EVERYONE Has Read This but Me - The Catch-Up Book Club discussion
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The Last Book I Read Was...
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Sarah
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May 09, 2017 05:49AM
I've watched 5 episodes of the show so far, I can agree with you Kasey! It's more of an entertainment drama in the show. I read that article until I saw it was going to tell me how the show ends then I stopped!
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I recently read Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. A classic mystery that was worth reading. I understand a new version is Connie to the screen and look forward to seeing it in the fall.
I read Reflections in a Golden Eye. McCullers' prose is amazing, even if the story is a bit uneven.
I recently read A Thousand Splendid Suns which disappointed me. Earlier this month, I read The Kite Runner by the same author - it is the best book I have read this year. I was hoping for a repeat winner but it just didn't work for me.
I finished Life of Pi for book club.
Tailchaser's Song was another attempt for me to read epic/ quest fantasy. I thought the idea that they were cats would make it more interesting to me, maybe finally whet my appetite for LotR. Well, it didn't. Not a bad book, but I guess I'm giving up on the whole genre.
Helen aka Pyewacket wrote: "I recently read A Thousand Splendid Suns which disappointed me. Earlier this month, I read The Kite Runner by the same author - it is the best book I have read this year...."I felt exactly the opposite about those two books. O_o I'm sorry you were disappointed.
The last book I finished outside the group was So B. It by Sarah Weeks.
It's a moving middle grade coming of age story. I wouldn't say it's all uplifting, feel-nice book, it kind of left me with a bittersweet feeling, but I enjoyed it.
It's a moving middle grade coming of age story. I wouldn't say it's all uplifting, feel-nice book, it kind of left me with a bittersweet feeling, but I enjoyed it.
The last book I've read was Lord of Shadows and I loved it . I can't wait for the next book!
I haven't read 13 Reasons Why, but I did hear the most endearing story on NPR yesterday showcasing a brave school where they practice 13 Reasons Why Not. Inspirational. Keep the tissues handy...
Version Control was better than I thought it would be, but still disappointing... my personal opinion.
A Darker Shade of Magic reinvigorated my love of reading after a difficult university term full of heavy and difficult literature. I can't speak highly enough of how fun this book and the two that followed were :D
Just finished Nobody's Fool. It was enjoyable but also frustrating at times. Here's a link to my review
Lisa wrote: "Just finished Nobody's Fool. It was enjoyable but also frustrating at times. Here's a link to my review"
Excellent review! This is one of my favorite novels by a great modern author. I've reviewed it as well, and would like your feedback.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6...
STEPHEN wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just finished Nobody's Fool. It was enjoyable but also frustrating at times. Here's a link to my review"
Excellent review! This is one of my favorite novels by a great ..."
Pretty good! It sums up the book nicely. I definitely plan on reading more of Russo's books.
Lisa wrote: "STEPHEN wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Just finished Nobody's Fool. It was enjoyable but also frustrating at times. Here's a link to my review"
Excellent review! This is one of my favorite no..."
Empire Falls and Straight Man are two other great ones.
Hitler's Mein Kampf
First off: I read part 1 (Eine Abrechnung) completely, shortly into part 2 (Die nationalsozialistische Bewegung) I stopped reading.
To anybody who has read/plans to read it, just this: consider that at the time Hitler wrote this (©1925 part 1, 1927 part 2), he had long decided to be a politician in the wider sense.
This of course means that he did what politicians do: manipulate the addressee for his cause and against his opponents' cause – pretty basic, really.
Once you've acknowledged that, it's much easier to seperate fact from fiction when reading Mein Kampf.
Two things actually impressed me:
1. Hitler's seemingly genuine social engagement; amongst others, he supported shorter working hours, prohibition of child labour, improvements in the work place in terms of safety, privileges for working pregnant women, decent wages etc.
2. His merciless exposure of the failings of parliamentarism as we find it to this day in most countries of the world. Quite frequently, his ramblings grow into biting satire with some comedic elements in the choice of words – it had me laugh out loud at times.
As for the rest, I think he's become a victim of his own propaganda which, incidentally, he knew all about, and no mistake.
He presents himself as a know-all about the will of nature and 'God', and rabbits on and on about it, contradicting himself endlessly (as politicians do), constantly uses the words fight (kämpfen), brutal (brutal), ruthless (rücksichtslos) and their relevant nouns, twists, turns, falsifies, lies – just another politician, the pot calling the kettle black, somewhat creatively.
How the world could ignore his doings for so long is the real mystery – he never left any doubts about his plans for territorial expansion, 'racial cleansing' and such.
To regard him as a fool or a nutcase was the mistake that virtually all political 'leaders' made, domestically as well as internationally; it was that mistake that enabled him to carry out his plans in the first place.
Looking at some of the contemporary comments on Mein Kampf, I'm afraid that there are still plenty of people who make that same mistake – history not learned.
Verdict: big fat doughnut for stars (technically, I had to give it 1 star to make it count), it's a real drag.
June 2017
I have the 1936 (172. and 173.) edition (2.18 million German copies at the time), as a PDF
First off: I read part 1 (Eine Abrechnung) completely, shortly into part 2 (Die nationalsozialistische Bewegung) I stopped reading.
To anybody who has read/plans to read it, just this: consider that at the time Hitler wrote this (©1925 part 1, 1927 part 2), he had long decided to be a politician in the wider sense.
This of course means that he did what politicians do: manipulate the addressee for his cause and against his opponents' cause – pretty basic, really.
Once you've acknowledged that, it's much easier to seperate fact from fiction when reading Mein Kampf.
Two things actually impressed me:
1. Hitler's seemingly genuine social engagement; amongst others, he supported shorter working hours, prohibition of child labour, improvements in the work place in terms of safety, privileges for working pregnant women, decent wages etc.
2. His merciless exposure of the failings of parliamentarism as we find it to this day in most countries of the world. Quite frequently, his ramblings grow into biting satire with some comedic elements in the choice of words – it had me laugh out loud at times.
As for the rest, I think he's become a victim of his own propaganda which, incidentally, he knew all about, and no mistake.
He presents himself as a know-all about the will of nature and 'God', and rabbits on and on about it, contradicting himself endlessly (as politicians do), constantly uses the words fight (kämpfen), brutal (brutal), ruthless (rücksichtslos) and their relevant nouns, twists, turns, falsifies, lies – just another politician, the pot calling the kettle black, somewhat creatively.
How the world could ignore his doings for so long is the real mystery – he never left any doubts about his plans for territorial expansion, 'racial cleansing' and such.
To regard him as a fool or a nutcase was the mistake that virtually all political 'leaders' made, domestically as well as internationally; it was that mistake that enabled him to carry out his plans in the first place.
Looking at some of the contemporary comments on Mein Kampf, I'm afraid that there are still plenty of people who make that same mistake – history not learned.
Verdict: big fat doughnut for stars (technically, I had to give it 1 star to make it count), it's a real drag.
June 2017
I have the 1936 (172. and 173.) edition (2.18 million German copies at the time), as a PDF
Dr Soul, very interesting to hear the opinion of someone who has read it! It's on my list of books to read, as I'm very curious about his rise to power.
Sarah wrote: "Dr Soul, very interesting to hear the opinion of someone who has read it! It's on my list of books to read, as I'm very curious about his rise to power."
I wouldn't bother, some of it will just make you sick, else it's kind of a chinese reading torture, really, a sick politician's drivel, not worth your time, unless you're really into it.
If historical accuracy means anything to you, you'll find more (and better) information online; Hitler's rise to power derives mainly from Germany's WWI defeat, more specifically the way it came about and the resulting Versailles treaty directly after, and his personal determination/tenacity.
I wouldn't bother, some of it will just make you sick, else it's kind of a chinese reading torture, really, a sick politician's drivel, not worth your time, unless you're really into it.
If historical accuracy means anything to you, you'll find more (and better) information online; Hitler's rise to power derives mainly from Germany's WWI defeat, more specifically the way it came about and the resulting Versailles treaty directly after, and his personal determination/tenacity.
J Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why
Another terrible disappointment, and I was soooo looking forward to read about another troubled soul when my daughter told me about it. Perhaps you'll find my review useful.
Another terrible disappointment, and I was soooo looking forward to read about another troubled soul when my daughter told me about it. Perhaps you'll find my review useful.
Last book I read was A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. I loved the characters & the descriptions of India & its society in 1952. Really got a feel for the time & place.
However there was too much detail on the politics.
Ultimately I thought the novel fell away at the end & after all the detail the last part of the book felt rushed & ended suddenly.
Ultimately it felt a let down!
However there was too much detail on the politics.
Ultimately I thought the novel fell away at the end & after all the detail the last part of the book felt rushed & ended suddenly.
Ultimately it felt a let down!
Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels
Seeing it's nearly 300 years old, it was naturally sort of a tough read, but boy, what a delight it turned out to be.
Part IV had me laugh throughout - about the fact that nothing has ever changed, before or after (nihil sub sole novum - thanks to Marcos for the latin); that we (mankind) still are the most despicable creatures walking this earth, argued in great detail about all of our 'pursuits'; the parts about 'legal eagles' and politicians had me in awe (for their simple truth) and in tears (for their humour).
Does anyone know of an update of sorts, in the sense of a slightly more compact and modern style? Perhaps nested in a different setting?
Seeing it's nearly 300 years old, it was naturally sort of a tough read, but boy, what a delight it turned out to be.
Part IV had me laugh throughout - about the fact that nothing has ever changed, before or after (nihil sub sole novum - thanks to Marcos for the latin); that we (mankind) still are the most despicable creatures walking this earth, argued in great detail about all of our 'pursuits'; the parts about 'legal eagles' and politicians had me in awe (for their simple truth) and in tears (for their humour).
Does anyone know of an update of sorts, in the sense of a slightly more compact and modern style? Perhaps nested in a different setting?
Finally finished this one!
Uncle Tom's Cabin
4 stars
A brilliant, yet heart-wrenching novel. Probably won't read this again because it broke my heart.
Here's a link to my review
Finished another one!
Black Powder War (Temeraire #3), by Naomi Novik
4 stars
Another enjoyable installment in the Temeraire series.
Here's a link to my review
Done! This went by pretty fast!
The Woman In Cabin 10, by Ruth Ware
★★★ 1/2
A very quick and intriguing thriller.
Here's a link to my review
Tagebuch einer Verlorenen - Von einer Toten
Diary of a lost one
by Margarete Böhme
It touched me so very deeply where not many can reach - I loved every word of it.
Both the German original and the English translation are available for free, also to download in all sorts of formats:
https://archive.org/details/tagebuche... (German)
and
https://archive.org/details/diaryoflo... (English)
Here's a brief review.
Diary of a lost one
by Margarete Böhme
It touched me so very deeply where not many can reach - I loved every word of it.
Both the German original and the English translation are available for free, also to download in all sorts of formats:
https://archive.org/details/tagebuche... (German)
and
https://archive.org/details/diaryoflo... (English)
Here's a brief review.
Finished another one! This one was on audiobook.
Empire Of Ivory (Temeraire #4), by Naomi Novik
★★★★
This series is brilliant in it's historical and cultural contexts, and this book is no exception.
Here's a link to my review
I am finishing up my last Gail Carriger book. She has three series that I adore and has begin a fifth. Steampunk/Paranormal, un-sappy romance (kinda) unlike anything else I've read. I love her!
I recently finished The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino. I really enjoyed it.
Finished two books yesterday! That brings my tally for this month up to 8! Feeling pretty smug about it thankyouverymuch :)First book:
World And Town, by Gish Jen
A very good novel about finding out where you belong.
Here's my review
Second book:
Victory Of Eagles (Temeraire #5), by Naomi Novik
One of my favorite novels in this series.
Here's my review
So far this month I have either finished or read:
(really good)
(meh)
(terrible)
(good)
Mod
Book 9 for this month! *doing a little dance*
The Dark Tower I: The Gunslinger, by Stephen King
★★★
Not 100% sure how I feel about this one yet. I'm hoping the rest of the series will improve my current opinions.
Here's My Review
Aaaannnnnnd Book 10! Two more to go and I hit my goal for this month!
Tongues Of Serpents (Temeraire #6), by Naomi Novik
★★★★
A fun installment in the series, with good parts, but not my favorite.
Here's My Review
Finished two and that completes my June reads!
Perks Of Being A Wallflower, by Stephen Chbosky
★★★★
A very good quick read that took me by surprise at the end.
Here's a link to my review
Crucible Of Gold (Temeraire #7), by Naomi Novik
★★★★
A great re-read that was better the second time.
Here's a link to my review
Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett. It was so fun!
was the last book I've finished.It was an easy read for me and I think I'll continue the series.
Read this for my Mystery Crime and Thrilllers group read.
Recommended it if you can past a few clunky and slow parts around the middle third. It's a translation so that may be part of the problem. Did not see the end coming so it redeemed itself!
Amy wrote: " Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett. It was so fun!"That's one of my favourites by Terry Pratchett - I've read it several times. Soul Music is a good one featuring the same witches
I had just finished I Was Here today and adored it so so so much. It was a re-read from a few years ago.
Vrenzy wrote: "i just read the circle by dave eggers"What did you think? I read mixed reviews. I'm wondering if my 14yo might like it.
I recently finished The Silkworm and found it to be a good follow up to The Cuckoo's Calling. The other book I read was Me Before You which was highly recommended by a friend. Not the kind of book I typically read but I was drawn into the storyline and the characters. A pretty good story.
The last book I read was strange the Dreamer, I literally finished an hour ago XD
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