Comments on: Books read in August

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 20:33:36 +0000

In reply to Meghan. @Meghan - wow, fascinating. I haven't read Middlemarch but should. And maybe Rebellion too!

By: Meghan

Meghan — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 16:46:23 +0000

So I know this is an older post, but I just ran across this take on *writing* the long, epic novel and had to share it with you. It’s an interesting premise, probably with some merit, and also makes me want to reread Middlemarch (and check out Molly Patterson’s book [she’s the writer of the article]) https://www.thehairpin.com/2017/08/writing-a-long-novel-is-a-feminist-act/

By: Mimi

Mimi — Wed, 06 Sep 2017 17:01:13 +0000

On the Civil War subject, what about Mary Chestnut’s Civil War by C. Vann Woodward? I haven’t read it – and it is another doorstop with over 800 pages, but I remember Ken Burns using her diaries for his PBS documentary series. She was a southerner and wrote prolifically from 1861 to 1865.

Also, I really loved Kristin Lavransdatter, especially as someone with Scandinavian heritage. I really felt as if I were in medieval Norway.

By: Kimmie

Kimmie — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 04:30:12 +0000

I always love reading your book posts! I started Kristen Lavarensdatter but just couldn’t get into it- maybe I’ll have to give it another shot. If you’re looking for more long novels, you should check out A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. It is 1350 pages and feels like a Bollywood movie in book form (in a really good way).

Also, have you read any Wallace Stegner? I think his work seems right up your alley. I just finished The Big Rock Candy Mountain by him, which I really enjoyed, and I loved Angle of Repose and Crossing to Safety.

Lastly, have you read Truth and Beauty by Patchett? I love all her fiction but I think this memoir is my favorite of hers

By: lauravanderkam

lauravanderkam — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 01:01:53 +0000

In reply to Phil. @Phil- sometimes. Usually it's one at once, but if I'm reading one for work (like reviewing it) I might read it at the same time as a novel I'm reading for fun. When I'm working through a really long book (1Q84, for instance) I might read something short simultaneously, just so I have another option if I get bogged down. But mostly I'm one at a time.

By: Phil

Phil — Sat, 02 Sep 2017 14:33:47 +0000

Laura, you may have previously addressed this, but are you working on multiple books at one time? If so, how do you configure this? Thanks!

By: Meghan

Meghan — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:53:16 +0000

I just gave my (unread) copy of the first book of the Lavransdottir trilogy to my mom – my parents are going to Norway and a handful of other countries next week. I guess I need to get it back when she’s finished!
I can’t remember all I read this month, but I did just finish Tiger Eyes by Judy Blume, partly for fun and partly for research for my own book, and am slowly rereading Villette by Charlotte Bronte. I know there were more, but nothing stands out and I didn’t keep track!

By: Tana

Tana — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:38:21 +0000

I love your book posts! Kristen Lavransdatter has been on my short list for a while – your review might just make it happen this month. My recent discovery is Mari Sandoz. I read her biography Crazy Horse last month which is about the Indians in the Midwest as the railroads came in and the land began to be divided up for settlers. She spent a year researching the book in 1930, talking with many people who knew Crazy Horse personally. The book is written from the Indian perspective. Usually books about that topic are from the white man’s perspective or the perspective of today where we are told Christopher Columbus and all those who followed were evil, horrid people. Sandoz writes a very detailed chronicle of how things were without passing overt judgment on either side.

By: Ruth

Ruth — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:24:14 +0000

In reply to Caitlin. I've done that on my Android phone. It's better tan seeing the distractions right out in the open!

By: What a Life! » Blog Archive » August 2017 Reads

What a Life! » Blog Archive » August 2017 Reads — Fri, 01 Sep 2017 17:12:05 +0000

[…] side, as is the Potato Peel Society. I would love for my reading list to look like those of Laura Vanderkam or Gretchen Rubin – more thoughtful stuff both classic and more current. On one hand, I feel […]