What Else Are You Reading? - Archive

[Melanti]

I normally steer clear of authors narrating their own audiobooks, but I've discovered that Gaiman is fantastic at it!

I recently checked out a audiobook collection of several of his little kids' books that I was lukewarm about when I read them in print. But they make fantastic audiobooks. I loved The Wolves in the Walls especially.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

That is wonderful Jessica!

[Fiona (Titch)]

I am going to read Three Gentlemen of Verona: The Lovelife of London Society - Gianni Ventura.

Review book for Netgalley lol

[LaLaLa Laura]

how do you like net galley, Fiona?

[Fiona (Titch)]

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "how do you like net galley, Fiona?"

It's ok, I've read n reviewed about 11 so far and I know I need to get head down and do some more.

[Jessica]

Starting Cloud Atlas today. I can, honestly, say I have no clue what to expect with this one.

[Julia]

Starting Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter today; it's our November read for my library book club.

[LaLaLa Laura]

I just started Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? definitely dystopian. almost like Brave New World it takes place after a great world war which has left much of the earth contaminated with radiological dust. I'm sure that dust is literal but also metaphorical for something else. we shall see what.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

Love dystopian novels, Laura :)

[LaLaLa Laura]

which ones are your favorites Jen?

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

Oryx and Crake
The Year of the Flood
MaddAddam
Brave New World
1984
Fahrenheit 451
The Handmaid's Tale
When She Woke
The Hunger Games Trilogy Boxset

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

How about your favorites Laura?

[LaLaLa Laura]

Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "How about your favorites Laura?"

I loved Brave New World I just read it this year and it was amazingly scary! I also read Fahrenheit 451

I just bought a copy of MaddAddam so I'm glad to see you liked it :)

[Melanti]

I wasn't a big fan of Philip K. Dick. The thing I remember most about Do Androids Dream... is wanting it to be over with! Jen's listed most of my favorites. (Except The Hunger Games which I didn't like and When She Woke which I've never read.)

If you like dystopian fiction in general, you might try reading We by Yevgeny Zamyatin which was one of the earliest novels of this type. It seems a bit formulaic by now, but that's because everyone else has been a copycat!

If you're a Vonnegut fan, Player Piano is pretty good, though not nearly his best.

[LaLaLa Laura]

oh I never heard of those books Melanti. I will check em out! thank you :)

[Julia]

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro is the one that gives me chills, since it's so very possible. While the book (as usual) is better than the film, Andrew Garfield did an excellent job of portraying Tommy, and Charlotte Rampling was perfect for Miss Emily, imho.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "Jen ƸӜƷ wrote: "How about your favorites Laura?"

I loved Brave New World I just read it this year and it was amazingly scary! I also read Fahrenheit 451

I just bought a copy of MaddAddam so I'..."

Madd Addam is the 3rd in the series.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

Reading for my f2f book club: Maya's Notebook

[Jessica]

Jen and Laura, if you like dystopian check the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. Supers writing considering he's a young adult writer. The story is amazing.

[Fiona (Titch)]

I've finished The Succubus Gift - B.R. Kingsolver today. Now I think I will read From a Dead Sleep - John Daly.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

Jessica wrote: "Jen and Laura, if you like dystopian check the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. Supers writing considering he's a young adult writer. The story is amazing."

Thanks Jessica.

[LaLaLa Laura]

Jessica wrote: "Jen and Laura, if you like dystopian check the Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness. Supers writing considering he's a young adult writer. The story is amazing."

thank you!

[Julia]

I just received my copy of Diane Setterfield's new book, Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story. I loved The Thirteenth Tale, so have been waiting for this one for a LONG time :-) It may take precedence over the other books in the TBR pile!

[Melanti]

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "Oh, let us know how you like The Thorn Birds. I suppose you have seen the movie? It was great! ..."

I didn't even know there WAS a movie until you mentioned it. It took forever and a day to finish, but I'm finally done!

I think I've mentioned I don't like romance novels. With that in mind, please forgive me for giving it 2 1/2-3 stars...

Just way too much soap-opera-ish forbidden loves, illicit affairs, unrequited passions, etc. for my tastes. Nor am I all that interested in Catholicism/Catholic Priests.

I loved the bits about Drogheda, but I could have done without the other 400 pgs.

[Melanti]

Julia wrote: "I just received my copy of Diane Setterfield's new book, Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story. I loved The Thirteenth Tale, so have been waiting for this one for a LONG time ..."

I'd love to hear how you like it! I've heard some mediocre reviews from a couple of people in another group who were lucky enough to get ARCs, but I keep hoping it's good anyway.

[Julia]

Daniel, good for you with Infinite Jest; I've read DFW in essays, but never tackled the big tome.

However, I LOVED the biography of him--just excellent: Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace D.T. Max has captured all the joy and sorrow and intelligence of this author who died far too young.

[LaLaLa Laura]

Melanti wrote: "LaLaLa Laura wrote: "Oh, let us know how you like The Thorn Birds. I suppose you have seen the movie? It was great! ..."

I didn't even know there WAS a movie until you mentioned it. It took for..."

Oh, Melanti! The forbidden love and taboo relationship with the Priest were the very parts I enjoyed! I only saw the movie, however. I used to watch it every year it came on TV when I was little, and I always loved watching it.

Thanks for getting back to me and letting me know what you thought. I always enjoy your literary opinions!

[Melanti]

LaLaLa Laura wrote: "Thanks for getting back to me and letting me know what you thought. I always enjoy your literary opinions! ..."

Well, this one isn't a literary opinion - just a personal one. I do read romances from time to time, but generally I need a lot of other things going on in addition to the relationship to keep me from getting bored.

Daniel wrote: "Still reading Infinite Jest.

Read the Hunger Games trilogy this week. Didn't like it. The protagonist was a ego centrical, reckless, pubescent chronic complainer. The last book was a big mess. Pro..."

I wasn't a fan of The Hunger Games either. The premise was so unbelievable. I'd like to think that a revolution would have happened LONG before the books started.

I read The Stranger a couple of weeks ago and it is a very odd book. Good, but odd. It is a short and easy read.

[Ashleigh]

I just read a book my friend published through Kindle. It's called "Disturbing Intentions: Naughty Christmas Wishes". I honestly didn't think I was going to like it, and then I loved it! I'm already begging for the next one.

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

Back to The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic after finishing Maya's Notebook

[Julia]

Ah, Daniel--good to know about the "Elegant Complexity" book; DFW was truly brilliant, and sometimes his sentences are waterfalls of words that can take my breath away--while other times I feel like I'm drowning!

His Kenyon Commencement address from 2005 shows the fundamental kindness of this intelligent man; it's been published as This Is Water, but can be read online at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~drkelly/DF...

[Julia]

I agree, Daniel; the Kenyon address is so powerful.

My daughter was devastated by his suicide, but the biography I mentioned, Every Love Story Is a Ghost Story: A Life of David Foster Wallace, makes it very clear why he could not find his way out of the darkness.

[LaLaLa Laura]

I'm going to take a look at that speech Daniel. it must be inspirational.

[Julia]

Melanti wrote: "Julia wrote: "I just received my copy of Diane Setterfield's new book, Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story. I loved The Thirteenth Tale, so have been waiting for this one fo..."

Melanti, I just finished, and my review is posted here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... Afraid I have to agree with the reviews you mentioned. Sigh.

[Jessica]

I gave up on Cloud Atlas. I attempted the audio and reading a physical copy. I just couldn't find a point that grabbed me.

I have moved on to Rebecca, which I am loving. I am reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Ann Bronte as well. Heat books so far. :)

[LaLaLa Laura]

same here Jessica re cloud Atlas. I tried but couldn't :s

[Melanti]

Julia wrote: "Melanti wrote: "Julia wrote: "I just received my copy of Diane Setterfield's new book, Bellman & Black: A Ghost Story. I loved The Thirteenth Tale, so have been waiting..."

Darn. I really had high hopes for that book!

[Marymichele]

I just finished book four in the Fallen series by Lauren Kate. The series started out great and kind of went down hill. I think part of it was because I read them all back to back (for the most part). I think I needed more time and more light hearted books in between them to really be able to appreciate them!

[LaLaLa Laura]

agreed, Marymichelle! sometimes you need a breather :)

[Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ]

Haven't read Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas but it does sound interesting.

Still working on The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic, I slowly read fantasy. I do enjoy fantasy but they lose my interest with the lulls in the pacing.

Also reading Chocolate Dipped Murder as I enjoy mysteries for fun and just started Year of Wonders . Sorry for not linking the books but GR is moving at a dial up modem pace.

[LaLaLa Laura]

Daniel wrote: "I tried just reading Infinite Jest without another book balancing it out. Sometimes I get completely disconnected with what I am reading and I think I will need another book to take a b..."

Daniel,
I haven't read Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas but it looks good for our shelves. It's a classic and also on Boxall's 1001 books to read, so I added them to both categories! Thanks for the suggestion!

[LaLaLa Laura]

Daniel wrote: "Laura,

yes nice! I noticed. I suggested it for our Jan classic reads. Maybe it has a shot :-)


Anyone got their eyes on the leaked Three Stories by Salinger? If so, what did you guys think? Perso..."

I just read about it Daniel. interesting story.

I'm not sure who leaked it but I think they will be found out. those stories according to Salinger's will were not supposed to be published until 2051.

[Julia]

I'm so sick of this "leaking" business; guess I'll never read these in the same sense that I wouldn't ever watch a "pirated" film, etc. As a former theater teacher who ALWAYS paid royalties, I find it reprehensible that someone dishonored Salinger and his wishes.

[LaLaLa Laura]

what do you mean that you paid royalties?

[Melanti]

Julia can correct me if I'm wrong, but from what I've understood, you're supposed to pay royalties to put on a play -- the exact amount is based on what play it is, how many shows you're planning, the number of seats, how much you're charging your audience, whether you're a school, charity, for-profit theater, etc. It's all on some sort of sliding scale.

You also are not supposed to photocopy your scripts/musical scores - everyone (including crew members) have to use an original copy of the script, and that can get pretty pricey if it's a play with a big cast.

Some amateur theater directors which typically have a shoestring budget anyway either don't pay at all or fudge their numbers to pay a lower rate.

Wasn't much of Mark Twain's autobiography released prematurely too? He wanted to wait 100 years after his death and a good chunk of it was published within 30-40 years.

Salinger lead such an incredibly private life, though, (unlike Mark Twain) that it seems extra sketchy to have them leaked beforehand!

[Julia]

You're right, Malanti--Laura, royalties are the fees paid to the writer of the play for each performance. They can vary from $50 to hundreds of dollars, even at a high school level. In fact, another drama coach tried to "fudge" and not pay--and she nearly got 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine! She never thought they'd check a small town in MI. The photocopying thing is another big no-no; the catalogs tell how many copies are needed, and I always bought that amount. Musicals are many times more expensive than a straight play.

Sadly, one of my jobs as department head was to have a "talk" with our department about the amount of copying they were doing. Some of them hadn't read the copyright rules and others chose to ignore them, but that had to end. If I found a poem I liked, I could make a certain number of copies that can only be kept for 45 days and then must be destroyed. These teachers were keeping FILES of copied material, and we were due for a state level evaluation. Copying things from TV was another area--they had to give up SO many tapes and DVD's.

Being ethical in today's digital world is even harder, which is why we see all those ads about not copying movies. The cases of Salinger and Twain are examples of how far removed we've become as a society in terms of respecting rights of ownership.

[LaLaLa Laura]

wow Julia. sounds like very strict regulations. it makes sense though. people just don't think about these things.

[Julia]

Exactly, Laura--I was so grateful to Melanti for pointing out the pirated copy of Pnin that I had found online. As per your suggestion, Melanti, I now just work with Project Gutenberg. So even those of us who worked ethically with PRINT copyrights and royalties are finding a whole new issue with the digital online materials.

[Melanti]

My HS drama teacher was great - explaining the royalties schemes and original scripts was all part of the class - just as much as talking about costumes, props, lighting, scenery, makeup, budget, etc. There's a LOT more that goes into putting on a play than just the actors and the scripts.


Copyright can be a mine field -- especially when you get to works published in the 20's/30's. Books that might still be in copyright in the US may be out of copyright in Australia or Canada. Things that would normally be in copyright might not be if authors didn't fill out the paperwork in time, etc.

Project Gutenberg isn't the definitive answer on whether something IS in the US public domain, but they at least do a pretty good job of keep what ISN'T in public domain off the site.

Then in this day and age, with so many authors releasing some of their work for free, there's a LOT of books that fall into a big grey area... If an author publishes a novella on her site for free, is it okay to save it for offline reading? To convert it and transfer it to an e-reader? To privately give a copy to your best friend who you KNOW is going to just love it? To put the story out in the wild for everyone read? Somewhere along the line those actions go from being iffy to being illegal, but there's not a 100% consensus on where that line is crossed - even among lawyers.

[Julia]

So right, Melanti--I'm hoping eventually the technology will give the authors themselves the right to decide what is open for use and what is not. I'm noticing in the "images" section of google that more and more pictures simply cannot be downloaded if the photographer doesn't allow it.

Then there are sites like Creative Commons, advocated by authors like Cory Doctorow. Just two days ago, this article came out, title "New Creative Commons license gives users more flexibility": http://www.techhive.com/article/20678...