Week 8: Check-in and Update

[Liz]

Hi all,

I've noticed that participation in these threads has really dropped off, and I get it. Checking in weekly and sharing what you're reading can get a bit tedious.

What can I do to make this group more active and interesting for all of you?

Don't forget, everyone should be able to create threads themselves. So if there's a topic you really want to talk about or a specific book you want to start a discussion on, feel free to do so!

If anyone is struggling to find things to read, let us know! I love recommending titles, and I'm sure a lot of the active participants in these threads wouldn't mind sharing their expertise, either.

This week, I am reading The Night Circus for a book club. Hopefully, I can get through it in a week!

[Julie]

I just finished Moby Dick. I wanted to like it more than I did, but the actual story was only about one quarter of the book. The rest was a lot of information about whaling, pictures of whales, the science of whales etc.

I'm actually glad to be moving onto something else and will hopefully speed up in my reading a bit now.

As far as participation, I think it ebbed and flowed a bit last year too.

[Liz]

Thanks for the reply, Julie. I've always avoided Moby Dick because I've heard that exact complaint before. If I ever try to tackle it, I will probably have to listen to it on audio.

You're right about last year; there were weeks where we had tons of discussion and others where it died down. I just figured since it's now officially "Year Two," I would try to liven things up a bit.

[Vivian]

I'm currently reading "Moriarty" by Anthony Horowitz & "Plum Lovin' " by Janet Ivanovich.

I read Ready Player One which was recommended by several readers...Any other suggestions on something along the same line?

[Pattie]

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been MIA for awhile, but I have been on a YA kick lately and I try to only count adult books for this challenge. I also have switched to the phone app and I really don't like using it for the message board. I am going to have to switch back to computer so I can participate more. This phone app is a pain. Please excuse any typos!

Oh, I just started reading Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah. I have the tissues ready since I have not met one of her books that didn't make me sob.

[Jennifer]

hence why this is short...the phone app is almost useless for the discussions. I'm barely on a computer and to be honest my reading dropped off to. but I'm back in it and will try to participate more.

[Liz]

I also hate the phone/tablet app. I use it on both my phone and iPad, and it's a big pain. Luckily, I get to do this as part of my job so I have a computer to update from.

Vivian wrote: "I read Ready Player One which was recommended by several readers...Any other suggestions on something along the same line?"

Vivian, what did you like best about Ready Player One? Just off the top of my head, here are a few recommendations that have semi-ridiculous storylines with a video game-like plot:

[Vivian]

What did I like best? Can't say anything in particular. It's not something I would have picked off the shelf (not much of a si fi or fantasy reader) but one I started it I couldn't put it down!
A couple of the ones you suggested sounds good. I will give them a try. Thanks!

[Joanna]

The more it snows, the more I want to curl up in front of a fireplace and just read. Does anyone else feel this way?

I just finished Agatha Christie's "Lord Edgware Dies." A very good mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. Now I am going to try and finish Malcom Gladwell's "What the Dog Saw and Other Adventures." It was recommended by a patron. So far so good.

[Julie]

I did listen to Moby Dick, otherwise I think I would have given up on it.

I just started The Maze Runner, I've heard mixed reviews of it.

[Chris]

I just finished Down and Out In The Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow this afternoon, and was glad to be finished with it. I found the setting of a post digital human, meritocracy society thriving in Disney Land interesting, where the only currency one has is their reputation. But, overall, the book was just ok. Now, time to shift gears (sic) to Philip Pullman's Clockwork.

[Chris]

Also, Liz I look forward to your thoughts on the night circus. A friend recommended it to me a few years ago, and it's still on my list.

[Chris]

Vivian, I just finished reading "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown. Although it's not exactly like RPO, the author does inject plenty of geeky pop culture references. I found the book to be one part Halo (novels), one part Hunger Games, one part Red Faction (the game), and one part Ender's Game. I enjoyed it much more than the Hunger Games, and almost as much as Ender's Game. If I had read it last year, it would have been my favorite book of the year. But, it's too early in this year to call it for that.

[Liz]

Chris wrote: "Also, Liz I look forward to your thoughts on the night circus. A friend recommended it to me a few years ago, and it's still on my list."

I'm about halfway through right now, and I'm really enjoying it. As I read it, I can practically envision an adaptation for the movie screen. I'll let you know my final thoughts when I'm done with the book.

[Vivian]

Thanks Chris, I will look for it. I just finished "Not a Drop to Drink" by Mindy McGinnis last night & need a new book.