What Are You Reading? November 2012

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 5:04 am

[quote=""Treebeard""]I'm going to give "1421" by Gavin Menzies a go. It's described as the history of the Chinese exploration of the west coast of what later became the US (along with many other locations).[/quote]
It's definitely a fun read, Treebeard, but you should do some fact-checking on some of Menzie's points. He likes his hypothesis so much that he's willing to bend every phenomenon to its service.

Treebeard · Post by **Treebeard** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 5:50 am

[quote=""MLE""]It's definitely a fun read, Treebeard, but you should do some fact-checking on some of Menzie's points. He likes his hypothesis so much that he's willing to bend every phenomenon to its service.[/quote]

To be sure... When I first picked it up, I wasn't quite sure if it was fiction or history - and I'm still not!

fljustice · Post by **fljustice** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 5:52 am

[quote=""Vanessa""]I've just started Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens.[/quote]

I've been on vacation (and still am for a few days) and just got on line. This is one of my all time favorite Dickens stories. Did a review at my blog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 12:17 pm

I'm enjoying Little Dorrit now I've got a little more used to the writing style! I'll have a look at your review, Faith - thanks!

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 4:32 pm

Just finished off When the Music Change by Marie R. Reno. Civil War, mostly New York city setting (some Washington DC). Mainly focused on a female lead and her extended family (and beaus!). The main battles are mentioned, but from a distance so it's a refreshing POV. Not sure what I'll pick up next.

Brenna · Post by **Brenna** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 8:10 pm

Just about finished with Dreaming the Serpent Spear which is the fourth in the Manda Scott series. Already know how this is going to end and it's a bittersweet to finish this amazing series.

Ludmilla · Post by **Ludmilla** » Sun November 18th, 2012, 11:23 pm

I finished Armageddon by Leon Uris this morning. It was just as riveting this time as the first time I read it. The characterization, however, leaves a lot to be desired. Uris has always had a tendency to paint with broad brushstrokes and his writing can be a bit clunky with awkward transitions and info dumps. Many of the attitudes would be considered unfashionable now but were probably quite typical of the 1960s when it was written, and the cultural stereotyping is problematic. However, the historic events are the real star of this novel and compensate for the above-mentioned issues. This is definitely history as it's happening, with the rawness of an open wound still very much in the hearts and minds of those who lived through it. The planning and logistical challenges of the Berlin airlift were truly fascinating to read about. I remember feeling quite devastated by the ending when I first read this nearly 30 years ago. The ending, while I understand better now why the author chose that path, still slays me after all these years.

Not sure what to read next. I'm sampling The Widow Spy, which is a memoir about a female CIA officer who spent over 30 years in service.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Thu November 22nd, 2012, 1:47 am

The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau based on EC's recommendation.

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Thu November 22nd, 2012, 2:10 am

Just started The Passing Bells by Phillip Rock. I have an older MMPB edition, but I hear it's coming out again early next year. Starts in 1914, and it looks like there's going to be both upstairs and downstairs storylines. Yipee.

Nefret · Post by **Nefret** » Thu November 22nd, 2012, 2:51 am

Shields of Pride by Elizabeth Chadwick