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
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Lilisa
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May 18, 2014 11:35AM
Finished The Return. Underwhelmed... Anyone else read Victoria Hislop books? Be interested to hear if her other books leave more of a positive impression. My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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I just finished Sparrow Hill Road by Seanan McGuire. I enjoyed it very much, and I would recommend it to fantasy readers looking for something a little bit different. Here is my review:https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just finished Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - AMAZING!
I'm almost finished with Raven Son, a wonderful fantasy story! A combination between Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Alice in Wonderland ;)! If any of you would like to try: it is still downloadable on www.StoryCartel.com (for another day or 4) - for free, in exchange of your honest review.I've also started O Pioneers!, which is a lot like the television series of Little House on the Prairie (based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder) - the images of the prairie and how people lived there in the 1800's.
Emma wrote: "I just finished Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - AMAZING!"Oh, yes, isn't it? I first read Rebecca when I was 13 years old and have re-read it many times since. It gets better every time I read it! Not many books tolerate that.
We are doing a buddy read of Daphne du Maurier's Jamaica Inn beginning June 1st if you are interested.
You may be interested since you liked Rebecca; we would love to have you join us.
Lilisa, I really enjoyed The Return so I don't know if I'm the right person for you, but I also read The Island and liked that even more. I'm not a big fan of her present-day storylines, but I do like the setting in the past.
Dem wrote: "Finished The Temporary Gentleman
by Sebastian Barry This is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/899135273"
I adore anything Sebastian Barry writes! I am running to the bookstore to get this one!! Thanks for the review, Dem.
Peggy - thanks. I think I will try The Island. I'm toying with reading The Thread that I got from the library the other day since it's set in Thessaloniki, which I visited many moons ago and was intrigued by the city's history, so curious to see how it tracks. I usually try to read a couple or so books of an author I didn't enjoy to see if my experience changes. So we'll see.
Emma wrote: "I just finished Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier - AMAZING!"One of my all time favorites! I think a re-read is necessary soon.
I have The Thread on my tbr, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. The description attracts me less than the other two books. But it is nice to read about somewhere you've been to! I read The Island after I got back from Crete. In the reviews of The Island I found several people complaining about the writing, same reasons you gave. It's probably an author-thing ;-)
Connie wrote: "Dem wrote: "Finished The Temporary Gentleman by Sebastian Barry This is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/89913527..."
Thanks Connie, really hope you like it.
Peggy wrote: "I have The Thread on my tbr, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. The description attracts me less than the other two books. But it is nice to read about somewhere you've been to! I read Th..."I'm afraid that might be the case!
I don't have too many plans on my mind right now, other than finishing the two Goodreads giveaway books I'm reading (one is an Asian political crime story, the other one is a beginner's guide to human evolution). Oh, and I AM going to read Les Miserables. I'm committed. Especially after seeing the musical on stage AT LAST, with a great friend playing Eponine.What I have read so far? Loads and loads aqnd loads of dramas for university and just a few novels, which I'm a bit sad about...
I have started Frog Music for the monthly challenge and am continuing with The Count of Monte Cristo for the chunkster challenge.
Book of Humor- By Ruskin Bond- just speed read through it.Not sure if a lot of people outside India know about him, but he is one of the greats for me! If you liked Greald Durrell's My Family and Other animals, read this!
Looking for an audio book last night, while I wait for my others to come off of hold at the library, I found The Sherlockian. Very amusing and interesting story so far. There are two timelines going on. One, in 1893 when Doyle killed Sherlock Holmes at RB falls and one set in 2010 concerning a murder and a group of "scholars" who are part of the Baker Street Irregulars called Sherlockians. I do not know who the narrator is, but he is doing a great job!
Travis of NNY wrote: "Seeing Sarah start it the other day put the idea in my head so I too am starting The Desert Spear"Woohoo! I think you'll like it. It's a good read and I so love the wards and the different types of demons. We'll have to have a chat about it. You may well finish it before me though as I'm off to a music festival tomorrow until Monday so no reading for me :-(
I finished Frog Music for the monthly challenge. This was my first book by Emma Donoghue and I thought it was ok. I liked the writing style and the scene setting was great but I didn't feel as though I ever became fully invested in the characters and for that reason I gave it 3.5 stars (3 on Goodreads).
It has been a while since I reported anything. Well, that because i did not finish much. I have been on a reading slump for the last months. Only audiobook got read as i still have to drive/do chores. :)But i seem to be back. I open Eleanor & Park and read it in almost on sitting. I am now reading Hunted and then i will be back to my chuncster.
Dem wrote: "I just finished The Lost Wife
This is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/903801631"Read it earlier this year and enjoyed it as well. I love historical fiction and seem to gravitate towards books set during wars or the aftermath of wars.
Gavin wrote: "The Picture of Dorian Gray"One of my favorites! I love Oscar Wilde - his wit and sarcasm are exceptional.
I am on a date with my favorite " crookback" and have started Sovereign. I love The Matthew Shardlake series ( hat tip to Lisa).
May has me reading show business autobiographies. I just started my last one, My Lucky Life in and Out of Show Business by Dick Van Dyke. I love how every author connects with the others: Bob Newhart, Julie Andrews, Carol Burnett, Penny Marshall and now Dick Van Dyke. They've all been very interesting!
Marnie wrote: "I am on a date with my favorite " crookback" and have started Sovereign. I love The Matthew Shardlake series ( hat tip to Lisa).":D
Enjoy it Marnie!
I started The Prisoner of Heaven for a buddy read. I am just over halfway through and am really enjoying it so far. I just love Carlos Ruiz Zafon's writing.
Starting An Appetite for Murder for another couple of challenges in other groups, then I'll tackle my last chunkster for a section.
Still working on finishing up three books needed to complete my next chunkster section. Would really like to get these done soon, if possible. Started off really enjoying Have Mother, Will Travel: A Mother and Daughter Discover Themselves, Each Other, and the World, but got annoyed with some content re: how great it was that the French birth rate isn't falling any more. Sorry, but the earth has plenty of people imo. Disliked that the authors chose to include a controversial personal opinion like that. Oh well. Still a good book. Only a few more chapters to go.
The other two on-going books are both contemporary, nonfiction works - one Malaysian, one Singaporean. Some interesting things learned here, but overall has been too repetitive and slow-paced to really be inspiring. Consequently, taking me forever to finish them!
I've been "straying" and reading some other books just for fun. Like I finished Turn, Magic Wheel by Dawn Powell a few days ago. Wonderful writing. Couldn't/can't believe my unfamiliarity with this author until now.
Today I've started The Fixer. Not for any book group or challenges, just for fun : ) I'm about 3 chapters in, and I'm enjoying it's atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.
I finished The Sherlockian - the narrator was James Langton - he was very, very good.I am currently listening to V for Vendetta. It is narrated by Simon Vance - my favorite guy. I also started A Three Dog Life for one of my chunkster reads. It is definately not about dogs. It is a heart breaking story about a woman whose husband was hit by a car (while trying to rescue their dog from the street) and what has happened to their marrage because of his head injury and subsequent brain surgery. He has no short term memory and anger issues.
Cherie wrote: "I finished The Sherlockian - the narrator was James Langton - he was very, very good.I am currently listening to V for Vendetta. It is narrated by Simon Vance - my favo..."
James Langton read the Charles Lennox series (A Beautiful Blue Death) too, he's really quite good.
And Simon Vance.......so good! :)
Dawn wrote: "James Langton read the Charles Lennox series (A Beautiful Blue Death) too, he's really quite good. And Simon Vance.......so good! :)..."
Oh, thanks, Dawn. I will check that out. I am always looking for good recommendations for audio books. I have not read Charles Lennox.
I finished The Prisoner of Heaven which was for a buddy read. This was my least favourite book in the series so far but I still enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars.
I just finished my last chunkster of Mickey's - The Desert Spear which was amazing! I feel on a high after finishing it but a little sad that it's over too. So I'm going for a break on chunksters this week and going to read The City and the City which I'm really looking forward to.
I just started Patient Zero. Looks to be a high action somewhat humorous and a bit vulgar of a shoot the zombies up book. I'm finding it quite entertaining
When I read your post Travis I thought it said a zombie pop up book, but no! It would be fun though ;-)
Ha I bet a zombie pop up book would be a good seller. Especially in houses where the parents are fans of the walking dead and such things
Sarah wrote: "When I read your post Travis I thought it said a zombie pop up book, but no! It would be fun though ;-)"I think you are on to something there.
I can just imagine it now - lots of kids (and adults) with the light turned off, torch at the ready reading the book and scaring themselves silly when a zombie pops up! Definitely a good seller - Zombies are in at the moment.
I just finished Outlander, what a ride that was! I thought it was fantastic, here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Next will be Water for Elephants, for the monthly read.
Because I am crazy and I cannot pass up an audio book narrated by Simon Vance, I listened to V for Vendetta. When I was at the library to pick up the movie (recommended by Sarah), I decided to look and see if they had the Graphic Novel V for Vendetta and they did. Sooo - I read it. And I watched the movie yesterday.
I am now well versed in all of the versions, especially after downloading Quicklet on V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, which I have not finished yet.
Unless you are really, really interested in graphic novels - skip it. My favorite - the movie! The audio book is the same, but you do not get the visual effect. However, if the blood and violance bother you, listen to the book. I cannot find the book by Steve Moore in print, but I would read it if I could not get the audio version.
Cherie wrote: "Because I am crazy and I cannot pass up an audio book narrated by Simon Vance, I listened to V for Vendetta. When I was at the library to pick up the movie (recommended by Sarah), I ..."
I think I gave the graphic novel 2 stars. In general I just don't care for Alan Moore's work
I finished The Blade Itself on audiobook (Steve Pacey is my new favourite narrator) and The Prisoner of Heaven. I'm still reading The Alienist. Next up is The Lies of Locke Lamora. It will be my first read in Roadrunner's section.
Cherie wrote: "Because I am crazy and I cannot pass up an audio book narrated by Simon Vance, I listened to V for Vendetta. When I was at the library to pick up the movie (recommended by Sarah), I ..."
I am so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the film! I have it on DVD and do enjoy watching it. I think I'll give the graphic novel a miss but the book sounds good. From what I recall, the book is based on the screenplay of the film rather than the film being based on the book (it's based on the graphic novel).
Janice wrote: "I finished The Blade Itself on audiobook (Steve Pacey is my new favourite narrator) and The Prisoner of Heaven. I'm still reading The Alienist. Next up ..."I have The Blade Itself in my new chunkster section. Glad you liked it! I really enjoyed Locke Lamora so I will be interested to see what you think.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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