THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
He played Herriot on the BBC series. It started in '78. The first 3 series are best (before the war). I was hooked on the books (have worn out several copies, finally bought them in hard cover) and the series (have them on DVD).
This morning, I started reading Serenade to the Big Bird by Bert Stiles while on the subway. 
It is an eloquent and poignant account by Stiles of his combat experiences as a co-pilot on a B-17 bomber with the U.S. Eighth Air Force out of Britain during the spring and summer of 1944.
Prior to joining the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), Stiles had worked as a feature writer for his college newspaper, and the quality of the writing attests to what may have been a budding talent. (Sadly, while Stiles successfully completed his combat tour and managed to obtain a transfer to flying fighters (P-51 Mustangs), he was killed in combat in November of 1944 over Germany.)
Serenade to the Big Bird is a book I have wanted to read for years, given my interest in real-life stories from the Second World War, and my fascination with aviation.
It's a novel, but have you read Twelve O'Clock HighTwelve O'Clock High? It's a bit hard to find but worth it.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "It's a novel, but have you read Twelve O'Clock HighTwelve O'Clock High? It's a bit hard to find but worth it."Hi Mike,
No, I can't say I've read it. But I have seen the 1949 movie version (starring Gregory Peck, Gary Merrill, and Dean Stockwell) several times. Excellent movie.
In the middle of reading Grant Wins the War: Decision at Vicksburg, obviously from the title it is about the Vicksburg campaign during the American Civil War (or the war Between the States, or the War of Northern [or Southern] Aggression.. depending on where you come from). Most of my accumulated knowledge is based on the Eastern Theatre and this is my first read about the Western Theatre. A very balanced account in my opinion, particularly given the way the author is not sparing in his criticism of the manifest incompetence on both sides of the war.The Hero of the piece is Gen. U.S. Grant, but James R. Arnold is also able to highlight Grant's frailties as well as his strengths. As always the main thing that comes through in any account of a Civil War campaign is the amazing dogged courage of the men who fought on both sides. The big battle in the East at Gettysburg got all the press, but once Vicksburg was captured the result of the war was never really in dispute. I can recommend this book for both Southerners and Northerners
The Sooner by S.G. Alan. For the second time this year because its just become available on amazon!!! Yay!The Sooner
I finished reading The Fishing Pool the other day and very much enjoyed it! It is a romantic thriller, quite fast paced, but with a twist to the end which caught me out! I left me thinking - I like a book that leaves me with things to think about.
Now I am reading Dd's book - Broken City and enjoying it so far. As you know from Dd's posts, she is only 24 but she shows quite a maturity in her writing!
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Now I am reading Dd's book - Broken City and enjoying it so far. As you know from Dd's posts, she is only 24 but she shows quite a maturity in her writing!
:0)
I have heard about Broken City not my type
Karen (Kew) wrote: "I finished reading The Fishing Pool the other day and very much enjoyed it! It is a romantic thriller, quite fast paced, but with a twist to the end which caught me out! I left me..."Kew, I love you! lol *blush*
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Barbara wrote: "I'm reading Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body by M.C. Beaton. Beaton's Agatha Raisin mysteries are good for when you just want a light read that doesn't require too m..."
I love Agatha Raisin - Miss Marple with attitude!
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I love Agatha Raisin - Miss Marple with attitude!
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I have read Still Life - Louise Penny, Dark Touch: Betrayal - Amy Meredith and attempted to read Complete Surrender - Dave Sharp. I am now reading Lone Wolf - Linwood Barclay.
I'm about to start The Westing Game for book club. It is young adult but I've heard good things about it.
Yesterday, I began reading The Maze of Cadiz by Aly Monroe, an espionage thriller set in Francoist Spain in the latter stages of the Second World War. 
It's the first in a series of novels featuring Peter Cotton, a 20-something Cambridge graduate, fluent Spanish speaker (his family lived in Mexico for several years before the war), and intelligence agent. This is the type of novel that fuels my interest in the Second World War (in its many aspects, not just the fighting fronts).
I am reading The Help because I want to see the movie and I have heard wonderful things about it. So far, it's very good!
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Rick,I read that a few months ago but couldn't see a lot in it . . .
salaams
Geoff
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I read that a few months ago but couldn't see a lot in it . . .
salaams
Geoff"
and thats what makes this Group so great! diversity of opinion Geoff!! not as substantial as The Time Machine- but I am really enjoying it!
I enjoyed the book as I like most of H.G.Wells
Currently reading 'The Help' - it was a present, it's OK, but not sure how long it will be before I start speed reading (my version of speed reading). I think I will end up finishing it because it was a present, rather than a page turner.
I recently finished
.The book I'm currently reading is
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LOL_ and me- the king of puns!!! good one!!!
Just started reading Terry Pratchett's Nation last night. Only about 60 pages in but very much enjoying it. He's being serious this time around, but then, when you really look at the intent of his Discworld novels, they are pretty serious too. All the best humour is.
I'm in the middle of The Glimpses of the Moon, a Gervase Fen mystery by Edmund Crispin and enjoying so far. Since it's Hallowe'en month, I'm starting Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, a classic gothic horror story (one I've never read) by Robert Louis Stevenson. Looking forward to it.
Reading Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh after having loved A Handful of Dust. Read about two thirds and loving it.
Bill wrote: "I'm in the middle of The Glimpses of the Moon, a Gervase Fen mystery by Edmund Crispin and enjoying so far. Since it's Hallowe'en month, I'm starting [book:Dr. Jekyll &..."I really liked Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. If you have a copy of the book that include other short stories, there was one I really loved...but now I can't remember the name of it. I'll look it up and let you know! :)
Geoff (Scouse) wrote: "my pun was lost . . . . :-o)"Haha! Very funny (both the pun and that Rick missed it).
I'm so jealous of all the good books being read. I'm so swamped at work and am working late hours. I'm mostly too tired at night to read more than a few pages. I'm still reading The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer and thoroughly enjoying it. Just wish I had longer stretches of time to devote to it.
On my commutes, I'm listening to Room. I'm torn between horror & sadness for the situation and awe at the mom for making it all so positive and normal for Jack.
Sadie wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm in the middle of The Glimpses of the Moon, a Gervase Fen mystery by Edmund Crispin and enjoying so far. Since it's Hallowe'en month, I'm starting [book..."Thanks, Sadie. This version seems only to have Dr. Jekyll. It's an older version I found in an antique book shop.. Let me know what you find about the other story.
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love Crispen! I have all his Fen books- too bad he did not get to write more!
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Exciting- well researched thriller by always reliable Hagberg - but 500 pages!! about 100- 150 pages too long-Not sure why he chose to write so long a book in his Kirk M (the former CIA Director) series- read them all and loved them- like this book too- but just too long for the plot!
I am reading "My Name is Memory" and "The Akashic Records" in tandem right now because they both deal with reincarnation.
Rick wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm in the middle of The Glimpses of the Moon, a Gervase Fen mystery by Edmund Crispin and enjoying so far. Since it's Hallowe'en month, I'm starting [book..."He definitely has an odd unique style, Rick. I've read one and a half so far and still have one more on my bookshelf..
The Great Santini by Pat Conroy. Love Pat Conroy, although I'm not liking this on as much as his later novels. Started reading it after I heard that his next book was called The Death of Santini thinking it was going to be a sequel to this, but bummed when I found out it would be a non-fiction book about his father.
GHOST Stories And The Unexplained is what I am reading now. Why? Because I'm planning a sequel - to be released during the howling winds of winter - and I *do* want to stay in character...on the right page, as it were. Want a YouTube peek? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eWj-Y...
I am reading "Life Itself" by Roger Ebert. I don't know much about critiquing films so I thought it would be interesting to learn some things from Roger. His life's story is equally compelling.
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I just finished The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror before heading off to work this morning and really enjoyed very much. It wasn't what I expected at all; I liked how it was presented and I also enjoyed the illustrations in this particular edition. Excellent story. Not sure what I'll pick as my second book, maybe another horror type story.. We'll see. :0)
Currently reading
as it is a book of the month on the UK Amazon Kindle Group. Finding myself hooked by Collins' 19th century style in a way that Dickens never has done. Immensely funny in parts and I love the way his writing style changes between the various narrators.
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as it is a book of the month on the UK Amazon Kindle Group. Finding myself hooked by Collins' 19th century style in a way that Dickens never has don..."great book- Collins so much deserved to be remembered far far more than he is today
The one thing I loved about reading The Moonstone is that I had just finished reading "Robinson Crusoe" and loved that it continued to be referenced.
I feel that dear old Betteredge in the Moonstone would be very upset to know that I haven't read Robinson Crusoe since I was a young lad :))
Tim wrote: "I feel that dear old Betteredge in the Moonstone would be very upset to know that I haven't read Robinson Crusoe since I was a young lad :))"agreed! :)
Trying to make my way through The Terror by Dan Simmons because I wanted something creepy and well written.
I have just finished reading 'Behind Closed Doors' By Brian L Porter. It is set in 1888, and tells of how Inspector Albert Norris and his Sergeant investigate a series of murders on the new London underground railway system. A good read and a must for anyone interested in the crime genre.
Since I am a HUGE Terry Pratchett fan, I've recently delved into Thud!. 168 pages so far, and a great read!
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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Yes! He is great!