What are you currently reading?

[Randall]

What a shame to allow contemporary sensitivities to deny your enjoyment of voices from the past; racist, sexist, whatever: have you read Edgar Rice Burroughs? Agatha Christie’s sin is not that she represents her own era, whatever her faults, that’s one of her virtues. We sin in our own age by assuming that the assumptions of our time are timeless truths that will survive the scrutinies of future generations. I don’t think they will. I remember seeing North by Northwest in a Cambridge theater in the late seventies and was shocked by a group of feminists (assumed) hissing the seduction scenes between Eva Marie Saint and Cary Grant. There are people among us who won’t be happy until every one of life’s pleasures is sucked out, leaving a lifeless corpse.

[Katherine]

I remember a Star Trek movie where Doctor McCoy was shocked at doctors doing surgery using knives. I imagine people of the future will be appalled at many practices in our "modern" world.

[Susan]

There are too many current books that are great and not sexist or racist for me to be interested in revisiting past reads. I can't remember the scene in question from the movie you mentioned, but if it involves sexual assault, why would I, as a woman, be interested in watching that over a newer movie with a strong woman who fends off an entitled man who doesn't understand consent? I'm sure there will be many future readers who find fault with the books I currently love, and that's totally fine. Progress and working toward equity are wonderful.

Randall wrote: "What a shame to allow contemporary sensitivities to deny your enjoyment of voices from the past; racist, sexist, whatever: have you read Edgar Rice Burroughs? Agatha Christie’s sin is not that she ..."

[Randall]

The scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest I referenced is not about sexual assault. It’s about mutual attraction and budding affection. I feel sorry for people who find offense with that. As for progress? I agree with the observation “there is nothing new under the sun” made in Ecclesiastes.

[Susan]

As I said, I couldn't remember the scene. I made an assumption based on your comment, so I apologize if I was incorrect. I don't really see what your comment has to do with progress though. When I was a child, women couldn't have their own checking accounts, let alone accuse their intimate partners of rape. Now we've progressed!

[Randall]

Where did you grow up? My sister and I had bank accounts in the 50s and my mother did as well. As for sexual morés, read Satyricon by Petronius. It’s not of our era but the behavior described is shockingly current even if it was written during the reign of Nero in Ancient Rome.

[Susan]

It wasn't until 1974, when the Equal Credit Opportunity Act passed, that women in the U.S. were granted the right to open a bank account on their own. Technically, women won the right to open a bank account in the 1960s, but many banks still refused to let women do so without a signature from their husbands.

[gwen graves]

I love Agatha Christie read since I was 12. Mysteries and historical novels are my favorite. I'm reading Peyton Books mysteries now 6-11.

[BLynne]

I finished Deeply Odd, which was okay. Also read Quiet and Three Blind Mice. Both were okay.

[NANCY]

I'm currently reading one of Sofie Ryan's new releases called "Fur Love or Money" in her Second Chance Cat Mystery series. I enjoy her style and cast of characters especially the senior citizens who comprise the private investigator group and the closeness of their relationships. Sofie Ryan spins a good mystery plot too with humorous entertaining mishaps.

[Pam]

I'm currently reading Mr. Mercedes, by Stephen King. Holly was published in 2023 and there's a Holly in Mr. Mercedes, so I checked to see if it's the same person because King uses characters in multiple stories, which I enjoy. Not only is it the same person, but she's in a few other books also, so I made a list of those books and, unless I lose interest, I'm planning on reading them all in order.

[Heather]

I just finished First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston for book club and started Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt.

[Susan]

I started Poverty, by America by Matthew Desmond and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. Years and years ago, Desmond's book Evicted was life changing for me. Prior to reading it, I sort of thought poor people deserved their lot in life, and just didn't work hard enough. His book was incredibly eye opening. I'm not loving his new one as much, though it's still thought-provoking. So far Yellowface is quite good.

[Wanda]

I am making my way through the Dune Saga. I am currently on God Emperor of Dune. I am really enjoying this series.

[Katherine]

It begins to get weirder after about 10-15 books.

[Katherine]

I just finished another Walt Longmire book by Craig Johnson, Hell is Empty. Page turner, if confusing at times. You wonder at times if Walt really sees and hears what he sees and hears. But as Henry Standing Bear tells him, "Just because he was not there, does not mean he was not there." How solid is the veil between our reality and another reality.

[Katherine]

Ruth wrote: "I’ve read the Longmire series…and keep up to date. One of my top series."
Rumors are that they may make more of the TV series if the right $$ can come to produce it. I heard Craig Johnson speak on tour. He's as interesting as Walt. Maybe not as tough, but could be smarter.

[Katherine]

Dark Winds kept moving to different streaming services. I only have a couple. It was based on the Tony Hillerman books with Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. It's as fascinating to learn about the Navajo beliefs and their differences with the Hopi, as it is to learn about the Northern Cheyenne, Arapaho and Crow. If you haven't read any Hillerman books, I highly recommend them. Also, I think they made one into a theatrical release movie, but I don't remember which one. Joe is a lot like Walt, but not as big.

[Katherine]

If you like Longmire/Johnson, you'll like Hillerman. I think there are about 20 books. Most libraries have them.

[Kellie]

I just finished The Inmate by Freida McFadden. Wow! She is great!! I know started The Chronicles of Narnia - The Magician's Nephew.

[MaryJo]

Ruth wrote: "Thinking about the Longmire book series and the Longmire television series, it made me wonder. Do you like books made into movies. If so, do you usually find the book or movie more entertaining/int..."

Definitely, the rule of thumb is to read the book first.
Often movies made from books are disappointing. But there have been a few exceptions - the biggest example being the 3 Lord of the Rings movies. That classic trilogy is so complex I never through they would pull it off - but they did.

Right now - senior moment - I cannot think of the name of the great book about a child taken in an Indian raid at the age of 6, and being taken back to her relatives by the reluctant courier, the grizzly character who goes town to town reading newspapers.
Ruth, you being a loyal Texas girl must have read it.
The movie starred Tom Hanks. There was nothing wrong with the acting; the actress who played the young girl was fabulous too.
But the script was very disappointing.

[Katherine]

MaryJo wrote: "Ruth wrote: "Thinking about the Longmire book series and the Longmire television series, it made me wonder. Do you like books made into movies. If so, do you usually find the book or movie more ent..."

I think the movie you refer to was called "News of the World."

[Katherine]

Most books are better than the movie. Two exceptions are "Oh, God!" and "Dances with Wolves." Both movies were far better than the books. The movie Lord of the Rings was a great series of movies, as were the last two adaptations of Dune, but no movie can capture the beautiful complexity of those books. Little Big Man was kind of a toss up between which was better, book or movie.

[Katherine]

That is a great way to teach critical thinking. I remember when we read Romeo and Juliet in high school, the movie had just come out. We read the play and wanted to see the movie, but had to go to another town to see it because the fine, upstanding church people wouldn't allow it be shown in our town, because it had (gasp) nudity and showed a young (married by the way) couple in bed.

[MaryJo]

News of the World, that's it.
You thought it dragged? Not so!

[Susan]

MaryJo wrote: "News of the World, that's it.
You thought it dragged? Not so!"

I listened to the audio and thought it was a great book. I enjoyed the movie too.

[Charlene]

The Housemaid is Watching by Freida McFadden. My new favorite author. I have been reading her books since January.

[Rita]

I'm reading The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbreath (aka JK Rowling). It has been out for a while, but I got it at a library sale. I am loving it. I recently was in Phoenix airport waiting for a connecting flight, and someone noticed the book and told me that she had loved it, too.

[Maryann]

I currently just finished the 3rd book in the Filthy Rich Vampire series and The Idea of You. Now I’m reading the 4th and final book in the Filthy Rich Vampire series, The Housemaid is Watching, and The Teacher!! Awesome authors!

[Shirley]

I just finished Greg Isles new book "Southern Man". Absolutely fantastic.

[Wanda]

I just finished "Job: A Comedy of Justice" by Robert Heinlein. This is one of my all-time favorites. It made me think hard about what religion is and what purpose does it serve and how do people use it. I have read it 3 times, I think, but this was the first time I listened on Audible.

I am also reading "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin for my Adult Fiction class. This is not one I would have necessarily chosen for myself.

[Ruth]

Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter

[Susan]

I just started How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith. So far, it's very good.

[Carolyn]

Karin is one of my very favorite authors!!

[Susan]

How the Word is Passed by Clint Smith was a really readable nonfiction book about how we grapple with the legacy of slavery (or we don't, mostly). It really made me think.

I also just finished Polar Vortex by Denise Dorrance, a graphic novel about a women who comes home to Minnesota during the polar vortex a few years ago because her mom has fallen and is in the hospital. She finds that her mom has dementia, and has to go through the process of grieving about it while she finds someplace for her mom to live. It was excellent!

[Ruth]

Swan Song by Elin Hildebrand

[Dixie]

Just finished “You Like it Darker” by Stephen King… highly recommend if you like short stories, novella and/or Mr. King. I’ve got so many books on my list to read this year, it’s hard to decide what’s next!

[Carmen]

I’m currently reading Witch Way to Murder and Mayhem! It’s a cozy mystery ! So far I’m enjoying the book, it’s funny and quite interesting.

[Ruth]

I’m reading Funny Story by Emily Henry.

[Robert, Head Geezer]

You’re reading one of my books. Which one?

[Robert, Head Geezer]

Good choice, I wrote most of it while I was in the VA Hospital. May have been over medicated in parts. Lol

[MaryJo]

I'm currently reading 4 Strange Women by E.R. Punshon.
He is one of those lesser known authors of the golden age of mysteries. I enjoy many of these British writers who were pretty successful in their day but haven't remained household words, like Agatha Christie.

[Lisa]

Just finished reading Martha Wells' "Witch King." She's back to her fantasy here, with a different world than her previous one. A kinda tough wade in terms of characters--there are lots, and for my slightly tattered, mildly medicated brain a little hard to keep them all straight. Absolutely enjoyed the main characters, and she throws you right into the middle of things. Now am working through "The Murder of Mr. Ma," which came up on my BooksBub list. Kinda bogged down at Chapter 12, but re-started this morning, glad I did. So far.

[Heather]

I am just starting The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles for book club….

[gwen graves]

I just finished J A Jance's last book in the Beaumont series. Really enjoyed it. I starting a new one called "A Sister's Vow", World War II novel.

[Lisa]

Had to stop Mr. Ma for the moment, might go back to it, but my cricket mind will probably push it to the side permanently... am now working on Antisemitism, by Hannah Arendt, and Three Against the Witch World, by Andre Norton.

[Randall]

Nearly finished with a big collection of Agatha Christie stories including novels and short stories. Have really enjoyed them, and am looking forward to reading something new.

[Carmen]

Currently reading Tune in Tomorrow! I

[Randall]

I’m nearly finished reading “The End of Everything: How Wars Descend Into Annihilation” by Victor Davis Hanson. A tragically serious history book filled with fascinating details and sadness.

[Carmen]

Sounds interesting Randall. My book is a Short Story!