Monthly Group Reads: Reading the Poll Losers Instead?

[Anne]

Simona wrote: "It would be if I spoke these languages perfectly! :)"
I would be satisfied to speak 3 languages imperfectly-LOL

[Dawn]

I totally agree with Anne. Even a little of another language or 2 would be handy. :)

[Simona]

Jane wrote: "I plan to read Last of the Amazons. My first excursion into Steven Pressfield
was his classic Gates of Fire. I have high expectations for this book; I really liked Pressfield's style."

Me too! As soon as I finish a couple of books. Let me know what you think, Jane.
@Dawn and Anne: thank you ladies. This group is great for self esteem. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Anne wrote: "Simona wrote: "It would be if I spoke these languages perfectly! :)"
I would be satisfied to speak 3 languages imperfectly-LOL"

Me too!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Jane wrote: "I plan to read Last of the Amazons. My first excursion into Steven Pressfield
was his classic Gates of Fire. I have high expectations for this book; I really liked Pressfield's style."


Keep us posted, Jane.

[Jane]

Simona wrote: "Jane wrote: "I plan to read Last of the Amazons. My first excursion into Steven Pressfield
was his classic Gates of Fire. I have high expectations for this book; I really liked Pressfield's style..."

This was an all-over disappointment--too many disjointed narrators made the story confusing. I think possibly Pressfield had hit his apex with Gates of Fire. I think the way he invented a whole culture [the Amazons] was remarkable; he must have put together every scrap of information he had read on every steppe culture, plus a large dose of creativity.

[Simona]

oh, what a pity. you aren't the first one I hear saying so, I think I'll wait to try this one.
I wouldn't want to feel disappointed, I still think that Gates of Fireis one of the best books I read during the last year.
Thank you Jane.

[Dawn]

Have you tried anything else by Pressfield Jane?

I read The Virtues of War: A Novel of Alexander the Great and didn't really like it but I keep hearing such good things about Gates of Fire that it's still on my TBR.

[Jane]

Simona wrote: "oh, what a pity. you aren't the first one I hear saying so, I think I'll wait to try this one.
I wouldn't want to feel disappointed, I still think that Gates of Fireis one of the best books I read ..."

You're welcome, Simona. There are so many other good ones out there to read, you could by-pass this one.

Dawn, no, I haven't read any other Pressfield yet but I won't give up on him. At this point, there are so many others on my TBR, it might be awhile...

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

It is funny how we all differ. Last of the Amazons is one of our Bryn's beloveds. She really connected with it. You never can tell who will like or dislike a book.

[Jane]

Very true!! The old cliché holds true: this world would be a dull place if we all liked the same thing!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Yep. Holds true indeed.

[Bryn]

Terri wrote: "It is funny how we all differ. Last of the Amazons is one of our Bryn's beloveds."

A very dear book to me. It talks to me. Objectively, I can it's lesser than 'Gates'. I just love it more. :)

[Simona]

I guess it will age a bit more in my TBR list. I can't push myself to discard it.

[Darcy]

Anyone have a photo/artistic rendering of the hairstyle described for Selene in Last of the Amazons? I'm attempting to envision this but failing miserably.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Can't help you. Have not read the book. :)

[Simona]

Darcy wrote: "Anyone have a photo/artistic rendering of the hairstyle described for Selene in Last of the Amazons? I'm attempting to envision this but failing miserably."

I could draw it for you..if I had understood.
Trying to follow the intricacies of the description I felt my eyes crossing.

[Darcy]

Excellent! I thought I was going mad with trying to figure out the description. I even tried to do it to my hair but got confused and gave up. He put so much details to it that I assumed it was a known style. Hahaha

[Dawn]

I'm starting my poll loser, Medicus, a few days early. I need something to listen too and my audiobook finally came in at the library. I gave up on the paper copy as I had other books to finish first and it was taking too long.

I haven't listened to much yet but I like it so far.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Good you like it so far. After waiting so long to read it.

[Jane]

It's a great book!! I love it, as Terri knows, and the main character has become, if not my most favorite, one of my most favorite fictional characters. I'm so glad you, Dawn, and perhaps others are willing to read it.

[Darcy]

I'm really hoping to be able to get this and Dissolution read this month along with one of the winners.

[Jane]

Oh, Medicus will go fast. I'm sure you'll get both of these finished, plus a winner.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Jane wrote: "It's a great book!! I love it, as Terri knows, and the main character has become, if not my most favorite, one of my most favorite fictional characters...."

Yes, I have heard the rumours. :D

[Candace]

This is the first month I've chosen a loser! but I either own or have easy access to all 4 books and I tried Raven but i need a break from the Vikings. (I love the Vikings and will read it later, just not right after TLK!) I've started it and it's funny and light-hearted and yes, I can tell it will go fast! I hope so, because I've owved this book AND Dissolution since they came out and this is my chance to read them. (I'm also excited that I bought book 2 of The Saxon Chronicles! last month was one of my favorites!)

[Jane]

I like Downie's gentle digs at British cooking and at the NHS... :)

[Dawn]

I'm about halfway and it's quite good.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Candace wrote: "This is the first month I've chosen a loser! but I either own or have easy access to all 4 books and I tried Raven but i need a break from the Vikings. (I love the Vikings and will read it later, ..."

I'm excited you bought book two of the Saxon Chronicles too!!!!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I'm thinking about doing the polls a day early this month because I have a busy week ahead of me....

[Candace]

@Terri yes you discovered a "favorite" book of mine and hopefully a "favorite" series!! I'm looking forward to reading book 2 ...in the still of the night... LoL!

[Anne]

Looks like I am reading "Dissolution" as my library does not have Raven.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I found it to be an enjoyable book. I don't think you'll be hugely disappointed.

[Lia]

Anne wrote: "Looks like I am reading "Dissolution" as my library does not have Raven."

I am currently reading Dissolution also. Only about 65 page in. Liking it so far.

[Dawn]

Is anyone else reading one of the poll losers?? And what do you think??

I'm almost finished Medicus and the farther I get in the story the more I like it. If it ends well I'm thinking it could be a 4 star for me.

[Darcy]

I've three books to finish before I can get to those. I'm hoping to get them both in by the end of the month.

[Dawn]

I haven't been reading much lately. I've been sidetracked by my car, crochet and overtime. So I also have a few books I'm trying to finish. :)

[Candace]

Also trying to finish one other book, but I'm slowly reading some of Medicus while I finish it because I like it better! After so many battle scenes lately, I'm really enjoying the laid back hero of this book and his humor!!

[Dawn]

It's been a great commuting book for me. I'm liking the end much better than the beginning. It was starting to feel like the longest set up to a mystery ever but we're finally getting somewhere and the characters are very good.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Nope. No losers for me this month. I am all about the winners. :-)

[Jane]

I just read what I feel like reading -- I don't care if it's a winner or loser, makes no nevermind to me. :)

The two neck-n-neckers this month, I already have
The Road to Jerusalem on hold, so I'll read that whether or not it wins.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I hope my library has the Arn one, because I just changed my vote from the Penman to the other.
Just don't think I can fit such a big book into my schedule next month, so I went with Guillou.

[Lia]

Terri wrote: "... I just changed my vote from the Penman to the other. ..."

Nooooooo! Terri, come baaaaack!.... (running to catch Terri in slow motion with music on the back ground)

[Lia]

Finished Dissolution, 4 Stars. This book made me read up to 3 AM... The only thing that prevented me giving it 5 stars was the length of the book. Somewhat dragging in the middle, 50-80 pages shorter and it would get 5 stars.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lia wrote: "Terri wrote: "... I just changed my vote from the Penman to the other. ..."

Nooooooo! Terri, come baaaaack!.... (running to catch Terri in slow motion with music on the back ground)"


*guilt*....but I see now that even if I did come back, Jerusalem would still be leading. *not so guilty now* :D

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Lia wrote: "Finished Dissolution, 4 Stars. This book made me read up to 3 AM... The only thing that prevented me giving it 5 stars was the length of the book. Somewhat dragging in the middle, 50-80 pages short..."

Glad you liked it. I agree with your points. It was nearly 5 star for me too but for a section that dragged.

[Lia]

Terri wrote: "... *guilt*....but I see now that even if I did come back, Jerusalem would still be leading. *not so guilty now* :D ..."

Maybe it is my turn to bribe you with pumpkin. :D

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

haha. Oh..a little reverse pumpkin bribing....hmmm...

[Daniel]

I will be picking up When Christ and His Saints Sleptfrom the library tomorrow. Out of this months polls, it is the only one I can find.

[Dawn]

I have to admit that I thought this one was going to win the poll. I hope you enjoy it Daniel. :)

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

If you don't enjoy it, at least you will be able to hold the front door open with it until it is due to go back to the library.
I hear it is a whopper.