What are you Reading and Why Showing 651-700 of 1,308

[Kimberly]

I picked up at the library yesterday and decided to finish reading the second half of the book since I returned it a few months ago.

[Chrissie]

I finished Mary Coin.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Will start tomorrow: The Paris Architect. Both are historical fiction.

[jaxnsmom]

Susan wrote: "I am reading The Golem and the Jinni and thoroughly loving it. The author is a wonderful storyteller."

I have that downloaded to listen to, and am waiting for a week when I have no other audiobooks I need to get to first. Glad to hear you are liking it.

[jaxnsmom]

I'm listening to The Deportees and Other Stories by Roddy Doyle. Short stories, so won't have to stop in the middle of a book for the Toppler. Brilliant stories, great narrator, a must read/listen to book!

[Roz]

Sarah 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 was going to read Under the Dome for..."

I suppose it is quite the chunky read, but I'm reading it on my iPad so it feels thinner. It's a psychological thing. A couple of months ago I bought The Passage knowing it would take me a while to read and it would end up being overdue if I got it from the library.

[Lisa]

I finished Fingersmith which I really enjoyed and gave 5 stars. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Almeta]

Finished reading Dark Places for a Books Stephen King Recommends group read and the October 2013 Challenge, Rinse and Repeat . This was a re-read for me, last read July 2012. It was like reading it for the first time and I loved the group discussion. No one cooks up a better literary pretzel than Flynn!

Started The Rival Queens for the Toppler.

[Kimberly]

I started

[Chrissie]

I finished The Paris Architect and definitely enjoyed it. It is interesting, oh so yucky, exciting and ends wonderfully. :0)
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Moved on to the audiobook All the Names. I prefer listening to Saramago rather than reading text without punctuation! I enjoyed A Viagem do Elefante, so I wanted to read another by the author.

[Roz]

Took me a while to write my review of but here it is:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lisa]

I am currently reading The Book Thief which is my first book for the October toppler. I am really enjoying it so far.

[Sarah]

Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading The Book Thief which is my first book for the October toppler. I am really enjoying it so far."

October Toppler is quite a mouthful! We should call it Octoppler!

I've put The Shining on hold for Toppler books. Just finished the first one - Timeline which I really enjoyed (it was also my T book) and now I'm on to my second with The Last Queen of England. I'm also still listening to Elantris which for some reason seems to be taking me much longer to get through than I had expected.

[Peggy]

I love octoppler :D

I'm reading the kitchen house for the toppler. I think southern (historical) fiction is becoming one of my favourite genres.

[Prosenjit]

I am reading through the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Currently on book 5.

Thought of reading something light after reading "Becoming Indian" - Pavan Verma's book that tries to explain some of the muddles in present day India. :-)

[Cherie]

I am re-reading Jane Eyre to see how it compares to Rebecca.

[Shannon]

Finished The Elephant Tree which was so so for me. Am now going to start Gaiman's Neverwhere because when I was actually in a bookstore I couldn't remember which one we were reading and this one was on sale.

[Marnie]

Cherie wrote: "I am re-reading Jane Eyre to see how it compares to Rebecca."

Let me know what you think Cherie. I loved Rebecca but have never read Jane Eyre ( **shrugs in embarrassment **).

[[deleted user]]

Cherie wrote: "I am re-reading Jane Eyre to see how it compares to Rebecca."

Ahh, that might be my fault. I've recently read it (for the first time) and I mentioned that I could see why it is compared to Rebecca. there are distinct differences between the books, the main characters, the hidden secrets and the way the story unfolds.

I'm quite pleased I didn't read Jane Eyre at school, I feel certain my teenaged self would never have understood the various actions and emotions at play here.

[Travis]

Started Dance Dance Dance which is the rat #4 I've already read #3. Then wondered what about 1-2. Collectors items can't find them for less than $80-$300 dollars.

[Cherie]

Helen wrote: "Cherie wrote: "I am re-reading Jane Eyre to see how it compares to Rebecca."

Ahh, that might be my fault. I've recently read it (for the first time) and I mentioned that I could see why it is comp..."

Yes - it is due to you, Helen, but I am not complaining. I am pretty sure I read Charlotte Bronte in High School, but I have read more of her sisters' books in the last few years.

I am almost 100 pages into the story. I have a vague feeling for the story that I know is going to happen, but no consiousness of the story details. I do love the young Jane. Who could not?

I do not see any way to make a comparison yet. I think I have to wait until she is older.

[Lisa]

Sarah wrote: "Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading The Book Thief which is my first book for the October toppler. I am really enjoying it so far."

October Toppler is quite a mouthful! We should call it Octoppler..."

I like Octoppler too! :)

[Kimberly]

I finished earlier and loved it! It was hilarious and I liked the descriptions of Dublin. I visited Ireland for 3 weeks when I was 17 and this made me miss it. Even though it was set in the past.

[Chrissie]

Gosh, glad I finished All the Names. Read something else by Saramago. I thought I would avoid the lack of punctuation by listening to this one, but still you cannot avoid the never-ending sentences.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

On to Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. Afterwards I thought I would try American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer if I want more.

[Travis]

Chrissie wrote: "Gosh, glad I finished All the Names. Read something else by Saramago. I thought I would avoid the lack of punctuation by listening to this one, but still you cannot avoid the never-ending sentences..."

Bomb certainly looks interesting

[Chrissie]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Gosh, glad I finished All the Names. Read something else by Saramago. I thought I would avoid the lack of punctuation by listening to this one, but still you cannot avoid the never..."

Yes, it is chock-full of names and it moves very rapidly. One event after the other. Kind of like reading a Wiki article. Not hard to understand, but a rapid succession of events and facts. I kind of think afterwards I may want more depth. I have just begun.

[Kimberly]

I started

[Travis]

Figured I'd reread The Last Oracle which is sigma #5 but was the first of the series I ever read then when I started from the beginning I skipped it but given this months challenge figured why not reread it. Since I've read all these also allows me to see how they are in audio form. I actually prefer the print version I thinl

[Shannon]

Chrissie wrote: "Gosh, glad I finished All the Names. Read something else by Saramago. I thought I would avoid the lack of punctuation by listening to this one, but still you cannot avoid the never-ending sentences..."

Yes, Saramago can be difficult. Take a break but don't give up entirely. He has had some pretty interesting books. Some much more difficult to read than just the punctuation but so good. (Thinking Blindness here). I also really enjoyed Baltasar and Blimunda and I think my next will be The Cave

[[deleted user]]

Started Water for Elephants. Trying to decide if the female name is a woman or elephant - not quite clear yet...

[Chrissie]

Shannon wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Gosh, glad I finished All the Names. Read something else by Saramago. I thought I would avoid the lack of punctuation by listening to this one, but still you cannot avoid the never..."

Baltasar and Blimunda, was next on my list, so I guess I should give it a try. I really liked The Elephant's Journey.....

[Peggy]

I just finished The Kitchen House for the toppler and loved it, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I made a start with the firstfew chapters of Saving CeeCee Honeycutt before the toppler and I'll continue that one now.

[Travis]

Started Hard Magic

[Almeta]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Started Hard Magic"

Now that sounds like fun. I've added it to my list and positioned near the top.☻

Reminds me of the Fred Ward movie Cast a Deadly Spell. Although his private eye character refused to use magic while everyone around him did. (so bad it was good type movie)

What do you think so far?

[Janice, Moderator]

Peggy wrote: "I just finished The Kitchen House for the toppler and loved it, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I made a start with the firstfew chapters of Saving CeeCee Honeyc..."

I recently read CeeCee Honeycut and really enjoyed it. I hope you enjoy it too.

[Travis]

Almeta wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "Started Hard Magic"

Now that sounds like fun. I've added it to my list and positioned near the top.☻

Reminds me of the Fred Ward movie Cast a Deadly Spell. Although his pr..."

Pretty good so far still learning about the different powers and trying to figure out the characters relationship s to each other.

[Marnie]

Becaused my last Toppler book and challenge book To Kill a Mockingbird is waiting for me at the library ( I'm out of town) I will be moving on with my alphabet and the steamy looking X Marks the Scot. I also just got Dark Places audio from the library and have the book on my kindle.

[Cherie]

I managed to finish listening to Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy before it expired last night. I really enjoyed listening to the story, which is NOT bloody and IS a story about a girl posing as a ships boy on the HMS Dolphin. The narrator's voice was fantastic! It might be for YA or younger listeners, but this listener was totally entertained and I cannot wait to listen to more of the books - if they are available on audio. I believe there is a whole series of these stories by L.A. Meyer
edited The narrator was Katherine Kellgren.

[Shannon]

Cherie wrote: "I managed to finish listening to Bloody Jack: Being an Account of the Curious Adventures of Mary "Jacky" Faber, Ship's Boy before it expired last night. I really enjoyed listening to the story, wh..."

If they aren't all available on audio they should be soon as I have the second and third installment (but not the first!). Glad you enjoyed it.

[Shannon]

Peggy wrote: "I just finished The Kitchen House for the toppler and loved it, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I made a start with the firstfew chapters of Saving CeeCee Honeyc..."

I was just given The Kitchen House. Glad you enjoyed it. It is one of the next two books on my list. BTW, did you read The Help and if so, did you like it and how would you compare to this one?

[Esther]

Shannon wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I just finished The Kitchen House for the toppler and loved it, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I made a start with the firstfew chapters of Saving..."

I just finish the help for the toppler. Both are good, although i preferred the Help. Story-wise, i will not even try to compare. Different time.

[Peggy]

Shannon wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I just finished The Kitchen House for the toppler and loved it, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I made a start with the firstfew chapters of Saving..."

I agree with Esther, they can't really be compared story-wise: one is set in the 1960s, the other during slavery around 1800.

I preferred The Kitchen House over The Help. I reread my review of The Help and there I wrote that I found the book sometimes a bit slow in the first half, and that often it seemed like the white woman (Skeeter?) was the hero of the book. I had expected to read more about the lives of Black women in that time, but I didn't get as much of that as I thought.

The Kitchen House on the other hand I just couldn't stop reading and the book was on my mind all the time. I think it's more dramatic (not the words I'm looking for, but it's early in the morning and I can't think of the word I really need..).

Curious to hear your opinion of The Kitchen House and which one you preferred :)

[Chrissie]

I just finsihedBomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It gave me very good background information. It is clear and concise. Adults can easily read this, as a starting point. I would not classify it as YA literature. With this under my belt I have already begun American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer is a truly fascinating person. For me the more little details I know about a person the easier it is for the standard facts to stick. At Harvard, for lunch he liked eating "black and tan", ie a piece of toast slathered with peanut butter and chocolate syrup. I will stick with my peanut butter on wholewheat bread covered with a very thick layer of iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach. Yum. But we both like peanut butter. Oh, his first love affair will make you laugh. I like knowing about famous people's idiosyncrasies, things that make them like other normal people.

[Almeta]

Gee, my "black and tan" is different.☻



Chrissie wrote: "At Harvard, for lunch he liked eating "black and tan", ie a piece of toast slathered with peanut butter and chocolate syrup. ..."

[Theresa~OctoberLace]

Almeta, that's my Black and Tan, too!

[Diane]

Peggy wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Peggy wrote: "I just finished The Kitchen House for the toppler and loved it, my review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I made a start with the firstfew ch..."

I have read both of the books. I also love southern historical fiction. I much preferred The Help over The Kitchen House. They are drastically different and can't directly be compared. One of the things I enjoyed about The Help was all the comic relief from the heavy subject matter. There was not much comic relief to be had while slavery was alive and thriving, like in The Kitchen House. It was a really stressful read for me. This is a personal thing. Sometimes I think I absorb too much of the energy coming out of a book. If I read a book where all the characters are miserable, it is very difficult for me to enjoy it.

[Chrissie]

Almeta and Theresa, yeah, to each their own.

[Peggy]

Diane, I see what you mean. I think I might have judged The Help differently if I had known beforehand that it's a relatively light book about this kind of topic, but now it did not live up to what I expected so I was a little disappointed.

It's interesting how wrong expectations can influence ratings. And a bit sad too, that you might enjoy really good books less than you could, only because you expected something different.

I remember I read The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry right after The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared, expecting a somewhat similar book. But it was quite different, and I did not enjoy the first part of Harold Fry that much. Only when I sort of accepted that it was a not so lighthearted book as the hundred year old man, I appreciated it more. A friend of mine read Harold Fry first, and The Hundred Year Old Man right after (we exchanged books), and she didn't enjoy it so much because it didn't fit her expectations based on Harold Fry.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

What on earth is that?!?

[Almeta]

Read The Rival Queens and The Queen's Gambit for the Octoppler.

Intend to read One Corpse Too Many and Thirteenth Night and maybe Clotel: or, The President's Daughter before it's over.

I was trying to get in a book per century from the 11th through the 19th, but I won't quite make it.☻

[Janice, Moderator]

Almeta wrote: "Read The Rival Queensand The Queen's Gambit for the Octoppletr.

Intend to read One Corpse Too Many and Thirteenth Night and maybe Clotel: or, The President's Daughter before it's over.

I was tr..."

You're a powerhouse, Almeta. It must be the black and tan. LOL! I'll be lucky if I finish one book. I have 8 hours left to listen to The Power of One. But work is getting in the way! Grrrr!