Did you read The Expanse series? The books are better than the subsequent tv series. Or the Foundation trilogy by Asimov?
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Nope, I didnāt make it past the first episode of the TV series-- felt like too much drama? And Asimov always seemed to lack characters, even if the ideas can be neat. But maybe Iāll give them a try some day!
I did not make it past the first episode of The Expanse tv series either as it paled in comparison to the books. The characters are really well developed in the books. I confess I read all 9 Expanse books, a major time commitment, but I am retired so I typically read a book a week.
I finished Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day and really enjoyed it. Itās short and light and humorous. Itās been a while since Iāve seen the movie, but it matches fairly well what I remember (except that somehow, despite the name, Iād forgotten that it happened over 24 hours.. The book stresses it by listing the time range of each chapter.) (oh, and except Amy Adams). Frances McDormand did the narration.
I think Cold Comfort Farm is next.
Two books by Omar El Akkad:
American War (2017) - Dystopian novel set in the US, which has been ravaged by climate change and disease: a second civil war has broken out in 2074 over the use of fossil fuels. Story is told through the eyes of a Southern US terrorist fighting the North. Chilling novel.
What Strange Paradise (2021) - Account of a young Syrian refugeeās struggles to reach sanctuary in Europe. Gripping story as well as an indictment of Westās response to non-White refugees.
Both books are uncomfortable reads but excellent.
I didnāt know Miss Pettigrew was a movie. Iāll have to look for it.
Finished Great Circle. Book club today. Not sure what Iāll read next. Thinking of rereading Killers of the Flower Moon for another book club that hasnāt fit in my schedule for a while. Itās not super long so I might. That one is next Thursday. Itās hosted by a book store so I donāt feel bad about just popping in when my schedule allows.
I watched the series first. I think Iām 3 or 4 books into the series. I quite enjoyed the series but also enjoy the books very much as well.
I could see if you have preconceived notions based on reading the books first where the series might not be as satisfying.
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I read dreadfully slowly, but I would welcome a permanent getaway. Iāll check it out.
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Do you recommend it?
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Yes, the movie also features Frances McDormand. I glanced at imdb to see what kind of reception it got. It got good reviews, but I donāt think it did well at the box office. While I was there, I watched the trailer and, from what I saw there, it wasnāt quite as close to the book as Iād remembered.
Closing up yet another re-read of Bleak House
not my fave of Dickens, but I do think itās the best of his novels
Speaking of re-reads, I recently read Crime and Punishment 50 or so years after my first read of it. Like many classics it is even better on a second read.
Have just given away my collection of Dostoevsky and Sinclair Lewis books as I donāt expect to be around 50 years from now for their third reading!
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Bleak House ended my reading of Dickens novels. Did not finish. Realized I really didnāt like Dickens, except for Tale of Two Cities and A Christmas Carol. (And OT but I hesitate to say that around here bc NOBODY likes that poor little orphan.)
Sinclair Lewisāthereās an author who made me laugh. And cry.
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I liked Great Expectations, have Hard Times sitting on my shelf
Also have Tale Of Two Cities - but the edition is too fragile to read
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Well, these days I have no excuse. I just have no time for books after arguing all day on the internet.
But in my youth, reading slowly might have helped me digest books more fully. On a good month, I could slowly read a novel, and then emulate the author, because I had absorbed their voices. Sort of like a magic trick. One day I was Douglas Adams, another day I was Nabokov.
Now I think the only advantage is that I read good books, because spending 3 months to make it through a garbage fantasy novel is impossible
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Decided to move forward with a reread of Killers of the Flower Moon & hope to make that book club discussion.
Also will be finishing up Jemar Tisbyās The Color of Compromise & will end the month with one of a few Nora Roberts I have in my audio stash.
And it is amazing to read his novels from 100 years ago and see how relevant his themes are in 2022!
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I might have access to some Sinclair Lewis in the Family Library. Is āBabbittā a good read?