Well about 20% in I gave up on the Baldacci book that I had written about in an earlier post. It was written too much like a movie with James Bond types, perfect warriors with chips on their shoulders in wild situations. David Baldacci is a best selling author and he appears to be a good person as well. His books are too much like our over-the-top TV shows for my enjoyment. They would make a perfect movie with strong characters and lots of action, which is also not my type of movie, and...they are clearly written for the big screen. These are the books that seem to fit the need for escapism among the average reader. They require little in terms of critical study or detailed thinking on the part of the reader. This is the stuff that always seems to sell. Yes, I am a bit of an elitist.
I instead have picked up "Istanbul Passage" by Joseph Kanon. Much better. Good description of the country and city and creates the exotic, dark and scary mood of this country as WWII is winding down. It is a spy novel, but with a nice tapestry of the culture thrown into the plot. I really want to get to Turkey some day. I am about 25% through reading this one.
I also just finished reading a collection of short stories, "Half an Inch of Water," which I bought for my e-reader on Amazon after a PBS review. The short story format has always fascinated me as a challenging format. This collection was a good read, taking place in Wyoming near and on an Indian reservation, written by Percival Everett, who is a well-respected author. The descriptions of the animals, the desert, the horseback riding and the types of people that live there reminded me of growing up in Colorado. The stories tend to end a little abruptly and have sort of a mystical tone, but it is so different from what I usually read, that it sticks with me long after I have finished.
I also just finished reading "The Sense of an Ending" which I did not "get" until I read a review or two. It had a bit too much navel-gazing for me. I think it is a novel for younger readers. They love all that angst type of stuff.
A book that I read last month, "The Color of Water in July," was an OK read although it got pretty good reviews. It is an easy read with one of those story lines that jumps back in time and then forward to the present and then back, etc. For some reason writers are using this method a lot these days. It works, but not for everything. Good scene setting of an old summer house on a lake.
In the cold winter months I read quite a bit as you can see. In between I read my multiple books of poetry, but the house has to be totally quiet for that to work!
Reading is a great pastime. I carry a book that I am currently reading when I am on the go. Never know when you will get into a situation of waiting for this or that -- car repair, waiting for friend, etc. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteI've always been an avid reader and am always interested in what other's are reading. I keep a book review page on my blog, partly to remember what I've read.
ReplyDeleteI love most books by David Baldacci. Most of my library pleasure is done through audio books. My husband enjoyed your type of literature much more than he enjoyed mine. He truly believed I had a screw loose to enjoy such violent types of stories:-)
ReplyDeleteI love most books by David Baldacci. Most of my library pleasure is done through audio books. My husband enjoyed your type of literature much more than he enjoyed mine. He truly believed I had a screw loose to enjoy such violent types of stories:-)
ReplyDeleteMy interests are carrying me farther and farther away from popular culture. I just don't have the time for it. I certainly don't need the distraction!
ReplyDeleteWith all the other reading I do ( see today's post) I don't get very far in a book in any one day, but I do always have one going on my Kindle.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already read it, try Bill Bryson's book "A Walk in the Woods." I think you would enjoy it. :-)
ReplyDeleteI did that many years ago. I have also read at least two other books by Bryson.
DeleteI prefer a good understated mystery to the thriller type of novel. I usually gravitate to series, maybe because I like things to work out for the protagonist, and one can be fairly certain of that in a series, despite setbacks.
ReplyDeleteI have just finished A Fine Summer's Day by Charles Todd who have (CT is two people) written any number of Rutledge novels. This was a prequel set just prior to WWI although all of the rest are set postwar.
I don't think I've ever read any Baldacci though I did read a book recently by Brad Thor which was much the same...totally cliched male and female characters, sort of a spy novel and yes, the male character was a super ex Navy seal type blah blah blah. I tend to prefer female authors these days.
ReplyDeleteI recently finished Elizabeth Gilbert's "The Signature of All Things." I enjoyed it particularly as it went in directions I didn't expect. The NYT times has a decent review http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/books/review/elizabeth-gilberts-signature-of-all-things.html. Reading all winter suits me.
ReplyDeleteYes, Celia, I enjoyed this book and read it a long time ago. She is a good author and I never quite know where she is going.
DeletePretty sky! I miss mine I had- The short story one looks like fun- I have one of his somewhere- Just no time for reading this week tho-
ReplyDeleteI read continually. Did I say that. Try Craig. He wrote of gentle, real people, in comfortable places. I'm reading Crais right now....dashing, heroic sort of stuff that you hate. For some reason, I don't like Balcacci.
ReplyDeleteYes, I hated that experience too. Yes, write about it as it is the best solution we have right now for finding colon cancer. Yes, I still wake coughing every hour on the half hour all night long. Except that I actually slept from four too five thirty this morning. At least George is back on his own schedule despite my waking him.
Gosh, I've heard of David Baldacci, but have never read any of his books. Thank you for the recommendation.
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