What Are You Reading Showing 3,151-3,200 of 6,935

[Sara]

Endings are hard. Even our monthly read, The Son, which I mostly adored and gave 4 stars to, I felt faltered toward the end.

[Jodell]

Endings are always hard or sloppy or HEA...even in REAL life.....

[Donna]

Oh Emma, I loved it! I thought the ending was brilliant. When I finished it, I immediately went back and reread it because she scatters clues throughout the book that you miss until you've gone through it once. I am looking forward to see how they adapt it for the screen.

[Allan]

Donna, haven't you heard that they have completely changed the ending of the story for the movie?

http://www.theguardian.com/books/book...

[Donna]

Allan, I had not and I'm not sure that I like that she did. I hope that I score free tickets for a preview so I can see what she changed. Thanks for the heads up!

[J.S.]

Books Ireland,
a magazine devoted to titles and figures of note in current Irish publishing has been revived by Wordwell, see

http://www.booksirelandmagazine.com/n...

[Allan]

Interesting to see a Frederick Douglass study amongst the titles-I'm sure Barbara might be interested in that one.

[Donna]

Cphe wrote: "@Jodell,

I thought Sharp Objects was much better than Gone Girl
and I have Dark Places somewhere in my TBR mountain."

I read all of her books after Gone Girl and still thought it was the best of the lot.

[Sara]

I'm delighted that I've finally gotten to start Rainey Royal, the second book by Dylan Landis (who used to be in Barbara and I's James Joyce group). I'm a third of the way through, and I think this one may be better than her first book. She certainly has a tougher task (to make us like Rainey who is your classic "mean girl."). I can easily see myself finishing this in the remaining hours of the afternoon and evening.

Tomorrow, I'll likely start our Quarterly Irish Read, At Swim, Two Boys. I was going to wait until October, but given that I'll be starting a new job on the 27th with insane hours, I think it's best that I read it this week!

[Trelawn]

I just finished The Shock of the Fall this afternoon. It was a beautiful and sad story about a young boy whose older brother dies tragically. It the years that follows his family fractures as his mother finds it hard to cope and the boy, Matt, is diagnosed with a mental illness. The story is told by Matt in a disjointed way as he attempts to make sense of his life since the night his brother died. I'd highly recommend it but I will caution you that it is heartbreaking in parts.

[J.S.]

All The Light We Cannot See -- nominated for 2014 National Book Foundation (USA) award.

Nominee titles listed here
http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2014.h...

[Catherine]

Good afternoon from Virginia's Lake Wilderness. It was 80 degrees here today, and low humidity. Wish I was in Kinsale!

I just finished reading Tana French's In the Woods. It left a major issue unresolved. I won't go into it and spoil anyone's fun. I didn't enjoy it as much as I could have because I had to rush through it. I got THREE books at once that I had put holds on, and the library won't renew them. I'm going to start on The Farm by Tom Rob Smith. Since I know the ending, it will be interesting to see if it will hold my interest. : )

[Susan]

J.S. wrote: "All The Light We Cannot See -- nominated for 2014 National Book Foundation (USA) award.

Nominee titles listed here
http://www.nationalbook.org/nba2014.h..."

Do you find it odd that Karen Joy Fowler gets nominated for a Booker award and not a National Book one? I Have The Light on order now. I had been holding off as I've had my fill of WWII but everyone is raving about it.

[Allan]

Cphe, it's good to see you posting again in the group btw!

Knowing that you're a fan of NI based thrillers, I always look out for your reviews of them via the updates feed. I recently (finally) read Gerald Seymour's 'Harry's Game', which I think I'd seen you mention a long, long time ago, and have to say that I did enjoy it, and on Barbara's recommendation have since bought 'The Journeyman Tailor', which I notice you also rated highly.

I'm not sure if you saw my post in the 'Book Review' thread, but 'Belfast Noir' is coming out in November, and it features stories by the likes of McKinty and Neville, who I know you also enjoy. I thought I'd give you a heads up in case you'd missed that one!

BTW, I almost bought, but resisted at the last minute, 'Message from Malaga', another thriller which I also noticed that you'd reviewed, as I visited there in the summer and it was the only piece of fiction I could find based in the city-your lukewarm review put me off though...!

[Allan]

Thanks for the Seymour recommendations, Cphe! The Belfast Noir book is released in November, so it won't be available yet, and while I wouldn't be a massive crime reader outside of NI based fiction, I know that others will be interested in the Burke collection. I'm hoping that there'll be a launch for the Belfast book, and I'll definitely be there if there is!

There are a lot of McKinty fans in the group, and particularly fans of the Sean Duffy series, so we were interested to see that he was releasing a fourth in the trilogy. I've said it many times in the group, but in case you missed it, I actually grew up very close to Coronation Road, where Duffy lives (McKinty's family lives across the road from one of my mate's parents), so it made the whole experience of the books surreal for me. He really did ham up the action, as Carrick was a completely peaceful place during the time he was writing about! I'm sure you know, but McKinty is now based in Melbourne.

I will definitely take on board your MacInness comments as well, as I know that we'll head back to Malaga at some stage, and I always like to be reading something based in the city I'm visiting if possible!

As I said, it's great to see you posting again in the group, as you have such a wide literary interest and knowledge-I look forward to reading your posts! :)

[Barbara]

J.S. wrote: "Books Ireland,
a magazine devoted to titles and figures of note in current Irish publishing has been revived by Wordwell, see

http://www.booksirelandmagazine.com/n..."

Thanks J.S. And thanks (maybe not) to Allan I just ordered the Frederick Douglass book from Kennys. However, at under $15 including shipping, I couldn't pass it up.

[Barbara]

Wow - what a lot of recommendations! I just finished The Nameless Dead by Brian McGilloway which is set on the Donegal/Derry border. It was excellent and I raced through it. I am also reading Keith Ridgway's Hawthorn & Child which is more of a challenge as it is not a traditional narrative, though about two detectives.

J.S. - I overlooked initially that Books Ireland is a publication. I'm contemplating subscribing when I have the $$$ - buy books or a magazine about books??? I am also considering getting the ebook of All the Light as I am # 400 something on the library waiting list.
Cphe - I was led to read Journeyman Tailor by someone on GR and it may have been you! I don't know if it was you or someone else in this discussion who mentioned Down These Green Streets. I have it but am so busy reading the actually mysteries that I haven't had time to read this book about the genre.

Susan - I also want to get the Karen Joy Fowler - maybe on Audible.

[Susan]

I loved Burke's review on Tana French's new book. I have not read him. Could you recommend something of his to start with?

I am so glad you are really participating again. You bring so much to the table.

[Susan]

Thanks.

[Diane]

I thought The Handmaid's Tale a bit too possible for comfort.

[Jodell]

I don't know why but the dystopian books never intrigued me.

[Sara]

Oh you're in for a treat Emma. It's one of my favorites. I agree with Diane though, that it's a bit too possible for comfort.

[Sara]

Goodreads Ireland Unofficial Random Contest Time!


So in my rush to get to my my friend's book signing tonight, I forgot to bring the book!! I bought another copy, so she could sign it. So now I have a copy up for grabs! I've read a little over half of it now. The book is Rainey Royal. To enter the contest, you must answer two questions.

(1) Why do you think you'd like the book?

(2) What's the best book you've read this year and why?

Judging of the contest will depend on how interesting your answers to the questions, and who I think would like the book best. The contest is open to people worldwide, but if there are multiple really awesome answers, I'll be slightly biased toward people who live in the U.S.

[Barbara]

Sara wrote: "Goodreads Ireland Unofficial Random Contest Time!


So in my rush to get to my my friend's book signing tonight, I forgot to bring the book!! I bought another copy, so she could sign it. So now I h..."

As you know, I already have a signed copy. I am really looking forward to reading this. Dylan's prose is so polished - as an audience member commented, not a word wasted or a word extra. (After slogging through my last audiobook, this will be welcome).

[pauline_nlp]

Hi ! I feel totally distraught... I stopped the reading of Pride and Prejudice. I found it too much complicated for my level. I am a little bit sad but I prefer to stop it and to resume it later...
And I don't have the time to read with school and homeworks...

[Paul]

Thats a shame.

[J.]

Pauline wrote: "Hi ! I feel totally distraught... I stopped the reading of Pride and Prejudice. I found it too much complicated for my level. I am a little bit sad but I prefer to stop it and to resume it later......"

Hey, don't worry, you're able to use the word "distraught" correctly, so you're doing fine. Try P&P again later, or perhaps try a book with less sophisticated language (I liked to read the policiers of Simenon).

[Allan]

Sara / Barbara-I'm glad that your reading went so well, and that Dylan is being so well received.

As for the book, content wise it seems right up my street, given its setting, and I've had it in my Amazon basket since you posted about it a few months ago, Sara. Saying that, given that I can get a copy off Amazon for $22 including shipping, I think it'd be sensible to find your spare copy a home stateside, as I know that shopping rates for items that size to NI are crazily expensive.

I hope you get some interest in the book though, and I think that your second question is one that could create a lot of interesting responses, whether it was a competition question or not! I'll have to think about my own answer and post below...

[Paul]

Question two is a great one . HMMMM . Have to think about that one

[Trelawn]

Hi Pauline, well done for giving it a try. I agree with Emma, maybe try watching the BBC series and it might help you get into the language a bit better. I think I saw the series before reading the book.

[Cathleen]

Sara wrote: "Goodreads Ireland Unofficial Random Contest Time!


So in my rush to get to my my friend's book signing tonight, I forgot to bring the book!! I bought another copy, so she could sign it. So now I h..."

I'm not familiar with the book--but I love your second question, Sara. Just off the top of my head, I might say "1984," but I'll have to think some more about it.

[Allan]

So I had a look at the books that I've read so far this year, and in response to Sara's question 2, have come up with an answer. I have to admit that I haven't read too many new releases this year, and of those books that I have read, there haven't been too many that have blown me away. However, on reflection, I feel that the best book I've read this year is Brian Moore's 'The Lonely Passion Of Judith Hearne'

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

Set in 1950s Belfast (surprise, surprise!), it tells the very sad story of a proud woman with serious personal demons. I particularly appreciated the book because of its portrayal of what was the contemporary Belfast of the time, with all its social hang ups and idiosyncrasies. I wouldn't use the word 'loved' to describe my feelings for the book, given its often dark content, but it's definitely the book that has stayed with me the longest after reading.

In fact I thought of the main character in the city centre on Sunday, when a respectable looking woman in her 60s in the queue in front of us at the shop bought a single can of extra strong lager to 'cure a sore head'. On the surface, she was the last person I'd have expected to see in that situation, which obviously embarrassed her as well-it made me reflect on the personal narratives of those that we see around us, and helped me 'count my blessings'

There are a few other books that came close to topping my list-The Free by Vlautin, The Snapper by Doyle and Alternative Ulsters by Mark Carruthers to name a few-but so far this year, Moore gets my vote! :)

[Paul]

I've a three book split on it, The Martian which we had as a group read, Drakenfeld by Mark C Newton which Trelawn bought me for Christmas or Prince of Fools by Mark Lawrence which was just brilliant .
Forced to make a choice I'll go with Prince of Fools . It introduced me to a new author and is one of the best odd couple books I've read. Great setting ,great charachters and wonderful tongue in cheek moments while being dark as hell.

[Trelawn]

In response to Sarah's 2nd question I have a two way tie between Marina by Carlos Ruiz Zafon and The Martian by Andy Weir. Marina was a beautifully sad tale of love and loss and the terrible things we do in the name of one and to negate the other. The characters stayed with me long after I finished reading. The Martian was a shock for me. I normally don't read sci fi but gave this one a go and loved it. Mark Watney was a fabulously drawn character. His wit, resilience and ingenuity kept me turning page after page and had me willing him to survive while NASA got their collectives arses in gear. A brilliant read.

[Barbara]

Allan wrote: "So I had a look at the books that I've read so far this year, and in response to Sara's question 2, have come up with an answer. I have to admit that I haven't read too many new releases this year,..."

It's so difficult to pick a favorite but I think a book that I loved that surprised me was At Night We Walk in Circles by Daniel Alarcón. Another that will stay with me is The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien.

[Colleen]

I finished The Pilot's Wifelast night and I was wondering if anyone else has read it especially anyone from Ireland or the U.K..Once I started it I had to know what happened I usually feel that way about her novels except for Where or When which made me feel icky and dirty.I read this novel as pure fiction
and enjoyed it. I am now reading Marina and so far I am like it a lot.Still reading IrelandI like it while I'm reading it but if I stop I don't have a burning desire to pick it up . I have Fallen on my Kindle and will be reading it soon.

[Trelawn]

@ Colleen I read Marina earlier this year and loved it.

[pauline_nlp]

Oh thank you very much for your messages :D I'll read a French book to think about something else :) Your messages touched me :)
Thanks x1000

[Donna]

I'm reading The Farm and it is really keeping my attention. I read that the story is somewhat based on the author's real life and that makes it even more intriguing.

[Cathleen]

Donna wrote: "I'm reading The Farm and it is really keeping my attention. I read that the story is somewhat based on the author's real life and that makes it even more intriguing."

Donna, I read the description and it sounds like a books that would be hard to put down. I'll be curious what you think of it when you're done.

[Paul]

I'll be interested in what you think. Between Kate Mosse , Diane Setterfield and Karen Maitland I've been enjoying my historical horror stories so always on the look out .

[Catherine]

I started reading Tana French's "The Likeness" last night. It's fabulous. As an example of what a powerful writer she is, here's a line from the book. "Some people are little Chernobyls, shimmering with silent, spreading poison: get anywhere near them and every breath you take will wreck you from the inside out."

[Allan]

So, in addition to hopefully finishing 'The Redbreast' by Jo Nesbo, and continuing with Vonnegut's 'God Bless You Mr Rosewater', I have a little homework this weekend, thanks to the fact that we're revamping / complimenting our reading materials for the kids in work. It's been a fair while since any investment has been made in this area at our age group, so we want to get the right books, in terms of mix of genres, interest level and enjoyment, with an obvious level of challenge for the kids.

After taking advice, we're aiming to stick to pretty established novels / award winners etc, and this weekend, I'll be tackling Eva Ibbotson's 'Journey to the River Sea', the second of Roald Dahl's memoirs, 'Going Solo', and possibly Eoin Colfer's 'Artemis Fowl'. Should be fun! :)

[Trelawn]

And I loved Going Solo. I actually love almost anything by Roald Dahl but Boy and Going Solo are brilliant and due a reread.

[Paul]

Going Solo is one of my favourite books and one I've regularly reread. I love his descriptions of Africa the Empire makers and the natives , Also some of the battle and war descriptions are as good and honest as I've come across.

[pauline_nlp]

Emma wrote: "I've read both Journey to the Sea and Artemis Fowl Allan as a kid. I loved Journey to the Sea and went on to read a number of Eva Ibbotson's other books and enjoyed Artemis Fowl, though at the time..."

I'm interresting to read it !!!

[Seraphina]

What age group are you aiming for Alan?

[Allan]

Seraphina, it's age 9-11, or P6 / 7 (Class 4 and 5?) that we're buying for at the minute.

As for what we're aiming for, think it's important that we get a bit of Irish fiction into the mix for the kids. We do read 'Under the Hawthorn Tree', as many schools do all over, but I'm also keen to get the at least Colfer in if I can. I always read Reservoir Pups by Colin Bateman to the kids, which is set in Belfast, but have to edit it sometimes due to the language, and it wouldn't have the depth as such to get a lot of work out of.

It's great to see positive comments on 'Going Solo', which I haven't read. Dahl has a fascinating story, and we're hoping to read 'Boy' one year with the kids, and 'Going Solo' the next, if we can, giving experience in the memoir / autobiography genre. I spend a few weeks researching and writing a detailed biography of Dahl with the kids, so these titles will only help to this end.

As you can imagine, it's so tricky to choose books that will have appeal to both genders-I'll have a few more home to read before we make any final decisions as to what to spend our money on. It's nice, though, to have the opportunity to choose worthwhile titles that most of the kids won't have read and that could potentially harness the love of reading that we all have in them in the years to come. :)

[Trelawn]

Sounds great Allan. I read Under the Hawthorn Tree in school and the two that followed. Boy and Going Solo are great choices for introducing kids to autobiography.They're lucky to have a teacher so passionate about books choosing for them.

[Paul]

I havent read Reservoir Pups bit i read Batemans other kids book Titanic 2020. Probably a bit too dark for your kids