What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews Showing 901-950 of 12,687

[Kristi]

I heroically finished Of Human Bondage on Sunday. I had been taking my time with it, but I decided that I must finish it, so I read the second half yesterday. I didn't always enjoy reading it, but it was a good book and I'm glad to have read it.

[Amber]

I just finished Swords of Winterby G.L. Lathian from Austrailia today and it was a pretty good read. I just posted my review for it if anyone wants to check it out. This was my second read for review request and they have been good reads so far.

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

[Pamela]

I just finished Threads: The Reincarnation of Anne Boleyn. I really liked this book. It was extremely thought provoking. I highly recommend it.

[dely]

I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitation not only of human beings but also of the earth.
It is a good book but in some way the spoken language acts like a brake for emotions and feelings. I think that if I hadn't alread seen the movie, I would have missed a lot only reading the book.
All in all I liked the book and the themes in it, but I didn't like a lot the writing style though I know that Celie was illiterate so the spoken language is more credible.
I don't recommend the book but the movie, it is way better in my opinion. Will watch it again as soon as possible.

[Leslie]

dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitation not only ..."

Interesting. I read the book when it first came out, before there was a movie, and felt that the book was the better of the two. Thinking about some of the discussion about Their Eyes Were Watching God regarding the dialect (which was similar in many aspects to the way Walker wrote Celie), I wonder if there is a cultural barrier -- perhaps this style of dialogue is more readily understood here in the US (even by my white upper-middle class self) than it would be to people for whom English is a second (or third, or fourth!) language?

Or perhaps not...

[dely]

Leslie wrote: "dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitat..."

I haven't read it in English. I think in English the spoken language would have been impossible to understand for me (I add here the English edition because so it is easier for everyone to understand the book I have read).
I remember that in the movie the emotions arrived straight to the spectator; in the book they aren't so fluid. The spoken language is more effective in the movie rather than in a book.

[Roderick]

Leslie wrote: "dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitat..."

Leslie/Dely...I just added "The Color Purple" to my "to read" list. I thought the movie was brilliant. Dialect can be tricky. I thought "Huckleberry Finn" was a difficult book to make it through because of it. Will have to see here.

[LauraT]

dely wrote: "Leslie wrote: "dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonia..."

The english was not that easy, especially because of the use of "black slang", something like Their Eyes Were Watching God, but the book was really worth the effort!

[Amber]

The Kings of Cantium by erica olson was a pretty good fantasy novel. Definitely check it out. :-)

[Alannah]

dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitation not only ..."

Really? I loved the book, studied it at school so the teacher was pretty much reading it out and we could understand it. Loved how Celie's illiteracy is portrayed.

[dely]

Alannah wrote: "Really? I loved the book, studied it at school so the teacher was pretty much reading it out and we could understand it. Loved how Celie's illiteracy is portrayed. "

Yes, I think that listen to it is much better. It's because of this that I liked the movie: conversations are more immediate and so also their meaning and the emotions of the characters.

[Bionic Jean]

I definitely want to read The Color Purple in 2014!

[Sigourney]

Alannah wrote: "dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitat..."

I read it at school as well and absoultey loved it, I wasn't too bothered about the lanaguage but I know a few of my class mates struggled with it. We watched the film after we'd read it, which is also good, but as with a lot of things I preferred the book.

[[deleted user]]

dely wrote: "I have finished The Color Purple by Alice Walker. 3 stars for me.
It is a book full of interesting themes: racism, sexism, religion, discrimination, colonialism, exploitation not only ..."

I have had this in my cupboard for ages, might give it a try :)

I finished Allegiant yesterday and would not recommend it, unless you want to die inside.

[Jenny]

Becca wrote: "
I finished Allegiant yesterday and would not recommend it, unless you want to die inside"

LOL!

[[deleted user]]

Jenny wrote: "Becca wrote: "
I finished Allegiant yesterday and would not recommend it, unless you want to die inside"

LOL!"

Haha seriously though I still can't even give it a star rating because I'm so shellshocked!

[Kristi]

I just finished Fool. I really enjoyed it--my favorite book by Christopher Moore so far. I needed a good laugh!

[Leslie]

I just finished The Death of Ivan Ilych. I would recommend it, but it is a bit of a downer. An excellent introduction to Tolstoy though -short and easy to read!

[Roderick]

Leslie wrote: "I just finished The Death of Ivan Ilych. I would recommend it, but it is a bit of a downer. An excellent introduction to Tolstoy though -short and easy to read!"

I'd second that Leslie. It's a good introduction to Tolstoy without having to plod through 800+ page books (although I loved these books)...

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "I just finished The Death of Ivan Ilych. I would recommend it, but it is a bit of a downer. An excellent introduction to Tolstoy though -short and easy to read!"

I thought I had it in a complete wrks of Tolstoy that I have but today I've discovered it contained only novels!!!!
I'll give a look at my lilbrary; they should have it!!!

[Robert]

Finished my re-read of Watchmen. Still amazing. I still prefer the movie's conclusion but the depth of the text is amazing and makes it great to re-read as you pick up on foreshadowing and little nuances. Can't wait to re-watch the movie tomorrow.

[Leslie]

I just finished another Fairacre book -- Miss Clare Remembers. Enjoyable light reading about English country life during Miss Clare's lifetime (1885-1960 or so). The effect of WWI was poignantly portrayed...

[Amber]

I just enjoyed this one Keepers of Arden

[Nicole]

A little late, but adding my two cents about The Color Purple. I didn't love it. I gave it 2 stars.

[Leslie]

I have finally finished Phineas Redux - another wonderful satire from Anthony Trollope! I would recommend it if you like Victorian literature or are a fan of political satire.

[dely]

Nicole wrote: "A little late, but adding my two cents about The Color Purple. I didn't love it. I gave it 2 stars."

Why? Well, me too, I didn't like it a lot so I can understand your rating but I am curious to know your opinions about it.

[dely]

I have finished The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

It tells the story of Changez, a young intelligent Pakistani that goes to the Unites States to study. He is one of the best students and when he finishes university he has a really good job in one of the best firms of New York. He also falls in love with a beautiful American girl.
It seems that all his dreams come true but after the attack to the Twin Towers something is changing inside him. We have his opinions about the Unites States, about Pakistan but above all about his longing to his hometown and his people. He is fought between his career and his inner feelings.

The story is a first person narration because Changez is telling his life to an American sitting in a restaurant in Lahore while they eat together.
It is thought provoking and very interesting. It has an open end but I think this is the perfect end for this book.

Yes, I recommend it.

[Leslie]

dely wrote: "I have finished The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

It tells the story of Changez, a young intelligent Pakistani that goes to the Unites States to study. He is..."

I just saw this was made into a movie -- funny how some things seem to appear everywhere once you start noticing. This is the third encounter I have had with this title in the last 12 hours, having never heard of it before yesterday.

[dely]

Leslie wrote: "dely wrote: "I have finished The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid

It tells the story of Changez, a young intelligent Pakistani that goes to the Unites States to..."

Didn't know there was a movie. Will look for it!

[Charbel]

I just finished Yalo. It was a huge disappointment! :(

[Jenny]

Shame, I had a look at it when I saw that you were reading it and thought it sounded really interesting.

[Charbel]

It really is a shame! And I really tried to focus on the good stuff, but there just wasn't enough.

[Emma]

Gone Gone was brilliant!

[Jenny]

Almost forgot to mention: I've finished The Death of Ivan Ilych by Tolstoy yesterday. I read it in two sittings and was truly amazed by it. The title really is the plot, we follow a man dying. And though it is a heavy subject I would recommend it highly to those who would like to try Tolstoy but are intimidated by his big ones like War and Peace. This one only has 74 pages but it is all the power and beauty of Tolstoy condensed into a novella.

[Kristi]

I have just finished The War of the Worlds. I thought it was great! The descriptions of the Martians was wonderful, and I liked the thoughts on the physiology of the Martians. Wells set the scenes of horror very well.

[Bionic Jean]

I love all HG Wells' SF :) I last read that one in July and rated it 5* ! Here's my review

Now I want to read "The War in the Air" - another of his which I think must be just as prescient! :)

[Gemma]

I have just finished The Girl on the Cliff I did enjoy it. It was a bit long in parts, and was nowhere near perfect in literary terms. But, overall an enjoyable read.

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "I just finished another Fairacre book -- Miss Clare Remembers. Enjoyable light reading about English country life during Miss Clare's lifetime (1885-1960 or so). The effect of WWI ..."

I didn't know it was about WWI; really looking forward to read it then. Sometimes I find more illuminating books like this for the "sociological picture" of a country in certain historical period than more important "historical novels"

[LauraT]

Jenny wrote: "Almost forgot to mention: I've finished The Death of Ivan Ilych by Tolstoy yesterday. I read it in two sittings and was truly amazed by it. The title really is the plot, we follow a ma..."

Totally agree: I've finished it right now and found it amazing: in really few pages there are a lot of things!!!!

[LauraT]

Leslie wrote: "I have finally finished Phineas Redux - another wonderful satire from Anthony Trollope! I would recommend it if you like Victorian literature or are a fan of political satire."

Same mind as usual!

[Leslie]

I just finished #7 in the Inspector Morse mysteries, The Secret of Annexe 3. I would recommend it to mystery fans, but it isn't the best one in this series...

[Bionic Jean]

You are getting ahead of the group Leslie!! :D

On the other hand I think anything might be a bit of a disappointment after Phineas Redux

[Ramona]

I finished reading an essay by Harry Frankfurt, "On bullshit" and a short story by F. S. Fitzgerald, "The four fists". It just happens that I would gladly recommend both of my most recent finished reads.

Harry Frankfurt's essay on bullshit is very interesting: yes, it is called "On bullshit" and it's a piece of 20 pages on bullshit. He explains how he regards the term, and explains different meanings from OED regarding the term and its affiliations. His main point is that bullshit is mainly the state of indifference regarding the state/concept of truth. That means that any statements or actions which are made out of no real or honest connection with the thing that is done, statement that is made, it's bullshit. He even underlines the substantial difference between the liar and the bullshitter. A very good read.


I enjoyed very much my second read as well. I feel a little guilty for the fact that I didn't like "The Great Gatsby" back when I first read it. So I am thinking of re-reading it.
However, this short story of Fitzgerald was very, very intense. It has profound meanings regarding a possible pretty precious life lesson : every time you are mistaken, a fist comes in and saves your good sense by stopping your animal instincts of being or possibly becoming a fully entitled jerk. Fitzgerald's style was supreme, I loved every sentence. Also, the short story in itself is worth reading.

Ps: sorry for not providing links on Goodreads for those titles I mentioned. I'm mobile and it seems rather hard for me to handle that option from this device.

[Leslie]

Jean wrote: "You are getting ahead of the group Leslie!! :D

On the other hand I think anything might be a bit of a disappointment after Phineas Redux"

Yes but I had already requested it by interlibrary loan before the decision to postpone was made. {Jean & I both belong to another group which is reading the Inspector Morse series, in case anyone is wondering...}

[Bionic Jean]

;)

[[deleted user]]

Ramona wrote: "I finished reading an essay by Harry Frankfurt, "On bullshit" and a short story by F. S. Fitzgerald, "The four fists". It just happens that I would gladly recommend both of my most recent finished ..."

I didn't really like Gatsby all that much when I read it either, I loved the film though and that has encouraged me to maybe give it another chance. I hope you enjoy it better if you reread it. And don't worry about not posting the links, a lot of us are on mobile and can't :)

[dely]

I have finished a short collection of stories about cats bought at a charity stand: Una grande macchia a forma di cuore. I gatti contano con il naso by Laura Sergi (sorry, no English edition).

It is something like James Herriot's books and it tells of the homeless cats of the cat shelter of the city where I live. It has been written by a voluteer of this cat shelter so the stories aren't well written but the important thing is the content and the stories are touching. In addition to this, the proceeds will go to charity to this cat shelter.

I can't recommend you this one because it has never been translated but I can recommend you to not forget the homeless cats. I'm sure there is a cat shelter in every town and the voluteers always need help: money, food, wood blankets...Don't forget homeless cats and help them in the way you like the most!

[Bionic Jean]

I love books like this Dely, and forgive them if they aren't so well written; the passion and commitment is there :)

[Robert]

I just read Marvel Universe Vs. the Punisher, which was really cool and I love the concept but it felt a bit rushed, like there wasn't much time for the action to settle and there wasn't much build-up of tension, so the fights with the heroes didn't have as much impact as they perhaps could have.

[John]

Having wanted to achieve my 2013 Reading Challenge of 104 books - now just done - I have found myself reading shorter books rather than modern books or older three volume novels. Cheat!

Two good ones, just finished, are from 1900, of that light English humorous novel genre, lacking an equivalent today, I think. Both very well known in their day, and first read by me as a teenager in the 1960s in Penguins. Of course all these and similar are free on Amazon Kindle these days.


The Brass Bottle, by F Anstey, about a young architect attending an auction for the Professor-father of the girl he admires, failing to buy the lots required but buying a large oriental brass bottle instead. When he opens it .........

The Wallet of Kai-lung, by Ernest Bramah, one of six or more books of Chinese tales told by the Chinese equivalent of a troubadour, who unrolls his mat, attracts a crowd, and tells (tall) stories involving Mandarins, magicians, dark forests .....

Books of this period are almost always well-written, well-plotted, and entertaining. Not War and Peace, of course, but well worth a go.

I suppose a bit similar to Jerome K Jerome's Three Men in a Boat, which is broader humour, less subtle.