What are you reading November 2014

[Janet]

Ellen wrote: "So far this month, I've read 2 A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas by Marie-Helene Bertino, which didn't thrill me; Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things by Charles Panati; Funny in Farsi by Firoozeh Duma..."

I have a copy of 2A.M. at the Cat's Pajamas that matches my bedroom decor perfectly. Rather than read it, maybe I'll just leave it there...lol. Meanwhile, I'm reading an arc of

[Becky]

Reading Revival

[B]

I am reading which I am thoroughly enjoying. I am over 2/3 of the way through and I keep thinking what should I read next... I am very tickled to start even though I had other books on a line up. I keep hearing wonderful reviews about it after Michael recommended it not long ago.

[Sue]

I also loved We Are Not Ourselves and am chomping at the bit to read The Book of Strange New Things!

Bruno wrote: "I am reading which I am thoroughly enjoying. I am over 2/3 of the way through and I keep thinking what should I read next... I am very tickled to start [bo..."

[Stephanie]

Just started The Narrow Road to the Deep North. This month I also read Before I Go To Sleep for book club and Good Things I Wish You from my to read shelf.

[Robin]

I read Broken Monsters, not my cup of tea... and now am on to Still Life which is charming thus far!

[Kristin]

I just finished Gone Girl, which was a great deal of fun, and I am now reading A Passion for Nature: The Life of John Muir and The Turn of the Screw.

[B]

Sue wrote: "I also loved We Are Not Ourselves and am chomping at the bit to read The Book of Strange New Things!

Bruno wrote: "I am reading which I am thoroughly enjo..."

I am on the final pages and I don't want to put it down nor want it to end! Such an amazing book. :) Let me know what you think of TBOSNT!

[Mary]

Thank you, Ann for recommending the Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. It is a great story, well written and hard to put down!

[Rachel W]

Robin wrote: "I read Broken Monsters, not my cup of tea... and now am on to Still Life which is charming thus far!"

Robin, I read Still Life this year as well. I'm not normally a cozy mystery fan, but Louise Penny is fantastic, the characters just leap off the page. I've gone on to read two more in the series, and just got #4 from the library :) I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[Victoria]

I'm also reading Still Life right now! I'm enjoying it, although it seems to be taking me a while. Maybe a lack of reading time.

[Linda]

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat for the third time. With no input from me, my book discussion group decided to read this. I asked Mr. Moore if he would Skype with the group. He said, "Yes!"

[Kathy]

Linda wrote: "With no input from me, my book discussion group decided to read (The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat). I asked Mr. Moore if he would Skype with the group. He said, "Yes!" "

How wonderful, Linda! Most of the authors I know are generous with their time and talents, but that's really going above and beyond. Hope it's a great session!

[Robin]

Rachel wrote: "Robin wrote: "I read Broken Monsters, not my cup of tea... and now am on to Still Life which is charming thus far!"

Robin, I read Still Life this year as well. I'm n..."

Thanks Rachel! It's my first time reading Louise Penny and I already know I'll be continuing the series like you. Since I live in Montreal, I have a real appreciation for her descriptions of the city, the people and culture of Quebec. Also, I adore a good cozy mystery so it's right up my alley :)

[Jo Ann]

Linda - How cool that your book club will get to Skype with the author! Let us know how that goes, will you? My book club has had the actual author at our discussion half a dozen times, which has been wonderful...but we've never Skyped, and I'd love to know what you think. Have fun!

[Kelli]

Finished Accidents of Marriage by Randy Susan Meyers. A solid 3-star book for me. My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Adore]

i can't remember if michael recommended this graphic memoir on the podcast, but i know dan kois of slate wrote a nice review of it recently: El Deafo i'm absolutely loving it so far!

next up:
Saturday .

[Sue]

After making it through about half of Us , I decided I could not read one more page and relegated it to the DNF shelf. I was an evangelist for One Day , and was frankly surprised that this follow up was so poor on so many fronts. I have no idea where the Grand Tour ended up, but could no longer go along for the painfully dull, unamusing, unemotional, poorly written ride.

I am listening to and loving every minute of In the Kingdom of Ice: The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette , majestically narrated by Arthur Morely.

I also just started Bird Box . I hope I will be brave enough to finish it.

[[deleted user]]

Glad to hear there are others that have a Do Not Finish shelf. After having spent money on a book, I feel guilty not finishing it but life is too short to waste time reading a book you don't like.

[Sandy]

Mary wrote: "Glad to hear there are others that have a Do Not Finish shelf. After having spent money on a book, I feel guilty not finishing it but life is too short to waste time reading a book you don't like."

I agree whole heartedly - I call my shelf "unfinished" so it sorts at the end. Had to make it exclusive, otherwise the books kept showing on Goodreads as "read" which seemed like cheating.

[Julie]

I just started The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. Liking it a lot. I don't remember Olive Kitteridge being SO great, i.e., worthy of the Pulitzer. Probably should re-read that one??

[Sue]

I enjoyed Olive Kitteridge much more than The Burgess Boys, which I didn't finish. It was an audiobook, and I didn't like the narrator, but the story and characters were just not compelling to me.

I thought the Olive Kitteridge mini-series on HBO was fantastic.

Julie wrote: "I just started The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. Liking it a lot. I don't remember Olive Kitteridge being SO great, i.e., worthy of the Pulitzer. P..."

[Victoria]

I didn't finish Olive Kitteridge the book, but loved the mini series.

[Linda]

Jo Ann wrote: "Linda - How cool that your book club will get to Skype with the author! Let us know how that goes, will you? My book club has had the actual author at our discussion half a dozen times, which has..."

Jo Ann,

We had know problems connecting with Edward via Skype. Against my protestations I was appointed moderator so I sat near the computer where I could clearly see Edward and he, me. He could also see shadows of the rest of the group.

The library had the computer hooked to the device that put the computer screen's output on the screen so the entire room could see him. Unfortunately, the lights were off in the front part of the library room so we could better see Edward's face on the screen. I say unfortunately because turning off that light is what put the rest of the group in shadows.

I acted as intermediary if Edward could not hear the question or comment, repeating what was said.

We talked for about 40 minutes.

Most of the group did not know we were going to Skype with the author and the library didn't advertise it because I just put it together last week AND the librarian only used how to SKYPE over the weekend. I think if they had known, the group might have had more questions.

Mr. Moore is an absolute delight and we all look forward to his next book.

[Susanne]

I finished listening to The Bone Clocks. It's not bad, but it didn't keep my attention, and I had to keep remembering to go back to it to finish it. I have a feeling that David Mitchell doesn't write books for me. I didn't enjoy Cloud Atlas either. And I heard people rave about both of these books.

I finished The Girl With All the Gifts. I'm not normally into this type of book (view spoiler)[ It's a zombie book. Some people feel it's something you need to discover, but it seemed pretty apparent to me from the beginning (hide spoiler)], but I really enjoyed it. And I thought the ending was perfect.

Now I'm trying to decide between Station Eleven & Lock In (both which I bought for my Kindle) and The Book of Strange New Things which I checked out from the library yesterday.

[Kelli]

Finished The Poisonwood Bible and absolutely loved it from start to finish. Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Lucy]

I just finished The Bone Clocks and loved it. My first experience of David Mitchell but definitely not my last. Also finished Station Eleven and loved that too! I have The Girl With All The Gifts and The Poisonwood Bible so must read them soon. Now in the middle of Unravelling Oliver, The Vanishing Witch and the first Game of Thrones!

[Lyn]

This week I'm reading The Time Travelers Guide Through Elizabethan England. When I started this book I didn't think I would be as absorbed in the book as I am. It is truly fascinating.

[[deleted user]]

Based on a recommendation on BOTN, I now have a new author to love...Kevin Brockmeier! Read a sample of Thing That Fall From the Sky on my Kindle, and then, The Illumination. Have purchased both. It is such a shame I have to go through so many books before I find something I like. It is truly amazing that some authors put pen to paper and magic pours forth and others put you to sleep. Now, back to the Illumination.

[Jen]

Susanne wrote: "I finished listening to The Bone Clocks. It's not bad, but it didn't keep my attention, and I had to keep remembering to go back to it to finish it. I have a feeling that David Mitc..."

Wow! That's funny that all five of those books are on my list too! Read Station Eleven first. It's quick because it's so good! And I loved The Girl with All the Gifts too!! Given our similar tastes, I might not start The Bone Clocks now

[Gerald]

Compared to many of these posters I don't read at all! What a bad two months I am having.

[Laura]

I just finished reading the very good, very sad memoir by Sonali Deraniyagala, Wave. I find I need something happy or mellow in between sad or dystopian books, so picked up the small Christmas-themed The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans to read next. I have Station Eleven waiting for me and after seeing it on every "best of" list lately, grabbed All the Light We Cannot See at the library. Now I just need some time to curl up with all of them!

[Linda]

Well it looks as if I'm all Hollywood this weekend, but in actuality I'm going by due dates on library books.

I just finished Alan Cumming's Not My Father's Son: A Memoir which is well written and definitely not a tell-all, but a baring of his soul.

I'm moving on to Lee Grant's I Said Yes to Everything: A Memoir

I have no obligations to read anything except by library due dates, so I'm reveling in no deadlines. Oops! I just thought of one.

[Kelli]

Finished Still Missing - a disappointing 2 ** read for me.

Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Kate]

I restarted , Swann by Carol Shields and am enjoying it. I had started it, then switched to , The Circle for one of my book groups. I liked it, but felt that it was a little overbearing. I thought Dave Eggers could have left the reader to draw some conclusions. I think it will be an interesting discussion!

[Sue]

I was just about to pick up The Circle after reading Eggers' wonderful recent story in the New Yorker, 'The Alaska of Giants and Gods.' I'd been on the fence about it after reading a Kindle sample ages ago. Hmm...

Kate wrote: "I restarted , Swann by Carol Shields and am enjoying it. I had started it, then switched to , The Circle for one of my book groups..."

[Kate]

Sue wrote: "I was just about to pick up The Circle after reading Eggers' wonderful recent story in the New Yorker, 'The Alaska of Giants and Gods.' I'd been on the fence about it after reading a Kindle sample ..."

I gave it 3 stars, but it is more like 3 1/2. It is very readable and compelling, and I am glad that I read it. I like Dave Eggers' writing and for the same group we read What is the What several years ago. I think if you liked the Kindle sample, go for it.

[Sue]

Thanks, Kate. If only to get it off my nightstand, I may have to just dive in.

Kate wrote: "Sue wrote: "I was just about to pick up The Circle after reading Eggers' wonderful recent story in the New Yorker, 'The Alaska of Giants and Gods.' I'd been on the fence about it after reading a Ki..."

[Hannah]

This month I am listening to The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien, reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness on Kindle, and am about to start Shoplifter by Michael Cho for my graphic novel selection.

[Becky]

Reading Prince Lestat & Red Rising

[Ellen]

I'm now reading the 5th novel in the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, One Salt Sea; started Herland with the Craftlit podcast; and The Girl with All the gifts. I think I'll actually finish all of them! haha (I've DNF'd way too many books this year.)

[[deleted user]]

Herland is a great book. I have read it twice and gifted it as many times.

[Ellen]

Yeah, it definitely seems interesting! It isn't that long either. :)

[Pam]

I just finished reading Guests on Earth by Lee Smith and thoroughly enjoyed it. This book was on my to be read list after Booktopia Asheville. I downloaded an ebook sample and enjoyed it so much that I purchased the book as part of my Malaprop's credit. I now wish I had taken time to visit the Grove Park Inn and Highland Hospital while in Asheville. The merging of fact and fiction was intriguing. I knew little about Zelda Fitzgerald but was interested in reading about the tragedy of her life and death. I especially enjoyed Evalina, Dixie, and the variety of characters associated with Highland Hospital. This is a book I highly recommend.

[Pam]

I recently saw the movie based on the book, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, and really liked it. But ... the book is even better! Especially the audiobook which has a very talented narrator. It is a story about teens with cancer but is beautifully written and rings true. A great read (or listen)!