You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What are you reading and why? Jan-Jun 2014
Have Mother sounds like a poignant read. I'm tearing up just thinking about mothers & daughters.
I finished Boy's Life at 2:00 this morning and gave it both 5 stars and 2 hankies from my "hanky rating system". Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am having a complete change and reading The Canterbury Tales for my chunkster challenge. It's a re-read for me, but I admit to not reading it in the original Middle English.
Still working through the baroque cycle currently on #6 Solomon's Gold (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3, Book 1). It will be about a full two weeks by the time I get through #8 finishing this series. After so much time with same book I'm at the hurry and see how it ends and also I hope it never ends as life gets hard to imagine not reading this. If you know what I mean
Of course the next two books I plan to read after I complete the baroque cycle I think combine for around 2500 pages so another 2 week project to follow probably
Travis of NNY wrote: "Still working through the baroque cycle currently on #6 Solomon's Gold (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3, Book 1). It will be about a full two weeks by the time I get through #8 finishing t..."You really make me want to get started on this series, Travis. For you to spend so much time on, it must really be worth it, and YES, I do know what you mean.
It is so hard to get to the end of a series - want MORE and know that it is not going to happen.
I was looking at all of Stephenson's books, but - whoa, what is really the first one for this series? There are three volumes? With multiple books? Where do you start?
Cherie wrote: "Travis of NNY wrote: "Still working through the baroque cycle currently on #6 Solomon's Gold (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3, Book 1). It will be about a full two weeks by the time I get ..."Originally there were 3 volumes. The one I'm doing has the 3 volumes broke down into 8 smaller volumes. Even with the 8 volumes it came through as 7 books because books 4 and 5 were mixed up in 1 book together. The first book Quicksilver is one part of the 8 volume or the first 3 books of the 8 volume. The quicksilver part that is 460 or so pages is a little rough to get through because it's all math, science, history philosophy stuff. Part2 is a pirate story about vagabonds. 3,4, 5 are a mix of the pirate, vagabond, philosophy and math and science. In the end the excellent narration of Simon Prebble is what is getting me through this rather complex series. It never seems that complex until I try to explain it to someone. There is just so much going on in it.Quicksilver King of the Vagabonds Odalisque these three would be in the first big volume then The Confusion is 4 and 5 in the second volume and the last volume would have Solomon's Gold (The Baroque Cycle, Vol. 3, Book 1), Currency and The System of the World.
I have enjoyed this series once I got past quicksilver, but I know Neal Stephenson is not an author for everyone. Seems to be a lot of mixed feelings when it comes to him I've found.
Just started The Shadow of the Wind for this month's challenge and buddy read. I'm also still reading American Gods as a buddy read and my final chunkster of Slick's. I was listening to The Garden of Evening Mists but I lost my place and haven't gone back to it for a while but I will start again this week
Oh jeez that is confusing Travis. Sounds like a Neal Stephenson style math problem!!I have Quicksilver ready to go, and it's 1000pp. I'll assume that that is the big volume version I guess. To be fair, I can see why they broke it down. My wrists creak at the thought.
Thank you Travis. I think this series is going to be a maybe for a while, but someday I will have time to look into it. Can't wait to hear what Rusalka will have to say about!
Seeing I have struggled to get through my chunksters so far, I think it may be a while...
Finished My Father's Paradise: A Son's Search for His Jewish Past in Kurdish Iraq and started An Officer and a Spy.
Rusalka wrote: "Oh jeez that is confusing Travis. Sounds like a Neal Stephenson style math problem!!I have Quicksilver ready to go, and it's 1000pp. I'll assume that that is the big volume version I guess. To be..."
I think once it was broke down it must have been printed at a larger font since as far as I can figure the 8 volume ends up several hundred pages longer than the original 3 volume. I think the 3 volume runs about 2700 pages where the 8 volume figures 33-3400 pages. With audio books I have a pretty good idea on book length by how many hours of listening there are. This series ends up a little over 100 hours which is a fairly normal 30 pages an hour reading.
I finished The Shadow of the Wind yesterday. I know exactly what you mean, Travis. I'm sad this book is over. I'm glad to know how it ended, but I wanted it to keep going. My grandson and I have started listening to Swan Song. We're both enjoying it so far. It reminds me of The Stand a little. I told my grandson that I should lend him my copy of it. He said, "I've got 30 books on the go right now, Grams. I couldn't possibly start a 1000 page book." I think 30 might be a tad of an exaggeration. LOL
Janice wrote: "I finished The Shadow of the Wind yesterday. I know exactly what you mean, Travis. I'm sad this book is over. I'm glad to know how it ended, but I wanted it to keep going. "You'll have to read the follow up books to it Janice.
Sarah wrote: "You'll have to read the follow up books to it Janice. .."I already have The Angel's Game in hardcover. I bought it a couple of years ago at a library clearance sale for $1.00. I want to read it right away, but I have others with a higher priority.
Janet wrote: "I am reading everything I can find by Sarah Jio"I have a couple of her books but haven't read them yet.
I've read the half of Call From An Angel ( Giullaume Musso) and it's not bad for now. But for the parts I don't like I'm not sure if it's just a bad translation or it really is a bit too theatrical for my taste. I've just got into the dark thriller parts so I'm looking forward to it.
Janice wrote: "Sarah wrote: "You'll have to read the follow up books to it Janice. .."I already have The Angel's Game in hardcover. I bought it a couple of years ago at a library clearance sale f..."
I'm reading it now and it is SO good. Book love for sure. :)
Janet wrote: "I am reading everything I can find by Sarah Jio"I have a few of her books on my tbr, but I just don't get around to reading them.
I started One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, the last book for my Slick's Slugs section!
I finished The Shadow of the Wind for a buddy read. I thought it was brilliant and gave it 5 stars. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...I am now starting Neverwhere for this month's group read.
I'm currently reading Billiards at Half-Past Nine (for The Book Addicts), Armadale (for Mickey Mouse section), Gems (audiobook) and before bedtime Wishing Stars: Space Opera Fairytales
I finished Salvation in Death and got that out of my system. I've moved on to The Paris Vendetta as part of my chunkster challenge and Neverwhere. BTW, Janice, how are you enjoying Swan Song? I really liked it.
Roz wrote: "I finished Salvation in Death and got that out of my system."How was it?
I'm quite enjoying Swan Song. We didn't even get half way done. My grandson is going to get the book so he can finish reading it because he was enjoying it so much.
I am currently reading
I truly think the series so far is amazing and it has lots of detail. I would mostly recommend it to people who like sci-fi books and i know I'm in love with them so far!I can't wait for the movie that has just come out on the 21st March! It's going to be amazing!
Bella wrote: "I am currently reading I truly think the series so far is amazing and it has lots of detail. I would mostly recommend it to people who like sci-fi books and i know I'..."Hi Bella,
My daughters and I got to go see the movie. They did a very good job with it. The actors that they picked for the main characters were perfect to the story. We all agreed!
I'll have to go see it then! I only just saw it advertised on the side of a bus last week!
Roz wrote: "I finished Salvation in Death and got that out of my system. I've moved on to The Paris Vendetta as part of my chunkster challenge and Neverwhere..."Darn, Roz, you made me put another book on my list! The other two books you and Janice were discussing are a little too grusome for me, but The Paris Vendetta sounds interesting. I want to know about the treasure stuff that Bonapart stole and hid. He and Hitler had quite a bit in common there besides their Navy. The Aubrey/Maturin books have gotten me very curious about him.
I've recently completed these books. They are all part of my Chunkster Challenge (and sometimes worked for others.)Blood to Drink
Skinner, Robert
Home Alone Challenge
Skin Deep, Blood Red
Skinner, Robert
Almeta's Review of Skin Deep, Blood Red Another new (for me) series to complete!☻
In the Blood (A Genealogical Crime Mystery #1)
Robinson, Steve
Medicus and the Disappearing Dancing Girls(Gaius Petreius Ruso, #1)
Downie, R.S.
Yearbook and Clue™ Challenges
Passengers
Silverberg, Robert
Shortcut Challenge
The Round House
Erdrich, Louise
YLTO! Group Read, Yearbook Challenge
Am now a Louise Erdrich fan.
Now I'm reading for the Chunkster and Left Over Stew Challenges:
Baptism for the Dead (Moroni Traveler), Robert Irvine
and
Slow Dancing with the Angel of Death (A Sam and Hollis Mystery), Helen Chappell
Roz wrote: "Is it hot in here?"That good, eh? I must read more in the series.
I'm tempted Almeta! Do I want to start a new (to me) series too?
Janice wrote: "I'm tempted Almeta! Do I want to start a new (to me) series too?"If you enjoy "old school noir"!
I am a little over halfway through Neverwhere which I am really enjoying.I have also just started A Game of Thrones for the chunkster challenge.
Just finished The Deeds of the Disturber, #4 of the Amelia Peabody series! Listened to the audio! It's excellent. Almost done with Summer Knight , #4 of the Dresdon Files. Fun series as well.
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Ladyhawk wrote: "Just finished The Deeds of the Disturber, #4 of the Amelia Peabody series! Listened to the audio! It's excellent. Almost done with Summer Knight , #4 of the Dresdon Files. Fun series as well.
[b..."
Glad you're enjoying #4 of the Dresden Files. I'm still listening to [book:Grave Peril|91476], and the series seems to be picking up.
Hmmm book links seem to be borked.
I think GR's was hiccupping. My browser froze each time I tried to load GR.
Rusalka wrote: "Ladyhawk wrote: "Just finished The Deeds of the Disturber, #4 of the Amelia Peabody series! Listened to the audio! It's excellent. Almost done with Summer Knight , #4 of the Dresdon Files. Fun ser..."
I really enjoyed Grave Peril! How are you listening? I haven't been able to locate any of the Dresdons on audio...
Finished An Officer and a Spy. Great read, particularly since I love European history. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
We may or may not have got the whole series off a friend (in an airport in Thailand just to make it sound more dodgy!) when we weren't sure if we were going to listen to them all. Although, anything we enjoy we then buy as well, so I have the series stacking up on my shelves as well. I believe some of the others here have gotten the books through audible. I enjoy James Master's (Spike from Buffy with his American accent) narration, although I do agree Janice with the mouth noises now I have been listening to them in bed. While driving or working, I didn't notice them at all.
Still reading The Shadow of the Wind which is fantastic. I have had to put aside my audiobook The Garden of Evening Mists as my mind keeps wandering. I still want to read it as it's a beautiful story but I think I need to read a print version of it to fully appreciate it. So I've moved onto another audio which also counts as a chunkster Kinslayer - I know I'll have more luck with this one.
Finished my journey through the baroque cycle. Packed up some fresh socks and undies in the suitcase as I start my lengthy stroll through Sanderson land. First up The Way of Kings which at a hair over 1000 pages really isn't that long for Sanderson
I'm continuing with my month in Great Britain with Bring Up the Bodies (which is every bit as good as Wolf Hall!) and some light reading with The Sunday Philosophy Club.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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I completely understand. I love my Mum to bits. She is a beautiful, wonderful, caring woman. However I have made one promise to myself, and that is that I will never, ever live with her again, for both of our sanity's sake.
Checking out the books now!