What I'm Reading OCTOBER 2013

[Ruth]

Finished up The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. This is not a genre that I ordinarily read, but I was so beguiled by Gaiman’s reading of Neverwhere as an audio book that I decided to seek out more of his work. What a disappointment. Everything about this was ordinary and/or unbelievable. Yes, I know, it’s fantasy, but a book’s gotta make me believe it at the time I’m reading it. It ain’t scary, or even fun if you can’t talk yourself into belief. I may be through with Gaiman.

[Larry]

Halfway through Bruce Feiler's Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan.

[Karlyne]

Robert wrote: "Desk Set is one of the most charming films ever made. "A very rare tropical fish!" Eniac is set about a decade before that so far."

I own a copy, and now I really need to watch it again!

[Rusty]

Been absent from this group for awhile but I've just begun Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand which I've had on my shelf for a long time. The beginning is good, good, good. Should be a most interesting read.

[Kat]

Robert wrote: "Desk Set is one of the most charming films ever made. "A very rare tropical fish!" Eniac is set about a decade before that so far."

Agree with this 100%. That rooftop quiz is one of my all-time favorite scenes.

[Marjorie]

Rusty wrote: "'ve just begun Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand which I've had on my shelf for a long time. The beginning is good, good, good. Should be a most interesting read."

That was my favorite read last year. What an amazing man Louie Zamperini is. He's still living as far as I know (born Jan. 26, 1917). We visited his hometown, Torrance, CA last year and saw his home which was being renovated as a historic place there. Several places have been named for him, including the Torrance Airport which is now Zamperini Firld.

Marge

[Joan]

Unbroken was a fantastic read. I've lent my copy to several people who have enjoyed it, including our 89 year old friend who was a POW in WWII--also an aviator.

[Karlyne]

Kat wrote: "Robert wrote: "Desk Set is one of the most charming films ever made. "A very rare tropical fish!" Eniac is set about a decade before that so far."

Agree with this 100%. That rooftop quiz is one of..."

What gorgeous acting in this movie! The way that Katherine Hepburn is so matter-of-fact about the quiz answers just cracks me up everytime!

[Marjorie]

I'm reading A CAPTAIN'S DUTY by Richard Phillips. Very interesting book about his life in the Merchant Marines and the story of when his cargo ship was attacked by pirates off the cost of Africa. Made into the movie CAPTAIN PHILLIPS starring Tom Hanks. I had decided not to see the movie after reading that the ship's crew called the movie a lie and said Captain Phillips' arrogance and refusal to consider the safety of the crew caused the attack, and the crew is suing the ship's owner for $50 million. But as I read this book, Phillips does not sound like the arrogant SOB the crew makes him out to be. Perhaps I'll see the movie after all.

Marge

[Rebecca]

I'm reading 'Bitter Greens', by Kate Forsyth and am enjoying it more than I thought I would.

[John]

Well, I've just finished listening to Colin Firth reading Graham Greene's The End of the Affair, rough going that gets worse, not better.

[Karlyne]

John wrote: "Well, I've just finished listening to Colin Firth reading Graham Greene's The End of the Affair, rough going that gets worse, not better."

Is it Graham Greene or Colin Firth that's the trouble?

[John]

Greene -- Firth's narration is excellent

[Larry]

Three more hours and this thread turns into a pumpkin. See you in the What I'm Reading NOVEMBER 2013 thread!

Happy Halloween!

P.S. Here's a British take on some of the best horror books, which does not mean it's all British books.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013...

[Cateline]

Ahhh, just under the wire! :)

I've finished Stephen King's Under the Dome, and while I am not a fan of every King novel, the several I've read have all been interesting.
I had to give this one a 5 star rating, although it didn't start out that way.....my review. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Karlyne]

John wrote: "Greene -- Firth's narration is excellent"

I've never been a particular Greene fan, a bit too fatalistic and gloomy for me. But I love Firth!

[John]

I can recommend Greene's comedic novels Travels With My Aunt and Our Man in Havana.

[Karlyne]

I'll remember that!