What else are you currently reading? Showing 551-600 of 1,050

[Lori]

I think I'm in that rut again. I've been steadily reading 3 books...but now Hemingway, Anna Karenina, and Faulkner are calling my name. I really want to finish what I've started, but I don't know if I'll be able to.

[Anna]

Neal Stephenson | The System of the World, but it ain't good by now.

[[deleted user]]

No time to read at all at the moment : (
It's driving me mad.

[Kirby]

I finished the Beautiful and Damned yesterday and am still not quite sure how I feel about it. I'm now reading Young Hearts Crying by Richard Yates. Yay for more Yates!

[[deleted user]]

I hope to start The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter on the weekend, as my really hard having to study loads exams are over and some "easier" ones are approaching (German Lit, Philosophy and International Politics left).
Kirby, I recently added some Yates books to my Amazon wishlist due to that movie with Leonardo di Caprio that's done after a Yates book (can't remember the name at the moment). Did you read that one?

[Kirby]

Revolutionary Road. Yeah, I read and LOVED that one even if it was horribly depressing. Thumbs up for The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Let me know what you think. :)

[[deleted user]]

Yep, Revolutionary Road it was. I hope to get it for my birthday, it sounded very interesting.. and I want to see the movie but I generally don't want to see movies before I haven't read the book.
I'll let you know how I like The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. I'm reading it for another book club and was afraid I wouldn't get around to reading it before we were going to discuss it (Friday in a week). But now I hope I'll be able to read at least parts of it. It is definitely a long book.

[Dini, the master of meaning]

I just finished Honeymoon with My Brother -- a light non-fiction about a journey around the world -- and have just started Middlesex and Haruki Murakami's Norwegian Wood. Any Murakami fans here? I tried reading his short story collection but couldn't finish because the stories were just too weird. NW is supposed to be easier to read because it's more realistic, unlike his other works.

[Kirby]

I just read Norwegian Wood about a month ago and I really liked it. It was completely unlike any book I'd ever read before, partly because of the setting and culture. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle is next on my list-I've heard it's a bit more bizarre than Norwegian Wood. Hope you enjoy it!

[Dini, the master of meaning]

Thanks Kirby. I heard everything by Murakami is bizarre except for NW. My sister, who's read a few of his books, recommended Hardboiled Wonderland & the End of the World.

[Kirby]

I'll have to check that one out!

[Rafaela]

I am making a great effort just to continue reading. College is consuming all my time. I'm having "The Pickwick Papers" as main book.
Just to have some fun, "Rachel's Holiday" by Marian Keyes.
And to complete, I have this book which is about Buddha’s teachings (What Would Buddha Do?), the author is Christian and he gives interesting advices for the day by day situations.

[[deleted user]]

I really enjoy Murakami's otherworldly sense of time and place. I'm not sure I would go so far as to it was bizarre. It's just not quite traditional. I have NW and Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman but haven't started those yet. I have read, in this order, The Wind Up Bird Chronicle (good, but so-so), After Dark (short, almost a novella, slow to start but picks up at the end) and Kafka on the Shore (which I highly HIGHLY recommend). I read Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time immediately after WUBC and remember feeling a sense of similarity but now I don't know why.

[Lori]

Marion, I read about half of Revolutionary Road this past summer before I started something else. I was really enjoying it though. Is it on our lists? Can it be a group read?

[JuliAnna]

I read my first Murakami, The Wind-up Bird Chronicles, a couple weeks ago. I don't have any problem with anyone calling it bizarre. It was definitely more interesting than a lot of books, but it never really came together. I agree with Meredith that it was good but not great. It got me interested enough, however, that I grabbed every Murakami book on the shelf at the local library. Luckily that included Kafka on the Shore. I'll have to requests the ones that Dini's sister recommended.

[Elizabeth]

Normally I don't do this but I'm reading two books right now. The first, City of God by E.L. Doctorow is for another book club. I'm having some trouble with it as it doesn't seem to be really focused. If anyone else has read it, I'd really appreciate some feedback as I'm not sure if I'll be able to get through it or not.
I'm also reading a non-fiction piece Lucky Child A Daughter of Cambodia Reunites with the Sister She Left Behind by Loung Ung. It's a sequel to First They Killed My Father A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers which I read last year and thought was absolutely amazing. Already I can tell that the sequel is going to be great too. I strongly recommend both books to anyone looking to read some non-fiction.

[Lori]

I recently picked up Anna Karenina again (I put it down in December). I'm almost done re-reading, for the umpteenth time, the Ya-Ya books. I also really want to pick up All the President's Men because that movie is waiting for me at home and I am adamant that I need to read the book first (I saw the movie a while ago, but don't remember it much). It's not that long, I just need to do it.

[Kimberly]

I am reading the latest collection of new and selected stories by Tobias Wolff, Our Story Begins, and a non-fiction book by Trevor Paglen, Blank Spots on the Map.

[Jill]

The bring-a-book idea is what started me buying bigger purses! I find I'm so much more patient, because I never mind waiting anywhere. As for the half-book phenomenon, I've been 3/4 of the way done with War & Peace for almost 6 months, but can't bring myself to finish. There are so many other books that catch my interest. Right now I'm reading The Fountainhead, and enjoying it so much more than I expected. What a great book!

[Lori]

Jill, The Fountainhead is amazing! It gets a little dense towards the end, but it's still really good. I can't wait to hear how you like it.

[Kristi]

I have recently read The Lover, I'm Not Scared, and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I'm working on City of God (not going to be one of my favorites) and Neuromancer (also not a favorite). I've got so many waiting for me--I might do The Reader, or The Time Traveler's Wife, or 1984, or Eva Luna.

[Kristi]

Oh, I forgot to mention that I finished Time and Again, The House in Paris, and (finally) Emma.

[Dini, the master of meaning]

Kristi, this group has read three of the books you mentioned above: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Time Traveler's Wife and Emma. You can check out the discussions in the Monthly Book Discussions folder.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

I'm nearing the end of The Amber Spyglass. The first in the series was outstanding, the second was mindblowingly good, and this one is both engrossing and intriguing. Will almost be sad when it's over (which is why I'm not reading right now, truth be told).

I was planning to pick up the group book next, but I'm thinking I might need something a bit on the light side first. We'll see...

[Lori]

I had really hoped that taking some time to read something light, like the Ya-Ya Sisterhood books, would help me refocus and be able to get back into reading. Alas no. I'm having to hurry and read the Meacham biography on Jackson for a class. But I also want to be reading something for me. I just got The Good Earth, but I feel like I should read something that I've owned for longer. Does anyone have any good suggestions?

[[deleted user]]

I'm currently reading On the Road and love it. Kerouac's writing is great, I especially like all his descriptions. Don't really understand why it got so many bad ratings on goodreads.

[Lori]

When I was reading it (and liking it) a guy I used to be friends with talked about what a waste of time it was to read that (or something negative about the book). I ended up putting it on hold, but I was a bit ticked that he, or anyone for that matter, would say something like, "Why are you wasting your time with that?" when I remark that I'm reading a book and enjoying it.

[Susan]

I began taking a book with me wherever I went, then I started to get a little extreme bringing different kinds of books and when I realized that is exactly what "Rory" does in a episode where she is trying to fit everything into her backpack. She finally thinks she got it all to fit; Lorelai shows her the french textbook and she realizes that she got all of her "bus books" to fit, but not her textbook.

After I remembered that episode I decided that maybe one book was enough again. Especially when I end giving my handbag to my husband to hold and even he starts to wince at the weight. (JUST KIDDING)

FYI: I am reading uncoventionally humorous book right now by Bailey White called "Mama Makes Up Her Mind" It is made up of short snippets about a southern family with mind-wandering titles(like why would they name a chapter that). My family has even taken to reading it around the table at breakfast. It is short and funny and everybody enjoys the fun atmosphere it creates.

[Lori]

I pull the Rory "bus books" thing myself. Sometimes my mom will just pick up my purse to comment on the weight. I don't feel that bad about it because I know I'll never get bored as long as I have my book(s) with me.

FYI--I've switched books yet again. I started Peyton Place last night. At this rate, I'm never going to finish anything, but I'll be able to tell you about the beginning of every book I own.

[Susan]

Lori wrote: "I pull the Rory "bus books" thing myself. Sometimes my mom will just pick up my purse to comment on the weight. I don't feel that bad about it because I know I'll never get bored as long as I hav..."

I seem to be suffering from the same syndrome as you. I start several books in a month and I am lucky if I get to finish one complete book and it is not usually the one I thought I would finish either(knowing, of course, the extent to which the syndrome has penetrated my mind).

[Hannah]

I do the Rory thing as well.... always have a book. I even downloaded an application for my phone that has books in it so even if I forget, I can read on my phone.

Lori, I'm like you... not doing well with what to read. For a while i was really fumbling. I started Catcher in the Rye.... then Little Women.... I think I'm sticking to Middlesex, simply because I've come so far into it. Even though I'm enjoying it, it's slow reading and I have to talk myself into reading. I'm hoping the enjoyment and excitement about what I'm reading next will come..... But the good perk about your book devouring-but-not-finishing spree is that now you can speak about so many books (at least a little) even though you haven't finished them. :) It's like a better way of cheating than watching the movie.... :)

[Lori]

In the past month, I've started Lolita, Edgar Sawtelle, The Snows of Kilimanjaro and Others, The Golden Notebook, Peyton Place, The Good Earth, and All the President's Men (not in this order). There may even be others. I am one that usually likes to finish what I start so this pattern, which I developed in college, is killing my soul.

OK, this might just be me, but it seems impossible that Rory can go to Chilton, get all of her homework done, deal with Lorelai's crazy antics, have a boyfriend, consider 11 on a school night late, and still get a lot of pleasure reading done. Anyone see how this works?

[Hannah]

AHEM!!!! I have so never gotten how Rory did all she did. AND she and Lorelai always watched several movies and she was knowledgeable about movies and shows on TV. There are not enough hours in the day. It is stressful trying to copy her lifestyle. :)

that's an impressive life of books that you have begun.. I understand that wanting to finish them. It's killing me that I started Catcher in the Rye and still haven't finished it. But summer is coming! That is my chant when it comes to reading!

[Lori]

Good. Glad to know I'm not the only one. I wish I could get as much accomplished as they do in one day.

I keep telling myself that summer is almost here and that's helping some. But I still feel guilty about it. Catcher in the Rye is pretty good. Have you read Franny and Zooey by Sallinger? It was one that I was positive that I would begin and read immediately after buying it. Hopefully I'll read it this summer.

[Hannah]

I have not read Franny and Zooey.... I hope it's good. The last time I was on a reading slump I read fluff books until I felt like reading real books. I just get burned out because of school..... Summer's almost here!

[Lori]

I read a couple of fluff books because that usually gets me out of my slump. The problem is that I just don't own many fluff books. But you're right...summer's almost here! 30 more days until finals are over (for me)!

[Jessica]

I am currently reading White Teeth, for the first time! I read On Beauty a few years ago when Zadie Smith first became famous, but was not very impressed. White Teeth, however, is coming along beautifully.

Has anyone else read On Beauty and not been impressed? Should I try to read it again?

[[deleted user]]

Jessica, I only read an excerpt from On Beauty, it was published in some literary magazine when the book first appeared but I wasn't too impressed with it, either.
I can't really say from the excerpt of course, but it might just be that it isn't that much of a book, at least for me.
We also read a White Teeth excerpt in English class last year and I really enjoyed that. It even almost made me pick up On Beauty again, but I haven't so far. I guess I'd read White Teeth first.

I loved Franny and Zooey so much when I read it. I started reading the Zooey part 3 times over because I always felt like I had missed some part of his personality, there was something about him I just couldn't easily grasp at the beginning that became much clearer when I continued reading.

Lori, I definitely agree that it seems impossible what Rory does. That's probably a not very realistic feature of the show.

[[deleted user]]

Susan, I love MAMA MAKES UP HER MIND! My husband sent it to me to read while I was studying in England a couple of years ago. It's one of those I'm not sure I would have picked up on my own, but found it such a pleasure to read. He and I are both from the South originally. I think I found it comforting--reminded me of my Grandma.

Jessica, I read ON BEAUTY and found it difficult to read and even finish. I did eventually finish but found I had such a bad taste in my mouth (figuratively speaking) that I had little interest in reading any other Zadie Smith. She edited and contributed to a collection of short stories, THE BOOK OF OTHER PEOPLE, with contributions from some of my favs--Daniel Clowes, Dave Eggers, Miranda July--so I picked it up. I keep seeing WHITE TEETH but haven't had an interest to pick it up. Maybe I will. Thanks Marion and Jessica!

[Dottie]

Lori, Marion -- and others who feel the disparity between their real life and Rory's multi-book, multi-activity and time for movies and her mother and so on -- yes, the show is over-the-top but recall that many of those short episodes would cover long spans of real time -- two Friday night dinners in an episode for one example of the condensation of time. NOW -- my point? You are not failing to be like Rory -- you are doing just as Rory is portrayed as doing -- you are balancing -- more successfully at some times than at others -- a life which is making room for multiple books -- you are reading to improve knowledge, to laugh, to cry, to gain skills in life -- you must not be so hard on yourselves. Take my word for that, I speak as one who is far too often hard on far too many people for failings which are about as important as a dust-bunny.

As you were -- just keep reading and continue talking about books, please.

[Susan]

Meredith wrote: "Susan, I love MAMA MAKES UP HER MIND! My husband sent it to me to read while I was studying in England a couple of years ago. It's one of those I'm not sure I would have picked up on my own, but ..."

Thx Meredith, I am not sure many people have even heard of Bailey White, let alone read her novels. She is even a little too eccentric for my mother and grandmother, who have each read ten of thousands of books. But I figure it is good for me to have authors of my own that I enjoy. I certainly don't enjoy all of their authors or all the authors my husband likes either, but I guess there is still time to convert them.

[Dottie]

Bailey White's books are great to read when one needs a good lift from laugh out loud funny real folks in wonderful stories. I haven't read this one yet. Was going to mention that in the other post and got too long-winded and forgot.

[Lori]

Dottie, I don't feel bad that I'm not like Rory. I just wish I could accomplish as much as she does, even though their days aren't 24 hours long. I feel like a lot of my day is really unproductive and I don't get as much done as I feel I should. And, yes, it feels worse if I compare myself to Rory in Gilmore-time.

Thank you for your words and advice.

Marion, I'm planning on reading Franny and Zooey in the near future. Would you say it's a really dense book that will take a while to read? (I'm thinking that while school is in session, I need to read lighter material, but I still want it to be beneficial to my intellect)

[Hannah]

Lori,
I totally understand the feeling like your day is unproductive. I will look back on a day and ask what the heck did I do and how did it get to be 9? But just remind yourself that down time is important (especially when you are in school). :) And I'm sure you are doing great even though you don't think you are. :) Also, funny story. I am currently in Chicago for a vacation and I went to a cute bookstore... I saw your book Franny and Zooey. I thought of you and almost bought it.... my sister and I are headed to another bookstore today.... so I might pick it up.

Dottie, thanks for the words of encouragement. They definitely helped. :) Rory always encourages me to strive to do better, and it's nice to think that I might be accomplishing even half of what she did. :) One of my friends (this will show you how dorky I am....) gave me a hand painted mug for Christmas. It was an encouragement coffee mug to help me through nursing school. She wrote things like, "You can do it!" "You are Rory!" "Keep one eye open." She encourages me that I am like Rory, even though on those long nights of studying... I feel far from being as studious as she was. :)

[Lori]

Hannah, I have gotten to the point this semester where I will stop working on homework around 9 and read for an hour and then go to bed at 10. It's not that I'm too wrapped up in schoolwork, but it feels like if I didn't go to class, I could get more, including actually finishing all of my homework, accomplished. You should pick up Franny and Zooey. After I finish the book I'm currently reading, maybe we can read and discuss it together.

Funny story about Franny and Zooey: I looked for it for months at garage sales, antique stores, used bookstores, everywhere cheap, but couldn't find it. So, I broke and ordered it from Amazon. A few weeks after I got it, I saw a copy in my Starbucks' community library where you are free to take and leave books.

[Tawnee]

I'm reading Night by Elie Wiesel for english class. I'm not even half way through and I love it. :)

[Hannah]

Lori, thats funny about your trying to find the book. I went to a horrible used bookstore today and couldn't find it either. I'll have to pick it up at my awesome bookstore at home.

Tawnee, I loved Night. I'm glad you're enjoying. I read it in high school and I believe it as one of my favorite reads. :)

[[deleted user]]

Lori, it doesn't take very long to read Franny and Zooey. There is much in the book that needs to be considered, but the story itself is rather a quick read, pretty much like the Catcher in the Rye. It's also about the same length. You might find yourself thinking about it after you finished it, though ; )
I guess it took me one free Friday afternoon to read the whole book.

[Lori]

Great. Hopefully I'll soon have a free afternoon. I'm currently re-reading Peyton Place, which took me 3 days to read it (while visiting my grandparents) the first time. It's going to take considerably longer to read it this time, but it's such an amazing story!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Lori wrote: "FYI--I've switched books yet again. I started Peyton Place last night. At this rate, I'm never going to finish anything, but I'll be able to tell you about the beginning of every book I own."

Lori, you're killing me! That's hilarious!