Ruth’s Comments (group member since Feb 09, 2012)

Ruth’s comments from the The Dusty Bookshelf group.

Well, since I am going on vacation, I think I'll settle for some Sherlock Holmes and read The Hound of the Baskervilles. See you all when I'm back! :)

I also have on my TBR pile the second in the Chet & Bernie series, Thereby Hangs a Tail.

Any of you off to read Life of Pi, I truly loved that book. I gave it to my mother-in-law to read, it made such a strong impression on me.

I also have the first books in the children's series: Into the Wild, and The Capture.

Lastly, I have The Hound of the Baskervilles on my short-list of Doyle to read. Decisions, decisions....

Oooh... lots of good choices. I have read some of the "All Creatures" series, but maybe I could pull one off the ol' dusty shelf - these would be truly dusty, as they belonged originally to my parents.

Watership Downis my all-time favorite book. I should get off the shelf to read again, since it's technically dusty, having been on my keeper shelf for more than 20 years. :)

Denise wrote: "Ruth wrote: "I just bought a bunch of Daphne du Maurier books. I read Rebecca back in high school and always promised myself I'd read others by her. I just finished reading all of the Agatha Christ..."

Me, too! I hope to read "The Doll" soon - it's the only thing I can find by her that's available on e-book.

Jessika wrote: "Susan wrote: "I just finished a book last night that I know I've had for ten years. My problem is I buy them faster than I can read them."

I do the same thing. I just told my husband the other da..."

I just bought a bunch of Daphne du Maurier books. I read Rebecca back in high school and always promised myself I'd read others by her. I just finished reading all of the Agatha Christie novels and most of the short stories. I've decided that Daphne du Maurier and Charles Dickens are the next long-term challenges. How long will these dusty book remain on my shelves? We'll have to wait and see....

The upcoming new release that is already a best-seller that scares me is The Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling. I had to pre-order it on the day it was announced; she's such a gifted writer, but I fear my expectations may be too high and I'll have to remain calm.

Kevin wrote: "I disliked The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I did not understand all the hype about the book. I thought nothing really happened in the book."

I really enjoyed The Graveyard Book, so I wasn't disappointed, but I read it before all the hype ensued and it got nominated for a bunch of literary awards. I didn't think it was THAT good. I am enjoying Stardust more.

Alicia wrote: "I agree about Twilight. I had several friends raving about the series, my only thought after finishing it was 'this is what everyone is obsessed with?'. I was convinced that it must be the kind of ..."

I'm a little late to this thread, but I had to reply with my hearty guffaw. I'm convinced that most of those who read these books had never read a well-written, Victorian-era Gothic novel to truly appreciate how poorly written the Twilight series is.

Lilaboti wrote: "pride and prejudice...check...!!!

i hope my finishing the challenge on july 5th would still count... for i have been promoted to the status of a mom lately...21st of last month... :D:D:D (yayyy..i..."

Congratulations! Having some interaction with adult people while being at home is what got me involved in online book clubs to begin with!

Jessika wrote: "I think the oldest/"dustiest" books on my shelves have been sitting there for over 5 years... considering I'm only 23 years old, that seems like a long time! My problem is that I want to read anyth..."

I am 38, and I still have books that were recommendations from high school teachers and friends on my unread shelves. Yours may only have been there for 5 years, but they have potential!

Lena wrote: "Jordan wrote: "Hi everyone!

My name is Jordan and I'm a huge book lover. I'm currently reading the 9th Sookie Stackhouse book- and I'm just about burnt out! I usually LOVE the books way more than ..."

I devoured the first 4 or 5 books in the series, but then they began to feel like after-thoughts to keep the audience appeased. Too much mundane, day-to-day "brushed my hair, went shopping, cooked dinner" blah, blah, blah to fill in the space required to make it a novel instead of a short story. *blech* But Ms. Harris has me invested in these characters. I'll keep reading. *sigh*

Jessica wrote: "I've only read one book by Neil Gaiman and it was amazing (The Graveyard Book). I'll bet Stardust is good too :)

I'm looking at my Dusty list and none of them have been made into movies! Almost a..."

I read "The Graveyard Book," too. Good book! I have Neverwhere on my Nook - it was a Daily Find a few months back - so I guess that one will be on the dusty shelf soon enough! :)

I listed Feast of Crows as my Dusty page to screen, but I could have also listed "Great Expectations." Next, I plan on reading something Sherlock Holmes, which would also qualify. Jeremy Brett was FANTASTIC! Robert Downey, Jr. isn't bad, either. :)

Michelle Elizabeth Crane wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Michelle Elizabeth Crane wrote: "I mostly just watch shows on DVD...I LOVE marathons! ;) Although I was glued to the TV once a week when Downton Abbey was on. My other faves are Ugly B..."

My sister-in-law recommended it to me and I started watching it streaming on Netflix, and then in the middle of the last season, Netflix discontinued the live-stream, and I had to wait for the discs.... so much waiting! Well-worth it, and actually it was cool getting the discs because of the special features.

Ooooh... I'll have to look around... no, duh... two of the books already on my challenge qualify. Possession and Stardust. Sounds like a plan!

Michelle Elizabeth Crane wrote: "I mostly just watch shows on DVD...I LOVE marathons! ;) Although I was glued to the TV once a week when Downton Abbey was on. My other faves are Ugly Betty, Xena, Hercules, Criminal Minds, Doc Mart..."

I loved Ugly Betty, Xena/Hercules, Robin Hood (BBC), Heroes and Sherlock from your list. How about Veronica Mars? I didn't even discover this show until it had already been cancelled. I watched them obsessively on Netflix, 4 or 5 episodes at a time until I got through the series and was so upset when it was left off on a cliff-hanger!

I really like it so far. I was inspired to pick it up, rather than David Copperfield, since it was just on Masterpiece Theater. I have just reached the point where Pip meets his benefactor. Getting exciting!

I am just over half-way through Great Expectations. I so love the rich detail each character is given, but since we see the story from Pip's point of view, I don't feel like I get a clear picture of what he actually looks like, especially as he grows to adulthood. It's rather brilliant, actually.

I enjoyed Emma for the pure purpose of fiction to explore the human condition. Miss Bates' dialogue made me laugh and laugh. Emma's superiority of character (NOT!), her unspoken fear of adult responsibility, and her father's willingness to allow her to languish as a child forever make the arrival at womanhood a traumatic and challenging experience that most of us probably cannot relate to because our own circumstances have prepared us. Thus, we have no patience for Emma's flaws.

April wrote: "I just finished the book. Rather than copy/paste, I'll just post a link to my review here.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

April,

Just read your review and I know precisely what you mean about the parent-roles in the book. I also agree that this book doesn't need to be rushed through, rather simmered and allow all the themes and aspects being explored blend together.

I haven't seen the movie yet, and I'm looking forward this summer to catching up on some of my movie-watching, as well as my reading! :)

I think it's a great book for introducing pre-teens and/or young adults who take diversity for granted (my son, for example) to historical racial conflict without the overwhelming grittiness of some other civil-rights novels, and explore the issues in a meaningful and accessible way.