pontalba

Interesting take in your review. I'd not heard the term "mis-lit" before. Had to google it. . Misery lit. I see where you're coming from, and might even agree to some extent, but for the progression of the main character in the trilogy. And, yes, the time switches could be a bit discombobulating, and, btw, they only increase as the trilogy continues. To each their own kettle of fish.

I'm still only about 23% in the William Marshall (Greatest Knight) (non-fiction) account. Also about a third of the way through John LeCarre's the Night Manager. We'd watched the mini series, and I felt I had to read the book..... I'm hoping to finish both at least before the end of the year. Oh! Also bought In Sunlight or in Shadow, stories inspired by the Paintings of Edward Hopper. Lawrence Block edited the collection, and while I've only read the first one so far, it was delicious, and I know the rest will be as well.

It was in one of the flashbacks. Really unsettling. But when I finally picked the book up again, it was past, and ok.

Me Too!! Also, I've preordered Paul Auster's new book 4321. https://www.amazon.com/4-3-2-1-Novel/dp/1627794468/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482457532&sr=8-1&keywords=paul+auster+4+3+2+1 coming out at the end of January.

I disagree. I believe it tortured him, endlessly. He was desperately unhappy. Unhappy only describes the very upper edge of his feelings, imo. He was torn between his sense of obligation to a woman that he'd been tricked into marrying that was unstable to say the least, and the natural desire for some sort of happiness in life.

The Gristwood sounds interesting. I have to put it on my wish list on Amazon.

I've read and loved the Ripley series, 5 in all, if I remember correctly. FYI, there is a second movie made of Ripley's Game starring John Malkovich as Tom Ripley. He makes a most effective Ripley. Very different from the first.

How wonderful!!

I hope your 2017 Reading Year is as happy and productive as this one!

Happy Reading Year!!

BB, I read The Heart Goes Last.....at least the first 4 parts on Kindle, way back when it was being serialized. When I tried to buy the last one, I couldn't. Waited too long, I suppose. So, I bought the hardback, and still haven't read it. Have to go back and reread the whole thing I suppose. /sigh/ Oh well. It's the second Atwood that I've liked. After The Handmaids Tale. But I only appreciated THT at the second reading.

Belated congratulations to your Dad! That was a wonderful experience for him. And on top of that to meet an author that is so well thought of! Of course he spoke of you to her, I know how proud of you he is, and you him. Great lists above too!

Ian, the trilogy is well worth the time! Madeleine, thanks for the encouragement before. Somehow I got stuck. Mostly because of that one scene....

Thanks, Gaia. . It's a welcome change!

The eggs in the store here are in a refrigerated section.....open, but always cold. Fridge at home also. Re mayonnaise, you can keep in in the cabinet until it's been opened, once opened, it must be kept in the fridge. Same with ketchup and mustard. Once I cut a tomato, it goes in the fridge also. I know some people even keep peanut butter in the fridge, but I never have.

We discovered Dept Q, the Swedish detective series. Cold cases, very complex and different cases. Well acted. Also just started watching The Night Manager, the series. Re The Wire. I remember being disappointed at first when it switched to the dock storyline, but we got into it, and finally liked it a lot.

I'm reading The Greatest Knight, The Remarkable Life of William Marshal, The Power Behind Five English Thrones by Thomas Asbridge. Only 14% in, but well written and interestingly written. Not a bit dry. Also have started Confederates by Thomas Keneally. So far, so good.

Finally finished Peter May's trilogy's last book, The Chess Men. Same protagonist as The Blackhouse and The Lewis Man, same location, but different aspects of the protag's life. May really loves to skip back and forth in time and manages is quite well. He manages the different voices of the characters, makes the reader truly understand the workings of their minds. All murder mysteries, but so much more. We learn the loneliness of the northernmost Scottish Islands, the rich but at the same time spare beauty of the landscape and are made to understand the deep attachment of man to land. The plots are far reaching and complex. I recommend them without reservation.

The Girl From the Sea by Shalin Boland 3/5 Woman washes up on the shore, no memory, absolutely none. She has no idea how she ended up half drowned, in that place. I found it a little formulaic, but it was deceptive........(maybe) all was not as it seemed. It did keep me reading, and the ending was satisfying. Good Behavior by Blake Crouch 4/5 Crouch is the author of the Wayward Pines series, so you know you're in for an interesting and twisty ride with him. Good Behavior consists of three novellas about a down and out, tweeker, one Letty Dobesh. She is also one of the best pickpockets/con woman/thief in the business, definitely with her ups and downs. Her journey is a fascinating study. I read this on my iPad kindle app for the most part, and the novellas are interspersed with actual film clips from the new series of the same name that Crouch has had a heavy hand in creating for television. After each novella, Crouch has a note explaining how this fits in with the series, and insight on the making of same. One reason I mention that I read about 2/3rds of it on my iPad is that when I switched to my actual Kindle Fire, there were no vid clips. Definitely recommended. 　

We loved The Wire....I want to re-watch. We are watching Jessica Jones. Kind of strange, but interesting. It pulls you in, for sure! Also re-watching some eps of Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

Excellent reviews, BB, as always. A mixed bag, but that's pretty usual for all of us I suppose. Glad some were pleasing.

I see you are still making excellent progress in your reading! Very happy to see it. Lovely lists.

Oh, absolutely, I'll double endorse BB's recommendation above of I Am Pilgrim. It was absolutely fantastic! And, it must be, as it's one that we both agree upon!! Have you read John LeCarre's Smiley books? Especially the Karla Trilogy...https://www.amazon.com/John-Carr%C3%A9-Complete-Honourable-Schoolboy/dp/0517146975/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1479570880&sr=1-1&keywords=karla+trilogy+john+le+carre Must add Jo Nesbo's Headhunters. Not a spy novel, but definitely hair raising. In fact there was even a film made of it that we accidently ran across on Amazon.

Well, still in the same range, but turned 66 this summer, but as Timebug mentions above.....still feel about 18. LOL BB.....me too! My Aunt lived until she was 92, and she always said that by the time we humans knew enough to live properly, it was time to croak.

Well, it means that I don't get much reading done. That and the blasted political news over here. Discouraging to say the least.