Goodreads Ireland discussion
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Monthly Group Read Nominations
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June Monthly Group Read Nominations 2014
I would like to nominate The People in the Trees I know someone in the group mentioned it at some stage and it sounds like an interesting read
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I remember that, Seraphina. It sounded like a good, modern fantasy tale.
Ooh, Misery! Loved the movie, never read the book.
Ya I can't put my finger on who mentioned it Declan but I have been thinking about it lately. I really enjoyed misery when I read it Heather.
Emma, The Effect of Her is criminally under read, given that I had to get Declan to add it to the Goodreads database last summer, and since then I'm still the only person to rate it! But yes, it is an excellent read, along with the first in the series, Unspoken, that just missed out to Brooklyn in the quarterly read. (I wonder if Declan regrets the choice he made with that one? ;) !!)
The Effect of Her isn't in our library yet which is one of the largest in the US. Perhaps lack of availability is why it's under read.
Well since I am respobsible (guilty) for nominating Brooklyn I shall atone by seconding The Effect of Her. I bought it based on Allan's recommendation and was planning to read it soon anyway.
@Diane. Barbara mentioned having trouble getting hold of it. I think US ebook sites referred her to Irish and UK sites to download it.
@Allan & Trelawn. I do have a small regret about picking it, but I browsed bookshops and libraries and picked up some awful bilge without anyone else influencing me.
@Allan & Trelawn. I do have a small regret about picking it, but I browsed bookshops and libraries and picked up some awful bilge without anyone else influencing me.
So many good nominations already. I'm going to be lazy & nominate The Temporary Gentleman because I've already read it...
Theresa, you could read The Effect of Her as a standalone without a problem, even though it is a sequel. The lack of availability worldwide could prove to be a problem for our members outside the British Isles, although I'm sure Kenny's and The Book Depository will be selling it postage free on their sites.
Diane wrote: "The Effect of Her isn't in our library yet which is one of the largest in the US. Perhaps lack of availability is why it's under read."The Effect of Her hasn't been published in the US and I don't think it will be. But I ordered a used copy through Amazon that came from the UK. Used books ordered via Amazon and shipped from the UK take maybe 7-10 days. The Book Depository has it for around $13 - shipping included - from the UK.
Having said all that, while we do consider a book's availability on both sides of the pond, I don't think we have a rule that it must be. In some cases we know a book will be coming out in the US so postpone nominating it til then. But occasionally there is a book that the American market fails to appreciate so I would argue, it shouldn't be ruled out if it's not available in the US.
My nomination, hands down, is Transatlantic by Colum McCann. A five-star rating from this granny in Austin, TX. With old eyes, I enjoyed the audio version, and recommend it, especially because of outstanding Irish accent of reader!
Barbara, your point about the Stembridge book being very Ireland centric in the 'What are you Reading' thread is an interesting one-having a major interest in Irish social history, it was right up my street, but some readers from outside Ireland may get lost in some of the detail. Saying that, that didn't stop people enjoying Strumpet City in the group. Perhaps it's the perfect type of read for Goodreads Ireland? Carol, we read-and generally loved-Transatlantic as last July's monthly read. I'm sure someone will post a link to the discussion threads if you can't find them, as I know that Declan keeps them open. I've listened to Zoli, Dancer and Let the Great World Spin on audio, and might invest in a copy of Transatlantic in the same format to enjoy as a reread, based on your recommendation. :)
I agree that this is the perfect place to read a very Ireland centric book. Those of us that get a bit lost can ask questions.
I'm up for Steinbeck. It would be a nice change of pace and Declan rated it five stars. How can you beat that?
Sara,Allan and Emma _ I love your nominations and I want to read them all so I don't think I'm going to nominate a book. Colleen -Unspoken is definitely a great read. J.S. we should all read The Temporary Gentleman. I just was chatting to someone from Ghana today and thought of the book. theresa - I just read The Lowland this month and loved it - 5 stars. Seraphina - The People in Trees looks intriguing. Heather - Stephen King writes such creepy stuff, but it's good.
Barbara wrote: "Sara,Allan and Emma _ I love your nominations and I want to read them all so I don't think I'm going to nominate a book. Colleen -Unspoken is definitely a great read. J.S. we should all read The T..."
Definitely Barbara, so many good nominations that I'd like to read.
Alot of books listed here that I'd like to read. I have promised myself that I will read Steinbeck this year, i have cannery row on my tbr pile. And I really enjoyed unspoken although I do think some of the humour and references may be lost on non Irish readers. I don't mean that in an offensive way just mentions of rte setting up and the politicians that are notorious in Ireland would not be familiar to all readers.
I'm going to nominate one of my all time favourites which I havent read in a while. Its a book with Heaven and Hell, camp Angels and slick Demons, a bookshop, witches and witch hunters, four bikers if the Apocalypse,the offspring of the devil and his friendly dog.Plus its one of the funniest books you could ever hope to read. When asked to recommend just one book to someone this is the one I pick.
Written by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman who are now two if the most popular authors in the world I nominate -
Good Omens by Pratchett and Gaiman
Susan wrote: "I'm up for Steinbeck. It would be a nice change of pace and Declan rated it five stars. How can you beat that?"Agreed definitely
The Spice Merchant's Wife
The Spice Merchant's Wife is about the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the devastation and gradual recovery of the city which followed. Looks like a hugely interesting read.
You guys never let me down with the breadth of nominations. I love the variety we have so far.
@Carol. As Allan pointed out we've already read that, but there's still plenty of time uf you'd like to nominate something else.
@Susan. You make me sound like an old grump who dishes out 1* ratings for fun, which isn't entirely true.
@Seraphina. Cannery Row and In Dubious Battle are very different novels. IDB is darker and more earnest than CR which has a warming, feel-good vibe.
@Carol. As Allan pointed out we've already read that, but there's still plenty of time uf you'd like to nominate something else.
@Susan. You make me sound like an old grump who dishes out 1* ratings for fun, which isn't entirely true.
@Seraphina. Cannery Row and In Dubious Battle are very different novels. IDB is darker and more earnest than CR which has a warming, feel-good vibe.
Clare wrote: "The Spice Merchant's Wife
The Spice Merchant's Wife is about the Great Fire of London in 1666 and the devastation and gradual recover..."
It looks intriguing. Even when a book isn't selected, it gives us ideas for books to put on our 'to read' shelves.
@Theresa. I love the sentiment behind that but I if a book is that bad I feel others need to be warned, so they stay on my shelf.
Do it, Jamielynn. You know you want to and that the book deserves it.
You probably feel better now, Jamielynn. :)
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My copy of 'The Dream of the Celt' arrived the other day, and I'll probably read it and 'In Dubious Battle' over the next month anyway. I'll be interested to see how the vote goes, particularly for Stembridge, before deciding which book to vote for myself.
@Sara I mulled over nominating something new but Good Omens called to me. It really is a classic.
Jamie Lynn wrote: "John the book you nominated is actually at our library!"Makes a nice change. My nominations are usually so new they're not out of nappies yet.
Declan, I was not suggesting you love to give 1* ratings at all. I'm just saying when you give 5 stars, it's usually pretty special. That's what got me into Crime & Punishment. My book club is groaning because I nominated it for our classic read. I hope I can do it justice at the meeting.Paul, the only reason I'd hesitate on your choice is that we just did science fiction this month. I'd like a little change of pace.
As for the Stembridge, I hesitate on a book that is hard for some of us to get.
Susan Good Omens is most definitely not Sci-fi. Its fantasy of a sort but very accesible. Its like The Omen meets Tom Browns school days with a sprinkling of fantastic wit. its one of those books everyone should get to at some point
@Declan, I noticed you gave the two Steinbeck books 5 stars so I'm just wondering which was your favourite? Also to anyone else who has read the two....
Emma wrote: "I'm going to nominate The Effect of Her. Sounds interesting and I know the few people here who've already read it enjoyed it"That book sounds really good, Emma.
@Seraphina. I hate choosing because there very different in spite of both being Steinbeck novels. I think I'd have to go for Cannery Row. As brilliant as IDB was, I think CR is the kind of book people can love.
I am seeing the word 'stinky' and 'nappies' in the same thread, pretty funny.
@paul. I have never heard anyone mention Tom Brown's School Days before. I thought I was the only one in the contemporary world who had ever read it.
@Diane I've read them in my early teens. A tad out dated these days but clean fun.
May I nominate "The Go - Between" By LP Hartley.Set in Edwardian England in the summer of 1900. Written through the eyes of a 12 year old boy staying with his pal in a great manor house for a few weeks.
Endless topics for conversation & dissection in this one.
Fiona a.k.a Littlemissmuffet wrote: "John wrote: "Me Before You"I read this as I seen Barbara was enjoying it. It's a wonderful book with a real heart-felt story."
Yes, I listened to the audiobook and liked it a lot.
I always assumed Jojo Moyes were Romance novels aimed at women. Correct me if i'm completely wrong. My perception is based on the titles and covers
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Goodreads Ireland
Books mentioned in this topic
Me Before You (other topics)The Effect of Her (other topics)
Black Lake (other topics)
Me Before You (other topics)
The Spice Merchant's Wife (other topics)
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As there is only one category this month, nominations are open to any writer and every genre, Irish or otherwise. Nominations will close on midnight of May 25, Irish time, after which the poll will be assembled.
I look forward to seeing your nominations, which I'm sure will be as interesting as always.
Declan. :)