Books! How do you read and what do you read?

I just recently watched the movie, Shadowlands, starring Deborah Winger and Anthony Hopkins which touches on some of Lewis' thoughts. Great film.
Good! I'm glad. I have both versions of that movie and liked them both. Time for me to watch them again. Thanks for the reminder!
 

I tried (really I did) to read "Hillbilly Elegy" by JD Vance, but it just had too many triggers for me... that kind of home life is incomprehensible to me.

I also read and finished "Murder at Mallowan Hall" by Colleen Cambridge: set at the fictitious manor home of Agatha Christie, mainly from the 'below the stairs' viewpoint. I'd give it a 4 out of 10 at best. Very predictable, characters drawn with broad strokes, tedious in places. OK if you are stuck inside with a bad cold and it's pouring rain, I guess.
 

Mark, l hope you find the book. As I was reading it, l wondered how was he so able to know what l was thinking and feeling. But he was. You're welcome!

I just learned I am 3rd in line for a book which contains many of his work including that one. I hope it isn't tortuously thick and heavy. I like reading in bed.

Book Jacket for: The C.S. Lewis signature classics

Book
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The C.S. Lewis signature classics (2017)​

By Lewis, C. S. 1898-1963​


Which includes:

Mere Christianity

The Screwtape Letters

The Great Divorce

The Problem of Pain

Miracles

A Grief Observed

Abolition of Man

The Four … More

 
I think you've gotten some very bad information about both Kristin Hannah's depth of research and the book

I totally agree. I loved this book and it seemed, most of it, fairly accurate. I've read two other Hannah books, and I get the sense she does her homework!
 
I think you've gotten some very bad information about both Kristin Hannah's depth of research and the book

I totally agree. I loved this book and it seemed, most of it, fairly accurate. I've read two other Hannah books, and I get the sense she does her homework!
Welcome to the forum and this thread, @Marcy Sheiner!
Hint - when you're replying to someone use the @symbol and then their screen name. It gives an alert that you're replying to them and others will be better able to follow your thoughts.

Another way is to hit quote or reply on the post you're addressing.

I've read all or nearly all of Kristin Hannah's books and agree with your assessment of her research habits.
 
I just finished All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker. A mystery that's not short at 595 pages, and I admit it took a few chapters to really get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down once. So much so that I've put another of Whitaker's books on hold at my library.

My library's summary of All the Colors...
"1975 is a time of change in America. The Vietnam War is ending. Muhammad Ali is fighting Joe Frazier. And in the smalltown of Monta Clare, Missouri, girls are disappearing.

"When the daughter of a wealthy family is targeted, the most unlikely hero emerges--Patch, a local boy, who saves the girl, and, in doing so, leaves heartache in his wake.

"Patch and those who love him soon discover that the line between triumph and tragedy has never been finer. And that their search for answers will lead them to truths that could mean losing one another.

"A missing person mystery, a serial killer thriller, a love story, a unique twist on each, Chris Whitaker has written a novel about what lurks in the shadows of obsession and the blinding light of hope."
 
II picked up Man and his Symbols which is credited to Carl Jung (psychologist) even though it includes writings from 4 other writers.

Jung discusses the unconscious in his chapter. He has some interesting insights to the unconscious and how it never misses anything while the conscious mind loses it's focus at times (like when we forget why what we were saying or doing). He says that the unconscious is always working behind the conscious.
He says that thoughts that get bumped from conscious awareness* to the unconscious remain intact. He points out that hypnotized people will reveal all details that, when asked before the hypnosis, were unable to recall - as proof of his assertion.

*often because there is no room for it in the conscious mind or because they have come to seem uninteresting or irrelevant...

Ultimately, he will get to a discussion of dreams, Dreams, he says, present the unconscious in ways that the unconscious deals with ideas.

"What I have...said about the unconscious is no more than a cursory sketch of the nature and functioning of this complex part of the human psyche. But it should have indicated the kind of subliminal material from which the symbols of our dreams may be spontaneously produced. This subliminal material can consist of all urges, impulses, and intentions; all perceptions and intuitions; all rational or irrational thoughts, conclusions, deductions, and premises, and all variety of feeling." - Jung
 
I got about 2/3 of the way through this…. It’s well-written, compelling, a fascinating glimpse into the lives and times of Italy in the 1500’s. But I just can’t read anymore. It’s kind of a psychological thriller (?)— study is probably a better word— and the husband just has too many attributes of my mentally/emotionally abusive ex. Too many emotions/memories bubbling under the surface. But if that is not part of your past and you don’t mind tense relationships, it is a good book

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I got about 2/3 of the way through this…. It’s well-written, compelling, a fascinating glimpse into the lives and times of Italy in the 1500’s. But I just can’t read anymore. It’s kind of a psychological thriller (?)— study is probably a better word— and the husband just has too many attributes of my mentally/emotionally abusive ex. Too many emotions/memories bubbling under the surface. But if that is not part of your past and you don’t mind tense relationships, it is a good book

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Thanks for the warning. I'll put this on my "must miss" list.
 
I went into our library this morning after my walk, looking for next book to read ,this one caught my eye
Dinners With Ruth: A Memoir' on the Power of Relationships by Nina Totenberg
This the story of the friendship Nina{ an awarding winning reporter at NPR} had with late Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Ooh! This sounds fascinating. Please let me/us know what you think.
 
I got about 2/3 of the way through this…. It’s well-written, compelling, a fascinating glimpse into the lives and times of Italy in the 1500’s. But I just can’t read anymore. It’s kind of a psychological thriller (?)— study is probably a better word— and the husband just has too many attributes of my mentally/emotionally abusive ex. Too many emotions/memories bubbling under the surface. But if that is not part of your past and you don’t mind tense relationships, it is a good book

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I hated Hamnet so much I would never read anything else by her.
 
I'm currently reading Fleischman is in Trouble by Taffy Broder-Akner, which is wonderful. I read another book by her, The Long Island Compromise, also wonderful. Both page turners, psychologically astute, and at times hilarious. Highly recommended.
 
This afternoon I finished reading 'Dinners with Ruth:A Memoir on the Power of friendship by Nina Totenberg
I didn't know Nina&Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg were friends for over 50 yrs,they 1st met in 1971 Ruth was a law professor in NJ Nina was working for the National Observer,4 yrs before she became reporter at NPR She talks about her friendship with Ruth,they were there for each other through good&bad times, Nina's other long standing friendships at NPR with Cokie Roberts{ before she was at ABC}, Linda Wertmeiter
This was a terrific book, I recommend it Sue
 
Could you read 80 books a year? I'd be lucky to complete a book. Having a cell phone doesn't help with my attention span for reading.

This woman claims to read 80 a year.


Speaking of why people have stopped reading...
 


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