Anne Tyler is a great storyteller. Her stories are generally about families. I've just read "A Spool of Blue Thread" and thought some of you might like it because one of its themes is caregiving. The first third of the book focuses on an elderly woman who doesn't accept that she is declining and her adult children who try to take care of her. I think it presents both sides of this conflict very well. It reminded me of many posts on this site! The rest of the book is also about caring about and for family. Tyler is very good at showing an event from several different perspectives.
I used to wonder this as well when required in college to slog through some boring novel that someone determined was a classic.
And I've frequently wondered why Edgar Allen Poe's works were considered classic. I won't deny that he's creative, in a malevolent and macabre sort of way, but some of his works are positively revolting. I've read that he had a gambling and alcohol problem, so that might have affected his outlook, but to create such horrific situations was just plain sick.
On the other hand, I discovered some authors whose work was really inspiring and insightful. I knew when I read Faulkner's Go Down Moses that he understood the bonds that people discover and/or create with nature. And F. Scott Fitzgerald's works were so insightful studies in the effect of money and wealth on people's lives.
But I've also been influenced by some of the posts in this thread, and think it would be a nice relief to find some more lighthearted books w/o any messages or underlying social analysis. Peter Mayle's charming anecdotes of life in France easily meet that criterion. And I always love a "visitation" to France, even if it's only on paper (and much cheaper!).
Glad, this is embarrassing. I just read the Cussler book about the Amber treasure but can't remember the name of it. Checked my Cussler library and not even the plot summary helps. I'll keep looking and will let you know when I figure out which novel it was. I go through his books so quickly b/c they're so fast paced that sometimes I have to reread them a second time to remember the plots.
Romanov treasures (the Faberge eggs in particular) was in his Romanov Ramsom. That's well worth reading as well. He has the ability to graphically recreate scenes; I felt as if I was actually a witness to the scene when the Empress reluctantly turns over the Faberge eggs to the revolutionaries.
I wouldn't say Cussler is a moralist, but the "good guys" always triumph over the "bad guys". His work isn't preachy, but it does address good and evil, not in an historical way but more like a James Bond intelligence and physical triumph. There are definitely physical challenges, but intellectual ones as well.
He's also written a very contemporary thriller, Nighthawk, which is probably one of his most complicated novels. It addresses theft of advanced technology weaponry for global domination. I couldn't help thinking of the Putin and his (obsessive?) quest for power and control.
Most of Cussler's works that incorporate contemporary political issues are very thought provoking, especially given the current situation in DC and an unstable amateur threatening N. Korea and communicating through Twitter.
CWillie, I had completely forgotten about Leon Uris. I don't even remember if I read Exodus, but I did watch the movie several times. It ranks with Mayerling, Dr. Zhivago, Gone with the Wind, and other historical dramas as the best movies I've seen. I did read Marjorie Morningstar but it was so long ago I don't even remember what it was about.
I'm still waiting for the now 5 - 8" of snow predicted for today, so I have an excuse to indulge in more reading. Maybe it won't materialize and I'll actually have to do some work today.
Every time I read through the posts here, I imagine a "perfect setting" for reading. Often it's during a snowstorm or blizzard, creating an almost mandatory obligation to stay inside until the storm is through.
Accompanying the sound of wind, or just the gentle fall of snowflakes, are always hot chocolate or beverage of choice, a nice comfy chair or couch, soft and warm fleecy throws or home made afghans, leisure time with all obligations suspended temporarily, and of course, relaxation.
Then I might as a change of pace thumb through an Herb Quarterly magazine and see a lovely drawing of someone reading in the summer, lemonade at hand, furry cat on someone's lap, flowers in the background through a porch window, and sun shining in the distance.
Do others have any "visions" of the best reading scenarios? What inspires you to read? Stress? Relaxation? Expansion of vistas, travels to new lands? New ideas?
Does anyone read educational material such as scientific journals? Smithsonian magazines? Crafting, woodworking or similar magazines? At one time I used to enjoy thumbing through Popular Mechanics; there were always projects that I could imagine tackling someday, or there were good technical articles.
NatGeo is I think one of the most inspirational and relaxing magazines. The photos are of the highest qualify and for me are instantly soothing.
Anyone have any favorite magazines? Quilting? Needlework? Cooking? I don't know (and hope not) if Chocolatier is still being published. I used to mentally salivate at all the chocolate temptations. Taste of Home can be good as well. Of course, when we're dreaming none of the foods have high calories, too much fat, just delicious taste.
I think Jeanne started a wonderful thread, with wide ranging benefits, especially for caregivers. Let's keep this going!
When I moved to KS the reading did not stop, but the comprehension did! I do not think I comprehended a single book while there. I was not happy to be there, and the constant distraction of not having mom to deal with. Now that is certainly bizarre, isn't it!
I enjoy magazines too. When younger they were family circle, better homes and others like that. I really enjoyed This Old House for awhile since I had one. Too many projects, too little time, and a high maintenance house. Now, National Geographic I love and the special issues, and you are absolutely correct about the photography!
I used to read the same magazines - Family Circle, Woman's Day, BHG and of course lots of crafting, gardening and quilting magazines for inspiration.
Along the way I used to get Early American Life and Colonial Homes. I loved that period for lifestyle and furniture. Someday I'd still like to try making furniture from scratch. I'll try a flat board first - I should be able to handle that!
This Old House has sooo gone upscale that I hardly even watch the tv show anymore. Interestingly enough, I used to post in the gardening section on an old TOH forum. That was years ago. In the last few months I've gotten half a dozen solicitations to subscribe to the magazine. It took me a while to figure out where they got my e-mail address.
Carla, Water for Elephants was a best seller wasn't it? And I believe a move was made of it. Thanks for the good recommendation; I wouldn't normally read about someone in a nursing home but if there's a positive ending, that's a different story.
Have you ever read Laurie R. King?
Oh, and Marcia Muller too.
Yeah, I gravitate toward women authors with strong female protagonists!
the Jane Whitfield series by Thomas Perry (yes, I do sometimes read male authors, but the protagonist is still a kick ass woman!)
And if you like supernatural mysteries - Women of the Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong, the Hollows series by Kim Harrison, Jane Yellowrock series by Faith Hunter, Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs, and the first few books of the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton (before the author discovered sex and turned them all into porn), oh, and the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris were a lot of fun!
She writes mostly about Ancient Egypt, though there was one about Boudica and the Roman invasion of Britain (The Eagle and the Raven) that was pretty good. Anyway, if you like the kind of historical non-romance novels where the writing is excellent, the women are strong characters, and where you almost feel you can actually see, smell, touch, hear, and taste everything, she's the one.
I recommend Child of the Morning to start, which is about Hatshepsut, the female Pharoah. That's the first one I ever picked up. I think the only thing she got wrong was how she died, and that's because it was written before they discovered how! So it was a pretty good guess. And also the two-parter, House of Dreams and House of Illusions, which is about a fictional peasant girl who rises up into Ramses III's harem. (I think these 2 had different names in some countries....Lady of the Reeds was one of the titles, maybe?)
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Oh, goodness! I just did a google search and apparently there are a few! Lol.
Anne Bishop - novels of The Others - alternate world fantasy with werewolves, vampires, etc. She is a tremendous writer with a gift for writing ways about other Races, not just humans with super gifts. Relationship issues and the idea of human property rights.
Nora Roberts - also writes as J D Robb with Eve a strong female detective in future New York. Lots of sex, though, with her husband after much drama pre-wedding.
Seanan McGuire - also writes as Mira Grant - urban fantasy with great female character that combines modern earth with elves, etc. Under Mira Grant wrote a series about a zombie outbreak, government conspiracy and electronic journalism.