What Fiction are you reading this week, March 17, 2024?

[hermetic]

Cats AND books.

see the St. Gertrude post in Pets: https://democraticunderground.com/116189819

Still reading Chenneville, an amazing book with several surprises. There is a novel mentioned in the story, The Woman in White, which is a real and quite famous work of fiction. First published in 1859, it is "considered the first English sensation novel of the psychological mystery genre, and has been continuously in print for (over) 150 years." I was learning about it on goodreads.com, and I read a paragraph that is strikingly similar to a paragraph I had just read in Jiles' book. Hmmm...
And then...in a conversation someone uses the term snowmaggedon. I looked that up and don't find any indication of that word being used prior to 2008. So, I'm thinking Ms. Jiles is having a little fun with her readers. I imagine her, chuckling to herself and thinking, "Made you look!"
My favorite line from the book: "He woke up the next morning, covered with puppies."

Still listening to It Can't Happen Here. I cannot bring myself to listen to it every day because it's really depressing and terrifying. I get my fill of psycho mutterings from idiots on the news every day. So I'm interspersing it with An Invitation to Murder by Leighann Dobbs, the first Lady Katherine Regency Mystery, from 2017. It's pretty boring so I guess that makes it a good alternative. There are 4 more in this series so I suspect they get better. Plus she has written over 90 other books. I will keep her on my list for later readings.

What's on your list to read this week?

[cbabe]

1. Flags on the Bayou/James Lee Burke

I rarely enjoy historical fiction.

Burke captured me on the first paragraph.

He considers this his greatest novel.

I consider it the great American novel.

The civil war. The land. The struggle to maintain humanity as others fall prey to evil and evil deeds.

His ‘evocative prose remains a thing of reliable fierce wonder’.

Timeless.

[hermetic]

3. That sounds great

Chenneville takes place just after the Civil War and mostly in eastern Texas so sounds like a lot of similarities in what life was like then. A lot of evil in a lovely land.

[LearnedHand]

2. The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera

I’m listening to the audiobook, and the reader is fantastic. The writing is lovely, very literary and the opening is outstanding. However, I’m still on the fence about the story because the pace is somewhat uneven and I’m still a little unsure at a dozen chapters in what the main character’s story actually is. It’s a debut novel, though, so I’m giving it space to develop. Here’s a review:

https://fantasyliterature.com/reviews/the-saint-of-bright-doors/

[ThreeNoSeep]

4. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Sanderson is a great storyteller.

[hermetic]

6. From 2005

"A truly original world of magic and intrigue, with the rigor of the best science fiction [and] magnificent characters [that] make this novel unforgettable."

Second book published 2012.

[mentalsolstice]

5. The Housewarming by S.E. Lynes

Trigger warning, it’s about a toddler gone missing. I’ll probably finish it today. Who knows what’s next? Thanks for the thread hermetic! Happy St. Paddy’s to all! ☘️

Btw: love the orange cat 🐈!

[hermetic]

7. Mmmm...

"Brilliantly dark and moving suspense fiction, The Housewarming will have your pulse racing and your heart in your mouth from start to finish."

[beveeheart]

8. Before The Fall by Noah Hawley

James Patterson said he read this book in one day. I started it yesterday late in the afternoon. Had to leave it in another room or I wouldn't have gotten any sleep last night. So haven't gotten anything done so far today. Close to finishing it, but don't want it to end.

[hermetic]

10. Interesting

On a foggy summer night, eleven people depart Martha's Vineyard on a private jet headed for New York. Sixteen minutes later, the unthinkable happens: the plane plunges into the ocean. There are only 2 survivors. With chapters weaving between the aftermath of the crash and the backstories of the passengers and crew members, the mystery surrounding the tragedy heightens.

Sounds like a winner.

[Jeebo]

9. "The Dispossessed" by Ursula K. Leguin

The Easton Press just sent it to me as the latest edition in their Masterpieces of Science Fiction series. I read it once years and years ago, and remember nothing about it except that I enjoyed it, but now, I'm going to read it again.

-- Ron

[hermetic]

11. Cool!

From 1974: a political tale, with themes that include freedom and the corruption of capitalist societies. It won the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards in 1975.

[NanaCat]

12. 'Royal' reads

Philip Pullman's La Belle Sauvage and The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain.

The Laurain was a previous seasonal choice for Queen Camilla's Reading Room. La Belle Sauvage was the prequel to another seasonal choice on the same list. I've decided to read off the list when and as I can.

https://thequeensreadingroom.co.uk/bookcategory/seasons/

ETA:

How odd--I plan to read Woman in White next month. I read The Moonstone earlier in the year.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. The Woman in White is a very good book. I read it years ago.

I am still currently reading book 2 of the Marc Kavella series.
It's good just not finding as much time to read as usual

[hotellanai1986]

14. Just finished "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

An Examination of Trauma and Historical Omissions in Monica Hesse's "The Brightwood Code"

Monica Hesse's "The Brightwood Code" offers a deftly crafted historical mystery intertwined with a nuanced interrogation of trauma and the systematic erasure of women's wartime contributions. The novel centers on Edda, a former "Hello Girl" – one of the courageous female switchboard operators whose skills were indispensable on the World War I front lines. Hesse meticulously reconstructs the harrowing atmosphere of the war, juxtaposing the relentless tension of Edda's past with the stifling expectations of post-war America.

In portraying Edda's psychological struggles, Hesse transcends the conventions of historical fiction. The novel delves into the complexities of a condition that would not be fully recognized for decades: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Edda's flashbacks, hyper-vigilance, and desperate attempts to numb her pain are rendered with both visceral immediacy and profound sensitivity. Hesse illustrates the profound isolation experienced by those whose trauma is invisible and often dismissed, particularly within the historical context of a society ill-equipped to acknowledge the psychological cost of war.

"The Brightwood Code" also exposes the historical injustice perpetrated against the "Hello Girls." Despite their undeniable role in the Allied war effort, their service was denied veteran status and largely omitted from official narratives. Hesse weaves a compelling thread of righteous anger through the narrative, highlighting the systemic silencing of women whose wartime sacrifices were deemed inconvenient. The novel thus serves as a corrective, amplifying a hidden history while simultaneously indicting the mechanisms of erasure.

Beyond its thematic depth, "The Brightwood Code" succeeds as a captivating thriller. The central mystery involving the cryptic code word "Brightwood" propels the narrative forward, engaging the reader in the unraveling of secrets and the pursuit of truth. Hesse's prose possesses a historical sensibility that transports readers to the era, yet remains unburdened by archaisms, ensuring a seamless reading experience.

This multifaceted novel offers profound insights into both individual wartime experiences and the broader societal consequences of downplaying women's contributions. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of historical fiction to both illuminate forgotten corners of the past and resonate with the ongoing human struggle to heal from unseen wounds.

[hermetic]

15. This sounds amazing

It's not out yet, not until May 14. I'm sure a number of people here will want to read it so thanks for telling us about it.