March 2013 What are you reading and why?

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished listening to Killing Floor and started The Yard. The narrator is so labourously slow, that I had to set the speed to 1.25. I still snoozed off. I'll have to start again.

[April]

Almeta wrote: "I am starting Max And The Cats A Novel because it is said that Life of Pi author Yann Martel got his idea from this book. So I am curious about it."

Please let us know how you like it!

[Chrissie]

Michelle wrote: " I read Mao's Last Dancer a few years ago, and didn't like it much but couldn't remember why. You captured what turned me off about it exactly! (I've probably read too many "serious" books about China to enjoy the simplicity of the writing...)"

Thank you for telling me, since many of my friends were just raving about the book, and I didn't quite understand my own reaction. Writing a review forces me to analyze why I am reacting as I do. Michelle, it is nice to know others feel as I do.

We will see how I react to Rory Stewart's book... A big style jump, huh?

Well I was also listening to The Book of Night Women while I read "Mao's Last Dancer". What a contrast they were!!! I still have to write a review of that one..... What to say? No comfort read there, that is for sure! I am recovering slowly.

[Chrissie]

I finished The Book of Night Women.
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

A word of warning: it is graphic and has violence, but I am very glad I read it. No, listened to it.

I have begun John Steinbeck's The Moon is Down. I love listening to Steinbeck. The books are humorous and dark and so easy to follow. Contemporary literature is so often "complicated" with numerous threads and different time-periods. The dam thing is so short! That I dislike.

[Kimberly]

I finished last night and loved it. I'm really loving this alternative history series set during the Napoleonic wars featuring talking dragons.

[Almeta]

April wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Finished Suspect
Almeta's Review of Suspect

I am starting Max And The Cats A Novel because it is said that Life of Pi author Yann Martel got his idea from this book. So I am curious about it."

Please let us know how you like.it!.."

Finished Max And The Cats A Novel.

Almeta's Review of Max and the Cats

Starting Shamini Flint's, A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder, because the are only nine months left to read 177 more books for the Alphabet Challenge!!!☻

[[deleted user]]

I've finished Journal of Katherine Mansfield, and it's left me with mixed feelings. I didn't like her one little bit, but her writing has life and verve and I want to read more of her published writings.
review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Onto my next alphabet book, God's Secretaries: The Making of the King James Bible by Adam Nicolson

[Shirley]

Finished
A Voice in the Wind

****

Started
Open Season


Why? Challenges of course.

[Nicole]

How did you like A Voice in the Wind, Shirley?

[Shirley]

Nicole wrote: "How did you like A Voice in the Wind, Shirley?"

So much better than I thought it would be.

[Kimberly]

I'm reading on my phone.

[Kimberly]

Shirley wrote: "Finished
A Voice in the Wind

****

Started
Open Season


Why? Challenges of course."

What did you think of them Shirley?

[Shirley]

Kimberly wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Finished
A Voice in the Wind

****

Started
Open Season


Why? Challenges of course."

What did you think of th..."

A Voice in the Wind was very good.

Just into Open Season but good so far.

[Nicole]

So glad you liked it, Shirley!!! Will you continue on in the series? Mark of the Lion Trilogy

[Kimberly]

I finished and I thought it was pretty good.

[Chrissie]

Finished The Moon is Down
My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This is probably set in Norway. You do learn about Norwegian (or at least Nordic) culture, but this is not the central focus of the book. It was written by Steinbeck in 1942 as propaganda against the Germans (WW2). Through ironical humor it achieves its purpose magnificently.

I have begun The Man in the Wooden Hat. It grabs you immediately. Full of action and great writing. It is important to have read Old Filth first. I hope I remember enough about the first book. My review of Old Filth: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Betty and Eddie are married. The first book gives you Eddie's perspective, the second Betty's! The first book came out in 2004, the second in 2009.

[Shirley]

Nicole wrote: "So glad you liked it, Shirley!!! Will you continue on in the series? Mark of the Lion Trilogy"

Later on. I am swamped keeping up with challenges. Not to mention Spring weeding and pruning.

[Kimberly]

I started

[[deleted user]]

And is she, Kimberley?

[Shirley]

I don't think my smart indoor cats would want to stave so I am safe.

[Kimberly]

Helen wrote: "And is she, Kimberley?"

Quite Possibly with the way she trips me going down the stairs.

[Almeta]

Kimberly wrote: "I started "

I'll wager that winding in and out between your legs is part of the plot.

This looks like a lot of fun!!!☺

[Almeta]

Kimberly wrote: "Helen wrote: "And is she, Kimberley?"

Quite Possibly with the way she trips me going down the stairs."

Ha! We had the same thought at the same time.☺

[Lynn]

Just finished

About to finish

About to start

[Shirley]

Finished

Open Season



4 stars and will be reading more of this series.

Started

Seriously...I'm Kidding

[Kimberly]

Shirley wrote: "Finished

Open Season



4 stars and will be reading more of this series.
I hope you like Ellen's book Shirley! It was a fun read :)
Started

Seriously...I'm Kidding

"

[Kimberly]

I finished it was okay at 2 stars.

[Almeta]

Finished Shamini Flint's, A Most Peculiar Malaysian Murder. It was alright. I learned absolutely nothing about Malaysia or Singapore. The mystery conclusion was pretty satisfying. Justice not necessarily by the letter of the law.

Starting Mesozoic Murder for the Alphabet Challenge.

[Chrissie]

I really, really did like The Man in the Wooden Hat. Was Old Filth this good?
My review of TMITWH: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Now I am trying a Victorian/Edwardian novel. I want a long book. It is very long. I want a good narrator, and I have heard the Rosalyn Landor is excellent. I have to try the author A.S. Byatt, so I will begin: The Children's Book. Will this work for me?

[[deleted user]]

It's not at all what you think it is going to be, that's for sure. i enjoyed it, but it's quite dark in places.

[Shirley]

Finished



Seriously...I'm Kidding
by Ellen DeGeneres
3/30 ****
a few places she was too cute but overall good.

Started



When it Happens to You
by Molly Ringwald

challenges keep me reading.

[Kimberly]

I finished which is my least favourite in the series so far. I only gave it 3 stars.

[April]

Almeta wrote: "April wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Finished Suspect
Almeta's Review of Suspect

I am starting Max And The Cats A Novel because it is said that Life of Pi author Yann Martel got his idea from this book. ..."

Thanks, Almeta! Awwwww SHOOT! I was hoping you had found us a 5 star read!

[Kimberly]

I started it's good so far :)

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading Not Forgotten by Neil Oliver because I need an author beginning with O.