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Erika wrote: "I also read 2 books that has to with blacks in the 1960's.
1 Warriors Don't Cry: The Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High. It happen in little rock.
2 The Watsons ..."

Erika, please think about sharing some of your thoughts about these two reads. They sound quite interesting, especially Warriors Don't Cry: The Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High.

Mike

I am reading Tender by Mark Childress . I am enjoying it so far but I just started. I am enjoying the Elvis Presley comparisons.

I've been hitting the books lately. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I read Guests on Earth by Lee Smith. Dealing with Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald's years in Highland Hospital in Asheville, NC. F. Scott emerges as an unsupportive husband who has grown tired of his wife. The narrator is a thirteen year old girl committed to the hospital by her mother's lover. Her mother was a courtesan in New Orleans. We watch her grow up in Highland and see her exchanges with Zelda. Smith presents a convincing theory that intelligent, independent women were committed to mental hospitals to meet male expectations. This is a very powerful read. I highly recommend it.

For a really different change of pace, I read Savage Season by East Texas writer Joe R. Lansdale. This is the first of the Hap and Leonard Series. It starts off with a bang. Hap is a white sixties drop out. Leonard is a black veteran of the Vietnam War who happens to be gay. Over Leonard's objection Hap involves them in a plan to recover a fortune in money stolen by a group of drug dealers. The catch is Hap's brought into the plan by his ex-wife Trudy who is still lost in the 60s and wants to use the money to revive 1960s values in an indifferent society. Crackling dialog. A real page turner.

I've done my annual read of A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor. My tradition goes back to 1980.

Before diving into The Long Home which will be my second journey into that novel, I'm reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie for another on-line group.

Happy reading to all of you. Be sure to keep us updated with what you're reading.

Mike

Mel wrote: "I am reading Tender by Mark Childress . I am enjoying it so far but I just started. I am enjoying the Elvis Presley comparisons."

Mel, I'm crazy for Childress. He was a graduate of the University of Alabama. I've read each of his works. I'll be interested to see what you think of this one. I thought it was a great read.

Mike

Mike wrote:*chuckle* Well, John, don't beat aro..."

The Trilogy as a whole is some fine reading. It just seemed that The Crossing was full of explanations of life. McCarthy probably had a lot on his mind. I read to escape explanations of life. And his 'splainin is way over my head. As in "life just got more complicated" tryin to figure out what he said.

Off to my coffee now Mike. Always a pleasure. Oh btw, haven't seen Everitt much lately, hope all is manageably well.

JT

Mike wrote: "I've been hitting the books lately. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I read Guests on Earth by Lee Smith. Dealing with Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald's years in Highland Hosp..."

I really enjoyed this book, too. I saw it as essentially about the narrator, who was very appealing. The appearances of Zelda didn't give me much insight into who the woman was. I wondered at times why Smith included them, as the novel stood on its on without them. Including Zelda did of course add to the interest appeal of the book.

Patricia wrote: "Mike wrote: "I've been hitting the books lately. Over the Thanksgiving Holiday, I read Guests on Earth by Lee Smith. Dealing with Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald's years in ..."

The novel is definitely Evalina's story. She doesn't belong at Highland at all. It's questionable whether any of the main female characters should be there. Evalina's seeing herself as the constant accompanist to the performers, particularly Zelda who choreographs the hospital productions, takes us deeper into Evalina's personality. And I found her observations of the other residents of the hospital to be quite astute as she became older. I found it particularly interesting that Smith included Dr. and Mrs. Carroll. Carroll was originally the supervising physician at Highland and was quite advanced in his treatment theories. It is actually after he is no longer head of the hospital that we see the darker side of mental health treatment, the insulin shock treatments, and the electric shock treatments. I think one of the central questions that Smith asks is what is the line between sanity and insanity. And I think it's particularly relevant to whether the women committed to Highland were insane or whether they failed to meet the expectations of the significant men in their lives.

Mike S.

Well said! I concur re Smith's treatment of the theme of the nature of sanity, as well as the subject of misdiagnoses or irrelevant ones (which is so sadly historically accurate). Your comment made me better understand, then, why Smith would bring in Zelda and Highland at all: she wanted to treat this and related themes, as well as create her character. I think possibly I should reread a couple of her books.

Was truly looking forward to beginning The Long Home. I have never read anything by this author and was excited because of all the positive remarks here on the Trail. The library didn't have a ready copy so I ordered an e-book for my Nook. It seems to me that when one pays almost as much for an e-book as a hard copy, we should get the same quality. After the first 20 pages in, I couldn't believe the half dozen or so editing errors. After reading "he had built a treehouse from old salvaged bridget-imber," I couldn't take it anymore. I want to get lost in the tale and not feel as if I'm proofing a paper. Seems to me with technology today, transferring a hard copy to e-book wouldn't be that difficult. What a shame for the author and his readers. Now, off to order myself a hard copy.

Debbie wrote: "Was truly looking forward to beginning The Long Home. I have never read anything by this author and was excited because of all the positive remarks here on the Trail. The library di..."

Oh, this is good to know, thanks. I read a lot of e-books cause they are easier to carry around with me but will skip this one and look for the hard copy.

For Debbie and Mel: the hardcover has these too. I think the author intentionally combines 2 or 3 words at times, but I'm not sure why. Maybe trying to replicate the speech idioms of the time and era.
it's a little disconcerting at times, but you get used to it.

is A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor any good???

Diane wrote: "For Debbie and Mel: the hardcover has these too. I think the author intentionally combines 2 or 3 words at times, but I'm not sure why. Maybe trying to replicate the speech idioms of the time an..."

Thanks, Diane. Love your posts. I understand what you said, and it's not the author's choice of words such as bridgetimber that gets me, it's where the e-book hyphenates the word - bridget-imber. Otherwise, I'm enjoying this book; definitely a different storyline than what I would normally choose to read.

Erika wrote: "is A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor any good???"

Better than good. Don't wait any longer!

Debbie wrote: "Erika wrote: "is A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor any good???"

Better than good. Don't wait any longer!"

Just picked it up at the library. Still working on last month's Mudbound, so may hold reading the Capote a bit longer.

Diane wrote: "For Debbie and Mel: the hardcover has these too. I think the author intentionally combines 2 or 3 words at times, but I'm not sure why. Maybe trying to replicate the speech idioms of the time an..."

Oh thanks! Good to know this. I needed some lighter reads so I am a little behind on my monthly group read reading but will get to this month's books soon. Always such good things to read in this group.

Review of A Christmas Memory
Wow!!!
This really blew me away. Truman Capote really has a talent on really making things go alive or make it seem like you are there. It really points out how important a memory is to people even when the person or thing is not there any more. It is also a gift that can be past on from parents to kids. A memory is something life can not go on with out. What really stood out at me is that How well Truman can write even so His hard childhood. One thing you can take a way from this story is That you can do anything if you put your mind to it.

Erika wrote: "Review of A Christmas Memory
Wow!!!
This really blew me away. Truman Capote really has a talent on really making things go alive or make it seem like you are there. It really points out how importa..."

Erika, you just put a big smile on my face. Yes, I believe "Wow!" summed up my feelings the first time I ever read this little book.

just got done with A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor

he does a good telling us about hid childhood with grace. He makes it seems really real. On of his best pieces of work. He has a talent of writing.

I am really new to writing reviews. How am doing with wring reviews

You're doing fine, Erika. I feel the same way about this book.

Erika wrote: "just got done with A Christmas Memory, One Christmas, & The Thanksgiving Visitor...

I am really new to writing reviews. How am doing with wring reviews "

Erika, I agree you're doing just fine. You will find that you grow more comfortable the more you write. Do not be concerned with being new at this. The most important thing is to honestly tell of a books significance to you and the feelings it produced upon reading it. Keep on! I encourage you to do so.

Mike

Folks, I'm having a difficult time (trial and lots of error) trying to direct a specific reply to a specific post. This is for Erika, re your beginning to write reviews. You may be way ahead of me on this already, but just in case, here's a kind of outline for review writing that I came across. It seems sound: 1.) At the beginning, a powerful testimonial, to boil down the entire piece into one sentence, telling readers instantly what distinguishes this book. It uses active, dynamic language that can be lifted easily for promotional purposes. 2.) The First Paragraph: This well-written introduction tells readers, in a compact, conversational, positive way, what the book is about and what the reviewer thought of it. It could also stand alone, if necessary, as a one-paragraph mini-review. 3.) Star Rating for Entire Review: 400-500 words detailing much more than a mere plot synopsis. Should give authors and readers a comprehensive critique of the writing, plot, pacing, characters, packaging, and other elements that will influence book buyers.

A southern book review
Warriors Don't Cry: The Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little
Rock's Central High by Melba Pattillo.
This book blew me a way and gives the read A first hand look at what it
was like for nine black teens to integrate Little Rock's Central High
School in 1957.

In 1954 after a landmark Supreme Court ruling, Brown v. Board of
Education, Melba and 8 other black teens was choosing to integrate the
an all white Central High School in 1957. This book is about 1957 to
1958 school year where these black students faced all the torture that
comes with racism but some how these blacks was able to stay strong so
they could fight this battle to the end. Their mind set was that they
would not going to let the white people get the best of them and that
they would make it though the year together.
What pulled me in was to see how they was able to handle what life handed
them and still was able to come out of it stronger than ever. Melba
writing made it seems like you there with the little rock nine and it
made you want to hope that they make it out of it in one piece. It also
shows the read that you came overcome what life gives you.
MUST READ SOUTHERN BOOK

Big Bad Love by Larry Brown

Just found some notes on The Guns of August. my review /review/show...

So, I've not read the December books for our group partly bc my hubby had the Gay book occupied and then I started Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey and it's quite a few pages. I'm really liking this book which takes place in futuristic Atlanta. So, if you are looking for something different by a southern author (maybe, kind of....he wrote the book in NC and now lives in Florida) this might be a good one. I'm in the last section and it's been quite good!

has any one read answer prayer by truman capote or the old man and the sea by hemingway? is these books any good?

I've read the Hemingway and highly recommend it. It's probably my all time favorite written by him.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE The Watsons Go to Birmingham�1963! I taught that book in school!

I really liked Islands in the Stream . Published posthumously. Less idealistic compared to some of his earlier work. Great character development.

I am reading the old man and sea by ernest heminwa

I just finished Conditions are Favorable by Tara Staley, historical fiction about the Wright Brothers. If you prefer literary works to mass market fiction, you'll love this book.

the old man and sea at the start kind of reminds of the chismas menory by turman capote with the firendship of the boy and old women.

Betty wrote: "I just finished Conditions are Favorable by Tara Staley, historical fiction about the Wright Brothers. If you prefer literary works to mass market fiction, you'll love this book."

Your mention of literary works made me want to read this book. I'm only a little way into it but am really enjoying it. I look forward to the ongoing character development. So, thank you! I've had a problem, however, by no means specific to this book. There are fictional settings/situations for which the present tense seems to me contrived. And for me, this book is one. Now, maybe that's an age thing--I'm a Boomer. But I do so much dislike trendiness in writing, of which I've suspected this slightly jarring use of present tense to be an example. Maybe it's a writing school thing. Or maybe I'm just a faultfinder.

Patricia wrote: "Betty wrote: "I just finished Conditions are Favorable by Tara Staley, historical fiction about the Wright Brothers. If you prefer literary works to mass market fiction, you'll lov..."

Patricia wrote: "Betty wrote: "I just finished Conditions are Favorable by Tara Staley, historical fiction about the Wright Brothers. If you prefer literary works to mass market fiction, you'll lov..."

I'm a babyboomer as well and the writing style took some getting used to for me. It wasn't the present tense that caused me a problem but the lack of commas separating dialogue from the person speaking. But I did get used to it, and it ceased to cause me a problem with my enjoyment of the book.

Betty wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Betty wrote: "I just finished Conditions are Favorable by Tara Staley, historical fiction about the Wright Brothers. If you prefer literary works to mass market fi..."

You know, I hadn't even noticed lack of punctuation. I suspect that that's part of my problem, too. So, thank you for pointing it out. Your phrase "getting used to" is where I am with the book, as pertains to the writing style itself. But I am glad to have found it and do look forward to getting back to it. Will comment again when I finish. But that will be a while, as I have a number of other books going, one being Gail Collin's AMERICA'S WOMEN: long, detailed, and thoroughly fascinating for anyone who likes social history.

I am know done with the old man and the sea

Erika, what did you think of it? I am not a big Hemingway fan, but I really loved " The Old Man and the Sea". It seems to be so timeless, like a myth.

I am reading "Julia Child Rules", by Karen Karbo. It's a light-hearted look at her life and philosophy. Just right for this time of year when it's so hard to get into a more serious book.

I very much enjoyed And the Mountains Echoed. Here is a quiz.
/quizzes/res...

John wrote: "I very much enjoyed And the Mountains Echoed. Here is a quiz.
/quizzes/res..."

I enjoy seeing what our members are reading. I'm reading The Proud Tower: A Portrait of the World Before the War 1890-1914 by Barbara W. Tuchman in preparation for the Centenary of WWI. In the coming years I'll be reading a number of books concerning the war, including a re-read of Company K by Alabama author William March.

I'll be posting Discussion topics for our January Group reads, The Sound and the Fury: The Corrected Text and All the Pretty Horses.

Mike S.

I'm reading The War That Ended Peace: The Road to 1914 (like Mike in preparation for the centenary), Washington Square and Leo Africanus for discussions in other groups, and The Camomile Lawn, a novel of WWII. I have to get going so I'm ready for the Sound and the Fury.

Not Southern, but started The Name of the Wind to end 2013. What's everyone thinking for how many books they will read in 2014? Do you stay the same or go up if you met your reading challenge in 2013?

Black Swan Green What a surprisingly fun book. Creative dialog and experiences. Just enough slang and idioms to keep it interesting without becoming burdensome. My heart continues to go out to young Jason. He has to navigate bullies, social standings, a stammer, first love and separate himself from his family as he grows into his own man. The right kind of book to follow a string of heavies.

Really enjoying Lee Smith's Guests on Earth. Asheville, NC, early treatments for mental illness and a great character in Evalina Toussaint make this a pleasure. I am partial to Ms. Smith but this is one of her better books.

I'm going to try something new (for me) in 2014. Instead of deciding what to read next after I finish a book, I'm making a monthly list which will include Trail reads, book club choice for that month and books on my shelf. For January I have queued up The Sound and the Fury: The Corrected Text, Tinkers, The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son, Guests on Earth: A Novel, and Cloudstreet. For backups if I have the time, it's The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared and Gods in Alabama. We'll see how this plan works for me.

Diane wrote: "I'm going to try something new (for me) in 2014. Instead of deciding what to read next after I finish a book, I'm making a monthly list which will include Trail reads, book club choice for that mo..."

This looks a bit like my January list in amount not all the same titles. Good luck, Diane.

Diane wrote: "I'm going to try something new (for me) in 2014. Instead of deciding what to read next after I finish a book, I'm making a monthly list which will include Trail reads, book club choice for that mo..."

That sounds like a good plan. I'll be doing trail reads and a cross section of WWI reads, fiction and non-fiction. Plus things I've got on my shelves I've been planning on getting to. I have read Guests on Earth: A Novel and found it a wonderful read. I have The Death of Santini: The Story of a Father and His Son in the short queue. I recommend all of the novels of Joshilyn Jackson. She has a wicked sense of humor. I've recently finished her most recent novel, Someone Else's Love Story.

Mike S.

Sue wrote: "Diane wrote: "I'm going to try something new (for me) in 2014. Instead of deciding what to read next after I finish a book, I'm making a monthly list which will include Trail reads, book club choi..."

Ah, Sue, some of our WWI reads may take a while. *grin* Hoping to stay on schedule!

Mike S.

Heather wrote: "Really enjoying Lee Smith's Guests on Earth. Asheville, NC, early treatments for mental illness and a great character in Evalina Toussaint make this a pleasure. I am partial to Ms. Smith but this ..."

Heather, I've been partial to Ms. Smith for years. This is one of her best, I think.

Mike S.