What are you currently reading? Showing 101-150 of 2,091

[[deleted user]]

That's funny. Heart of Darkness was one of Norman's favorite books and he raved about Conrad as a writer for his descriptive talents.

[Nicole]

Maybe part of the reason I hated it is I'm female. Ah, well--vive la difference!

[Werner]

No, Callista, that's not it, because an English professor friend of mine who's male doesn't like Heart of Darkness either! :-) Actually, I don't "like" it either --I don't think Conrad meant for anybody to. As the title suggests, it's a grim, dark tale, a journey into the depths that human beings can sink into, if they don't have a inner moral core and find themselves freed from external restraints. Anybody who says it's an enjoyable read is probably either a liar or a masochist (unless, like Norman above, he/she just appreciates Conrad's prose style :-)). But for myself, I thought that it was worth reading --just once!-- for the point it makes (and the very forceful way it makes it) about human nature.

[Nicole]

Point taken, Werner. I don't have to like a book to find it worthwhile reading, but some things are more rewarding than others. I was only 17 when I decided I couldn't slog through HoD. Maybe someday I'll take another look.

[Reggia]

Callista wrote:

Point taken, Werner. I don't have to like a book to find it worthwhile reading, but some things are more rewarding than others.

Very true. I may not always enjoy each of my reads either but if I sense there is something of worth to be found, I eagerly read it anyway. LOL, then I switch it up afterward with a pure pleasure read. :-p

[[deleted user]]

Finished A Great and Terrible Beauty. Since I haven't read a lot of fantasy, I'm not sure what to say about this. There were spells and a door to a paradise and of course the "you'll be sorry" idea, but I liked it though thought it was too long. Her writing is very good and brought some beautiful pics to my mind as I read.
Moving on now to Mists of Avalon - finally.

[Nicole]

It sounds as if you liked it, Syra, and that's enough.
I do think there are things that may not work for fans of a genre, when they're already 'been there, seen that.' I know that's why I didn't like Green Rider. But some things are an enjoyable read even if the conventions are familiar. Maybe someday I'll check out Bray.
I look forward to hearing what you think of Mists. Are you already a fan of Arthurian legend?

[[deleted user]]

Yes. I also liked the movie with Julianna Magulies (? spelling). Camelot is a favorite. Name all my computer game owls Archimedes. And Merlin and Lancelot. etc etc

[Nicole]

Most excellent owl names!

[[deleted user]]

Have to put Mists on hold. Probably having right shoulder replaced and can't move it for 6 weeks so that big book will be hard to hold. So switched to Loose Among the Lambs by Jay Brandon (jury story).

[Werner]

Syra, all of us sympathize with you with your shoulder problem, and sure wish you a speedy recovery! Our thoughts will be with you.

[Nicole]

The shoulder probably needs to be replaced?! Ouch!!! I hope you can bounce back from it as quickly as possible.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks all for your kind words and thoughts. I will need them to get me through 6 weeks of no movement. AAAAHHHH The tendon tore again right behind where he fixed it last year with the rotator cuff surgery. He figures is he fixes the tear it will just tear again. So replacing the shoulder (prob. just the ball if the socket is ok - they do this mostly for bone problems) then after the 6 weeks I start physical therapy. My favorite! I have to learn to move my shoulder with my muscles because I have no tendon. Been putting it off because I don't want to go through that but can't live on Vicodin and do nothing all the time.

[Nicole]

You've obviously thought it through. I hope you're on the mend soon.

[Reggia]

Syra, hope your recovery is smooth and speedy!

[Leah]

I am currently tackling by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It's not as amazing as 100 Years of Solitude but it's pretty good!

[[deleted user]]

Gave up on Jay Brandon's book for now. Reading Breach of Promise by Perri O'Shaunessy (? sp) 2 sisters who write under this pen name.

[Reggia]

Still reading Silas Marner but needing a lighter read to accompany it, I have also begun Me Talk Pretty One Day which had me laughing on the first page -- that's about where I fall asleep these days. :-p

[Werner]

This week, I started reading How Far to Bethlehem by Norah Lofts (1904-1983), a prolific British writer of historical fiction. (I belong to the Norah Lofts fan group here on Goodreads; I've read four of her other novels, though that was decades ago.) This one deals with the journey of the Magi (though the first chapter actually focuses exclusively on Mary and Joseph).

[[deleted user]]

I used to love Norah Lofts and read everything. I'll have to see if I still have her books or check the library.
I finished Breach of Promis and now on another series by Jill Churchhill set in 1930s during depression in upstate NY.

[Nicole]

I've been reading Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys and noticing some things it has in common with his Stardust and Neverwhere, which are distracting me a bit.
Also: do any of you have a preference in terms of point of view? Any strong feelings about the omniscent and obvious third-person narrator?

[Cheryl]

I am reading William Faulkner so far so good
www.bookaddict4real.com

[Nicole]

Now finally tackling Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness.

[Mary]

Let the Right One In. I saw the movie a few months ago, but I've heard the book is better. I'm not generally a fan of vampire lit but what the hey.

[[deleted user]]

Listening to Tony Hillerman's mysteries on cd at night and reading J. S. Borthwick's My Body Lies Over the Ocean.

[Reggia]

Saint Maybe by Anne Tyler

[Werner]

Yesterday, I started Crocodile on the Sandbank, the first novel in Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mystery series. It's been on my to-read list forever, so I'm delighted to be finally reading it!

[[deleted user]]

I read one years ago and enjoyed it. Callista is a big fan. Almost done with "Body" book and then will try James Patterson.

[Nicole]

Yes, I am a Peabody fan! Thanks for remembering. I hope you enjoy it, Werner!

[Werner]

Thanks, Callista! I'm liking it very much so far.

[Werner]

Having finished (and thoroughly enjoyed!) Crocodile on the Sandbank, I'm now reading Women in the Old Testament: Twenty Psychological Portraits by Norah Lofts, whom I've mentioned before on this thread. I'd had to wait for it to arrive on interlibrary loan, so in the meantime had been reading some short stories, and part of a Poe essay.

[John]

I'm an hour into the audiobook Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, stories from six escapees (defectors). I don't care how brainwashed they are (or have been), and how powerful the ruling elite ... the system is going to have to "give" at some point. Fascinating, though grim, stuff.

[[deleted user]]

I've listened to all my Tony Hillerman tapes and cds and am now listening to James Lee Burke.
Also reading Jay Brandon's Loose Among the Lambs.
Finished Coyote by Linda Barnes. Good series.

[John]

C. J. Critt does a good job reading the Carlotta Carlyle series, although I dislike the characters of Paolina (and her mother).

George Guidall's narration of Hillerman's Navajo books is one of the reader fits I've ever run across!

[[deleted user]]

I agree. And Will Patton really captures the Louisiana culture reading James Lee Burke.
And believe it or not I heard Ed Asner read a book (I think it was a Stephen King!!!) and he did a very good job. Most of the women readers don't do as well tho there is one I like. I'llhave to look it up.

[Werner]

A couple of days ago, I started the final volume of the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn. This is another book I've been wanting get around to reading for ages; I know just about every Twilight fan on the planet except me has long since read it! (I bow my head in appropriate embarrassment. :-))

[John]

Amelia Peabody is terrific on audio ... Emerson sounds a lot like King Friday XIII from
"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" to me.

[[deleted user]]

Switched from Loose Among the Lambs to Angels and Demons by Dan Brown.

[Patti]

The Jihad Next Door.
Am also going on an Auchincloss binge after finishing his "The Scarlet Letters" yesterday.

[Mary]

I just finished Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters (loved!) and am struggling through the rather dry (and long!) Introduction to The Death of Kings: Royal Deaths in Medieval England. I hope it gets more interesting.

[Reggia]

Recently finished Me Talk Pretty One Day and have returned to Lady Chatterley's Lover which I had begun many months ago.

[Nicole]

Trying to read the first Honor Harrington book. Succumbing instead to the charms of The Lies of Locke Lamora.

[Reggia]

While at the library the other day, I discovered that I've missed the last three installments of Alexander McCall Smith's series. I've started with The Unbearable Lightness of Scones but probably won't read much of it or the others until school is out next week. Hope to get lots of reading done this summer! :D

[[deleted user]]

Reading Lickety Split by Kathy Hogan Trochek. She also has a "House Mouse" cleaning service service series that I've read.

[Nicole]

I saw that ...Scones book recently when I was killing time in a B&N. I haven't read any of his books yet, but he's on my list.
I'm currently reading Dresden Files #8.

[Werner]

I've just started John Sandford's Certain Prey, the 13th installment of his Prey series, centered around Minneapolis police detective Lucas Davenport. It's my first exposure to his work; normally, I prefer to read a series in order, but an Internet pen pal recommended this particular volume, and felt it could be read out-of-order or by itself.

[[deleted user]]

I've read some Sandford years ago and liked it.

Reading volume with 3 books by Rita Mae Browne and Sneakie Pie until I can't hold it any more. Even tho it is paperback it is heavy to read in bed. So am also reading The Snake, The Crocodile & The Dog by Elizabeth Peters.

[Nicole]

I loved The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog!

[[deleted user]]

Very different for me. Read her long ago. Think I'll go back and read them again. Having surgery on 26th for 2nd repair of rotator cuff so will be off computer for a while.

[Werner]

Get well soon, Syra! We'll miss you while you're offline.