As I mentioned above, I gave up on The Portrait of a Lady, which I was reading with Bellezza and a few others who joined in on the Read-A-Long. I managed to read 50 pages, but it felt like a chore and I wasn't enjoying it one bit. I've never read Henry James and probably never will. I made a note of one of the early sentences that I came upon and it had three semicolons, one colon, sixteen (!) commas and two parenthetical quotes. I can't be sure, but I think it took up well over a page. Not for me!
I haven't been listening to my audio books as much as I have in the past, but the weather was cooperative yesterday, so I headed out for a walk into town and listened to a big chunk of Joe Biden's Promise Me, Dad. It's an ok listen, but I'm not overly enthralled. Biden reads his book and his voice can be a little too gravely, soft and, at times, even slurred. I did find myself getting choked up as he shared one part about sitting by his son's hospital bed and as he read the passage, I could hear the catch in his voice as he struggled not to cry. A couple of long walks and I should be finished.
I have no idea what I'll read next. I have a couple of library books and several new books that I bought last month. I usually just wait to see what I'm in the mood to read after I finish whatever I'm currently reading.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? (#IMWAYR) is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It’s a place to meet up and share what you have been, are, and about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organize yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment, and er… add to that ever-growing TBR pile! This meme started with J Kaye’s Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at Book Date.
Last Week's Posts:
Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana
The Long Hello
Looking Back - Sights Unseen
Blogmate Visit!
Wordless Wednesday
The Book That Matters Most
I was disappointed when she disappeared, too, but that character (can't remember her name) does return eventually and you will love how her story is wrapped up, I promise. The problem with the book is that you have to wade through years of frustrating alleyway and bathroom sex scenes because the main character after that first section is gay and being gay is illegal in Ireland during the majority of the book. So, I think his point was that even if you found a partner and tried to just live as friends (as in the early scene with the two guys she moved in with) you could end up getting killed or maimed by someone who knew you weren't just flatmates and nobody was going to pay for it. I thought it was an excellent book.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I was happy when she returned and crossed paths with Cyril and am glad to know I'll see more about her in the coming chapters. Yes, the problem is all the sexual content (raging teenage hormones and Julian's foul, coarse mouth), which is becoming rather tiresome. I'm pretty sure I'll keep reading. Now to see if I can manage to finish in a week!
DeleteI picked up A Hundred Small Lessons by Ashley Hay at my library because the cover and title looked promising. I gave up on page 82. It was partly told in flashbacks that were in random order. And I could not connect with the young couple in the present day. The author is Australian. Today I am starting The English Wife by Lauren Willig. I mostly liked her Pink Carnation series so we'll see how it goes. I think I am just grumpy because I am already annoyed a character is named Anne and another is named Annabelle.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I've never read anything by Lauren Willig, but a friend of mine loves all of her books. I'll have to give her a try. Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment!
DeleteI didn't like Portrait of a Lady at all and I think I read it to the very end. Why did I do that? I'm pretty sure it was a book club pick and I was the leader. I imagine we voted on it. Sigh. I don't really like Henry James, though I do like his 'ghost' book - TURN OF THE SCREW. That will scare you - especially because it is a big ambiguous - is it ghosts or is it mad people? And those children - creepy. I've got that one on my Classics Club list for a reread.
ReplyDeleteKay, I have no regrets about quitting The Portrait of a Lady. Life is too short! I've never read Turn of the Screw and I'm not sure I want to. I think creepy, scary book are a thing of my past. I can deal with psychopaths in mysteries and thrillers, but ghosts and evil spirits cause me sleepless nights.
DeleteSounds like your reaction to The Heart's Invisible Furies is pretty similar to mine. I decided to stop reading after 210 pages... tired of the crude sexual content, didn't care much about Cyril, wanted to know more about Catherine. If you continue and end up loving it, I'll definitely reconsider.
ReplyDeleteHenry James does take some effort, but I remember eventually getting used to his style and loving the story. Haven't started the reread yet, but hope I still have the concentration necessary ;-) Not a big fan of Turn of the Screw, but I did like Daisy Miller.
Will wait for your verdict on Joe Biden's book.
JoAnn, the crude sexual content is a bit tiresome. I'll let you know if it improves after 210 pages.
DeleteI wonder if I would enjoy The Portrait of A Lady on audio. If nothing else, it may help me with my insomnia if I listen to it at night. ;)
I'm almost finished with Biden's book. I'm afraid it's going to be a 2-star rating. Maybe 3.
Hope you're enjoying your sunshine!
You don't ever have to read a book that 'everyone' says is great or a classic or the best thing since sliced bread!
ReplyDeleteNan, I agree! I do hesitate to give up on a book too early because many, many of my favorites have taken well over 100 pages before I fell in love with them. I'm not seeing that happen with Henry James, however! :)
DeleteLast week after my book club met, I hit my Kindle library to see what might be interesting. I chose The Lion Is In by Delia Ephron. I have no idea how long I’ve had it or why I chose it, probably as a Daily Deal, but once I started reading I was hooked. I’m halfway through it, and even though I got distracted from it by getting sick and sleeping all day Saturday, and now babysitting while Jen is out of town, I’m anxious to get back to it to find out what’s going to happen to this charmingly dysfunctional cast of characters.
ReplyDeleteJanet, I've never heard of The Lion Is In, but I do know who Ephron is. Sounds like an entertaining, fluffy read (according to Goodreads). Hope it continues to entertain you. Sorry you've been sick! Rod is sick again. Second cold since early December. :(
DeleteMy audiobook reading (listening) has slowed as well. Come see what I'm reading.
ReplyDeletePussreboots, I used to listen a lot when I was working, but now I seem to only listen when I go for long walks. I'd like to try to listen more in the house while I'm doing chores. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI understand why you gave up on Portrait of a Lady. I was just complaining to a friend about the really long sentences a lot of classic novels contain. Sometimes the sentences are so long that by the time I get to the end of one, I can't even remember what happened at the beginning.
ReplyDeleteAngela, it's crazy how long HJ's sentences stretch out across the pages! Anywhere in The Portrait of a Lady, you can flip open the book and see two pages with out a single paragraph break! Ugh!
DeleteOh no, I'm scared to start Portrait of a Lady. Yes, start. I'm already behind. haha.. Will look forward to your review of the Biden book. I think I sort of missed that this book had come out.
ReplyDeleteIliana, maybe you can try it on audio? JoAnn mentioned that she's doing that and the reader has a way of making Henry James' sentences sound shorter. ;)
DeleteThe Biden book is pretty good, but so far, not great. I think it would have been better in print instead of audio. I'll keep you posted.