What Are You Reading Showing 6,001-6,050 of 6,935

[SherryRose]

Good. It really is beautiful. Irecommend it to everyone. Its really good for parents.

[Paul]

It definitely works on different levels. And with the Chris Riddell artwork on editions it really is a beautiful book as well .

[SherryRose]

I listened to Fortunately, the Milk in the car ond day. Its pure fun! Its a short, fun, fast moving fantasy story. Gaiman is the narrator which makes it perfect. It is great for kids but a joy for anyone.

[Frank]

I just finished reading The Gargoyle and was really impressed by its originality. It's a reincarnation tale that moves from the present day back to 14th century Germany but has none of the clichés usually associated with that genre. It's one of the few books I've read where I literally had no idea what was going to happen next.

[Kara]

Hi, Currently I'm reading A Gentleman in Moscow loving it so far.

My mom is currently reading The Thirteenth Tale so I can't get my hands on it till she is done with so I can read it lol.

[Margo]

A Gentleman in Moscow sounds really interesting Kara, I've added it.

I'm reading The Anatomy of Ghosts which I picked up in the library. It's a very well written period mystery story, if a bit meandering in parts. I'm enjoying it and I can't understand why I've never come across Andrew Taylor before.

[Trelawn]

I noticed you reading that Margo and it sounds interesting so I looked up the author. I have never heard of him but a few of his books sound like something I'd really like.

I was going to read Conclave but then The Hanging Tree arrived and I have no impulse control so I had to start it.

[SherryRose]

After I finish The Thirteenth Tale I'll be reading a nice light cat cozy Paws and Effect

You can't tell these books apart! Lol! Im kidding of course! In any case, I love my cat cozies.

[Margo]

Trelawn wrote: "I noticed you reading that Margo and it sounds interesting so I looked up the author. I have never heard of him but a few of his books sound like something I'd really like.

I was going to read Co..."

I really think you'd like Trelawn. I think the thing that's most fascinating me is the gyp system whereby the poorer students pay their way through college by becoming slaves to the privileged rich boys. I presume it's an accurate picture of Cambridge life circa 1800. Disgusting!

[Trelawn]

I'll keep an eye out for your final review.

[SherryRose]

Margo wrote: "Trelawn wrote: "I noticed you reading that Margo and it sounds interesting so I looked up the author. I have never heard of him but a few of his books sound like something I'd really like.

I was ..."


That's awul. I bet they were cruel.

[Margo]

Just finished The Temporary Gentleman and I'm wallowing in the afterglow! Has this ever been a group read?

[Paul]

I dont remember it as a choice anyway

[Margo]

Well that's my next irish nomination sorted then!

It was a wonderful read. The Secret Scripture can't hold a candle to it IMO. The Temporary Gentleman is a tale of moral ambiguity, missed opportunities and squanded youth. It is heartbreaking and gut wreanching. The story is set during and after the civil war in an emerging country that can choose what it wants to be, as can it's inhabitants.

Sorry if I sound like a publishers blurb but I'm rearly this impressed by a book. The last time was Disgrace which moved me equally.

[Emmet]

Margo wrote: "Well that's my next irish nomination sorted then!

It was a wonderful read. The Secret Scripture can't hold a candle to it IMO. The Temporary Gentleman is a tale of ..."

Margo, again you and I have very similar taste in authors, so I can't wait to read The Temporary Gentleman. Barry has routinely broken my heart with every book of his I've opened.

I have just finished The Sellout by Paul Beatty. Although I can't say I read it as just satire as opposed to biting social commentary. It was definitely a deserving winner of the Man Booker I think. I wrote about it more in-depth on my blog but I'm not sure if it's ok to post links to self-promotion here so I'll leave it out.

I also read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens which was far more macabre than I had expected but was one of the few Dickens novels I found particularly easy to access.

[Maria Hill]

"Margo, again you and I have very similar taste in authors, so I can't wait to read The Temporary Gentleman. Barry has routinely broken my heart with every book of his I've opened."

I listened to it on audio a couple of years ago. In the middle of the book, something heartbreaking happens and the language goes from beautiful, descriptive and lyrical to short, plain sentences. It evoked the sadness of the situation perfectly. So I am in full agreement Emmet - Barry is a real heart breaker!

[Margo]

Well explained Maria. I completely agree. It was one of most profoundly emotional books I've ever read.

[[deleted user]]

Anyone reading Ulysses?

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor. Anyone else reading that?

[Colleen]

We read that as a group last year . I really enjoyed it . I plan on reading more in the series .

[Margo]

WorldsOkayestMom wrote: "Anyone reading Ulysses?"

I love your monicar WorldsOkestMom. Can I call you Mom for short?? lol

Ulysses was too much like like hard work for me. I enjoyed Dubliners tho.

[Paul]

Ulysses , for me is like hot pokers to the eyeballs. Not a book I'll try again.

[[deleted user]]

Sure, you can call me Mom, Margo. Or, Mum, if you are in the UK. I know Ulysses is a tough one. I've started it, and am also reading Homer's Odyssey (a translation) So far, I don't really see much of a parallel there, I also have a reference book for the allusions. It is a slow read for sure. I do want to get through it, though. I will have to look through your group discussions from reading it last year.

[Colleen]

Oh mom I was taking about the novel Irish Country Christmas being a group read last year .

[[deleted user]]

Lol! Oh! Thanks, Colleen. My daughters say that all the time - Oh Mom...

[Thomas, Moderator]

I just finished reading The Ladies of Managua: A Novel I rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is written in the first person and told from the point of view of 3 women: Isabela, Ninexin, and Maria. Is there a bonus group challenge category for reading a book with 2 of the three main characters named after people in the group?;) Isabela and Maria now is the time for you two to speak up!
Here is my review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Margo]

WorldsOkayestMom wrote: "Sure, you can call me Mom, Margo. Or, Mum, if you are in the UK. I know Ulysses is a tough one. I've started it, and am also reading Homer's Odyssey (a translation) So far, I don't really see much ..."

Actually I'm irish so it'd be mam ;-)

[Margo]

LOL Thomas, we should suggest that to Paul ;-p

[Thomas, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "LOL Thomas, we should suggest that to Paul ;-p"

:)

[SherryRose]

Paul wrote: "Ulysses , for me is like hot pokers to the eyeballs. Not a book I'll try again."

I won't even try it. I feel no remorse lol

[J.S.]

From the latest Dub Review of Books , a new bio of Maud Gonne, The Adulterous Muse, for us history geeks:
http://www.drb.ie/new-books/the-adult...

This title is not yet linked to the GR system.

[Thomas, Moderator]

Escape to Havana: A Foreign Affairs Mystery
My review 4/5 https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Fatal My review 4/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Ladies of Managua: A Novel
My review 3.5/5
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[J.S.]

Interesting comments about book reviews, from the NYT reviews editor ( scroll down in interview)
http://lithub.com/10-things-you-didnt...#
On reviews:
...“I think the biggest mistake reviewers make is conflating a book review with a book report. Generally speaking, readers don’t want to know what happens in a book, and they certainly don’t want (nor should they get) plot spoilers. I hate that personally as a reader! Let me discover for myself. What I’m more interested in a review is seeing a writer engage with a book—intellectually and often, emotionally. I want some depth and context: What else has been written on the subject? What has this writer done previously? What kind of research did the writer do? I want to know what the writing is like—give me some examples, quote from the book, describe the style. I want to know what the writer does well and not so well. I want judgment. I want to know if a book is well done and if it’s worth my time. Is this a book I’ll actually want to read, or just read about? Hopefully, at least ONE of those things.”...

[Margo]

Interesting J.S. Reviews that contain spoilers are one of my pet hates. I want what the reviewer thought about the book and how it made them feel. If I want a plot synopsis I go to the cover or look for an online summary (which I sometimes do if I've read a book in the past and want to refresh my memory).

Ironically I'm a very poor reviewer but I don't give spoilers.

[Paul]

I prefer reviews that basically say if the reviewer enjoyed the book and why. Simples.
AS Byatt pretty much spoiled Terry Pratchetts last novel by revealing massive part of the plot in the opening lines of a review . Idiot

[Trelawn]

Yeah I am running with the crowd here. I want a review that tells me your personal response to the story, style etc. I don't want to know the details of the story, that's what I bought the book for.

[Margo]

So many reviewers seem to do that these days. Same with film trailers - they nearly show the entire film.

[Trelawn]

Don't get me started on film trailers. Is nothing left to the imagination anymore. They feel like they have to spell out the whole plot in order to get. you to watch the movie. Stupid.

[J.S.]

The NYT reviews editor 's comments about getting reviews also interesting --- allegedly they try to avoid biased individuals ( friend of author, same agent, already did a blurb for the cover, etc).

It seems around 90% of a new release from a Big 5 publisher ( that includes the Isles as imprints are almost all under the corp. umbrella of a big phat conglomerate ) are biased for those reasons. So tired of seeing authors captive for the same publisher stroking each other's books, regardless of quality, for the cover and quotes on the amazon page.

[Paul]

Its no surprise George RR Martin can't finish a book as he has blurbed every second book I pick up these days. He must do an unreal amount of reading

[Thomas, Moderator]

I never put spoilers in my reviews. I do try to set up the premise of the book and include quotes.

[Margo]

Thomas you and Susan are among my go-to reviewers on crime as Paul is on fantasy :-)

[Thomas, Moderator]

Thank You Margo. I sometimes worry that a review is too short, or that I didn't get it right.

[Susan]

Thomas, you do a great job. I like your reviews.

[Trelawn]

Well I am taking my time reading Conclave by Robert Harris. It is a great read so far, very character driven with interesting nuggets on procedure surrounding the election of a new pope. You can tell this was extremely well researched but Harris does not drown you in superfluous information. I think this is one I shall be recommending to Robert Harris fans as a must read.

[Thomas, Moderator]

Susan wrote: "Thomas, you do a great job. I like your reviews."
Thank You Susan. I think that you write excellent reviews.

[Margo]

Trelawn it's a book I'm really looking forward to. I bought it recently so as soon as the mood takes me I'll read it. Harris is a good writer and theirs something so fascinating about the vatican and its archaic ways.

[Trelawn]

I definitely think you'll like it Margo, but you're right, you need to be in the mood for it because it's not action packed or fast paced but it is very good.

[Paul]

I may start The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova next. Its not out til April but we were lucky enough to get an ARC. Loved The Historian so hopefully this can come somewhere close to it. Conclave can follow that then ;-)

[Trelawn]

Or you could hold your horses, read Conclave when I'm done and I'll read Kostova's book next :-P