What are you reading? August 2013

[Melanie]

Please share what you are reading and how it fell into your hands.

[Melanie]

Melanie wrote: "Please share what you are reading and how it fell into your hands. Of course, you can share anything you would like to about your book."

[Melanie]

I just finished The Mystery of Mercy Close by one of my favorite authors, Marian Keyes. Keyes is a recovering alcoholic and suffers from depression. She didn't write for about 3 years do to her mental illness. The book the main character is suffering from depression, and a detective trying to find a member of a boyband making a reunion tour. I liked it well enough, but it put me in a funk.

I'm going on vacation so I'm not wanting to take any library books with me. I found Choke by Chuck Palahniuk at a Litte Free Library (check them out!) and thought I would give this another try. It is listed on 1,001 books to read before you die. It sounds like it is a love it or hate it book, and maybe more of a guy book. We will see. I even download a book crossing label and will pass it on - hopefully to another Little Free Library.

[Bill]

I joined my library's book club on here several months ago but haven't wanted to read any of their selections. Their selection this month is . I'm ambivalent about it, but the reviews are mostly positive, so we'll see.

[Ronald]

I am going to start reading as I'm hoping that Terry Pratchett would not allow a second bad book in a row to be published.

I am also reading and I need to find a time to just read all six issues from each series in one go. The stories actually seem a bit better when read close together and not months apart.

[Jocelyn]

I am currently reading Inspector Rebus books by the author Ian Rankin. A guy at my work was reading one and said they were good so I've started the series of them. Currently on book six, called Mortal Causes. They are all set in Scotland and I enjoy them. You don't figure out "whodunnit" in the first chapter!

[Melanie]

Bill wrote: "I joined my library's book club on here several months ago but haven't wanted to read any of their selections. Their selection this month is [bookcover:Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, R..."

I loved Unbroken. While Louie does get a little religious on you in the end I found him to be very inspirational. Angelina Jolie is getting ready to film this movie.

I just cound not believe how much he went through and survived. If it hadnt' been for Hildenbrand I wonder how many people would have found out about this exceptional man. He also has a great sense of humor. I loved how he told Hildenbrand that he is a better subject than Seabiscuit.

[Melanie]

Billy, I have really enjoyed doing book clubs. It has helped me discover books I never would have read otherwise. One of my favorites is The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America which I never would have touched otherwise. Always keep an open mind and have fun with discussions. Some of the best discussions have been on books no one has liked.

[Melanie]

Choke was an okay book. It is much more of a guy book. It really got odd near the end and I wasn't exactly satisfied with the ending. I'm always bothered when a box is opened but nothing is done with it. I just have a hard time believing it is on the 1,001 books you must read before you die. I should make my own list of books everyone should read before they die.

[Melanie]

Stormbreaker is a young adult book with 14 year old Alex Rider becoming a spy. It was a nice, quick easy read. Sometimes it is nice to go to something a bit more innocent than all the adult drama that I sometimes read.

[Melanie]

How I Came to Sparkle Again I won this book at library trivia, and it was an enjoyable book to read. A bit sad because early on you discover Jill had a miscarriage and found her husband cheating on her. She ends up going back to where she spent her teenage years - Sparkle, Colorado. There she reconnects with her best friend that is in the process of changing her view on love, and a 10 year old Cassie who lost her mother to breast cancer eariler that year. You get into minds of all three females. The supporting characters are great like her Uncle Howard a ski bum who hands out books. The Kennel Guys - ski patrol alpha males that really do have a good heart. they are refered to the kennel because of a 1 to 1 ratio of dogs to men in their trailer. All dogs are named after beer - Ale, Bud Light, and Stout.

[Ron]

Today I started The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series #1)
by Rick Riordan.

And continue reading Steve Jobs' biography.

Have stalled on vol. 5 of Ice and Fire series by LL Martin.

[Melanie]

Yesterday I finished North Toward Home by Willie Morris. I'm not a fan of memoirs, but this one was pretty good. Morris lived in an interesting time being able to report on the 1960 POTUS campaign in Texas, and also be a reporter/editor during the times that most changed America.

[Ronald]

Going to start reading as I need a break from reading comic books trying to catch up with current releases.

[Melanie]

I'm now reading . It is for the Kansas Humanities book discussion. So far I'm enjoying this book.

[Bill]

has been on my "To Read" list for quite some time, and with Egypt in the news so much of late I thought I should read it before the city life shown in the story vanishes forever; though I think it already may have.

[Melanie]

Bill wrote: " has been on my "To Read" list for quite some time, and with Egypt in the news so much of late I thought I should read it before the city life shown in the ..."

This is not a very happy book. I read it about a year ago. You almost feel the grit. I gave it three stars and here is my review.

“It was hard to get attached to characters in this novel because there are so many, and the book is rather short. Al Aswany does a good job of giving you the history of the characters so you understand their backgrounds. I was a bit surprised by the drinking and sex because of the Islamic culture. Highly recommend for book discussions because there is a lot of material to discuss among those that are not shy."

[Melanie]

I really enjoyed , and have just started reading . I'm going to do a quick read of it.

[Bill]

Melanie wrote: "I'm now reading . It is for the Kansas Humanities book discussion. So far I'm enjoying this book."

When I was a kid I remember after walking home from school my mother would let me have a snack and talk to me while she ironed in front of the tv. NBC had a 4:30 movie and we'd watch it. "The Good Earth" was one, from the 1930s for which Luise Rainer won Best Actress. Don't recall it much but my mother loved it.

Ok, I've added the book to my "To Read" shelf

[Ronald]

Started reading while trying to keep up with my parents who have already gone through this set quickly. They want to resell the books on ebay so I have to finish them quickly or wait on the library system.

[Melanie]

Ronald wrote: "Started reading while trying to keep up with my parents who have already gone through this set quickly. They want to resell the books on ebay so I have to finish the..."

They are quick reads. You only have 15 left to go. I think #20 is coming out soon.

[Melanie]

I left my book at home so I'm reading one I've started on my phone which is

[Ronald]

Melanie wrote: "Ronald wrote: "Started reading while trying to keep up with my parents who have already gone through this set quickly. They want to resell the books on ebay so I hav..."

Yup making my way - will read a few other books along the way. If my parents sell them there is always the library. ;-)