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First of all, well done, John. Reading your titles and authors is always informative. Reading the exchange between you & Kiki was a delight. I've not heard of either author but it seems their careers have been thriving.

So, thank you both for these posts about Gardam & Rubens

Made into a film (1), Nobel prize winning author (46), Famous author never read (83), and historical fiction (98)

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

I have yet to see the film, but the audio narrator sounded a lot like Anthony Hopkins. Review to be included in February list, but will say here that parts of the story were rather grim. Lord Darlington owedhim more than just a few token quid in his will for bring that devoted up until the end.

John wrote: "Made into a film (1), Nobel prize winning author (46), Famous author never read (83), and historical fiction (98)

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

I have yet to..."

Oh, I love, love, love that movie and book, John. I have the DVD somewhere. I'll have to dig it out. Time for a rewatching for me. Sir Anthony Hopkins plays the main role so wonderfully understated.

John wrote: "Made into a film (1), Nobel prize winning author (46), Famous author never read (83), and historical fiction (98)

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

I have yet to..."

I haven't seen the movie. I read the book last year. I gave it a 3/5 rating.

Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Made into a film (1), Nobel prize winning author (46), Famous author never read (83), and historical fiction (98)

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

..."

I could understand that. If I hadn't been prepared for the story being so internally slow I would've been frustrated. If we were supposed to find the butler a sympathetic character, I really didn't. I'm leaning towards four stars as it is beautifully written.

John wrote: "Alias Reader wrote: "John wrote: "Made into a film (1), Nobel prize winning author (46), Famous author never read (83), and historical fiction (98)

The Remains of the Day by [author:K..."

I don't know if we're supposed to find the butler sympathetic so much as come to the realization with him that his devotion to duty has consumed the better - and best - part of his life. Devotion to duty is good, but like candy, too much of a good thing can turn bad.

This is an instance of where i saw the film first, then read the book. Both were rewarding and set a standard i've come to expect from Ishiguro. I certainly felt unsettled about the butler. Afterwards, imagining the rest of his life consumed me. At least his father had a child as a companion of sorts. What was ahead for Stevens? In that sense, i felt a sympathy for him.

re: The Remains of the Day


madrano wrote: "This is an instance of where i saw the film first, then read the book. Both were rewarding and set a standard i've come to expect from Ishiguro. I certainly felt unsettled about the butler. Afterwa..."

He was so blind in his devotion and a slave to duty that he couldn't even see that man he was sacrificing his life for wasn't a very good person. I thought he was pathetic.

True. There is also the thought that he was so focused on his job and being of service, that he had no time for his own opinions. I applaud Ishiguro for coming up with such a character.

Started but didn't finish (75) and Book about religion (103)

One Nation, Under Gods: A New American History by Peter Manseau

Didn't hold my interest well, with later modern chapters being more about politics and sociology than religion (theology).

Sorry this one didn't hold your interest, John. I hope your next read is a winner.

I think others may appreciate the book more. I'm working on another nonfiction that I don't feel us for me either which you'll hear about. I don't feel bad about it if the book is well written.

Yes. If a book isn't well written even the most interesting topic will fall flat.

John wrote: "Started but didn't finish (75) and Book about religion (103)

One Nation, Under Gods: A New American History by Peter Manseau

Didn't hold my interest well, with lat..."

I don't think I'd like that, either, John.

John wrote: "Started but didn't finish (75) and Book about religion (103)

One Nation, Under Gods: A New American History by Peter Manseau

Didn't hold my interest well, with lat..."

Thanks for the comments on this one, John. The last section sounds boring to me, too. However, as i like history and would like to read more about the religious aspects of our nation, i have added this to my TBR. I appreciate your comments and will be prepared. :-)

A book set in Asia (52) and B, C, N author (84)

The Teardrop Island by Cherry Briggs

This Sri Lankan travel narrative had been in my TBR pile for a while. It's somewhere I hope to visit on the next two or three years, so might reread it again then to make note of specifics. Also, it's done as 'historical footsteps' travel following routes of an English settler's writings in the 1840's. Probably will be four stars.

John wrote: "A book set in Asia (52) and B, C, N author (84)

The Teardrop Island by Cherry Briggs

This Sri Lankan travel narrative had been in my TBR pile for a while. It's so..."

Sounds like a good book, John. I hope you can visit Sri Lanka in the coming years.

John wrote: "This Sri Lankan travel narrative had been in my TBR pile for a while..."

Not only does it fit two prompts but you also get a book off the old TBR stack. Nice.

John wrote: "A book set in Asia (52) and B, C, N author (84)

The Teardrop Island by Cherry Briggs...

Also, it's done as 'historical footsteps' travel following routes of an English settler's writings in the 1840's...."

Very interesting concept, John. Following the footsteps of explorers is different from this but i suspect i would like it. Thanks for the heads up about this form.

And congratulations!

Education or teaching profession (77)

The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America by Deborah Hicks

Another TBR clearout where I wasn't the target audience here. Other group members would likely appreciate this one far more than I did.

John wrote: "Education or teaching profession (77) The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America by Deborah Hicks

Another TBR clearout where I wasn't the target audience he..."

John, I know that I put some books in my "hmmmmm, maybe" virtual pile for reasons that are not always logical or linear, but I am wondering what initially may have appealed to you regarding this one?

James wrote: "John wrote: "Education or teaching profession (77) The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America by Deborah Hicks

Another TBR clearout where I wasn't the target..."

I think I may have been expecting more from the book (literary) connection angle. Also, sadly, the "results" of the program weren't as successful as I'd hoped.

John wrote: "Education or teaching profession (77)

The Road Out: A Teacher's Odyssey in Poor America by Deborah Hicks

Another TBR clearout where I wasn't the target audience he..."

I am not a teacher and don't have children. However, for some reason I do enjoy reading about teaching and education.

One of my favorites is Jonathan Kozol

John wrote: "I think I may have been expecting more from the book (literary) connection angle. Also, sadly, the "results" of the program weren't as successful as I'd hoped...."

What a pity. I suppose some readers who are educators or who study same could find benefits from the book. Ultimately, i'm glad teachers keep trying but the element of frustration must be high.

I'm glad you were able to achieve a prompt & remove a book from your TBR, however. At least that makes it a win. Of sorts.

The review in the monthly recap thread will explain more.

I look forward to it, John. This month seems to have flown!

madrano wrote: "I look forward to it, John. This month seems to have flown!"

It sure has flown! In some ways, I like that, but I wish summer would go by slowly.

Not me! Heck, daffodils are already blooming here! I love the flower but not the fact it means spring & summer are ahead. The forsythia has been blooming as long, too. I suppose we cannot stop this earth spinning.

madrano wrote: "Not me! Heck, daffodils are already blooming here! I love the flower but not the fact it means spring & summer are ahead. The forsythia has been blooming as long, too. I suppose we cannot stop this..."

My brothers tell me that daffodils are blooming in Ohio now, and last week it was 75 F. It's not going to remain so warm, but they did say January and February were quite warm, much warmer than normal.

In California, the poppy super bloom is in progress. It will probably continue until mid-May and has been beautiful.

This is about the time of year daffodils bloom here, usually meaning we'll get no more days in the 30s. That seems early for Ohio. Poppy blooming would be neat to see. Here in Texas we'll soon be in Blue Bonnet season.

Concerning food or containing recipes (65)

Someone at another site mentioned One More Croissant for the Road last year, so I bought a copy (that Kindle beta rewards program thing). Worked well as a travel book, with the croissants she encountered as a "hook". It's really about regional specialties, with a recipe in each chapter.

John wrote: "Concerning food or containing recipes (65)

Someone at another site mentioned One More Croissant for the Road last year, so I bought a copy (that Kindle beta rewards program thing)...."

I am loving the Kindle rewards ! March 23rd is another 2x point day.

Good job on another prompt, John.

Congratulations on hitting the prompt, John -- the book sounds a bit like a mash-up of Julia Child, that Stanley Tucci show where he eats his way across Italy, and the Tour de France!

French was a required subject for us in school, so I'm kind of a Francophile by default.

Neat, John. What a quest--French croissants on the road. I read a book several years ago wherein the author offered one dish for each region of France she visited. Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris--Ann Mah. I found it interesting to see what she deemed a region's dish to be. For instance, one area was a steak with fries. This was possibly Paris. Regardless, it sounded a rather pedestrian choice to me. Give me a croissant!

Book with a verb in the title (11)

Leaving Home by Anita Brookner

Going through my TBR pile, this category struck me as more challenging than expected. Book above was one I got at Audible a while ago that fit, so I listened to it over the past few days. More to come in my review, but it's not one I'd recommend for new Brookner readers.

John wrote: "Book with a verb in the title (11)

Leaving Home by Anita Brookner

Going through my TBR pile, this category struck me as more challenging than expected. Book above was ..."

Yes, that is a tricky prompt.

John wrote: "Book with a verb in the title (11)

Leaving Home by Anita Brookner

Going through my TBR pile, this category struck me as more challenging than expected. Book above was ..."

I've never read anything by Brookner. The synopsis of Hotel du Lac sounds good to me, however. I lookforward to your review, John.

madrano wrote: "John wrote: "Book with a verb in the title (11)

Leaving Home by Anita Brookner

Going through my TBR pile, this category struck me as more challenging than expected. Bo..."

That one wouldn't be a bad place to start.

Thank you, i think i shall.

Book about nature (23)

The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane

Went on my TBR a while ago, but as I'm not really into nature I haven't seriously considered it. Since it qualifies for a category, I picked it up. Landed there originally as I have read his work before, being impressed by the writing quality. Someone seriously interested in nature writing would love this!

Congratulations on ticking another box, John!

Well done, John. I see that Bill McKibben gave a positive blurb for the book.

Congrats on this latest addition, John. I like the idea of this--wild places in long existing nations that we don't really consider "wild".

John wrote: "Book about nature (23)

The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane

Went on my TBR a while ago, but as I'm not really into nature I haven't seriously considered it. Since i..."

I'm a huge nature lover, John, so I think I would love this book. Thanks for the heads up! :-)

Part of a trilogy (12) and Crime (91)

The Forger by Cay Rademacher

Listened to the first two as audiobooks, but this third one was never recorded (in English), so read the ebook. Terrific series, wrapped up well here. Only "minus" would be the regular mention of Nazi atrocities, which didn't happen happen in the previous stories; it's a subject that I prefer to avoid if at all possible.

Congratulations on completing another prompt, John, and thanks for your earlier reviews of the preceding books in the trilogy The Murderer in Ruins and The Wolf Children. This series looks intriguing.

Nice, James

Book over 500 pages (59) and short stories/essays (95)

Travels: Collected Writings, 1950-1993 by Paul Bowles

Finished this 17 hour audiobook yesterday without being bored or tempted to skip ahead; did limit myself to roughly an hour a day though. Most of the essays focus on Morocco, though not all. For a while, he lived half the year at Sri Lanka, so there's those and a few other miscellaneous entries of places in his life. I've never seen the film version of The Sheltering Sky, which has been reported to be rather boring (for someone with a limited attention span).

John wrote: " I've never seen the film version of The Sheltering Sky, which has been reported to be rather boring (for someone with a limited attention span)..."

I read The Sheltering Sky a long time ago. I did enjoy it. I've not seen the film so I can't compare.