What'cha readin'?

[southpaw285]

I'm in the middle of No One Here Gets Out Alive

[Lori]

Losing My Virginity How I've Survived, Had Fun, and Made a Fortune Doing Business My Way I'm reading Branson's autobiography. He's an interesting person. He reminds me of Forest Gump in that he happens to be in the right place at the right time amongst the right people. He does work hard, though, and takes lots of risks. I've learned a few things from him.

[Sol]

Hi Chrissie,

I would like to send you a message
How could I do it?

Sol

[[deleted user]]

I’ve just finished Blue-eyed in Luhyaland (on this site) which was a gripping tale of a couple living in Kenya; now I’m back to my Dirk Bogarde autobiog and some other books not biog/memoirs, so won't mention them!

[Michael2099]

Well, I just finished writing MY own biography; it is much more interesting then biographies of actors or politicians. At least, I know it’s true.
www.mkenin.com

[Chrissie]

Ijust finished My Father's Paradise A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq. It was totally marvelous! The author writes about his father - a Jewish Kurd who grew up in Iraq, later moved to Israel and finally the US. He spoke Aramaic, the language of Jesus and later became an influential professor of linguistics. He never lost his humanity, his ability to talk to the cab driver or sing a song with a child. An honored professor who always remembered the little, remote Kurdish village in northern Iraq where he grew up. It is about the history of these Kurdish Jews, about the Aramaic language and about the father/son relationship. You will find my thoughts as I read through the book, if you look at the link to the book. My review is there, on the book's page. I gave it 5 stars, and I am picky about which books get those stars!

[[deleted user]]

How many stars do you give yourself Michael? 5, I bet

[Michael2099]

Sitatunga, I give myself 4 stars, because my language is not that flowery as it would be in my native Russian. Look at the message after mine - the author writes about growing up in "remote Kurdish village". What could be interesting has happened in the "remote village"? I grew up in Moscow...the backdrop is more contrast and have relevance to Western culture. Well, after I said that, I'll give myself 5 stars)).

[Chrissie]

Sol wrote: "Hi Chrissie,

I would like to send you a message
How could I do it?

Sol"
Sol I am very sorry I didn't reply sooner, but I didn't get your message as I should have via email! If you want to send me a message, just go to my page. There you can click on the text, send a message! That would be nice! Have you seen my comment above about the book I read entitled My Father's Paradise A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq? I highly recommend it. It was fascinating.

[Lisa]

That book sounds very interesting. I'm going to look for it at my library. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Chrissie]

Lisa, I do not think you will regret readingMy Father's Paradise A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq. If you want more of an idea why I liked it and what it covers, you will find my review on the book's page. I am in no way related or connected with this author. These are just my opinions. I found it fascinating on many different levels!

[Chrissie]

I recently finished Wave of Terror. It is cllassified as a novel but actually it is tied very closely to the author Theodore Odrach. After that I read Girl with a Pearl Earring which is historical fiction about Vermeer the Dutch painter. I gave that 5 stars. Now I am reading The Passion of Artemisia which again is about a real painter but Italian of the 1600s.I am giving Vreeland another chance b/c Girl in Hyacinth Blue was good but not wonderful. I have added Remarkable Creatures and The Lady and the Unicorn both by Tracy Chevalier b/c I soooo liked GWAPE!

[Lisa]

I have read a few of Tracy Chevalier's books. I enjoyed some of them and disliked others. Did you read Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright? I thought that was a very good read. The Girl With the Pearl Earring was also enjoyable.

[Chrissie]

Frequently I don't like what other like so I kept putting off Girl with a Pearl Earring, but I loved it. It was the first I have read by this author! Could you use the add book/author centered over the middle of this comment box to link me to the book you mean - there are several books called Tiger Burning Bright? Is Tiger another book..... Wait a minute, do you mean this book:Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright? No I haven't read it. Why do you like it? Is it a YA book?

[Sol]

Dear Chrissie,

Thank you for your recommendation. Sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner. Now I feel better and I am going to read the book.

Thank you so much,
Sol

[Lisa]

Yes, that's the name (Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright)It was very interesting with a good plot, a lot of characters who were interesting and enjoyable.

[Chrissie]

Lisa and Sol, yeah Ariel Sabar book was very good! Thanks for the tip Lisa! I don't think The Passion of Artemisia is as good as Girl with a Pearl Earring, but I am only half way through. I explain why in my running review of the book, so I won't repeat it here!

[Chrissie]

I just finished That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story. It was great - beautiful thought provoking text about a woman married to a Sicilian Prince on the top of a mountain in the center of Sicily. You learn a bit about the Sicilian character, the Mafia and how important it is to carefully make your choices in how you choose to live your life. Fascinating story about Tosca and those who were close to her.

How come this group is so SILENT?! Is there a better memoir group with more active members? Please give me some suggestions id you know of one.

[RYCJ]

Hello All,

I'm a big fan of memoirs, though now I'm on the hunt for some light more humorous mems. Gotta balance some of this sorrow!

So far the faves I read... (off the top of my head) are, All Souls, Unlikely Lavender Queen, Three Cups of Tea, I'm Down, Into Thin Air, The Black Girl Next Door, Who Do You Think You Are?, Project Girl and Out of Captivity. (sorry titles aren't linked, need more time to figure out).

So please, if anyone knows of some humorous mems, do let me know!

[Chrissie]

Funny in Farsi: A Memoir of Growing Up Iranian in America and Learning to Bow: Inside the Heart of Japan and Family Matters and More: Stories of My Life in Soviet Russia are all on my TBR list. All are suppose to be humorous. The latter two interest me the most but EVERYONE says the first is very funny! I would love to know what you think of them!

[RYCJ]

Putting them on my list right now. Thanks! Sounds like I'll agree but will let you know.

[Carolyn]

Rycj wrote: "Putting them on my list right now. Thanks! Sounds like I'll agree but will let you know."

Ryc, I just read Cheerful Money, a recently released memoir by Tad Friend. Mr. Friend is a writer for The New Yorker among other prestigious publications. I found it unpretentious, sweetly funny, brutally honest and a very enjoyable read He writes of his life growing up in a WASP family. I, also, always recommend My Life and Hard Times by James Thurber. I read it and re-read it whenever I need a good laugh.

[RYCJ]

Thanks Carolyn. Think I'll pick up Cheerful Money & Chrissie's recommendation tonight. I'm sure after I finish Hope's Boy (and it's a good one too), but I'm going to need these books right by my side like a bottle of aspirin! ;-)

[Chrissie]

I just finished the memoir Epilogue: A Memoir and I totally loved it. OK, the subject is serious, but this author writes with such humor that it is just wonderful. Rather than repeating everything here, just glance at my review on the book's page if you are interested.

Rycj, I couldn't call Epilogue a funny book, but still read it some time! I am glad I could help you with some other titles. I have to check - there has been alot of talk among my friends about a coming of age story of a girl in an Indian guru place......

[Chrissie]

Rycj, All the Fishes Come Home to Roost: An American Misfit in India. That is the book I was thinking of! I haven't read this yet either..... It is suppose to be very funny, but I sort of remember that the ending wasn't very good. My mind is fuzzy.

[RYCJ]

Chrissie wrote: "Rycj, All the Fishes Come Home to Roost: An American Misfit in India. That is the book I was thinking of! I haven't read this yet either..... It is suppose to be very funny, but I sor..."

Chrissie, you're on it! I see I'm going to have to keep up with you. I actually did buy 'Funny in Farsi' last night and can't wait to read it. But please, I LOVE memoirs period, so don't stop with the recommendations if you come across one that you enjoyed.

(Note: I switch up all of my reading from time to time, and for many reasons. This time it was burnout ;-)

So thanks again. You'll likely be reading my review of 'Funny' sometime soon.

Rhonda

[Chrissie]

Rycj, I read tons of memoirs and biographies. I have them all on my biography shelf. There you can see how many stars I have given them. I just finished That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story. I highly recommend it. Eleni was very good too, but certainly not funny. I also have read a good one about a family and the son writes about his father a linguist who spoke the language of the first Christians. The title I don't remember. Yes it is by Ariel Sabar - My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq. Also check out The Pure Land and The House by the Dvina: A Russian Childhood. I have all of these books on my favorites and biography shelves..... There are more. Check it out. I love biographies. Stupid that there isn't a word that inclueds both autobiographies and biographies. Oh and then there is a fabulous book with the name Olga in the title - Russian of course! It will be on my Soviet Union, Biography and Favorite Shelves.

[RYCJ]

Chrissie wrote: "Rycj, I read tons of memoirs and biographies. I have them all on my biography shelf. There you can see how many stars I have given them. I just finished [book:That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story|20..."

I have to look over your shelf, to see which biographies/memoirs we've both read, and as well I'm curious about many of the Russian ;-) bios you've mentioned. You sound like someone I'd like to trade thoughts with.

[Chrissie]

I just finished My Life and Hard Times. I have always loved Thurber - the humor os this guy!! Short and sassy and perfect. A few words that say it all - his boyhood in Columbus, Ohio. Check out my review if yo are interested.

Now I have begun Un sac de billes. Why? Well b/c the language pulled me in immediately. It is a memoir of two boys escaping from Vichy occupied France during WW2, but told with humor. Isn't it most necessary to hang onto humor when you are engulfed by hard times?! Highly praised in France. It has been translated into English.


PLEASE you guys, tell me what you are reading. I do not want to do all the blabbing. Even historical fiction about real people interest me too! I loved Arrogance: A Novel

[RYCJ]

Chrissie wrote: "I just finished My Life and Hard Times. I have always loved Thurber - the humor os this guy!! Short and sassy and perfect. A few words that say it all - his boyhood in Columbus, Ohio. ..."

Just finished Funny in Farsi, loved it. Have to tell you however, I have my eyes on a couple of nonfiction works (Maslow and another little PHd Philosopher), so I'm slipping on my mems, but I'm adding My Life and Hard Times.

[RYCJ]

Memoirs I read this year (2010) and found outstanding so far;

Hope's Boy by Andrew Brdige
Ever Is A Long Time by W. Ralph Eubanks
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
I'm Down: A Memoir by Mishna Wolff
Brother West: Living and Loving Out Loud
by Cornel West

[Chrissie]

Rycj, My Life and Hard Times is not fiction! You might think so, but it isn't!

PLEASE use the "add book/author" button on the top of the comment box - it is so much quicker for others to link to the books you are referring to!

Thanks!

[RYCJ]

Hi Chrissie!!!

I asked earlier how to add links... figuring I'd catch on...(still new to Good Reads), so thanks! Think I got it;-)

And I don't think My Life and Hard Times is fiction, nor do I read much fiction. Biographies, mems, textbooks and the likes are my preference to read, however others choose to classify the work!

[Chrissie]

Rycj, the fiction complete fiction usually leaves me cold too, but historical fiction is fine by me. Then if I don't like the story or the writing style I am learning something anyway. Often fiction doesn't ring true.

[RYCJ]

Chrissie wrote: "Rycj, the fiction complete fiction usually leaves me cold too, but historical fiction is fine by me. Then if I don't like the story or the writing style I am learning something anyway. Often fictio..."

So, so true. At least for me, once you get into reading books like Hope's Boy, it gets a little strange (actually puts me off) reading a wholely fictional piece about let's say... an abandoned child.

[John]

I recently finished Dorothy Parker: What Fresh Hell Is This?, which was thorough indeed!

[Rose Ann]

I am currently reading Expecting Adam: A True Story of Birth, Rebirth, and Everyday Magic

I have Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster sitting on my shelf....I may have to read that soon.....I see alot of praise given here for it.

[John]

Speaking of Martha Beck, I liked her book: Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith.

[Sol]

Dear Chrissie,

Thank you very much for your recommendation of the book "My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq" by Ariel Sabar It is really fascinating. I am going to write some of my thoughts about the book. Thank you again,

Sol

[John]

I'm reading 703: How I Lost More Than a Quarter Ton and Gained a Life, which is kind of grim, though I expect it to get better when the author takes charge of her life.

(It hasn't gotten better, so on to the next book!)

[Carolyn]

Currently reading "The Liar's Club" by Mary Karr. I love it!

[Chrissie]

I recently finished A Mountain of Crumbs: A Memoir. Here is a link to what I thought of it: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Shannon]

I'm reading Mental by Eddie Sarfaty. This book is really funny, like peole wonder why you're crying funny. But it's not just silly it's got more substance than that. The author is a comedian as well. I keep looking to see if he's coming to my neck of the woods if his stand up is anything like this book.

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading Mao's Last Dancer - http://licunxin.com/
I saw the movie about a week ago - immediately got the book and can't tell you how much I am enjoying it. The book combines Chinese history with an inspiring personal story.

[Chrissie]

I am reading No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II.

[Debra]

Hi Chrissie, and everyone. I'm Debra Benson, recently joined the group. I have plans to write a memoir on my caregiving experience. Was happy to see the group in Goodreads, also a member of Ambitious Writers. Currently reading a book Enemies and Playmates by:Darcia Helle, and a few other books lined up to read. Will need to build my library on memoirs and biographies though. The book you've finished reading sounds interesting.

[Chrissie]

Debra, A Mountain of Crumbs: A Memoir was very good and No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II will I think also be a winner. Another book that is written as a biography but is fictional, Stone in a Landslide, is superb. It is about the Spanish Civil War, but alot more too.

[Geralyn]

I just read "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls and absolutely LOVED it! I couldn't put it down. I finished it in a few days wished there was more to read!

[Chrissie]

Can anybody recommend a book about Eleanor Roosevelt? I am currently reading No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II which is about her and Franklin during WW2.

[Virginie]

Hello, my name is Virginie, I am French and since I love biographies, I joined you group today !!Nice to be here with you .....
I am presently reading Charles Hingham 's biography about Wallis Simpson, the woman for whom Edward VIII abdicated......