Colleen ’s Comments (group member since Nov 01, 2020)

Colleen ’s comments from the Talk @ Books! group.

@Martha - my parents vacationed in Panama for ~3 weeks after my dad retired. I would feel extremely lucky to go myself, I agree, never say never.

Cherie wrote: "I can vouch for The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I loved it. I did not love Cloud Atlas until I re-read it two more times. I have several of his other books on my ..."

Do you often re-read books Cherie? That's awesome, you must have time and love the effort of it. I tend to just set aside a shelf for re-reads "someday" - those I've loved but I'm actually not sure I'll ever feel the need to re-read (but I continue to hope). There's always a "new" book to come along...there's just so many! I'll just wind up adding to the shelf as I continue on I'm sure, lol. But there will possibly come a day - and would bring me back in time, which would be a wonderful feeling.

Janice wrote: "They aren't light fluffy reads, are they? Start with The Bone Clocks. I wouldn't say that they are series books. But like Stephen Kings, they share characters. Recognizing those characters just giv..."

Nope - they sure aren't and can be complicated. Thanks for the advice on Bone Clocks , makes sense. I love when I see characters revived! Just like running into old acquaintances. :)

Karen wrote: "Thanks for inviting me to join your new group - I admire your courage, taking on a group of your own! I'm Karen from NY, just north of "the city." I retired in 2018 after 30 years of service to a l..."

Hi Karen - you're very welcome and glad you joined! I just know you will have a lot to say and love that you value viewpoints on reads (so do I - to a fault I'm sure) but I bet you have good insights as well to share. Amen to local libraries - and two of my real life book clubs are through the libraries (different cities/same counties) and the facilitators are top-notch.

And many adjustments to go through yet I'm sure - that's life. Hopefully more good ones yet to come - this year even would be nice.

Thanks for the kudos to bravery - I hope I can keep up and all goes well here. Maybe you will have "courage" yourself some day. As the young ones say, YOLO, no regrets, right?

I bet you've been to "the city" a lot as well. How cool is that? I love how you describe your 3-yo little buddy GC. So glad you get to see him fairly often - he'll be a reader I bet! And cleaning is overrated. Read more! :)

Loretta wrote: "Hi everyone! A big welcome to us all of us! I’m thrilled to death seeing so many of my Goodread friends here!

My name is Loretta. I live in central New Jersey, approximately 20/30 minutes (dependi..."

Awwww - Loretta I heart your post! You are so kind. I agree and love that so many of you are interlinked on here and "friends" - familiar names/faces/pictures are a big plus and doesn't feel so anonymous. It feels good when we are amongst our people! If you have other friends on GR feel free to invite them! That's what makes a book group so good. I'm so glad you joined too!

I bet you've been to NYC so many times - me never, but is on the list. I've heard there's even a "library" hotel there, which would be cool to see. My then 16-yo daughter went there with her aunts on vacation a year ago, she was a little intimidated by it, as I'm sure you can imagine. She's not so sure she would ever go back, but she's glad she went, as am I, as there is nothing like travel as an educator.

I'm with you on catching up on all the classics - and hey, a print book is the original and the best! For some of us anyway.

We all have so many books we're committed to - I'm not about trying to get organized any monthly book reads at this point, but certainly there are opportunities to read something together. Whether if it's a book you see here that you would like to read along with, or what someone is reading and posting about, I hope that buddy reads/discussions will happen naturally on their own. Because we all know whether it's a pandemic limiting our access or too many book clubs or challenges happening that we may already be committed our time to, we have no pressure here to get anything official going. We'll just see how the group evolves! Which I hope it does.

And Happy Reading!!!

Linda Abhors the New GR Design wrote: "Hi, all!
Thanks to Colleen for the invite!
I'm originally from MI, now living in Rhody, by way of 10 years in Madison WI. I teach Spanish, and a lot of my reading is done in Spanish, either for wor..."

You're very welcome Linda! It's good seeing you around here and on the GR site! I wish I were bilingual that's for sure. I think it would make for a more interesting person and bet it opens up the world so much more.

I'm looking forward to your thoughts and activity here! Let me know if you have any ideas to keep it going - I'm sure you've seen what works out there and what necessarily doesn't.

I have friends who are teachers, and certainly this situation is taking its toll - much more working hours and effort to put in to the job. I'm sure you're not alone. Everyone's world has changed - for better and for worse.

Is anyone else a WW2 junkie? It was such a horrible, yet fascinating time.

The best books I've read based on war time have to be during that time period, but I know there is so much more out there to enjoy (if that's the right word). An abbreviated list, and I know I've left out some obvious ones/classics, mainly because I read them so long ago that they would need to be re-read to be remembered and fully appreciated.

The Book Thief
The Invisible Bridge
Sarah's Key
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
The Paris Architect
All the Light We Cannot See
The Nightingale
The Alice Network
Atonement
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Rape of Nanking
The Lost Wife


Other recents that I've liked:
All Quiet on the Western Front
Catch-22
The Spy Who Came In from the Cold
Ender's Game
Things Fall Apart

I just finished Serena which I thought was a good read, overall 4 stars, but just didn't love as much as The Cove.

Now on to The Rent Collector, which should be quick and continuing with Under the Dome which is not.

Parker wrote: "Glenn, don't know if you're into fantasy or not, but Tamora Pierce writes wonderfully strong female characters. They're written for young adults, but I discovered them in my 40s. I have read them w..."

I see she has a bunch of titles - any stand out as to try first?

@Saul - I've seen two episodes of The Queen's Gambit - loving it so far! I saw the ad for it on Netflix and thought what the heck. I'm going to the show before the book, but will love to compare the two. I really like the characters and of course the plot line right now. Super intrigued.

Cherie wrote: "Hi Colleen. Thanks for the invitation.
I’m Cherie. I live in Hillsboro, Oregon (about 18 miles southwest of Portland). I’m currently working from home. I don’t watch TV so reading is it for me. I r..."

Hi Cherie - welcome and glad to see you here! You're picture/avatar loos super familiar so I know I've seen you around GR a lot, we're likely in a same group (or two). :)

I've never gotten to Portland although I've been to Seattle ~10x. I like working from home to be able to sleep more, but I miss the audiobook commute (but not the driving and wear/tear on my vehicle). You definitely sound like an open reader (me too) and I am at one print and one audiobook at the same time. 3-4 is talented.

Andrea wrote: "Hi, I am Andrea from Kelowna BC, Canada 🇨🇦 I am a published co-author, an aspiring poet and a voracious reader along with other creative passions and pursuits. I work on a casual basis at a local s..."

Everyone says British Columbia is beautiful. Sounds like you've got it going on Andrea! Learn, definitely share and Happy Reading to you also!

Denee' wrote: "Hi! I'm Deneé, from VA. I've been an avid reader since I can remember and I'm also a huge sports and movie fan. I typically read fiction with a rare nonfiction book here and there. My current read ..."

You are most welcome Denee' - and thanks for joining as well! I'm sure others share your interests as well - as do I - all in varying degrees and players. I've been meaning to continue the series you're reading. I would be hoping I like the second one more than the first. I assume the novels continue to develop with an ongoing plot?

Mina wrote: "Hello Everyone -

I'm Mina from Northern Virginia. I read all types of books and sometimes my shelves are bigger than my eyes.

Thanks for the invite Colleen. Always interested in seeing what othe..."

Thanks Mina! I'm sure we all have that same eye problem. I have banned myself from buying more books. It's for my own good. Keep us posted on your reads as well! ;)

Evelyn wrote: "Thank you for the invite Colleen!
I am Evelyn from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Been working from home since March and my home office is in the same room as my bookshelves...after spending hour..."

Hi Evelyn! What is the best thing about Saskatoon/Saskatchewan? I've only seen Winnipeg, Manitoba (very near Minnesota, USA - just northwest of me).

I imagine it would be very interesting/fascinating to have your home office amongst your bookshelves - I would happily be distracted for sure. And of course best of luck with finishing all your owned by the end of next year.

I've been doing Zoom book clubs as well - hey, we can cope, and we'll still be reading after all and wanting to connect. What books do the grandkids love? :)

Victoria (RedsCat) wrote: "Hello!
I'm Victoria from Phoenix (via Washington State). I work in a library and read a wide range of genres. My favorite part of my job is doing Reader Advisory (recommendations). I'm also a cat-m..."

Cute Victoria! Would love to see a picture of your precious rambunctious "toddler" lol. Also will love to see your book recommendations! You're a professional after all. :)

One of my best friends lives in Seattle - I've visited ~10 times. I bet you're getting your fill of sunshine now. I need to get to the southwest one of these years!

Parker wrote: "Thanks for the invitation, Colleen. I'm Parker (female despite the name). I'm a Museum Educator/Living Historian specialising in the history that history books don't cover. I'm a native Kentuckian ..."

Hi (Mrs.) Parker - what a cool name. Very popular for boys these days I must say. You also sound like you have a very interesting job! What's your favorite history story???

I would love to visit that historical city of Charleston someday. I bet it is very alive and vibrant but has such a heavy historical burden at the same time. ?

I hope to say I also am still a voracious reader in my 60s also! Looking forward to hear you in this group.

Britany wrote: "Hello Everyone!

I'm Britany, from St. Petersburg, FL. Born and raised in Florida and have lived throughout the Tampa Bay area almost my whole life. I work in Financial Services at our HO here, and..."

Hi Britany! How far north are you willing to go? It's brutal sometimes up here in Minnesota! I agree - it would be nice for a change of scenery outside the home office. :) That's what my sister has been doing - traveling and working remote at the same time. Looing up the library system....hmmm, sounds like you may be serious! ;)

Pets make the best coworkers...

Chelsea wrote: "I've just started Smacked: A Story of White-Collar Ambition, Addiction, and Tragedy on audiobook and am already a huge fan. It's so raw and honest.

I'm also working my way though ..."

Nice titles Chelsea! Are you normally a nonfiction reader? Although I love fiction best, there are just some well-written nonfiction books that I have just loved and are my very favorite books.

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption
Shadow Divers

They are very different from school textbooks (which I have not needed for over 20 years, but still, that's how I previously viewed nonfiction books when I was younger).I assume the books have not just gotten better, it's my reading tastes. :)

Janice wrote: If you liked Slade House, try The Bone Clocks and The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. They're all interconnected."

They're on my TBR Janice! But I didn't realize they were interconnected. Very cool. I like his style - but not exactly easy.