Sunday, March 15, 2015

What I've Been Reading (Quick Lit - March 2015)

I've only read one book this month, and I've nibbled at others.  I restrained myself from reading books I really wanted to dig into because I was trying to read my Well-Read Mom selection for this month: The Betrothed by Alessandro Mazoni.  But then sickness invaded the house, and I am abandoning The Betrothed for now.  Instead, I will order the next WRM selection and institute a schedule of "read some of this, get to read some of that."  Hopefully, this will allow for some recreational reading in addition to the usually tougher books prescribed in WRM.

Before I started The Betrothed, I read one book after vacation.  It was:




Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (paperback, library) - I was a bit disappointed in this book after reading all the good reviews.  I mean, I enjoyed it.  I did.  But I think the ending spoiled reading it for me. I didn't buy into the ending at all (the very end, if that makes sense to those who have read it).  I didn't really buy into one of the main relationships in the story either, which I realized a moment ago.  But the writing was lovely; Patchett has an observant eye.  I even took two book pictures with my phone to capture two passages!  I thought my favorite character was Mr. Hosokawa, but truly, I was most touched by the Frenchman with the scarf.  

Have you read Bel Canto?  What have you read lately? Linking up with Modern Mrs. Darcy's Quick Lit linkup! Check it out for book reviews and recommendations. 

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14 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 15, 2015 at 7:20 AM

    I LOVE Bel Canto. It is one of my favorites. I have heard others say the ending ruined it for them, too. Not for me. The only thing I didn't like about the ending was that it ended. I was dragging out reading the final pages for about a week. :)

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    1. AnneMarch 18, 2015 at 8:44 AM

      I had an epiphany about the very end of the book in the shower yesterday that made me realize why Patchett might made that choice.

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    2. AnonymousApril 21, 2015 at 5:06 PM

      What was your epiphany?

      Delete
  2. JeannieMarch 15, 2015 at 8:44 AM

    I read Bel Canto last year for our book club and really loved it. The ending didn't disappoint me as such, but I was sad about how it all turned out. The characters were so unique and interesting, especially Gen. I had put off reading this book bc I wrongly thought the subject matter was going to be violent and bloody; I'm glad I finally did read it.

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  3. ArendaMarch 15, 2015 at 9:05 AM

    I've been thinking about reading Bel Canto, but so many people on Amazon mentioned being disappointed by the ending that I'm really hesitant about trying it. Have you read any other books by Ann Patchett? How did this one compare?

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    1. AnneMarch 18, 2015 at 8:46 AM

      Oh, I'd still read it, arenda. It's good. This was my first Patchett, though, so I can't compare yet!

      Delete
  4. SheriMarch 15, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    I read Bel Canto a few years ago and loved it!

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  5. Sarah @ Back to CarolinaMarch 15, 2015 at 1:44 PM

    I read Bel Canto a few months ago. I think it is my favorite Patchett novel so far, but I need to read a few more. The ending made me sad!

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    1. AnneMarch 18, 2015 at 8:47 AM

      I'm not sure which Patchett to read next. What do you think? :)

      Delete
  6. AnonymousMarch 15, 2015 at 8:33 PM

    I found your blog via MMD. I'm going to read Bel Canto. Thanks for the tip!

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