PAUL C IN 23 (20)
This is a continuation of the topic PAUL C IN 23 (19).
Talk75 Books Challenge for 2023
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2PaulCranswick
The Opening Words
Tom Lake is the latest book from Ann Patchett and is inspired by the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder.
" That Veronica and I were given keys and told to come early on a frozen Saturday in April to open the school for the Our Town auditions was proof of our dull reliability. The play's director, Mr. Martin, was my grandmother's friend and State Farm agent. That's how I was wrangled in, through my grandmother, and Veronica was wrangled because we did pretty much everything together. Citizens of New Hampshire could not get enough of Our Town . We felt about the play the way other Americans felt about the Constitution or the "Star-Spangled Banner". It spoke to us, made us feel special and seen. "
Interested...............................?
Tom Lake is the latest book from Ann Patchett and is inspired by the play Our Town by Thornton Wilder.
" That Veronica and I were given keys and told to come early on a frozen Saturday in April to open the school for the Our Town auditions was proof of our dull reliability. The play's director, Mr. Martin, was my grandmother's friend and State Farm agent. That's how I was wrangled in, through my grandmother, and Veronica was wrangled because we did pretty much everything together. Citizens of New Hampshire could not get enough of Our Town . We felt about the play the way other Americans felt about the Constitution or the "Star-Spangled Banner". It spoke to us, made us feel special and seen. "
Interested...............................?
3PaulCranswick
BOOKS COMPLETED - Q1
January
1. The King's Fool by Mahi Binebine (2017) 125 pp Fiction / ANC / Morocco
2. The Golden Ass by Apuleius (c 170) 216 pp Fiction / ANC / Tunisia / 1001
3. Driftnet by Lin Anderson (2003) 262 pp Thriller / Rhona MacLeod 1
4. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff (1954) 292 pp Fiction / BAC
5. Free : Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi (2021) 310 pp Non-Fiction / NF Challenge
6. The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlem Mosteghanemi (1993) 305 pp Fiction / ANC / Algeria
7. Bloodlines by Fred D'Aguiar (2000) 161 pp Poetry / BAC
8. Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan (1958) 372 pp Fiction / 1001
9. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (2008) 300 pp Fiction / AAC
10. U.A. Fanthorpe : Selected Poems by U.A. Fanthorpe (2013) 153 pp Poetry
11. In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar (2006) 245 pp Fiction / ANC / Libya
12. Foundation : The History of England Volume 1 by Peter Ackroyd (2011) 462 pp Non-Fiction
13. Closed Circles by Viveca Sten (2009) 451 pp Thriller / Sandhamn 2
14. The Albemarle Book of Modern Verse edited by FES Finn (1961) 181 pp Poetry
15. Brooklyn Heights by Miral al-Tahawy (2012) 220 pp Fiction / ANC / Egypt
16. The Midnight Bell by Patrick Hamilton (1929) 221 pp Fiction
17. The Siege of Pleasure by Patrick Hamilton (1932) 118 pp Fiction
18. The Plains of Cement by Patrick Hamilton (1934) 188 pp Fiction
19. The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov by Vladimir Nabokov (1995) 663 pp Fiction / Short Stories
20. The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray (2019) 267 pp Non-Fiction
21. The Death of Murat Idrissi by Tommy Wieringa (2017) 102 pp Fiction
22. Foster by Claire Keegan (2010) 88 pp Fiction
February
23. Torch by Lin Anderson (2004) 230 pp Thriller / Rhona MacLeod 2
24. Things I Don't Want to Know by Deborah Levy (2003) 163 pp Non-Fiction
25. The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa (2004) 180 pp Fiction / ANC / Angola
26. Dearly by Margaret Atwood (2020) 122 pp Poetry
27. The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante (2002) 188 pp Fiction
28. The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy (2018) 187 pp Non-Fiction
29. The Lost Art of Sinking by Naomi Booth (2015) 86 pp Fiction / BAC
30. Poetry of the Thirties edited by Robin Skelton (1964) 287 pp Poetry
31. The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason (2017) 338 pp Thriller / Scandi
32. The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig (2006) 345 pp Fiction
33. The History of England Volume II : Tudors by Peter Ackroyd (2012) 471 pp Non-Fiction
34. Male Tears by Benjamin Myers (2021) 264 pp Fiction / Short Stories
35. Woman of the Ashes by Mia Couto (2015) 254 pp Fiction / ANC / Mozambique
36. Real Estate by Deborah Levy (2021) 297 pp Non-Fiction
37. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (1971) 569 pp Fiction / 1001 Books / Pulitzer
March
38. Deadly Code by Lin Anderson (2005) 261 pp Thriller / Rhona MacLeod 3
39. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2003) 307 pp Fiction / ANC / Nigeria
40. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (1956) 308 pp Non-Fiction / Memoirs
41. What Goes On : Selected and New Poems 1995-2009 by Stephen Dunn (2009) 195 pp Poetry / AAC
42. I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel (2022) 203 pp Fiction
43. Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey (2006) 46 pp Poetry / AAC
January
1. The King's Fool by Mahi Binebine (2017) 125 pp Fiction / ANC / Morocco
2. The Golden Ass by Apuleius (c 170) 216 pp Fiction / ANC / Tunisia / 1001
3. Driftnet by Lin Anderson (2003) 262 pp Thriller / Rhona MacLeod 1
4. The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff (1954) 292 pp Fiction / BAC
5. Free : Coming of Age at the End of History by Lea Ypi (2021) 310 pp Non-Fiction / NF Challenge
6. The Bridges of Constantine by Ahlem Mosteghanemi (1993) 305 pp Fiction / ANC / Algeria
7. Bloodlines by Fred D'Aguiar (2000) 161 pp Poetry / BAC
8. Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan (1958) 372 pp Fiction / 1001
9. Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson (2008) 300 pp Fiction / AAC
10. U.A. Fanthorpe : Selected Poems by U.A. Fanthorpe (2013) 153 pp Poetry
11. In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar (2006) 245 pp Fiction / ANC / Libya
12. Foundation : The History of England Volume 1 by Peter Ackroyd (2011) 462 pp Non-Fiction
13. Closed Circles by Viveca Sten (2009) 451 pp Thriller / Sandhamn 2
14. The Albemarle Book of Modern Verse edited by FES Finn (1961) 181 pp Poetry
15. Brooklyn Heights by Miral al-Tahawy (2012) 220 pp Fiction / ANC / Egypt
16. The Midnight Bell by Patrick Hamilton (1929) 221 pp Fiction
17. The Siege of Pleasure by Patrick Hamilton (1932) 118 pp Fiction
18. The Plains of Cement by Patrick Hamilton (1934) 188 pp Fiction
19. The Stories of Vladimir Nabokov by Vladimir Nabokov (1995) 663 pp Fiction / Short Stories
20. The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray (2019) 267 pp Non-Fiction
21. The Death of Murat Idrissi by Tommy Wieringa (2017) 102 pp Fiction
22. Foster by Claire Keegan (2010) 88 pp Fiction
February
23. Torch by Lin Anderson (2004) 230 pp Thriller / Rhona MacLeod 2
24. Things I Don't Want to Know by Deborah Levy (2003) 163 pp Non-Fiction
25. The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa (2004) 180 pp Fiction / ANC / Angola
26. Dearly by Margaret Atwood (2020) 122 pp Poetry
27. The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante (2002) 188 pp Fiction
28. The Cost of Living by Deborah Levy (2018) 187 pp Non-Fiction
29. The Lost Art of Sinking by Naomi Booth (2015) 86 pp Fiction / BAC
30. Poetry of the Thirties edited by Robin Skelton (1964) 287 pp Poetry
31. The Darkness Knows by Arnaldur Indridason (2017) 338 pp Thriller / Scandi
32. The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig (2006) 345 pp Fiction
33. The History of England Volume II : Tudors by Peter Ackroyd (2012) 471 pp Non-Fiction
34. Male Tears by Benjamin Myers (2021) 264 pp Fiction / Short Stories
35. Woman of the Ashes by Mia Couto (2015) 254 pp Fiction / ANC / Mozambique
36. Real Estate by Deborah Levy (2021) 297 pp Non-Fiction
37. Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner (1971) 569 pp Fiction / 1001 Books / Pulitzer
March
38. Deadly Code by Lin Anderson (2005) 261 pp Thriller / Rhona MacLeod 3
39. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2003) 307 pp Fiction / ANC / Nigeria
40. My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (1956) 308 pp Non-Fiction / Memoirs
41. What Goes On : Selected and New Poems 1995-2009 by Stephen Dunn (2009) 195 pp Poetry / AAC
42. I'm a Fan by Sheena Patel (2022) 203 pp Fiction
43. Native Guard by Natasha Trethewey (2006) 46 pp Poetry / AAC
4PaulCranswick
BOOKS COMPLETED - Q2
April
44. Anne Boleyn : 500 Years of Lies by Hayley Nolan (2019) 282 pp Non-Fiction / BAC
45. Hotel of the Saints by Ursula Hegi (2001) 170 pp Fiction / AAC
46. Dark Flight by Lin Anderson (2007) 392 pp Thiller
47. Boulder by Eva Baltasar (2020) 105 pp Fiction / Spain
48. Moscow by Nick Carter (1970) 155 pp Thriller
49. Thirteen Months of Sunrise by Rania Mamoun Short Stories / ANC / Sudan
50. The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot (1922) 32 pp Poetry
51. Felicity : Poems by Mary Oliver (2014) 81 pp Poetry
52. Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin (2023) 238 pp Fiction / Vietnam
53. Justice on Trial : Radical Solutions for a System at Breaking Point by Chris Daw (2020) 264 pp Non-Fiction
54. The Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott (1966) 488 pp Fiction
55. Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka (2010) 451 pp Thriller / Japan
May
56. Taste : My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci (2021) 299 pp Non-Fiction
57. Tell Me the Truth About Life curated by Cerys Matthews (2019) 177 pp Poetry
58. Those Feet : An Intimate History of English Football by David Winner (2005) 268 pp Non-Fiction
59. The Arctic : Poems by Don Paterson (2022) 82 pp Poetry
60. Suffer the Little Children by Donna Leon (2007) 342 pp Thiller
61. The Missing Months by Lachlan MacKinnon (2022) 63 pp Poetry
June
62. Easy Kill by Lin Anderson (2008) 390 pp Thriller
63. Civil War : The History of England Volume III by Peter Ackroyd (2014) 470 pp Non-Fiction
64. Ruth Pitter : Collected Poems by Ruth Pitter (1996) 299 pp Poetry
65. Dance of the Jakaranda by Peter Kimani (2017) 350 pp Fiction / ANC / Kenya
66. England's Green by Zaffar Kunial (2022) 70 pp Poetry
67. Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov (2020) 302 pp Fiction / Bulgaria
68. The Illustrated Woman by Helen Mort (2022) 82 pp Poetry
69. Oxblood by Tom Benn (2022) 245 pp Fiction
70. The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt (2011) 263 PP Non-Fiction
71. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (2005) 309 pp Fiction
72. The Breast by Philip Roth (1972) 74 pp Fiction 1001 Books
73. Heritage by Miguel Bonnefoy (2020) 149 pp Fiction / Venezuela
74. Doctor Who : The Androids of Tara (1978) 143 pp SF / BAC
75. Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho (1998) 210 pp Fiction /1001 books / Brazil
76. Collected Later Poems by Anthony Hecht (2003) 238 pp Poetry
77. Zazie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau (1959) 177 pp Fiction / France
78. Quiet by Victoria Adukwei Bulley (2022) 81 pp Poetry / ANC / Ghana
79. Bonsai by Alejandro Zambra (2006) 74 pp Fiction / Chile
80. Pyre by Perumal Murugam (2013) 194 pp Fiction / India
81. Small Country by Gael Faye (2016) 183 pp Fiction / ANC / Burundi
82. Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko (1996) 161 pp Fiction / Ukraine
April
44. Anne Boleyn : 500 Years of Lies by Hayley Nolan (2019) 282 pp Non-Fiction / BAC
45. Hotel of the Saints by Ursula Hegi (2001) 170 pp Fiction / AAC
46. Dark Flight by Lin Anderson (2007) 392 pp Thiller
47. Boulder by Eva Baltasar (2020) 105 pp Fiction / Spain
48. Moscow by Nick Carter (1970) 155 pp Thriller
49. Thirteen Months of Sunrise by Rania Mamoun Short Stories / ANC / Sudan
50. The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot (1922) 32 pp Poetry
51. Felicity : Poems by Mary Oliver (2014) 81 pp Poetry
52. Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin (2023) 238 pp Fiction / Vietnam
53. Justice on Trial : Radical Solutions for a System at Breaking Point by Chris Daw (2020) 264 pp Non-Fiction
54. The Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott (1966) 488 pp Fiction
55. Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka (2010) 451 pp Thriller / Japan
May
56. Taste : My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci (2021) 299 pp Non-Fiction
57. Tell Me the Truth About Life curated by Cerys Matthews (2019) 177 pp Poetry
58. Those Feet : An Intimate History of English Football by David Winner (2005) 268 pp Non-Fiction
59. The Arctic : Poems by Don Paterson (2022) 82 pp Poetry
60. Suffer the Little Children by Donna Leon (2007) 342 pp Thiller
61. The Missing Months by Lachlan MacKinnon (2022) 63 pp Poetry
June
62. Easy Kill by Lin Anderson (2008) 390 pp Thriller
63. Civil War : The History of England Volume III by Peter Ackroyd (2014) 470 pp Non-Fiction
64. Ruth Pitter : Collected Poems by Ruth Pitter (1996) 299 pp Poetry
65. Dance of the Jakaranda by Peter Kimani (2017) 350 pp Fiction / ANC / Kenya
66. England's Green by Zaffar Kunial (2022) 70 pp Poetry
67. Time Shelter by Georgi Gospodinov (2020) 302 pp Fiction / Bulgaria
68. The Illustrated Woman by Helen Mort (2022) 82 pp Poetry
69. Oxblood by Tom Benn (2022) 245 pp Fiction
70. The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt (2011) 263 PP Non-Fiction
71. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy (2005) 309 pp Fiction
72. The Breast by Philip Roth (1972) 74 pp Fiction 1001 Books
73. Heritage by Miguel Bonnefoy (2020) 149 pp Fiction / Venezuela
74. Doctor Who : The Androids of Tara (1978) 143 pp SF / BAC
75. Veronika Decides to Die by Paulo Coelho (1998) 210 pp Fiction /1001 books / Brazil
76. Collected Later Poems by Anthony Hecht (2003) 238 pp Poetry
77. Zazie in the Metro by Raymond Queneau (1959) 177 pp Fiction / France
78. Quiet by Victoria Adukwei Bulley (2022) 81 pp Poetry / ANC / Ghana
79. Bonsai by Alejandro Zambra (2006) 74 pp Fiction / Chile
80. Pyre by Perumal Murugam (2013) 194 pp Fiction / India
81. Small Country by Gael Faye (2016) 183 pp Fiction / ANC / Burundi
82. Fieldwork in Ukrainian Sex by Oksana Zabuzhko (1996) 161 pp Fiction / Ukraine
5PaulCranswick
BOOKS COMPLETED - Q3
July
83. Lenin on the Train by Catherine Merridale (2016) 291 pp Non-Fiction / Reading through time
84. Selected Poems by W.H. Auden (1979) 319 pp Poetry
85. Paradais by Fernanda Melchior (2022) 118 pp Fiction / Mexico
86. Final Cut by Lin Anderson (2009) 344 pp Thriller
87. John Heath-Stubbs : Selected Poems by John Heath-Stubbs (1990) 144 pp Poetry
88. Kingdom of Characters by Jing Tsu (2022) 280 pp Non Fiction / Taiwan
89. Cemetery Lake by Paul Cleave (2008) 347 pp Thriller / New Zealand
90. Fly Away, Peter by David Malouf (1982) 142 pp Fiction / Australia
91. East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952) 602 pp Fiction / 1001 Books
92. Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy (1955) 226 pp Non-Fiction / AAC
August
93. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy (2022) 309 pp Fiction
94. August 1914 by Bruno Cabanes (2014) 196 pp Non-Fiction
95. The Shameful State by Sony Labou Tansi (1981) 116 pp Fiction / ANC / DRC
96. Told by Starlight in Chad by Joseph Brahim Seid (2007) 71 pp Fiction / ANC / Chad
97. The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (2023) 304 pp Fiction / Malaysia
98. Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees by Sarah F Wakefield (1863) 87 pp Non-Fiction
99. Winchelsea by Alex Preston (2022) 334 pp Fiction / BAC
100. Blue White Red by Alain Mabanckou (1998) 147 pp Fiction / ANC / Congo
101. The Trees by Percival Everett (2021) 308 pp Fiction / AAC
102. Bound to Violence by Yambo Ouologuem (1968) 182 pp Fiction / ANC / Mali
103. The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah (2018) 438pp Fiction
104. Standing Heavy by Gauz (2014) 167 pp Fiction / ANC / Ivory Coast
105. So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba (1979) 95 pp Fiction / ANC / Senegal
106. The Following Story by Cees Nooteboom (1991) 98 pp Fiction
107. Requiem for a Wren by Nevil Shute (1955) 250 pp Fiction
108. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (2022) 436 pp Fiction
September
109. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara (2020) 344 pp Fiction
110. Assembly by Natasha Brown (2021) 100 pp Fiction
111. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides (2021) 356 pp Thriller /BAC /Cyprus
112. Careless by Kirsty Capes (2021) 317 pp Fiction
113. The Cry of Winnie Mandela by Njabulo Ndebele (2004) 146 pp ANC / South Africa
114. In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes (1947) 222 pp Thriller / AAC
115. The Furrows by Namwali Serpell (2022) 266 pp Fiction / ANC / Zambia
116. Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (2023) 309 pp Fiction
117. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (2020) 419 pp Fiction
118. So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan (2023) 47 pp Fiction
119. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo (2016) 163 pp Fiction / South Korea
120. The Lonely Skier by Hammond Innes (1947) 176 pp Thriller
121. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (2023) 715 pp Fiction ANC / Ethiopia
122. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry (2023) 261 pp Fiction
123. Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris (2023) 278 pp Fiction / Bosnia
124. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (2013) 290 pp Fiction ANC/ Zimbabwe
125. Our Town by Thornton Wilder (1938) 114 pp Drama
126. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) 309 pp Fiction
July
83. Lenin on the Train by Catherine Merridale (2016) 291 pp Non-Fiction / Reading through time
84. Selected Poems by W.H. Auden (1979) 319 pp Poetry
85. Paradais by Fernanda Melchior (2022) 118 pp Fiction / Mexico
86. Final Cut by Lin Anderson (2009) 344 pp Thriller
87. John Heath-Stubbs : Selected Poems by John Heath-Stubbs (1990) 144 pp Poetry
88. Kingdom of Characters by Jing Tsu (2022) 280 pp Non Fiction / Taiwan
89. Cemetery Lake by Paul Cleave (2008) 347 pp Thriller / New Zealand
90. Fly Away, Peter by David Malouf (1982) 142 pp Fiction / Australia
91. East of Eden by John Steinbeck (1952) 602 pp Fiction / 1001 Books
92. Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy (1955) 226 pp Non-Fiction / AAC
August
93. Trespasses by Louise Kennedy (2022) 309 pp Fiction
94. August 1914 by Bruno Cabanes (2014) 196 pp Non-Fiction
95. The Shameful State by Sony Labou Tansi (1981) 116 pp Fiction / ANC / DRC
96. Told by Starlight in Chad by Joseph Brahim Seid (2007) 71 pp Fiction / ANC / Chad
97. The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng (2023) 304 pp Fiction / Malaysia
98. Six Weeks in the Sioux Tepees by Sarah F Wakefield (1863) 87 pp Non-Fiction
99. Winchelsea by Alex Preston (2022) 334 pp Fiction / BAC
100. Blue White Red by Alain Mabanckou (1998) 147 pp Fiction / ANC / Congo
101. The Trees by Percival Everett (2021) 308 pp Fiction / AAC
102. Bound to Violence by Yambo Ouologuem (1968) 182 pp Fiction / ANC / Mali
103. The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah (2018) 438pp Fiction
104. Standing Heavy by Gauz (2014) 167 pp Fiction / ANC / Ivory Coast
105. So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba (1979) 95 pp Fiction / ANC / Senegal
106. The Following Story by Cees Nooteboom (1991) 98 pp Fiction
107. Requiem for a Wren by Nevil Shute (1955) 250 pp Fiction
108. The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (2022) 436 pp Fiction
September
109. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara (2020) 344 pp Fiction
110. Assembly by Natasha Brown (2021) 100 pp Fiction
111. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides (2021) 356 pp Thriller /BAC /Cyprus
112. Careless by Kirsty Capes (2021) 317 pp Fiction
113. The Cry of Winnie Mandela by Njabulo Ndebele (2004) 146 pp ANC / South Africa
114. In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes (1947) 222 pp Thriller / AAC
115. The Furrows by Namwali Serpell (2022) 266 pp Fiction / ANC / Zambia
116. Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (2023) 309 pp Fiction
117. The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams (2020) 419 pp Fiction
118. So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan (2023) 47 pp Fiction
119. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo (2016) 163 pp Fiction / South Korea
120. The Lonely Skier by Hammond Innes (1947) 176 pp Thriller
121. The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese (2023) 715 pp Fiction ANC / Ethiopia
122. Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry (2023) 261 pp Fiction
123. Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris (2023) 278 pp Fiction / Bosnia
124. We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo (2013) 290 pp Fiction ANC/ Zimbabwe
125. Our Town by Thornton Wilder (1938) 114 pp Drama
126. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) 309 pp Fiction
6PaulCranswick
Books Completed Q4
October
127. Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein (2023) 189 pp Fiction
128. The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb (1953) 246 pp Thriller
October
127. Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein (2023) 189 pp Fiction
128. The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb (1953) 246 pp Thriller
7PaulCranswick
African Reading Challenge 2023
Plans
January - NORTH AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/347131 read 5
February - LUSOPHONE LIT https://www.librarything.com/topic/348039 read 2
March - ADICHIE or EMECHETA https://www.librarything.com/topic/348955#n8081025 read 1
April - THE HORN OF AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/349799 read 1
May - AFRICAN NOBEL WINNERS https://www.librarything.com/topic/350564
June - EAST AFRICA - https://www.librarything.com/topic/351192 Read 3
July - ACHEBE or Okri https://www.librarything.com/topic/351931
August - FRANCOPHONE AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/352728#n8220656 Read 6
September - SOUTHERN AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/353344 READ 3
October - MUKASONGA / NGUGI WA THIONG'O
November - AFRICAN THRILLERS / CRIME WRITERS
December - WEST AFRICA read 1
Total : 22
Plans
January - NORTH AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/347131 read 5
February - LUSOPHONE LIT https://www.librarything.com/topic/348039 read 2
March - ADICHIE or EMECHETA https://www.librarything.com/topic/348955#n8081025 read 1
April - THE HORN OF AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/349799 read 1
May - AFRICAN NOBEL WINNERS https://www.librarything.com/topic/350564
June - EAST AFRICA - https://www.librarything.com/topic/351192 Read 3
July - ACHEBE or Okri https://www.librarything.com/topic/351931
August - FRANCOPHONE AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/352728#n8220656 Read 6
September - SOUTHERN AFRICA https://www.librarything.com/topic/353344 READ 3
October - MUKASONGA / NGUGI WA THIONG'O
November - AFRICAN THRILLERS / CRIME WRITERS
December - WEST AFRICA read 1
Total : 22
8PaulCranswick
BRITISH AUTHOR CHALLENGE
January - Rosemary Sutcliff & Fred D'Aguiar Eagle of the Ninth by Sutcliff, Bloodlines by D'Aguiar
February - Novellas & Short Stories - The Lost Art of Sinking by Booth, Male Tears by Myers
March - Vita Sackville-West & Tariq Ali
April - British Queens - Anne Boleyn : 500 Years of Lies by Hayley Nolan
May - RF Delderfield & Jan Morris
June - Time Travel - Doctor Who : The Androids of Tara by David Fisher
July - Nadifa Mohamed & Tom Holt
August - Seafaring Stories - Winchelsea by Alex Preston
September - Campus Books - The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
January - Rosemary Sutcliff & Fred D'Aguiar Eagle of the Ninth by Sutcliff, Bloodlines by D'Aguiar
February - Novellas & Short Stories - The Lost Art of Sinking by Booth, Male Tears by Myers
March - Vita Sackville-West & Tariq Ali
April - British Queens - Anne Boleyn : 500 Years of Lies by Hayley Nolan
May - RF Delderfield & Jan Morris
June - Time Travel - Doctor Who : The Androids of Tara by David Fisher
July - Nadifa Mohamed & Tom Holt
August - Seafaring Stories - Winchelsea by Alex Preston
September - Campus Books - The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
9PaulCranswick
AMERICAN AUTHOR CHALLENGE
January - YA Books - Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
February - Richard Powers
March - Poetry - What Goes On : Selected and New Poems by Stephen Dunn
April - Ursula Hegi - Hotel of the Saints
May -
June - Wildcard - No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
July - American Presidents - Profiles in Courage by John F Kennedy
August - Percival Everett - The Trees
September - Crime Queens - In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes
January - YA Books - Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
February - Richard Powers
March - Poetry - What Goes On : Selected and New Poems by Stephen Dunn
April - Ursula Hegi - Hotel of the Saints
May -
June - Wildcard - No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
July - American Presidents - Profiles in Courage by John F Kennedy
August - Percival Everett - The Trees
September - Crime Queens - In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B Hughes
10PaulCranswick
AROUND THE WORLD IN BOOKS IN 2023
Countries : 51 (30 September 2023)
Create Your Own Visited Countries Map
Countries : 51 (30 September 2023)
Create Your Own Visited Countries Map
11PaulCranswick
BOOK STATS
Starting Stats of the Year :
Present TBR : 5,679 books
Pages to Read : 1,943,264
Average Book Length : 342.18
Books Read 126 (30 Sept 23)
Pages : 30,597
Pages per day : 112.08
Average Book Length : 242.83 pages
Female Authors : 53
Male Authors : 70
Various : 3
Countries Read : 51 (UK, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, Algeria, Guyana, Ireland, USA. Libya, Sweden, Egypt, Russia, Netherlands, Angola, Canada, Italy, Iceland, Mozambique, Nigeria, Spain, Sudan, Vietnam, Japan, Kenya, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Brazil, France, Ghana, Chile, India, Burundi, Ukraine, Mexico, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, DRC, Chad, Malaysia, Congo, Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, Cyprus, South Africa, Zambia, South Korea, Ethiopia, Bosnia, Zimbabwe)
Fiction : 66
Thriller : 15
Non-Fiction : 19
Sci-Fi/Fantasy : 1
Poetry : 19
Short Stories : 5
Drama : 1
1001 Books First Edition
Read 6 (333)
Nobel Winners
Read : (75)
Booker Winners
Read : (38)
Pulitzer Fiction Prize
Read 1 : (21)
Women's Prize
Read : (7)
Books Added in 2023
365 (30 Sep 2023)
Books Read in 2023
126 (30 Sep 2023)
Books Culled in 2023
127 (30 Sep 2023)
Revised TBR : 5,791
Starting Stats of the Year :
Present TBR : 5,679 books
Pages to Read : 1,943,264
Average Book Length : 342.18
Books Read 126 (30 Sept 23)
Pages : 30,597
Pages per day : 112.08
Average Book Length : 242.83 pages
Female Authors : 53
Male Authors : 70
Various : 3
Countries Read : 51 (UK, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, Algeria, Guyana, Ireland, USA. Libya, Sweden, Egypt, Russia, Netherlands, Angola, Canada, Italy, Iceland, Mozambique, Nigeria, Spain, Sudan, Vietnam, Japan, Kenya, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Brazil, France, Ghana, Chile, India, Burundi, Ukraine, Mexico, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, DRC, Chad, Malaysia, Congo, Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire, Mali, Cyprus, South Africa, Zambia, South Korea, Ethiopia, Bosnia, Zimbabwe)
Fiction : 66
Thriller : 15
Non-Fiction : 19
Sci-Fi/Fantasy : 1
Poetry : 19
Short Stories : 5
Drama : 1
1001 Books First Edition
Read 6 (333)
Nobel Winners
Read : (75)
Booker Winners
Read : (38)
Pulitzer Fiction Prize
Read 1 : (21)
Women's Prize
Read : (7)
Books Added in 2023
365 (30 Sep 2023)
Books Read in 2023
126 (30 Sep 2023)
Books Culled in 2023
127 (30 Sep 2023)
Revised TBR : 5,791
12PaulCranswick
Welcome to my 20th thread of 2023!
14amanda4242
Happy new thread!
16SilverWolf28
Happy New Thread!
17SilverWolf28
Here's the next readathon: https://www.librarything.com/topic/353988
20PaulCranswick
>15 mahsdad: You were quick last time out too as I recall, Jeff!
>16 SilverWolf28: Thank you Silver. x
>16 SilverWolf28: Thank you Silver. x
21PaulCranswick
>17 SilverWolf28: Thanks Silver. This weekend will be an interesting one as it straddles two months.
>19 ArlieS: Thank you, Arlie.
>19 ArlieS: Thank you, Arlie.
22figsfromthistle
Happy new thread!
25vancouverdeb
Happy New 🧵, Paul !
26PaulCranswick
>22 figsfromthistle: Thank you, Anita.
>23 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I noticed that you have also just made a new thread. I will be there very soon with salutations. x
>23 Kristelh: Thanks Kristel. I noticed that you have also just made a new thread. I will be there very soon with salutations. x
27PaulCranswick
>24 quondame: Thank you, Susan.
>25 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb. I am looking forward to The Bee Sting early next month. x
>25 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb. I am looking forward to The Bee Sting early next month. x
29PaulCranswick
>28 atozgrl: Thanks Irene. September seems to have flown by, don't you think?
30atozgrl
>29 PaulCranswick: Yes, indeed it has!
31paulstalder
happy new thread
32FAMeulstee
Happy new thread, Paul!
33PaulCranswick
>30 atozgrl: Thirty days in the blinking of an eye!
>31 paulstalder: Thanks Paul. Nice to see you my friend.
>31 paulstalder: Thanks Paul. Nice to see you my friend.
34PaulCranswick
>32 FAMeulstee: Thanks and good morning, Anita. xx
35FAMeulstee
>34 PaulCranswick: Good afternoon, Paul.
We are about to leave for our one week walking vacation, so you were just in time with your new thread to get my new thread wish.
I won't be much around here while away.
We are about to leave for our one week walking vacation, so you were just in time with your new thread to get my new thread wish.
I won't be much around here while away.
37msf59
Happy New Thread, Paul. I think that is a wonderful idea of teaming up Our Town with Tom Lake. A perfect match. Have you read The Singapore Grip or any of the other Empire Trilogy books? If not, I think you would like them. Like Benita mentioned, no one writes these big historical novels anymore, tackling big social/world issues.
Have a great weekend.
Have a great weekend.
38PaulCranswick
>37 msf59: Benita asked me on my last thread, Mark, and it is still fairly fresh in my mind. It is a long one and very, very well done. Pokes fun at the pomposity and complacency of the British in Singapore fairly sure that the Japanese would flounder.
Always great to see you, buddy.
Always great to see you, buddy.
41alcottacre
>2 PaulCranswick: You are in for a good read, Paul, and I hope you follow it up by reading Our Town!
Happy new thread, Paul. By the way, my latest haul is posted to the 'This Just In' thread.
Happy new thread, Paul. By the way, my latest haul is posted to the 'This Just In' thread.
42Storeetllr
Happy New thread. What is it? Your two hundred and twenty-ninth of this year? 😂 (Hard keeping up sometimes.) (Most times.)
Have a lovely weekend!
Have a lovely weekend!
44PaulCranswick
>39 SirThomas: Thank you dear Thomas.
>40 torontoc: I am just starting it, Cyrel, but I certainly enjoyed Our Town in the meantime.
>40 torontoc: I am just starting it, Cyrel, but I certainly enjoyed Our Town in the meantime.
45PaulCranswick
>41 alcottacre: I did it the other way, Stasia. I watched and listened and read Our Town on Thursday evening. I watched the performance with Paul Newman as Stage Manager. Very very good. x
Thanks Juana and I am off to the "Just in" thread to wallow. Right after I put my little haul from yesterday lunchtime up.
>42 Storeetllr: Hahaha Mary a "mere" 20 threads for me so far. xx
Thank you, dear lady.
Thanks Juana and I am off to the "Just in" thread to wallow. Right after I put my little haul from yesterday lunchtime up.
>42 Storeetllr: Hahaha Mary a "mere" 20 threads for me so far. xx
Thank you, dear lady.
47PaulCranswick
Friday lunchtime additions
360. Ordinary People by Diana Evans
361. Mother's Boy by Patrick Gale
362. Values, Voice and Virtue by Matthew Goodwin
363. The Dreadful Monster and Its Poor Relations by Julian Hoppit
364. When We Were Bad by Charlotte Mendelson
365. The Perfect Nine by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
360. Ordinary People by Diana Evans
361. Mother's Boy by Patrick Gale
362. Values, Voice and Virtue by Matthew Goodwin
363. The Dreadful Monster and Its Poor Relations by Julian Hoppit
364. When We Were Bad by Charlotte Mendelson
365. The Perfect Nine by Ngugi wa Thiong'o
49PaulCranswick
>48 humouress: Thank you, neighbour!
50PaulCranswick
BOOK #124
We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo
Date of Publication : 2013
Origin of Author : Zimbabwe
Pages : 290 pp
Maybe because my reading has been so joyfully stellar this month, Bulawayo's debut fell a little flat for me.
Whilst the story has in vignettes the quality to bruise and move it's stuttering, scatterbrained delivery did not enhance the reading experience and told of a writer whose skills are still in the process of being refined.
A novel that showed more promise than achievement.
We Need New Names by NoViolet Bulawayo
Date of Publication : 2013
Origin of Author : Zimbabwe
Pages : 290 pp
Maybe because my reading has been so joyfully stellar this month, Bulawayo's debut fell a little flat for me.
Whilst the story has in vignettes the quality to bruise and move it's stuttering, scatterbrained delivery did not enhance the reading experience and told of a writer whose skills are still in the process of being refined.
A novel that showed more promise than achievement.
51PaulCranswick
Book #125
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Date of Publication (and first performance) : 1938
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 114 pp
Edward Albee who knew a lot more than me on the subject said that Our Town was the "greatest American play ever written". Now Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and August Wilson may have their own claims to have topped this one, but Albee does have a point.
Speaking back to a better world, a simpler world and a more caring, sharing America, Wilder sets his play in the fictional New Hampshire town of Grover's Corners.
The three Acts of the play cover distinct time periods and show the passage of life (and death) for our protagonists. There is some lovely homespun lyricism directed through the characters and especially the Stage Manager who sort of narrates the action.
The themes of communal life, the passage of time and the need to live time in the moment and appreciate what it brings and what it takes away make this a very special and brilliantly written play. It was extremely moving in parts.
Alongside the book I watched the YouTube production which featured Paul Newman in the role of the Stage Manager and he did a wonderful - late career - performance.
Recommended of course and the ideal prelude and set-up for Tom Lake.
Our Town by Thornton Wilder
Date of Publication (and first performance) : 1938
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 114 pp
Edward Albee who knew a lot more than me on the subject said that Our Town was the "greatest American play ever written". Now Eugene O'Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller and August Wilson may have their own claims to have topped this one, but Albee does have a point.
Speaking back to a better world, a simpler world and a more caring, sharing America, Wilder sets his play in the fictional New Hampshire town of Grover's Corners.
The three Acts of the play cover distinct time periods and show the passage of life (and death) for our protagonists. There is some lovely homespun lyricism directed through the characters and especially the Stage Manager who sort of narrates the action.
The themes of communal life, the passage of time and the need to live time in the moment and appreciate what it brings and what it takes away make this a very special and brilliantly written play. It was extremely moving in parts.
Alongside the book I watched the YouTube production which featured Paul Newman in the role of the Stage Manager and he did a wonderful - late career - performance.
Recommended of course and the ideal prelude and set-up for Tom Lake.
52alcottacre
>45 PaulCranswick: Cool beans! I have not yet watched the Paul Newman version and am definitely going to have to rectify that.
>47 PaulCranswick: I have not read a single one of those and look forward to seeing what you think of them. Nice haul, Juan!
>50 PaulCranswick: Sounds like I can pass on that one!
>51 PaulCranswick: I am so glad you enjoyed the play.
Happy whatever, Paul!
>47 PaulCranswick: I have not read a single one of those and look forward to seeing what you think of them. Nice haul, Juan!
>50 PaulCranswick: Sounds like I can pass on that one!
>51 PaulCranswick: I am so glad you enjoyed the play.
Happy whatever, Paul!
53PaulCranswick
>52 alcottacre: Great Minds and all that, Stasia. I was just on the Acre talking about the institution that is the TIOLI Challenge.
Bulawayo's book was Booker shortlisted but was not really for me. Wilder's play most definitely was, though, and the Newman performance is delivered in a nicely understated way.
Bulawayo's book was Booker shortlisted but was not really for me. Wilder's play most definitely was, though, and the Newman performance is delivered in a nicely understated way.
54PaulCranswick
The last post was my 5,000th on my threads this year.
Thank you so much to everyone who has posted here in 2023.
Apologies to anyone whose feelings I may have hurt with an abrasive or overly opinionated post.
Please know that I appreciate, value and cherish all your views and comments even those which I may respectfully not concur with.
Thank you so much to everyone who has posted here in 2023.
Apologies to anyone whose feelings I may have hurt with an abrasive or overly opinionated post.
Please know that I appreciate, value and cherish all your views and comments even those which I may respectfully not concur with.
55quondame
>54 PaulCranswick: Ta Da!!! Congratulations!
56PaulCranswick
>55 quondame: Thank you, Susan. I have only failed to reach 5,000 posts twice and those were in years of particular life crisis for me. Last year I made it to 8,880 posts but I won't get anywhere near that this time.
I have managed to pass 10,000 posts just the once, but that was in a much more densely populated group than now.
I have managed to pass 10,000 posts just the once, but that was in a much more densely populated group than now.
57vancouverdeb
>47 PaulCranswick: Nice Haul, Paul!
58PaulCranswick
>57 vancouverdeb: Thanks Deb. I was looking at some of the books that had been longlisted before for the Women's Prize and the Evans and the Mendelson books both called to me as a result.
59Kristelh
I plan to read The Perfect Nine in October. I’ve read We need New Names in 2016. I liked parts of it and others not as much. I remember bits and pieces of it. I haven’t read anything more by her.
60alcottacre
>53 PaulCranswick: I am finding that quite a few of the Booker books are not for me, either short or long list.
Yeah, I think everyone should at least give Our Town a chance. I know it will not be for everyone, but at least try it! You might be surprised by how much depth there is to an 80+ year old play :)
>54 PaulCranswick: Woot!!
Yeah, I think everyone should at least give Our Town a chance. I know it will not be for everyone, but at least try it! You might be surprised by how much depth there is to an 80+ year old play :)
>54 PaulCranswick: Woot!!
61PaulCranswick
>59 Kristelh: I may be wrong, Kristel, but I think that there is only one novel apart from that to read which was also Booker shortlisted and a bit divisive amongst readers : Glory.
I may follow you with The Perfect Nine.
>60 alcottacre: I have read three only of the thirteen and to be fair enjoyed all of them, Stasia, but none of them were close to being as good as The Covenant of Water IMHO.
I thought some of the language used in the play was wonderful, Stasia. Very insightful indeed as to the human condition.
I may follow you with The Perfect Nine.
>60 alcottacre: I have read three only of the thirteen and to be fair enjoyed all of them, Stasia, but none of them were close to being as good as The Covenant of Water IMHO.
I thought some of the language used in the play was wonderful, Stasia. Very insightful indeed as to the human condition.
62PaulCranswick
Connections
Puzzle #111
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Don't play this one every day but I have only goofed it up completely once so far.
Puzzle #111
🟨🟨🟨🟨
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟦🟦🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟪🟪🟪🟪
Don't play this one every day but I have only goofed it up completely once so far.
63PaulCranswick
October's AFRICAN NOVEL CHALLENGE thread is up :
https://www.librarything.com/topic/354018
This month Ngugi wa Thiong'o
and
Scholastique Mukasonga will feature.
https://www.librarything.com/topic/354018
This month Ngugi wa Thiong'o
and
Scholastique Mukasonga will feature.
64amanda4242
>63 PaulCranswick: Just posted over there.
65PaulCranswick
>63 PaulCranswick: Will go and have a shufty, Amanda. I'm sure that you have read their complete works already!
66benitastrnad
I am not sure if you have read any of the novels by Abdulrazak Gurnah but if you haven't you need to rectify that quickly. I finished reading Afterlives this month and it was beautifully written and about a part of this earth that doesn't get much attention from authors or readers. Gurnah winning the Noble should help with introducing East Africa to readers around the world.
I was happy to see that my public library has a brand spanking new copy of Desertion by Gurnah on the new book shelves. I already have three books checked out from that library and so will wait a bit before reading this one. But rest assured that I will be reading more books by Gurnah. If all of his books are of the quality of Afterlives he is well deserving of the award.
I was happy to see that my public library has a brand spanking new copy of Desertion by Gurnah on the new book shelves. I already have three books checked out from that library and so will wait a bit before reading this one. But rest assured that I will be reading more books by Gurnah. If all of his books are of the quality of Afterlives he is well deserving of the award.
67PaulCranswick
>66 benitastrnad: I have all his novels, Benita. I believe that Paradise is often deemed his
masterpiece and I read that and Desertion a number of years ago (before LT). I read his novel Pilgrims Way about a year ago which sort of hinted at the talent to come. I have heard very positive things about his book Afterlives and would be keen to read that or By the Sea with you in November if you are able.
masterpiece and I read that and Desertion a number of years ago (before LT). I read his novel Pilgrims Way about a year ago which sort of hinted at the talent to come. I have heard very positive things about his book Afterlives and would be keen to read that or By the Sea with you in November if you are able.
68Caroline_McElwee
>47 PaulCranswick: I really liked Mother's Boy Paul. I've read and liked all the novels of his I've read. I like his tone.
69PaulCranswick
>68 Caroline_McElwee: From what I can tell when I have seen him interviewed he is a thoroughly nice chap too. This one in particular caught my eye because I have in fact met the late Charles Causley many moons ago and his "Ballad of the Bread Man" was a poem I learned by heart as a schoolboy. I read Causley's collected works a few years ago and was most annoyed with Yasmyne that it was among a pile of books she gave away to her school library by mistake.
70PaulCranswick
September 2017 and Van Morrison is a gift that simply keeps on giving. His 37th studio album Roll With the Punches was released and recorded with such luminaries as Jeff Beck, Paul Jones, Chris Farlowe and Georgie Fame it included a handful of new songs but plenty of blues covers. Admirable stuff.
This is the Van Morrison composition "Transformation"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy1nA3ypuBk
This is the Van Morrison composition "Transformation"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy1nA3ypuBk
71PaulCranswick
A year on and another Hardy Perennial in Paul MacCartney (I could have selected Paul Simon just as easily but his album was one of re-recordings).
Egypt Station was released on 7 September 2018.
This is "Come on to Me". Thankfully MacCartney doesn't really feature in the video given that the subject matter is a little unsettling for a then 76 year old man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSU4O7FzrRU
Egypt Station was released on 7 September 2018.
This is "Come on to Me". Thankfully MacCartney doesn't really feature in the video given that the subject matter is a little unsettling for a then 76 year old man.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSU4O7FzrRU
72PaulCranswick
Noel Gallagher is a divisive and uncouth character - he also has charisma in abundance. Since he split from his more obviously gifted brother his solo work has been hit and miss.
Why Me? Why Not is a highpoint. Given that it outsold the rest of the top ten combined in its first month of release in September 2019.
This was the lead single "Shockwave"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBAhgZZNR7E
Why Me? Why Not is a highpoint. Given that it outsold the rest of the top ten combined in its first month of release in September 2019.
This was the lead single "Shockwave"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBAhgZZNR7E
73PaulCranswick
I do listen to American music, honestly! September 2020 saw the release of music by Semisonic (a much undervalued band), Alicia Keys, The Flaming Lips and this album Shore by the wonderful Fleet Foxes.
Not as immediate as their debut album, it is nevertheless compulsory listening at home. This is "Sunblind"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osz9DyfbjyQ
Not as immediate as their debut album, it is nevertheless compulsory listening at home. This is "Sunblind"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osz9DyfbjyQ
74PaulCranswick
There are a plethora of singer songwriters these days and it is not always easy to pick the wheat from the chaff. Dublin born James Vincent McMorrow is definitely in the wheat category.
In September 2021 he released Grapefruit Season
which included the delightful song "Waiting"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmRXq1NB28o
In September 2021 he released Grapefruit Season
which included the delightful song "Waiting"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmRXq1NB28o
75PaulCranswick
Keane lead singer Tom Chaplin has released three solo albums and he is always worth listening to.
Midpoint finishes off my review of the September releases of my lifetime:
A great singer. This is the title track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymtS40VHWlo
Midpoint finishes off my review of the September releases of my lifetime:
A great singer. This is the title track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymtS40VHWlo
77PaulCranswick
>76 DianaNL: Thank you, Diana. The very same to you dear lady. x
78Donna828
Happy new thread, Paul. I am eagerly awaiting for my number to come up at the library for my copy of Tom Lake. I think I’ll borrow your brilliant idea to watch Our Town right before I read the book. You got me at the mention of Paul Newman!
I hope you’re having a great September/October weekend!
I hope you’re having a great September/October weekend!
79PaulCranswick
>78 Donna828: Lovely to see you, Donna. Great experience both books, Donna. I'm just wrapping up Tom Lake but it is a winner for sure. I am a bit non-plussed as to why this is my first book by Ann Patchett.
80Storeetllr
>54 PaulCranswick: Yo! Impressive! Congratulations! I'm just happy to be able to make four threads a year with at least 200 posts on each. :)
81PaulCranswick
>80 Storeetllr: You have been clocking up quite decent numbers, Mary, especially as you delightfully came back to the group part way through the year.
83PaulCranswick
>82 amanda4242: Yay! I will be reading Love Marriage by Monica Ali this month, Amanda.
85PaulCranswick
>84 drneutron: Thanks DocRoc. It is one of mine too now!
86PaulCranswick
BOOK #126
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 309 pp
Firstly to deal with some things. Tom Lake is not a person. That is what I thought when I saw that Patchett had just released her ninth novel. Tom Lake is, as far as I know, a fictional setting in Michigan.
Next the blurb on the back cover starts "The is a story about Peter Duke who went on to be a famous actor." Bloomsbury who published the book probably got someone they thought very smart to write that, but if that is what they thought, they missed the point of the book entirely.
I'm glad I read, watched and listened to Our Town before picking up this excellent, life affirming novel as I would not have appreciated some of its nuance otherwise. This book is about not having regrets and giving thanks for what we have - both in the moment and ever afterwards. To that end it mirrors, even crystallizes, the homespun wisdom of a play of some genius.
I wonder though if she is right that:
"we remember the people we hurt so much more clearly than the people who hurt us." I think Patchett is assigning a dignity and honour to all of us which most of us would not in honesty be capable of living up to. The sentiment is as laudable as the book is wonderful.
Recommended.
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 309 pp
Firstly to deal with some things. Tom Lake is not a person. That is what I thought when I saw that Patchett had just released her ninth novel. Tom Lake is, as far as I know, a fictional setting in Michigan.
Next the blurb on the back cover starts "The is a story about Peter Duke who went on to be a famous actor." Bloomsbury who published the book probably got someone they thought very smart to write that, but if that is what they thought, they missed the point of the book entirely.
I'm glad I read, watched and listened to Our Town before picking up this excellent, life affirming novel as I would not have appreciated some of its nuance otherwise. This book is about not having regrets and giving thanks for what we have - both in the moment and ever afterwards. To that end it mirrors, even crystallizes, the homespun wisdom of a play of some genius.
I wonder though if she is right that:
"we remember the people we hurt so much more clearly than the people who hurt us." I think Patchett is assigning a dignity and honour to all of us which most of us would not in honesty be capable of living up to. The sentiment is as laudable as the book is wonderful.
Recommended.
87PaulCranswick
September 2023 in Review
World Events
Natural disasters again abound notably an earthquake centred close to Marrakech in Morocco which killed approximately 3,000 people and a Mediterranean storm which made landfall in Libya and killed more than 5,000 people.
Polls released showing that the American public overwhelmingly didn't want either the President or his likely challenger to stand again. Despite the faux pas, controversies and legal cases proliferating daily it looks like both will be on the ballot.
The world's oldest wooden structure was discovered in Zambia - 476,000 years old - before Biden.
In the UK, Russell Brand is accused of various sexually related wrongdoings and is cancelled without trial as is the medias wont these days (it wasn't enough that he was extremely tiresome and annoying anyway).
In the USA Senator Menendez faces calls to resign from the Senate as stacks of cash and gold bars are uncovered in his home. Apparently his wrongdoing is so egregious that some are suggesting he should run for President.
Read
September : 18 books (126 year to date)
Ave Book Length : 268.06 (241.72)
September pages : 4,825 (30,597)
Daily Average : 160.83 (112.08)
Longest Book : 715 pages The Covenant of Water (715 pages)
Shortest Book 47 pages So Late in the Day (32 pages The Waste Land)
Author Origins
45 UK
22 USA
5 Ireland,
3 Various, Australia
2 Netherlands, France, India
1 Canada, Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Russia, Sweden, Iceland, Albania, Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, Albania, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mozambique, Angola. Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Nigeria, Ukraine, Japan, Vietnam, NZ, Mexico, Taiwan, Chad, Ivory Coast, DRC, Congo, Mali, Malaysia, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Korea, Ethiopia.
Gender
MALE 7 (70)
FEMALE 11 (53)
VARIOUS 0 (3)
GENRE
14 (66) Fiction
0 (19) Poetry
0 (19) Non-Fiction
3 (15) Thriller
0 (5) Short Stories
0 (1) Sci-Fi/Fantasy
1 (1) Plays
Book of the Month :
I cannot remember such a stellar reading month in terms of sheer quality and Patchett, Lynch and Barry would win at a canter most months but all must fall at the feet of The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Outstanding.
World Events
Natural disasters again abound notably an earthquake centred close to Marrakech in Morocco which killed approximately 3,000 people and a Mediterranean storm which made landfall in Libya and killed more than 5,000 people.
Polls released showing that the American public overwhelmingly didn't want either the President or his likely challenger to stand again. Despite the faux pas, controversies and legal cases proliferating daily it looks like both will be on the ballot.
The world's oldest wooden structure was discovered in Zambia - 476,000 years old - before Biden.
In the UK, Russell Brand is accused of various sexually related wrongdoings and is cancelled without trial as is the medias wont these days (it wasn't enough that he was extremely tiresome and annoying anyway).
In the USA Senator Menendez faces calls to resign from the Senate as stacks of cash and gold bars are uncovered in his home. Apparently his wrongdoing is so egregious that some are suggesting he should run for President.
Read
September : 18 books (126 year to date)
Ave Book Length : 268.06 (241.72)
September pages : 4,825 (30,597)
Daily Average : 160.83 (112.08)
Longest Book : 715 pages The Covenant of Water (715 pages)
Shortest Book 47 pages So Late in the Day (32 pages The Waste Land)
Author Origins
45 UK
22 USA
5 Ireland,
3 Various, Australia
2 Netherlands, France, India
1 Canada, Guyana, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Russia, Sweden, Iceland, Albania, Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, Albania, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Mozambique, Angola. Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Nigeria, Ukraine, Japan, Vietnam, NZ, Mexico, Taiwan, Chad, Ivory Coast, DRC, Congo, Mali, Malaysia, Senegal, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Korea, Ethiopia.
Gender
MALE 7 (70)
FEMALE 11 (53)
VARIOUS 0 (3)
GENRE
14 (66) Fiction
0 (19) Poetry
0 (19) Non-Fiction
3 (15) Thriller
0 (5) Short Stories
0 (1) Sci-Fi/Fantasy
1 (1) Plays
Book of the Month :
I cannot remember such a stellar reading month in terms of sheer quality and Patchett, Lynch and Barry would win at a canter most months but all must fall at the feet of The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. Outstanding.
88PaulCranswick
October target:
I have set myself the somewhat ambitious target of making it to 2x75 by the end of the month.
I have divided my reading into 4 blocks of six books:
4 lots of Booker long/shortlisted books
4 lots of poetry books
4 lots of thrillers
4 lots of non-fiction
4 lots of general challenge books (ANC/BAC/New British writing & Around the World in Books)
4 lots of 1001 first edition books.
Other rule is 12 male authors and 12 female authors (2 each per category)
First set of six books
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
New Selected Poems of Philip Levine by Philip Levine
The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb
The End of Everything by Katie Mack
Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga
The Left-Handed Woman by Peter Handke
I have set myself the somewhat ambitious target of making it to 2x75 by the end of the month.
I have divided my reading into 4 blocks of six books:
4 lots of Booker long/shortlisted books
4 lots of poetry books
4 lots of thrillers
4 lots of non-fiction
4 lots of general challenge books (ANC/BAC/New British writing & Around the World in Books)
4 lots of 1001 first edition books.
Other rule is 12 male authors and 12 female authors (2 each per category)
First set of six books
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
New Selected Poems of Philip Levine by Philip Levine
The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb
The End of Everything by Katie Mack
Our Lady of the Nile by Scholastique Mukasonga
The Left-Handed Woman by Peter Handke
89PaulCranswick
In October 1966 Simon & Garfunkel released their third album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.
This is the brilliant "Homeward Bound" live in Central Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0oJ8_VTu3c
This is the brilliant "Homeward Bound" live in Central Park
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0oJ8_VTu3c
90PaulCranswick
In October 1967 Judy Collins released one of her best records Wild Flowers
It included her famous cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQOuxByR5VI
It included her famous cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQOuxByR5VI
91PaulCranswick
Dillard & Clark released their countrified The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark:
This is "With Care From Someone"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fegnW9nisw
Electric Ladyland was released the same month but I always find that one so heavy listening.
This is "With Care From Someone"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fegnW9nisw
Electric Ladyland was released the same month but I always find that one so heavy listening.
92PaulCranswick
Possibly my favourite ever album is Arthur, or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire by the Kinks in October 1969.
Wonderful and very British. This is Ray Davies performing "Shangri-La" from the album much more recently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI0QHXTM7Fo
Wonderful and very British. This is Ray Davies performing "Shangri-La" from the album much more recently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI0QHXTM7Fo
93richardderus
>88 PaulCranswick: You'll make it. I have faith in your capacity to reach goals.
94PaulCranswick
>93 richardderus: Thank you, dear fellow, means a lot. I have gotten off to a good start today anyhow.
95alcottacre
>88 PaulCranswick: Are you going to read Study for Obedience and The Night of the Hunter concurrently? I need to know so that I can adjust my reading accordingly?
Also, when are you, Deborah and I going to start on The Bee Sting? That is this month, isn't it? Or is it November??
BTW - Like Richard, I have every faith that you will make your October target!
Also, when are you, Deborah and I going to start on The Bee Sting? That is this month, isn't it? Or is it November??
BTW - Like Richard, I have every faith that you will make your October target!
96ArlieS
>88 PaulCranswick: I'm impressed by your goals. My back-of-the-envelope calculations say that if I keep up my September reading pace until the end of the year, I'll reach 2 *75 in December, but not if I read at my average pace for the year. I'm not sure whether or not to hope I keep the pace; I tend to read more, shorter books when life is going badly, particularly if I'm coping with illness. So I'd just as soon revert to my mean by the end of the year.
OTOH, I had an attack of Paul-emulation yesterday, and acquired (ordered) 9 second-hand books. They'll be fast reads, suitable for days when I don't feel up to anything challenging.
OTOH, I had an attack of Paul-emulation yesterday, and acquired (ordered) 9 second-hand books. They'll be fast reads, suitable for days when I don't feel up to anything challenging.
97PaulCranswick
>95 alcottacre: Yes, Stasia - I have already started them both. Enjoying one much more than the other but they will both be quick reads and I will get them both finished on Monday.
Deb will get The Bee Sting delivered by 5 Oct and I think the intention was to start on it pretty much right away.
>96 ArlieS: I have plenty of faith in you too, Arlie.
Nine books is a decent haul. Will keep on visiting your place to cheer you on towards 2x75. xx
Deb will get The Bee Sting delivered by 5 Oct and I think the intention was to start on it pretty much right away.
>96 ArlieS: I have plenty of faith in you too, Arlie.
Nine books is a decent haul. Will keep on visiting your place to cheer you on towards 2x75. xx
98alcottacre
>97 PaulCranswick: OK, thanks for the heads up. I admit that I am finding Study for Obedience a bit. . .odd.
I knew about the October 5th date, it just slipped my mind. Thank you for letting me know. I really do not want to have to lug The Bee Sting to Longview with me as it is such a big book.
I knew about the October 5th date, it just slipped my mind. Thank you for letting me know. I really do not want to have to lug The Bee Sting to Longview with me as it is such a big book.
99PaulCranswick
BOOK #127
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : Canada
Pages : 189 pp
This book presses upon its reader in many ways.
In its language it often compresses.
In its theme and tenor it oppresses.
Its main character it represses.
Its point and meaning it definitely suppresses.
The overall reading experience depresses.
I think that the measure of a work of fiction is how eagerly you will await the author's next work. Will I await Ms. Bernstein's next foray into fiction with the same fervor as I will Tan Twan Eng and Abraham Verghese? No pressure. No.
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
Date of Publication : 2023
Origin of Author : Canada
Pages : 189 pp
This book presses upon its reader in many ways.
In its language it often compresses.
In its theme and tenor it oppresses.
Its main character it represses.
Its point and meaning it definitely suppresses.
The overall reading experience depresses.
I think that the measure of a work of fiction is how eagerly you will await the author's next work. Will I await Ms. Bernstein's next foray into fiction with the same fervor as I will Tan Twan Eng and Abraham Verghese? No pressure. No.
100PaulCranswick
>98 alcottacre: I think looking at >99 PaulCranswick: you will see which one I am enjoying and which I was not!
The Bee Sting is hopefully manageable in a week or so, Stasia.
The Bee Sting is hopefully manageable in a week or so, Stasia.
101alcottacre
>99 PaulCranswick: I am at the halfway point of that one and will finish it up tomorrow. How on earth did it make the Booker shortlist??
I am sure that we can finish The Bee Sting in a week, which is just fine. I really do not want to be running around the states of Texas and Missouri hauling it around, lol.
I am sure that we can finish The Bee Sting in a week, which is just fine. I really do not want to be running around the states of Texas and Missouri hauling it around, lol.
102PaulCranswick
>101 alcottacre: I am as perplexed as you, Stasia. Definitely the low point in my Booker reading this year so far.
I know what you mean on The Bee Sting!
I know what you mean on The Bee Sting!
103PaulCranswick
In October 1970 Bob Dylan responded to the first album that was uniformly criticized his "Self Portrait" record by rush releasing New Morning and it certainly benefited from the immediacy that went with that.
Apart from the title track and "If Not For You" sort of written with George Harrison my favourite track is "The Man in Me" here in a rare recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL0cucaP0oI
Apart from the title track and "If Not For You" sort of written with George Harrison my favourite track is "The Man in Me" here in a rare recording.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eL0cucaP0oI
104alcottacre
>102 PaulCranswick: I thought after the Escoffery book my Booker reading could not get to a lower point. It appears that I was wrong.
105PaulCranswick
>104 alcottacre: Oh dear! I still have that one to "look forward" to!
In a year punctuated by Trespasses, Demon Copperhead, Wandering Souls, Black Butterflies, Tom Lake and The Covenant of Water - the choice of the Bernstein is utterly inexplicable.
In a year punctuated by Trespasses, Demon Copperhead, Wandering Souls, Black Butterflies, Tom Lake and The Covenant of Water - the choice of the Bernstein is utterly inexplicable.
106benitastrnad
>67 PaulCranswick:
Since I have already read Afterlives I would rather read By the Sea. However, it will have to be later in the month as I am booked to read Skippy Dies with Mark starting now. Perhaps, after the 15th of November?
Since I have already read Afterlives I would rather read By the Sea. However, it will have to be later in the month as I am booked to read Skippy Dies with Mark starting now. Perhaps, after the 15th of November?
108PaulCranswick
BOOK #128
The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb
Date of Publication : 1953
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 246 pp
I come to this not having seen the famous Charles Laughton movie adaptation of the novel which many laud as one of the finest films ever made.
There is a very cinematic quality about the writing of this book all its scenes being vividly rendered and easily visualized.
For those who have seen the movie there is not much to say other than the movie seems to have been fairly faithful to the book and for those new to both, I won't spoil what is a tremendous plot - albeit a harrowing and creepy one.
The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb
Date of Publication : 1953
Origin of Author : USA
Pages : 246 pp
I come to this not having seen the famous Charles Laughton movie adaptation of the novel which many laud as one of the finest films ever made.
There is a very cinematic quality about the writing of this book all its scenes being vividly rendered and easily visualized.
For those who have seen the movie there is not much to say other than the movie seems to have been fairly faithful to the book and for those new to both, I won't spoil what is a tremendous plot - albeit a harrowing and creepy one.
109alcottacre
>99 PaulCranswick: I am opting not to finish this one. I literally made it halfway through the book, scratched my head a lot, decided I was too dense to understand it, and therefore am abandoning it.
I hate to bail on you since this was a shared read, but life it too short and I have too little time this month to deal with disappointing books!
>108 PaulCranswick: I will be finishing that one tonight. I agree with you about it being a "harrowing and creepy" read.
I hate to bail on you since this was a shared read, but life it too short and I have too little time this month to deal with disappointing books!
>108 PaulCranswick: I will be finishing that one tonight. I agree with you about it being a "harrowing and creepy" read.
110PaulCranswick
>109 alcottacre: Hahaha, Stasia - I think if it was 50 pages longer I would have bailed on it too. Don't feel bad because as you say life is too short!
Our other shared read is much better, don't you think?
Our other shared read is much better, don't you think?
111amanda4242
>108 PaulCranswick: I think the movie is one of the finest films ever made; I'm basically never scared by horror movies, but I found Robert Mitchum truly terrifying in it.
112PaulCranswick
>111 amanda4242: Books don't scare me either, Amanda, but that one seriously creeped me out - The Reverend is one of the most convincing depictions of human evil that I have yet read.
113alcottacre
>110 PaulCranswick: Our other shared read is much better, don't you think? Absolutely!!
114PaulCranswick
I had a very serious cull of books yesterday (over 300 in all) and I will be sending the books off to an orphanage at the weekend. Well not all of them as I have taken most of my re-reads out too.
I also added:
366. A Word Child by Iris Murdoch
367. The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope
368. Something to Remember Me By by Saul Bellow
369. A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy
370. The Blunders of Our Governments by Anthony King
371. The War Diaries 1939-1945 by Lord Alanbrooke
372. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Books by Murdoch, Bellow, Hardy and Trollope all of which had somehow evaded my collection until now.
The Patchett was an obvious choice given my love of Tom Lake.
Lord Alanbrooke's inside view of our World War strategy, I expect to be fascinating and Anthony King (with his usual sidekick Ivor Crewe) are reliable, cogent and always interesting academic observers of the British political system.
I also added:
366. A Word Child by Iris Murdoch
367. The Eustace Diamonds by Anthony Trollope
368. Something to Remember Me By by Saul Bellow
369. A Pair of Blue Eyes by Thomas Hardy
370. The Blunders of Our Governments by Anthony King
371. The War Diaries 1939-1945 by Lord Alanbrooke
372. These Precious Days by Ann Patchett
Books by Murdoch, Bellow, Hardy and Trollope all of which had somehow evaded my collection until now.
The Patchett was an obvious choice given my love of Tom Lake.
Lord Alanbrooke's inside view of our World War strategy, I expect to be fascinating and Anthony King (with his usual sidekick Ivor Crewe) are reliable, cogent and always interesting academic observers of the British political system.
115PaulCranswick
>113 alcottacre: I have rarely read a book which was so obviously made to be a movie than that one, Stasia.
