topic Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson? in Community Chat

Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Sat, 12 Apr 2014 18:51:07 GMT

Hi Ladies,

To all the readers here--you might understand my question--

I've been reading a lot of longer books it seems since January of this year. And next up on my night stand is Life after Life. Of course I've read reviews and I know I want to read it. But after coming off some Big Mama books, I really need to know what others thought about this one? Not sure I'm ready to dive into another big, dense book right now, but if the book ladies here think it's worthy, I will.

TIA

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

insomniac — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 01:35:22 GMT

I really tried liking this one, but it truly wasn't worth the effort. (Too many things "seem" to happen but don't really. . .it was just not satisfying.)

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 02:58:29 GMT

Insomniac--Thanks SO much for your reply and opinion. Love hearing your take on the book. This is the kinda input I need!

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

walkingal — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 15:46:39 GMT

I understand your dilemma about this book. I go back and forth with wanting to read it then not wanting to tackle a book of that size. The summary sounds like a story I would like, but then I've read some lukewarm reviews. It was my book club's selection a month or two ago, and at that time I just didn't feel like reading it! Then I felt bad returning it unread to the library. And I skipped that club's meeting also. Oh, well. There are so many good books out there on my to-read list -- and a lot under 300 pages! -- that at this point I doubt if I ever read it.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

smoky22 — Sun, 13 Apr 2014 18:10:18 GMT

I loved the book! But I agree about reading what appeals to you. Just because it's on somebody's best list doesn't mean you are going to like it. I've learned that from this forum. However, I love the recommendations here because it makes me look up reviews on books I would never have thought about otherwise.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 03:38:32 GMT

Troop-TU. Your post makes me miss my now defunct book club like crazy!! I feel the EXACT same way--there are so many books out there that I want to read, that it's hard to start reading a book that I'm not excited about. I bought Life after Life when it came out in paperback a few months ago. And there it sits on my night stand. :-0 Hi Smoky--Reading is such a personal thing. It never ceases to amaze me how I can love a book and a friend could hate it and vice versa. So glad you loved it--and I might just crack it open later tonight b/ c go your post.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

Cherylou — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 09:17:54 GMT

Tried to read this as others of hers were enjoyable. I could not enjoy the style of her writing in this one.

Just finished Forever, Amber. I don't know why I postponed this delight. It caused quit a stir when first published. BANNED IN BOSTON!!! Very tame by today's standards but a wonderful historic romp thru 1600 England. Loved it and the research was impeccable.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

esmerelda — Mon, 14 Apr 2014 16:39:00 GMT

It was an audible download for me so I was able to "read" while I did other things. If I'd had to sit to read it, I'm not sure I'd have finished it.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 17:57:16 GMT

Thanks, bethdani and esmerelda.

I will look into the book you mentioned, beth. And Esmerelda, you know, I've never gotten into the audio book thing. I've not listened to one, ever. But maybe it's time to change that. ???

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

esmerelda — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 01:46:03 GMT

glmama...it's been wonderful for me! I love reading, but don't often find the time to sit down and do it. This...audio books...is a way to get the entertainment and still get things done. Outside, inside (cleaning, dinner, anything), driving...I wouldn't be able to enjoy nearly as many books otherwise.

If you have something to which you can download them, membership at audible.com is very reasonable, especially their introductory deal. I've been a member since 2008 and love it!

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

hope-Q — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 04:50:50 GMT

I've always wondered why some people have a problem reading what they call "big" books.

What's the difference in reading a big book compared to reading several small books back-to-back? Why do we get intimidated just by the number of pages a book has? We are going to read, and it's just turning pages. Are we afraid to commit to a story line for any length of time? Do we want short, simple reads so we can be mind-free of details and just in a daze?

Now if a book is a bad read, that's a different story. But I've seen reader's reject marvelous books and author's simple based on the size of the book, and truly miss out on some mind-blowing reads.

Yet, they continue to read several books back-to-back, using the same amount of time and turning the same number of pages. Proves it's a mental game we play, and we can't commit for some reason. Confidence or commitment a problem in your life?

Human nature at it's finest !!

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:36:36 GMT

On 4/28/2014 esmerelda said:
glmama...it's been wonderful for me! I love reading, but don't often find the time to sit down and do it. This...audio books...is a way to get the entertainment and still get things done. Outside, inside (cleaning, dinner, anything), driving...I wouldn't be able to enjoy nearly as many books otherwise.

If you have something to which you can download them, membership at audible.com is very reasonable, especially their introductory deal. I've been a member since 2008 and love it!

This is great to know, esmerelda. Thanks for the info and your experience.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 21:38:54 GMT

For me, hope, it's the the commitment factor. I'm a big reader and I rarely give up on a book. So I really need to know what kind of "reading mood" I'm in. For me, it's kinda like choosing music. Sometimes I like to listen to the radio. Sometimes I pop in a CD and listen to it in its entirety. Sometimes I listen to the sports channel. It has to be what I'm in the mood for. If I'm not in the mood to jump into an 800-1000 page book, I feel that sometimes it's a slog.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

Nona of Five — Sat, 17 May 2014 00:31:55 GMT

I finished this book a few months ago and I loved it. The beginning of the book was different from anything I have read before and I didn't know if I wanted to continue. I hate giving up on a book so I kept reading and discovered a beautifully written and deeply moving story. It is a challenging book but very well worth investing the time.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

LilacTree — Sat, 17 May 2014 14:13:41 GMT

Learn to speed read. One can read a 1,000 page book in half the time. Unless I am "studying" a book, I always speed read.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Tue, 20 May 2014 20:01:39 GMT

Thanks, Ford and Nona.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

smilealot — Fri, 30 May 2014 02:06:06 GMT

I thoroughly enjoyed this one once I got into the rhythm of its construction. It quite believably conveyed a period and alternate courses history may have taken. It reminds me of nesting dolls in the elegance if its construction. It was most definitely one of the better books I've read this year.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

glmama — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 19:50:14 GMT

Hi Smilealot-What a great description with the nesting dolls.

I must admit, ladies, that I put it aside for a bit And I've gone on to read other things. It is still in a coveted spot on the nightstand, though. And I'm NOT abandoning it. Just maybe wasn't the right mood/time for me to jump into this one.

Re: Anyone here read Life after Life by Kate Atkinson?

smilealot — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 03:21:08 GMT

Glmama- I most definitely believe that books will resonate with you at different times in your life. I can remember several times when I've started a book, couldn't get into it then picked it up several years later to say "aha".... Every book has it's time. Life After Life was one I had hesitated a bit originally to buy. When I made the plunge, it was worth it. I also adored Donna Tart's The Goldfinch and snapped that one up as soon as it came out. The writing was nothing less than divinely elegant. Happy reading!