June 22, 2008
9:15 AM
It is a cool and gorgeous day in Northern California – although yesterday we had more moody weather. The sky darkened and flashes of lightening zig zagged through black clouds, followed by the grumbling of thunder. It even rained a little. This morning the lingering smell of smoke from lightening strikes drifts on the morning breeze. There is probably nothing that evokes fear more to a Northern Californian (living in the mountains) than the smell of smoke. The news is reporting that no fewer than 75 fires were sparked by lightening in the forests of Northern California yesterday – So we are wary and alert today…but, still I will find some time to relax with a book.
This past week I finished reading Atonement (read my review) – my first McEwen novel and one which I eventually liked quite a bit. I have to admit I nearly gave up on McEwen in the first 50 pages, but am glad I hung in there as the novel improved ten-fold by the mid-way point. I’ve been avoiding reading On Chesil Beach because it just seemed so…well, hyped. But, I’ve re-thought my opinion and actually picked up a copy of the book this week at Barnes and Nobel.
Next, I read Home of the Gentry (read my review) for the Russian Reading Challenge. Nothing humbles me more than reading the Russian classics. I always feel like I miss half the meaning in these books due to my ignorance of Russian history. Home of the Gentry is supposed to be one of Turgenev’s greatest works, but it was just so-so for me based on enjoyment level.
I’m currently reading Life of Pi, by Yann Martel – and I’m having a little trouble getting into this one, although I appreciate Martel’s humor. The Bookawards Yahoo group is discussing Martel’s novel this month and I’d like to get it finished in the next day or so in order to participate in that discussion. Have any of you read this book? Did you find it slow going at first? A little odd? Were you ultimately glad you read it? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
In other bookish “news” I’ve decided to expand my Novel Challenge Blog to include literary events for readers and bloggers. I am always so amazed at the vast numbers of challenges and events…and the creativity of my fellow bloggers at designing them. As most of you know, I am also helpless to resist them!
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday of reading or doing something fun and relaxing. I’ll be wading through Life of Pi and maybe taking a walk later…
= Excellent
= Good/Very Good
= Okay read
= Not recommended
= Ugh! Don't waste your time.
I read something about all the thunderstorms up your way. My parents who live in Sacramento were saying they were still suffering hot temperatures, but that it was definitely cooling off a bit. I hope it will start to cool down my way soon.
I feel the same way about Russian literature, I admit. I do enjoy reading it though.
Life of Pi is one book I really can’t say I care to read at all, even with those who strongly recommend I do. It just doesn’t interest me at all. I do hope, however, that you end up enjoying it.
Have a great week!
Yes, ‘The Life of Pi’ did take some getting into and I probably only persisted because I needed it for a book group. But, i was glad I did and it provoked one of the most interesting discussions we’ve ever had.
I liked The Life of Pi until the main character ended up on an island. I won’t say much more than that in case you haven’t reached that point of the story. Then, it just went from bad to worse, and I deplored the ending. I really liked the flash forwards of the character as an older gentleman, but those flash forwards all but disappeared during the last half of the book, which was a disappointment for me.
Aren’t you glad you asked? =)
I am reading Moloka’i right now – a book I know you loved. I should be finished with it today – it’s definitely an engaging book.
Enjoy a fire-free Sunday!
Jill
I would definitely hang in there with Life of Pi. I thought it was kind of slow in the beginning too, and it’s never really too fast-paced of a novel, but it is SO excellent once you get to know Pi and really get into the book. I think it’ll be well worth it.
I read Life of Pi a couple years a go. The first time through I didnt get what was so great about it. When I read the end, the rest of the book made sense. It is the kind of book you have to read twice to fully understand it, but it is worth it.
Life of Pi gets better. it is a little slow at first but it *does* get better. that said, it’s not for everyone but I thought it was spectacular. I’ll look forward to reading your review!
Ditto, what everyone else has said about Life of Pi, including even the person who said they didn’t like it, because it’s one of those books that doesn’t sit well with everyone. I’m not sure I loved it, but here’s my my review of it, plus links to others who reviewed it.
I hope there has been no imminent fire threat – as a resident of coastal Florida, I get the same feeling when I see those tropical storms brewing on the weather map.
I just visted your Novel Challenge Blog – what a great idea, putting information about all the challenges and memes in one place.
I read Chesil Beach earlier this year and was really disappointed – so I’ve been avoiding Atonement! My friend loves Chesil Beach though and her advice is to read it as if its a one act play rather than a novel – it is a novella I believe though I’ve never read one before! I think if I’d have read it with that advice in mind I might well have enjoyed it!
Your novel challenge blog is a fantastic resource – I recommended it this week in my WG post – funny thing was I never realised it was you that wrote it!
I live in Southern California and it was dry as a bone down here, 110 degrees, and breezy so I was also worried about fires breaking out.
I could not get through Pi. I gave it a shot and just decided to skip it. I am interested in what you think of it once you finish though as most of my book group really liked it once they got into it.
I liked Atonement a lot but had a hard time with The Innocent (also my McEwan), which I still feel is one of the most bizarre books I have ever read.
“Life of Pi” is slow for about the first 100 pages. Martel takes this time to completely ground you in the setting. After that, the story really takes off.
WendyCat: I worry about you guys in Southern California with fire danger as well. Not good. I finished Life of Pi and will post a review soon. It was okay…perhaps a bit deep for me to process right now!
Ann: I can see how Martel’s novel would provoke discussion. Very interesting underlying story.
Jill: I agree that the story began losing something once they got to the island…and the ending was just downright odd to me. But, I am so overwhelmed with my real-life drama right now that I can’t seem to focus enough on this book to figure it out!
Heather: I hung in with it
Read my comment above to Jill 
Hillary: I can see where reading this twice would help!
Marie: I’ll be posting my review a bit later.
Unfinished: I agree with your review
RR: Read my latest post on this blog – we unfortunately are facing a couple of real fire threats and are currently on standby to evacuate
Thanks for visiting my novel challenges blog!
Mrs. S. : Yup it’s me
I think reviews on Chesil Beach have been quite mixed…so I’m interested to see what I think of it.
Ti: Hope you are not having the fires we are getting. It is horrible here and a real worry. I *did* get through Pi…I’ll post a review later. Atonement was weird at times – that I agree with!
TheDuckThief: You’re right – it took about 100 pages to really get interesting.