What are you currently reading? Showing 1,901-1,950 of 2,082

[Werner]

Jt, your link just takes us to a blank template for writing a review, not to the review itself.

[Werner]

Yes, Jt, the new link works; thanks!

[Reggia]

Goodreads has changed a bit since Amazon took over, but I still can't find another system where I can keep track of books and participate in discussions. Yes, there are many, many books constantly showing up in my feed... I stopped following a few as they were total strangers that I've never had any interaction with, but am still interested in seeing what people I've interacted with are reading and rating.

I am unable to read at the rate I used to (mostly because of my job hours), but it's still quietly refreshing to come on here and find real people... and they're actually reading books. I can't keep up with all of it, but enjoy what I can.

As far as social media, I feel it's much more genuine on a site like this where real discussions can happen. I do miss the message boards of yesteryear, and the very real interactions one could have (usually without a picture or real name). Facebook has never, and could never, compare.

Certainly you will be missed in this quiet little corner; it has always been my hope that others would be comfortable here and enjoy it in a community-type way.

[Werner]

Reggia, your thoughts about Goodreads are also my thoughts! But I realize that it's a site that doesn't work for everybody, because all of us are different people.

Jt, I've had other valued friends who've left this site, mostly because of a need to de-clutter their lives from social media; I totally get that, so I'd never pressure you to stay. But if you leave, as Reggia said, you will be missed! Thanks for your contributions to this group, and for your good wishes. Whether you go or stay, you'll remain in my thoughts and prayers.

[Reggia]

Werner wrote: "I've had other valued friends who've left this site, mostly because of a need to de-clutter their lives from social media"

I know this wasn't directed to me, but again, I just see this site so differently than typical social media today. That media, with its likes, memes, unrelated articles and photos does indeed "clutter [and distract] one's mind" and so, I'm constantly pulling away from it, and coming here to clear the cobwebs and be re-focused.

But as stated we are each different people with our own perspectives. I want everyone to feel comfortable in interacting and contributing here at Litwit Lounge -- that is my hope for this community.

[[deleted user]]

Reggia wrote: "I just see this site so differently than typical social media today. That media, with its likes, memes, unrelated articles and photos does indeed "clutter [and distract] one's mind" and so, I'm constantly pulling away from it, and coming here to clear the cobwebs and be re-focused."

I hope you don't mind comments from a relative newcomer. I joined Goodreads last April, and have thoroughly enjoyed the interactions. I can count on one hand the number of unhealthy occurrences I've seen, and I've never experienced one personally. Conversely, I've met some fascinating people via Goodreads. We don't always agree, but we have always been respectful and friendly. And I have learned and benefited from these associations.

I've joined only four groups at Goodreads to ensure the experience remains healthy. If I run across disrespectful behavior, I probably won't quit Goodreads, but I won't hesitate to find another group in which to participate.

Interactions like this one with JT, Reggia, and Werner are indicative of the attraction of this group.

[Werner]

Reggia wrote: "I know this wasn't directed to me, but again, I just see this site so differently than typical social media today."

That's very true, and it's why Goodreads is the only "social network" I take part in online. Years ago, I was on both Facebook and Twitter for a time (long story); but I got nothing rewarding out of either of them, and have no intention of ever rejoining. To me, Goodreads is an entirely different kind of experience.

[Werner]

Like my previous read, the book I'm reading now, Ranger's First Call: More Short Stories & Memories of German Shepherds is a review book I was given by the author, my friend Andrew M. Seddon. It's a sequel to his earlier collection, Bonds of Affection: Short Stories and Memories of German Shepherds.

[Werner]

Since my grandson Philip gave me a copy of Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein this past Christmas, I've wanted to prioritize it as much as possible. Having now completed all of the scheduled reading and review books that I wanted to finish first, I've now started on this novel, which will be my first experience with the author's long fiction. (Although I'm a science fiction fan, my taste doesn't typically run primarily to hard or military SF.)

[Werner]

Jt wrote: "I read Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A Heinlein. It was quite surreal and a bit mad. I've heard some positive cred on Starship Troopers. One of my co-workers recommended both sci-fi novels. ..."

From what I've read about Stranger in a Strange Land, I don't think I'd get into it at all, but I am appreciating Starship Troopers. (I can see how it might appeal to a military veteran like your friend, though I'm not one myself.)

Tara Henley's book definitely sounds like a worthwhile read!

[Werner]

Thanks for that information and perspective, Jt!

[Werner]

Right now, I'm taking part in another group's common read of Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. This is a reread for me, but my only prior read was over 50 years ago, and there's a fair amount that I've forgotten.

[Reggia]

March is nearly over and I have not started my annual Irish read. I had finally chosen Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man but haven't been able to download it onto my e-reader. (Also wondering if the content might be too similar to Swann's Way??) Meanwhile, I am enjoying the beginning of Covenant of Water.

[Donnally]

Portrait of the Artist is nothing like Swann's Way.

[Reggia]

Thanks, Donnally. I'm concerned I'll get the two storylines mixed up.

[Athira]

I’m reading The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

[Donnally]

Reggia wrote: "Thanks, Donnally. I'm concerned I'll get the two storylines mixed up."

Proust and Joyce are often linked as being the great novelists of 'modernism'. However, it would be hard to imagine two writers who are more different.

[Werner]

Having read and liked a couple of books in Wolfpack Publishing's Avenging Angels series by A.W. Hart out of series order (long story!), Barb and I have decided to follow the series (she's an avid Western fan, and I enjoy these books as well). So we've started on the first book, Avenging Angels: Vengeance Trail. The actual author of this one is Peter Brandvold ("A. W. Hart" is a house pen name).

[Bionic Jean]

I'm slow-reading Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy yet again! 😊

[Reggia]

Enjoy the re-read, Jean!

I've decided not to add another fiction book to my multiple slow-reads. Instead, I'm going to visit Ireland from the pictures and narrative of Ireland Past and Present by Rosalba Gagrila.

.

[Bionic Jean]

Nice!

[Werner]

Late last year, as part of my ongoing challenge to support physical bookstores, I bought a copy of the anthology American Midnight: Tales of the Dark. Today, I've started reading it while I wait for an interlibrary loan book; since I might not finish it before the other book comes, it's on my "being read intermittently" shelf.

[Werner]

Jt, is this the book you're reading: Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World by Pádraig Ó Tuama?

[ღ Carol jinx~☆~☔ʚϊɞ]

Queen mother

[Werner]

No problem, Jt; glad to help! If you ever want to embed a cover image and a link to the book description in a comment (at least, if you're on a PC --I don't know if this feature works on a phone or a tablet), just click on the little green "add book/author" above the comment box. A search box will pop up, which you can set for "link" or "cover." Set it, search for the book you want, and click the "Add" button next to it. The program will insert the link in the comment box wherever you have the cursor positioned.

[Werner]

Happy poetry month to you, too, Jt!

[Lee]

I’m reading THE STREETS OF LAREDO by Larry McMurtry. I’m a huge fan of LONESOME DOVE, and this is the sequel. So far it is not as engaging as LONESOME DOVE,but at least I am back with familiar characters and the wilderness that was Texas and Mexico.

If you want to know something real about the American West of the 19th century, McMurtry is a must.

[Werner]

I'm still passing time waiting for an interlibrary loan book (the lending library sent the wrong book the first time; so, as movie directors might say, we're now on "Take #2" :-) ). So while I'm waiting, having finished two story collections, I've started on a third one, The Penguin Book of Horror Stories. This one is a lot thicker than the last two combined, so it will probably serve me through this situation and several more like it!

[Werner]

Back in the early 70s, I read a book by the 20th-century Chinese Christian leader and theologian Watchman Nee; but by the time I joined Goodreads in 2008, I no longer remembered the title. On my "read" shelf, it's listed as The Normal Christian Life (which is his best-known work). But I've begun to suspect that it was actually The Normal Christian Church Life; so I'm now reading the latter book to see if I recognize any of the text. (If it is the same book, after a lapse of 50 years or so, it needed a reread anyway!)

[Werner]

The forthcoming novel (expected publication date, Sept. 15 of this year) Victoria Unveiled, by my Goodreads friend Shane Joseph, is a near-future science fiction tale, dealing with the potential pitfalls of AI and sentient androids. Having received an e-ARC (to be deleted when read) from the author, I started on it today. (Reading in electronic format doesn't fit regularly into my schedule, so I have to grab time to do it when I can!)

[Reggia]

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on Watchman Nee's book. I have one of the two you mentioned albeit unread.

I haven't started any new reads as I am still working through my "currently reading" list. Additionally, listening repeatedly to already-read books on audio to help me sleep through the night. But I wanted to at least say "hello" to all! :-)

[Werner]

Reggia wrote: "Look forward to hearing your thoughts on Watchman Nee's book. I have one of the two you mentioned albeit unread."

I expect to finish it soon, Reggia, and will link to my review on the reviews thread!

[Werner]

My encounter with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith began as a pre-teen kid (which probably wasn't the best time of life to read it). I'd been listing it as "read," but I think I actually just skimmed some of the last chapters, rather than reading them, and don't remember the book very fondly. But I've long felt that to be fair to the author, I should read it with an adult's perspective; so I started on that read yesterday.

[Werner]

While on our recent road trip to visit family, Barb and I started a new "car book," Castle of Deception, co-written by Mercedes Lackey and Josepha Sherman. This is a reread for us, though our first reading was back in the early 90s and we've forgotten much of the plot. Though both authors are veterans in the fantasy genre, so far this is the only novel I've read by either; but I've read single short stories by each of them in fantasy anthologies.

[Peggy]

Hello everyone. I know it's been a while. I lost access to my account and then just forgot to try again. We're in the middle of a very dramatic move from Kansas to Texas. I brought This Tender Land with me and am about halfway through it. I am also in the middle of How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor: A Practical and Entertaining Exploration of the World's Most Famous Book That one was packed though. Hopefully it won't take too long to unpack and organize books once they get here.

[Werner]

Peggy wrote: "Hopefully it won't take too long to unpack and organize books once they get here."

Having moved oftener than I'd have liked to over the years, I've had to do that many times, so know that it can be a big job. (But on the plus side, it's also kind of fun. :-) ) Glad to have you back!

[Reggia]

Hi Peggy! So good to have you back with us. I didn't realize it was an actual move to Texas. What area?

Hoping you two are soon able to settle in and enjoy your new surroundings!

[Lee]

Hello, Peggy. I'm in Austin, Texas. What part of Texas have you moved to? And summer is round the corner.

I smiled when I saw you are reading something called How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor: A Practical and Entertaining Exploration of the World's Most Famous Book. Well, I can answer that question as I just graduated from seminary in Austin 8 yrs ago with an MA Theological Studies.

I can recommend two authentic books read widely in seminaries everywhere that I consider fundamental. ,
Faith Seeking Understanding: An Introduction to Christian Theology and Reading Biblical Narratives: Literary Criticism and the Hebrew Bible.

Both are excellent; I would recommend beginning with the one by Daniel Migliore. I probably purchased (and read) 100 books while at seminary and another additional 1,000 pages of scholarly journal articles. Biblical scholars rely on commentaries, which you will find in accredited seminary libraries.

So many people want the quick and easy read of the Bible. I will argue that you cannot go too slowly or deeply enough! So happy reading, and welcome to Texas!

[Werner]

Having a similar educational background myself (M.A. in Religion with a concentration in Biblical studies from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, 1981), Lee's post similarly inspired me to contribute a recommendation or two. :-) I'm not familiar with any of the three books mentioned above myself (though I'm sure that they're intellectually hefty reads!); but the two best books I've read on Bible study methods are Understanding Scripture: How to Read and Study the Bible by Berkeley and Alvera Mickelsen and Toward Understanding the Bible: Hermeneutics for Lay People by Perry B. Yoder. (Both are written for lay people; but neither of them imply that Bible study can be superficially "quick and easy.")

[Peggy]

Reggia wrote: "Hi Peggy! So good to have you back with us. I didn't realize it was an actual move to Texas. What area?

We're in the northwest area- near Lubbock. The whole town was seriously damaged with a major storm the same day we signed on the house. We only had relatively minor damage - the fence, roof, gutters, and shed were damaged badly- but no leaks or broken windows. We had no power for a day and a half but we had water.

[Reggia]

Lubbock. So you will get 4 seasons there, I think. I only drove through it once (when I was living in the DFW area of Texas a LONG time ago). I hope that things are settling down as you are settling in. :-)

Hello Lee, good to see you here and have your input! I've very much enjoyed my few visits to Austin.

[Peggy]

Lee wrote: "Hello, Peggy. I'm in Austin, Texas. What part of Texas have you moved to? And summer is round the corner.

I smiled when I saw you are reading something called [book:How to Read the Bible Like a Se..."

Thank you to you and Werner for the suggestions. I am still trying to set up the house, but I will look into them when things get more settled.

[Reggia]

Trouble concentrating today, so I am still packing for my trip in the wee hours of tomorrow morning. Choosing one more book is stumping me... must be paperback, must not be too depressing as this is a vacation, etc... Well, back to the task, but wondering...

Do you have a certain type of book you like for vacations?

[Werner]

Reggia wrote: "Do you have a certain type of book you like for vacations?"

When I have vacation time from work (except around Christmas, when we don't travel), Barb and I use the time as an opportunity to go and visit her side of the family. On those trips, I don't take along a book to read to myself when we're there; I go up to interact with family members, but bury my nose in a book. BUT, I read to Barb on the way to and from her brother's house. So, "vacation reading" means a lot of reading in our "car books;" it needs to be something that appeals to both of us.

The kinds of books that will typically fit that bill are: traditional or humorous fantasy novels; traditional or "cozy" mysteries; or Westerns, including clean Western romances. Strong, and even action-oriented, heroines are a plus for both of us; and being Christians, we both appreciate Christian authors, provided that they write well. If we find particular series we both like, we tend to follow those in order as much as possible. Barb usually doesn't get into older classics (though she has liked a few of them.)

[Werner]

Barb and I got started today on a new book we're reading together, Caught in Crystal by one of my favorite fantasy authors, Patricia C. Wrede. (This is another one we read once before, back in the 90s, but are revisiting.) We read it as a standalone, having stumbled on it at a flea market; I only learned after joining Goodreads that it's the fourth book of the author's Lyra series, which I'm not familiar with otherwise.

[Reggia]

I'm having a fair amount of alone time while others are working or sleeping, so-o I'm so glad I brought an assortment of books. One that I've started is A Man Called Ove.

[Reggia]

I'm having a hard time getting into Ove (yet another grumpy old person...) but not giving up just yet.

I did finish Sophie's World which was good for understanding philosophical thought throughout history, but not muxh of a story (it's presented as fiction).

Animal Farm is at my fingertips and I've begun a reread of Screwtape Letters.

I'm leaving this beautiful state of Michigan tonight, and returning to AZ. Being away has helped me to refocus on reading (which I've loved so much of my life) -- hope I can keep that focus when I return.

Hope you all are enjoying your summer!

[Werner]

I'm taking part in another group's July read of The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John le Carré (and have started a little early). This is another reread for me, but my prior read was in the early 70s, and there are major gaps in my memory of the book. At the time, I didn't appreciate it much (I've never reviewed it, but I rated it at two stars); however, I've often wondered if I'd rate it higher now, if I read it with the added maturity I've gained since.

[Reggia]

I've finished A Man Called Ove as well as watched the movie, A Man Called Otto. That was the fastest I've read through a book in a long time, but I am first going to credit an uncomfortable plane ride. Unable to sleep, and no other books in my carry-on I managed 180 pages. Lol, it's been years since I managed that much at one shot although at one time I did it often and never thought a thing of it. It was an easy read, but I doubt it would've kept my interest had I been in the comfort of home!

BTW, if anyone knows where I can find a free version of the original Swedish version of A Man Called Ove that also has English sub-titles, please let me know -- thanks!

[Werner]

Last year, I read and liked the first two books of my Goodreads friend G. K. Werner's The Clerk of Copmanhurst's Tales series, which I'm finding to be an excellent retelling of the Robin Hood legends. This year, I'm hoping to finish the four-book series; so to that end, I started today on the third book, Robin of Barnsdale: Tales of Maidens and Outlaws. (Technically, these books are story collections, but the stories form a closely-linked cycle.)