What are you currently reading?

[vers la flamme]

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold.



A short novel which tells of the slaughter of the central character in plain sight. The murders told everyone they met of their intentions to commit the crime, apparently hoping that someone would stop them. It didn't work. Mesmerizing, in the manner of most books by this author.

I loved that book when I read it last year. Not surprised at all that you enjoyed it, as it reminded me a bit of the Faulkner novels that I was reading around the same time.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

A book by Mark Manson.

[DavidW]

A book by Mark Manson.

Thoughts? Seems like it could be either profound or the usual self improvement schlock.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Thoughts? Seems like it could be either profound or the usual self improvement schlock.

Nice book. Imo, its an old wine in new bottle- a new wave Stoics/Skeptics. Good writing skills and enjoyable read though.

[DavidW]

Nice book. Imo, its an old wine in new bottle- a new wave Stoics/Skeptics. Good writing skills and enjoyable read though.

I might check it out then.

[LKB]

Priestly: Low Notes on a High Level





This is a light read. It is also quite amusing, charming and entertaining. It is filled with larger than life characters and is narrated by quite a deadpan and self deprecating voice. A world famous composer has just finished his tenth symphony. He sends the score to the conductor of the English Broadcasting Orchestra. This conductor character rather reminds me of a Thomas Beecham character. While perusing the score it is discovered that an obbligato passage is written for a unique base instrument which must be played by the inventor. This instrument was invented by an inventor friend of the composer who happens to live in London. However, when the inventor is contacted he refuses, point blank, to have anything to do with the plans. And it all revolves around a game of cards! Wonderful stuff!

Regarding the text I've bolded, l assume you mean " bass "? ( Though I've certainly heard a few base instruments in my time... )

[aligreto]

Regarding the text I've bolded, l assume you mean " bass "? ( Though I've certainly heard a few base instruments in my time... )

Yes, indeed. Thank you for the correction.
Although, as you say, it might also be referred to as a "base" instrument. 

[aligreto]

E. Bronte: Wuthering Heights





The opening section of this novel very well depicts a harsh, brutal, wild and intemperate environment.  And so it is with the introduction of the occupants of Wuthering Heights at the time. This portentous opening sets the tone for the tale that will ultimately be told. This is a re-read after decades and I did not remember the extent of the barbaric brutality that was contained in large tracts of the novel.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Those who are interested, Haruki Murakami talks about Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut. Please use Google translate.


https://trilltrill.jp/articles/2676392

[vandermolen]

E. Bronte: Wuthering Heights





The opening section of this novel very well depicts a harsh, brutal, wild and intemperate environment.  And so it is with the introduction of the occupants of Wuthering Heights at the time. This portentous opening sets the tone for the tale that will ultimately be told. This is a re-read after decades and I did not remember the extent of the barbaric brutality that was contained in large tracts of the novel.

Never read it but I love Jane Eyre by her sister.

[coffee]

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold.



A short novel which tells of the slaughter of the central character in plain sight. The murders told everyone they met of their intentions to commit the crime, apparently hoping that someone would stop them. It didn't work. Mesmerizing, in the manner of most books by this author.

My humble opinion is that this book is misunderstood more often than understood. If you enjoy it, it's worth one or two more reads. GGM is a tricky fella. A reader has to watch him closely.

[aligreto]

Never read it but I love Jane Eyre by her sister.

It is well worth a read, Jeffrey. It is always interesting and engaging but it does not always make for pleasant reading.

[SonicMan46]

Well, I've not posted for over a month, but below are the books on my agenda - done w/ the first one and still reading the others - Dave

Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir By One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII (2011) - see first quote below; Chester Nez, one of the original Navajos who as Marines developed an unbreakable code using their native language.

Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty (2021) by Anderson Cooper & Katherine Howe - Cooper, son of Gloria Vanderbilt and a great etc. grandson of the Commodore writes selectively about the Vanderbilt family - reviews somewhat mixed but I'm enjoying (on the last few chapters) - my interest relates to the famous Biltmore House in Asheville, NC (just a 2 1/2 drive for us and a place we have visited often).

Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution (2022) by Eric Jay Dolin - brief synopsis third quote below - over the decades I've read numerous books on American wars, especially the Revolution and the Civil War, but the finding of the American Navy and the Revolutionary War exploits is often not well covered - just starting but excellent so far.

River of the Gods: Genius, Courage, and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile (2022) by Candice Millard - finding the headwaters of the White Nile - synopsis in the last quote.  About a third into the book - the only hardcover in the bunch, the rest Kindle purchases.  Dave

Code Talker - during World War II, the Japanese had managed to crack every code the United States used. But when the Marines turned to its Navajo recruits to develop and implement a secret military language, they created the only unbroken code in modern warfare—and helped assure victory for the United States over Japan in the South Pacific. (Source)

Vanderbilt - a dramatic tale expertly told of rapacious ambition, decadent excess, and covert and overt tyranny and trauma. . . . With resplendent detail, the authors capture the gasp-eliciting extravagance of the Vanderbilt Gilded Age mansions. . . . With its intrinsic empathy and in-depth profiles of women, this is a distinctly intimate, insightful, and engrossing chronicle of an archetypal, self-consuming American dynasty. . . . Irresistible. (Source)

Rebels at Sea - the heroic story of the founding of the U.S. Navy during the Revolution has been told many times, yet largely missing from maritime histories of America's first war is the ragtag fleet of private vessels that truly revealed the new nation's character—above all, its ambition and entrepreneurial ethos. (Source)

Rivers of the Gods - for millennia the location of the Nile River's headwaters was shrouded in mystery. In the 19th century, there was  a frenzy of interest in ancient Egypt. At the same time, European powers sent off waves of explorations intended to map the unknown corners of the globe – and extend their colonial empires. Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke were sent by the Royal Geographical Society to claim the prize for England. Burton spoke twenty-nine languages, and was a decorated soldier. Speke was a young aristocrat and Army officer determined to make his mark. (Source)

   

[Ganondorf]

Finished L'assommoir yesterday. What a book! Initially I had problem with how Zola, determined to depict wide ranges of personality within human beings apparently didn't seem to consider women human beings since it appeared she way too often makes his female characters either idealized angels or veritable she-devils. But then I realized I just didn't catch all the subtleties of his writing. For example, Lorilleaux (both wife and husband) seemed to me mere malicious gossips until I read Zola's comment that they represent "les esclaves et les victimes de la petite fabrication en chambre". They are not malicious people who happen to have awful jobs and conditions, relfecting their awful personality but rather they've become awful because of their awful job and conditions, and in this way they seem closer to Gervaise. Baroness Sandorff in L'argent seems like your typical ice queen... but it is mentioned that she actually feels horror and despair at not being able to feel any passion and thus she turns to gambling because it is the only thing left which gives her sense of feeling passion. Unfortunately, this gambling of course damages her further and in this respect she appears to be entrapped and truly a tragic character.

[stingo]

The Choice by Dr. Edith Eger
Go Tell The Bees I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon
Wool by Hugh Howey (re-read)
Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

[SimonNZ]

Started:

[San Antone]

After reading four Faulkner novels -

The Unvanquished
Intruders in the Dust
The Hamlet
Flags in the Dust

I have started Cormac McCarthy's early novel, Outer Dark.

[vers la flamme]

After reading four Faulkner novels -

The Unvanquished
Intruders in the Dust
The Hamlet
Flags in the Dust

I have started Cormac McCarthy's early novel, Outer Dark.

I read Outer Dark early last year, and loved it. Amazing atmosphere. I was also reading some Faulkner around this time last year, and loved all of it. Of those you've mentioned the only one I've read is The Unvanquished, which was really good.

[Artem]

I thought about reading Cormac McCarthy novels in their publishing order. Never read him before. Would that be a good idea?

[vers la flamme]

I thought about reading Cormac McCarthy novels in their publishing order. Never read him before. Would that be a good idea?

Not a bad idea except you might find that the earlier ones are less accessible than those he wrote from Blood Meridian onward.