What is Life without Books discussion
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What are you reading now?
Patricia wrote: "No I haven't. What genre does he write?That book was excellent. It went into detail about druid festivals and ceremonies. Have you seen the movie King Arthur with Clive Owen? It's closer to that ..."
They have the book at my library, so no worries there.
Gardner wrote non-fiction. Dan Brown stole a lot of his stuff. Or rather his research stuff. I like
Gardner gives a lot of information on symbolism in folklore. He also has a very interesting documentary on monoatomic gold.
You would love The Light Bearer
I read it when my daughter was in 5th grade. She's 30 now and I still remember that book.It's about the Roman wars with the Germanic tribes. It is packed full of history and the festivals, holidays, religion and symbolism of the Germanic tribes. I couldn't believe how many of their symbols are incorporated into Christianity. Christmas trees, yule logs, easter eggs, the easter bunny the list goes on and on. The Romans couldn't conquer them so they made Christianity more palatable for them.
I gave the book to my daughter's 5th grade teacher to read. She told me that book was the way to teach history. If it was taught in novel format kids would learn. She was right because I still remember what I learned reading it.
What I've learned reading historical fiction is no matter what country you look at in that time frame you'll find the religious beliefs to be almost identical. Then Christianity came along and forced them to convert. We were still forcing conversion of religious beliefs on the American Indian tribes in the early 1900's.
I was raised a Christian and still consider myself one. I also have become more spiritual and believe there was truth and value in these ancient religions. I believe they are compatible with Christianity and belief in both isn't wrong. The human race lost so much when the Catholic Church forced conversion rather than being inclusive of those beliefs.
Today we know by scientific fact the planet is a living breathing thing. They knew how to commune with it and that's lost. I believe what we call magic was real. Crazy Horse got his name because his horse would "dance" in battle and he and the horse would disappear, bullets would pass through them. It is in written record by american troops who witnessed it. Geronimo could call up storms. He and some others of his tribe were in a fort prison. He called up a tornado that flattened the jail and they all escaped without a scratch on them. It was also witnessed. I have to believe they had knowledge of God and prayer that is lost.
I read historical fiction because it teaches me so much and expands my thinking and beliefs.
I'm halfway through this book and don't want to put it down it's so good. It's 8pm and my arm hurts so much from holding it I want to gnaw it off like a fox in a trap so I have to.It's a great WWII historical fiction novel. It's told from the viewpoint of a couple in love who met and were in Paris before the war. When the war begins they both return to their home countries. She's British and becomes a spy. He's German and becomes a fighter pilot.
It's interesting reading both perspectives. He hates Hitler but fights for Germany anyway. She hates Hitler and becomes a lethal spy working with resistance groups in Belgium.
I started
It seems like it will be interesting. It's written by one of Brahm Stoker's decendants based on his journals and papers. He's only a kid now in the book and his life is already creepy.
Wow, the last time I posted was in May. How time flies! Since that post I have finished 35 books. Most recently Joyland and The Stars Are Legion. I am currently reading The Continental Risque, Zot!: The Complete Black-and-White Collection: 1987-1991, The Shadow of War, and Born of Shadows. I'll try to be a little better at posting here.
I'm not reading this yet but will be soon.
This is about my many times Great Grandmother Constance Hopkins. It's free today on Amazon and I can't wait to read it.
Oh my gosh help me.
This is another 500 page monster. It's through Penguin first to read and I hate their bluefire reader.It isn't 500 kindle pages either. I think kindle pages are shorter. This is 500 regular book pages. I'll be reading it forever.
So far I'm finding it a strange book. It skips back and forth in time from Bram Stokers childhood to what they call "present day" which is still in the past. I'm pretty sure he's in Vlad the Impaler's castle in "present day."
Give me time to read another 100 pages and I'll let you know if it's worth reading. Right now it just isn't holding my attention like it should.
Well for me this one was not worth reading. The storyline is uneven, the characters underdeveloped and there is very little Dracula in the book.I didn't find it scarey and wouldn't call it horror. I also didn't learn much about Brahm Stoker.
I've read a lot of the reviews that rave about the book and it makes me wonder if we read the same thing. I feel like I lost three days that could have been put to use reading something worthwhile.
Hey Patricia, I read your post about The Light Bearer. Sorry I didn't respond!
That's a huge book! I put it down on my wish list. Definitely something I'll have to buy rather than borrow from the library.
Reading
AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME!
I'm really liking this author. 
somebody just kill me. This book is AWFUL! I keep rewriting my review. I'm trying not to be hurtful.
Sometimes you have to be. I didn't do any favors with my review of Dracul but it was honest. It was 500 pages of boredom with a little bit of interest thrown in. It's not horror and I certainly wouldn't call it gothic. How do you write a 500 page book that revolves around Dracula and vampires and really not explain who Dracula is? Sometimes I think it's me, I just didn't get it but then every once in a while I'll find review that is close to mine. I think a lot of people think if you get the book free you have to give it a glowing review. That isn't fair to other readers and buyers. Especially if it's a publishing house book. This is a Penguin book and I expect their threshold to be higher than indie authors but it's the complete opposit. Give me indie authors because most of the bad books I've read have been from publishers.I just started
It's a new Warren Adler book. So far it's good.
The book you're reading sounds good Karen.I'm reading something I really want to after I finish the one I'm reading now. I don't care where it is in my pile. I need a break from these 500 page monster books that aren't very good.
I am moving on to
It was on my wish list and was listed for review so I signed up for it. I don't remember what it's about so I hope it's good.
Thank goodness! I read the blurb and
is still something I really want to read.I got
in the mail today from MacMillan publishers. I don't know why. It has a bookmark in it that says read it rate it review it. I guess I have to but I never signed up for the ARC.I also got
in hardcover today. That's my fault. I did request it from Bookishfirst.com. If I keep this up I'll never be done with my TBR and reviewed pile.
You have some awesome books there! Must be cool to get unexpected books in the mail !
I use to read Barbara Taylor Bradford years, no decades, ago but haven't in a long time. The book sounds interesting.Karen have you signed up for bookishfirst.com? I think it's a really new site. It's a partner site of Netgalley.
I can't read
because I only got two pages of summary in the file they sent.Sooooo I'm reading
instead. I wish I had looked at page count because it's another 400 page monster.
This book is good so far. I'm about 40% through it. The civil war just ended and the main character, Cathy, is going to enlist in the army (pretending to be a man) in the unit that will become known as the buffalo soldiers. She is one strong female.
I finished The Continental Risque, book 3 of the Isaac Biddlebomb series by James L. Nelson, War Year by Joe Haldeman, and Zot!: The Complete Black-and-White Collection: 1987-1991 by Scott McCloud. I like good old sea stories and am reading a couple of series by James L. Nelson (even added him to my Authors's challenge since I should end up reading 4 books by him this year). I have only read a few books by Joe Haldeman, but War Year has been on my TBR list since July 2012 when I put a bunch of books about Viet Nam on the list. It is real short (122 pages) and was worth reading, but not gonna win a Pulitzer or anything. As for Zot, I picked it up from the library because I needed a Z for my A to Z challenge. It is really juvenile. It is amazing how our perceptions change over time. I don't remember it being that silly back then. But these books make September an 11 book month. Not bad.
I am still reading The Shadow of War, almost half way through it. I had to buy this one because I could not get a library copy, so I read it here and there between the library books. Also reading Born of Shadows, book 4 of Sherrilyn Kenyon's League series. These are beginning to get repetitive but still fun to read. And have started Autumn of the Gun to finish Ralph Compton's Trail of the Gunfighter trilogy. Not a big western fan, but the first two were pretty good.
I’m currently reading Aunts Up the Cross by Robin Dalton. It’s interesting so far.
I just finished
and it was so good! I'd forgotten how much I enjoy biographies. Monroe was such an interesting woman, and her untimely death such a tragedy.
i am currently reading: Tisha- by Robert Specht and Monument 14 Sky On Fire- by Emmy laynourne
Mod
and it was so good! I'd forgotten how much I enjoy biographies. Monroe was such an interesting woman, and her untimely death such a t..."I am a big fan of Marilyn. I collect so much...with her about her. Huge collection! Do you know Marilyn Monroe and the Rat pack owned a casino? I own some of the original casino chips!
I'm probably the only urban fantasy/pnr fan here, but I just got this
I'm over the moon excited.
Well I just had to kill a book in a review.
I feel bad when I do it but I feel more responsibility toward readers who might buy it than I do authors. I couldn't finish it and what I read of it was painful repetitious reading.
Moving on to
I hope tjis one is better. I just wasted a day on the other book.
Mod
I'm over the moon excited."
I just finished this book! You will love it! Great end of series! I love this series!
The standMerrick
Just finished Blackwood farm
Sonya The Stand is one of my favorite books. It's much deeper than other King novels because it is almost allegorical in the way it pits good versus evil.Both of our group read selections are horror related. Misty Ridge definitely is but psychological thrillers scare me more than horror because they show the worst of humanity. The Liars Girl will scare the heck out of me I'm sure.
The scariest movie ever made in my opinion was Silence of the Lambs. I didn't sleep well for a long time after watching it. It scared me because Anthony Hopkins played the part so well and I knew if that character lived next to me I would never guess how sick and twisted he was. It still gives me chills.
Aloha all! I've gone totally bonkers lately (no real surprise there!) and am reading all over the place! I've decided this will be the year I finally finish off It by Stephen King in October. I also want to complete NOS4A2 this year as well as The Alienist. I had started both last year and took a small break. Now is the time. I like to do horror in October, warm & fuzzy in November & Christmas in December...
And for something completely different, I've started rereading all the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I am nothing if not eclectic!
I finished Born of Shadows and enjoyed it. Nothing like a mushy, shoot 'em up to make your day. I've also read The Dangerous Days of Daniel X, book 1 of the Daniel X series by James Patterson. Like the Zot comic, I picked this up to try to finish the A to Z challenge (only have U left and am trying to get a copy of Horse Under Water by Len Deighton from the library to finish the challenge). Wasn't very impressed with the book but I've never been much of a James Patterson fan. Seemed like a rather weak attempt at a science fiction Odd Thomas.I am still reading and about halfway through both The Shadow of War and Autumn of the Gun. I have also started to read Storm Front and Secrets of Acrylic: Landscapes Start to Finish.
Greg I've never been a Patterson fan either. What I've learned since switching to kindle and through reading for review is indie authors are better than those with big publishing houses.I was a huge Michael Connelly fan for years. Then I noticed his books were being released faster and they had become watered down in character and storyline development compared to his earlier books. I no longer read him because of it.
If you look at the number of books Patterson releases in a year it becomes obvious he isn't putting a lot of thought and effort into them.
I apologize because I am going to go political here. When he coauthored a book with Clinton that was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. I will never touch one of his books again. I just think the Clinton's are despicable people who should be in adjoining jail cells.
Patricia wrote: "Is it an ARC Karen?"No, it's not an ARC. It's from the library. I've been in line waiting for it since August. Ilona Andrews is one of the most popular urban fantasy authors out there.
I'm loving it, Aly!
Finished
buddy read in another group. LOVE LOVE LOVE! 5 starsReading library book:
Taking my time with this since it's the last book of the series. Reading ARC
My current audiobook is
. A new author for me, but I'm in the mood for some dark crime fiction, and Scandinavian authors are usually a good pick for that.On my kindle, my next read will probably be
. I'll probably start that one tomorrow.
I want to mention one of my favorite books by an indie author: When Saigon Surrendered: A Kentucky Mystery
I thought it was really unusual and good. I see it is now out in paperback too as well as the e-book. I am getting ready to start on the author's sequel, The Cumberland Killers: A Kentucky Mystery. I met Mr Aura at a library book group and he's
a neat character, with an interesting history, himself.
Emily
sounds so good I added it to my wish list.Margaret
sounds good but hits to close to home for me. I lost a nephew in Iraq in 2004. I know what war and losing someone you love in war does to you. It never gets easier to accept and the pain never goes away. As a sister I can't discusd it because I just can't go there and see the pain in my sister's face. Chris was a hero,.believed in what he was doing and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. The world lost a beautiful gentle soul when he was killed and my heart broke forever.
Have you ever read a book that just leaves you speechless? I just finished
and honestly couldn't find the words to review it. It is the most incredible story I have ever read and it is a true holocaust survivors story. A CHILDS story of survival.
I'm reading a book called WanderLost by Traci Highland. I can't find it listed on Goodreads or Amazon so it must be an ARC. I'll try to find more info on it later.OMG THIS BOOK IS HYSTERICAL. If anyone walked into my place they'd think I'd gone nuts because I can't stop laughing.
Here's a link. I got it on AuthorsXP as an ARC in elite missions.
https://authorsxp.com/amyvansant/roma...
I can't tell you how much I love reading a book that makes me laugh out loud. Especially after reading one about the holocaust. It's rare to find a book this damn funny.
If you review get it on AuthorsXP for review. I'd love to know what other's think about it.
Ok, done with another pair of books. Just finished Autumn of the Gun (at about 2:30 AM this morning!) and Storm Front(about an hour ago). Both were really good books and sleep usually dies when there are really good books.Anyway, still working on The Shadow of War but, since this is a book I own, I keep setting it aside to read the pile of library books I have. Also painting my way through Secrets of Acrylic: Landscapes Start to Finish. And just to keep working my reading muscles, I have added The Forever War, Deathworld 2, How to Paint from Photographs: The Artist's Guide to Techniques and Materials, and Daily Painting: Paint Small and Often To Become a More Creative, Productive, and Successful Artist. You have heard of "Don't go shopping when your hungry", well for me it's "Don't go to the library when your bored."
Greg wrote: "Ok, done with another pair of books. Just finished Autumn of the Gun (at about 2:30 AM this morning!) and Storm Front(about an hour ago). Both were really good books and..."Greg are you an artist? You read a lot of art books.
LMAO at library when bored. I buy books on Amazon when I look at my TBR and reviewed pile and can't decide which to start next. Unfortunately I still have to pick from the TBR pile and my purchases go unread.
Patricia wrote: "Greg are you an artist? You read a lot of art books."Just learning, really. Been doing it for about a year. I have had some of my paintings displayed in the local libraries and am part of the group who is painting the 60 foot mural for the city's tri-centennial (40 feet of it are all ready up for display). We have to have it finished by January 1.
Greg wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Greg are you an artist? You read a lot of art books."Just learning, really. Been doing it for about a year. I have had some of my paintings displayed in the local libraries and a..."
One of my sisters use to watch some guy on PBS (I think) He also put the lessons out on tape then I guess it would be DVD now. He said he could teach anyone to paint landscapes. He never met me I know I have absolutely no artistic talent.
Mod
. I enjoy this series and this is an ARC the 3rd book in the series. I am also reading
. Both books are great so far!
Finishing up
I don't want it to end!Grabbed this off of Hoopla
because I do things ass backwards. (This book comes before Magic Triumphs). Finished ARC
A friend gave it 5 stars. I gave it a GENEROUS 3 stars. I think my friend is trying to help sell for the author. I want honest reviews not pity reviews. blah
I'm well into The Line That Held Us- I still don't know why that's the title, but it's pretty good. Redneck noir.
Bill that book sounds good but for some reason familiar. Is it based on a true story or at least inspired by something that actually happened?I'm in Tennessee and for some reason remember something in the news about people looking for ginseng around here.
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What is Life without Books
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That book was excellent. It went into detail about druid festivals and ceremonies. Have you seen the movie King Arthur with Clive Owen? It's closer to that than the Merlin was a wizard and Camelot versions.
When I can highlight a name or place from about 550 A.D. and it pulls up info on Wikipedia I know the author really researched the material. This book is not legend about the knights of the round table it's factual.
I don't know if you can loan ARCs from netgalley or not. I doubt it. I may end up buying it at some point so I actually own it because I will read it again.