Considering that this is the second book you read for your new book club and also the second book that you did not enjoy very much, and adding in the fact that the actual book discussion was a mess, I would suggest you quit the club. You've surely got better things to do with your time, right? :)
Turns out, the meeting tonight was quite good fun. None of my ladies liked the book, and all for very similar reasons. Also, I was not the only one to DNF this. Seems like my ladies are similarly inclined with respect to over-written books that get lost in the detail.
:)
Also, we set a goal for the next book to keep notes of discussion points so that we can figure out a way to structure future reads. :D
Yay! :) So it seems the book club itself is not the problem, but the choice of books provided by the library. Maybe you should try a book that's not on the list, given that there are enough copies?
@Martini: We talked about that last night, too! Considering there are only 4 or 5 of us. The problem with that would be if other people were interested in joining in. We'll need to discuss it further with the library, as we would need to find out which books there.
I have to say, tho, that of the quite extensive list of books, there are some really good titles, but they had not chosen them, yet. You know, the group I'm with doesn't do online book research to the extent we we (BLikers) do, so they seemed to have picked either authors or book they have heard on of on the radio or tv. That is quite a limited source.
Our next read will be The Axeman's Jazz, which I am sure they picked because I said I heard good things about it. Without that prompt, tho, not sure if this would have been the choice. It is a debut novel...
Sorry for the late reply.
I think the researching of books is essential to finding the ones that you enjoy. Maybe you could inspire them, or even explain to them how to do this?
Or if you stick around long enough, you'll know the tastes of the ladies and be able to suggest enjoyable reads.
Good luck with the next book! :)
"Alright" is an improvement! :D
They really seem to be nice, so hopefully they are willing to try the things you can explain to them about online researching of books.
This one's been stuck on my TBR shelf for ages, and with good reason, apparently. I tend to push myself to read/finish books that are ultimately frustrating, so it's really good to get an outside opinion on it. Thank you!
Did you start this one and put it back on your TBR or is this one that just lingered on the TBR?
I'm not sure whether my dnf explanation is any help. I just don't have the urge to push through that dense writing for very little reward (up to the point I read anyway).
I've read the first few pages, but then it's just lingered. I've been taking it out periodically and wondering whether I should read it, but the dense prose and the length of the novel always felt daunting. I'd bought it for the pretty cover and because I'd enjoyed "Possession", one of her previous books. Byatt is very much writing for the academy, it seems to me, and for people with a very specific approach to literature. It feels reassuring to have someone else say, "This is nice, but not for me right now," and just put the silly book down. :)
Seeing that meeting is next Wednesday, so not too far ahead to keep the diary free, I will go.
The books are chosen from a list of books that the library provides for reading groups. I guess the library ensures there are enough copies of the specific titles to be available to everyone in the reading group at the same time.
I'm curious what my fellow readers made of this one and if any of them have read Possession.
Ok, I don't know how I missed this whole post, but UGH! That writing! Like Hol said, how many times can someone repeat a name in one paragraph? AND start ever sentence with it. I agree with BC though - the book club might be interesting because it's a not-a-good-book.
Don't think I can recommend The Name of the Rose to you - it's almost ALL telling and very little showing. And the telling has little to do with the plot.
I read The Name of the Rose a long, long time ago. So long ago, I hardly remember the book. I only remember the film. So, thanks for the warning - I had contemplated a re-read but I'll find a book that is more suitable to my lack of of patience.
:D
N.B. - One of the strange thoughts I had about this book over the weekend (and please do remember that I was still drugged up because of the sodding cold that seems to last forever) is that a pretty good description for this book would be if I said it was cross-over between Ken Follett's writing and Kate Atkinson's attention to detailed research.
:)
Also, we set a goal for the next book to keep notes of discussion points so that we can figure out a way to structure future reads. :D
I have to say, tho, that of the quite extensive list of books, there are some really good titles, but they had not chosen them, yet. You know, the group I'm with doesn't do online book research to the extent we we (BLikers) do, so they seemed to have picked either authors or book they have heard on of on the radio or tv. That is quite a limited source.
Our next read will be The Axeman's Jazz, which I am sure they picked because I said I heard good things about it. Without that prompt, tho, not sure if this would have been the choice. It is a debut novel...
I think the researching of books is essential to finding the ones that you enjoy. Maybe you could inspire them, or even explain to them how to do this?
Or if you stick around long enough, you'll know the tastes of the ladies and be able to suggest enjoyable reads.
Good luck with the next book! :)
I'm curious what they will make of Axeman's Jazz. I finished it the other day. It was alright.
They really seem to be nice, so hopefully they are willing to try the things you can explain to them about online researching of books.
I'm not sure whether my dnf explanation is any help. I just don't have the urge to push through that dense writing for very little reward (up to the point I read anyway).
The books are chosen from a list of books that the library provides for reading groups. I guess the library ensures there are enough copies of the specific titles to be available to everyone in the reading group at the same time.
I'm curious what my fellow readers made of this one and if any of them have read Possession.
Don't think I can recommend The Name of the Rose to you - it's almost ALL telling and very little showing. And the telling has little to do with the plot.
I read The Name of the Rose a long, long time ago. So long ago, I hardly remember the book. I only remember the film. So, thanks for the warning - I had contemplated a re-read but I'll find a book that is more suitable to my lack of of patience.
:D
N.B. - One of the strange thoughts I had about this book over the weekend (and please do remember that I was still drugged up because of the sodding cold that seems to last forever) is that a pretty good description for this book would be if I said it was cross-over between Ken Follett's writing and Kate Atkinson's attention to detailed research.