1ritacate
I met my goal in 2020 and 2021, 2022 got lost somewhere along the way, and I never got around to joining the 2023 ROOT group. I am setting a modest goal of 24 of my own books, defined as hard copy books acquired at any time or digitals acquired before this year. I will have to relearn how to make my counter and copy it into the group post. Once you see a counter here, you will know I succeeded!
1. The Family Trade
2. The Hidden Family
3. The Four Quartets
4. True Grit
5. The Body Keeps the Score
6. Reading Lolita in Tehran
7. The Roman Hat Mystery
8. The Crocodile on the Sandbank
9. The Curse of the Pharaohs
10. Beautiful Eucharist
11. The Mummy Case
12. Infidel
13. Lion in the Valley
14. Original Sin
1. The Family Trade
2. The Hidden Family
3. The Four Quartets
4. True Grit
5. The Body Keeps the Score
6. Reading Lolita in Tehran
7. The Roman Hat Mystery
8. The Crocodile on the Sandbank
9. The Curse of the Pharaohs
10. Beautiful Eucharist
11. The Mummy Case
12. Infidel
13. Lion in the Valley
14. Original Sin
3rabbitprincess
Welcome back and have a great reading year!
8MissWatson
Welcome back and happy reading!
9ritacate
My husband kept reading me excerpts from The Family Trade by Charles Stross. They were quite good so I picked up the book, read the whole thing and then the second in the series, The Hidden Family. For the most part, I enjoyed the writing in the first book, but there's a lot of unnecessary swearing, including copious use of the f-bomb. The story has a great premise, but the main character irritated me. It would take more words than I want to type on my phone to fully describe her 21st century sense of entitlement. Also her mother came across as a hard- boiled Sam Spade type personality which felt awkward.
After a 20 hour drive, I'm almost done listening to the third book, The Clan Corporate, (I do have a paper copy at home!) The book has devolved into a feminist diatribe against men and although I'm sure our heroine will survive and triumph, I was thrilled when she was threatened with execution. I feel no need to keep this series once we've both read it.
After a 20 hour drive, I'm almost done listening to the third book, The Clan Corporate, (I do have a paper copy at home!) The book has devolved into a feminist diatribe against men and although I'm sure our heroine will survive and triumph, I was thrilled when she was threatened with execution. I feel no need to keep this series once we've both read it.
10ritacate
The Four Quartets by T. S. Eliot
*****
I read this for book club and also listened to it on a podcast (Four Quartets - the Complete Cycle) I haven't read poetry for a long time and can not pretend I understood line by line the word meaning of the poem. But I loved the rhythm and flow. I loved the sense of time and eternity, vast expanse and imminent here, a sense of Augustine's 'ever ancient, ever new.' It felt like the wisdom of age realizing the connection of all.
I highly recommend listening to this as well. There is a YouTube recording of T. S. Eliot reading it. I always like hearing an author read their own work since they know exactly the intended tone and pace and personality of the piece.
*****
I read this for book club and also listened to it on a podcast (Four Quartets - the Complete Cycle) I haven't read poetry for a long time and can not pretend I understood line by line the word meaning of the poem. But I loved the rhythm and flow. I loved the sense of time and eternity, vast expanse and imminent here, a sense of Augustine's 'ever ancient, ever new.' It felt like the wisdom of age realizing the connection of all.
I highly recommend listening to this as well. There is a YouTube recording of T. S. Eliot reading it. I always like hearing an author read their own work since they know exactly the intended tone and pace and personality of the piece.
11ritacate
True Grit by Charles Portis
*****
An excellent book, I highly recommend it. Perhaps because I knew the name from the 1969 movie, I expected a somewhat dry western. I read this book in less than two days. I loved the characters and their interplay, especially Mattie's forthrightness.
*****
An excellent book, I highly recommend it. Perhaps because I knew the name from the 1969 movie, I expected a somewhat dry western. I read this book in less than two days. I loved the characters and their interplay, especially Mattie's forthrightness.
12Jackie_K
>10 ritacate: I'm coming to the conclusion that poetry is best appreciated in audio. I bought my in-laws a couple of CDs of Mary Oliver reading her own poetry for Christmas a couple of years ago, and can't tell you how tempted I was to keep them for myself and get them something else instead! :)
14rabbitprincess
>11 ritacate: I totally agree, True Grit is excellent! The remake with Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie was great as well.
15Caramellunacy
>11 ritacate:, >14 rabbitprincess:
I had so much fun with Mattie's voice in True Grit. I remember something about clerks(?) Being in the middle of fisticuffs and thus not available for inquiries... Agree that the remake with Hailee Steinfeld was very enjoyable
I had so much fun with Mattie's voice in True Grit. I remember something about clerks(?) Being in the middle of fisticuffs and thus not available for inquiries... Agree that the remake with Hailee Steinfeld was very enjoyable
16ritacate
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
I've had this book in and out of the library, digital and audio for six to eight months. I ordered my own hard copy after the first few chapters.
Dr. van der Kolk has worked with trauma patients for the better part of his career. Through the years he came to see strong connections between his patients' traumatic experiences and their current struggles, but more recently has also realized how body movement can bring tremendous healing.
I started reading the book, completely listened to it. And I know I need to go back and read more closely his final section regarding physical body movement and psychological healing. Fascinating!
I've had this book in and out of the library, digital and audio for six to eight months. I ordered my own hard copy after the first few chapters.
Dr. van der Kolk has worked with trauma patients for the better part of his career. Through the years he came to see strong connections between his patients' traumatic experiences and their current struggles, but more recently has also realized how body movement can bring tremendous healing.
I started reading the book, completely listened to it. And I know I need to go back and read more closely his final section regarding physical body movement and psychological healing. Fascinating!
17ritacate
I'm currently reading/ listening to Reading Lolita in Tehran. She just quoted from Eliot's Four Quartets which I read for the first time last month. It was neat to recognize it.
18ritacate
Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
*****
I tend to read fiction quickly and easily, mostly mysteries of a less than graphic variety. I also have two or three books for my edification that take months to read. And then there's the occasional non-fiction that I pick up and really enjoy.
I always find it harder to identify why I really like a book than what may irritate me. I think what stuck me most was reading this book in modern America where hating my country is the popular thing to do. We enjoy so many freedoms here. I think my forever memory of this book is the girl who was arrested for being too beautiful. They made up morality charges against her (she wore make-up or her hair showed from under her veil), imprisoned her, passed her from guard to guard to be raped and finally executed her. This is still unthinkable to me, to live in a place of such vulnerability and helplessness.
I was also struck again by the human tendency to group everyone together. During the time portrayed in this book, Ms. Nafisi lived in an Iran reverberating with the cries of "Death to America!" All Americans and westerners were lumped together with the worst aspects of our decadent society. But that is not how most of us live. Now I can't find a quote about someone asking her if Americans deserved/were worthy of/cared for their literature. "Americans" is too broad a category; there is so much variety among us. On a personal note, an immigrant friend once commented that "we love our children.” I firmly believe people of all cultures love their children. I guess it's easier to lump all the "thems" than get to know an individual from a different group. It also helps our own sense of superiority to not be like "them."
Ms. Nafisi wove together a variety of experiences as a background to a wealth of reflections. It's encouraged me to reflect as well.
*****
I tend to read fiction quickly and easily, mostly mysteries of a less than graphic variety. I also have two or three books for my edification that take months to read. And then there's the occasional non-fiction that I pick up and really enjoy.
I always find it harder to identify why I really like a book than what may irritate me. I think what stuck me most was reading this book in modern America where hating my country is the popular thing to do. We enjoy so many freedoms here. I think my forever memory of this book is the girl who was arrested for being too beautiful. They made up morality charges against her (she wore make-up or her hair showed from under her veil), imprisoned her, passed her from guard to guard to be raped and finally executed her. This is still unthinkable to me, to live in a place of such vulnerability and helplessness.
I was also struck again by the human tendency to group everyone together. During the time portrayed in this book, Ms. Nafisi lived in an Iran reverberating with the cries of "Death to America!" All Americans and westerners were lumped together with the worst aspects of our decadent society. But that is not how most of us live. Now I can't find a quote about someone asking her if Americans deserved/were worthy of/cared for their literature. "Americans" is too broad a category; there is so much variety among us. On a personal note, an immigrant friend once commented that "we love our children.” I firmly believe people of all cultures love their children. I guess it's easier to lump all the "thems" than get to know an individual from a different group. It also helps our own sense of superiority to not be like "them."
Ms. Nafisi wove together a variety of experiences as a background to a wealth of reflections. It's encouraged me to reflect as well.
20ritacate
The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen
****
I spend a lot of time out of town helping with my grandchildren. I do not travel with my library, but realized I can borrow digital copies of the books I own and continue to ROOT.
In general I enjoyed this classic mystery. The murder was well planned and probably would have completely avoided detection if not for a theater patron's full bladder.
Some of the attitudes in this 1929 book were difficult. Inspector Queen's attitude toward the young man he rescued from the street seems to typify the worst of colonialist superiority. Ellery himself seemed an obnoxious dilettante. I will read more of these mysteries and hope the Queens improve.
****
I spend a lot of time out of town helping with my grandchildren. I do not travel with my library, but realized I can borrow digital copies of the books I own and continue to ROOT.
In general I enjoyed this classic mystery. The murder was well planned and probably would have completely avoided detection if not for a theater patron's full bladder.
Some of the attitudes in this 1929 book were difficult. Inspector Queen's attitude toward the young man he rescued from the street seems to typify the worst of colonialist superiority. Ellery himself seemed an obnoxious dilettante. I will read more of these mysteries and hope the Queens improve.
21ritacate
Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters
*****
My ROOT intention was for books I hadn't yet read, but I got in the mood for a light mystery and decided books I haven't read for twenty years could also qualify.
I've always enjoyed the Amelia Peabody mysteries, ever since I first discovered them back in college. I like the characters, the mysteries and the setting of 19th century Egyptian archeological digs. This is the first book and it was fun to return to the beginning.
*****
My ROOT intention was for books I hadn't yet read, but I got in the mood for a light mystery and decided books I haven't read for twenty years could also qualify.
I've always enjoyed the Amelia Peabody mysteries, ever since I first discovered them back in college. I like the characters, the mysteries and the setting of 19th century Egyptian archeological digs. This is the first book and it was fun to return to the beginning.
23fuzzi
>11 ritacate: so glad you enjoyed it!
I've seen both movies, wish I could combine them. I love John Wayne and Robert Duvall in the 1969 version, but prefer Hailee Steinfeld in the Mattie role. Kim Darby grates on me.
If you're up to more western reading we have a little group here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/356917#8346489
Like all genres, there are good and not-so-good examples within.
I've seen both movies, wish I could combine them. I love John Wayne and Robert Duvall in the 1969 version, but prefer Hailee Steinfeld in the Mattie role. Kim Darby grates on me.
If you're up to more western reading we have a little group here:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/356917#8346489
Like all genres, there are good and not-so-good examples within.
24Caramellunacy
>21 ritacate: I've been listening to these (slowly as my falling-asleep audiobook) and just really enjoy Amelia Peabody.
25ritacate
>23 fuzzi: I should check into watching the movies since they're also getting good reviews. For some reason I've never read westerns although my grandpa has a good Louis Lamour collection. Thank you for the link for good suggestions.
26ritacate
>24 Caramellunacy: it's fun starting to reread the series
27ritacate
Beautiful Eucharist by Matthew Kelly
*****
This was a Christmas gift at our church last year, another book that looked great and came home to be lost in the shuffle. This year's challenge, and now the category challenges as well, is really helping me look at my own books.
I really enjoyed this book, even reading it was very peaceful. It was inspiring in an 'all is right with the world' sort of way rather than a set the world on fire, overturn all my bad habits in a week and start training for a marathon way. Does that make sense?
Incredibly gentle encouragement to invite God more deeply into my life.
*****
This was a Christmas gift at our church last year, another book that looked great and came home to be lost in the shuffle. This year's challenge, and now the category challenges as well, is really helping me look at my own books.
I really enjoyed this book, even reading it was very peaceful. It was inspiring in an 'all is right with the world' sort of way rather than a set the world on fire, overturn all my bad habits in a week and start training for a marathon way. Does that make sense?
Incredibly gentle encouragement to invite God more deeply into my life.
28connie53
>27 ritacate: That does make sense.
29fuzzi
>27 ritacate: sometimes we need to disengage from the constant noise of the world and just get quiet with God.
30ritacate
The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters
***
A combo of re-reading this book after 20+ years and listening as I drove across the country. I didn't care for it as much as in the previous reading.
***
A combo of re-reading this book after 20+ years and listening as I drove across the country. I didn't care for it as much as in the previous reading.
31fuzzi
>30 ritacate: I just checked and discovered I'd never read anything by Elizabeth Peters, probably because I'm not much of a mystery reader.
