Natalie's profile

138 ratings | 19 reviews
avg rating: 3.69

Natalie's bookshelves

read (138)

currently-reading (4)

to-read (3)

Natalie is currently reading

	06/10 Natalie is currently reading: American Gods (Paperback) by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author!) bookshelves: currently-reading	my rating:
	add a comment
	05/07 Natalie is currently reading: Forever Odd (Odd Thomas Novel, Book 2) by Dean Koontz bookshelves: currently-reading	my rating:
	add a comment
	05/07 Natalie is currently reading: Chasing Windmills (Hardcover) by Catherine Ryan Hyde bookshelves: currently-reading	my rating:
	add a comment

Natalie's recent updates (rss)

June 16

Natalie joined the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club group.

June 12

New comment on Natalie's review of The Echo Maker: A Novel

Natalie wrote: "You know, there was good stuff in there. Really good stuff. But it was just buried in so much... w...more "

(see all 2 comments)

New comment on Natalie's review of Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novel, Book 3)

Natalie wrote: "Thanks8O) Ooh, I didn't know the fourth was out yet, I have to go to the bookstore! It's called Od...more "

(see all 2 comments)

June 10

Natalie is currently reading:
American Gods (Paperback)
by Neil Gaiman (Goodreads author!)
bookshelves: currently-reading

my rating:

add a comment

Natalie gave

to:
The Echo Maker: A Novel (Hardcover)
by Richard Powers

my rating:

Natalie said: "This book was a lightweight human drama trying desperately to be esoteric and intellectual. If it was also trying to incorporate mystery, it failed miserably. JMO. That said, it does make you think about the nature of human relationships and perce...more "

see all 2 comments

May 14

Natalie made a comment in the group 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die—What One Did You Just Start? topic:

Natalie wrote: "Inder said:
"Kara & Natalie, I'd be curious to hear whether you feel that, in this case, th...more Inder said:
"Kara & Natalie, I'd be curious to hear whether you feel that, in this case, the author was expressing homophobia, or whether it is, rather, part of the character? Sometimes it's easy to get confused between the two, but, for me, it makes a difference."

I agree Inder; it makes ALL the difference. When we read things from the 40s we have to realize that the attitude towards the homosexuals and other races were what they were. A realistic portrayal of that doesn't put me off it just makes me darned thankful that things have changed as much as they have. Even if we all know there are still changes that need to be made. There are still raging bigots out there but they aren't the socially accepted norm as they were then. Even here in good-ol-boy central (also known as Oklahoma) I don't know anyone who seriously uses the word "fag" anymore. There are laws (that are actually often enforced, wow!) against hate crimes. Back then, they were considered justified by the majority. Nowadays we are still battling the much more insidious and subtle little versions of bigotry. "I don't mind blacks but I wouldn't want my sister to marry one." "I have lots of friends who are black/homosexual/middle-eastern/fill-in-the-blank but... " It's the "buts" that kill us, isn't it.

Anyway, sorry for the digression. Books that were for, by and about bigots, homophobes, whatever, that is another story. I really don't feel this is the case here. The fact is, in the 40s, a guy like Marlowe would, in all likelihood, have had those sorts of views about homosexuals. In fact, they handled it pretty mildly for the day. It was pretty amazing that Chandler even included any homosexual characters, really. Back then, more often than not, authors just avoided the subject or referred to it VERY euphemistically.

Sorry if I am off on any of my facts, it has been a long while since I read this book. I was really hoping for a great read and was so disappointed that I didn't even finish it. Well, about halfway through I just skimmed the rest and then read the ending; I can't stand to start a book and not learn the ending no matter how much it sucks;o) My problems with it was that the characters all seemed like caricatures to me. I love the private eye genre and I'm really thankful to Chandler for being one of the founding fathers of a really fun genre but boy am I thankful for the evolution of that genre. It wasn't just the homosexuals that were treated one dimensionally, it was the gangster, the nympho, the rich guy... all of them. That said, I still understand why it is on the list. If I was reading it now instead of in my 20s, who knows, I might actually enjoy it. Maybe later. ...less "

May 07

Natalie gave

to:
Black Water (Pendragon, Book 5)
by D.J. MacHale

my rating:

read in March, 2008

add a comment

Natalie gave

to:
The Reality Bug (Pendragon Series #4)
by D.J. MacHale

my rating:

recommended for: Pendragon fans
read in March, 2008

Natalie said: "Perhaps I am just getting bored with this series but this one just seemed flawed to me. I'm still reading these to please my daughters because they really like to discuss them. The 11 and 13 year olds found this one just as good as the previous 3 i...more "

add a comment

Natalie gave

to:
The Never War (Pendragon, Book 3)
by D.J. MacHale

my rating:

recommended for: Pre-teens and those who enjoy juvenile sci-fi, adventures
read in January, 2008

Natalie said: "This series is one my girls like me to read with them. I probably wouldn't have read past the first one or two otherwise but I am just glad they still want to include me in their discussions about what they read.

Honestly, I gave this 4 stars b...more "

add a comment

see all 138 of Natalie's books »

Natalie's favorite quotes

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind."
— Dr. Seuss

tags: confidence, individuality

3924 people liked it

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
— Maya Angelou

tags: life

2214 people liked it

"It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."
— Abraham Lincoln

tags: wisdom

1866 people liked it

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness;
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate;
only love can do that."
— Martin Luther King Jr.

tags: inspirational, love

1405 people liked it

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."
— Albert Einstein

tags: inspirational, life, miracle

1271 people liked it

see all of Natalie's favorite quotes »

Natalie's groups (recent posts)

SciFi and Fantasy Book Club — 704 members — last activity 23 minutes ago
August Book: The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

Discussion Leader: Elizabeth

THEME SELECTION: Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Docto...more

1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die — 3449 members — last activity 3 hours, 6 min ago
For those attempting the crazy feat of reading all 1001 books!

For discerning bibliophiles and readers who enjoy unforgettable classic literature, ...more

Literature & Film — 224 members — last activity 3 days ago, 01:54PM
For those with a love/hate relationship to seeing their favorite books on film.

Home Schooling Moms — 35 members — last activity 30 days ago, 08:11PM
A group for moms who home school to discuss books they read, either for their children, for their selves, or for both. A great way to hear about books...more

Natalie's friend comments

showing 1-1 of 1. (add a comment | view all)

from Kelly

02/01/2008 12:34PM

Pleasure to meet you!
Kelly Moran
home.wi.rr.com/kellymoran
XXXOOO

flag abuse

block this member *

Natalie's friends (13)

	K.S.R. Kingworth 464 books 2385 friends
	Kimmay 168 books 14 friends
	Amy 233 books 181 friends
	Inge 170 books 8 friends
	adlin 96 books 9 friends
	Kelly 340 books 829 friends
	Katherine 230 books 14 friends
	Laura 212 books 26 friends
	Barbara 71 books 25 friends
	Salinda 68 books 9 friends
	Zinha69 91 books 7 friends
	Mira 445 books 4 friends
	Krystal 45 books 4 friends