Karli’s Comments (group member since Feb 23, 2010)

Karli’s comments from the Busy as a Bee Books group.

Hey Danielle! Didn't you do Roller Derby? I think I remember that...

I think many authors write what they know and/or what they want to understand. So, you get an author who focuses on an abusive father, absent parents, law and legal cases, or college English departments. :) I think that is part of what makes the best books so magical - they can put us into these lives so we have our own similar experiences.

Owen Meany is fantastic. A Widow for One Year was my first Irving, and will always be my favorite, I think. AND, there is a character with the last name Hoekstra...which was pretty cool, IMO.

I read The Wind Up Bird Chronicle, and "dream like" is a good description. I don't think I ever truly understood what was real and what wasn't in the book, and I'm not sure I was supposed to.

Honestly, Amy, I cannot believe how many people out there don't even know this is one of his books. I've read it at least 6 times. AND, every time I'm in a left turn lane, I NEVER turn my wheel early!

I think that a lot of good authors use their personal lives to drive their narratives - for example, have you ever noticed how many authors are featured in novels?

Conroy has said that The Great Santini was about his Dad and Beach Music was about his Mother. The Prince of Tides was based on his sister and her struggle with mental illness - apparently that book was the end of their relationship.

I like finding out more about the people behind the characters.

I love Irving too! My favorite of his is , but A Prayer for Owen Meany is one of his best too. So much talent in some of these authors!!!!

Jane Eyre is simply amazing too.

I tried to read Infinite Jest - and you had so many great notes and observations, Petra...I should try to pick it up again this summer.

I love my BOTM subscription - I know that Adonica and Wendy also belong. I think it's been tweaked very well to allow very personal selection - there are always 5 books offered, and if you don't choose one you don't get one! I think that's way better than just getting whatever. I also love that they keep a backlist of prior selections that we can add to our box for just $10.

Shameless - but if anyone is interested in signing up, either request here or send a PM to one of us who has a current subscription. We can give you referral codes that we can turn into a free book! :)

0/26 Completed

A The After Party
B The Broken Girls
C Cujo
D The Dead House
E
F
G
H How to Walk Away
I Into the Water
J
K
L Little Broken Things
M Mississippi Blood
N Natchez Burning
O Other People's Houses
P
Q
R
S Suicide Club
T Two Girls Down
U
V
W White Houses
X
Y
Z

I read this in one sitting - and loved it. I agree that the Enchanted was better, but this was very different with specific plots that were the narrative. The Enchanted was a lot less plot and a lot more stream of consciousness, IMO.

I thought that there was a sense of other-worldliness about Naomi. There was some part of her mind that could unlock mysteries, which is why she had so much success.

There is a pretty long list at the library for this one, but I still want to read it. I won't go in with super high expectations, and maybe it will surprise me?

Amy, I'll have to try harder with this one, I guess. It just has not captured me. Did you have any "This is a slog" feelings, or am I just not that into this book? Usually you and I have pretty similar tastes...

I don't know that I have a favorite genre - I try to read what I'm in the mood for...I usually have 3 books or so going at a time, which are often a Thriller, Literary Fiction and a Net Galley book.

I use my Goodreads shelves to classify books - and I have a 5 star shelf as well as an "Amazing" shelf for the books I can't get out of my head and obsess about. I'll post a few of my "Amazing" - I have just over 40 books on this shelf...so I could post a ton more. :)

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things

A Little Life

Wonder

The Sparrow

Ready Player One

This is Where I Leave You

I agree Elizabeth - there are some fantastic people here and I'd love to get back to the talkative group we used to be. :)

I'm 112 on the waiting list for this one...clearly it is crazy popular! I may have to see what Amazon can do for me!

I too LOVE Pat Conroy! I received Beach Music as a gift from Lisa during a Christmas exchange several years ago - I LOVED IT!!! I am also a sucker for books with groups of friends who evolve from childhood to adulthood, so this one also rang those bells for me.

I know that there is the argument out there that Conroy re-wrote his family story in various versions, and I think there is some truth to that, but I still love reading his work.

My husband read it - and loved it! He doesn’t read much, so that was a big win for me.

I read Armada too. It was good, but I too had expectations that were created by Ready Player one being too awesome.

I love that Siani was pointing out the discrepancies!!!! Gabe is excited for and dreading the movie.

Fun!