TinaV95 dabbles with the Oranges

I'm still with the majority opinion that we continue to call this Orange January / July. The "Women's Prize for Fiction" just doesn't have the same ring to it!!

For Orange January I have planned to read two books that fit with other challenges in the 75 group.

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson - CAT challenges
Swamplandia by Karen Russell - group read

I'm also doing a category challenge this year and hope to increase the number of Orange nominees / winners that I read.

Happy Orange reading to you all!

And Happy Orange right back to you!

I loved Case Histories, and all the books about Jackson Brodie that followed. Enjoy!

Thanks LizzieD!

Raidergirl3 - I am really liking it so far, but I'm spending so much time on LT that I'm not making as much progress as I'd like...

Finished Case Histories last night. I very much enjoyed Jackson Brodie -- I'll have to read more Atkinson in the future.

I loved Case Histories! I hope you'll continue with the series, they're all good.

Did you know there is a BBC series about Jackson Brodie, called Case Histories? It coveres the first three books in the series, so you might want to wait a bit, but it was really good.

I really did enjoy this one & will read more I'm sure. I had not heard of the BBC series. Wonder if I can get it on Netflix? Thanks for the info, raidergirl!

I loved Case Histories too, and I went on to read all 4 books in the series! Great stuff!

Hmm I need to look for the BBC series!

Orange January read #2

A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan

I should begin my ramblings with the admission that I listened to A Visit from the Goon Squad on audio book throughout several weeks of commute time... With that fact in mind, I will be honest about my reactions to this novel.

AVftGS was long-listed for the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2011. With that distinction, this reader expects a different type of novel from the ordinary piece of literary fiction. AVftGS delivered on that expectation.

It is difficult to even summarize the plot for me. In a nutshell, Egan's work follows two main characters -- Bennie and Sasha -- throughout the course of their lives through the stories of multiple other characters and their intersected lives. Both Bennie and Sasha are involved in the music industry at various times in the narrative and we are introduced to many interesting characters through these connections.

The way Egan tells this story is innovative. But, I found it very hard to follow due to the continual switch in narrators and timelines. I chalk this up to the fact that I was listening in the car, but I think I still would have had difficulty remembering how character X was connected to Bennie / Sasha, even if I had been reading the print version.

My other problem was that I found several characters more interesting than Bennie or Sasha and I would have liked to hear more of their stories... What happened to them? How did they fare after their chapter? Egan re-mentions some characters in other chapters, but I was still left with questions.

In all, I enjoyed the listening experience, but A Visit from the Goon Squad left me wanting more.

At present, I'm giving 3.5 stars.

Interesting review of 'Goon Squad' Tina. I've not yet read it. I think the title rather puts me off in some way but it is waiting there in my stack of Orange reads to be read. However your review makes me want to read it now so perhaps come Orange July........
As regards to your original post up top; my thinking is that no matter what they have renamed the Orange Prize, along with all of the fall-de-rall which went with it and which I tried very hard to ignore, that this is after all our group and we can call it whatever we want and I do believe, by golly, that we prefer Orange! Love Orange January and Orange July. Can't imagine them becoming "Women's Prize for Fiction" January and "Women's Prize for Fiction" July. As you said: 'just doesn't have the same ring to it!!'
Looks like I am going to have to check out this 'Jackson Brodie' fellow and see what all the shouting is about.
Happy Orange reading to you too.

If you do decide to read it, I'll be interested to see if you think the print version is easy (or easier) to follow!

I've been following along with your Orange thread too ~~ hope you have a few more good reads this month!!

:)

Thank you Tina. I want to get a couple more in and have 2 awaiting pick up at the library. The Road Home which will be my third attempt at it and if it doesn't fly this time I won't be going back to it. I just hate to have an Orange Winner that I've not read! The other being Sorry.

You're giving a book three chances?? You're a better woman than I! :)

You know, a Visit from the Goon Squad has simply never appealed to me. I am about 3/4 of the way through Sorry by Gail Jones, and while it is in so many ways heartbreaking, it is also a wonderful read.

>#14; No, just older. lol!~!

>#15; So looking forward to Sorry. I have it on hold at the library but they don't reopen until Tuesday. :-(

I'll look forward to seeing what you think about Sorry vancouverdeb!

Hahaha Belva :)

My third Orange was also a bit of a let down....

Here's my review.

Swamplandia! by Karen Russell
3 stars

I will not recap the plot summary as there are plentiful reviews that do a fantastic job of that already.

Instead, I will give my somewhat muddled thoughts on this book...

I was left lukewarm by my reading of Swamplandia! I absolutely loved the premise of the novel and fell head over heels for the engaging narrator (13 year old Ava).

I was quickly immersed in the story and felt early on that I would be on the "love it" side of the "Swamplandia! debate."

Indeed, the three Bigtree children were great characters. I loved older brother, Kiwi and his adventures into the real world. The adults in this novel were extremely disappointing to me. After the mother passes away, the father unravels, leaving the children alone. I have a philosophical problem with this from the get-go.... Then Russell brings in the "Bird Man" character. That's where I really lost my love of the book. I will NOT include any spoilers, but to say that I was disappointed and angry with the direction the plot took is to understate things a bit.

The ending was unreal and abrupt; and the last paragraphs really fell flat for me.

There were some really great moments, though... Here's what the super intellectual Kiwi had to say about his idea of Heaven (which pretty much sums up what most LT'ers probably think).

"Heaven, Kiwi thought, would be the reading room of a great library. But it would be private. Cozy. You wouldn't have to worry about some squeaky-shoed librarian turning the lights off on you or gauging your literacy by reading the names on your book spines, and there wouldn't be a single other patron. The whole place would hum with a library's peace, filtering softly over you like white bars of light." Now, throw in a wonderful comfy recliner and Russell has me pegged!!

In short - I started out a Swamplandia! fan, but ended up in the middle of the road. I did not hate it, but I was left wanting Russell to have taken the story in a wholly other direction.

Ohhhhhhhh, I think that one just may come off my list. Glad I didn't shill out $ for it and will be getting it from the library IF I decide to give it a try. I did enjoy reading your thoughts and comments on it Tina. So thank you for that.

I gave it 2 1/2 stars and on hindsight, that may have been a little generous. I really didn't like Swamplandia! (and paid money for it!)

19...You're welcome! :)

20... I also spent money on it :(
*sigh*. Think I might put it in my trade in pile so I can at least get points for it toward another book.

I have to say that you haven't made me want to grab Swamplandia! either although it was one from its year's list that appealed to me at first. I'm also happy to say that it was a regift from a friend who received two for Christmas! I did enjoy A Visit from the Goon Squad more than you did, but then, I like Egan a lot and am predisposed to like her. I also wonder whether it's not better read than heard. I can't imagine how they would have done the PowerPoint to make clear that's what was written.

I've just picked up Goon Squad in print from the library, so I will let you know Lizzie!

I had seen the mixed reviews for Swamplandia! but really wanted to give it a shot because I loved the premise. Different strokes for different folks, I guess...

I will be interested to hear what you have to say about A Visit From the Goon Squad Tina. It is one I have been putting off for some time.

I read the power point chapter last night. No wonder I was lost! Just that short re-read makes me think the print version would have been easier to follow for sure

Loved The Goon Squad!

Hey Jill!!! Long time no see! How are you doing???? Miss you around here!

Wondering what you are planning to read in Orange July? It's almost upon us.

OOOOO....... I just picked up The Little Stranger on audio from the library. If I remember correctly, it was an Orange nominee. I need to check that out, huh?

Tina, The Little Stranger made the Orange Long List for 2010 and is very very good. I think you will enjoy it. I love Sarah Waters writing. She really grabs me and sucks me right in to her books.
Enjoy.....and perfect timing.

It's grabbing me slowly... but I'm hooked! :)

Thanks! What are you reading for July?

Good morning Tina.
I just finished When We Were Bad, short listed in 2008 & very good. Most likely I will be reading one of the short listed books of this year though I really want to read some off an older list. My reading plan was to read NW, Bring Up the Bodies, Flight Behavior & May We Be Forgiven as I've read the others but they just aren't calling out to me so I'll have to see what grabs me. Glad you are enjoying The Little Stranger.

Hi, Tina. I'm checking you our here because I am so monstrously behind on your 75 thread. Sly?
So how did you like *Goon Squad*?
I haven't read *Little Stranger*, but I do enjoy Sarah Waters from time to time. I guess I've read about half. Meanwhile, I'm enjoying *Flight Behavior* right now.

32 Belva I have When We Were Bad on one of my bookshelves! I've just pulled out the two I'm going to try to read for the rest of July and I saw it today. I had forgotten it was on the Orange lists, so I didn't even consider it! I haven't been on the OJ threads in forever... do you have a new thread?

33 Peggy I don't know what "sly" stands for! LOL, I am behind the times. I wasn't a huge fan of Goon Squad, but I really think it's because I listened to it on audio and I had a hard time following the story lines. This is my first Waters, but I like it so far. I have stopped worrying about keeping up... I check as many threads as I can and hope y'all love me enough to know that I will get there as soon as I can! :)

So for Orange July I have picked the following two out of my TBR stacks:

What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn
and
The Leper's Companions by Julia Blackburn

I am hoping I can get through these two by month end! :)

Hi Tina. I have a thread on the 100 & the 75 book gigs but I mainly just copy & paste to my 75 thread. I tend to stick on the 100 book gig as I get lost on the other. **shrugs**
Threads are here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/146144
and here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/153490

I have not yet read either of your Orange July choices so I will be very interested to see what you have to share about them.
hugs,
belva

Starred you, Belva! Thanks for the links!