Go Fug Yourself Book Club discussion
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What are You Currently Reading?
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rockle
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Jun 27, 2014 07:58PM
I'm reading "Grave Mercy" by Robin LaFevers, the first in a series of books which was recommended by Petra Mayer from NPR Books with the following description: "teenage nun assassins." I am not disappointed.
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Bonnie wrote: "Gracey wrote: "I recently started Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan. I didn't read Atonement (I know, I know but historical fiction isn't my favorite), but Sweet Tooth is so good I might just go back and ..."I second On Chesil Beach! I read it a few years ago, and I still think about the characters all the time. Its a quick read, but it is beautiful (and excruciating, in the very best way.)
Alicia wrote: "Kris wrote: "Erin wrote: "I'm reading The Night Circus"LOVED that book. Did not want it to end. LOVED it. LOVVVVVVED it."
Me too - so good and such an accomplishment for a firs..."
Me three!
I just finished reading "Paddle Your Own Canoe" and then steamrolled right into "Love Life" by Rob Lowe. It's actually very witty and charming (and of course fun to read because who doesn't love to hear stories about celebrities?!). Pretty solid summertime read!
Erin wrote: "I'm reading The Night Circus and The Magician KingThe Magician King and have Code Name Verity on the docket for when those are finished!JUST started..."
I've read The Night Circus and The Magician King - the third and final book in the Magicians trilogy is coming out in August (title: The Magician's Land!! I loved both of them - wonderful reads. If you liked those, you might also enjoy Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Gaslamp fantasy is a favorite genre of mine :)
Erika wrote: "I got this great app on my phone called Overdrive that allows me to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from my library. Right now, I am "reading" Firestarter by Stephen King through audiobook. I didn't..."Overdrive is excellent! I use it a lot.
I just discovered Mark Billingham's Tom Thorne thrillers, and am plowing through them. I also always have one or another non-fiction subject binge going on, usually involving disasters (aviation accidents, mountaineering disasters, natural disasters, epidemics, etc) or other extreme situations (prison tales, war stories, hostage situations, etc). I'm completely fascinated by these sorts of things--human experience in extremis (and beyond), I guess. My latest wallow is nuclear accidents, and I am reading https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2..., which is very well-written, and so interesting. I have several other similar books queued up, including a couple about Fukushima, which I'm really looking forward to.
Sophie wrote: "...I'm also reading Fifth Avenue, 5 AM. It's a fun book about the drama behind adapting Breakfast at Tiffany's for the big screen. "Seriously? That sounds amazing! How did I not know about this book? so glad you mentioned it!
Janine wrote: "I'm currently reading Alison Weir's 'The Six Wives of Henry VIII'. I read her book about Eleanor of Aquitaine when I wrote my thesis and this is quite good as well. I haven't read one of Weir's fic..."This is one of my favorite books. Once you finish that one, read Antonia Fraser's book on the same subject. They cover the same facts but with differences in emphasis. Fraser's book is a little more academic in tone, which is odd, because Weir is actually a professor and Fraser isn't, but that was my impression. Also, for GFY and Royal Order of Sartorial Splendor fans, there are pictures of Fraser in tiaras.
I'm reading "The Guns of August" by Barbara Tuchman, in honor of the centennial of the start of World War I. I highly recommend this to everyone, because she manages to make the war seem almost comic, but still manages to convey the horror of the battles and occupation.
Hannah wrote: "Leah wrote: "Hannah wrote: "A bit late in the game, but I just started reading Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. It took a little work to get into because he's using a lot of really odd future languag..."I just finished Snow Crash today! It was the second Neal Stephenson I have read, and will probably be the last. The first was Diamond Age, and I can ramble at length about the problems I had with that one. I found Snow Crash frenetic but boring for the first third, interesting for approximately the middle third (the part in which all the Sumerian myth and brain "hardware/software" stuff is discussed), and then back to frenetic but boring for the last third. Seriously, for such an action-packed story it was surprisingly tedious. While I do enjoy the irony of the fast-paced parts being boring and the more academic, explicative parts being engaging, I was mostly annoyed.
Beth wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Leah wrote: "Hannah wrote: "A bit late in the game, but I just started reading Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. It took a little work to get into because he's using a lot of really odd..."
I'm definitely still in that first third and I agree, for such an action-packed book it's really slow paced, but he does explain the techno mumbo jumbo really well. But I'm determined to see it through to the end! (Even though I'm basically not invested in any of the characters or storyline.)
Have you read Neuromancer because I've heard it's similar to Snow Crash (only older).
I'm definitely still in that first third and I agree, for such an action-packed book it's really slow paced, but he does explain the techno mumbo jumbo really well. But I'm determined to see it through to the end! (Even though I'm basically not invested in any of the characters or storyline.)
Have you read Neuromancer because I've heard it's similar to Snow Crash (only older).
Lots to add to my reading list here!"Brideshead revisited" - trying to get through some classics.
Earlier this week I whiz zed through "water for elephants" - I loved the setting but the plot/characterisation could have been better.
arnie wrote: "Hannah wrote: "A bit late in the game, but I just started reading Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson..."
Did you read the Diamond Age? I loved that... my first sci-fi/cyberpunk with a female at the cen..."
No I haven't, but I've seen it floating about places. (Not really floating. Obvs.) So far I feel good enough about Snow Crash to check out another Neal Stephenson book, so I'll give that one a try!
Did you read the Diamond Age? I loved that... my first sci-fi/cyberpunk with a female at the cen..."
No I haven't, but I've seen it floating about places. (Not really floating. Obvs.) So far I feel good enough about Snow Crash to check out another Neal Stephenson book, so I'll give that one a try!
I started reading Erich Maria Remarque's 'All Quiet on the Western Front' and it's devastating and amazing at the same time.
Hayley wrote: "Lots to add to my reading list here!"Brideshead revisited" - trying to get through some classics."
Oh, I hope you laugh Waugh. My first was The Loved One and I was shocked by how incredible funny it was!
Tawnia, thanks for the recommendation; that is certainly in my wheelhouse. I have marked that as to-read on my sadly long list. Have finished Murder on the Home Front and not sure what I can say that's not a spoiler. For those of you who saw the TV one-off, that was HIGHLY fictionalized.
I know this has been said by those far more eloquent, but the matter-of-fact courage of Londoners during the Blitz as well as during the V1 and V2 attacks was astonishing. To Fug Nationals whose family was there, all respect. And Hitler thought he could scare them into submission!
Erin wrote: "I'm reading The Night Circus and The Magician KingThe Magician King and have Code Name Verity on the docket for when those are finished!JUST started..."
I read The Night Circus for book club about a year ago and ADORED it!
I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well.
Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well."It took me a long time to finish Dog but it was so worth it. I loved it. Let me know what you think of Doomsday. I have a massive TBR pile (both virtual and physical) and it is somewhere in there.
I am currently reading "A Fatal Grace" by Louise Penny. It's the second in the Three Pines series. I loved the first book so much, and while I am also loving the second, I am a little disappointed the action takes place in the same town. I had made an early, incorrect assumption that, since the hero was a police detective in Quebec, that the series would travel around to different locations. I am afraid that Three Pines is going to turn into Murder She Wrote's Cabot's Cove 15 books in.
I've been curious about trying both Nesbo and Penny, so I'm curious to see what you two think!
The Penny series is uneven but overall well worth it. The "cozy" problem (I learned that this is the technical term for series all set in the same place) definitely plagues some of the books, including that second one. But some of the others move to different locations (there's a monastery murder), and the character development of Gamache and his team is outstanding. Penny is willing to play hardball with her characters' lives and relationships. The most recent one, "How the Light Gets In," is excellent--I've actually reread it a couple of times, though I don't usually reread mysteries. And the next one comes out next month--Penny just posted the first chapter on her FB page. I highly recommend sticking out the weaker books for the series overall.
haha - I think Penny & I will get along just fine. I'm a big fan of cozies.
arnie wrote: "Megan wrote: "I'm about 150 pages into The Goldfinch. So far I'm really loving it, but I worry because it's gotten so many reviews saying that it should have been shorter, that it gets too bogged d..."The last section of The Goldfinch is magnificent--I re-read it about every 2 weeks or so and it just takes my breath away every time--well worth hanging in there through some of the middle sections which are too long and repetitive, IMO.
Elizabeth wrote: "The Penny series is uneven but overall well worth it. The "cozy" problem (I learned that this is the technical term for series all set in the same place) definitely plagues some of the books, inclu..."Sarah wrote: "I am currently reading "A Fatal Grace" by Louise Penny. It's the second in the Three Pines series. I loved the first book so much, and while I am also loving the second, I am a little disappointed the action takes place in the same town. I had made an early, incorrect assumption that, since the hero was a police detective in Quebec, that the series would travel around to different locations. I am afraid that Three Pines is going to turn into Murder She Wrote's Cabot's Cove 15 books in."
I really love this series. It does get problematically contrived to continually tie this idealized little town to murders dramatic enough to draw Gamache there, but I think they're worth sticking with it. Penny gets her sea legs by book 3, and in The Beautiful Mystery, book 8, which is the one set in a monastery, Penny transcends the genre. I thought this book was superb, and highlights her gift for creating a sense of place. I agree with Elizabeth that book 9, How the Light Gets In, is excellent, and that the character development that occurs across the books makes them stand out from other mystery series and cozies in particular. Those last two have put Penny a cut above. The series started off as cozies (which can be quite enjoyable--don't mean to deride them!) but have moved far beyond that in ambition. Can't wait to read the new one!
Me too with The Interestings. I had it from the library and never got past the first page, despite numerous tries. Anyone who enjoyed The Goldfinch (loved it) should read A Secret History, but skip her second novel, My Little Friend, or something like that. I just finished Boy, Snow, Bird, anyone read that? I have mixed feelings.
Michelle wrote: "So, quick follow-up: I finished reading Jo Nesbo's "Cockroaches", and while I'm not very well-read in the genre, it was really compelling. The mystery had good flow, an entertaining supporting cast..."Nesbo's books aren't being translated in order and I'm not sure why! The Bat is actually a more recent one in English, despite being the first novel.
Sarah wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well."It took me a ..."
Re: The Doomsday Book. It started out good, but then I feel like a good chunk in the middle could've been cut, there was a lot of repeated frustration with the characters' situations. I don't know if it was supposed to add suspense but it just made me want to skip ahead. The ending was a little bit bleak as well, but considering the time period it's set in, I guess that was to be expected. It did teach me a little about Medieval times, and I did finish it without skipping any parts, which lately for me equals a ringing endorsement, ha. I find I don't have the patience to suffer through books I am not enjoying/finding interesting. So many books, so little time.
I am currently reading The Anatomist's Wife by Anna Lee Huber. It is the first book of a series of three (so far). I've read and thoroughly enjoyed the first two books already but with the third just being released I wanted to refresh my memory of the characters. The books are period novels, mysteries with a bit of romance and a strong but slightly vulnerable female lead. She is a little isolated due to her past (no spoilers I promise!) and her own personality, maybe it says something about my own personality that I think that's what draws me to her character. The books are well written and very visual. There's nothing I hate more than a poorly written book! And not that I don't enjoy them but this is not a heaving-bosom, bodice-ripping with impossibly gorgeous rich lords and poor misunderstood beauties kind of book.
Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well."The Doomsday Book is definitely slow going but To Say Nothing of the Dog is a great book! I have read it several times, in fact it might be time to read it again, or at least add it to my (rather lengthy) book list. Blackout and All Clear follow To Say Nothing of the Dog but the reviews on Amazon are mixed. I haven't read them yet so can't give an opinion. Has anyone else read them?
I just finished The Glass Sentence (LOVED IT) and will be starting on either The Care and Management of Lies or The Quick. Haven't decided yet :)
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Nora wrote: "Right now I am reading The Keep by Jennifer Egan. The jury is out. "If it's anything like A Visit from the Goon Squad, you may feel that way throughout. While I liked the story in general, there was a definite need for me to keep pushing myself to finish the book. Perhaps The Keep fares better(?). Let us know what you think when you're done so I know whether or not it's worth ny time.
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Susan wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well."The Doomsday ..."
I'm a Connie Willis gal through and through, so take this with a grain of salt, but I really liked Blackout and All Clear. I do think the enormousness of the subject got ahead of her a bit, but the characterizations of Blitz-era London were amazing. I read a subpar WWII novel right after and was immediately reminded of how cleverly drawn Willis' world and characters are, how funny, and how poignant.
EmVic wrote: "I just finished The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, based on the webseries The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, which is itself based on Pride and Prejudice. Love this version of Darcy. And re..."ooh, I'm about to start the Secret Diary, I loved the web series to pieces! I just finished The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line which, if anyone here is a Veronica Mars fan, I highly recommend. It was written by Rob Thomas and picks up shortly after the events of the movie. Obviously, since it was written by the creator of the show, the tone and characterization were absolutely perfect and it was fun to catch up with some characters who didn't get much/any time in the movie.
Susan wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well."The Doomsday ..."
I also enjoyed Blackout and All Clear, but was warned ahead of time to get them out of the library together. Without revealing too much: it was good advice! I treated them like one super-long book.
Elizabeth wrote: "The Penny series is uneven but overall well worth it. The "cozy" problem (I learned that this is the technical term for series all set in the same place) definitely plagues some of the books, inclu..."This is why I have to read this comments on the computer, not my phone and especially NOT on the road (I wasn't driving) because I thought you were called the Penny books cozy mysteries, but obviously you didn't. And I couldn't agree more that the problem with the books is that the set up makes it seem like a cozy, and they are not. I am so glad they change a little and I cannot wait to read more of them.
Right now I am a little lost between books. I have picked up 3 different books and have either put them down or returned them to the library. Nothing is tickling my fancy. So I came here to get some ideas. I might try Secret Diary. I make a hobby out of reading Jane Austen pastiche.
Bonnie wrote: "Joabie, Goon Squad and the Keep are very different books. I loved Goon Squad with every fiber of my being but was sort of meh on The Keep. since you did not like Goon Squad The Keep might be more a..."I liked the premise of Goon Squad, but the actual writing style left me wanting. The twist at the end was nice enough, but I found myself wishing the initial telling of the story were smoother.
Maybe I'll read it again and see if it rubs me the right way the second time around.
Just started Alias Hook! I'm a total sucker for retellings and this is the first I've seen where Captain Hook is the main character!
Kate wrote: "Susan wrote: "Danielle wrote: "I'm halfway through Connie Willis' Doomsday Book. It's not bad but is moving a little slow, at least for me. I also checked out 'To Say Nothing of the Dog' as well."..."
I LOVE Connie Willis! I've read all of her time travel series. To Say Nothing of the Dog is hilarious - I was just thinking about it this morning. I really love Blackout and All Clear as well, but they didn't hold up as well as I thought they would on the reread - it was too much of the same mini-plot over and over - but wow did she do the setting well. I felt like I was there.
Have you read "A Brief History of Montmoray" by Michelle Cooper? Not time travel, but the third book in the trilogy is set during World War II, from the prospective of the protagonists, royalty from a ridiculously small country forced in exile to England when the Nazis take their island over as an air base. It's got a lot of the same "London on the Homefront" stuff that I loved about the Connie Willis books. I highly recommend the entire trilogy.
Bonnie wrote: "Joabie, Goon Squad and the Keep are very different books. I loved Goon Squad with every fiber of my being but was sort of meh on The Keep. since you did not like Goon Squad The Keep might be more a..."Goon Squad has a permanent place on my bookshelf but The Keep got donated back to the library immediately. That said, the more I think about The Keep, the more I like it. Still not my favorite of hers, but worth reading.
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Danielle wrote: "EmVic wrote: "I just finished The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet, based on the webseries The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, which is itself based on Pride and Prejudice. Love this version of..."I agree. I'm a huge Veronica Mars fan and was pleasantly surprised by the book, it was much better than I expected. I hope there will be more.
Hey guys! This thread is really interesting! I've bookmarked so many titles already, can't wait to read everything :)I'm currently reading John Ajvide Lindqvist's Little Star. It's creepy and touching at the same time.
I started reading Megan Abbott's THE FEVER last night and I cannot put it down! I don't know if I will feel the same way when it is over but I'm really enjoying the reading experience so far and I tentatively want to recommend it to everyone ever so I have lots of people to talk to about it!!
I'm currently reading Joyland by Stephen King. It is ok so far but I'm already 2/3 done and I feel like nothing has really happened. Hoping the end is a little more exciting.
I'm reading Look at Me (I think that's the title, too lazy to get up and go look at the kindle) by Jennifer Egan. Visit from the Goon Squad is the only other thing of hers I've read. So far enjoying it quite a lot. Also The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. I am a knitter, and she lives in RI, where I went to college and sets most of her novels there, so that is an added bonus.
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Go Fug Yourself Book Club
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