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What have you just read? Opinions, recommendations & reviews
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Scott
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Sep 07, 2013 08:57PM
I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan It made me miss my best friend growing up.
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Scott wrote: "Elizabeth...Reading is never a contest...just an enjoyment and an escape. You are just as worthy and special as anyone else. Keep reading what you enjoy and dont worry about whether its light or ..."I second this! The most important thing is to enjoy what you are reading.
Elizabeth wrote: "I haven't started it yet. I think maybe I would be better off somewhere else. I don't go through books like all of you and what I enjoy reading is much lighter, for the most part, than what this ..."
Reading should always be for pleasure, and as Scott says never a contest. I always choose what I want to read, sometimes from recommendations, but without considering what other will think of my choices.
Paul wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I haven't started it yet. I think maybe I would be better off somewhere else. I don't go through books like all of you and what I enjoy reading is much lighter, for the most par..."
Exactly. Not to mention that many factors affect the reading pace such as free time, reading habbits and wether the book is interesting or not.
Elizabeth - message 247. Please don't feel that way! Just read what you enjoy. It could be graphic novels or abstruse text books - neither of which I'd enjoy personally - but I've seen lots of people on here who do.I once had to explain to a head teacher (I was her deputy) that yes, I did enjoy both Jane Austen and Steven King. And, shock horror, that I didn't see anything wrong with that! Most people here feel the same as me I think.
Why don't you browse around a few more book groups? This one is great I think it covers most bases. But I'm in 3 other groups too. "English Mysteries" is a perfect light reading antidote for me when stuff begins to feel too heavy.
Find what suits YOU! Nobody is here to judge!
Jean I completely agree with you and I find this group to have a great mix of people and genres. I notice all sorts of book choices, some of which I'd like to try and some I'd never pick up! It's already been said, but you should always read for yourself, at whatever pace you want. Some months I've read lots of literary works, other months I've read a graphic novel or a children's book and nothing more. Elizabeth, I think that other groups are always worth exploring too, as you can find something more specific to your personal tastes- classics, chick lit, sci-if, YA, non- fiction, mysteries...there are so many different groups with differing tastes in books, but sometimes it takes a while to find a group that you connect with. This one is like my GR home page, where I check in for an all round book update and friendly chat!
As for my next book... I think it might be The Night Circus, but then I've been saying that for the past 4 months and still haven't read it yet!
I just finished The Night Circus.....for the second time. It was amazing! I could read it over and over. The fantasy of it, the pure imagination used to write it, and the beautiful love story all are just incredible!
Melissa wrote: "I just finished The Night Circus.....for the second time. It was amazing! I could read it over and over. The fantasy of it, the pure imagination used to write it, and the beautiful love story all a..."That's next on my to-read list.
I think what I love about this group is the variety. There are people here who can read 200-300 books I year. I read more like 50. We also have a huge range of tastes from classics to cosy mysteries to ya. I would suggest looking at other more specialised groups if this isn't suiting you but remember we are a very friendly bunch and talk about lots of things other than books as well. It's the only group I have time for on the site! You guys are awesome :D
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That's my philosophy! And I usually read both
Mod
Thanks for the compliments! We always like them. But the group I think is mainly done by those who intervenes: and we are all a really interesting bunch of people, reading different books, in different ways, speed, concentration...
This is the reason I wanted this group so much, and I feel I was right
This is the first bookclub I have ever joined online and I love being a member of the all about books bookclub. We all are reading different books at our own pace as well as reading books selected by the group and with other members as readalongs. Reading for pleasure is fun so I'm glad I joined. :-)
Thank you guys..these comments do make my heart jump up and down in joy, however - Laura hit the nail on the head: I am suprised sometimes at the welcoming, active and extremely tolerant nature of the group, and I am pretty sure that we as mods can only take a tiny fraction of credit for that. So here I go quoting Heather: You guys are awesome :D !
I've just read The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and would recommend it. It's a Victorian crime novel; the moonstone is a huge diamond which is stolen in mysterious circumstances. The story is told in the first person from a number of different characters' viewpoints and this is what made it such a good read; the author gives them each a unique voice and character, and he also has a lightness of touch and sense of humour.I'm not a Dickens fan but I enjoyed this.
Joy wrote: "I've just read The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and would recommend it. It's a Victorian crime novel; the moonstone is a huge diamond which is stolen in mysterious circumstances. The story is told i..."I was eyeing that one recently, Joy! Good to hear you enjoyed it.
I've just finished A Room with a View and I enjoyed it very much. I had trouble lifting my head out of the book during the weekend that's how captivating it was. Recently I've heard somebody say that it is the greatest love-story in literature and eventhough I am not quite sure I would agree with that, it is - in any case - a beautiful, light yet very clever novel, with a cast of beautifully drawn characters. So yes, to anybody who doesn't feel allergic to an old fashioned (in the best way) love story, humour or Italy...I'd recommend it.
Joy wrote: "I've just read The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and would recommend it. It's a Victorian crime novel; the moonstone is a huge diamond which is stolen in mysterious circumstances. The story is told i..."I liked quite a lot, now I have The Woman in White on my to-read list
Jenny wrote: "I've just finished A Room with a View and I enjoyed it very much. I had trouble lifting my head out of the book during the weekend that's how captivating it was. Recently I've heard somebody say th..."I love the old fashioned love story and anything related to Italy. I have not not E. M Forster. Maybe when I begin to read him, I can start with this book.
Dhanaraj, I think you will like it (I think you'll especially like Mr. Emerson sr.). It was my very first Forster too, and was told that this was a good book to start with. P.S: thank you Anastasia ;)
I've just finished Binocular Vision: New and Selected Stories which I've been dipping into over the past 6 weeks or so.
I've not read a short story collection since childhood so I found this quite challenging and out of my comfort zone. Edith Pearlman is an incredibly talented writer. Her use of language is beautiful and with some of the stories you felt like you'd read a novel in terms of character development and strength of feeling even though the story was only a few pages long. I gave the book 4* because although I loved some of the stories, the ones I didn't love where perhaps a little unremarkable. Will be writing a full review this week on my page. Would recommend
I've not read a short story collection since childhood so I found this quite challenging and out of my comfort zone. Edith Pearlman is an incredibly talented writer. Her use of language is beautiful and with some of the stories you felt like you'd read a novel in terms of character development and strength of feeling even though the story was only a few pages long. I gave the book 4* because although I loved some of the stories, the ones I didn't love where perhaps a little unremarkable. Will be writing a full review this week on my page. Would recommend
Jenny wrote: "I've just finished A Room with a View and I enjoyed it very much. I had trouble lifting my head out of the book during the weekend that's how captivating it was. Recently I've heard somebody say th..."I don't know if I'd go so far as "greatest love story in literature", but the kiss in the field is just about the most romantic scene I have ever read. My knees go all to jelly just thinking about it.
I finished Wolf Hall today. After a rocky start, I decided that it was really good, possibly worth all of the hype because of the flashes of pure brilliance, but still enough worrisome parts that kept it from being 5 stars for me.
Jenny wrote: "I've just finished A Room with a View and I enjoyed it very much. I had trouble lifting my head out of the book during the weekend that's how captivating it was. Recently I've heard somebody say th..."A Room with a View is just delightful isn't it? Such an optimistic book.
Kai wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I've just finished A Room with a View and I enjoyed it very much. I had trouble lifting my head out of the book during the weekend that's how captivating it was. Recently I've heard s..."Wolf Hall does require a bit of an effort. I remember that it took me some time to get into it properly, but once I did I realised how good it was.
Elisa wrote: "Joy wrote: "I've just read The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and would recommend it. It's a Victorian crime novel; the moonstone is a huge diamond which is stolen in mysterious circumstances. The sto..."I liked both of these Wilke Collins books, but for me The Moonstone was a smidgen more enjoyable.
@Kai & Charbel--I agree that the first half of Wolf Hall was difficult to like, but I was really into it by the end. I plan to read Bring Up the Bodies by the end of 2013.@Joy, Elisa, & Leslie--I read The Woman in White earlier this year and loved it! Also hoping to get to The Moonstone by the end of 2013, it's already on my Kindle.
I finished The Selection yesterday. I expected to dislike it because YA fantasy/romance/dystopia is really hit-or-miss with me, and yes, I sometimes judge books by their covers. It's a combination of The Hunger Games, which I like, and The Bachelor, which I refuse to watch. Somehow it all worked for me, and I'm going to pick up the second book next time I go to the library.
Heather wrote: "I've just finished Binocular Vision: New and Selected Stories which I've been dipping into over the past 6 weeks or so.I've not read a short story collection since childhood so I found this quite..."
Heather, I've been meaning to ask you about it since spotting it in your 'currently-reading' section when snooping around in your bookshelves, but then I was afraid you'd feel stalked. LOL. ;)
It has been on my TR since I've read a glowing review about it, I am glad to hear you liked it.
As for Wolf Hall: I've dipped a toe into it once but couldn't really immerse myself in it, but I've been meaning to give it another shot sometime soon.
@ Kai & Joy: I agree, loved the scene in the field, and I agree about the optimism as well. I generally have a real thing for bleak books, so the fact that I loved this book tells me I am not an entirely a lost case when it comes to "feel good books". ;) (well The Hobbit that I had finished just before could have told me that already)
Mod
@Joy, Elisa, & Leslie--I..."
Sounds interesting, I can't wait to read it myself.
Haha, Jenny! I don't find that stalker-esque at all! As I said, I did struggle at times because I'm not used to the short story genre but some of them are very memorable and really stick with you. I got the book on a kindle deal.
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I love Collins, and this is one of his best books
LauraT wrote: "Joy wrote: "I've just read The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins and would recommend it. It's a Victorian crime novel; the moonstone is a huge diamond which is stolen in mysterious circumstances. The sto..."
I also really enjoyed The Moonstone although I preferred The Woman in White
I also really enjoyed The Moonstone although I preferred The Woman in White
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That's his best!!!!
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Thanks for the heads-up I went straight to amazon and downloaded it myself.
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Finished Otter Country: In Search of the Wild Otter. Can recommend for those that like non fiction, and natural history. Have reviewed here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Johnny B. truant's book Unicorn Western is free on smashwords for the first one. a few of his books are free on there. I found some free ebooks on goodreads as well like book 1 of the Bloodsounder's arc series.
I've just read Anthem, I'm not sure what I think about it yet, for such a short book it gives you a lot to think about.
I finished Something Wicked This Way Comes today, just in time for book club tonight. I liked it, but it took me awhile to get through. It seems like something men would like a lot. I suspect that my book club won't have liked it much.
I enjoyed Something Wicked This Way Comes . It is a great book to read at halloween and the movie is good too. I'm glad you enjoyed it kristi. That's the only book by ray bradbury I have ever read.
I finished Orient Express by Graham Greene yesterday, which finished up my library omnibus book: Classic Tales of Espionage & Suspense: Orient Express/This Gun for Hire/Our Man in Havana/The Ministry of Fear. I would recommend the omnibus edition to anyone who likes suspense/thriller books. I felt Orient Express was the weakest of the four, but that may be due to the fact I read it last & in a hurry so I could return the book.
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I read the The Unbearable Book Club for Unsinkable Girlsby Julie Schumacher and it was a pretty good read and it was about teens in a book club. ^_^
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Nice title Amber!
Thanks LauraT. Definitely check it out. It was a pretty good read. ^_^
Gave up on The Lifeboat. Not really in to it to be honest which is a shame because I thought I would like it.
Alannah wrote: "I finished My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and Harvesting the Heart. I ended up really enjoying My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century but very disappointed in Harvesting the Heart."
That's a shame about Harvesting the Heart. Jodi Picoult is definitely a hit or miss author I think.
That's a shame about Harvesting the Heart. Jodi Picoult is definitely a hit or miss author I think.
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