Maranda's comments (member since Nov 09, 2008)

Maranda's comments from the The Next Best Book Club group.

Rosemary~Thanks for the suggestions. I'm sure this is only the very beginning of my book splurging for him and any recommendations are greatly appreciated. He is the kind of guy who really likes historical books. He asked for the Hemingway books specifically and I figured the Afghanistan book would be useful. This pirate history book was thrown in for fun. I wonder if he's ever read the Dune series. I like the idea of the Stephen King Gunslinger series as well. Thanks again!!

Okay..I don't know if this counts as a splurge but I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday and I'm so pround of myself because I did not buy a single book for myself! However, I still spent a bunch of money. My hubby just arrived in Afghanistan for a year long tour and he is in desperate need for some books so I went and bought him:

For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway

A Farewell to Arm by Ernest Hemingway

Under the Black Flag: The Romance and Reality of Life Among the Pirates by David Cordingly

Afghanistan: A Short History of Its People and Politics

I also bought a couple books for my daughter and a friend's baby. But none for me...it was hard and I'm still sad about it but I did it!

Hey Ed,

I gave up television for about 6 years and as a reader it felt completely natural. My husband and I never really watch it anyway. The only difficult thing I ran into was that people ask you all the time if you saw this or that show or commercial and you always say no, I don't have tv. No one ever really believes you though. Oh, and no in-home football games were hard for me. But you get used to it. Whenever I needed a television fix I would watch a movie or television show on DVD. I think I mainly regret getting television again. But I have a daughter and it will probably matter more to her at this point than myself. Now that I have tv again I still don't really watch it. Occasionally but rarely...I say do it! Bite that bullet...take a chance. If you find you can't live without it you can always start your service again!

Hey Joanie (and Fiona),

I am out of town right now and won't be back until after the new year sometime. I talked to my housesitter today and she said the package did arrive. Unfortunately, I won't be able to look at it until I get back home and that won't be until probably the second or third week in January. Sorry...I can't wait to see it though, I'm really excited! Thanks Joanie!

Happy Holidays everyone!! Thanks for making this group and this experience so fulfilling. I feel I have so many new people to share the holiday season with!!

I finished Holidays on Ice and A Christmas Carol and just started Trans-Sister Radio by Chris Bohjalian last night.

My copy also has The Chimes and The Cricket on the Hearth. I am planning to read those but need to read my other book group's December pick before I read something that hasn't been "assigned."

I was worried about starting this book because my hubby tells me all the time how much he hates Dickens. This was my first Dickens and I absolutely loved it. I had a difficult time putting the book down. I like the writing style and the characters.

I was surprised at how short this book was though. I also was amazed that Scrooge changed his outlook so soon into the book. But I guess being visited by several ghosts and being taken through time can do that to a person. I think one of the reasons he changed so quickly was because he was reminded of everything that made him happy as a child. His first ghost took him to the past before he was bitter and jaded and he remembered feelings and people that he had long forgotten. Sometimes we squash that inner child so well that we forget what it was to be innocent and to love. He was able to go back and be shown all these things.

Okay...I guess maybe I was thinking of the wrong one...

That's the one with Ben Affleck...ummm...I forget the name too but I know he is in it...

Ann~I am SO interested in The Hour I First Believed! Let us know how it goes!!

Finished "The Unseen" by T.L. Hines and started "Holidays on Ice" by David Sedaris

Holidays on ice by David Sedaris

"I was in a coffee shop looking through the want ads when I read 'Macy's Herald Square, the largest store in the world, has big opportunities for outgoing, fun-loving people of all shapes and sizes who want more than just a holiday job! Working as an elf in Macy's SantaLand means being at the center of the excitement...'"

Andrew~ Oooo, Oooo! I loved The Secret History! I wasn't really thrilled about her sophomore book that took her 10 years to write but I really loved that one! I hope you enjoy it!! My hubby really liked Cold Mountain too...

I loved loved LOVED Stiff!

Hey Joanie! Don't worry about it hon!

Hey Jenn! Welcome to the group!!

Ann~Woohoo!!! I'm so glad!!

I have read Three Junes and wasn't thrilled with it...

Hey Debby! Welcome!!

Hey Jon! Welcome to the group!