The fact remains that criticizing some very unfortunate events in the light of Vatican II is not being negative about Vatican II. It is academically constructive to do so. If you wish to read a book that not only talks about Vatican II but also other Councils, specifically focused on the liturgy, read Pope Benedict’s Spirit of the Liturgy. It peels back several layers and forces the reader to accept that some very unfortunate things have come in the name of Vatican II while not being of Vatican II.
Just by asking for a “positive view on Vatican II,” aren’t you asking for a slanted document? Instead of going for a positive view of the Council, why not go for a truthful, at least as far as the Council has played out so far, view, in the light of the actual texts of the Council? I think that would be far better academically, not to mention for your own personal benefit.
You have sentiments which make you favor the Pauline Mass. That is understandable. You grew up with it. You like it. But that shouldn’t be used as the qualifier that determines your reading preferences concerning that Form of the mass and the Council that predated it. I don’t intend to be harsh, but just truthful.
I read websites which publish, in my opinion, quite frankly, borderline-heretical drivel on both ends of the spectrum. I like to be informed. My personal regular forays into the blogosphere and Catholic websites in general not only includes my conservative-leaning beloveds like WDTPRS (Fr. Z), but many others covering the full spectrum, obviously not out of agreeing with them, but out of want of knowledge on where they’re coming from.
As albertjazz above noted, do read The Tablet. In fact, I just got done several minutes ago reading a three-article series on the new translation of the Roman Missal, which it in no small part vastly dislikes. I am not implying that you yourself are of that opinion, but I think it is good and necessary to read publications from both ends.