What are you reading and how is it going?

[Mark]

I'm reading "Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian. I know it is supposed to be a tragic story, but it seems a bit sterile as if to romanticize homelessness. Time will tell.

[Micah]

I'm reading 'The Well at The Worlds End' by William Morris, which is quoted as being the very first fantasy genre book. It was loved by C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. its written in an archaic old-world style which is challenging to read but also rewarding.

[Mark]

Micah wrote: "I'm reading 'The Well at The Worlds End' by William Morris, which is quoted as being the very first fantasy genre book. It was loved by C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. its written in an archaic old-wo..."

Fantastic, Micah. Let us know what you think of it when you can.

Thanks,
Mark

[Sarai]

Currently finishing Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and The Season by Jonah Lisa Dyer. I expect to finish both by the end of my lunch hour today! :)

[Craig]

Micah wrote: "I'm reading 'The Well at The Worlds End' by William Morris, which is quoted as being the very first fantasy genre book. It was loved by C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. its written in an archaic old-wo..."

Hmm. Now I kind of want to read it...

[Craig]

I'm about halfway through Forester's "The African Queen" and when I have Wi-Fi I'm listening to "We Need to Talk About Kevin". And believe me. We do.

[Carmen]

I'm reading Blood of the Earth, book 1 in the new Soulwood series by Faith Hunter. This series is actually a spin-off of her Jane Yellowrock series. It's getting real good, with Nell finally starting to really really question some of the things she was taught growing up in a cult. She hasn't been a part of the cult in many years, but now she's finding out that the cult may be worse than she thought, and she's still got a lot of family in it.

[Susan]

I'm reading "Killing Lincoln" -- enjoying it so far. I tend to alternate between fiction and non-.

[Craig]

Susan wrote: "I'm reading "Killing Lincoln" -- enjoying it so far. I tend to alternate between fiction and non-."

What do you think your next fiction book will be ...

[Craig]

Carmen wrote: "I'm reading Blood of the Earth, book 1 in the new Soulwood series by Faith Hunter. This series is actually a spin-off of her Jane Yellowrock series. It's getting real good, with Nell finally starti..."

Interesting. Sounds like you will be pretty psyched for November when Book 2 comes out ...

[Mark]

Susan wrote: "I'm reading "Killing Lincoln" -- enjoying it so far. I tend to alternate between fiction and non-."

Hi Susan,

You might like the Aboite Adult Book Club. We make an effort to read a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and classics, and I am taking suggestions for 2017. If you can't make the meetings on the fourth Wednesday of the month, I post all the books to this book club too so you can participate without going to the meetings.

[Mark]

Carmen wrote: "I'm reading Blood of the Earth, book 1 in the new Soulwood series by Faith Hunter. This series is actually a spin-off of her Jane Yellowrock series. It's getting real good, with Nell finally starti..."

Hi Carmen,

I'm always looking for Science Fiction and Fantasy the book club members might enjoy discussing. Let me know how Blood of the Earth is going. If you have any recommendations for the group, let me know. Maybe I can put something on the reading list for 2017.

[Carmen]

Hi Mark, I ended up really liking Blood of the earth. It took some time, because not all the characters were sympathetic. I thought the explanation for the villains didn't make sense, it seemed like the author was trying to make the answer too supernatural. And Nell finding out the limits of her power. .. seemed like a big reach for her, considering she started the book by almost denying she had powers. I did like how Nell's family explained their behavior, it was lies and deception for the greater good, and Nell's best interest was really at heart. I did like that her family wasn't flawless, and that her sister actually liked being a sister-wife, Priscilla just wanted a home and lots of family.

[Sarai]

OMG! I just finished A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and it is SOOOO GOOD!!! So sad! It's being made into a movie, so now is your chance to go check out a copy before the movie hits. I think this is going to be one of my favorite books.

[Craig]

Sarai wrote: "OMG! I just finished A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and it is SOOOO GOOD!!! So sad! It's being made into a movie, so now is your chance to go check out a copy before the movie hits. I think this i..."

Maybe I should try to read this with one of the book clubs ...

[Jenn]

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

I've heard wonderful things about this book, but I'm having difficulty getting into it. Mainly because I read right before bed and the pace has been putting me to sleep before I get much read. So I'm taking a break from it to read Salt by Helen Frost and then I'll attempt it again.

[Craig]

Jenn wrote: "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

I've heard wonderful things about this book, but I'm having difficulty getting into i..."

I'm hoping to listen to Salt in the next few weeks. I'd like to contribute to the discussion thread going on for the book here on Goodreads.

[Mark]

I just picked up a copy of Salt and hope to read it soon. Looking forward to the discussion.

[Vanessa]

I'm reading Twenty Years After bu Alexandre Dumas, which is the sequel to The Three Musketeers. I am throroughly enjoying it and expect to be finished tonight, and I plan on reading the reaminder of books in the series.

[Mark]

Vanessa wrote: "I'm reading Twenty Years After bu Alexandre Dumas, which is the sequel to The Three Musketeers. I am throroughly enjoying it and expect to be finished tonight, and I plan on reading the reaminder o..."

Hi Vanessa,
Thanks for posting. We have The Vicomte of Bragelonne at the library and many editions are available for sale. Hope you enjoy the stories.

[Craig]

Vanessa wrote: "I'm reading Twenty Years After bu Alexandre Dumas, which is the sequel to The Three Musketeers. I am throroughly enjoying it and expect to be finished tonight, and I plan on reading the reaminder o..."

Now that's a book I need to read. The Three Musketeers. I'm adding it to my list.

[Vanessa]

It's wonderful! I hope you enjoy it when you get to it. I found myself googling characters because I didn't realise that a lot of the secondary characters actually existed until I began reading it. So many interesting facts meshed with fiction! I initially began the series, because I started The Man in the Iron Mask, and I was incredibly confused so I decided to start at the beginning of the Series and I'm so glad that I did.

[Craig]

I was just looking at a list of Dumas' fiction. I didn't know he was so prolific. It appears he wrote 8 novels about Marie Antoinette, too.

[Vanessa]

I'm interested in reading one about her that I saw at the Tecumseh branch, The Knight of Maison Rouge

[Craig]

Micah wrote: "I'm reading 'The Well at The Worlds End' by William Morris, which is quoted as being the very first fantasy genre book. It was loved by C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. its written in an archaic old-wo..."

I am currently reading 'The Well at the World's End'. I'm just over halfway and it's quite a bit of fun. It got better once the narrative gelled and took off and now we stand near the Wall of the World.

How did you feel about the book, Micah.
No spoilers! = )

[Carmen]

I'm trying to read "The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test". Not a fan. Too many run-on sentences, and so much background information is implied. I need the cliffs notes to figure it all out.

[Craig]

Carmen wrote: "I'm trying to read "The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test". Not a fan. Too many run-on sentences, and so much background information is implied. I need the cliffs notes to figure it all out."

That's an interesting title. I think I'll have to look up more about that book even if I don't end up reading it ... Good luck!

[Mark]

Craig wrote: "Carmen wrote: "I'm trying to read "The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test". Not a fan. Too many run-on sentences, and so much background information is implied. I need the cliffs notes to figure it all ou..."

I read it years ago, maybe for school. I remember being confused much of the time.

[Vanessa]

I'm currebtly reading The Luck of the Bodkins by PG Wodehouse - thoroughly amusing and there are lots of quirky phrases and sayings from back in the day.

[Craig]

I was looking at Wodehouse's list of books just now. He's got so many, how did you come to choose to read Luck of the Bodkins?

[Vanessa]

Craig wrote: "I was looking at Wodehouse's list of books just now. He's got so many, how did you come to choose to read Luck of the Bodkins?"
I originally read about it on a blog, I believe, but I picked up a copy of The Code of the Woosters a year or two ago and thought it was very entertaining. I'm getting through Bodkins much more quickly than I did Wooster, though. One of these days I may just pick up the entire works!

Fun Fact: Hugh Laurie was in a television spin-off of the Jeeves-and Wooster series

[Craig]

I bet some of those books would be delightful as audiobooks and your suggestion about the TV show just gave me an idea for book club! Thanks!

[Vanessa]

Oh! I never thought about listening to them as audiobooks, I'm going to have to give that a try soon! Looking forward to seeing what idea you've come up with :)

[Craig]

We do a book club at The Cedars near Leo that focuses on books turned into movies/TV shows. I just realized we could do a Wodehouse book! Now which one will be the question ... = )

[Craig]

Craig wrote: "Micah wrote: "I'm reading 'The Well at The Worlds End' by William Morris, which is quoted as being the very first fantasy genre book. It was loved by C.S Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien. its written in an ..."

Hey, Micah. Did you ever finish 'The Well at the World's End'? I just got through it and found it fairly engrossing.

[Mikayla Beth]

Right now I am reading the novel, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens and I am really enjoying the writing style of the author. I have been meaning to read this book for a while and so far I am very pleased.

[Mary]

I just finished reading "Lord of Shadows" by Cassandra Clare. It is the 2nd book in the Dark Artifices trilogy, which is the 3rd installment in Clare's Shadowhunter Chronicles. I love all of her novels, and this one was definitely one of her best works.

[Mikayla Beth]

If you enjoy novels by Helen Frost, I would recommend you try novel by April Henry that have a similar style. They are very fast reads, but are still incredible.

[Mary]

If you enjoy books such as Divergent or Hunger Games I would recommend starting Cassandra Clare's Shadowhunter Chronicles. There are three series/trilogies. There is the Mortal Instruments Series, starting with City of Bones, which follows Clary Fray as she is thrown into a world that she never knew she belonged in. Then there is The Infernal Devices Trilogy, a prequel to The Mortal Instruments series, which follows Tessa Gray in 1878 as she discovers new abilities and new worlds. Then there is The Dark Artifices Trilogy, a sequel to the Mortal Instruments, which follows Emma Carstairs as she tries to solve the murder of her parents. All the books take place in the same world, and I would definitely recommend them all.

[Mark]

Mikayla (Cheesecake) wrote: "Right now I am reading the novel, "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens and I am really enjoying the writing style of the author. I have been meaning to read this book for a while and so far I ..."

A patron suggested adding A Tale of Two Cities to the Aboite Book Club's reading list for 2018. I am all for that and hope the group will approve.

[Mark]

Thanks for the great discussions, folks. I really enjoyed Salt by Helen Frost.

[Michelle]

I'm currently reading "Law of Gravity" by Stephen Horn. It's okay, but sometimes a little over-detailed.

I'm about 50 pages away from finishing (for the second time!) "The Importance of Being Little" by Erika Christakis which I HIGHLY recommend. Its focus is what kids in preschool and kindergarten truly need. As a homeschool mom of a preschooler and a kindergartener, I found this book extremely relevant.

[Danielle]

I'm currently reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. I am only on the second chapter (work and adulting make it difficult sometimes, especially with a toddler who wants to read the same thing as me) but it's literally one of the best books I've ever read.

On a side note, would i be considered the "Worlds Okay-est Parent" if I read my 2-year old The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit series?

[Heatherl34]

I'm currently reading "The Forgetting" by Sharon Cameron. It's interesting... a definitely a little 'Hunger Games' flavor in there but still completely its own story.

[Kiana]

I just started "Things I Can't Forget," by Miranda Kenneally. Very intriguing. I would definitely recommend.

[Kiana]

I would recommend The Testing series. As you get further through the series, it kind of gets a "Hunger Games" feel but still has its own storyline

[Kaciopeia]

Right now I'm on book 15 of the China Bayles mystery series Spanish Dagger, by Susan Wittig Albert. I'm hooked.

[WhatisAshreading]

I'm currently reading 5, but my favorite is A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. I'm really enjoying it so far and think I'll be able to get through it quickly.

[Craig]

Danielle wrote: "I'm currently reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. I am only on the second chapter (work and adulting make it difficult sometimes, especially with a toddler who wants to read t..."

I once knew a toddler who could sing "Down, Down to Goblin Town" from her high chair and she seemed fine ... though I don't know where she's at now ...

[Craig]

Danielle wrote: "I'm currently reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. I am only on the second chapter (work and adulting make it difficult sometimes, especially with a toddler who wants to read t..."

I once read a great review about Larsson that teased out much of the subtext of that series ... I've been interested to give it a go ever since.