What Fiction are you reading this week, November 11, 2018?

[hermetic]

I've got New Boy by Tracy Chevalier, a Hogarth Shakespeare project book.

The tragedy of Othello is transposed to a 1970s suburban Washington schoolyard, where kids fall in and out of love with each other before lunchtime, and practice a casual racism picked up from their parents and teachers. Peeking over the shoulders of four 11 year olds, Chevalier's powerful drama of friends torn apart by jealousy, bullying and betrayal will leave you reeling.

Many years ago I enjoyed another Chevalier novel, Girl With a Pearl Earring.

Listening to The Book of the Dead by Preston/Child. An ancient Egyptian tomb with an enigmatic curse, is about to be unveiled at a celebrity-studded New York gala... The masters of suspense their usual creepy, intriguing best.

[dameatball]

1. That's a good one. I'm just starting "The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove" by Christopher Moore.

Last night I finished "Wolf of the Plains" by Conn Iggulden. A very enjoyable read about Genghis Khan. Starts when he was a boy and is a fascinating look at the lives and interactions of the various Mongol clans.

[hermetic]

3. Moore comes up

with the best titles!

Conn Iggulden's books about Genghis Khan are extremely popular and highly rated. Many say you feel like you are there.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. tRumps Tweets?

Sorry, I could not resist.

[hermetic]

5. Ahh, but

Resist, you must.

[dameatball]

4. Just curious......did you read "Dance of Death" before you started "Book of the Dead?"

[hermetic]

6. No

should I have? The Book.. came available in my library's audible section so I jumped on it. I'm guessing that other book explains why Pendergast is where he is.

[TexasProgresive]

7. "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert Galbraith aka J.K. Rowing.

The story finally reeled me in before the excessive verbosity ran me off. 456 pages that should have been edited to 260-290 pages by a really vicious and good editor. Rowling likes to show off her great vocabulary that she couldn't in Harry Potter. My great ability to persevere is winning out to find the good story with some good character development when I can see past what they are wearing. That last thing is something I have noticed in some women authors, a hang up on describing fashions.

There are only 3 novels I could not finish no matter how many times I tried, Dune Frank Hubert, Don Quixote Cervantes in 3 different translations and Moby Dick Herman Melville. I am confident that Galbraith/Rowling is no match for me.

When I wade through this I will read Eye of the World Robert Jordan- 1st of the Wheel of Time. I want to read the whole series through again after reading the final three penned by Brandon Sanderson with the late Jordan's notes.

[hermetic]

8. Good to know

I have no problem glossing over boring bits of a story if I'm fairly certain it will all be worthwhile in the end.

[Ohiogal]

10. I feel better that I'm not the only one

who thought the same thing of this book.

[bobbieinok]

9. Would like to reread D Pinkwater's Lizard Music and Alan Mendelssohn Boy from Mars

These are supposedly YA books, but are good reads for adults as well.

My son introduced me to these when he was in jr high.

[bobbieinok]

12. Periodically reread Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle.

You may have seen the movie---BUT READ THE BOOK!!

[hermetic]

16. A great many

YA books are certainly worth reading, no matter your age.

[Ohiogal]

11. "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman

[hermetic]

17. Are you laughing?

I recently read his My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry. I give it a "meh."

[Ohiogal]

19. Laughing and crying!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

22. Ove is excellent. Grandmother not very good.

If you haven't read the first, do so. It's wonderful. So is the movie.

[hermetic]

25. Yeah, thanks

I guess I really should. I could use a good laugh.

[llmart]

41. There's a movie?

Didn't know that. I, too, liked the first one but not the second one.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

43. Yes, there is a movie based on the book

A Man Called Ove, came out in 2016 I believe. What minor differences there are between the novel and the movie don't matter.

[llmart]

44. Thanks!

I'll look for it in my library.

[northoftheborder]

31. That book has gotten so many raves I tried to read it.

Only one out of hundreds can I absolutely not get through, and that was one of them. So boring, no story, just on and on about the main character's quirks. I just could not get into it. Maybe it's just me, but I usually at least finish even mediocre books; I hate to not finish books, very rare.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

13. Just started

The Witch Elm by Tana French. It's here seventh novel and every single one is good.

I have Lethal White by Robert Galbraith (J K Rowlings) on hold at my library. Each one of that series so far has been noticeably better than the one before.

Oh, and this afternoon I'm going to see Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher books speak. Lucky me! I'm in Santa Fe, and it's at the Jean Cocteau theater here, which is owned by George RR Martin, a name that I'm sure is familiar to all. I'm pretty sure the format will be a conversation between George and Child. I've seen a bunch of authors there, mostly s-f ones, but George apparently knows everyone.

Incredibly enough, in a theater that seats 132, the event isn't sold out.

[hermetic]

15. Awesome!

I would love to see Lee. Tell him he has a pretty big fan club here at DU.

I really like Tana, too. That one sounds quite good.

Have fun!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

20. I know.

When I saw the small ad for his appearance in the local paper, I immediately went to the theater website to get tickets, convinced it would be sold out already. That was on Thursday. I'd been out of town for a week and probably missed earlier ads for the appearance. Even now there are still spaces available. I love living in Santa Fe.

[hermetic]

21. I grew up

in Abq. Been to Santa Fe many times and always loved it. Truly a special place.

[The King of Prussia]

14. The Children Act by Ian McEwan

Which is our local book group selection. I've taken an instant dislike to the central character, which doesn't bode well.

Otherwise this week I've read two of Val McDermid's "Karen Pirie" mysteries. Wholeheartedly recommended.

Once I've knocked off Ian McEwan, I will, I confess be tuning to non-fiction. I picked up a copy of Theodore H. White's "The Makingof the President 1964". I'm enjoying the contemporary view of LBJ who is, in my view, one of the most fascinating politicians of the last century.

[hermetic]

18. I adore Ian McEwan's books

but that one was definitely my least favorite.

[murielm99]

23. I am reading "The Moor,"

by Laurie R. King.

The new Tana French book sounds good. I will have to look for it.

[hermetic]

26. Ooh yes

Can't wait to get a hold of that one. Big fan of spooky moors here.

[marble falls]

24. President Trump's comments this week from Europe.

[Jane Austin]

27. House Rules, by Jodi Picoult

Very long, but quite interesting tale of an 18-year-old kid with Aspbergers who is fascinated with forensics, and who is charged with the murder of his tutor.

[hermetic]

29. That does sound

like a very interesting story.

[Squinch]

28. I'm off the horror for the moment and onto Chris Bohjalian's The Guest Room.

It's about a bachelor party gone bad. Seems like that would be salacious, but in Bohjalian's hands it becomes universal and tragic and very affecting.

I'm liking it.

Some really good suggestions in these posts. I've got a list, and it's getting very, very long!

[hermetic]

30. I know, right?

Imagine mine. I've been hosting this discussion for a couple of years now and my list just keeps growing like a magical beanstalk. AND, I've just added one more now cause that sounds pretty darn good.

[northoftheborder]

32. I really appreciate this book thread.

I hear about so many I haven't read, or heard of, or others I've just missed and forgotten about. I'm a compulsive reader - have Audible and one or two print books going all the time. Since the Orange One was elected I've increased my reading time - to help overcome stress!

[hermetic]

33. Yeah, me too.

[Mr. Bob Harris]

39. I've gotten off social media to escape the toxicity

and found that the time I spent on that was replaced by reading. An excellent trade off if you ask me.

[japple]

34. Thanks for the weekly thread, hermetic. Still reading

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris and have really fallen into the story.

Will be adding Tracy Chevalier's book New Boy to my list. I loved her books, Remarkable Creatures and The Last Runaway.

Reading the quote in your OP "All gave some, some gave all," I thought "but then there is one who gave nothing."

And in Georgia, we're still waiting to find out if we have to accept another sleazy crook for gov. or if we can celebrate with one who will represent ALL the citizens of the state.

[hermetic]

35. Howdy Ms. japple

That quote referred to people who have actually served, and "he" never has, in any way, shape or form. But you knew that.

I have just been aghast at the blatant voter suppression going on down there. I, too, am anxious to hear how it all shakes out, GA & FL.
Hopes for justice.

[PoorMonger]

36. Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero

In 1977, four teenagers and a dog—Andy (the tomboy), Nate (the nerd), Kerri (the bookworm), Peter (the jock), and Tim (the Weimaraner)—solved the mystery ofSleepy Lake. The trail of an amphibian monster terrorizing the quiet town of Blyton Hills leads the gang to spend a night in Deboën Mansion and apprehend a familiar culprit: a bitter old man in a mask.

Now, in 1990, the twenty-something former teen detectives are lost souls. Plagued by night terrors and Peter's tragic death, the three survivors have been running from their demons. When the man they apprehended all those years ago makes parole, Andy tracks him down to confirm what she’s always known—they got the wrong guy. Now she'll need to get the gang back together and return to Blyton Hills to find out what really happened in 1977, and this time, she's sure they're not looking for another man in a mask.

A mad scientist's concoction of H. P. Lovecraft, teen detectives, and a love of Americana, Edgar Cantero's Meddling Kids is a story filled with rich horror, thrilling twists, outright hilarity, and surprising poignancy.

[hermetic]

37. Well dang

Now here's another must-read. To really clinch it, a review says: For fans of "John Dies at the End"...
Yup, that's me.

[PoorMonger]

38. I am big fan of Cantero

I’ve read his other two books in English and was very impressed by both of them. He’s a super inventive guy.

[Mr. Bob Harris]

40. Currently doing James Joyce's 'Dubliners'

Very ambiguous and you need to look at historical context and the message he is trying to get through with each short story. Taken on face value, it's easy to read but it's fast more ambiguous than that.

[llmart]

42. I'm currently reading "Lilac Girls".

Sure gives me a new appreciation and gratitude for my basic comforts and safety. Great read for making one realize their blessings.