What else are you currently reading? Showing 151-200 of 1,050

[[deleted user]]

Hmm, if you say it is deep, I guess I might give it a try.
Our book discussions are more fun if you are able to contrast the two books, after all :-)

[Liz]

I just finished Jane Eyre (loved it) so now I am working on The Book Thief (amazing) and Siddartha (okay, a little boring compared to The Book Thief).

[Deborah]

Annabeth, I was very impressed with The Book Thief. Who would have ever thought that the narrator (who shall remain unnamed to avoid Spoilers) could be so sympathetic?

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Great. ANOTHER book I "have" to get??? You guys and your tempting recommendations! Sheesh!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Oh, I'm reading some fluff. (Anybody Out There by Marian Keyes.) Just started it tonight. I'm DYING to get my hands on a copy of Captains Courageous by Rudyard Kipling, but so hate those mass market copies that I'm having to hold out. Argh! It's all because I (finally) watched the old movie of it - SO GOOD! If I'd known it was based on a classic, I might have seen it sooner.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

I finished that last one I mentioned the following day even though it was really quite long. Gotta love those chick-lits for sucking you in completely!

So a while back I was having (another) Comcast issue and was on the phone for ages fleshing out the problem. I always end up in the most interesting discussions when I make these calls. This particular guy was into fantasy and scifi. I love scifi, so after the TV show discussions, we hopped over to books. Harry, was of course, first. As we went back and forth he recommended a book called The Westing Game. It took me a while to find it because I'd no idea it was a youth book. but I picked it up the other day and it's kind of fun. Interesting idea for a mystery, though better writing could make it so much more than it is. I could probably finish the rest of it in an hour or so, but last night I was all inspired by the First Blustery Day (a personal holiday of mine - and my favorite one) so I went back to Sense and Sensibility with old-school jazz and scented candles and tea and covers. Good stuff, that!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Ooo! I just saw one of the posts about Arcadia as I was sending that - I have to put that on my "iwantitnowdaddy" list! Better, I'm checking bookmooch now!

[Dottie]

I HATE this! You put Arcadia and set it up so we can go to the book but instead I get a list of twenty some books all supposedly but not all obviously connected to the word Arcadia -- so what the heck book were you linking to Michele. I thinnk the book link when set up should go to ONE book and not a bunch of possibles. Is that too much to expect? Whine, gripe, whimper. Sorry -- ranting there -- but still -- what particular book please was this about?

[Kathryn]

Currently Reading (some more avidly than others):

"The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins
(supposedly the first detective novel!)

"Spindle's End" by Robin McKinley
(retelling of "Sleeping Beauty")

"Murder on the Ballarat Train" by Kerry Greenwood
(deliciously fun series about a 1920s amateur detective (fun, adventurous, sexy, warmhearted flapper Phryne Fisher) set in Australia.

"Imagined London: A Tour of the World's Greatest Fictional City" by Anna Quindlin (a book-lovers exploration of seeing London through the eyes of all the stories told about it, esp. places in books by Dickens, Austen, etc.)

and "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" -- for the second time! ;-p

[Kathryn]

PS I love the "First Blustery Day" personal holiday! :-) (Autumn is probably my favorite season, so I have my own little celebrations as well. Alas, out here in California I don't really get the chance for them until late-October!

[Ann]

At present I'm reading "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" (second time ;>),

"A Room With a View" (can't believe I haven't read this yet. But, it's great to be sure to get my "classic" in for the year).

And I just started "Background to Danger" by Eric Ambler. It's a mystery set in London - so, as I love pretty much all things British, I'm quite happy.;)

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Dottie, I was talking about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia that was discussed earlier in this thread. It never got added to my list. I went over to my mooch account and threw it up there right away so that if it ever gets added to be given, I'll have a fighting chance.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Kathryn, I'm in California, too! It's warm (but not sweltering) again, but because of the First Blustery Day, it feels like the Indian Summer we're famous for up here; like summer's number is up and zesty, wonderful weather is just there... *reaching arm out, stretching to try to touch* ...tantalizing. The anticipation is delectable, though the real thing is FAR better!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Oh, also, Kathryn - I've The Moonstone on my shelf and have wanted to read it for some time (years, actually). I vaguely know the story from watching a Masterpiece episode, I think it was, really enjoyed it, and thought the book would be much richer and more fulfilling (as they usually are).

Done with The Westing Game. Now grabbed Everybody into the Pool by local girl Beth Lisick. I actually heard about it through reading someone's review of it here on goodreads. Barely read a page, but think I'll whiz through this one as well (and like it). (Still doing Sense and Sensibility alongside.)

[Dottie]

I don't know if The Moonstone was the first but it is certainly one of the best! Michele -- you really need to take it off that shelf and read it now - heh.

Oh my God, Arcadia -- that Arcadia -- yes. I hope you get hold of a copy really soon from Bookmooch -- my copy is packed in one of tha book boxes now stacked in the spare room closet or I'd lend it to you. Cannot say enough positive on that one, truly enjoyed it.

ETA: went back and scanned this thread -- my goodness this group does bring up interesting books! Then went off and got tied up in Stoppard quotes -- as one can tell if one is on my friends list! What can I say?

[Dini, the master of meaning]

Ann, I haven't read A Room With a View either, but I've been getting nothing but good recommendations about it.

[Ann]

Dini, Room With a View came highly recommended to me, and so far it hasn't disappointed! :) I honestly didn't really even know what it was about before I started reading it. I'll be sure to write a review of it when I'm finished, but so far (I'm about 1/3 of the way through) it's really good! :)

[Kathryn]

"A Room With a View" is one of my favorite books!!!

I still have about 1/4 of "Moonstone" left to read but so far I'm really enjoying it. Collins does a marvelous job with characterization and giving clear voices to each of the different narrators--splendid! Also, this is one of the few books that my husband and I were able to select to read together and he is enjoying it, too, so that's been great. (He loves reading, too, just our tastes are not always in accord!) I find mysteries are some of the most fun books to read-and-discuss with others; such fun trying to unravel "whodunit" :-)

[Angie]

I am reading Watchmen. If you have ever been interested in reading a graphic novel check this one out.. it's great!

[Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner)]

i'm currently reading Made in America by Sam Walton for one of my classes..trying to finish up crime and punishment, and getting ready to start reading The Things They Carried for my Issues in Contemporary Literature class. i believe i read that in high school but i do not recall much about it.

[Kellen]

I am reading Dark Whispers. It's about a unicorn hunt. It's a good book so far.

[Ann]

Kellen, is Dark Whispers as YA book?

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

I'm actively in the middle of three books (and several others on a now-and-then basis). But I think I'm going to do it. I can't resist any more. And it's autumn, which seems the perfect time since they all start there... I'm going to HAVE to start rereading the Harry Potter series. Gah! It's an addiction, I think! (Really, I'm missing my "friends!")

[Robbie]

As you may know, Michele, I re-read them this summer--just finished this past week, I think. I could definitely tell the difference in my ability to pay attention and be transfixed by the later ones, like book 7, that I've only read 3 times. With the earlier ones, that I might be moving into double-digits with, it felt a little more forced. I think I'm going to wait a while before I read the whole thing again. But...I might get the urge to pick up 6 and 7 in the next year or so!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

I think four is quite good, and five is my favorite, so I'd include one or both of them... but that's me. The last time, I felt that, too, Robbie. But two things... one she wrote each book at the level of a child at Harry's level so naturally the first would be less involving than the later. But also, the first few are such a foundation for the later - I love that arch. While I don't enjoy reading them as much as the latter, I do like that continuity and how they show the growth of the characters. Haven't started after all... because when I do, it's so all-consuming. But I could use some "old friends" right about now. (Man I wish life would get back on that upswing for me!)

[Robbie]

I agree about the reading/age level of the books, and that's what I always thought was cool and something that the new young readers might miss out on...growing up with Harry. I really think the issue is how many times I've read (and watched!!) the earlier ones. My kids have to watch the same movies over and over and over...

[Joanie]

I just finished The Book Theif-loved it! Now I'm reading The Cider House Rules for The Next Best Book Club and I'm listening to/reading Water for Elephants for my work book club.

Michelle-have you seen the Spencer Tracey version of Captain's Courageous? It's fantastic! His accent is kind of crazy but the movie is great.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Yeah, Joanie, that's the movie I was referring to... I didn't watch it for years because it starts with the kid being such a huge spoiled brat and then that horrendous accent of Tracey's... but I finally did do, and it was amazing. Thus my longing to find a nice copy of it. I'd devour that book pretty quickly.

[Joanie]

Sorry-I missed that part where you said you watched the movie-duh!

Friends of ours were obsessed with it so we borrowed it. They warned us about the beginning so we hung in there. Tracey's accent is insane but so funny. He won the Academy Award that year, which is even funnier! I wound up buying the DVD for my husband for his first father's day while I was still pregnant. When my son was a newborn my husband used to always call him "little fish" and he's say "oh fish, you awake" (which might not even be in the movie but that's what it became in our heads.) We loaned out our copy so I haven't seen it in a long time. We tried to watch the Robert Urich version but it was HORRIBLE!

I later found out that Captain's Courageous was my dad's first movie and he said he cried and cried at the end. His parents had no idea it would be so sad.

I should track down a copy of the book too-it would be nice to have.

[Jessica]

You know I just tried to read "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court" But I was SO bored!!! I just could not get into it!

[Deborah]

Jessica - have you seen the old movie of "Connecticut Yankee" with Bing Crosby? It's really charming. I honestly can't remember if I read the book or not. I think I must have, but all I remember is the movie.

I'm currently half way through the Thursday Next novels. Just finished The Well of Lost Plots and I really love them. I'm starting the Nursery Crimes series next.

[Amira]

I've just finished Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte and begun The Scapegoat by Daphne Gu Maurier.

I'm also half way through No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay which is really good - amazingly engaging. Next on the list is Jane Eyre and The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger. Plus my English assignment novel, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. Anyone read that by the way? Sounds interesting enough.

[Dini, the master of meaning]

Amira, this group read Jane Eyre back in February and we had some good discussions there. When you get to read it, feel free to check out the Jane Eyre threads on the Monthly Book Discussions folder.

[Anna]

Beside all the fiction books I try to read now I have to read my own Master degree thesis, cause I don't know how to write the ending. I got everything - preface, right "body" of the thesis and bibliography, but I still have problems with ending it.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Deb, in my opinion, Jasper Fforde is a genius... And I'm EXCEEDINGLY jealous of him! Thursday Next is one of my all-time favorite series of books.

Amira, I have The Scapegoat on my shelf and it's always one I nearly pick up every time I'm going for an new book. I think I'd have it read if I wasn't so far behind in the group reading! I'm looking forward to it as I love du Maurier. Rebecca is one of my all-time favorite books!

As for Wuthering Heights - ugh! SOOOO did not enjoy that! You should vote for The Catcher in the Rye for November if you are planning on reading it, as it was nominated and if selected we'd all be reading it with you!

Sigh. I adore Jane Eyre. I was so sorry not to get in on the discussions. Another of my all-time favorite books!

Geez. I don't say that about all the books we talk about, I swear! It just happens that the last few posts mentioned them... Crazy!!

[Amira]

Dini, first thing after I read Jane Eyre, will be to go straight to those threads!

whichwaydidshego? I've literally just begun The Scapegoat and I'm really hoping it'll be as good if not better than her other works. I adore Daphne Du Maurier. You didn't like Wuthering Heights? Ahh, I loved it! The characterisations were so imaginative and you couldn't help but love them all, including Heathcliff although he did make my skin crawl at times. I will most definitely vote for The Catcher in the Rye! It's always been one of those novels I see but don't pick up, even though I really want to read it. Excellent, we can all read it together.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Amira, I read Wuthering Heights on a beach in Italy... somehow it looses it's charm then and there. But most of all, they are all such whining, often conniving, brats. I couldn't take it. I mean, I did - I finished it, but I can't abide it! Courtney (here in the group) loved it, too... but I can't see you all convincing me!

[Jessica]

I just read 3 different books that all mentioned Jane Eyre and/or Wuthering Heights in them many different times. One book was almost referencing one every other chapter. Because of them I have wanted to read both but I have so many more lined up. I don't know when I will be able to.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Yes, I understand, Jessica. Recently I have been collecting all the books I didn't have from the WB Rory list. I already have SO MANY books I want to read, and some of these newly collected ones I'm really excited for as well, but who has the time?? (Admittedly I'd have more time if I weren't interested to find out this week what's happened with the cliffhangers from shows on the telly.) Plus I have to read for some projects, so I don't get the time like I want. Grrrr! But, Jessica, put Jane Eyre high on your upcoming reading list! It's well worth it!

[Veena Regit]

@Beth...
**Shuderrrrrrrrrrrr**

sounds real crazy!

[Anna]

Thursday Next is great as Jasper Fforde is.

[Amira]

whichwaydidshego? Well, seeing as you read it on a beach, it's completely understandable you didn't like it! I, on the other hand, read it in bed on a rainy London day; it's completely understandable I loved it, if I do say so myself. Okay, so I'll agree they're all quite bratty characters. However, they're depth of character is just so real. It really does represent today's society, unfortunately. Ahh, I can't explain it; it just gave me a warm fuzzy feeling! I'm hoping Jane Eyre will surpass this, though.

Jessica, I know what you mean. I was so shocked Wuthering Heights was mentioned in the Twilight books. It was a fun reference though.

[Deborah]

I just finished The Well of Lost Plots and in it the characters of Wuthering Heights are presented as a bunch of backbiting whiners undergoing counseling for rage management. Since the counselor is Miss Haversham from "Great Expectations," not a lot is accomplished.

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

I love all those books! Well, actually, I haven't read the most recent one - have had it since the day it came out, but haven't read it yet because I had been thinking of rereading the others, then I got involved in this group. So much else to read!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

I'm not sure where to put this, so I'll try here. I've just discovered the existence a show from Britain called "Lost in Austen" and it sounds very much like a take off from the Jasper Fforde Thursday Next books (but perhaps not quite so wonderfully wacky). But it's about this girl who steps through this doorway and ends up in an Austen work. If anyone is interested, you can catch them online here: http://www.itv.com/CatchUp/Programmes...

They have this thing where you can "catch up" with their programs for 30 days after they air, and the first episode was on the 3rd of September, so there are still a few days to catch the beginning. I haven't watched it yet, but plan to now!

[whichwaydidshego, the sage of sass]

Why did I post that here? Well, it could fit a lot of places, but Fforde and his books were recently talked about here... We've read one of his books as a group, and are currently reading our second Austen, so it could go in our group book discussion, or our television discussion... but it's really none of these as it has to be watched online! Anyway, some of you might be interested!

[[deleted user]]

Hmm, when I tried to start the first Lost in Austen episode, I got a screen telling me "This service is only available when you are in the UK". Don't know if you bought your Windows version/your PC in Great Britain or if it also works in the US, but seemingly it is only available to people who actually get ITV as a real TV channel :)

[Ann]

Sounds like a delightful show!! Bet the scenery/costumes, etc., are beautiful!:D

[Jessica]

Yea, it said the same thing for me.... And I was looking forward to seeing it. :-(

[Ann]

Well, I finished my reread of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (sniff - I'll miss for the next few months until Beedle Bard comes out) but started reading Strong Poison, by Dorothy L. Sayers. I really liked the other Lord Peter Wimsey book I read (Clouds of Witness) so I'm hoping this will be just as delightful!:)