Today I am reading The Compound by S. A. Bodeen, a post-apocalyptic young adult novel. My friend Paula is reading along with me, tonight. This is a big wahoo. Remember Wahoo! Wednesday? Maybe I'll bring that back, on occasion.
Tonight is my F2F group's discussion of The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I feel wishy-washy about the reading experience, in general -- thrilled and privileged to have read such remarkable writing early on, prior to its release, paying little attention to the buzz, even as I glimpsed a headline saying it was nominated for some award or other (being lazy, not looking, at this moment). I'm unsure what I actually think about the story, the theme, the deeper meaning, after closing the book. But, wow. Such impressive writing. I can't wait to see what others in my group thought of it.
I've been pondering people who hate cats because my kitties are such incredible sweethearts and excellent companions. They're smart, funny, lovable, gentle. They don't swipe with claws or bite. I wonder if everyone who hates cats -- and there are so many! -- has had a bad experience. I've had some terrifying experiences with dogs but I don't hate dogs. In fact, I still love them, in general; I just don't think I'm the right kind of person to be owned by one.
It's dark and rainy. We're expecting a cool front but it's actually rather warmish out there - not quite the cold snap the weathermen prepared us for. Still, I'm loving it. The long, hot summer is definitely over and I am thrilled.
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I'm not a cat hater, but they make my head swell up and stuff up and potentially blow up. They're cute and cuddly though! Every time I try to type The Goldfinch, I type The Goldfish. :-/
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think you've mentioned that you'd enjoy having one if you weren't allergic to cats, Andiloo. I was pondering cat hatred because of a tweet saying, "Everyone knows cats are evil but . . . " something-something. Can't remember the rest. That tweet reminded me of early blogging days, when I was checking out other bloggers and someone actually had a note in her sidebar saying, "If you like cats, sorry, I can't be your friend." Of course, I never returned to her blog. But, the thought was so shocking to me that it's stuck with me. I can't be someone's friend because I like cats? Um, why? What horrible thing has a cat done to make you feel that way? It just baffles me. :) OMG, so funny about that typo. There are certain words that I always, always mess up. F2F discussion of The Goldfinch was fantastic, btw. Highly recommend it for discussion if your group is looking for ideas.
Delete"Own by one." So true, isn't it? We don't own our animals (cat or dog or else wise) they own us.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the twilight days with my dog and let me tell you, they're bittersweet but I would not have it any other way.
Glad you're still out here!
Absolutely. And it is a very fine thing to be chosen by an animal. They're so full of love and adventure and courage.
DeleteSo sorry you're in that phase with your dog. I know what that's like all too well -- definitely bittersweet. I have a friend who has decided she will never own a pet because loss is too painful. I feel the opposite. Doing without a pet is too difficult, although losing a beloved animal definitely is rough.
Thanks!
It's cool here and we're supposed to dip down to 35 or so tonight. Glad our furnace is up & running!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading Between Shades of Gray (not the other book!) and so far it's ok, but it's not knocking my socks off...yet. Hope this isn't a case of too much hype!
Wow, 35 is dead of winter for us! On the way to Vicksburg, the temp dropped from 76 to 63, so our cool front finally arrived. Wahoo! Loving it! Our heater needs a pipe replaced as we had a gas leak but we can go quite a while without heat. We don't get all that cold, anyway, but our new house has a nice combination of gas fireplace, open areas to pull the heat into other rooms and excellent insulation. Wahoo for that! The last house breathed a bit too much.
DeleteI thought Between Shades of Gray was very good but it wasn't so spectacular that I felt like I needed to keep it for a reread. Character-wise, I was most impressed with the mother. Hang in there. Her courage was what made the book special, in my humble opinion.
Looking forward to The Goldfinch. Lucky you've already gotten to it.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely, we were very fortunate to get a chance to read and discuss The Goldfinch early! It is a stunning work of writing.
DeleteSo envious that you received a copy!!! Of all the ARC's that come through my door, I was hoping for this one. At least in landed in your competent hands.
ReplyDeleteI've been so crazy about The Secret History that I've read it at least, oh, about four times. It's a thick one, which I find people either adore or loathe; there is no in between from the people I've discussed it with. When Lesley heard me raving about it a few months ago (could have been a year ago) she said she was tempted to read it; I'm always up for a reread of that novel!
Anyway, so glad to hear that you and your book group loved this one. Phew!
(p.s. I put up the list of authors reviewed on my blog again. I'd taken it down from embarrassment about the poor quality of some of my posts; regardless, they're up for all the world to see. And, I marvel at your memory that I read Hammett's The Woman in the Dark. Even I didn't recall that!)
Bellezza, I had no idea what a gem I was getting when I was offered copies of The Goldfinch for my F2F group to discuss, since it's my first read by Tartt. LOL My "competent hands" were aching from holding that sucker. It is sooo heavy! But, yes, worth the pain. ;)
DeleteI need to find my copy of The Secret History. I know I've got it, but . . . shoot, it could be another year before I find it, at the rate we're going. I've still got quite a few books packed.
Maybe you and Les could read The Goldfinch together? It's a fun book to discuss.
I noticed you'd put your author list back up. I'm glad you did. I think probably your review jumped out at me because Woman in the Dark was a Dashiell Hammett book that I didn't even know existed when you reviewed it. I'm a Dashiell fan, so I put it on my wish list when I read your review but just finally found a copy at the local college's annual book sale. I'm glad you put your author list back up! It's nice to be able to look back. I love that feature of your blog. I wish I had the patience to sit down and make an author list for my sidebar but I'm not willing to go through 7 years' worth of reviews to do that!