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I've read it before but am having a quick refresher as its my other book club book for January. After that is on to War Horse.

I finally got around to reading The Name of the Rose. Hooray!

Have finished reading THT.Started Henning Mankell's The Eye Of The Leopard- a psychological thriller.I wish I could learn swedish and read the originals, but there's no way I can do that.

I FINALLY just finished The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Blech. Has anyone else read this? It took me forever to get through it, and I am majorly resenting the amount of time it took out of my life for basically...ummmm...nothing.

Next up, The Post-Birthday World, then The Pianist and Empire Falls. Beyond that, I'll figure it out when I get there.

Finished A Passage to India and am currently reading The Postman Always Rings Twice for the noir club. Will get to The Handmaid's Tale after this and then on to Drood. Whew! December has been such a busy month that it's been hard to catch up. Will use Christmas vacation to try to do some more catching up on reading.

I totally agree with you Franky, I find it almost impossible to catch up with my reading schedule. Maybe the problem is an over-commitment? I did indeed signed up for a few forum monthly reads (all were so fascinating!!!) and also I requested a few books at the library and they all arrived at the same time. So, still trying to catch up. I will have 10 days leave over Christmas, so I am also planning to catch up then.

I am currently:

- Reading (paper book) Jo Nesbo "The Devil's Star" (serial killer thriller set in Oslo, another exciting instalment in the Harry Hole series)
- Listening (audio-book)Murakami "1Q84" (Book #2)
- Reading on iPad "Good Calories, Bad Calories" (I have to admit, this came to a somewhat standstill, maybe I don't prioritise well enough and am still not used fully to read eBooks, I hope I'll get there soon).

I've barely had any time to read lately. Thought I'd read a lot on my flight but ended up just watching movies the whole way. Have finally started reading Ready Player One.

Emily wrote: "I FINALLY just finished The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Blech. Has anyone else read this? It took me forever to get through it, and I am majorly resenting the amou..."

I have The Post-Birthday World sitting on my shelf. I am a fan of Lionel Shriver and really want to read it but the size is intimidating. I need to pick it up really when I'm going to be at home so don't have to worry so much about lugging it around everywhere but no idea when that will be. I look forward to seeing how you find it though!

edit: I've just had a look on GR to see the page count and the various editions all seem to come in 500-600 pages which surprises me a bit as my copy at home really is a wedge of a book and looks at least twice the size of a 'regular' 400ish pages one. Will have to look at it when I get home now and find out how long it really is.

I'm happy to say that I've marked off two of the books I previously listed. (It may not seem like a lot, but I've been distracted by another poetry binge.) Rather slowly, I'm still working my way through North and South. While I'd like to finish this (I hate starting books and then tossing them aside!), I seem to lack a keen interest in the plot and characters.

I recently finished What the Living Do: Poems, The Book of Gods and Devils, and Stefanie Wilder-Taylor's book (It's Not Me, It's You)--all of which I enjoyed. I hope to start The Handmaid's Tale very, very soon. It's received some wonderful ratings and reviews.

There are too many books I want to read, but I also have grabbed onto The City of Ember. I came across the DVD the other day... I didn't watch it, but it sounds interesting.

I finished Fool Moonby Jim Butcher and The Hidden Oasis by Paul Sussman. Both were good reads.

Now I'm reading Bubba and the Missing Womanby C.L. Bevill. This is Bubba Snoddy #3. The first two had me rolling (warning, this is funny stuff!) this one is a bit more serious at the start, but there is still plenty of humor and the writing seems better in this one than in the other two. (It's not like the Bubba Series is Bevill's first books, she has several unrelated books out there too.)

I like Bubba Snoddy. It makes for an enjoyable, light read before I go into something more intense (if not more satisfying).