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[Reggia]

Just started The 6:41 to Paris

[Werner]

I'm nearing the end of my reading of James Fenimore Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales series, having started the final volume (in terms of the series' internal chronology; it was actually the third of the books to be written), The Prairie. The more I've read of Cooper's work, the more my appreciation of his artistry as a writer has grown; so I'm expecting this book to be another great read!

[Reggia]

Just about done with 6:41, and dare I admit it? I'm returning to finish up Les Misérables.

[Reggia]

I'm also reading Pachinko with my local book group.

[Werner]

Although I've been slow to get around to it, I've finally started on Pride's Children: Purgatory, the first book of a projected trilogy by my Goodreads friend, Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt. (It isn't a free review book as such, but she did graciously donate a copy to the Bluefield College library, where I work.) This is a foray into contemporary general fiction, a genre I've tended to neglect for several decades; I'm working on redressing that balance, because I genuinely do like general fiction when it's well done!

[Nina]

Just finished reading, "How It All Began," by one of my favorite authors, Penelope Lively. Actually how it all began was when one of the characters was mugged and what follows by others being affected by this unusual circumstance is the premise of this book. I'd say it is an introspective read and mostly character driven.

Good beginning that grabs your attention and you do want to see what happens next to the people involved but sometimes it gets weary waiting for the outcome.

However, I have no fault with this author's writing for example here is a quote from the book that I especially liked; "Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

I'll end my review by saying that one of my very favorite books from this author was "Moon Tiger," for which she won the Booker Prize. Perhaps the theme of this book was more to my liking.

So, if I had read, "Let Us Be Grateful," before reading "Moon
Tiger," I probably wouldn't have ever read it as I wasn't thrilled enough when finished with "How It All Began" to try another of this author's books. However, that being said this book isn't a boring; just not a great read.

[Werner]

When Barb and I take road trips in the summer to visit her family in the Harrisonburg, Virginia area, we usually make huge progress on our "car books," compared to what we do in the rest of the year. The trip earlier this week was no exception, allowing us to finish a book I've been reading to her for two months. So, we promptly started on another one! We're now continuing our exploration of my Goodreads friend Heather Day Gilbert's A Murder in the Mountains mystery series, with Trial by Twelve.

While passing time at the public library in Harrisonburg this week, while Barb went shopping with a couple of my sister-in-laws --I accompany them some, but I'm mostly not interested in the venues where they shop-- I added a new (to me) anthology to my "being read intermittently" shelf: Best Australian Short Stories. Despite my Aussie connection, my reading of Australian literature up to now is virtually nonexistent; so discovering this collection on the shelf was a particularly pleasant surprise!

[Nina]

Werner, Did you ever read "The Thornebirds," or "My Brilliant Career?"

[Werner]

Nina wrote: "Werner, Did you ever read "The Thornebirds," or "My Brilliant Career?""

No, Nina --I haven't actually read ANY fiction by Australian writers, though I've read a Reader's Digest Condensed Version of The Shoes of the Fisherman by Australian novelist Morris West. (I wouldn't claim that as an actual read.) But I've heard of The Thornbirds (and the miniseries), and we have the book at the BC library.

[Nina]

There is also a movie, "My Brilliant Career," and I recommend both the movie and the book. Excellent!

[Werner]

Thanks for the tip, Nina! I'll keep those in mind.

[Reggia]

I've just begun The Professor's House by Willa Cather.

Enjoyed The Thorn Birds (both book and miniseries) years ago.

[Werner]

Having recently finished the second installment of Heather Day Gilbert's A Murder in the Mountains contemporary mystery series, Trial by Twelve, Barb and I started the next one, Guilt by Association as our "car book." However, we promptly embarked on a road trip, and finished that book before I had time to post about it here, until now! (That catches us up on that series for now; there's to be at least one sequel, but it's not published yet.)

Louis L'Amour is Barb's favorite author, and a number of his books focus on various generations and branches of his fictional Sackett family. (Goodreads treats this as a series, but my understanding is that the various novels can actually be read independently.) She's recently embarked on a re-read of all the Sackett-centered books (she rereads more than I do); and since Ride the River was one that had also piqued my interest, we've started it as our new "car book."

This month, I'm also taking part in a common read in another group, of Ann Radclife's 1794 Gothic novel The Mysteries of Udolpho. I've gathered that much of the interest for most of the participants comes from Jane Austen's mention of this novel in Northanger Abbey. In my case, though, I've never read the latter novel (I want to, though!); I've had the Radcliffe book on my to-read shelf forever just because I'm interested in reading more of the classics.

[Nina]

So good; one of my favorites. Did you know she never ventured farther than eighty miles from her home and people including you and myself are reading her books two hundred years after she wrote them.

[Werner]

Austen is a favorite of mine too, since high school days, though so far I've only read Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and the completion of Sanditon by Anne Telscombe. For next year, I've set myself the unofficial goal of finally reading all of her work that I haven't gotten around to yet.

[Reggia]

I'm a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice. And I agree with you, Charly, the dry wit of Mr Bennett is one of the elements that I immensely enjoy! "Kitty has no discretion in her coughs... she times them ill." ;-)

Last night, I began reading The Little Prince. (I've done almost no reading in the past month... but back from a 2 week vacation, life is settling back down.)

[Reggia]

No coasts this time, but I drove from Phoenix to Boise and back again. I also managed to see all 4 of my siblings; it had been too many years. Beautiful weather with no days over 100! 😁😯

[Reggia]

Just finished The Professor's House and now beginning Snow Child

[Werner]

A discussion in another group recently reminded me of the book Dragonlord of Mystara by Thorarinn Gunnarsson, which Barb and I read together back in the early 90s and really liked. I've never reviewed it, and to do it justice I'll need a refresher read; so we've started reading it again. By now, we've forgotten so much of it that it's essentially like reading a new-to-us book. :-) (The author was born in Iceland, but lives in the U.S. now.)

[Walter]

Currently reading, The Plague, not as good as 'The Stranger'. But still enjoyable for sure.

[Reggia]

Welcome, Walter! :-) I never finished The Stranger, but do mean to return to it so good to hear you enjoyed the read!

[Christine]

I'm currently reading The Weight of Ink, by Rachel Kadish. It's been very good so far, but I've stalled in the middle. I'm also reading The Yiddish Policemen's Union, by Michael Chabon. It's early days for that one, so no solid opinion yet.

[Reggia]

Hi Christine! I just looked up The Weight of Ink (being interested by the title) and it looks intriguing.

I'm doing a quick read of the little tale, The Little Prince.

[Christine]

Hi Reggia! The title was the first thing that interested me too. It's very well-written historical fiction...but sometimes a bit bleak. I'm really enjoying the characterization, so I'm sure to get back to it, shortly. I hope you enjoy it, if you do pick it up! : )

[Christine]

: ) I was required to read The Little Prince in the original French, in middle school, long ago. I loved it! I really should go back and re-read it in English. How are you finding it?

[Reggia]

I'm finding it curious yet amusing -- not to detract from its lessons about human nature, especially as humans grow older. (I was actually planning to re-read it in French once I study a bit more. ;-))

[Christine]

Oh, cool! Good luck with the French. : )
Yes, the underlying messages hold the appeal for me.
Interestingly, my teen son says that The Little Prince developed a bit of a "geek" following a year or two ago, among trendy teens... I can't fathom it!

[Mary]

I'm reading Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings' book PLANET FUNNY. It's an interesting analysis of humor, but an analysis of humor is not funny.

[Walter]

Im reading ‘Philosophy: The Basics’ by Nigel Warbuton. A great read, and if there are any philosophy lovers out there, check out his podcast ‘Philosophy Bites’

[Reggia]

I'm reading Fortune's Children and beginning the fictional Philosophy Made Simple

[Christine]

I've finished The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (very good!), and started Wisp of a Thing. I think I may have read this one before, but possibly not finished it.

[Werner]

Finally, I'm joining in the August common read of Lost Horizon (by James Hilton) in one of my other groups. None of the libraries around here have it, so I'd originally expected I'd need to borrow it by interlibrary loan; but I was recently able to buy a thrift-store copy (yay!). There's not a lot of time left in August; but I expect this one to be a very quick read, so I'm confident of finishing before next month nonetheless.

[Werner]

This month, Anthony Hope's 1894 novel The Prisoner Of Zenda is a common read in another one of my groups, and I'm taking part. (This isn't the cover art of the edition I'm actually reading, which has a very bland, monochromatic cover, as does the one Goodreads displays first at the book description; but I thought this one looks better, and more interesting. :-) ) Again, this is a pretty short book (and some space is taken up by illustrations), so I expect it to be another quick read.

[Christine]

Finished Wisp of a Thing and was disappointed... I might read one more book in the series. Perhaps. Read book one in CJ Sansom's 'Matthew Shardlake' series: Dissolution (historical mysteries). This one was excellent, and I'm looking forward to book two! Has anyone else read this series?

Werner, I've always wanted to read The Prisoner of Zenda, and I thank you for putting it on my radar, so I can add it to my to-read list. It might even fit in with one of my fall reading challenges from my local public library system. : )

[Werner]

Christine wrote: "Werner, I've always wanted to read The Prisoner of Zenda, and I thank you for putting it on my radar, so I can add it to my to-read list. It might even fit in with one of my fall reading challenges from my local public library system. : )"

You're welcome, Christine! Whenever you read it, I'll be interested in your review.

[Werner]

Earlier this year, Goodreads author E. M. Bosso sent me a review e-copy of his humorous writing guide, Writing Tips #42: The Incomplete Guide For the Self-Published, and I've started reading this on my Kindle app. I'm expecting it to be quite a quick read.

In paper format, I'm finally reading a book I've had on my to-read shelf forever as a "must read": the werewolf novel Moon of the Wolf by Les Whitten. I read and liked his vampire novel Progeny of the Adder as a kid back in the 60s, but wasn't aware he'd written anything else until I saw the movie adaptation of the book I'm now reading in the 70s (although the film differs from the book in significant ways).

[MichelleCH]

Finally getting back to reading. We adopted two rescue pups last November and are at the end of puppy-hood. We also have spent a lot of time hiking and exploring. I'm finally finishing Margaret Atwood's trilogy with MaddAddam. The series is excellent.

[MichelleCH]

Thank you Charlie. I will have to check out the sale even though I really shouldn't buy any more ;)

[MichelleCH]

I've added it to my calendar!

Just finished MaddAddam and started Neverwhere

[Werner]

Although I haven't read any of his work in awhile, I count Charles de Lint as a favorite author. His stand-alone fantasy novel The Harp of the Grey Rose is another book Barb and I read together back in the 90s, and have sufficiently forgotten that it's like a new read; it's also another one that I haven't reviewed here, and could use a refresher before doing so. So, we've started reading it again!

[Werner]

Charly, White's The Once and Future King seems to be a book that readers either love or hate (you'll see why when you read it); in my friend circle the ratings range from four or five stars down to one and didn't-finish. (It doesn't bear much resemblance to the Disney cartoon version of The Sword in the Stone.) I read it to Barb back in the mid-80s, and gave it five stars when I reviewed it for Goodreads (Barb liked it well enough, but not as much as I did). When you've finished it, I'll be interested in your take on it!

[Werner]

Charly wrote: "Its one of those that I have wanted to read as soon as I got out of college and had some time....er, I guess this is a good time to start."

I've still got a LOT of those books from my own after-college reads list on my "to-read" shelf, Charly --and I've probably been out of college longer than you have. :-)

[Werner]

I hear ya, Charly! :-)

[Werner]

Well, you have been out of college longer than I have! I graduated from Bethel College (the one in Kansas --there are at least three in the U.S.) in 1979. You're actually not that much older than me; but I chose to take four years off in the middle of my college experience (long story) and came back with entirely different vocational goals.

[Werner]

One of my other groups starts a common read on Oct. 1; so until then, I wanted to pick a short book I could finish in the meantime. The one I opted for is The Apocalypse Door by James D. Macdonald. (Actually I'm reading the hardcover edition; but I think the paperback has much cooler cover art! :-) ) This has been on my must-read list ever since I read reviews of it back in 2002, so I'm delighted to finally get around to reading it.

[Werner]

Since I was ready to start a new book today, I began reading the October common read in one of my other groups, Black Creek Crossing by John Saul, slightly early. (That won't put me too far ahead, since I won't get to read tomorrow; my reading time is limited on most days, and at 459 pages, it's a relatively thick book.) John Saul is a veteran author of horrific fiction, having written over 30 best-sellers. But this is my first exposure to his work (on the whole, I don't read many big-name authors).

[Werner]

As of last night, I've finally started reading my review copy of Ebolowa, by Goodreads author Simon Miller, on my Kindle app. So far, I'm actually favorably impressed with it; I'm finding it well-written, and a solid, workmanlike approach to the mystery genre conventions. Although it's the second book in a series, it's a new case for the detective protagonist, and I haven't experienced any feeling that I'm missing anything in relating to him.

[Reggia]

Time for a new book. I just started Philosophy Made Simple

[Reggia]

Too soon to say how I like it, but the premise is intriguing to me in that the main character is reading a nonfiction book by the same title, Philosophy Made Simple.

[Christine]

I just finished book four in the Matthew Shardlake mystery series by C J Sansom, Revelation. I'm really enjoying the series! While waiting for book five, I've just started Deborah Harkness' newest in her All Soul's fantasy series: Time's Convert.