To those of you on the fence about the Twilight Series...I'll add my 2 cents: I enjoyed the books for their story. I think Stephanie Meyers is a good story teller, but not a great writer. No where near the same level of clever writing as J.K. Rowling. It kind of irks me that Meyers has been compared to Rowlings. Outside of the rags to riches success story I see little comparison. I also found the books (in 1st person) to be very teen angst ridden and whiny. I am not the target audience, so it may just be that I'm out of touch w/ my teen age years. I did however read all 4 books in a month, good quick entertaining read once the main character grows up a little.

On the favorites list:
Power of One by Bryce Courtenay does contain a little swearing and graphic violence but incredibly beautiful book.
Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Heinlein
Something Wicked this way comes Ray Bradbury
Anything by LM Montgomery or Mark Twain.

Michele, I think The Tale of Despereaux is one of my friends highly recommended books, too! I must remember to get it soon!
I seem to recall seeing a movie trailer for it... I could be wrong though. But, just fyi if you want to check it out.

The discussion threads were broken up, so you might like to look at some of them now to get inspired, Dini. Just an idea.

I'm also reading Time Traveler's Wife right now but am stuck somewhere in the middle. Maybe it's because I'm reading a translated version and the language just doesn't flow too smooth. I'll check out the discussion threads when I'm finished.

Jackie, we discussed that book so you should check out all our discussions. I'm sure if you take part, some of us would jump in to the chat.

As for Bradbury, it's SO UNBELIEVABLE that as I was reading Meghan's post that included him, I was (am still) listening to him talk about films on TCM!!! He was a guest host and I didn't even know it - so I missed some of it. Da**! He certainly has great taste in films! Fahrenheit 451 is one of the most amazing books. It's certainly high on my list!

I wanted to say that I recently read The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread. Oh my goodness! It was just beautiful and extremely well written. It reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia a bit in it's style and ideals. Just wonderful - and an extremely quick (and affordable) read, so I say what are you waiting for?? LOL It ties into the children/young adult books that have been discussed.

Speaking of, I might be interested in reading the Twilight series, but I've so much on my shelves now I really, really want to get to as soon as I can, I'm not really hard pressed to bother with them now. Eventually maybe.

My favorite book...That's a hard dicision. I have to say I like the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. I also LOVED Memoirs of a Geisha by Artur Golden, but I'm in the process of reading The Time Traveler's Wife and the book is amazing so far.

Well, gals, I have to be one of the biggest Harry Potter geeks I know. Every time a new book came out, I had to read all of them again. One time, after book 6 probably, I even read them in reverse order to see if that would somehow help me find more clues. I re-read the series this summer, just for kicks, and I think I'll limit any further re-reads to that last two or three books. I know there are bigger fanatics than me out there, but I'm a 41 year-old professional with small children, for goodness' sake!

Autumn, I *love* A Room With a View! Definitely one of my very favorite books. I read it every year.
We just did a "Vote for Books" at my library, and the 4 I voted for were The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman (children's story), Dune by Frank Herbert, A Room with a View by E.M. Forster, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I threw a couple of others in there, too (we could vote every day), like Jane Eyre and some I can't remember right now.

I'm reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte right now and it's really great.

I read the Twilight books, and I loved the first one, really liked the 2nd, liked the 3rd and thought the 4th was boring. Go ahead and read them, just don't expect to be amazed. Not only do they read like they're written for 15-year-old girls, they sometimes read like they're written by one.

It's so difficult to answer a question like this. I suppose that I'm going to say the Emily books by L.M. Montgomery. They're something I always return to and love so much, and never grow tired of rereading. There are way too many amazing books in this world, though.

I agree that the Book Thief is awesome. I recently read it and was really impressed by it. Another book I've really loved in the recent time was Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale.

I'm also in that to-read-or-not-to-read position with the Twilight books. Everybody keeps talking about them so I'd like to see what the fuss is about, and I'm interested in vampire stories so I'm curious as to what kind of vampire novels are popular now. But at the same time I'm not sure if I will enjoy them, I get the feeling that those books take something too seriously which I'm not really capable of taking seriously, if you know what I mean. I'm all for dark romanticism, but... Well, I should probably read them before I can say anything more about them!

I love Harry Potter, and I agree it's annoying if someone refuses to read them just because they're popular. I ought to reread the whole series now that all the books are out, to see how it feels as a whole. I went through a big HP obsession phase a few years back and read the books 1-4 many times obsessively, but somewhere between the fifth and sixth books my obsession died down and I have been focusing on other books, so I haven't got around to rereading.

There was some discussion on Wuthering Heights a while back, and just wanting to add my two cents to it. I recently read the book for the first time, and I loved it. I didn't like the characters, and I don't regard it as some supremely romantic story as some people do, but I loved the powerful style in which it was written, and the characters and the story were just so interesting. I guess I regard it as a sort of a fascinating study of passion, but not something after which to model your own life. I have to say I'm a bit worried of people who regard Heathcliff as some sort of an amazing romantic hero... But I actually liked Cathy. Not that she was a nice person, but I think every now and then I get tired of good heroines and enjoy someone who is completely out of control and selfish. Her intensity is fascinating, and I loved her madness scene. I guess the only really likeable characters were Edgar and the young Catherine (the daughter), though.

I was finally convinced to read the Twilight series after a lengthy effort from my friends and really its not in the same league as Harry Potter. I didnt like them and i wouldn't recommend it to anyone who didnt LOVE YA romance books.

My favourite book though:
My copy of Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone. Its not because I think its the most well written story or thats its life changing. Its got more to do with the fact that my copy is so obviously loved. Its held together by masking tape, every second page is dog eared and the pages have that well worn feeling. Blame it on my sentimental nature lol, I love second hand book stores too.

btw the Book Thief=awesome. Markus Zusak is one cool dude. He signed my copy!

First let me say that The Book Thief really is a wonderful book--it was like a novel of poetry--every word counted.
Ugh! Favorites? That is so hard!! I like so many genres, so I guess I'll have to pick one from each genre
Childrens: The Littlest Angel
Classic: A Room With a View
Non-Fiction: Freakonomics
Literary life-changer: Atlas Shrugged
Series: Twilight? HP?
YA: Cybele's Secret
Sci-Fi: Daughter of the Forest

My favorite author is Juliet Marillier so anything she writes, I'm bound to love

Kathryn, I feel the same way about the Twilight books -- to read or not to read? From what I've heard though, it seems Twilight has less of a wide-ranging variety of readers compared to HP. Those who love Twilight are mostly YA while there are HP fans young and old.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. Way better than the movie (although I loved that too!), it shows the rich history of Savannah and had amazing character development.
I also agree on Harry Potter (although, not my favorite). I've recently begun reading young adult novels and realized that no genre should be left out. These authors are some of the most amazing authors I've read (Linda Gerber, E. Lockhart, Melissa Walker, Sarah Dessen). People shouldn't limit themselves or else they'll miss out on some amazing stuff!

Katie, complete ditto on how I got to love HP! :D
And yes Kristi! It's like, how can they form an opinion on something they've never even read!? And frankly, I don't know how anyone could read about Harry and co. and not fall in love with the characters and the stories. :)

Kristi, I'm with you!!! The first year or so, I wasn't so sure about them but then I saw the movie and realized the scope of magic, intellect, characters, excitement... It was just incredible--and I figured the book would be even better (and, yup!) I'm TRYING to convert my husband from being one-of-those-people you've mentioned, haha; I mean, yeah, a lot of popular stuff is just not-that-good but one should at least give it a try to find out for oneself.

I'm kind of to that point with the Stephenie Meyer (sp?) Twilight books. I've heard such mixed reviews and the premise doesn't exactly excite me, but then a bunch of people really love them so I think I owe it to myself to at least try reading the first one to see what I think.

I really hate when I talk to someone who refuses to read the Harry Potter books because they simply don't want to like to them, because they're so popular. I've met several people like that.

Awe, thanks Dotti and Dini!:) Yes - it is nice to know we aren't alone!! lol!!

And Shari, totally re: HP!! I blush to admit that I... sigh... was rather one of those people way back when. (though I HOPE not to quite that extent!!!) BUT! I've realized my mistake, have learned from it, and have tried to get as many people as I can to understand the greatness that is Harry Potter!:D And yes, it's about so much more than magic!! I JUST finished my goal of rereading the whole series in ... September? Yes, September because I finally finished rereading HP7 - but, I have yet to reread them in order... I plan to start that mission this winter;>

Ok I just tried to make a list, and it was way too hard. I suck.

I LOVED Harry Potter. I'm actually re-reading Goblet of Fire now, as part of my goal to re-read the whole series. I really get angry when people who haven't read the book see it only as a book about magic, because it's really about overcoming adversity and realizing your own greatness.

Not to worry Ann, we're all like that in here! That shows how enthusiastic we are about books because we always find something new to read (excuses, excuses!) LOL

Ann - It's not just you -- trust me on this! All you need to do is look at nearly anyone else on Goodreads and watch the growth of the lists. At least it's comforting to know we aren't the only ones!

Oh goodie! Thanks Angie! I'll have to add it to my ever-growing list!

(anyone else notice how no matter how many books you read or how quickly you read them the to-read shelf will always get longer? Then again, maybe it's just me ;>)

Hummm... well I just looked over there and you can sort-a tell by the title of the thread if it is going to be spoiler's. One section is for while you are reading and the other is for after you are done. So you could probably get non-spoilers from threads like status, and initial reactions. And you can always add comments like we do in this group even when the month is over for that book.

I think it is a very happy book at the end, and remember it is YA so it is not too graphic or sad. But I think it does a VERY good job with the era.

Angie, I've considered the Book Thief-is it safe to read the thread or are there spoilers?
How happy/sad of a book is it?

In one of my groups the Book Thief was our book club pics (the YA book club http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3551... ). You should go over there and check out our discussions on it. Fantastic book! If Anne Frank ever gets chosen for this group the Book Thief would be a good companion book.

Annabeth, I think The Book Thief is actually hugely popular. I've heard about it all over the place. That it takes place during WW2 makes me very interested!

I just finished reading The Book Thief! I thought it was wonderful!

My favorite books are Angela's Ashes, Pride and Prejudice, and The Book Thief. Has anyone read The Book Thief? It isn't popular at all, but it is an amazing story that takes place in Germany during WWII.

omg. this is hard!!

I have to keep thinking...

I totally forgot this experience until I read this thread, but I once got to hear Adrienne Rich read her poetry. It was one of those things where I didn't realize her significance at the time (She later turned down the National Metal of Arts stating that true art cannot be rewarded or some such malarkey.)

I didn't think much of her, though... and all I had to go on then was how she came across as she read. She seemed full of herself yet wanting to appear self-deprecating. We studied her after that, but certainly her attitude effected my opinion of her works.

Aren't author talks fun, Kristi? :D I've only been to a few, but I got to see James Rollins, who seemed very nice and funny (used to be a Vet, too, which got bonus points IMO ;>). But I still think my favorite author talk was with Sophie Kinsella! She seemed SO nice and so fun—like you would want to just go and have a cup of coffee with her! Plus, I love her Shopaholic books! :D
I'm not familiar with Julia Glass books, but if she's such a neat person, perhaps I'll have to look into them!

Dottie--I've heard some people say that the book was boring, but I guess they just didn't 'get' it. On Monday night I saw Julia Glass at a book reading in Denver. Her new book came out last week. I thought she did such a great job, and she was so personable. That being said, I will probably like anything she ever writes just because I enjoyed her book reading so much.

Kristi -- I thoroughly enjoyed Three Junes and think the author did a wonderful job with the timeframe shifts.

Ok well I have just started reading again..well at least books that were not just trashy romance novels....I loved Harry Potter and the Twilight series.

I have never really been into the classics, but I am going to start reading them starting with the November book The Catcher in the Rye.

One of my favorites is Three Junes: a Novel. And I am still very excited to have met Julia Glass last night at a book reading in Denver!

Has anyone read "You Can't Go Home Again" by Thomas Wolfe? I was completely in awe of that book when I read it. There were so many characters and so many different worlds and he managed to suck me in to all of them. I read it in college or just after, and I always meant to re-read it. I wouldn't say it's a favorite as I only read it once all those years ago, but it's one that I have always remembered and held in highest regard.

Favorites? Gatsby, Franny and Zooey, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The World to Come, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, The Golden Compass, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows ...

I love the concept of Pollyanna, I was just disappointed in the writing style. I know a lot of people love the book, though.

Kathryn, in defense of Pollyanna, I ADORED it. I thought it was far superior to the movie, and I've always loved the movie. Just my two cents on a great classic kid's book.

I could never come up with a list, cause even in my appartment live about 500 books, But my childhood´s favorite are the "Hanni and Nanni"-Books by Enid Blyton. They are still with me- every single one!

I cannot choose just one favorite book, so here are some top picks--it's a long list, but oh well!

Long-Time Faves:
"Little Women" by Alcott
the Emily books by LM Montgomery
"Whinnie the Pooh" by AA Milne
All the HARRY POTTER books
"Our Hearts Were Young and Gay" by Otis & Skinner
"Emma" and P&P by Austen
"Daniel Deronda" by George Eliot
"David Copperfield" by Dickens
"The Diaries of Adam and Eve" by Mark Twain

More Recent Faves:
"Mr God, This is Anna" by Fynn
"A Room with a View" by Forster
"Cannery Row" by Steinbeck
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Lee
"Larklight" by Philip Reeve
"The Penderwicks" by Birdsall

I also really like most Agatha Christie and PG Wodehouse books.

I don't know that I have a book that is a least favorite because I usually quit reading them if I don't like them. I think "Pollyanna" was one of the most disappointing classic kids' books I've ever read (and I even liked the Haley Mills Disney movie!) SO boring (IMO). Also, much as I love Agatha Christie and her Tommy and Tuppence series I HATED the last book in the series it was sooo poorly written. I was also disappointed in "Wuthering Heights" (sorry, gotta join the dislike-it club!) I think the most depressing book I've read (I tend not to read depressing books!) was "1984"--so I guess you could say I "hated" that book even though it was well written.

A nod to poetry--I like Whitman, Neruda and Tagore.

I guess everyone did understand that you only wanted to tease : )

Aww -- good to hear I'm not alone and others have at least softened toward the book.
My post was a kidding/teasing one and I hope everyone, especially Maren, recognized it as such.

I still can't say I love it, but the second reading of WH really helped it for me.

The first time I read WH, I really wanted to like it and really didn't. As I felt with Great Expectations, I didn't think any of the main characters were sympathetic ones. I have trouble liking a book when I don't sympathize with anyone. I read WH a few years later when studying it for a class and the professor helped me understand the craft of WH more, so I grew to appreciate it. I also had a different take on Hareton the second time around that made me like him more.

Dottie, no, you are not the lone voice for Wuthering Heights here : )
(Just remember Shaindel's flaming post after Megan said she did not like it much ; ) )
I also liked it while reading. It was sort of a love-hate relationship, just like those the characters in the book share.
I WANTED to like the book and enjoyed the writing and everything, but whilst I loved Heathcliff as a kid, I just hated Cathy and I also did not like the Lintons much. I did like Cathy's cute little girl, though (and did not like Heathcliff's son at all). As I bind to books through their characters, it was a difficult read for me: I actually loved the storyline and the writing, liked some of the characters and hated others.
But overall, it was a really good book and I want to read it again.
(It is also on our group shelf, right?)

No, no, no -- do not skip Wuthering Heights. It is the true classic of obsessive love and obsessive lives and the foundation upon which all "bodice-rippers" and tragic love stories are based.

As you were. Just have to defend WH now and then, that's all. I believe I'm the lone voice around GG in support of this book and now and again, I just HAVE to post.

Oh, and welcome, Maren -- good to "see" you posting here.

One favourite is hard to pick. Probably Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice, or Anne's House of Dreams. I reread them over and over and never get sick of them. Oh, and My Name is Asher Lev is an absolute must-read. It's amazing.

On the other hand, my least favourite is easy; I HATED Wuthering Heights. Talk about drama. It's like a bad soap opera. If you've never read it and always wanted to, a word of advice: don't. All the characters are dreadful people who mess up each other's lives and deserve what they get. It is one classic you can skip.

I read 'The Handmaid's Tale' after I read Atwood's more recent 'Oryx and Crake.' They are similar, but I enjoyed 'Oryx and Crake' much more. Maybe it is more relevant to the times? (I might think that because I work in the biosciences.) I picked it for my book club at work last winter, I recommend it to everyone. That being said, 'Oryx and Crake' is one of my favorite novels!

Synova, I, too, LOVED "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day"! I haven't read it in ages, but it's SO perfect! I believe my mom and I still quote it to this day;)

It's so hard to pick just one...

as a small child: Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - Judith Voirst

as a slightly older child: The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett

classic: Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen OR The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas

contemporary: Harry Potter OR Twilight (they're both just so good to get lost in)

I don't know ... maybe Harry Potter???