Stephanie Anne's comments (member since Mar 17, 2009)

Stephanie Anne's comments from the Books on the Nightstand group.

I finished Oryx and Crake on Sunday and started The Year of the Flood last night. I really liked O&C, but I think I am going to like TYotF even more based on what I have read so far. I agree with two main things many have posted:
-it is very hard to discuss these books without ruining it for others (beyond what is printed on the jacket)
-I think those planning on reading TYotF should read O&C first. This was the order they were written in, and even though I have heard from multiple sources that they can be read in any order, it just makes sense to start where Atwood started.

These books remind me of Brave New World combined with The Road, but this may not be accurate since I am JUST into TYotF.

When I mowed my way through the first hundred pages last night, I thought to myself "Has BoTNS ever done an episode of great survival tales?" That would be a great topic! I really want to start contributing on the voicemail, but getting back to the school year has been ROUGH this year. Soon, though!

Horrifying in a completely different way:

Last night I started Miracle in the Andes 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home which tells the story of the rugby team stranded in the Andes after their plane crashed. (The movie version is called Alive.) There are several books on this topic, but this particular version is told by one of the survivors. The horrors these men and women faced are unimaginable and I will no longer be reading this book before bed. It is an amazing story of survival, and I would encourage anyone to read any of the books written about this tragedy.

What did you think? He got me really excited about this book. I just picked up about 20 books I had on hold at the library, and was thinking of putting it on my next round.

Canary wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Yes, but it doesn't matter. I am actually planning on finding a new teaching location after this school year. I cannot handle the commute any longer. I like to be involved and I c..."

Thank you for your kind words. Believe me, they mean more than you know.

I think I have this on my to-read list, and I think at one point it even came home from the library with me but I didn't have time to read it (I always bring home too many books). Now I am intrigued to go back and pick it up again.

Lmj wrote: "Tapping onto Melissa's question. I have read books just because they've gotten an award and wondered "What was ll the fuss about?" "What am I missing?" Anyone else have similar stories?"

PULITZERS! I have enjoyed very few I have read!

I am now an official member of the Seasonal Challenge group, and it is FANTASTIC. I still cannot get over how IMAGINATIVE this group is. I don't want to spoil it, but I encourage anyone looking for something different to go read what they are all about. The tasks are incredible!

That is now on my top-ten list. I listened to both of Safran Foer's major books on audio and the narration was hilarious! I would highly recommend him for audio! I liked ELandIC better than Everything Is Illuminated.

Yes, but it doesn't matter. I am actually planning on finding a new teaching location after this school year. I cannot handle the commute any longer. I like to be involved and I can't do that living so far away. I have had to miss many days for appointments (I have fibromyalgia) and b/c the school is so far away I have to take entire days off. It will all work out in the end. I am just frustrated today and that came out in my posting. I will be home tomorrow and then back to work on Thursday.

I say, the more the better. I am usually into around 5-7. Different genres, and one is always an audio for my ridiculous commute to the job I am probably going to lose b/c I have been out sick so much this year with everything going around. So, probably only a few more months with a lot of audio listening. Sigh.

Yeah, but my job is probably in jeopardy! Too bad I am not paid to moderate my book groups!

There ARE so many. It is hard to find which groups are really GOOD. I tend to go for smaller, more active groups, although I belong to the seasonal challenge and a YA group that both have near 1000 people.

I have been out of work sick since last Wednesday, so I have had a lot of time to explore the site!

It depends on the person, but this is pretty much my go-to list.

Fiction:
The Handmaid's Tale
The Poisonwood Bible
The Hunger Games
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The House of the Spirits

Nonfiction:
Devil in the White City
In The Heart of the Sea: The Tale of the Whaleship Essex
The Glass Castle
Child of the Jungle:The True Story of a Girl Caught Between Two Worlds
Random Family:Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming-of-Age in the Bronx

Still behind, I just listened to this episode last night and it got me really excited because goodreads has become a huge part of my life. I love moderating 4 groups and being a part of a few others. Quick rundown for the person looking for something other than the typical MUST READ THIS THIS MONTH book group.

Busy as a Bee Books - Every two months, one member chooses the theme and all other members nominate books. You choose which books you want to read and how many. There are guided discussions, open discussions, games, television and movie chatter, etc. This is a close-knit group.

YA Reads for Adults - CherylAnn does a terrific job moderating this group which features a classic and contemporary YA read (good for adults too) with many discussion questions.

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide Challenge - Using the book of the same name, four books are randomly selected each month, or readers can choose books at their leisure. It is purely a challenge site, so members mark their progress using tickers and a "journal" type thread, and there is one open discussion for each book.

Bookmarks Subscribers - If you like the magazine, you'll like the group. I have gotten to know Jon the editor pretty well and he is involved (I kind of dragged him in!)

Modern Library Challenge - If you like tackling lists, this is a good group for you. Again, members keep track of their progress with journal like entries, a ticker, and a common group discussion. Read what you want, but one-three books are featured each month.

The Seasonal Book Challenge - I am not yet an official member, but some of my friends are. This book group is SO CREATIVE, you absolutely must check it out for yourself. There are specific reading tasks to complete and a point system. Trust me, this is worth looking into. The moderator has come up with something so imaginative and unlike anything I have seen on goodreads; perhaps that is why so many people have taken on her challenges.

Best book discussions we have had:
The Handmaid's Tale, Little Stranger, The Poisonwood Bible, and Cutting for Stone. Those are just four that come to mind.

I loved The Hunger Games. In my group, it is listed as one of the best YA books for adults. I had a hard time putting it down. I can't wait to read the sequel. I am waiting for Thanksgiving or Christmas break from school so I can stay up late. :)

Stephen wrote: "House of Leaves - this is one of those books you'll put in the freezer (for those Friends fans out there) or hang on the clothesline in the backyard (for those
[book:2666 Part B|64866..."

House of Leaves is one of the most bizarre books I have ever read. If you do some research online, there is all kinds of stuff hidden in the book.

Did you know that she loved the book so much she purchased the rights to the screenplay? I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's in my Netflix queue.

For when Finn gets a little older...you do NOT want to miss . I received this book in high school and I treasure it. The characters, the detail in the illustrations, the missing pet...everything together makes this one of my most favorite books of all time. This book is just FUN. There is so much to look at and see how each character's story progresses through the hours of the day. I would recommend this to adults as well. Take a break from your big, thick novel and see what Stella Starspangle, the actress, does all day. ;)

I am a huge Atwood fan and I will be posting once I read it!