THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
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Kath
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Dec 10, 2011 07:13PM
Currently reading People Who Walk In Darkness by Stuart Kaminsky and Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie.
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I just started reading Across the Universe, because I love science fiction, and I write science fiction, and I wanted to see another YA author's take on it. :)
Flaubert's:"Sentimental Education"..Hope it is as good as Madame Bovary!
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curious how you find
I really did not care for it- to be honest- too wordy and disjointed for me- but considered a classic- so this is just one person's opinion!
I'm reading Brick Lane by Monica Ali mainly because I bought it for my Mum a couple of years ago and she never read it so I rescued it from its place on her bookshelf. :)I've read a lot of reviews saying its boring but I am not finding that. Lots of description and not much thrilling action but its a very clever novel
I'm reading
Heartbreak Cafe and like it so far. I'm also reading (lunch book)
Murder on the Eightfold Path. It's third in the series and I've not read any of the others, but I'm enjoying it so far.
I'm about halfway through reading Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon by Henry Channon.This book offers a fascinating view, from an expatriate American and MP, who was in the Chamberlain camp of appeasement during the 1930s and knew a lot of the social notables and power brokers in the British government before and during the Second World War.
Just started Victim Six by Gregg Olsen. A great start gets you right into the story. It's going to be a gory ride I feel so I may need another genre next or maybe revisit some of my golden oldies in the crime world when murder was more gentle!!
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This book offers a fascinating view, from an expatriate American and M..."
looked the book uo KOMET- really interesting looking memoirs-diaries- curious as to your thoughts on him after reading book- noticed that one review mentioned he was a bit of a snob as well as appeaser
Currently reading Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke, and really enjoying it. Very witty.
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I have that book on one of my many bookshelves JD- have not yet had a chance to get to it- curious how you find it- long book!
Early Sunday mornining when the world is quiet I finished South of Broad by Pat Conroy for my Book Club meeting tonight. There is some disturbing stuff: suicide, murder, rape, incest, etc. But I thought it was a great read. Conroy has a way to bring you into the story. While I have a couple of small conflicts I would recommend it.I'm now reading A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard. She was the girl kidnapped at age 11 and kept for 18 years by a man and his wife. This is an interesting read. I'm surprised she is as functional as she is, but I doubt if she will ever be able to fall in love and get married.
I have that book on one of my many bookshelves JD- have not yet had a chance ..."
It's great, but I did invest an extra 2.99 in the Kindle edition so I don't have to schlep that big ol' hardcover edition around :-).
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curious Melanie- how was South of Broad selected for your Book Club? was it a vote?
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He was played by Robin Williams in Awakenings?
I finally finished
. While I enjoyed it, I didn't think it was scary.
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He was played by Robin Williams in Awakenings?"
yes he was
Well, time for a little self back slapping. I received the book The Perfect Assassin for free in exchange for a book review on B and N. Here it is in all the magnificence prose I was able to produce (tongue definitely in cheek)Starts after this (My pan name at the site is Cruces_Dave):
The Perfect Assassin book review (disclosure-I was presented the book in ebook format in exchange for writing a review-There were no strings attached on what I said in the review, and I am publishing it on B and N before the editor sees my review)
From his website: http://www.wardlarsen.com/AuthorBio.htm
“Ward Larsen's first book, The Perfect Assassin, won numerous awards, including the Florida Book Award Silver Medal, and has been optioned by Amber Entertainment for a major motion picture. His books have been nominated for numerous awards including the Macavity, and Royal Palm Literary Award. He is also a contributor to the Edgar nominated Thrillers:100 Must Reads.
A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, Larsen has served as a Federal Law Enforcement officer, and is also a trained aircraft accident investigator. Born and raised in South Florida, Larsen graduated from the University of Central Florida. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served seven years as a pilot in the 95th and 75th Fighter Squadrons. Ward traveled widely across North America, Europe, and the Middle East, and flew 22 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. His newest book, Fly By Night, is a sequel to the critically acclaimed Fly By Wire. .”
The author did a marvelous job in his first novel. His description of the characters in the novel, from the assassin/protagonist, the innocent doctor caught up in the drama, the Arabs and the Israelis, and finally the English of Scotland yard are very well portrayed. You know that he has studied his subjects, or perhaps done some of the work himself. He also did an excellent job with the South Africa angle which is a small but critical part of the story.
The plot, though fantastic, is believable. I especially enjoyed the plausible scenario he worked out with the Middle East backdrop. The love story was the weakest point of the tale but it is to be expected in these type of novels. At least, there were no really bad awkward sex scenes in the book.
The book is a page turner, as you want to know what happens next. Good pace is kept throughout the book with well thought out actions by the main characters. I especially enjoyed the character of Nathan Chapman, a top officer of Scotland Yard. The author has stated that the main character, David Slayton, will not be in any sequels. I hope the Nathan Chapman character is brought back in future novels .
I have read many spy thrillers, from early Bond, through Ludlum and others. This is a major first novel by a promising author. I look forward to reading his “Fly by Wire” novel soon. I recommend you run out and buy the book if you like this genre.
I am of retirement age, so this isn’t the first one I have read. You might want to check him out at goodreads.com as well.
I gave the book 4 out of 5 (would have done 4.5 if possible) due to an expected happy ending. It doesn't detract from the story though
Dave Elkin
Mod
VERY WELL DONE REVIEW!
Thanks Rick-I checked out the other reviews at B and N and all I got was "great book" and 3 stars with no comments. I think we need to educate the masses at Amazon, Kobo, and B & N. I do sincerely appreciate the compliment
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My pleasure David- well earned- a great deal of depth to your review- which I appreciate!
Just finished Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings I recieved an ARC of this book and couldn't get into it at all so tried the audiobook which was well narrated by, Maggie Mash it was kind of like a textbook and really didn't give me any new info on Mary, parts were extrememly dry ended up being only a 3 star book for me.I am now starting The Winter Sea by, Susanna Kearsley narrated by, Rosalyn Landor I really need to stop buying books for my nook then ultimatley getting them on audio, but I heard this was really good on audio so at least I am finally getting this read since it was one of the first books I bought for my nook but have yet to read it!
Also starting ebook of Steampunk Santaby,James Mason's own Marc Vun Kannon
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I can understand your review of Mary Boleyn- for sure a matter of taste- and an academic feel to it at times- have you read
- a very engaging book!love that you are reading
- important to support James Mason Member writers!!
Rick wrote: "Susie wrote: "Just finished Mary Boleyn: The Mistress of Kings I recieved an ARC of this book and couldn't get into it at all so tried the audiobook which was well narrated by, Magg..."I haven't heard of that one Rick thanks for the recommendation sounds like a good one,
What I'd like to find is some good books about Mary Tudor there is so many about Henry VIII & his wives and so many about Elizabeth i'd like to find some good ones about Mary!
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I would recommend this one
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Tudor-Life...
well done- fair portrait- and you can pick it up on Amazon -used- for about 4 bucks
I am currently listening to Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie on CD and I have 6 more discs to go. Russian history has always fascinated me and I really enjoy Massie's writing. I am also reading The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell and if I enjoy it as much as I think I will, when finished I will begin his Kurt Wallander series.
Mod
Interesting fiction, a bit difficult to connect with characters, plot somewhat outlandish a la Dan Brown
UPDATE!
I have done something I have not done is 54 straight books, I have stopped reading a book- I read about 175 pages of The Alexandria Link- and just did not feel that I wanted to read the next 230 or so pages. The characters were so plastic, distant and stereotyped, the writing so stilted and inconsistent (In one paragraph Berry writes about how incredibly astute the Mossad is and a few paragraphs later, has two Mossad agents fall for one of the oldest tricks in the bag when it comes to spycraft) I know that Steve Berry is a best-selling writer- but that - to me- does not translate into a great writer- just one with alot of marketing money behind him. I would put any and all of our James Mason Member Writers up against him any day!
Kath wrote: "I am currently listening to Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie on CD and I have 6 more discs to go. Russian history has always fascinated me and I really ..."I'm on the library waiting list for the Catherine the Great audiobook!I've heard really good things about it!
Just started THE ALTO WORE TWEED, the first in a long "liturgical mystery" series by Mark Schweizer. It sounds like just the kind of quirky cozy mystery that I might like--with a police detective who moonlights as a choir director and keeps his gun in the organ bench. Patricia
A couple of days ago, I began reading Thunder City by Loren D. Estleman, a writer deserving of wider recognition for his almost 40-year literary career. Thunder City has as its focus the City of Detroit as it was in the first decade before the First World War. It’s rich with a variety of interesting, well fleshed-out characters (e.g. a powerful Irish-American political boss, an early mafioso [Sal Borneo], the Dodge brothers, Henry Ford, and a son of one of the richest men in Detroit who sees the dawning auto industry as the future), who embody the spirit of a growing, dynamic Midwestern city in flux between the norms of 19th century life and the budding, progressive/industrial changes being ushered in by the new century.
As someone who was born and grew up in Detroit, this novel is TREMENDOUS, REVELATORY, and FANTASTIC!!! It helps to give me (as a transplanted Detroiter) a better perspective --- given the present state Detroit is in --- about the historic forces which have shaped the city over time. I LOVE THIS NOVEL. Thank you, Mr. Estleman.
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Th..."</i>
I am in total agreement with you- Loren D. Estleman is one of the great writers of the past half century.
[author:Loren D. Estleman
I am reading Fast Times in Palestine by Pamela Olsen. It gives you some insight as to what is going on over there without being to political.
I am reading Nemesis by Jo Nesbø in this case I see that Harry Hole as a character steals the show in the story, though good, has not captivated me so far.
I am reading The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Rick wrote: "Among the books I am reading-Interesting fiction, a bit difficult to connect with characters, plot somewhat outlandish a la Dan Brown
UPDATE!
I have done som..."
I tried his other book The Romanov Prophecy and it was a Did Not Finish for me too didn't like his writing at all!Won't ever try him again!
Susie wrote: "Rick wrote: "Among the books I am reading-Interesting fiction, a bit difficult to connect with characters, plot somewhat outlandish a la Dan Brown
UPDATE..."
See, I loved the Romanov Prophecy Susie, I did find his writing a bi drab but I have a thing for Royal families and history lol
Rob wrote: "Susie wrote: "Rick wrote: "Among the books I am reading-Interesting fiction, a bit difficult to connect with characters, plot somewhat outlandish a la Dan Bro..."
Thats why I thought I would love it too I've always been fascinated with Romanovs but this one just wasn't for me!
Mod
Interesting fiction, a bit difficult to connect with characters, plot somewhat outlandish a la Dan Bro..."
Susie wrote: "Rick wrote: "Among the books I am reading-
Interesting fiction, a bit difficult to connect with characters, plot somewhat outlandish a la Dan Brown
UPDATE..."
Susie and Rob
My thought is that while his skills at research and including real and fictional history into a plot are fine...one must have a strong- multi-dimentional central character to guide the reader through all the minutia- Cotton Malone is not such a character- at least to me- Mitch Rapp, Bob Lee Swagger, Dismis Hardy, Sean Dillon ect- are all characters from bestselling series that DO have that ability.
Kath wrote: "I am currently listening to Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie on CD and I have 6 more discs to go. Russian history has always fascinated me and I really ..."Kath, is it anything like the film "Scarlet Empress" with Marlene Dietrich playing Catherine the Great? Terrific film, and I've no idea how accurate it is.
I just finished Shattergrave Knights. Plus I am reading as many 99 cent novels I can find in the ebook fantasy before they all go up in price. And yes, a couple of these books I couldn't finish, but overall I have found some really good books with writers that I hope will continue writing.
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superb film!! from early in Marlene's career!
Yes, she was gorgeous, and very good in the role, morphing from innocent girl to calculating woman.
I am reading the Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore. I love his books and it is billed as a heathwarming tale of Christmas terror. So right time of year for it.
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I keep telling myself the next book I will read is FOOL
have you read that one by Moore?
Finished The Christmas Pearl it was a delightful christmas story!Now starting Blue Christmas by, Mary Kay Andrews
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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