tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post28714487630466311..comments2024-03-25T20:57:40.930-04:00Comments on Gulfside Musing: Quick Thoughts on Four Recent ReadsJoAnnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-10840021634061968332020-07-05T13:03:22.118-04:002020-07-05T13:03:22.118-04:00Iliana - I read a lot of Atwood back then, but hav...Iliana - I read a lot of Atwood back then, but haven't read many of her newer dystopian novels. Cat's Eye was SO much darker than I remembered, but I still want to reread The Robber Bride. Hope you get to try one of Emma Straub's books!JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-91101382119502018222020-07-04T16:30:50.693-04:002020-07-04T16:30:50.693-04:00I remember thinking Cat's Eye was a favorite t...I remember thinking Cat's Eye was a favorite too but it's been so long that I barely remember it. I've always enjoyed Atwood and still have several of her books to read. Definitely need to discover Emma Straub! Ilianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026669671843769219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-75251158658431266042020-06-30T17:20:57.827-04:002020-06-30T17:20:57.827-04:00Stacy - All three of the Straub novels I've re...Stacy - All three of the Straub novels I've read have been very good. You might have a harder time getting a copy of this one because it's new. If you're in the mood for an exotic setting, go with The Vacationers. You can't go wrong with Modern Lovers, set in Brooklyn, either.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-24004123506229345922020-06-27T22:35:32.489-04:002020-06-27T22:35:32.489-04:00Added The Boy the Mole and the Fox with the Horse ...Added The Boy the Mole and the Fox with the Horse to my library list! And I've never read Straub. Is this the one to read first?stacybuckeyehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09153048131267328535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-83796137743575519862020-06-23T21:48:04.939-04:002020-06-23T21:48:04.939-04:00Jade - That wAs such a beautiful book! I need to o...Jade - That wAs such a beautiful book! I need to own a copy for myself.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-55606988346148026722020-06-23T09:40:53.748-04:002020-06-23T09:40:53.748-04:00I read The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse la...I read The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse last month and just absolutely loved it - 5 stars for sure! It was definitely good timing wise to pick it up also.Reading with Jadehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00776146295033934487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-35811161923430539792020-06-22T16:41:55.333-04:002020-06-22T16:41:55.333-04:00Athira - I've had to be extra careful with my ...Athira - I've had to be extra careful with my reading selections the past few months. Hope you enjoy Emma Straub, too!JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-57345155996823723292020-06-21T18:48:13.267-04:002020-06-21T18:48:13.267-04:00I'm not very sure either if this is a good tim...I'm not very sure either if this is a good time to read Margaret Atwood books although I've loved what I've read by her. I'll probably get more anxious though. Times are hard enough.<br /><br />Haven't read any of Emma Straub books yet but you have me convinced to try.Athirahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03366654538383603004noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-70886362763795325372020-06-21T16:08:43.111-04:002020-06-21T16:08:43.111-04:00Judy - Atwood really nailed that preteen/early tee...Judy - Atwood really nailed that preteen/early teen dynamic. I'd forgotten how disturbing it was... brought back some memories for me, too. I'm still looking forward to rereading The Robber Bride, but will wait until later this fall. Hope you decide to give Straub a try.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-88738182772508582162020-06-21T16:00:52.438-04:002020-06-21T16:00:52.438-04:00Deb - I think I may need to buy myself a copy of T...Deb - I think I may need to buy myself a copy of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse!JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-50262442327884203692020-06-21T15:58:59.604-04:002020-06-21T15:58:59.604-04:00Tina - I hope Emma Straub will be another author y...Tina - I hope Emma Straub will be another author you enjoy! It's been years since I last read Atwood, too. Hope I can read The Robber Bride before the end of the year. JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-5377457562041254292020-06-20T14:06:58.256-04:002020-06-20T14:06:58.256-04:00Alright, you have almost convinced me to read Emma...Alright, you have almost convinced me to read Emma Straub. I have no reason not to except that I find her off-putting for some reason. Cat's Eye is I think, one of Atwood's most disturbing books. The first time I read it, I marveled at how she described so well things I went through with certain girls in my teens and yet it left me shaken and uncomfortable.Judy Kruegerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11632346091869688862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-88301490408013665892020-06-20T09:32:55.561-04:002020-06-20T09:32:55.561-04:00I was surprised at the books in my first curbside ...I was surprised at the books in my first curbside pickup bag from the library. I think I'd forgotten what I'd requested so long ago.<br /><br />Glad you enjoyed The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. I did, too.Deb Nance at Readerbuzzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12128529491888701996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-13497894573555383332020-06-20T08:04:06.777-04:002020-06-20T08:04:06.777-04:00Emma Straub is a new author to me but based on you...Emma Straub is a new author to me but based on your recommendations I will add her name to my list. You have given me some great ideas for reading in the past!<br />Love Margaret Atwood but I haven't read anythign by her in years.Tinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08553212447308502910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-21688249580607113832020-06-19T07:31:23.532-04:002020-06-19T07:31:23.532-04:00Angela - It really is! I'd like a copy of my o...Angela - It really is! I'd like a copy of my own.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-13353481646907151382020-06-18T19:35:17.273-04:002020-06-18T19:35:17.273-04:00My coworker loaned me The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, ...My coworker loaned me The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse - what a beautiful book!Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746631124966726182noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-61180764816814439162020-06-18T18:24:38.713-04:002020-06-18T18:24:38.713-04:00Vicki - I'd recommend listening to Women Rowin...Vicki - I'd recommend listening to Women Rowing North. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse is an absolute delight... I'm sure you'll love it.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-77649535859405180822020-06-18T18:23:36.780-04:002020-06-18T18:23:36.780-04:00Les - Yup, a depressing slog for sure. I've av...Les - Yup, a depressing slog for sure. I've avoided her more recent sci-fi/dystopian novels, but sure didn't remember this one as being such a downer.<br /><br />Women Rowing North was an enjoyable listen (Suzanne Torren was the perfect narrator) but it seemed like I'd heard most of this before. Even though it was not new information, there is still plenty to discuss... especially if most of your bookclub is around our age.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-67138925598447914022020-06-18T18:14:42.724-04:002020-06-18T18:14:42.724-04:00Karen - Thanks for the suggestion! I tried to rere...Karen - Thanks for the suggestion! I tried to reread The Handmaid's Tale, too, and didn't get very far. Not sure why I've never read The Blind Assassin. Great idea to read now. Hope I can find an ebook and audio at the library.JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-375183988042922352020-06-18T14:28:07.332-04:002020-06-18T14:28:07.332-04:00Women Rowing North sounds good. I've put The B...Women Rowing North sounds good. I've put The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse on hold at my library.Vickihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16974471357928655315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-78815525986623484342020-06-18T13:08:32.368-04:002020-06-18T13:08:32.368-04:00I read Cat's Eye (reviewed here) last month an...I read Cat's Eye (reviewed <a href="https://lesleysbooknook.blogspot.com/2020/06/cats-eye.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>) last month and thought it was pretty engrossing up until the second half. Then it felt like a depressing slog. I've tried many of her books, but I've finally decided that Atwood isn't for me.<br /><br />My book club is reading Women Rowing North next month and I'm looking forward to it. I'm sorry you didn't find it more enlightening and hope it has enough meat to promote a good discussion.Les in Oregonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15053880852764886416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-20999254274910004352020-06-18T12:01:11.187-04:002020-06-18T12:01:11.187-04:00I loved The Robber Bride when I read it, which was...I loved The Robber Bride when I read it, which was nearly 20 years ago. I don't remember it as particularly bleak but it's been a long time. I did try to reread The Handmaid's Tale last year after I watched the first series, but had to stop, it was too dire. I gave up watching the series also. <br /><br />I also really liked The Blind Assassin which has some fantasy elements in it. That might be a good choice right now.Karen K.https://www.blogger.com/profile/13483190930383406559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-86111326738153423082020-06-18T11:09:50.869-04:002020-06-18T11:09:50.869-04:00Ti - That's exactly how I feel about my readin...Ti - That's exactly how I feel about my reading now... which made Emma Straub's novel the right book at the right time. Have you read her? JoAnnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13691864361197071517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7080965436653289398.post-63843615342376265172020-06-18T10:26:26.459-04:002020-06-18T10:26:26.459-04:00I've never read Cat's Eye but dark and ble...I've never read Cat's Eye but dark and bleak is not what I need right now. It's funny because I don't necessarily want fluffy either. I guess, a good balance is needed during a pandemic. Tihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00926060806244061354noreply@blogger.com