What Are You Reading Showing 1,651-1,700 of 6,935

[John]

Really enjoying Doctor Sleep at the moment, real "page turner", which in audiobook land means not listening to podcasts or anything else until I get to the end of this. Surprising turn-around as I considered returning this toAudible at one stage.

Just started Dark Lies the Island also which I've wanted to get for some time now and gave up waiting for Audio. I think short stories are better for actual reading anyway. This is right up my street, loving it already.

Have any of you guys read Ghosts & Lightning. Trevor Byrne? It came up while I was messing around on http://www.openingthebook.com/whichbook/

[Paul]

For a second I read that as you saying love was a mental illness. Oops although probably not far wrong ;-)

[Allan]

John, I read Ghosts and Lightning a few years ago, but to be honest it didn't leave much of a lasting impression on me-it wasn't to the standard that has made me look for more books by the same author, anyway.

I really enjoyed Dark Lies the Island earlier in the year, and am aiming to read the rest of Barry's work in future.

[Trelawn]

I don't know Jamie Lynn that's how i comment on the day :-)

[Trelawn]

oh i'm special in all sorts of ways but i'm learning to live with it :-) After this discussion I think I'll have to reread JE.

[Seraphina]

I know I start each day pondering the different hews of grey in the sky and the beauty of each raindrop as it hits the window... Lol

[Allan]

Has anyone ever had issues with third party sellers from Amazon sending you the wrong book? Today, I received a package expecting to find 'A Russian Journal' by John Steinbeck inside, but instead, along with a sales invoice for a woman in Australia, I found 'The Happiest Baby on the Block' by Harvey Karp MD. I've emailed the seller but have yet to get a response. Any suggestions?

[Seraphina]

Ya Allen, I've had a book arrive in the wrong language. You can just return it to amazon for a full refund or a credit note. You need to print out a returns label, you'll get that on the site using your order number.

[Trelawn]

I just finished No10 by Sue Townsend. It was a really good read; intelligent, witty, scathing and jam packed with great characters. Now I have to decide what to read next. Decisions, decisions :-)

[[deleted user]]

Re. Haworth/Parsonage. Any of the Brontë fans who've never been really should visit there, if you ever find yourself in Yorkshire. It really is a lovely place. It's a little bit comercialised, but the surrounding area only allows for little change.

@Cphe. It's good to hear from you again. It's been a while, but sure, we all have our slumps. :)

[[deleted user]]

Just finished The Martian (more comments on that to follow soon) and I'm about to start my first ever graphic novel, Freedom Within The Heart. It's based on the life of Brian Boru.

Here goes nothing!

@Trelelawn. Maybe a graphic novel might do the trick?

[Allan]

Thanks, Seraphina-I went through the Amazon site there, but as the seller was third party, they sent a generated email on my behalf that is supposed to be responded to in 48 hours. We'll see what happens...

[Trelawn]

@ Declan I have never read a graphic novel. I wouldn't know where to begin choosing one. I won't rule it out though. I should probably keep working through my TBR pile. My problem is I've set aside books that I want to read on my hols so I have to pick something else.

[Paul]

@Declan &Trelawn graphic novels can be fun. Try The last Hero by Pratchett and Kidby.
I have Murder Mysteries By Neil Gaiman ordered to arrive soon. Its a graphic novel based on an earlier short story based on a murder in heaven before Lucifer's fall . should be good

[[deleted user]]

@Trelawn & Paul. I went to.the library to look for Gaiman's Sandman and Spiegelman's Maus. Both were recommended within the group. I know Sara recommended Maus buy I can't remember who gave me Sandman.

If I delve in further I think I'll try Pratchett... as long ad they're in the library, though. graphic novels are an expensive hobby.

[Sara]

It was probably all of us Declan! It's one of the best ever. I also did a nice mini-rant about graphic novels in the News Articles thread.

[[deleted user]]

I just came from there, Sara. There's plenty more grear looking titles on the Rolling Stones article Allan posted.

[Trelawn]

I like Terry Pratchett so I might try The Last Hero at some point. For now, I've chosen Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd. I've read her other two books and really enjoyed them so we'll see how this works out.

[Paul]

The Last Hero by Pratchett as a paperback is cheap enough Declan. Chapters had it fir €6 a while back. The hardback and deluxe edition were a bit pricier.
Eric by Pratchett and Josh Kirby was re printed last year and is around a tenner but theres a text only edition as well.
I bought Paul Kidby and Vanessa Kidbys Charmed realm this year. Around € 40 but its a work of art and its signed and came with 8 signed prints and a hand drawing so worth it.
Nice story too.

[Sara]

So I was at my local independent bookstore tonight for my science fiction and fantasy book group, and treated myself to the latest issue of McSweeney's, a literary magazine with a different theme and format every issue. @Barbara I think you would be interested in this one because it focuses on New Latin American Crime fiction. I should be reading it before the Joyce group meets in June, so I can bring it to loan to you, if you want!

This weekend my family is having a yard sale. Tomorrow I plan to go through my huge mound of booksthat I own but haven't read. My target is to rid of between 12 (the # of books I've purchased this year without reading them) and 27 (which would get the list down to 300. If anyone sees anything on there that they strongly feel is horrible or that they strongly feel is wonderful, it would help with my decision!

[Trelawn]

Wow Sara that's quite a mound of books! For my money I'd keep Gaudy Night it's one of my favourite books ever. It's No3 in the Harriet and Peter story. The Swan Thieves was a MAJOR letdown for me after loving The Historian. The Iliad is not for everyone, there is a lot of listing of fleets of ships and repetition in battle scenes but if you've read the Odyssey you might enjoy the backstory. I've never liked Plato, very frustrating to read his arguments. On the other hand Ovid's Metamorphoses is a great collection of classical myths. good luck :-)

[[deleted user]]

There are a lot of books there I've never even heard of. Wish I could have helped, but I'm out my depth.

[Paul]

quite the list isnt it.

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "Has anyone ever had issues with third party sellers from Amazon sending you the wrong book? Today, I received a package expecting to find 'A Russian Journal' by John Steinbeck inside, but instead, ..."

I think the next step is to contact Amazon. At the very least you should get a full refund. A few months ago I ordered The Effect of Her and rather than the book pictured, was send an Advanced Readers copy. I complained to the seller and got a refund. Hopefully you can get it resolved, but what an inconvenience, and waste of time you could spend reading.

[Barbara]

Sara wrote: "So I was at my local independent bookstore tonight for my science fiction and fantasy book group, and treated myself to the latest issue of McSweeney's, a literary magazine with a different theme a..."

Sara - the McSweeney's issue sounds interesting.
I am reviewing your list of unread books. I read several of May Sarton's books years ago, and loved her. Frida Kahlo's biography is also a great read. Maureen recommends Kiberd's book Ulysses and Us. There are lots of great reads and classics on your list but I am only making a few selections so I don't undermine your plans to de-book.

[John]

Allan wrote: "John, I read Ghosts and Lightning a few years ago, but to be honest it didn't leave much of a lasting impression on me"

Ok I'll leave that one on the "maybe-maybe-not" shelf!

re: Kevin Barry I didn't get on too well with City of Bohane. I really wanted to like it but found it very troublesome to enjoy, even though I often think about it. Funny book. Lots to like. Lots to dislike.

[John]

I just saw this and it made me smile:

[Sara]

The pruning actually wound up being relatively painless The shelf is down to 296 from 327 for a total of 31+. I'm also putting out about 10 books that I had listed on Bookmooch+someother misc. books. All told I think I'm getting rid of 40-50 books. Frida Kahlo, Ulysses and Us, and May Sarton were all safe. Of course today I'm going to pick up over 200 books from another woman who is selling at our yard sale. I will have to avoid both picking through those and going to any of the other sales around the neighborhood Saturday if I want to maintain the dent in my TBR mound.

A find from the dive into my TBR mound. I pulled it out and shifted it to the TBR Soon shelf. I also learned that I need to dust the alcoves under my bed where most of the TBR mound is kept.

[Paul]

we'll all be buried in our TBR piles :-P

[[deleted user]]

John, I love that picture. I might actually hang that up on my wall.

Re. TBR piles: I have about a dozen books yet to be read on my bedside locker. They're the priority. Not rushing out to buy books as they take my fancy really helps keep the pile from getting overwhelming.

[Trelawn]

Re TBR pile, mine is usually quite intimidating as my OH always pre orders books by my favourite authors. Also I get a lot of books for christmas, birthdays and days that end in 'y' :-) It also doesn't help that whenever we can get a babysitter we head straight for Chapters. But I love having a pile of books waiting for me. It means no matter what humour I'm in there is always a book for me.

[Trelawn]

@ Jamie Lynn the Empress of the Night sounds like a good story Was the first book any good?

[Trelawn]

@ Theresa I might pick up a copy and keep it on the shelf and get round to it. I can barely remember the movie but i liked it.@ Jamie Lynn I'm mildly fascinated the Romanovs though mainly the later ones but this sounds like a good story. Thanks for mentioning it

[Barbara]

John - I love, love, love the picture.
Sara - I was tempted to go to the library today. Instead I read for an hour and a half. I also haven't browsed the library store in a long time because I often end up bringing in books to donate, and leave with more.

[Allan]

John, I'd say that the picture resonates with the thoughts of a good few people in the group-thanks for sharing!

Sara, did you manage to resist picking up any more books from the 200 after culling your own TBR mountain? I'd imagine that by the end of Saturday you might be posting about a few new purchases. :)

Trelawn, I doubt that you'll ever make it to the bottom of your TBR pile, given your OH's tendency to 'feed your habit'. I totally agree with the benefits of having a large pile to choose from though-you never know what mood you're going to be in when you want to start a new book. I'll finish the book I'm reading today, and still have no idea which one I'm going to read next.

Barbara, your 90 minute reading time sounds blissful, so much so that I'm going to aim to spend 90 minutes in the same way right now! :)

[Trelawn]

@ Allan a large TBR pile is definitely not a complaint, it does mean choosing a new book can take a while though. Enjoy the reading time.

[Cathleen]

Trelawn wrote: "I just finished No10 by Sue Townsend. It was a really good read; intelligent, witty, scathing and jam packed with great characters. Now I have to decide what to read next. Decisions, decisions :-)"

That sounds good, Trelawn. Her name sounds familiar. What else has she written?

[Cathleen]

John wrote: "I just saw this and it made me smile:

John, I love that picture. I wish it were a poster somewhere and I'd buy it and hang it up. I'm drinking my first cup of coffee for the day--and it made me smile, too.

[Cathleen]

Allan wrote: "John, I'd say that the picture resonates with the thoughts of a good few people in the group-thanks for sharing!

Sara, did you manage to resist picking up any more books from the 200 after culling..."

I'm giving a final exam today, and even though I have quite a TBR pile, I've decided to reward myself by going to the library after the exam is over. I haven't been there in a while and they always have a good "new book" section to check out.

[Trelawn]

Hey Cathleen she also wrote the Adrian Mole Diaries and The Queen and I among other things

[Cathleen]

Trelawn wrote: "Hey Cathleen she also wrote the Adrian Mole Diaries and The Queen and I among other things"

I thought her name rang a bell! Thanks. If I remember correctly, she's witty, so I'll have to look for more by her.

[Trelawn]

She is very witty, i really enjoyed No.10.

[Sara]

@Allan So far, I've only picked up 4 books out of the 200+. Since you and Declan I've both talked up Steinbeck's shorter work, I got A collection of his shorter novels. I'm a bit anxious about trying more of his stuff after having a negative experience with Grapes of Wrath in high school, but surely you and Declan can't both be wrong!

I've got Legends of the Outer Banks and Tar Heel Tidewater, Ocracoke by Carol Gorech, both about the people, natural history, and myths of Outer Banks of North Carolina. Finally, I got Blues by John Hersey, another book that mixes natural history and story telling.

I had no luck convincing Barbara to drive down to browse. She's being responsible.

[[deleted user]]

@Cathleen. I was toying with the Idea of getting a personalised wall-decal of the something similar. There are plenty of online stores that can do it.

@Sara. It's funny you should bring up Steinbeck. I just bought The Red Pony yesterday. I think I'll have to start that soon. :)

[Sara]

@Declan I'll probably start with either Cannery Row.It got 5 stars from both you and Allan. Tortilla Flat looks interesting to me as well, but I note that Allan only gave it 2 stars.

[Sara]

I was feeling a little sad after giving up all those books, so I went to the library to pick up my four hold books (three of which were for book groups). Of course I also had to browse, so I came home with three additional titles

Holds

Sabriel by Garth Nix(Fantasy Book Group June Selection. It should be a quick read since it's a YA title)

Blindsight by Peter Watts(Science Fiction Group June Selection. I've been warned it's depressing)

Ghost Moth by Michele Forbes(Irish In Person Book Group, suggested by Barbara)

Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety by Eric Schlosser(60 Minutes had a segment on nuclear weapons the other night that scared the crap out out of me. They mentioned this as a good book to learn more. It's written by the same guy who wrote Fast Food Nation, so I know he has a very readable prose style. That should help make a dense topic easier to read about)

The Additional Titles

The Dream of the Celt by Mario Vargas Llosa (He won a Nobel Prize for Literature in 2010, and this one is about the Irish Nationalist Roger Casement. Does anyone know anything about either the author (Barbara this is Latin-American literature so I'm looking at you) or the subject matter?)

Julian Comstock: A Story of 22nd-Century America by Robert Charles Wilson(Science Fiction. It got a lot of buzz a few years ago when it came out).

Loteria: A Novel by Mario Alberto Zambrano This one I knew nothing about prior to seeing it on the new releases shelf at the library. I was intrigued by the fact it's based on Loteria, a Mexican game of chance that's apparently similar to bingo.

[Barbara]

Sara wrote: "I was feeling a little sad after giving up all those books, so I went to the library to pick up my four hold books (three of which were for book groups). Of course I also had to browse, so I came ..."

I had to go to the library to renew my card. It now has to be done annually. I picked up Waiting for Wednesday by Nicci French, a mystery and The Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman.

[[deleted user]]

@Sara. It's been a while since I've heard Casement's name so I don't remember too much about him. He was disgraced in The Black Diary scandal. A lot of accusations were laid against him, including homosexuality if memory serves me. I wish I remembered more. I feel a little feeble-minded trying to remember all this, but it's been almost 18 years since I studied it.

[[deleted user]]

While reading up on Casement I found a good BBC article relating to tge Black Diary scandal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/...

@Sara. Is the focus of the book nationalism? As the write is Latin American I was wondering if it related to his time there; something I was ignorant of.

[Sara]

I don't know anything beyond what the Goodreads description says, but it sounds like it Declan. I didn't even know he was gay until you brought it up, and I looked at the book description more carefully. A book by a Latin American Nobel Prize winning author about a Irish nationalist who also happened to be gay? I have to get to this one soon!