What Are You Reading Now? Showing 1,401-1,450 of 2,435

[Lynn, New School Classics]

I made a nice list for this month's books to read, then started another not on the list!! LOL well it was on the list for the year. I just started Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett. This will be the second book I will have read by Mr. Follett.

[Teri-K]

Lynn wrote: "I made a nice list for this month's books to read, then started another not on the list!! LOL well it was on the list for the year. I just started Eye of the Needle by [author:Ken Foll..."

Oh, I love Eye of the Needle. It's the first book I read by him, and it may still be my favorite. Good choice!

[Glynn]

Lynn wrote: "I made a nice list for this month's books to read, then started another not on the list!! LOL well it was on the list for the year. I just started Eye of the Needle by [author:Ken Foll..."

Saw the movie a long time ago but never read the book.

[Teri-K]

I just got The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley in the mail yesterday. It's a reread, and I'm half way through it already. This is the original story, a really fun adventure - hard to put down and quite satisfying for someone who grew up with Zorro on TV and in movies.

[Linda R,]

I am reading D.H. Lawrence's "The Rainbow" after listening to Catherine Brown's lectures from Oxford.

[Richard]

Linda R, wrote: "I am reading D.H. Lawrence's "The Rainbow" after listening to Catherine Brown's lectures from Oxford."

Excellent choice. In my opinion, Lawrence's greatest novel is Women in Love, the sequel to Sons and Lovers, but I also have a soft spot for one of his lesser known novels, The White Peacock. However, I didn't like The Plumed Serpent much. My feeling was that after an outstanding opening it degenerates into infantilism.

[Richard]

I'm still working my way six or seven pages at a time through Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary, which I'm reading in the original French as a subfluent French speaker. I have about 60 pages left, and despite my slow progress have been thoroughly absorbed. My next choice will be either the Australian novelist Patrick White's Riders in the Chariot, having very much appreciated his novels The Vivisector and Voss, or Henry James's later novel The Princess Casamassima. I'm also planning to attempt a slim volume of short stories by Jose Luis Borges in the original Spanish, which will be difficult as my Spanish is intermediate at best.

[Richard]

Teri-K wrote: "I'm currently reading:
Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope - I didn't expect it to be so amusing!
[book:The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and..."

Barchester Towers is hilarious, isn't it! I also remember very much enjoying another comic novel of his, The Eustace Diamonds.

[Jane]

Iam currently reading Master and Magarita by Mikhail Bulgarov

[Teri-K]

Richard wrote: ". I'm also planning to attempt a slim volume of short stories by Jose Luis Borges in the original Spanish, which will be difficult as my Spanish is intermediate at best."

I'm teaching myself to read Spanish, so far I've only advanced to Una arruga en el tiempo by Madeleine L'Engle. But I find it very satisfying to read a book in another language. (I did take German decades ago in High School, but had nothing to read except for a text book. I think of going back to that language, if I ever advance far enough in Spanish.)

[Richard]

Teri-K wrote: "Richard wrote: ". I'm also planning to attempt a slim volume of short stories by Jose Luis Borges in the original Spanish, which will be difficult as my Spanish is intermediate at best."

I'm teach..."

I did 10 years of Latin and French at boarding school several decades ago, so I generally pick up the Romance languages pretty quickly - my Spanish is more or less at intermediate level now, and I can quite often understand the basics of newspapers and news broadcasts in, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian etc.

[Christine]

Listening to Ulysses by James Joyce

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Wreade1872 wrote: "RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "...Sundiver (The Uplift Saga, #1) by David Brin
Sundiver by David Brin"

Hope you like it more than i did, although i apparently gave it 3-stars. Looking back though it has diminished in my memory and i'd only give it a retrospective 2-stars."

So far 2-3 stars looks like where it's heading for me. It's Brin's first novel and many consider it his weakest. I've wanted to read the Uplift series for a long time so I guess I'll suffer through this one but I expect more from the sequels.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished my second 5-star read of the year, the middle book in Don Winslow's Cartel trilogy:


The Cartel by Don Winslow
Rating: 5 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading the deliciously trashy 50s pulp novel:


Tiger by the Tail by James Hadley Chase

[Wreade1872]

Finished another book from the Merril Collection. Moonfolk by Jane G. Austin [4/5] review an interesting amalgamation of fiction, you have things like Puss-in-Boots getting into a fight with Dick Whittington's cat :) .

Currently reading War with the Newts by Karel Čapek .

[christine]

I'm just about to start Nana by Emile Zola in the original French. I'm fluent, but I'm thinking that it will probably take twice as long as reading it in English

[Richard]

Christine wrote: "I'm just about to start Nana by Emile Zola in the original French. I'm fluent, but I'm thinking that it will probably take twice as long as reading it in English"

Yesterday I finally finished Madame Bovary in the original French. I'm subfluent, and it did indeed take a very long time, but it's been very rewarding. Definitely a 5 star read.

I've now started reading Riders in the Chariot, by the Australian novelist Patrick White, having previously read and hugely enjoyed his novels The Vivisector and Voss.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished the estate-authorized sequel to The Time Machine by H.G. Wells


The Time Ships by Stephen Baxter
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading one of those books that it seems like everyone but me has already read


The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

[Linda R,]

The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch

[Reed]

Talking to Robots David Ewing Duncan

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished the postmodernest of postmodern novels


If on a Winter's Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading


Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished the trashy fun 1950s pulp crime novel


Tiger by the Tail by James Hadley Chase
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading


Father and Son by Larry Brown

[Wreade1872]

Struggling through War with the Newts by Karel Čapek, its not bad but something about it is making it a chore to pickup.

Started reading what seems to be a philosophical satire Adventures of the Young Soldier in Search of the Better World by C.E.M. Joad .
Another from the Merril Collection, and illustrated by Mervyn Peake FYI.
I don't actually like peake's art but always interesting to find a familiar name in an unfamiliar place :) .

[Terry]

I am reading The Heart’s Invisible Furies, actually listening to it, and it is very good at 5% in.

[Luffy Sempai]

Terry wrote: "I am reading The Heart’s Invisible Furies, actually listening to it, and it is very good at 5% in."

Would you recommend it to me?

[Jane]

I am currently reading Clymestra by Constanza Caulhi -so far its quite enjoyable

[Wreade1872]

Added Dubliners to my current reads. I previously read a borrowed Ulysses but then bought the complete novels, so my first time reading from that particular edition.
Its massive and heavy but NOT as heavy as it looks like it should be considering its size, oddly light.

Anyway i like it except for that godawful giant photo on the front.. i mean why? . So i was wondering if i could get it off, turns out super-easy barely an inconvenience.
Its a sticker on felt.. peeled right off, no damage. Took the picture off the spine aswell but that actually looked pretty bare without it so put that back despite it being slightly the worse for wear.

Anyway everything looks great now :) . Oh yeah.. and Dubliners seems like it will be an enjoyable read.. i nearly forgot about the reading bit ;) .

[Terry]

Luffy, yes I think so. After reading a few reviews of the book, I plunged into the Audible edition and I am not sorry I did. Excellent storytelling is my first impression.

The first part tells the story of how Cyril Avery comes into the world. Once past that first story, there are some fascinating characters in Cyril’s seven year old life.

I am not very far into it, though, and I don’t know how much depth there will be to the novel. However, through its action and characters, the book has already taken on subject matter such as sex shaming, the Catholic Church, out of wedlock sex and birth, adoption, genealogy, parenting styles, gay relationships, marital relationships and homophobia. It might also appeal to those with an interest in Dublin after WWII.

[Luffy Sempai]

Terry wrote: "Luffy, yes I think so. After reading a few reviews of the book, I plunged into the Audible edition and I am not sorry I did. Excellent storytelling is my first impression.

The first part tells th..."

I read about Ireland in the nonfiction book, We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Modern Ireland. Ireland is now quite part of British standard of living, or almost there, due to England's detrimental stagnation economically. I think that your book would make for grim reading but... it sounds like a light dramatic comedy. Hope you enjoy it.

[Luffy Sempai]

I have been reading Can You Forgive Her?, and it finally struck me today that my way of posting many times might be seen as untidy or problematic to navigate the relevant thread. Do I need to stop posting impressions from chapter by chapter? RSVP.

[Cynda]

I've done the same thing Luffy. I practice at holding back. It can be a challenge. I hope the effort's worth it. I think it is.

[Cynda]

I am reading The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas. I thought an audiobook would be easier to get through then a written book. Even at high speeds of 2.4, sometimes 2.8, I go slow.

Gotta do my eye exercises again so that I can read faster again. I want to see if I can get some of the data-grinder brain back. Some would be good.

[Luffy Sempai]

Cynda wrote: "I've done the same thing Luffy. I practice at holding back. It can be a challenge. I hope the effort's worth it. I think it is."

Thanks for the useful tip, Cynda!

[Jane]

Iam currently reading Burmese Days by George Orwell.I Aam enjoying the book so far as it is a novel based on Orwells time spent working in Burma.

[CindySR]

Cynda wrote: "I want to see if I can get some of the data-grinder brain back. Some would be good..."

Hi all, I want to chime in on Cynda's comment. I have tried a few different brain booster supplements like Focus Factor and of course, they did nothing for me. Recently I decided to try Lion's Mane mushroom and I really think my brain is responding. Even if it's a placebo effect, I'll take it! I might have to change my user name from CindySlowReader to CindyReadingAtNormal Levels.

[Cynda]

CindySR. Ahhh. I used to take something pronounced something like Ginko Biloba. It helped too.

I went to physical therapy last year for eye exercises. Those exercises helped my eyes focus. I are working too hard to read without focus.

Between eye exercises and Lion's Mane/Ginko Biloba, I will be reading better and understanding faster.

Thanks for the reminder.

[Amyjzed]

Loving Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon right now.. I’m starting Chapter 13 out of 15. The first third or so of the book was a bit hard to get into for me, especially with the explanation of some of the awkward and dysfunctional aspects of the main characters… But the action picked up and the last two chapters have been luminous.

[Kathleen]

Amyjzed wrote: "Loving Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon right now.. I’m starting Chapter 13 out of 15. The first third or so of the book was a bit hard to get into for me, especially with the explanation of some of..."

I love that book too. It's so odd and so wonderful!

I'm reading two that are balancing each other out:
Felix Holt: The Radical by George Eliot is VERY slow going. I love Eliot, so it will be worth it, but I'm going to be at this one for a while.

So a breath of fresh air came to my reading yesterday with Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Such fun, and reads like a breeze. I'll finish it today!

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

I finished the classic short novel by a Russian literary master


On the Eve by Ivan Turgenev
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

and I started reading the second book in the Beloved trilogy:


Jazz by Toni Morrison

[Amyjzed]

Kathleen wrote: "Amyjzed wrote: "Loving Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon right now.. I’m starting Chapter 13 out of 15. The first third or so of the book was a bit hard to get into for me, especially with the explan..."

I just finished Song of Solomon and found it awe-inspiring. I might need a little time to digest before I write anything further about it, but I also feel ill-qualified to say much about it altogether (other than that I relished many of the surprising events of the last half).

I look forward to hearing any updates about Felix Holt... I was just reminded that a wonderful professor gifted me a copy of Middlemarch about 18 years ago (!) and I am just now adding it to-read list!

[Amyjzed]

RJ - Slayer of Trolls wrote: "I finished the classic short novel by a Russian literary master


On the Eve by Ivan Turgenev
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodre..."

Nice variety, RJ... I need to read more Turgenev.

I think Beloved is must-read for me as well. I did recently purchase a copy, but it might have to wait for me to get through 2-3 other books on my list that have a work-related priority (Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler, Kindred, and a closer reading of Hamlet).

[Jane]

I'm reading Goodbye to All That And A Kestrel for a Knave.

I have to admit, I've been struggling through the trench scenes in Goodbye to All That. In contrast, I'm finding Billy's story in A Kestrel for a Knave deeply engrossing.

[Wreade1872]

Finished Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys [3/5] review which was.. a mess really. Some nice writing though.

Started Limanora: The Island of Progress (1903). This is a sequel i've been meaning to get to for quite a while. The previous book Riallaro, the Archipelago of Exiles is a gulliver-esque satire.

Limanora is basically the utopia section like the bit with gulliver and the horses.. which is weird because it will apparently do for my Tome-Raider achievement
TOME-RAIDER: Read 1 new book that is over 600 pages.

I really couldn't believe the book was as advertised a whopping 720+ pages, but i've checked and triple checked and apparently it is. That is one looongggg utopia.
The previously volume though was surprisingly 420+ pages, but it feels like 250 or so in my memory so hopefully this reads a lot quicker than it looks :) .

[Brian E]

Jane wrote: "I'm reading Goodbye to All That And A Kestrel for a Knave.

I have to admit, I've bee..."

I had more problems with the creepy boarding school scenes than the trench scenes in Goodbye to All That.
Kestral for a Knave is a good one to pair with it. While much too dark to be charming, it still manages to be endearing, something I can't says about Graves' work. Images from Kestral stay with me but that's more because I did search out and watch the movie version. The movie is a black and white film typical of the gritty kitchen sink British films of the late 50s and early 60d. Very good but I could have used subtitles.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Amyjzed wrote: "Nice variety, RJ... I need to read more Turgenev...."

Thanks Amyized. I found this nice little paperback collection somewhere that has On the Eve, Rudin, A Quiet Spot and The Diary of a Superfluous Man so I'm going to work my way through it here and there.


The Vintage Turgenev (Volume 2): On the Eve; Rudin; A Quiet Spot; The Diary of a Superfluous Man by Ivan Turgenev

[Jane]

Brian E wrote: " Images from Kestral stay with me but that's more because I did search out and watch the movie version. The movie is a black and white film typical of the gritty kitchen sink British films of the late 50s and early 60d. Very good but I could have used subtitles."

Ha! I think I'll be able to manage without subtitles. I've not seen the film yet, though there are clips on YouTube. You and Jean seem to remember it being black and white, did they colourise it later?

[Teri-K]

I just started Death in Captivity by Michael Gilbert. I often find I don't enjoy the more obscure mystery writers of the period because they seem to only focus on the puzzle and I care about character and setting a lot. But I found a pristine copy at my local used bookstore for $3, so I thought it was worth a try.

I'm on page 25 and am loving it so far! The setting is an Italian POW camp and the characters already feel interesting and there are great details of everyday life. I'm wondering if anyone will escape, who the good and bad guys are, and how the murder that's coming will be solved. I hope the rest of the book holds up as well.

[Luffy Sempai]

I'm rereading Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole, with two ladies in a BR, and it will count for a Nonfiction challenge, but I won't be registering the second read on GR. I want to keep up my average page number. And this book is only 377 pages.

[Bria]

I am currently reading The Picture of Dorian Gray and Dracula. I’m enjoying The Picture of Dorian Gray more. I like the writing style and how the characters speak.

[Janice]

I am rereading one of my favourite classic books for Spring, The Enchanted April by Elizabeth Von Arnim.