What are you reading and why? Jan-Jun 2014 Showing 1,301-1,330 of 1,330

[Lisa]

I finished Vicious which I rated 4 stars. It was a really fun read (despite being quite dark at times) and it had some interesting but flawed characters. If you are looking for a gritty, adult book about superheroes, I would highly recommend checking it out.

I am now starting A Clash of Kings for my chunkster challenge, which has been a bit neglected these past few weeks. I can't wait to return to Westeros!

[Elsbeth]

I'm now reading The Pearl, which was a groupread for another group last month. But I didn't feel like it then (already read another book by John Steinbeck for another group in the same month), so I'll do it now. I liked Of Mice and Men, so I think I will like this one, too...

[Dem]

just finished The Heart is a Lonely Hunter this is my review www.goodreads.com/review/show/970720739

[Sarah]

I have just finished reading Water for Elephants for the group read. Pleased I've finished it. It was a close call though - I did nearly abandon it. Also finished listening to The Black Country which I really enjoyed. I'm still plodding my way through The Troop which I hope to finish over the weekend and then I can get back to my chunksters although I'm not sure which one I'm going to start with until I do. Just started a new audio Harvest.

[Lisa]

I will be interested to hear what you think of Harvest Sarah. I bought a copy earlier this year but haven't read it yet.

[Suzanne]

Me, too! I have it on my wish list!

[Cherie]

Lisa wrote: "If you are looking for a gritty, adult book about superheroes, I would highly recommend checking it out..."

What kind of superheros, Lisa?

[Suzanne]

And Switzerland's is Montana 1948. Do the Swiss dream of rural Americana?

[Lisa]

Cherie wrote: "Lisa wrote: "If you are looking for a gritty, adult book about superheroes, I would highly recommend checking it out..."

What kind of superheros, Lisa?"

Cherie, it reminded me quite a bit of the first series of the tv show 'Heroes'. That is what came to my mind when I first started reading it. However, I didn't really enjoy 'Heroes' but I loved this book. I think this will also appeal if you like X Men.

[Janice, Moderator]

Rusalka wrote: "I'm just going to leave this time sink here
http://www.bookdepository.com/browse/......"

I think there's something suspect here. Maybe these are slow sellers and are overstocked. If everyone in Canada is buying Gut and Psychology Syndrome, I'd better order it, even though I have never heard of it.

[Janice, Moderator]

I've been lost in limbo between work and social life the last couple of days, that I haven't been online. I finished Theft of Swords. I loved it so much, I used a credit at Audible and got the next two-book bundle, Rise of Empire, and started it. I'm a couple of hours in and really enjoying it already.

I don't know if mentioned that I started The Almond Tree a couple of days ago. I won it on first reads. It's a difficult read with all the atrocities that humans are capable of.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

I'm not sure how used Book Depository is in some countries, which may explain some of the weird ones. Jordan for example, I would assume it's used by ex-pats in international schools.

But no, no idea about Canada.

[Janice, Moderator]

I think the site is known in Canada. I've heard people mention the site in casual conversation. One of the quilters on Sunday said she buys books from them all the time.

It was amusing to read some of the titles. China's best seller from Book Depository is a ruled moleskin notebook. Who knows... maybe a school purchased them in bulk.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Same with Bulgaria and Czech Republic. To be fair, I've bought a moleskin from them. They are cheap through them :P

[Sarah]

I've put Harvest back on the shelf for now as I wanted something more fun to read after my recent spate of hard going books. So I will be listening to Seventh Son instead. Just sorted out borrowing my mum's overdrive account (she doesn't use it) which has opened up many many more audio options for me!

[Travis]

Only one half hour more and I will finally be done with Pandora's Star. I don't think Hamilton is an author I can listen must be a print version author for me. Its been a struggle trying to keep it all straight in his fairly complex world. I have no idea what to rate this book. It was a good book and I'm not sure my failure of grasping it and keeping everything straight is a reason to deduct major points. I swear my ADD was in overdrive in this one. I'm thinking next is gonna be Shattered
An iron druid novel may be just what I need. Either that or I may re listen to Monster Hunter International or all 4 mhi books to prepare for book 5. They're just so fun

[Suzanne]

I'm reading two books for the chunkster challenge right now: The House of Morgan: An American Banking Dynasty and the Rise of Modern Finance and The 19th Wife. I'm enjoying both and am bound and determined to finish both of them before July 1st. (AKA I'm a reading machine right now!)

[Janice, Moderator]

At about page 90, I closed the book The Almond Tree with a bang and said, "I can't read this book!" It is one atrocity after another with no respite. The violence is graphic and unnecessary.

I started The Terror instead.

[Peggy]

Haha Janice, just from the title that doesn't sound much better ;-)

[Janice, Moderator]

LOL! I know, but if I'm going to read horror, something supernatural is easier to stomach than something that really does happen. Let the monsters be truly fictional instead of the monsters that some people can be.

[Sarah]

I don't blame you Janice. I looked at the book and it has a high average rating but all my goodreads friends who have read it have ranked it a lot less than 3 stars, others abandoned it or thought it was the worst book ever! I think I'll pass on that.

[Peggy]

I also considered putting it on my tbr, but after your review I won't. Graphic violence is not my thing, and it sounds very depressing.

[Janice, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "I don't blame you Janice. I looked at the book and it has a high average rating but all my goodreads friends who have read it have ranked it a lot less than 3 stars, others abandoned it or thought ..."

I spent some time this morning reading some really interesting reviews on it. A couple of people who gave it one star wrote long essays that appeared to be well informed and intelligently presented that shed some light on the whole Jewish/Muslin conflict, and debunked the author's biases. I was glad that I gave up on the book. I don't need to waste my time on books that are going to bring me down and fuel anger and hatred.

[Casceil]

Anyone who reads Kindle books should check out today's daily deals. They have 25 books available today for $1.99, including Beautiful Ruins, American Gods, and The Golem and the Jinni. Sarah and I did a buddy read of The Golem and Jinni, and I loved it. I gave it five stars.

[Sarah]

Back on the chunksters now with Red Seas Under Red Skies. Looking forward to meting with Locke and the Gentleman Bastards again.

[Roz]

Janice wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I don't blame you Janice. I looked at the book and it has a high average rating but all my goodreads friends who have read it have ranked it a lot less than 3 stars, others abandoned ..."

I didn't want to say anything until after you had read it, Janice. I got it in a giveaway, thinking it would be a "good read". But I really didn't like it. Started out okay, even with the violence, but it just didn't hold up for me half way through.

[Marnie]

I have been on vacation and have read 1/2 a book in two weeks which is like a record for me. The book An Officer and a Spy is very interesting and reads almost like a thriller though it is based on a real life event. Maybe the 13+ hours flying home will help me get it finished?

[Sandra, Moderator]

My last reads have been:
The Visionist that was not what I was expecting. It didn't really catch my attention,
The Rosie Project that was so funny and enjoyable!
Y that was just ok,
Orphan Train, a really great historical fiction,
and The Silkworm, another incredible Cormoran Strike novel, really recommendable.
Now I'm working on Olive Kitteridge and not really enjoying it. I don't know why it won a pulitzer!

[Lilisa]

I have a different view of The Almond Tree. I read it a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it and gave it 4 stars. Rarely have I run across a novel written with the main character providing the Palestinian perspective (although the author is Jewish). In the span of a couple of months I read another, which I enjoyed even more - Mornings in Jenin, this time by a Palestinian author whose parents were refugees of the 1967 war - I gave it 5 stars. Interestingly there's been some heated exchanges between the two authors.

[Lilisa]

Marnie wrote: "I have been on vacation and have read 1/2 a book in two weeks which is like a record for me. The book An Officer and a Spy is very interesting and reads almost like a thriller thoug..."

Marnie - I found it fascinating as well. Can't wait to hear what you think after you're done. Safe travels.