What are you currently reading?

[NikF]

With Toots out socialising with her little friends, I'm afforded the simple pleasure of an evening in Clochemerle.

[aligreto]

I have just started to read 1Q84....

[Karl Henning]

A tale of two [proposed] time zones

[Pretorious]

Currently reading The Vicar of Wakefield by Oliver Goldsmith.



I must say, I'm quite enjoying it so far, more so than I thought I would. I've come off reading a few lengthy books and this is a welcome reprieve from them, being just over a hundred pages.

[Doulton]

I read and reread and reread again the novels of Anthony Trollope.

[stingo]

Finished

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and

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[Karl Henning]

I read and reread and reread again the novels of Anthony Trollope.

Interesting! What do you like about his work?

Thread Duty:

Hate crimes in America dropped by 8 percent in 2014

[Karl Henning]

Finished

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I've never read any of the Baum books. What's your opinion?

[Mookalafalas]

I'm about 10% of the way into this on a Kindle. 

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I started the Lockwood bio a year or two back and lost my way.  I don't expect to have that problem with this one.

[listener]

Way out from my usual taste but the idea of 'concept books' appeals to me (like the Phaic Tan, Molvania and Sin Sombrero Guidebooks)  HORRORSTÖR  (Grady Hendrix) is set in a home furnishing store like the Swedish one that is overtaken by its location.   Short, quick read, graphics to match.

[stingo]

I've never read any of the Baum books. What's your opinion?

I found that the stories were engaging, if repetitive. The formula from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is repeated, especially in the stories that just come after it. But toward the end of the series, Baum starts to use some pretty interesting opening premises. If you do decide to take the plunge, reading a story now and again is probably the best approach.

[ritter]

Finished this yesterday...



Nicholas Fox Weber's book sometimes has what from a European perspective can be seen as too casual and gossipy a style, but in the end, this is clearly a work of love and admiration for the characters it depicts, and provides a fascinating insight into a period in which some art that we now take for granted was new, and to a certain extent had almost to be forced on a resisting public. Well worth the read...

..and then started:

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Miracle de la Rose, after these first pages, is turning out to be one of Jean Genet's most succesful books IMHO. The depiction of the relationships within the prison, of the lives and desires of the low and down-and-out is very poetically done (in spite--or because--of the use of slang), and interpersed with the authors thoughts and musings. And the way time is dealt with ( in an almost imperceptible back-and-forth) is quite clever.

[Bogey]

Thought I would post this here:



My wife and I were just reflecting yesterday on how we would always head to a favorite independently owned book shop here in Colorado during this time of year and spend hours perusing new (and old) titles for gifts for friends and family.  One can still do this, but the hustle and bustle throughout the shop is now down to traffic that need not merge.  Really miss this experience and maybe those that are old enough to remember this, you might concur. 

[North Star]

Thought I would post this here:

My wife and I were just reflecting yesterday on how we would always head to a favorite independently owned book shop here in Colorado during this time of year and spend hours perusing new (and old) titles for gifts for friends and family.  One can still do this, but the hustle and bustle throughout the shop is now down to traffic that need not merge.  Really miss this experience and maybe those that are old enough to remember this, you might concur.

One would have to be very young to not be able to remember the times when bookstores drew more people, especially during Christmas sales and such.

[Bogey]

One would have to be very young to not be able to remember the times when bookstores drew more people, especially during Christmas sales and such.

Indeed.  But time passes quickly.  Our daughter turns 13 tomorrow.  She never experienced it like we did.  My son, 17, barely recollects it. 

[Pretorious]

Thought I would post this here:



My wife and I were just reflecting yesterday on how we would always head to a favorite independently owned book shop here in Colorado during this time of year and spend hours perusing new (and old) titles for gifts for friends and family.  One can still do this, but the hustle and bustle throughout the shop is now down to traffic that need not merge.  Really miss this experience and maybe those that are old enough to remember this, you might concur.

I remember spending what seemed like hours in book stores as a child. I still do so, and for many of the same reasons. I love perusing the different titles, finding ones I like or think I'll like; the look and feel; the smell of the store; the thought of sitting and reading with a cup of tea; of gleaning some knowledge each and every time; it's all so intoxicating. But it was, ultimately, the stories that kept me returning for more. The wonderful stories of humanity, science and love. Of passions and thought and ideas. I suppose that's what made me want to become a writer in my own life, though many things affected that.

I lamented when the local Border's finally closed down. Unfortunately, the main bookstores still in business just don't feel the same, not to mention that prices are outrageous, which naturally have pushed me to Amazon, as well. Conversely, there's a used store nearby that opened in the last few years and that has now become one of my favorite establishments. I love the feeling of being able to walk out with a stack of books for cheap that will keep me occupied, and that will add to my library at home.

It is a shame that this experience isn't more pervasive now.

[Henk]

Nice book store here in Groninger. Prices the same as online.

Made a visit this morning and I always feel the experience you describe. Searching and picking the right books. Often also books I didn't saw on internet book stores already (of course online stores have them as well, but retail stores present them differently).

[Florestan]

I remember spending what seemed like hours in book stores as a child. I still do so, and for many of the same reasons. I love perusing the different titles, finding ones I like or think I'll like; the look and feel; the smell of the store; the thought of sitting and reading with a cup of tea; of gleaning some knowledge each and every time; it's all so intoxicating. But it was, ultimately, the stories that kept me returning for more. The wonderful stories of humanity, science and love. Of passions and thought and ideas. I suppose that's what made me want to become a writer in my own life, though many things affected that.

My thoughts / feelings / sentiments exactly.

Fortunately, there are a few brick-and-mortar bookstores in Bucharest where I can still have that thrilling experience, one of them being located quite close to my home (in a mall no less ).

It is a shame that this experience isn't more pervasive now.

Yes but it didn´t just happen. There a lot of factors and influences behind this sad state of affairs.

[Todd]

Breakfast with the Borgias.  DBC Pierre's short-story foray into 'horror' is neither scary or suspenseful, but it does boast much of Pierre's crackling prose, sharp critiques of modern life (an over-dependence on technology, in particular), and crazy similes, some of which work fantastically well and some that fall flat.  Not up to the quality of his novels, but it'll have to tide me over until he writes a new one.

[Henk]

Yes but it didn´t just happen. There a lot of factors and influences behind this sad state of affairs.

Yes, there are retail stores with their own online shop. I try to buy my books from this local company as much as possible. Why support the internet giants if there are other ways? Books aren't priced higher as well.