You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Chit Chat About Books
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What are you reading and why? Jul-Dec 2014
Hang in there Sandra! Very exciting.feel better Janice!
Congratulations Sandra, and I hope you feel better soon Janice!I started Neverhome: A Novel this morning, which I got through Netgalley. It's great so far. There are no dialogues, just Ash telling us her story as a woman pretending to be a man and fighting for the South in the civil war. Beautiful writing, but sometimes I need to read sentences twice. I think they are constructed like they would have been by a southerner in the 19th century.
Hey new member here. I mentioned the books I was reading in my introduction, but thought I'd add some details here.* 14 by Peter Clines - I'm actually listening to this one (I'm training for a charity back ride and listening to audio books while I ride helps the trip go by faster). I think the narrator does an excellent job (always so important in audio books). Some of the characters are a bit cliched but I do like them in general. I'm at the part of the book where "the big mystery" is finally revealed and it wasn't what I thought it was, which is always good to find. So far I'd say it is in the "recommended" pile but I want to finish it before I make it official.
* The Fault in Our Stars|11870085] by John Green. Wow, what an amazingly well written book. In general I read for entertainment so books that are "downers" I tend to avoid...but...I picked this up in a bookstore and after reading the first few pages I just had to get it. John Green has an amazing way of writing and even though the topic is heavy I'm really enjoying the read of this. I'm pretty sure it will definitely make it to my recommendation pile.
14 is a great book and one I do tend to recommend to people who enjoy a strange sci fi read.Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage and half way in still understanding what is going on. Although I never claim to fully understand Murukami which is so loaded with metaphors and symbolism that I probably miss at least half of it normally. It read like a regular novel for quite a while so I was quite relieved when it just dipped into the bizarre. Bizarre then we went to the normal graphic sexual encounter that Murakami most always includes. Think I'll have to finish this this morning rather than later on as I had planned
Michael wrote: "Hey new member here. I mentioned the books I was reading in my introduction, but thought I'd add some details here..."I listened to Fault In our Stars while driving home from a road trip. It's not a good idea to cry while you're driving.
The thing I liked the best about 14 was the bantering between Nate and Veet.
Peggy wrote: "Congratulations Sandra, and I hope you feel better soon Janice!I started Neverhome: A Novel this morning, which I got through Netgalley. It's great so far. There are no dialogues,..."
I recently put Neverhome on my tbr. I'm so glad to hear it's good, Peggy!
This is actually my 8th child. I suppose this is the reason my back is asking me compassion...I'm still pushing myself into Frog Music. I'm more than 80% through it so I'll finish it, but I'm not really sure why...
Wow! Congrats and hope you feel better too! :)
Sandra wrote: "This is actually my 8th child. I suppose this is the reason my back is asking me compassion...I'm still pushing myself into Frog Music. I'm more than 80% through it so I'll finish..."
I read Frog Music a few months ago and was quite underwhelmed by it. It wasn't a bad book but there was definitely something lacking for me.
That's how I feel, Lisa. I really don't care what happen to the characters... I don't really need to like the characters in a book to enjoy the story., but I need to care about what's going on with them. The Casual Vacancy is an example of that. There wasn't not even one lovely character in there IMO, but I loved the book and I gave it 5 stars. I usually don't push myself into reading something I don't like. There's so many books in my list! But I gave up Trieste just before this one, so I suppose I'm feeling guilty about abandoning two books in a row. What if the problem is me???? lol
Well, only 32 pages to go and then I'll start Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Sandra, hope your little one makes his/her appearance on schedule and that your back pain eases up. Congrats!Janice, sounds like the hot toddies left you definitely feeling no pain. Bailey's sounds great, but I don't think they'll allow that at work!
8th?!? Wow - congratulations. You're a trooper. Hang in there...easy for me to say being a man and all.
I'm almost finished with Dandelion Wine and reading this so soon after a Murakami novel I notice some similarities. They both use rich language or vivid descriptions and both can really bounce around d and at times be hard yo follow. Certainly Murakami is a bit more out there in subject matter but I wonder if Bradbury was writing today rather than half a century ago would his work be any less extreme in cases than Murakami. I think Bradbury has a broader range of subject matter though.
I just finished My Life as a White Trash Zombie. I liked it. I'd call it brainless fluff, but even though book 2 is on Audible's $4.95 sale, I don't think I'll continue with the series.Next up is Code Name Verity unless my library hold on Cress comes up.
I'd call it brainless fluff..."LOL!
Should be, being a zombie...
Mariab wrote: "I'd call it brainless fluff..."LOL!
Should be, being a zombie..."
Yeah, I got a little carried away with the brain puns in my review.
Janice wrote: "I just finished My Life as a White Trash Zombie. I liked it. I'd call it brainless fluff, but even though book 2 is on Audible's $4.95 sale, I don't think I'll continue with the se..."I've got that one on my Nook. Thought no one here would have ever heard of it! Like minds, eh Janice? I've not read it yet, but it sounds exactly like what I'd expect.
Debra wrote: "I've got that one on my Nook. Thought no one here would have ever heard of it! Like minds, eh Janice? I've not read it yet, but it sounds exactly like what I'd expect."Exactly! I didn't expect it to be anything but fluff. I picked it up in one of Audible's sales. Sometimes one needs a mindless (or should I say brainless) read as diversion.
It was a good counterpoint to The Gunslinger which took a lot of concentration. I finished it in the wee hours this morning. I woke at 3:00 and couldn't sleep.
I've heard good things about My Life as a White Trash Zombie (especially from a cousin of mine at this year's family reunion). I'm adding it to the pile...the every increasing pile...sigh.
Michael wrote: "I've heard good things about My Life as a White Trash Zombie (especially from a cousin of mine at this year's family reunion). I'm adding it to the pile...the every increasing pile...."I liked it. I gave it 3.5 stars. I found it a bit too juvenile though. I'm sure my grandkids who are teens would love it. If I take them on another road trip, I'd be happy to listen to it again so they could enjoy it.
I finishedNeverhome: A Novel for netgalley and thought it was fantastic, here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...Next is Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch for the challenge.
I finally got to the head of the list for the audio version of Cress after 4 months and I will be listening to this for my chunkster challenge.I finished The Rosie Project at lunch time today. Great story and a fun read - thanks for picking it for me Peggy. Next up, I will be reading Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch with Peggy.
I am giving up on the audio book I downloaded for Sarah's Key. I just don't like the narrator and with the time changes (past and future) I cannot tell when she switches right away. I also have Noah's Compass in audio and An Old Betrayal on CD. All of the sudden I have too much to listen to and not enough time to do it.
I started The Ghosts of Belfast on audiobook because it was next on my list. I'm also going to apply this to the speed dating event.
Janice wrote: "I just finished My Life as a White Trash Zombie...."Code Name Verity has been waiting on my shelf since long. Look forward to your review, Janice.
Cherie wrote: "I finished The Rosie Project. ..."
Cherie, I think I should start with The Rosie Project. Seeing how everyone loved it, I got it on Kindle and audible. Now that I found you fawning over it as well, I just should start.
I am currently reading-OCD Love Story - been wanting to read since long, so when I saw it at the library I picked it up.
White Teeth - buddy read with Erica
The Selection - first in a series group read
My Stupid Girl - for audio review
I finished another Cotton Malone book, The Venetian Betrayal, and really enjoyed it. I've got number 4 ready to go. This is an excellent hold-on-to-your seat historical, mystery, suspense, thriller series. I also finished another book in a great series Raiders of the Nile. Apparently this and it's predecessor The Seven Wonders are prequels to a Sub Rosa Rome series Saylor started writing in the 90s. I'm going to read the whole series of 14 or so books. Saylor is such an excellent writer, and I love getting history with my fiction. Both these books were full of adventure, history, suspense, and I loved the characters. And to think I wouldn't have even discovered Saylor if I wasn't trying to find a book for the Seven Wonders challenge!
Pragya wrote: "Janice wrote: "I just finished My Life as a White Trash Zombie...."Code Name Verity has been waiting on my shelf since long. Look forward to your review, Janice."
Dang! Someone noticed. I made a mistake. I was looking at my "to-read" shelf, and noticed that Code Name Verity was about 8th on the list. So I checked my phone to see what I had downloaded. It was The Ghosts of Belfast (which was the next one on the list). Don't know what universe I was on when I wrote that I would be starting Code Name Verity next. I will be reading it... just not right away.
Janice wrote: "Pragya wrote: "Janice wrote: "I just finished My Life as a White Trash Zombie...."Code Name Verity has been waiting on my shelf since long. Look forward to your re..."
LOl. No problem, Janice.
Travis of NNY wrote: "I am quite submersed in to Light in August currently"and then "Started The Diamond Age Neal Stephenson so it takes a bit to figure it all out."
I read Light in August about 30 years ago. I loved it, but it was not easy reading. So at the same time you're reading The Diamond Age, and "it takes a bit to figure it all out." Very ambitious. The two books must be quite a contrast.
I did finish Light in August first. Debating on a 4 or 5 star probably 5. Yes the rich prose filled language of Faulkner to the sometimes too science filled Neal Stephenson is quite a switch. I just randomly start books for no reason.
@DebraI have read the whole Roma sub Rosa serie. and it is very good. Gordianus is an very well accomplished character and the historical accurace is well done too
@PragyaHow did You found/like My Stupid Girl?
I finished The Kite Runner which I rated 5 stars. This was my first book by Khaled Hosseini and what an introduction it was! It's such a thought provoking and emotive read! I will definitely be reading his other books now.I am now starting Mr Mercedes for September's monthly challenge which was chosen for me by Connie.
Finished The Secret History at the snow, and for a book set in Vermont, this seemed to be the best place for me to read it and understand it. I was at the snow with a guy who had gone to a Liberal Arts college in New England who had also read the book, and he declared it the best place in Aus to read it. Who am I to argue!I started The Hot Zone this morning. I have been able to read 20 pages of it at a time, and then have to put it down in an nauseated/hypochondriatic state, look at the landscape/talk for 10 mins, and then continue. Turns out fictional blood, gore, disease I am fine with. Reading about a disease that can liquify my organs while I am alive (Ebola) I am not so cool with. Interesting from an self awareness point of view.
I am thinking I will intersperse the read with the Challenge read for this month of Wuthering Heights
Rusalka wrote: "Finished The Secret History at the snow, and for a book set in Vermont, this seemed to be the best place for me to read it and understand it. I was at the snow with a guy who had gone ..."It's a bit funny to me to hear someone say "at the snow", especially since we're going to be in the snow in a matter of weeks. (The abhorrent aberrant snow we had a week ago is gone.) If winter is anything like last year, we may even be under the snow.
The Hot Zone sounds pretty intense!
Janice wrote: "It's a bit funny to me to hear someone say "at the snow", especially since we're going to be in the snow in a matter of weeks. (The abhorrent aberrant snow we had a week ago is gone.) If winter is anything like last year, we may even be under the snow.."I was thinking the same Janice. :)
Mariab wrote: "@PragyaHow did You found/like My Stupid Girl?"
Mariab, I am still listening to it. I will get back to you with my final comments. It started off super but is only average for me right now.
My theme for September is classics. I just finished The Woman in White, which was wonderfully nail-biting; the other three on my list for the month are The House of Mirth, Middlemarch, and Emma. Hope I can squeeze them all in!
I enjoyed house of mirth quite a bit.
I've just finished reading The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It's a much more spooky story than I had expected. Now I am rereading a book I read several years ago when it first came out, The Map of True Places by Brunonia Barry The first time I read it, there were a lot of Hawthorne references that I did not get. One of the characters, an elderly professor with Parkinsons, is taking some medication that causes him to hallucinate, and he believes that he is Nathaniel Hawthorne. I'm enjoying True Places much more this time around. The title comes from a line from Moby Dick: "It is not down in any map; true places never are." The Moby Dick character Queequeq, who is supposed to be the son of a high chief/king of a fictional island in the South Pacific, uses this line when asked where his country is. I believe the character also appears in Nabokov's Pale Fire.
Been months since I posted in here, and look at at the new books I have to add to my shelves :) I'm Reading Serena
by Ron Rash
Hey! Welcome back Kimberley! Glad to see you posting again.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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Oh, and congratulations Sandra! How exciting. Is this your first baby? One of my clients arrived yesterday with paperwork. His wife had their first baby a few days ago. He was so excited! So good to see. I was beaming when he left.