You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What are you Reading and Why
Rusalka wrote: "I really don't know why The Book Thief is considered YA all of a sudden. Markus Zusak is an Aussie and the book wasn't marketed as YA over here. Just was just fiction. I wonder if it is something t..."As long as I've seen it on shelves over here it's been labeled YA.
I'm reading The Color Purple for the challenge this month, and also started Specials because I just finished Pretties.
Started the next ABC, Cranbrook Design: The New Discourse, but abandoned it as far as "reading" goes. Lots of pretty pictures!Substituted Claire DeWitt and the Bohemian Highway for "Cee". Almeta's Review of Bohemian Highway.
Reading The Dog Who Knew Too Much for "Dee".
What I am not reading would be more exact... I had workshops last weekend and this week I had a friend staying at my place while she was in town, that so i got to bed late. So I did my own version of the rinse and repeat challenge by reading the same paragraph of my book every night. I am reading Child 44 and started Ce qui se passe dans la cave reste dans la cave. As it is 2"S" author, the first one I finish will be my S book.
In audio I am listening to The Story Of My Assassins. I am in the 3rd chapter and still not sure what to think. I also started Brother Odd as car audiobook.
I am also rereading A Suitable Boy for the buddy read
I finished Speaks the Nightbird and really enjoyed it! I'm trying to decide between 4 and 5 stars. I thought the ending dragged out a bt too long, but then the ending was necessary.I don't classify this as HF because it didn't have any historical basis. Everything was fictitious. To me, it was not a historical story. It was a story about obsession and the lengths people will go to in order to feed that obsession.
I'm not sure what to start next.
Cherie wrote: "The title is a crack up! Does one have/need to read Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy first or is this a stand alone?" It's a series, and if you're in the right frame of mind, it's very entertaining. I'd recommend reading them in order, or at least read the first one first, so you have the background.
Janice wrote: "I finished Speaks the Nightbird and really enjoyed it! I'm trying to decide between 4 and 5 stars. I thought the ending dragged out a bt too long, but then the ending was necessary.I don't clas..."
When "Speak the Nightbird" first cam out it was said to be a new departure from the author's earlier horror stories into historical fiction. That is what I was going on when I chose it. Just as long as you know you are headed into a story that is no way historically accurate, then you may be pleased. Maybe, I still very much disliked how the author reveled in the gruesome. And the sex is disgusting. JUST how I see it.
I finished reading Sharp Objects which was so good. And now I am on to The Shining for this month's horror/ghost story book read. Still working my way through The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency too.
Chrissie wrote: "When "Speak the Nightbird" first cam out it was said to be a new departure from the author's earlier horror stories into historical fiction. That is what I was going on when I chose it. Just as long as you know you are headed into a story that is no way historically accurate, then you may be pleased. Maybe, I still very much disliked how the author reveled in the gruesome. And the sex is disgusting. JUST how I see it. ."
I understand that the author and publisher classified it as HF, but it wasn't based on an actual historical event, nor did it contain real historical figures which is what I look for in HF. It certainly set the tone and feel of what life was like in the colonial times, and for that reason, many people would consider it historical fiction. (According to the definition that jaxnsmom put in the October Toppler, there are two schools of thought on what constitutes HF.)
As for the accuracy, or inaccuracy.... according to whom? The author says he extensively researched it, including going through diaries and letters from the period and he claims it is historically accurate. Others base their judgement on the fact that the witch in this story was sentenced to death by burning at the stake, and say that it never happened in American history.
According to ://www.antideathpenalty.org/history.html, it was "almost never" used in the United States.
According to http://www.history.org/Foundation/jou... it was on the books as being a possible sentence whether or not it was employed.
And then we get to the sex. I find a lot of things disgusting - murder, rape, slavery among other things. But, what is good fiction if it is homogenized and free from all things that disgust? This book was about obsession - obsession about wealth, greed, power, and yes sex.
I think the great things about books like this and the differing view points they generate is that it gets us discussing, researching and reading beyond the books. In the process we learn about all sorts of things we may never have had the opportunity to learn.
I love books that have two camps ( love it/ hate it). Thanks Janice/ Chrisie.Speaks the Nightbird just made my TBR.
Janice wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "When "Speak the Nightbird" first cam out it was said to be a new departure from the author's earlier horror stories into historical fiction. That is what I was going on when I chos..."Well, it is good you voiced your views too. Love a good discussion. I DO think it will more easily be enjoyed by those who love horror stories, rather than historical fiction, as you too point out in your message 609. I am certainly glad you enjoyed it, and hopefully our discussion has helped others decide if they want to read it or not. That is is the whole point. It helped you, Marnie!
jaxnsmom wrote: "Cherie wrote: "The title is a crack up! Does one have/need to read Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy first or is this a stand alone?" It's a..."I downloaded Bloody Jack from my library site and have been listening to it on my iPod. It is interesting - so far. Just listened to an awful discussion about why the medical students like nice skinny dead orphans vs dead fat adults for their disections. Ugh!
I was able to listen to Billy Crystal narrate about half of his new book Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys on my road trip yesterday. Can't wait to hear the rest.
Marnie wrote: "I love books that have two camps ( love it/ hate it). Thanks Janice/ Chrisie.Speaks the Nightbird just made my TBR."Sounds like we have a new Vegemite/Marmite book for the group.
Marnie wrote: "I love books that have two camps ( love it/ hate it). Thanks Janice/ Chrisie.Speaks the Nightbird just made my TBR."I look forward to finding out which camp you end up in - love it or hate it. Maybe it will be something in between. :)
I'm re-reading
and I'll be starting
when I'm done. I'm also reading
and
Janice wrote: "I finished Speaks the Nightbird and really enjoyed it! I'm trying to decide between 4 and 5 stars. I thought the ending dragged out a bt too long, but then the ending was necessary.I don't clas..." I've had that one on my TBR for several years now - I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it Janice, it's got me a little bit more motivated to move it up the pile.
Kimberly, I'm almost finished reading The Troop. Definitely Horror. It isn't a book I would recommend reading while having a snack. Very gorey, quite disturbing but fascinating. What does that say about me??? :)
Roz wrote: "Kimberly, I'm almost finished reading The Troop. Definitely Horror. It isn't a book I would recommend reading while having a snack. Very gorey, quite disturbing but fascinating. What does that say ..."Sounds like my type of read, I'll try to get to this one next week. I love a good gorey read :)
I am reading The Golem and the Jinni and thoroughly loving it. The author is a wonderful storyteller.
I finished Family Matters which made me very unhappy.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Moving on to: Mary Coin. How do you look at that photo (see the book's cover) taken by Dorothy Lange back in 1936 of the "Migrant Mother" without wanting to know more.It is fiction, but still I must read it.
Chrissie wrote: "I finished Family Matters which made me very unhappy.My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Moving on to: Mary Coin. How do you look at that photo (see the book's cover) taken..."
Time to read something lighthearted to balance that, Chrissie!
Read The Dog Who Knew Too Much for "Dee".Read The Nothing Man and Bad Boy, because Almeta's on a Jim Thompson kick.
Almeta wrote: "Read The Dog Who Knew Too Much for "Dee".Read The Nothing Man and Bad Boy, because Almeta's on a Jim Thompson kick."
I like Kings quote about him. "He went running into the American subconscious with a blowtorch in one hand and a pistol in the other, screaming his goddamn head off. No one else came close."
So in the midst of an unexpectedly sleepless night I finished two books, one of which I'd been working on for a while: The Informant
and All About All About Eve: The Complete Behind-the-Scenes Story of the Bitchiest Film Ever Made!
. Enjoyed both although the first was the third in a series and I hadn't read the second yet and kinda wish I had. But I don't own it yet, and the first (
The Butcher's Boy) had put me in the mood for more so there I was. And "Eve" made me rush right out and re-watch the movie, which I hadn't seen in several years. Interesting and thorough work. Still awake, I started Franklin and Lucy
which is surprisingly good. What that means: I'm funny about biographies-- I usually either find them riveting or can't finish them: no middle ground. So for me to read it continually between about 3 am and 530, tired, without flagging-- off to a good start!
Almeta wrote: "Read The Dog Who Knew Too Much for "Dee".Read The Nothing Man and Bad Boy, because Almeta's on a Jim Thompson kick."
Oh... Almeta! There's this other group that has nominations opn... think Jim Thompson. Think The Killer Inside Me. Just putting it out there. Hehehehe!
I'm reading my library books as quickly as I can. I have The Violets of March due on the 13th and The Husband's Secret and The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency both due on the 18th. The October Toppler starts on Saturday, so I need to get through as much of these three as possible before that.
Janice wrote: "Oh... Almeta! There's this other group that has nominations open... think Jim Thompson. Think The Killer Inside Me. Just putting it out there. Hehehehe!..."I knooow! I saw that! lol
With a couple Jim Thompson's under my belt, I think that I'm now ready to vote for The Killer Inside Me. I was originally skirting around picking it up; the cover just looked too scary. Now I'm prepared to "take it"!
There is a chapter in Bad Boy, his autobiography, which discusses the Texas sheriff that he encountered on whom The Killer Inside Me character is fashioned. Cool and creepy.
Almeta wrote: "There is a chapter in Bad Boy, his autobiography, which discusses the Texas sheriff that he encountered on whom The Killer Inside Me character is fashioned. Cool and creepy..."
Hmmmm - I'm intrigued! I had added The Killer Inside Me because Jo Nesbo recommended it. Then last night, when I was going through Debra's SAI King Recommends I had to nominate it.
Janice wrote: "Almeta wrote: "There is a chapter in Bad Boy, his autobiography, which discusses the Texas sheriff that he encountered on whom The Killer Inside Me character is fashioned. Cool and creepy..."
Hmm..."
And I notice that it was made in to a film too in 2010 although I don't know what it was like.
I started 14 which I thought to be sci fi but see most people shelve it horror. I don't understand how it can be anything but sci fi personally and its very good. Unless the thought of green cockroaches makes it horrifying.
Travis of NNY wrote: "I started 14 which I thought to be sci fi but see most people shelve it horror. I don't understand how it can be anything but sci fi personally and its very good. Unless the thought of green cockr..."With all the references to H P Lovecraft, how could it not be classed sci-fi? I did find a mention somewhere about it being "genre-blending".
A born victim by ROCHFORDGreat Mystery!
Am reading The Worst Thing because it should be a quick read by a favourite author. I abandoned The Wayfinders: Why Ancient Wisdom Matters in the Modern World because it was too much like school and work. This is not to say it isn't a good book or even well written. Its just I read for escape unless I am doing research and this book is too broad for my research.
I'm reading Under the Dome . I wanted to read The Twelve but need to read The Passage first. I think everything is on my tbr list at this point.
I finished
and loved it. If you want a really good thriller/mystery and like international settings give this series a try.
Roz wrote: "I'm reading Under the Dome . I wanted to read The Twelve but need to read The Passage first. I think everything is on my tbr list at this point."I feel like that all the time (I blame several members of the group for this) :D
Roz wrote: "I'm reading Under the Dome . I wanted to read The Twelve but need to read The Passage first. I think everything is on my tbr list at this point."I am currently reading The Passage and it is SO good. It's huge in size but it's brilliant page-turner.
Esta wrote: "Roz wrote: "I'm reading Under the Dome . I wanted to read The Twelve but need to read The Passage first. I think everything is on my tbr list at this point."I am currently reading The Passage and..."
Loved this book Esta, Enjoy :->
Travis of NNY wrote: "Started listening to 
"Now THAT's Historical Fiction.☺
(You changed your avatar. Cute kid. New baby. Yours?)
Roz wrote: "I'm reading Under the Dome . I wanted to read The Twelve but need to read The Passage first. I think everything is on my tbr list at this point."I was going to read Under the Dome for my U read but it's quite a chunkster which might put a spanner in the works of completing my alphabet in time.
I too had The Passage on my list.
Almeta wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "Started listening to "Now THAT's Historical Fiction.☺
(You changed your avatar. Cute kid. New baby. Yours?)"
Yup my 3 year old son holding probably about 1 month old daughter who is already 4 months old. Weren't we just at the hospital last week? Man kids make me feel like I'm aging way too fast.
That's right it would have fit for the toppler. Oh well the mood struck me to read it now by next week just might not have felt it.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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I won a first reads copy of Steelheart a couple months back, looking forward to having time to read it.