What Are You Reading Showing 2,601-2,650 of 6,935

[Susan]

I really liked the Guernsey book, Emma, even if I could see the ending coming. I just like the idea of a book club being the perfect cover-up.

[Paul]

I'm coming to the end of The Song of Achilles and i'm quite enjoying it. I'll reserve complete judgement until i'm finished. Next on my agenda is Tower Lord by Anthony Ryan. I've been building myself up to this as Ryans first book was my favourite book Blood Song of last year. Its epic fantasy at its best. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in and seeing where the series heads.

[Paul]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

[Máire]

I'm reading Revenge by Yoko Ogawa at the moment which is a collection of loosely linked short stories. The prose style is very pared back, elegant and reminding me a bit of Carver. REALLY enjoying it so far.

[Cathleen]

Máire wrote: "I'm reading Revenge by Yoko Ogawa at the moment which is a collection of loosely linked short stories. The prose style is very pared back, elegant and reminding me a bit of Carver. ..."

That sounds good, Maire. Right now I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, one of the classics I've never read. I'm enjoying it.

[Máire]

Hi Cathleen, I've been meaning to read that for AGES! I've heard it's great. Must give it a go.

[Cathleen]

Fiona wrote: "Cathleen wrote: "Right now I'm reading The Picture of Dorian Gray, one of the classics I've never read. I'm enjoying it..."

I read that a few months ago, Cathleen. I thought it was very good and i..."

Jamie Lynn and Fiona--I'm so glad you both liked it. It's been fun to see the widely quoted sayings of Oscar Wilde's in context. I also think this idea he's playing with--of art wholly and entirely for art's sake--is interesting one. I've been such a slow reader lately that I need a short read! (Still working through Good Omens and there's only one day left of the month!)

[Máire]

Theresa wrote: "Márie, as a fan of the short story I'll add that to my TBR pile. Thanks:)" No problem, Theresa. I'll come back with a full review when I'm finished. Am only about a third of the way through but so far, so good :)

[Cathleen]

Fiona wrote: "I liked the start of 'Good Omens' but then it ran outta steam for me and I got a little bored with it."

I think that captures it perfectly for me, Fiona. I just can't muster up enough enthusiasm to chug through to the end. I'm trying really hard to like it, but maybe it's just not my cup of tea.

[Cathleen]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "Fiona wrote: "I liked the start of 'Good Omens' but then it ran outta steam for me and I got a little bored with it."

I've gotten a little further. Slow but sure. I'm kind of enjoying it but it's ..."

Jamie Lynn, I think the only person you need to please when you read is you :)

[Allan]

So, aside from the Stephen King monthly read which I started yesterday, having finished the latest Tom Spanbauer novel, which I found heavy, sprawling and a little annoying content wise, I've made a start with Brian Moore's 'The Doctor's Wife', which was written in 1976, and was shortlisted for the Booker at the time.

The Doctor's Wife

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8...

Like I'm doing with Steinbeck, I'm determined to read the backlist titles from the NI novelists like Moore, who were critically acclaimed but were before my time. This is my third Moore, and 60 pages in, I'm thoroughly enjoying the novel.

The best thing is, there seems to be an endless supply of his novels in the second hand bookshop in Belfast, available for a song, so I'll not be out of pocket catching up! :)

[Sara]

I have to disagree somewhat with this comment by Fiona,

"I actually think that the fondness for Gaiman and Pratchett has led some readers to overly praise the book somewhat."

I didn't reread Good Omens this month due to simply having too many other books started. I also didn't nominate it. That said it's in my top 10 (or maybe top 25...I should make a list)) favorite books of all time. It was also the first thing I read by either Gaiman or Pratchett (other than Neil Gaiman's Sandman graphic novels). I love the dry humor and satirical quality. Sister Mary Loquacious of the Chattering Order of St. Beryl is hilarious.

I think it's different than a lot of their work, and I personally think it leans more to the Pratchett side of things. One of my best friends who's a ardent fan of both Gaiman and Pratchett actually hates Good Omens (we actually get in strenuous disagreements over it).

[Trelawn]

I agree Sara. I have only dipped in to both Pratchett and Gaiman's work but both forays were on the back of reading Good Omens. After thoroughly enjoying Good Omens I decided to see what the authors independent works read like. It's been a successful endeavour because I love The Graveyard Book, The Moist von Lipwig series, Anansi Boys, Unseen Academicals and many more.

[Cathleen]

Theresa wrote: "GI would be very dull if we all liked the same books :)"

Very true, Theresa. I thought I would like it much more because I usually love satirical, dry, even silly humor. I don't dislike it; it's just that it didn't catch my fancy the way I thought it would. Maybe it was the footnotes :) For some reason, after awhile, they just seemed overdone to me. Everyone will probably think I'm crazy for saying this after being tepid about the novel, but I think it would make a great movie--and I'd go see it in the theater.

[Sara]

I thought I had heard something about a possible film/mini-series adaption of Good Omens, and I was right. Terry Gilliam comes from Monty Python for those not familiar with him.

Sara

[Cathleen]

Sara wrote: "I thought I had heard something about a possible film/mini-series adaption of Good Omens, and I was right. Terry Gilliam comes from Monty Python for those not familiar with him.

Sara"

Really? That would be excellent. When I read it, parts did remind me of Monty Python, and I've always loved them.

[Sara]

The article I linked in my earlier post gives the details Cathleen (the link is if you click on the word "right"), but it appears to be one of those things that's been stalled in pre-production for a number of years. I can dream though. The situation is more hopeful for Gaiman's American Gods I think.

[[deleted user]]

Sorry for being away for so long guys, but I've been very busy lately. Combine that with the heat and it's leaving pretty wrecked of an evening.

I just finished Adrian McKinty's The Sun is God and I really enjoyed it. It's not a cosy mystery, but I still think the mystery fans of the group will enjoy it. Especially the past-paced third act.

[Susan]

It sounds like I'll enjoy it. I am so glad to have you back. I missed you. It's hard to believe you have a life outside of GRI. :).

[Allan]

I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed the McKinty novel, Declan. It's also good to see him 'changing it up' plot wise as well. He's certainly a pretty prolific writer-I think this is at least his second, possibly third release of this year!

As for me, I'm starting August with a short story collection from John O'Hara, a US writer from the mid 20th century. Hopefully it won't be too heavy going!

The New York Stories - John O'Hara

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[[deleted user]]

@Susan. I don't have a life outside of GR, but I'm busy fabricating one so as to impress future employers.

I'll very likely read McKinty again but I'd like to try one of his established characters.

[J.S.]

Theresa wrote: "Last night I finished The Speckled People by Hugo Hamilton, which I enjoyed very much and am deciding what stars to give it. ..."

Want to read that. Am rather speckled also. Gaelic: breac ? Spanglish: pecosa. Etc.

Just finished The Archimedes Codex: Revealing the Blueprint for Modern Science. A faster read than anticipated.

" Fascinating. Works as a detective story of how the Codex came to be in its present form. And, an interesting tale of conserving an invaluable, fragile mass of papyrus. Science history for what it contains, the work of Archimedes. Sometimes truth is better, if not stranger, than fiction. "

[[deleted user]]

@J.S. I've added that. It appeals to the latent science nerd in me.

@Jamielynn. It's good to be back

[Sara]

Hope my shelves have not steered you astray Theresa. Welcome back Declan. On the reading front I'm working on 11/22/63. I'm golfing today instead of going to the gym, so I'll probably make progress on it by reading the e-book.

I'm also rereading Storm Front (Dresden Files #1) in preparation for reading #2 and #3. #3 is the selection for my fantasy book group which meets on the 14th. It's a quick read which I should finish today. Harry Dresden is your classical noir detective with a twist...He's a wizard. So far I'm really enjoying his character, the humor in the book, and the discussion of the ethics of magic use. The book includes the line "But just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face." These are words to live by.

[[deleted user]]

Sounds like a fun book, Sara. I might have to add it. I hope the weather stays nice for your golfing.

[J.S.]

@ Declan, it appears Amazon [UK] has a used copy in paperback.

Another book to feed one's latent nerd aspect, try Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of his Time. Found a copy here at the library's book sale. Have put off reading it for years so as not to taint my understanding of Bronze Age navigation, but decided it might be helpful especially since the pristine, hardcopy was only 1 USD.

[[deleted user]]

I read it very recently, J.S., and thoroughly enjoyed it. I've been going crazy recommending it to people.

[J.S.]

Good to hear that -- about the book, not the bit that you're going crazy. Or if you are then shall I say,

Come here to me. ;)

[Colleen]

I'm reading All the Light We Cannot See and Palisades Park and really enjoying both.

[Sara]

James Marsters. I will definitely listen to one of them as an audiobook eventually.

[Allan]

Theresa, I'm going to read the Hamilton book before the end of the month myself, seeing both you and Sara have had positive things to say about it.

Colleen, Palisades Park looks like an interesting read, alright. I'm a sucker for anything that features the US in that sort of era. I may have to buy this one myself!

Personally, I'm finding it hard to get into the O'Hara collection today, so I'm going to shelve it again and see if I can get into a novel before we head away on holiday. :)

[Colleen]

Allan,it's one of my favorite eras too.I'm a sucker for WWII novels.This is my first novel I'm reading by this author but not the last I'm sure.

[Diane]

I just finished a World War II book - Suite Française. I thought it excellent.

[Colleen]

Diane I have that on my TBR list . I need to get to it soon.

[Colleen]

Jamie Lynn wrote: "Remembering Sam: A Wartime Story of Love, Loss, and Redemption is a good wartime book. It's a true story but it was very well done."

That looks good I have to find a copy or check the library.Thanks:)

[Trelawn]

Me too Jamie Lynn, I loved all four of her books.

[Paul]

Myself and Trelawn can differ on a reading approach to an author. I'll rarely if ever read two books in a row by an author where as Trelawn will devour a whole series if she liked the first book.

[Trelawn]

As Paul said I can go through a whole series if I'm enjoying it. I read the first 4 Thursday Next books in a row then the rest as they were published. When I discovered Kate Morton she had two books published and I had to wait on the next two.

[Paul]

It would have to be a very special book for me to read the next one staright away. Last I can remember doing that was Harry Potter

[Susan]

I just finished the Secret Keeper and thought it was her strongest book yet.

Trelawn. when I was in the mystery book group where the moderator kicked me out, there was several buddy reads where we read the books in order. It was once a month which was nice. It gave you breathing time while reading a series in order. I read Colin Dexter and Elly Griffiths that way. Even after I was kicked out I kept reading them. Once you make a commitment you got to see it through.

Paul, nice to see you back.

[Paul]

Thanks Susan

[Trelawn]

Yeah that sort of system would work for me Susan. If I like an author I tend to read through their works particularly if there is one character throughout as I like seeing their development.

[Susan]

I liked it. It wasn't too overwhelming for me. If you ever want to do a buddy read, let me know.

[Trelawn]

That'd be great Susan. Oh we could maybe do Gaudy Night. I know you added it and I would love to do a reread of DL Sayers at some point. I'm also open to your suggestions.

[Diane]

Susan, It makes you sound like a wild and crazy woman getting kicked out of a book club. I know it wasn't but it still sounds funny.

[Susan]

The moderator didn't think I was respectful enough to him. He ruled with an iron fist. No one could add topics but him. I compared him to Declan a few times trying to show him there were better ways. It didn't go over well. I think all GR moderators should be required to take classes by Declan on how to be a great moderator.

[Sara]

I might join in if you do Gaudy Nights Trelawn. Would you be doing all of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries in order or just that one?

[Cathleen]

Trelawn wrote: "Me too Jamie Lynn, I loved all four of her books."

This conversation about Kate Morton just reminded me of another "problem" of having an e-reader :) I bought The Forgotten Garden months and months ago. It was on special for 1.99 and I had heard good things about it, so I bought it. And pretty much forgot that I had it. Until reading this thread. Oy vey.

[Cathleen]

Sara wrote: "I might join in if you do Gaudy Nights Trelawn. Would you be doing all of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries in order or just that one?"

If you all do a buddy read, I'd like to join in. I've always wanted to read Sayers and The Lord Peter Wimsey series.

[Susan]

I think if we do it, we should do the books in order and one a month. How does that sound? I'm excited.