The Rory Gilmore Book Club discussion
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What else are you currently reading?
Gwynne, I enjoyed the passionate romance in Twilight, but decided not to read the other books in the series, at least for now. I read some summaries of the sequels and it sounds like too much drama for me. I was already getting annoyed with the characters at the end of Book 1, and that's supposed to be the best part according to some people! What I liked best about Twilight was the simple straight-forward story of two young people falling in love. The narrative seems to capture a lot of what I remember from the experience myself, so it really made me smile. Granted characterization could have been better for both Bella and Edward, but emotion-wise I thought it was on target. I'm afraid anything more complex than that story-wise will just ruin it for me though.
There's another series by Charlaine Harris that is the basis for the True Blood series on HBO. I might check that out instead.
Ann, I think Gwynne is referring to the second book in the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer, also called New Moon.I've read the Emily of New Moon books as well though. They're some of my favorite childhood reads.
Robbie, i also just started reading Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal. I agree that it' funny. I was worried that'd it'd go too far and I'd end up being offended, but so far it hasn't bothered me.***New Moon: Twilight Series, Book 2 SPOILERS***
I think one of the other things that is currently bothering me about the Twilight series is that I like Bella's relationship with Jacob more. I have just finished reading New Moon, and I made this comment to my mother. She elluded that my opion is going to change in the next book. But as of now, I'm in support of her going for Jacob.
Right now I am currently reading The Fire: A Novel which is the sequel to The Eight. It turned out to be a much longer book then I thought but enjoyable.
Artic! Thank you! Do'h! I don't know how I didn't catch that! lol!!! I'm glad you did :)Well, glad you're a Emily of New Moon fan, too!:D
it is a great series...I was thinking of giving it to one of my nieces for christmas this year in fact. I only read the first Anne of Green Gables book, but I've always identified more with Emily. She's got another series that I've been meaning to check out - Pat of Silver Bush.Gwynne - ****TWILIGHT BOOK 2 SPOILERS*** - that's exactly what I'm talking about! I don't want to read about her falling for some one else. it totally breaks the destined-to-love-each-other spell thing going on in book 1. I'll be really interested to hear what you think of book 4 when you get to it.
Artic, LMM's "Pat" books are great, too, though only two books in that "series." I think Emily's trilogy remains my favorite, though.
Gwynne: yeah, I'm not that easy to offend, but I wondered how the author would do. Seems to be doing a good job of walking that fine line so far...
Yes, I'd definitely like to read "The Alpine Path", if I can find it. Thanks for reminding me of it, Kathryn, I now put it on my to-read list.I also love the Emily books the best out of Montgomery's books. It makes me feel a little strange because most people seem to prefer the Anne books, and I also love them very much, but the Emily books have always been the nearest to my heart. I suppose it's because I relate to Emily more - it's nice to find others who feel the same way! And I like it that she doesn't give up writing but holds on to her dream and works to make it come true. And there's just something about the atmosphere of those books that draws me.
Another book from Montgomery that I really like is The Blue Castle. It's a stand-alone book, not a series, but anyway, it's quite lovely and much recommended.
Currently I am reading The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer. I have to say it's pretty intense, and I have to frequently put it down cause I can't believe what I am reading. but I did see that Little Women is on the December reading list for this group and I'm about to admit a silly thing I've never read that book, I've seen the movie but have never read it, so I think I shall try it and see what I think. Judging from the movie it does seem like a good happy easy going book for the holiday time.
Artic,I've yet to read any of the Anne books!!!! Isn't that tragic!!?? I do love the PBS movies though (well, the first two) and so feel I "know" Anne through those. But, one of the groups I'm in is reading Green Gables this month, so maybe I'll finally read it! :)
Katri, I read Blue Castle about 4 years ago and loved it!! Hm... actually, I'd like to read it again!;>
Julie, same here, re: Little Women. Hopefully these GoodRead Groups will give me the jumpstart I need!!!
I haven't read any of the LM Montgomery books either...and my family hails from PEI...pretty sad I know. Almost every summer down there as a child we watched the Anne of Green Gables play, but alas I haven't read the books (my sister was right into them though). Maybe I'll have an Anne marathon over Christmas break...Right now I'm reading "The Sea, The Sea" by Iris Murdock. Just finished "We Have Always Lived in the Castle" by Shirley Jackson.
Joey, is PEI as beautiful as it looks in films and pictures? Is it that beautiful all year?
Right now, I'm reading
and
. Death by Bikini is a young adult mystery by Linda Gerber who is amazing! Rockabye is a memoir by Rebecca Woolf, who is also amazing!
Ann,I love love love PEI (and hope to eventually make it my home). In the summer it's definitely as beautiful as the pictures and postcards that you see. It's also gorgeous in the Fall. I have no idea about the spring, but I imagine it's quite nice when things begin to bloom.
However, from what I've heard from family members, sometimes the winters are a little rough. A lot of snow.
I think I'd like to read that Tom Cruise biography, I'm a real sucker for celebrity bios. I am currently reading a book recommended by my 12 yr. old son, A Mango Shaped Space. Its about a girl with, a condition whereby people associate colors with words, numbers, etc..Its pretty good.
I've just finished The Thin Man which was my first introduction to a Dashiell Hammett mystery. I enjoyed the intrigue, the setting and, especially, Nick and Nora. Something about their sarcastic dialogue set against their genuine affection and respect for one another appealled to me. As I understand it, he only wrote 5 novels. I'm sure I'll read at least one more!
Started The Shifting Realities of Philip K. Dick: Selected Literary and Philosophical Writingson the weekend, another to-read for my big research paper in English.
(At least I managed to finish up my paper for my Sarah Lawrence College Application today : )) )
(At least I managed to finish up my paper for my Sarah Lawrence College Application today : )) )
Erin -- go for it and read them all -- don't think you can miss!Have you ever seen the TV series based on The Thin Man stories? IT's OLD -- fifties, I think.
Here's a link to info on the series:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050067/
Erin, I also read The Thin Man recently, and watched the movie afterwards. I really enjoyed the movie, you should check it out. I plan on watching a couple of the other Nick and Nora movies soon.
Thanks for the info, Joey! Yes, I could see where the snow would be difficult... I'll just have to make my plans to visit in the summer ;>
I have genealogical roots in PEI and have visited there for a couple of summers with my family. It is really nice in the summer, I have to agree. We stayed at The Inn at St. Peters and I highly recommend it. I got a chance to visit LMM's home, but perhaps was not enough of a diehard LMM fan to appreciate it at the time. Be sure to try some Cow's Ice Cream while you're there too! :)just started reading: Pillars of the Earth (!)
Oooh, loving the PEI info! :-) I've wanted to visit ever since I saw the Anne movies as a girl, and then reading LMM's gorgeous, poetic descriptions just made me want to visit even more!!!I've been rediscovering a love for children's picture books lately. It began when I wanted a few Halloween-y reads, but didn't have the time or inclination for longer novels; I found just what I wanted with some darling picture books. Now, it's tally-ho for autumn-themed reads before Thanksgiving (yeah, I've got a few of those books out from the library!) and the switch to winter and Christmas. True, there are some pretty dreadful and way too "kiddie" books out there (that are, frankly, insulting to kids' imagination and intelligence!) but some are absolutely breathtaking in terms of writing and/or art. There is sweetness in simplicity! And then sometimes the works are so over-the-top and that is a great deal of fun, too.
Our recent read of Catcher in the Rye and Holden running away to New York inspired me to return to From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, a book that I loved as a child. Claudia and Jamie also escape to NY, but decide to hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Needless to say, their stay in NY goes much better than Holden's! This was one of my childhood books that I liked enough to hold on to for decades. As an adult, I pulled it off my bookshelf and enjoyed it all over again.
Great summary of good v. bad children's stories, Kathryn! And Artic, Cow's Ice Cream has just been added to my must-do list!:D
Oh, and the Inn is gorgeous!!! Thanks for the link!!!!
I just finished Marjane Satrapi's autobiographic comic The Complete Persepolis today. It is the very gripping and moving story of a girl who was raised as a liberal in Iran and gets send to Austria at the age of 14 during the Iran-Iraq war.
It's a story of finding your identity and of being yourself no matter how desperately you want to fit in.
I chose the book coincidently because I borrowed it from a friend and wanted to return it, but I found it a good side-book for The Catcher, as it also deals with teenage development in a special way.
The young Marjane is also very independent and different.
Oh, and if anyone wants to read it in French: It is not too difficult, especially because you don't have to read much as it is a comic.
It was turned into a movie in 2007. It's also worth watching.
It's a story of finding your identity and of being yourself no matter how desperately you want to fit in.
I chose the book coincidently because I borrowed it from a friend and wanted to return it, but I found it a good side-book for The Catcher, as it also deals with teenage development in a special way.
The young Marjane is also very independent and different.
Oh, and if anyone wants to read it in French: It is not too difficult, especially because you don't have to read much as it is a comic.
It was turned into a movie in 2007. It's also worth watching.
I'm reading a couple of mysteries. I was surprised to learn one of the authors had wrote some mysteries.Double Cross by James Patterson
Behind A Mask by Louisa May Alcott
Alcott's mysteries are Jo's "purple prose and potboilers" in the book Little Women which is the December book here so be sure to reference them in the discussion, Tricia. I have read Behind A Mask but quite a while ago.
A Long Fatal Love Chaseis another of Alcott's wirtten-for-money-not-out-of-love books, but I enjoyed it well enough as a teen. Lots of romance and thrills, but all very tame by today's standards.
Oh, I love Little Women. It is one of my favorite hence, is why I own the DVD lolJo reminds me of myself.
Jo reminds all of us of ourselves at some point, Tricia, which is the key to the character's appeal generally I believe.
I now started reading Twilight, since I was curious to see what the fuss is about. I must say that so far (I'm somewhere around the page 120) I don't yet understand why those books are so popular. I don't mind the story but I have trouble taking it seriously, and I find the writing really poor. Okay, I'm reading a translation so I can't be sure if the original writing is just as bad, but it seems to me that it's the sort of badness that comes from the original, not the translation. It just doesn't make the story flow very well or the characters' emotions come across well, and I'm getting tired of reading about what everyone's car is like and what everyone is wearing. I hope it will get better as I go on...
I am afraid it won't really get better, Katri.
Take my advice and stop after the first book if you are already annoyed by that. It only gets worse.
Take my advice and stop after the first book if you are already annoyed by that. It only gets worse.
I'm finally reading Time Traveler's Wife. Sorry wouldn't link. The group read it a bit before I joined. Seems good so far--I hope I can follow the plot!
Mod
By now I'm treating Twilight as something so bad that it's actually amusing to read, just to see how bad it can be and laugh at it. But I don't know if I will be able to make myself read more of these books. I have a morbid curiosity about how bad they will continue to be, but on the other hand there are so many good books out in the world that it seems a shame to waste too much time on these. Well, at least it's making me feel better about my own writing.
That's what I just did with the Twilight book, Katri. I was just so annoyed with the last book that I only wanted to finish it and be done with it. You won't believe how bad it is going to get.
I think that if I read more of the books, I will read them right before I start editing my own novel. That way I'll be sure to cut all the meandering narration, unnecessary mentions of someone's beauty or outfits, cheesy dialogue, scenes that don't advance the plot or the characterisation, and make sure the characters' relationships are well developed and the plot is properly structured and paced, just because I'll be up to my ears with Twilight-y badness and won't want to see any more of that anywhere.
That's a really unconventional and innovative way to criticize a novel. I like it.
Do you actually plan or write a novel right now?
I'd be very interested to read it - at least it won't be a waste of time ; )
Do you actually plan or write a novel right now?
I'd be very interested to read it - at least it won't be a waste of time ; )
Artic, do check out Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series with Sookie Stackhouse as the main character. I loved those books. I don't get HBO, so I will have to wait for the DVD to come out of Trueblood, based on the books. I am currently reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, will finish it tonight. Great read.
I restarted Anna Politkovskaya's Putin's Russia: Life in a Failing Democracy as we are currently dealing with Russia in my Government class.
If you are interested in Russia, Eastern Europe and/or the Balkans, it is a great and informative read. I partly couldn't believe how cruel Russian soldiers were acting in Chechnya without being punished for it.
If you are interested in Russia, Eastern Europe and/or the Balkans, it is a great and informative read. I partly couldn't believe how cruel Russian soldiers were acting in Chechnya without being punished for it.
Last week, I finished Lolly Willowes : Or the Loving Huntsman which I'd begun for Halloween (whoops!) I think many of you Rory fans would appreciate it.A great book. Impossible to say much without giving away the treasures to be discovered in these pages. As the jacket says, "an upper-class spinster rebels against her role as the universal aunt" and how does she do this? With the help of the Devil. But not the devil we are often told of--this is a loving huntsman, who catches women's souls to save them from dying by the confines of society. This is not a sort of compelling, page-turner read but every time I decided to sit down with it, I was completely absorbed and "bewitched." Beautifully and insightfully written. A shame it's so neglected now and I encourage anyone interested in forgotten "classics," feminist authors, or just a very well-written tale set in England, to seek out this delightful and thought-provoking read.
Thanks, Kristie, for recommending The Alienist (in the historical fiction thread). I had to check the copyright date (1995) to convince myself that this book wasn't actually written the 1890s, which is the period in which the story takes place. It's set in New York - a city where a vast gulf separates the wealthy from those who live in appalling poverty - and a serial killer is at work. I got a tangible sense of what dichotomous NY was like at that time, along with an insider's view of what detective work and forensic psychology were like in an era when police disdained the reliability of fingerprints!
Just finished Go Tell It on the Mountain. Not really my thing. Going to begin The Mysteries of Pittsburgh: A Novel tonight.
The Legend of Holly ClausHowl's Moving Castle
I just finished
Mothstorm
third book in Philip Reeve's Larklight series. It was sooo good! Seriously, if you love YA fantasy/sci-fi, Victorian space-pirates adventures (yes, really!) filled with humor, excitement, thoughtfulness and even some romance, DON'T MISS THESE! They actually helped fill the void left by HP, which is amazing!!! First book is Larklight: A Rousing Tale of Dauntless Pluck in the Farthest Reaches of Space
The Rory Gilmore Book Club
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Haruki Murakami (other topics)
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My husband and I just started reading The Alchemist and are enjoying it so far.