What are you reading this week of September 4, 2016?

[hermetic]

Haven't been able to read much as I'm so tired every night after laboring away, putting up tons of veggies for the winter. The farmer's market is only a few blocks from my house to I'm there every Wednesday as soon as they open and they will only be there for a few more weeks.

So, I'm still reading The Nest by Cynthia Sweeney. I'm enjoying it. This is not the sort of fare I usually choose, a dysfunctional family's problems in modern-day NYC. But I was intrigued by the descriptions so I grabbed it. It would be a great airport read as long as you would not be embarrassed by snorting out loud at some of the outrageously funny lines.

Loved listening to John Grisham's The Last Juror and will start James Patterson's 3rd Degree later today. The library is supposed to have two other Grishams on CD but I couldn't find them. :grumble: Hope they can locate them.

What books will you be laboring through this week? (Albeit a labor of love)

[TexasProgresive]

1. Deep into "A Banquet of Consequences" by Elizabeth George

But deeper still preparing lesson plans for the year. Oh! was I supposed to do that during the summer? Procrastination thy name is moi.

[hermetic]

2. Hey, better late than never

School started here 2 weeks ago. Wherever did the summer go?

They have that one at the library so I look forward to reading it soon.

[TexasProgresive]

3. The first part is complex.

It starts more than 3 years prior to the big event, building the back story. Keep the dates in mind as you work to the murder. At least I think I'm at the murder. You know how these mystery authors love to lay false trails.

[northoftheborder]

4. The Company, by Robert Littel, only in the first third so far, a 39 hour listen!

Novel, about the CIA in post war years.. I didn't realize how hot the Cold War was during the late forties. Str far I give it 3 stars, very long, hoping the many characters will all be tied together someway.

[hermetic]

7. 39 hours!

Wow. Hope it holds up for you.

[mantis49]

5. The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi

Very scary in that we could be headed there in the future.

[hermetic]

6. Thanks for posting

I would really appreciate it if you would post again after you have finished this book and say what you thought of the ending. Not give a spoiler alert or anything, just what was you opinion. Did you find it weak, disappointing, powerful, sad? Just curious.

[mantis49]

13. I finished a few days ago.

The ending saddened me. It seems that there is always someone who is only looking out for themselves for the short term and does not want to improve things for others in the long term. I hope that doesn't give too much away.

The overall premise of the book -- the likelihood of coming water wars in the west -- is disheartening and bleak. I see us headed there and it really angers me that the press is being complicit with the energy industry and the right wing in not reporting on climate change that we are seeing in our time now. It scares me for my children and my grandchildren. I am of an age where I will not be around to see conditions in 20-30 years.

[mantis49]

14. I forgot to ask...

Have you read it? And what did you think?

[hermetic]

22. No, not yet

My library catalog said they had the audio book but no one can locate it. So now I'm waiting for it to show up in online used book stores.

I am pretty sure it will depress and anger me so I'm not in a big hurry for it right now. And I totally agree with everything you said in your other post. I do everything I can to reduce water usage and I boycott Nestle. But I'm just one small voice.

[japple]

10. I also have this book on my reading list and would

be interested in your take on it.

[pscot]

8. I may take a break from fiction for a while

The last of the Poldarks went back to the library on the 2nd. I started the series june 2, so 3 months to complete. I want to get re-acquainted with my own library and read some history, essays, cultural studies and such. I'm always on the lookout for good fiction, so the plan may change.

[japple]

9. Hi all! Thanks for the thread, hermetic. I had a few weeks of food

preservation last month and it does tire the body, esp. standing up and coring/peeling tomatoes for long periods of time.

I downloaded Fredrik Backman's book, A Man Called Ove from the library after waiting for it almost 4 months. It is a real gem. Here's a synopsis from amazon.com

Meet Ove. He’s a curmudgeon—the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him “the bitter neighbor from hell.” But must Ove be bitter just because he doesn’t walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove’s mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents’ association to their very foundations.

A feel-good story in the spirit of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand, Fredrik Backman’s novel about the angry old man next door is a thoughtful exploration of the profound impact one life has on countless others. “If there was an award for ‘Most Charming Book of the Year,’ this first novel by a Swedish blogger-turned-overnight-sensation would win hands down” (Booklist, starred review).

I nearly fell out of bed laughing last night and can't wait to get back to the book tonight!

[matt819]

15. The next two are also fun

My grandmother told me to say she's sorry and Britt Marie was here

Funny. Touching.

[japple]

17. My Grandmother Told Me to Say She's Sorry is on my list, too. Thanks

for the recommendation. Will put Britt Marie Was Here on the list.

[hermetic]

21. And my list keeps growing

Thanks, those sound like good reads.

[hermetic]

20. Ove sounds great

I've put it on my list.

[Number9Dream]

11. Finished "The Ice Limit" by Preston & Child (spoiler alert)

Chronologically an early work by Preston & Child. It was one of their typically good action page-turners. However, the ending left a few unanswered questions. Were there only two survivors?

Just borrowed The Fifth Gospel by Ian Caldwell from my library. Vacation at the Jersey shore next week and will have more time to read.

[hermetic]

19. Hope you had/

are having a nice vacation.

[panader0]

12. 'Out Stealing Horses' by Per Petterson

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/24/books/review/McGuane.html?_r=0

A very good read. I was on a vacation and tend to read more than usual while traveling.
I also read a Tony Hillerman book, and the collected stories of Dylan Thomas, which was
fantastic, especially 'Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog'.

[matt819]

16. A few, as usual

Finishing up City of Ice by John Farrow. Police procedural set in Montreal. First in what is still an ongoing series after 15 years. Protagonist is a tad irritating, but I'm enjoying the book.

Dark Matters by Blake Crouch. Part way through the audio book. Bit of a mind bender. What is real when you cross boundaries of the multiverse? Beats me. I have a hard time with reality in a single universe. But it's a good read so far.

Just started Midnight Crossroad by Charmaine Harris (City of Ice was in the car). Looks like it's going to be fun.

[hermetic]

18. Charmaine Harris

I read several of her books and found them quite fun.

Dark Matters sounds like one I should look into.