What are you reading on Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Books recently completed :

93.A Short History of Women***+ by Kate Walbert US (239 pages)
94.Novel About My Wife***+ by Emily Perkins UK (279 pages)
95.An After-Dinner's Sleep***+ by Stanley Middleton UK (224 pages)
96.The Lace Reader***** by Brunonia Barry US (390 pages)
97.The Entropy of Aaron Rosclatt***+ by James Sandham Canada (193 pages)

During the weekend Read-a-thon:

98.After the Fire, a Still Small Voice**** by Evie Wyld Australia(397 pages)
99.Dancing Backwards***+ by Salley Vickers UK (261 pages)
100.In the Lake of the Woods***** by Tim O'Brien US (303 pages)
101.The Music Room****+ by William Fiennes UK (216 pages)

Up Next:

31 Hours by Masha Hamilton
Laish by Aharon Appelfeld
Summertime by J.M. Coetzee
The Bird Catcher by Laura Jacobs

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, comments, opinions, reading recommendations, links to books I've read, reviewed, or mentioned. I'd love to read them.

What are you reading on Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog





Books completed last week:

83.Addition**** by Toni Jordan (Australia) 2008

Very good. About a woman whose life has fallen apart and her obsessive-compulsive disorder of counting everything in order to function at even a basic level. She also has a fascination with Nikola Tesla which adds much to the story. It's an eye opener about the OCD but ultimately an uplifting read about the effects of tolerance. And for those who need it, there's romance in there too. Addition was nominated for an award and made the Richard and Judy list in the UK. Recommended.


84.The Mysteries of Glass***** by Sue Gee (UK) 2004 (346 pages)

Loved it. A perfect Victorian fiction about a young minister who finds himself emotional attached to a woman he can't have, and the crisis of faith that ensues. I must read more by this author. Highly recommended.




85.The Signal**** by Ron Carlson (US) 2009 (200 pages)

I previously read Five Skies****+ by this author and wanted more. He's a very good writer, his protagonists are men who are flawed but trying hard to be stand up guys. This story is a about a backpacking hike into the wilds of the mountains with his now ex-wife. They've made this trip annually for nine years and she's agreed to do it one last time. He's been in jail since his conduct got out of hand after she left him. He's hoping to regain some respect from her, but there's something he's not telling her and their hike will take a terrible turn because of it. Recommended.

86.Shipwrecks***** by Akira Yoshimura (Japan) (180 pages)

A very good story about a small Japanese fishing village that takes advantage of its rocky coast to lure ships inshore to sink. They retrieve the cargo, usually food, and it keeps them from starvation. But one day they take something from a wrecked ship that brings retribution and terror to the people of the village. Well written, an excellent story with a strong Gothic sense. Highly recommended.

Currently reading:

The Entropy of Aaron Rosclatt by James Sandham (Canada)

Next up:

This is How by M. J. Hyland (UK) 2009

I enjoyed Carry Me Down**** by this author, which was nominated for an award two years ago.

Plum Wine by Angela Davis-Gardner (US) 2007

Set in 1960s Japan.

Novel About My Wife by Emily Perkins (New Zealand) 2009

A psychological thriller that won the $10,000 Montana Medal for fiction in the Montana New Zealand Book Awards.

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, comments, opinions, reading recommendations, links to books I've read, reviewed, or mentioned. I'd love to read them.

What are you reading on Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog

Books completed last week:

79.Three Men in a Boat***+ by Jerome K. Jerome (UK) 169 pages

80.And Let the Earth Trembles at its Centers***+ by Gonzalo Celorio (Mexico) DNF 50/152 pages

81.The Wilderness**** by Samantha Harvey (UK) 374 pages

82.Into the Beautiful North****+ by Luis Alberto Urrea (Mexico) 343 pages, review to follow

Last reviewed:

The Last Samurai***** by Helen Dewitt

The Angel's Game**** by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

Molly Fox's Birthday**** by Deirdre Madden

Currently Reading:

Addition by Toni Jordan (Australia)
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Ulysses...the Irish one

Next up:
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A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal (US)

The Entropy of Aaron Rosclatt by James Sandham (Canada)

The Translucent Tree by NobukoTakagi (Japan)

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, comments, opinions, reading recommendations, links to books I've read, reviewed, or mentioned. I'd love to read them.

What are you reading on Mondays? July 27

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Books completed last week:

75.Little Bee****+ by Chris Cleave (UK) (272 pages) Reviewed
76.The Weight of Heaven****+ by Thrity Umrigar (India)(367 pages)
77.Molly Fox's Birthday**** by Deirdre Madden (Ireland)(232 pages)
78.The Angel's Game****+ by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Spain)(531pages)

Review of Molly Fox's Birthday to be posted on Thursday, July 30.

Forewords about The Angel's Game/Afterwords to follow soon.

Currently Reading:

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane
Ulysses...the Irish one

Next up:

And Let the Earth Tremble at its Centers by Gonzalo Celorio (Mexico)
Nada by Carmen Laforet (Spain)
Into The Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (Mexico)
A Lucky Child by Thomas Buergenthal (US)
The Entropy of Aaron Rosclatt by James Sandham (Canada)

What are you reading this week? I welcome questions, comments, opinions, reading recommendations, links to books I've read, reviewed or mentioned. I'd love to read them.
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Mailbox Monday

Hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page.

Wins:

Janeology by Karen Harrington

I tried to win one of these in several giveaways over the past few months and never did. Then I looked around Ms. Harrington's site and found another chance to win one by answering a question or two. I was a little cheeky with my answer, but technically still correct and she gave me one! I know she might have given me an ARC if I'd asked nicely but then I'd feel pressured to get a review done and my health suffers even more when I'm under pressure. I'm really looking forward to this story. I can't imagine taking on this subject in fiction. But I see that it averages a little more than 4 stars out of five at LibraryThing. There are a lot of well known books of literature that don't score that rating on LT. So I have high hopes. It's about a mother who kills her children, that's all I know.

Thank you Ms. Harrington.

Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

I was supposed to get The Bean Trees but this arrived. No worries, I'll read it too. I do have a copy of The Poisonwood Bible, which I got in a lot of Oprah Club books I bid for at E-bay, $40 for 23 books (including shipping)! I have yet to read Kingsolver but everyone says she's good so I'll get to it one of these days.

From Color Online. Thank you L.


Flight From the Enchanter by Iris Murdoch

Bookmooched: all the way from Texas, thank you Donna.

I now own 17 of Murdoch's novels and have read 4. I've been slowly collecting them through swapping, many are quite old but I don't mind a bit. I began reading her and liked each one. Then I discovered that Nancy Pearl of Book Lust lists all (or close to all) of Murdoch's novels as must reads. Anyone else enjoy her books? Would a post about those I've read interest anyone?

If you've reviewed any, please leave me a link. Feel free to leave links to reviews of any book I've read, reviewed or mentioned. I'd love to read them. Questions, comments, opinions, including dissenting ones, and good reading recommendations are always welcomed.

What Are You Reading On Mondays? July 20

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Books completed this week:

The Jewel Trader of Pegu***** by Jeffrey Hantover (US)
No Such Creature***+ by Giles Blunt (Canada)

Currently reading:

The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar (India)
Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden (Ireland)
Ulysses by James Joyce (Ireland)...ongoing project at Dovegreyreader
*The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (US)

*For Book Club Girls' interview with the author on July 22.

Upcoming books:

Graceland by Chris Abani (Nigeria)
Addition by Toni Jordan (Australia)
The Angel's Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (Spain)
And Let the Earth Tremble at its Centers by Gonzalo Celorio (Mexico)
Into the Beautiful North by Luis Alberto Urrea (Mexico)

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, reading recommendations, or links to any books I've read or reviewed. I'd love to read them.

What Are You Reading On Mondays? July 13

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Books completed this week:

73. The Little Stranger****+ by Sarah Waters (UK) 466 pgs.

74. The Jewel Trader of Pegu***** by Jeffrey Hantover (US) 243 pgs. - review to be posted tomorrow

Only two but what good ones they were!

Books in hand...

The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar
And Let the Earth Tremble at its Centers by Gonzalo Celorio
Ulysses by James Joyce...ongoing project at Dovegreyreader's

Upcoming books:

Molly Fox's Birthday by Deirdre Madden (UK)
Graceland by Chris Abani (Nigeria)
Addition by Toni Jordan (Australia)
*The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (US)

*For Book Club Girls' interview with the author on July 22.

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, reading recommendations, or links to any books I've read or reviewed. I'd love to read them.

What Are You Reading On Mondays? July 6

What Are You Reading On Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Books Blog.

Books read this week:

70. Becoming Abigail by Chris Abani (Nigeria) - see review

71.Ben, In the World by Doris Lessing (UK) Nobel author - see review

Sequel to The Fifth Child by which I reviewed last week.

72.Home Repair by Liz Rosenberg (US)

For Book Club Girl's interview with the author on July 8.

Books in hand...

73. The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters (UK)

I'm 217 pages in and enjoying it immensely, but haven't figured out how the title comes into it and I usually have by now. There's some serious suspense going on here.

Ulysses...ongoing project at Dovegreyreader.

Upcoming books:

Nada by Carmen Laforest (Spain)
Graceland by Chris Abani (Nigeria)
Addition by Toni Jordan (Australia)
Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga (India)
*The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (US) *

For Book Club Girls' interview with the author on July 22.

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, reading recommendations, or links to any books I've read or reviewed. I'd love to read them.

What Are You Reading On Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Finished this week:

68.Belong to Me**** by Marisa de los Santos (US) 2008

Completed in time to participate in a live author interview on Blog Talk Radio, which you can listen to here. An engaging and suspenseful story of friendship and the wish to fit in. I look forward to reading Loved Walked In, this author's other novel. Recommended.

69.The Fifth Child**** by Doris Lessing (UK)

An unusual story about a child that no one can love. Recommended. My review is here.

70.Becoming Abigail***** by Chris Abani (Nigeria) 2007

A novella, 121 pages; about a young Nigerian girl sent to London and forced into prostitution by relatives. Highly recommended. My review will be posted tomorrow.

Books in hand...

And Let the Earth tremble at its Centers by Gonzalo Celorio (Mexico)

Fiction, translated from the Spanish, a sort of "literary portrait of Mexico City."

Ulysses by James Joyce... in bits and no longer on my own!

Dovegreyreader is starting a read-a-long and discussion of this book."Team Ulysses" will be doing a slow read, giving ourselves a year to finish. Discussions take place on the 16 of each month, there's still time to join if it interests you.

Upcoming books:

Ben in the World by Doris Lessing (UK)

Sequel to The Fifth Child, reviewed here. Lessing is a Nobel Laureate.

Nada by Carmen Laforest (Spain)

An award winning novel, translated from the Spanish, about an orphan's life in post civil war Spain.

Graceland by Chris Abani (Nigeria)

An award winning novel about a boy who wants desperately to escape the poverty and hopelessness of the slums of Lagos, Nigeria.

Addition by Toni Jordan (Australia)

A first novel about a women with obsessive-compulsive disorder. I love finding new Aussie fiction writers. But I suspect this may be more of a romance than an in-depth look at OCD.

Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga (India)

A new novel by the author of The White Tiger (Booker Prize 2008), which I enjoyed very much.
Adiga lives in Mumbai and his novels are set in India.

What are you reading this week?

I welcome questions, reading recommendations, or links to any books I've read or reviewed. I'd love to read them.

Today's other posts: Mailbox Monday
Musing Mondays:Outstanding favorites read this year.

What Are You Reading On Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Finished this week:

66. The Great Lover**** by Jill Dawson (2008 UK) 310 pages Hardcover

A fictionalized account of the last years of English poet Rupert Brooke (d.1915).She used a great deal from his own writings and biographies in this book. Recommended.

67. The Pages**** by Murray Bail (2009 Australia) 199 pages Hardcover

Fiction, shortlisted for this year's Miles Franklin Award. Recommended.

" A beguiling meditation on friendship and love, on men and women, on landscape and the difficulties of thought itself."

I've read Murray Bail's other three novels, Homesickness***+, Holden's Performance****, and Eucalyptus***** and enjoyed them all. I highly recommend Eucalyptus, which won the 1999 Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize.

Currently reading...

Belong to Me by Marisa de los Santos...on page 100

This is on my tbr list for the LibraryThing Authors' reading challenge. I snagged a copy from Book Club Girl and hope to finish and participate in tomorrow's night author interview at Book Club Girl. You are welcome to join us.

Ulyysses by James Joyce...in bits and no longer on my own!

Dovegreyreader is starting a read-a-long and discussion of this book."Team Ulysses" will be doing a slow read, giving ourselves a year to finish. Discussions take place on the 16 of each month, there's still time to join if it interests you.

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Upcoming books:

West With the Night by Beryl Markham

For the Compass Points reading challenge, and Rebecca's new weekly feature Take Me Away at Lost in Books. Starting Saturday we will be in Kenya.

And Let the Earth Tremble at its Centers by Gonzalo Celorio (Mexico

The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar (US)

What are you reading this week?

What Are You Reading On Mondays?

Hosted by J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog.

Completed this week:

62.Carpentaria****+ by Alexis Wright (517 pages) Australia
63.The Italian Girl**** by Iris Murdoch (176 pages) UK
64.Last Night in Montreal**** by Emily (247 pages) Canada
65.Wanting***** by Richard Flanagan (256 pages) Australia - shortlisted for this year's Miles Franklin Award

Currently reading...

The Great Lover by Jill Dawson UK fiction about English poet Rupert Brooke d.1915

Ulysses by James Joyce...ongoing - about half way now and taking it in small doses

Upcoming books:

All Other Nights by Dara Horn
And Let the Earth Tremble at its Centers by Gonzalo Celorio
The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar

What are you reading this week?

Opinions, questions, links to reviews, requests for brief reviews, recommendations, book news, etc. are encouraged.

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Today's other posts: Mailbox Monday and Musing Mondays