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bookgazing) wrote2011-11-04 08:18 am
bookgazing) wrote2011-11-04 08:18 am
One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four Book... and Five
It’s been ages since I posted a meme, but all the answers to One Book, Two Book, Three Book, Four Book... and Five have caught my eye and I want to play along.
The Book I’m Currently Reading…
I’m reading the gigantic ‘Kraken’ by China Mieville, with maree, continuing our Mieville reading partnership. Missing giant squids and cults are combining to make an interesting novel of ideas, but so far the people in it aren’t characters so much as props getting the story told.
And I’m also trying to finish ‘Great House’ by Nicole Krauss, a straggler from my holiday reading. I’m at a loss how to describe it yet really, in a way which gets across how much I admire it as an intellectual endeavor and yet find it impossible to enjoy the experience of reading it. It’s very depressing (although the later sections are less angry, more sad and wistful), but worthwhile, although personally I question some of its characters conclusions.
The Last Book I Finished…
Candidate for most bizarre title ‘The Locusts Have No King’ by Dawn Powell. A gossipy satire of New York, that is much more focused, less easily funny and sadder than the other New York book I’ve read by Powell (‘The Happy Island’). The main characters face the universal problem of remaining authentic to themselves in the face of a world obsessed with status and opening yourself to another person who loves you. Like Jane Austen Powell keeps the brutal political situation (the end of WWI in this case) in the background, in favour of concentrating on universal, time spanning problems of human kind and a satire of 1920s society, but mentions it occasionally to keep her satire from appearing remote from other concerns of the day.
The Next Book I Want To Read…
I keep saying that the next book I’m going to read will be ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ by John Le Carre, because I loved the film and it really should be, but I’m scared it’s going to make me cry. Yes, I’m afraid that John Le Carre, manly mans writer, will make me weep.
Instead, I might put it off for one more book and read ‘The World and Other Places’, the collection of Jeanette Winterson short stories that has crept in from the library.
The Last Book I Bought…
I think that was ‘Shine’ by Lauren Myracle (the book that recently had an unfortunate encounter with an awards committee). Renay and I are going to read it for ladybusiness.
The Last Book I Was Given…
‘Nothing’ by Janne Teller, which came from Ana at The Booksmugglers who had some problems with it. I wanted to see how I felt about it and Ana was kind enough to send over her copy.
Thanks to Simon from Stuck in a Book for providing the fun prompt.
The Book I’m Currently Reading…
I’m reading the gigantic ‘Kraken’ by China Mieville, with maree, continuing our Mieville reading partnership. Missing giant squids and cults are combining to make an interesting novel of ideas, but so far the people in it aren’t characters so much as props getting the story told.
And I’m also trying to finish ‘Great House’ by Nicole Krauss, a straggler from my holiday reading. I’m at a loss how to describe it yet really, in a way which gets across how much I admire it as an intellectual endeavor and yet find it impossible to enjoy the experience of reading it. It’s very depressing (although the later sections are less angry, more sad and wistful), but worthwhile, although personally I question some of its characters conclusions.
The Last Book I Finished…
Candidate for most bizarre title ‘The Locusts Have No King’ by Dawn Powell. A gossipy satire of New York, that is much more focused, less easily funny and sadder than the other New York book I’ve read by Powell (‘The Happy Island’). The main characters face the universal problem of remaining authentic to themselves in the face of a world obsessed with status and opening yourself to another person who loves you. Like Jane Austen Powell keeps the brutal political situation (the end of WWI in this case) in the background, in favour of concentrating on universal, time spanning problems of human kind and a satire of 1920s society, but mentions it occasionally to keep her satire from appearing remote from other concerns of the day.
The Next Book I Want To Read…
I keep saying that the next book I’m going to read will be ‘Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy’ by John Le Carre, because I loved the film and it really should be, but I’m scared it’s going to make me cry. Yes, I’m afraid that John Le Carre, manly mans writer, will make me weep.
Instead, I might put it off for one more book and read ‘The World and Other Places’, the collection of Jeanette Winterson short stories that has crept in from the library.
The Last Book I Bought…
I think that was ‘Shine’ by Lauren Myracle (the book that recently had an unfortunate encounter with an awards committee). Renay and I are going to read it for ladybusiness.
The Last Book I Was Given…
‘Nothing’ by Janne Teller, which came from Ana at The Booksmugglers who had some problems with it. I wanted to see how I felt about it and Ana was kind enough to send over her copy.
Thanks to Simon from Stuck in a Book for providing the fun prompt.
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miscellaneous stuff
Re: miscellaneous stuff
I didn't know that - awesome fact :) Maybe I should read Carre, then 'The Gone Away World'. As for Kraken I think it's one of those polarizing novels. I lurved it, but then I fell under Dane's spell half way through. Reminded me a little bit of Terry Pratchett actually, quirkier and funnier than 'The City and The City'.