Bobbi's comments (member since Sep 11, 2008)

Bobbi's comments from the Books on the Nightstand group.

Helen, I love the quote! Do you know who wrote it? Or do you remember where you found it? (I've gathered quotes for years and years, and often lose attribution as the bits of paper somehow separate themselves from one another...you know, like socks in the washer!)

I've just finished "Beat the Reaper," "Songs for the Butcher's Daughter," and James Patterson's "Cross Country." Now I'm 100 pages into "Moscow Rules." Enjoyed all of them and liked the way Butcher's Daughter was set up, with the "translator" chapters interspersed with the diary.

BTW, has anyone else wondered how Josh Bazell had the time to write a novel while doing his internship?!?!? Did the man not sleep AT ALL?

When I finish my current read, I'll finally get to "Moby Dick" for the Beowolf challenge.

I found it interesting that those interviewed in the article all seemed to be in their 50s and 60s - this does not bode well for the future of books.

I enjoy many activities, but I cannot imagine a life without reading. It's an important, integral part of my life...and I've got the books to prove it!

I know information is available instantly via digital devices and the internet, but absent from those is the "getting lost in a good book." Traveling to far-off places, or places that never were. Getting into the mind of a genius...or a madman. Kicking back on the sand with a good "beach read." Learning bits of history presented in an exciting novel. Seeing characters develop page by page.

It's great to be among people who share this addiction!

I'm bleary-eyed after staying up WAY too late last night finishing The Book Thief. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but it was moving and powerful and thought-provoking. The narration by Death was unique, and I liked the "asides" of information that provided. Should be required reading for everyone...

Started Beat the Reaper this morning and already read 50+ pages (before I had to leave for work - have you noticed how much time we lose by having to WORK?) and hope to finish it tonight. If I can keep my eyes open...

There's a quote by someone famous that goes something like, "I have always believed Heaven to be a kind of library." Would that it is so...

Like Ann, I also have stacks of books everywhere: on my nightstand (love the "nightbrary" term, Michael, although mine is technically a nighstand, even though it's piled high with books on the surface and one drawer is crammed full of books), beside the nightstand between it and the wall, and stacked in several piles under our king-sized bed. Our bedroom armoire holds a TV, which is surrounded with books stacked precariously on either side. It's probably a fire hazard, but we don't use the TV much, so I don't worry about it. Then there are the overflowing bookshelves scattered all over the house. I try to keep them separated into "already read" and TBR, but that doesn't always work.

I keep a small notebook in which I record books I want to buy/books I want to read and, I must say, since finding BOTN, the pages have filled MUCH more rapidly, thanks to Ann & Michael's excellent recommendations. It really comes in handy when I'm at the library or a bookstore, although unexpected treasures always seem to find their way to me.

My Goodreads list hasn't been updated in...oh...months? A year? Who has time? I'm too busy reading! :-}

I like Pam's suggestion about books you've read and loved in the past. I also like Suzanne's idea of having listeners call in with THEIR recommendations of what they can't wait for us to read. Whatever the two of you decide will be fine with us, I'm sure. It's obvious that we all love what you do with the podcasts, and having a little bit of personal information about you really adds to the enjoyment of listening because I feel that I know you, instead of hearing an anonymous, commercialized review. Yeah, yeah, I know you both work for Random House, but I don't feel that you're beating me over the head with allegiance to your employer. And what DO you have waiting on your nightstands to be read?

Ditto on Suzanne's comment regarding Guernsey...what a marvelous book!

Dottie wrote: "Bobbi - did you know there is a book related "take your book group to Guernsey" contest going on. If you want to enter, here's the website:

http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/guernsey...

..."

Thanks, Dottie - I was already aware of it, and we'll be entering!

Shona wrote: "I just finished the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which I absolutely loved! I cannot wait until I can get my hands on The Girl Who Played with Fire. Until then, I have started reading Mister Pip."

Shona, I'm in complete agreement regarding Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and I'm also anxious to read the next one. I'm currently reading Gone Tomorrow, which has been very difficult to put down!

Suzanne wrote: "I have read some great non-fiction lately: Red Orchestra The Story of the Berlin Underground and the Circle of Friends Who Resisted Hitler, [book:Shop Class as Soulcraft An Inquir..."

Suzanne, I've just finished Best Friends Forever, and thoroughly enjoyed it, although it IS a bit quirky. My very own best friend is arriving tomorrow for a week, so I'll pass it along to her.

Heather, I am absolutely GREEN with envy regarding your trip to Guernsey! I've wanted to go there ever since reading the book. I want a full report when you return!

What I don't understand is why an author would agree to a total rewriting of the outcome of the book in a screenplay! I realize that some authors consider the screenplay a different animal altogether and divorce themselves from the project, but that still makes me crazy because it's still a screenplay based on THEIR story...

Conny - They CAN really do it, and they DO really do it. Case in point: The Horse Whisperer. The ending of the movie was so radically different from the book, and such a shock to me that I sat in my seat for several minutes after the lights came up, repeating," I can't believe they did that!"

Ann wrote: "OK, I won't go on about South of Broad, but here's one Conroy you may not have read. It's not available on audio, but you should be able to find the book at your library: The Pat Conroy Cookbook.

..."

The cookbook is fantastic! Not only do you get great recipes from Pat Conroy's world travels, but several stories told by the master himself. Worth every penny...I've made several of the selections, and they always receive rave reviews.

Carla - I'm also a HUGE fan of Pat Conroy; I've read everything he's ever written, and have never been disappointed. The release date for South of Broad is 8/11, I think; I'm not sure if audio books are released at the same time. (I'm soooo jealous of Ann because she's already read it!)
I hope you've had a chance to hear Pat Conroy speak; he's a natural-born storyteller and can weave a spellbinding tale audibly just as well as he can on paper. Even better, perhaps. (Not all authors have this gift, I've discovered to my sorrow.) He's the kind of person you'd just love to park in a chair beside the fireplace, and let him go on talking far into the night as you sit back and listen. Now, whenever I read his words, I hear his voice telling me the story...awesome. When he writes a forward or introduction for someone else's book, he's just as creative as he is in his own books. And he writes beautiful reviews...

My book club has several members (including me!) who didn't know one another before we joined. It's a great coming together of women from diverse backgrounds and reading interests. Our meetings are held in our homes, once a month. We have a half hour of "chat time," where we catch up on one another's lives, health, children, and grandchildren. Then we get into the meat of the evening, and the best part is never knowing how it will turn out, what will be brought into the discussion, etc.

I think Dottie makes a great point about the advantages of face to face discussions. I love the exchange of perceptions, how most of us can absolutely love a book, while one member finds it boring. Or how someone will read out loud a line or paragraph that particularly grabbed her, and it will provoke a lively discussion. In my book club, we're also "women of a certain age" and I'm going to pass along your activities at our June meeting. (Our June meeting is traditionally a pot luck dinner, and we all bring suggestions for the next season's reading choices; the conversations are always spirited, and sometimes HEATED, as we each push for our favorites to be included!) I envy those of you who have belonged to book clubs for several years; when I was younger, I was never able to find enough people to form a group, making my enjoyment of my present group all the more enjoyable.

Ann - The Kindling -- Love it! What a clever idea - they'll probably sell a million of 'em! (And it's "green" technology, too!)

Suzanne - I have been known to pack an empty suitcase to accomodate whatever books I "might" find during my travels. But I've also been known to ship them home by UPS (or some other method), with my all-time record being 26 pounds! Plus, with air travel carry-on baggage being so restricted these days, it would probably be less expensive...not to mention less aggravating!