What are we reading?

MarcieB

When I was diagnosed, friends gave me *cancer advice/experience* books to read while having my infusions. Forget that - I wanted novels! I wanted all kinds of fiction from autobiographies, to Stephen King's epic thrillers. I am a reader.

Many people who had already been done the treatment path told me I would not be able to concentrate on a story, but they were wrong. I read a bunch of novels during treatment. sometimes I would fall asleep while reading, but I did that before treatment and am doing it now. ;-)

Carool and I were talking about being a part of a book club, so we were wondering - "What is everyone reading?" What do you LIKE to read, and why?
Please share your literary preferences with us, as we are always on the hunt for something great to read. It is relaxing, it is fun, it is healing.

Personally, I like really GOOD writing, with vibrant characters.. To Kill a Mockingbird is probably my all time favorite. But, I am also a dyed-in-the-wool Stephen King fan.

MarcieB

And to add to that, I will say some of my favorite authors are Ann Tylor, Lee Smith, Elizabeth Berg, Alice Hoffman, and a lot of John Grishams work. I am NOT a paperback romance gal, but I'm not judging anyone who is! Right now I am reading Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. I am reading it because it was left at a vacation rental house where you can *take one -leave one* so I took it.

It is very well written, but it is D.A.R.K. I loved her novel, Gone Girl, but was a little disappointed in the movie (as is often the case). I also read her book, Sharp Objects, but it did not resonate with me, which is why I would probably not be reading this one if it were not for being able to just pick it up. Like I said, it is dark, but it is so well arranged and written, I have to finish it!

MarcieB

I forgot Alice Munro! (love her too - I am a big fan of good short stories). And I LOVE that you are reading Ann Rule - I love her coverage of true crime! It might not be literature, but she has a way of making it so compelling you can't put it down. I read her account of Ted Bundy and I was hooked. I went on a kick and read a LOT of them. I forget the titles now, but I was so fascinated with one about a woman poisoning her husband with caster beans....! Proof that truth can be stranger than fiction!

Carool

Thank you, MarciB, for initiating this.

I used to be a much more avid reader than in the last ten years, but I still like to read (and, as said before, “have” to read a monthly book for my book club. I like novels, short stories, and non-fiction (non-fiction mostly about animals; autobiographies; true crime; cancer — yes, THAT — and, once in awhile, politics). Favorite novelists or short story writers are Alice Munro, Edward St. Aubyn, Elizabeth McCracken, Tom Perrotta, and many others whose names and book titles escape me.

And right now I’m reading Ann Rule’s true crime books. She’s not a great writer, but who cares? I’m fascinated by true crime and watch a lot of true crime shows, including many about serial killers. I hate violence but these people fascinate me.

Carool

Yes, I’m finding Ann Rule’s books unputdownable. I read “A Rage to Kill” and am now gobbling up “But I Trusted You.” Don’t tell anyone I’m reading these!

Molly72

My favorite-- The Outlander series, huge books full of the most wonderful and fascinating facts about the 1700's and how a modern person would live and react to conditions back then.
There is a video series available as well, but it misses the whole point of the books and concentrates on the love story. I think there are about 8 books so far, the next one due out in December. I've read them all twice.

TerriL

I am a big reader, but during treatment I was so sick I was unable to read. I could barely watch TV. Recently, however, I went through all of the Dresden Files. I love to listen to books while I drive or am working out. I'm listening to the second book in Old Man's War.

Ashera

Molly72 - OMG re Outlander! Early this year, a girlfriend had told me about the series. Loved it...but knew there was more. So, big book 1 - Outlander, landed in my lap. How incredible it was - I 'became' part of the scenes - the feelings, the atmosphere etc - and had faces from the videos that I saw as the characters in the book. ...then I read Dragonfly in Amber...and I was so seriously hooked it became a daily escape. My goal is to finish all eight by the end of August. I'm reading Echo in the Bone now - number 7, so I'll meet that time frame. Her ninth volume will be out sometime this fall. But in the middle of all these - I took a detour with Lord John and have his volumes as well. Never have I read a series by an author that has done such intense research and pulled such authentic facts from so many. I did buy the two companion books that are overloaded with historical fact - And, volume 1 Cookbook, which I've made several dishes already. Do I sound addicted???
And as you well know, these are not easy reads, each being 1000+ pages - but they grab you and don't let you go if you let them. Such an incredible escape into such a real world!

Diana Galbadon - Check her out!!

And, MarcieB...I love Berg, and even switched it up with David Balducci. I'm just thankful I read - it gets me through so much and feeds my brain.

Molly72

My neighbor just recommended Old Man's War, guess I will try it!

Carool

Re Ann Rule - She’s kind of moralistic about the societal changes of the late 1960s, and that position annoys me. But I still must read on....

MarcieB

Carool, yep, I can see where Ann rule would seem a little dated now, but the motives for murder are kind of universal! She rings true because she was once an investigative reporter, so she knows the ins and outs of crime detection, I really enjoyed reading her.

It sounds like we have a lot of sci-fi fans here? That is never my first choice, but I do like historical fiction on occasion. I did read a Hugo award winning novel called The Snow Queen by Joan Vinge and I LOVED it! I felt like I lived in it, and I wanted to read the sequel but I couldn't find it. By the time I acquired it (The Summer Queen), I felt like I should read the first one again to refresh my mind on the plots, but I never did. they both are still on my bookshelf!

coolteach51

I, too, became more of a reader during treatment, having the time and NEEDING the distraction (retired from teaching due to cancer/treatment). My brain was completely open to reading "new" genres. My cancer center had donations of books on all floors. After devouring the "cancer info" and reading a few books in my comfort zone, I branched out. Starting with the libraries of family members with Grisham and Patterson and Dan Brown. The donation library on the oncology floor got my attention with Mary Higgins Clark "mysteries" (Under Suspicion and Alvira Series). Then, the radiation library was full of "adventure" novels and Clive Cussler got my attention (read all the The Oregon Files first). Audio books also helped my long drives (historical bios and fiction). Reading helps the brain recover!

Rustysmom

Yes! I've always been a big reader and listener of books while driving and walking my dogs. Since moving my office home, I miss my commute time to listen to my books! I'm a pretty eclectic reader, and enjoy a lot of non-fiction as well as a good novel. I enjoyed Kristin Hannah's books, The Nightingale and The Great Alone, American Dirt by Jeanine Cumins and Hanya Yanagihara's A Little Life. I read anything from Malcom Gladwell. Memoirs I particularly enjoyed are Barbarian Days by William Finnegan, the Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisi Coats, Educated by Tara Westover, Born a Crime by Trevor Noah and Michelle Obama's book. I just finished 999 by Heather Dune Macadam which is about the first official transport of young Jewish women to Auschwitz. That was intense. I'm ready for something light! Any suggestions?

MarcieB

So, has everyone read Where the Crawdads sing by Delia Owens. I, personally, don't know anyone who hasn't. (?!) And everyone I know who has read it has absolutely loved it, but there is great controversy over the ending...I loved it, but I know a lot of people didn't. If you haven't read it, you might want to consider it?

I also like Kristin Hannah, but I think she needs to end her book about three chapters before she actually does. I love the Great Alone but totally did NOT believe the ending and It kind of made me mad. I thought the Nightengale was wonderful, but heavy. Of course, it is a heavy subject. I just got The Four Winds, but I haven't started it yet.

Rustysmom

MarcieB, yes, I read Where the Crawdads Sing and enjoyed it. I also enjoyed the Four Winds -also a tough subject. I think Kristin Hannah does a good job of researching the historical context of her books and makes them very accessible.

petieagnor

I use to read ALOT when my children were small. I subscribed to Reader's Digest Condensed Books from 1968 - 1984. I loved them. Just my speed. I just didn't have the time after I joined the Boy Scouts. I can't find any charity that wants them. I took a few to the cancer infusion section for people to read.

meyati

This is interesting to read. Me, I'm into Nordic Noir. I think it's a great genre. Considering the Nordic countries have strict censorship and pornographic laws--ET was banned for cruelty and exploiting children, and yet we got the GIRL with the Dragon Tattoo from Scandinavia.

They don't show the crimes, it's sort of distant. That was a horrific crime scene, said Sven, as he nervously played with his family jewels. Apparently, he grabbed her neck like a lollipop, and choked her to death, while banging her brains out on the tile floor. -- Detective Sven, are sure a male killed her? --- Well, said Sven, she was a 300 lb weight lifter. can, I say they are often funny in a surprising way

The Swedish detective knocked on the door. The Danish person of interest said- Come in, (this actually from a book). She was nude, he said, I'm from Stockholm and I'd like to ask you some questions. She said, Why don't we have sex, and then I'll know you better. He said-- Fine, sounds good.

This got into my mind so much, the other night, I dreamed that I went to an Icelandic cooking school with my coonhound Ryder. We decided to leave, when I was told I had to suddenly cook for a few hundred people. The German decided to quit the school. Ryder and I were trying to use our return tickets to leave-early. They said that Ryder's passport wasn't in order, and he had to stay. That's when I woke up crying--Hint: Ryder is part Icelandic Shepherd.

My favorite are the married reporters from Stockholm, Maj Sjowall and Per Wahloo. Their protagonist is detective Martin Beck, the artist is form THE FIRE ENGINE THAT DISAPPEARED. Then the Icelandic Ragnar Jonasson is good. I don't like Finnish Nordic Noir.

MarcieB

Meyati, I am thinking you could maybe WRITE some books? (!) You could start with the story about how that man held a gun to your head while you talked him down using your knowledge of firearms...You could write yourself nude if you want to...or not. Lol!

Carool

MarcieB, I’ve never read Where the Crawdads Sing. I’ll check it out. I read books only on my iPhone, through the New York Public Library. No lugging books from and back to the library! Perfect!

I’m going to see if some other books mentioned by WNers will interest me. Thanks, gals!

Bengal

I like historical fiction and period mysteries. I've read most of Anne Perry, am just finishing the last few pages of Bernard Cornwell's "warlord" series (I will miss it, may read the whole thing over again from the beginning) and discovered a few mystery series that take place during WWI and aftermath, Charles Todd and Windspear ( can't think of first name). I found my brain was too fried to read much while I was in treatment (watched ALOT of TV) but now read at least some every night before sleep. Some say it's bad to read just before bed because it fires up your brain. I find just the opposite. It takes my brain to a different reality and can turn off all the anxiety which tends to invade my brain at night and prevent sleep from coming. My cancer center has a small library but mostly books relating to cancer, the LAST thing I wanted for distraction!

Bengal

Yes, true crime! People think I am very weird because I read that stuff but I find it facinating. What makes people what they turn out to be? I found a whole shelf off Ann Rule in our library and devoured them.

Dltmoll

I read realistic fiction and mysteries, almost exclusively by women authors with female protagonists. My latest was "Weather" by Jennifer Offill. A very different book, you'll either love it (I did) or hate it because it's not your traditional novel.

meyati

Have any of you read Erik Larson? No he doesn't write Nordic Noir, even though he has the perfect name. He writes about historical things. Larson documents things very well-police records-newspapers of the day, diaries, letters, and he interviews anybody that he can. Meanwhile, he has to put words in the mouths of the very real people. Larson is definately considered a non-fiction writer

The Devil in the White City is about real life women that disappeared in 1893-The World Fair--Some of you may have seen the the movie with Leonardo DiCaprio. I did see 2 TV specials about this, but they focused on different victims.

Anyway, my favorite is -In The Garden of Beasts--which is the documented story of an American Ambassador to Berlin in 1933 and on. It gives great insights about the American foreign service, the 1930s, and life in Berlin. The ambassadors daughter slept with about every important NAZI in Berlin, was in love with a Soviet spy, and she became a spy for the Soviets/Russians. Her father was a well connected professor that didn't have that much money, but he believed that he could make a difference by showing the American way. So, his son drove their American car from the Hamburg docks to Berlin.

You know how people say that you can tell about a people/culture by how they treat their animals? The NAZIs went to great lengths to protect animals, and it broke the heart of people knowing that children and babies were being cruelly murdered, draft horses were pampered, and anyone that lashed a horse or made it stand too long was a criminal. Larson even documented how some non-Nazi's felt by seeing these pampered horses running down the street with their manes and tails on fire after a bombing. I believe there is an oil painting of this event.

I've got to go to bed- Tomorrow I'm going to the VA with my son. He needs surgery on his knee, and go to the base again and see if my base pass is ready.

Carool

Meyati, I LOVED The Devil in the White City! Thanks for mentioning it. And I’ll try to see the films. BTW, that serial killer killed men and children, in addition to women.

MarcieB

Omigosh, I also LOVED the Devil In The White City! (well...if you can say that about a story of a serial killer...) I was just as fascinated by the plans and building of the 1892 Worlds Fair. I even made it a point to go see the grounds where it was held the last time I was in Chicago (the aquarium is there now and it is a really one).
As for the Nazi's respecting animals...? They may have been obsessed with their draft horses, but have have you read The Zookeeper's Wife? Because that gives you a whole different perspective and I understand it is based on true events. The animal cruelty was so horrific I had to stop reading it.
which leads me to another thought - since I have had treatment I find I cannot read or watch anything that includes extreme cruelty and disregard for life. A serial killer is one thing - we are talking about a very sick person here, - but ordinary people who can put aside their innate respect for life and actually torture a living thing, chills my blood.

Molly72

That is beyond disgusting Marcie, I do not read books or stories about such cruelty; with even a hint of such behavior, I make a complaint to the author and publisher.
Of course, one would expect such behavior from Nazis.
Glad you alerted me to such a horrible book.

meyati

I haven't read the Zookeeper's Wife. There are laws, and people that feel entitled to break laws, meanwhile, the issue is that there were laws to protect animals- especially in Berlin-while they had laws to uproot families, take their possessions, and, at least by default kill children. I'll leave it at that. Wikipedia is that the zookeepers rescued Jews in Warsaw.

Since I haven't read the book-I really don't have any idea, except for my first point is that people who protect animals have enabled/participated in wholesale slaughter of humans.

Carool

I, too, can’t read about or see anything in which people or animals are tortured or killed — except for true crime, as I said. But the actual horrific crimes are usually not gone into in detail. If it’s a true crime TV show, I never watch the inactments of violence.

I think that anyone who hurts animals should be locked up (of course I think that about those who hurt people, but with animal cruelty, many people get away with little or no punishment, though that’s changing).

MarcieB

If I remember right about what I did read in The Zookeeper's Wife, they DID help rescue some Jewish people, which is wonderful, but they were helpless to prevent the Nazi's from wrecking havoc with their animals. I think one of the best books I read about the strength of the human spirit during the devastation of war is The Violinist of Sarajevo. Our book club read it and I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.

Molly72

I protect animals: have contributed financial aid to shelters & organizations, have participated in protests against trappers & hunters, have worked/volunteered for many years in animal shelters,
and presently feed stray cats, and of course have had many pets for many years. Actually, I find animals sometimes superior to some humans, Nazis in particular.
But I have never enabled wholesale slaughter of humans!

meyati

Molly- I thought that I was specifically talking about Nazis in the 1930s and 40s. I'm sorry that I didn't redefine the scope of this conversation. I'm sure that you are a very fine person---It's that we should look at each organization and person, and have tunnel vision about their goodness-but again--Erick Larson brought this issue up of how the Nazis were an upside down people that created chaos--

I read an interesting book about this-it was a written by a NYC rabbi and female German-American Lutheran moralist. For an example medical triage benefits us as cancer patients-car wreck victims. treat them-try to cure them--but it was different in Germany---I stuttered as a child and that was a death sentence for people---Joe Biden would also have been on the death list----It's difficult to imagine the utter cruelty-