What are you reading or what books have you read or heard about? (Part TWELVE) Ongoing general thread. Showing 1,551-1,600 of 2,793

[Nina]

Interesting review and especially enjoyed reading about the grandfather's views also.

[Jim]

Nina wrote: "Interesting review and especially enjoyed reading about the grandfather's views also."

That was a low point for Grandpa, Nina. Refusal to discuss something because it is taboo or to question basic beliefs was quite hypocritical of him. His father was an Episcopalian minister. Grandpa studied the Bible enough to realize it was ridiculous & how badly religions cherry picked it, so he became an atheist. He immigrated to this country, became a newspaper reporter & wound up owner, publisher, & editor of the Long Islander, the newspaper Walt Whitman started. He was justifiably proud of these accomplishments.

He prided himself on his ability to dig out & understand the facts before making a decision. In the case of this book, he failed miserably on both counts. Very disappointing, but it proved Sturgeon's point perfectly.

[Nina]

It's good you remember him both ways, Jim. Sometimes I think it is hard for us to admit our close relatives' flaws but remember they too are human and sometimes are mistaken in their views as in this case.

[Jim]

True, Nina.

[Jim]

I just finished The Wonderful Wizard of Oz narrated by Brooke Shields. It was pretty good. Fun to read it again after all these years. I gave it a 3 star review here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks, Jim.

[Nina]

Reading Jim's report of the "Wizard of Oz," book prompted me to go to my bookcase and fine my Oz books. The first one was "The Wizard of Oz," by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow, copyright 1903; the second book is "The Land of Oz," illustrated by John R. Neill and copyright 1904; third book is "Rinitinktink in Oz" copyright 1916 illustrated by Neill and of course all were written by Frank Baum and last book on my shelf was "Ozma in Oz," copyright 1907. This book had my mother's note inside, "Love from Mother to Teresa Christmas 1938.. I often received used books for Christmas.

[Nina]

As a young child if there were star ratings I am sure I would have given these books five stars. At that time there was no movie version and by the way Dorothy's shoes were silver not red.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

That's quite a book collection, Nina.

[Mary JL]

Apparently, I am into historical fiction for a while. I read 'New York" earlier this year----reviews coming soon I promise!---and Book 3 of the American Chronicles by Robert Vaughan.

Now I am just starting---one third of the way through---Book 4 of The American Chronicles series, again by Robert Vaughan. The tile is "Hard Times' and of course it covers the 1930's and the Great Depression. Good so far.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks for posting, Mary JL.

[Jim]

I just finished reading The Rare Breed. I haven't seen the movie in ages, but I just finished reading the novelization of it. Fun story. I reviewed it here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks, Jim.

[Linda]

Thanks Mary and Jim for sharing information on what you are currently reading.

Right now I am still not reading anything but my list of want to read is ever-growing.

[Nina]

I am reading a fun mystery set in a charming village southeast of Montreal. The title is, "Still Life," by Louise Penny. Joy, does one of your children live in Montreal? If so or even if not I'd recommend this book to you. Great characterization and setting.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks for the suggestion, Nina.
Still Life by Louise Penny

[Linda]

We go to Montreal often and the areas along the US / Canadian border.

Mysteries are my favorite!! Definitely adding this one to my reading list.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Linda, have you tried reading the mysteries/crime/detective stories by the following authors?

See the Robert B Parker page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
and
Lawrence Sanders

I remember enjoying them, even though mysteries aren't my favorite genre.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

See my Robert B Parker reviews here (the Spenser series):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

See the Robert B Parker page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

[Nina]

Thanks for all the mystery data.

[Linda]

Joy H. wrote: "Linda, have you tried reading the mysteries/crime/detective stories by the following authors?

See the
Robert B Parker
page here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
and
..."

I haven't read of any by Robert B Parker. I will look at your reviews.

Yes, I've read Lawrence Sanders probably not all of them but most. Thanks though for reminding me of him. I think he wrote "McNally" series. The main character always makes me think of the sitcom Frasier (which is a hoot by the way!).

Love, love, love mysteries (hence the reason for watching Midsomer Murders, Father Brown and Dr. Blake Mysteries (this one takes place in Australia).

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Here's a link to a list of the Lawrence Sanders books which I have read: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list...

I never read any of his McNally series.

[Linda]

Joy, I haven't read any of those books. Going to add them to my list of to read (as soon as I have time).

Looking forward to having time to read and enjoy once I 'm no longer working full-time (I may be working part part part time which means around 10 hours weekly - but not right away).

Ah, to read and relax. Sometimes reading the book club selection with a 3-4 week timeframe is tough!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Enjoy your newly-found free time, Linda.

[Linda]

Thanks much!
No computer for a week.
Catch up with you all soon.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

OK. Have fun.

[Nina]

Here is a quote for you, Joy. "One who plants a garden plants happiness." Chinese proverb Too hot here to plant a garden/nineties..

[Joy H., Group Founder]

That's a good quote, Nina.

[Nina]

Weather/I heard today that Manhattan was to be one hundred degrees. Are you experiencing that temp, Linda, Joy or Jim? Here is the nineties and high humidity and not pleasant but hopefully rain is due tomorrow and cooler temps. It is not even officially summer so why it this happening? Somebody said, "You can't fight Mother Nature," and they were right. Just water flowers and read books and go to the library is the best I can do.

[Nina]

My book club selection this month is "My Name is Lucy Barton," so have any of you read it and if so what is your opinion?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, it's been hot here too. We're keeping cool.
I'll check out My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. Thanks.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

PS-I see that Elizabeth Strout is also the author of "Olive Kitteridge".

[Nina]

Just picked up "Lucy..." at the library this morning and will let you know what I think of it. I am still reading a third book of Louise Penny's and need to finish it first however. Did we discuss the name Lucy before this? I have a daughter named Lucy and a great granddaughter named Lucy. Is anyone in your family named Lucy, Joy?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, I had an Aunt Lucy. I love the name.

[Jim]

It's been upper 80s, low 90s all week & supposed to stay that way save it goes down to the upper 70s briefly if there is a pop up thunderstorm. We missed one yesterday, but got a couple this evening. Far too brief, just wet the grass. We're really dry & need a decent rain. Things are starting to wilt.

[Nina]

We are expecting rain tomorrow, Jim so perhaps it will get to you by Thursday. It seems to go that was sometimes.

[Jim]

I think tomorrow is our best chance for rain, too. It would be nice. It's about 100% humidity now, but it's all just hanging in muggy air.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Sunshine here. 64 degrees.

[Nina]

I wish. Enjoy. Big storm last night and Bradford pear tree lost a huge limb. Still laying in the street. But, life goes on and had a delicious lunch so not such a bad day after all. Just finished "My Name is Lucy Barton," in a day and not my kind of theme. Tired of reading about the poor abused...so many like this one only the names and setting changed.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina wrote: "... Just finished "My Name is Lucy Barton," in a day and not my kind of theme. Tired of reading about the poor abused...so many like this one only the names and setting changed. "

I know what you mean, Nina!

[Nina]

I hope our weather doesn't go your way Jim as it is ninety six today and in June...way above average and I dread to think of July.

[Jim]

We got 1/2" of rain today, but still in the mid to upper 80s.

I was brushing my teeth this morning when Pip trotted in to say good morning. After he left I was almost floored by the smell of skunk. Poor Marg got an early wake up call.

She tried the peroxide/baking soda formula, but it didn't fizz nor cut through the skunk. Not sure if the peroxide was bad or not. She rubbed in more baking soda & rinsed him with 1/2 gallon of vinegar. That fizzed just fine & he doesn't smell at all now.

[Nina]

Oh those skunk smells. How interesting for the "cure" though. We are expecting rain in the next hour. I brought in my cushions and that probably means it won't come.

[Nina]

Happy Father's day to you fathers out there on our Goodreads list. And to the husbands of those goodreaders. Finally our heat will break from the nineties to eighty degrees so the "fathers" can cook out.

[Jim]

Thanks. My daughter & I went to the Ren Faire again today. I may have a new venue for selling my bowls & Inkle looms.

[Nina]

Sounds promising.. Hope it works out for you.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Happy Fathers's Day!

[Linda]

Happy Father's Day everyone.

I am reading David Baldacci, "The Whole Truth" which is pretty good so far.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

The Whole Truth - Another mystery thriller!

[Linda]

Jim wrote: "Thanks. My daughter & I went to the Ren Faire again today. I may have a new venue for selling my bowls & Inkle looms."

Excellent, Jim. Let us know how you make out.