WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 6,751-6,800 of 10,669

[Anne (Booklady)]

S.b. wrote: "Ken wrote: "S.b. wrote: "My wife is reading Fifty Shades of Gray...not sure how that will turn out."

You'll come back and share won't you?"

Oh yes, I plan on sharing her thoughts about this one."

Sir, that book has absolutely no appeal to me. But I'd like to see what your wife's thoughts on it are.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Ethan wrote: "I just finished reading The Book of Madness and Cures. While it had a very intriguing premise, the book itself lacked consistency.

Now I'm reading The Inquisitor's Key. I received an ARC of this...."

YES I AM BIASED!!! Jon Jefferson is a dear friend- the Jefferson from the Bass- and a James Mason member- but the series is truly great- curious as to your reaction

[Marja]

I just finished reading Mixed Messages by Patricia Gligor. I was surprised to find out it's her first book because it was so well-written. Very entertaining and great characters.

[Ethan]

Rick wrote: "Ethan wrote: "I just finished reading The Book of Madness and Cures. While it had a very intriguing premise, the book itself lacked consistency.

Now I'm reading The Inquisitor's Key. I received a..."

I just finished it! Follow the link below to read my review. Now I'm reading Double Dexter.

-Ethan
http://e135-abookaweek.blogspot.com/

[April]

I'm currently reading Apostle Rising by Richard Godwin. I just got finished reading Mr. Glamour by Richard Godwin over the weekend, and it was amazing. So, I had to dive into another one of his books!!

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading UNTOUCHABLE, by John Banville (who writes crime fiction under the pen name Benjamin Black). Great read, though if you're new to Banville I'd recommend starting with BOOK OF EVIDENCE, one of the best short novels I've ever come across.

[Andy]

I am currently reading,
I,PARTRIDGE by Alan Partridge.
Loved the TV show, so thought I would give the book a go.

[Lisa]

I am currently reading, because I just started them both, The Tin Drum, by Gunter Grass, & Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert. Just finished Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger. Have to say, I couldn't STAND Catcher's main character...

[Barbara]

I'm reading The Rainmaker by John Grisham; you know exactly what to expect from Grisham's legal thrillers...it's comforting :)

[Melanie]

Just finished Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow. Excellent book! I'm now reading Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi for a book club I'm in.

[Melanie]

Wow, that quite a goal to set for yourself. I sat down and memorized them a few years ago, but I have to have a refresher course every few months because I always forget Rutherford B. Hayes. When you get to James Garfield, I highly recommend
by Candace Millard. A very interesting book that made me think very highly of James Garfield, when prior to that I had rarely thought of him at all

I finished Chernow's Washtingon last night. Right now I don't think very highly of Thomas Jefferson who I previously liked. I'm hoping to see what his point of view has to say now.

I have your recommendation on my list. Thank you!

[Will]

I'm planning on taking Giant in the Shadows: The Life of Robert T. Lincoln by J. Emerson with me on vacation next week. I'm excited to learn about one of Lincoln's sons.

[Stephen]

Just finished The Man From St. Petersburg, a 1982 novel from Ken Follett.

It's a really good thriller, and I last read it in 1995. I'll post a proper review soon, but I was prompted to read it again, after also re-reading Writing a Blockbuster Novel.

Zuckerman's book dissects some blockbusters, such as The Man from St Petersburg and The Godfather - which I also read recently.

All good books, and it is fascinating to "explode" a bestselling book to see what ingredients it consists of. (Wish I could think of a few more metaphors to mix).

So if you're interested in writing, and if you can find it (maybe you can hire ... err, sorry no), then give the Zuckerman book a try, and check out those two excellent thrillers while you're at it.

[Gabby-Lily]

Finished recently: Sacred Stories: Wisdom from World Religions (for ages 9 and up, covers stories from major religions to show relations/differences between them), Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights (along w/books from previous postings - nope, I don't sleep much).

Next on list are: The Impossible Cube, Facing the Hunchback of Notre Dame, Legends of the Dragonrealm, Volume III, A Simple Spring: A Seasons of Lancaster Novel, Leaves of Flame, and No Longer a Gentleman

All of them for review (as well as pleasure)

[Bill]

Currently I'm about 3/4 of the way through Standard of Honor and enjoying very much. I'm about to start The Mysterious Affair at Styles, a Hercule Poirot mystery by Agatha Christie.

[Robert]

Right now I am reading "Zombie Island" as an ARC from Net Galley and "Paranormalcy" by Kiersten White because it looked really good:)

[Anne (Booklady)]

I finally jumped on the bandwagon and am reading The Hunger Games.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I liked the first one The Hunger Games, thought the second Catching Firewas okay but I thought (this is me of course) the third Mockingjay failed. Hope you like it better.

[Anne (Booklady)]

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I liked the first one The Hunger Games, thought the second Catching Firewas okay but I thought (this is me of course) the third Mockingjay failed. Hope you like it better."

I like it so far, Mike. What was it about the other 2 books in the trilogy that you didn't like? At first Katniss appears to be a cold fish, with the exception to Prim. But my heart is breaking for her. I love, love this book. Why did I wait so long to read it?

[(Alice) Aley]

Stephen wrote: "Just finished The Man From St. Petersburg, a 1982 novel from Ken Follett.

It's a really good thriller, and I last read it in 1995. I'll post a proper review soon, but I was prompted to read it ag..."

I love him!

[(Alice) Aley]

Just finished Ken Folletts" A Dangerous Fortune"...most excellent! Now going to read In the Garden of Beasts" but he author of "Devil in the White City". Recommended to me by my daughter and her friend Jeffrey.

[Judith]

There's been a lot of discussion around Goodreads of Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles. It's a fascinating way inside that most iconic of heroes. I found the book so engaging I asked Madeline for an interview in case anyone wants to hear this bright and deep-thinking author speaking out about her book.

[Marja]

LOL I'm reading "If Fried Chicken Could Fly," because the title caught my attention. It's just a fun read.

[Ken]

Marja wrote: "LOL I'm reading "If Fried Chicken Could Fly," because the title caught my attention. It's just a fun read. "

Wasn't the animated 'Chicken Run' based loosely on that?

[Marja]

I looked the book up and it appears it was just released this year. Does that help?

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

VERY MUCH enjoying Michael Palmer's new book- Oath of Office- facinating and touching

[Fiona (Titch)]

This morning I finished The Seventh Sister - Z.L. Arkadie. Now I am going back to The Man From U.N.D.E.A.D. - The Curious Case Of The Kidnapped Chemist - Darren Humphries and dipping into Stone Rain - Linwood Barclay.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Having just finished The Man From U.N.D.E.A.D. - The Curious Case Of The Kidnapped Chemist, now I am off to read Stone Rain as it needs to be sent to a friend.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Having just finished The Man From U.N.D.E.A.D. - The Curious Case Of The Kidnapped Chemist, now I am off to read Stone Rain as it needs to be sent to a friend."

wow! you read fast!!! bravo!!

[Fiona (Titch)]

Yesterday I started and today I finished listening to Killer in The Woods: A Psychological Thriller - R. Barri Flowers

[KOMET]

A few days ago, I began reading The Flight Of The Maidens by Jane Gardam. The novel's setting is Britain in the summer of 1946 and is focused on the lives of 3 young women (all friends --- one of whom arrived in Britain from Germany as a refugee shortly before the outbreak of war) who have just left school and won scholarships to university.

I have an interest in the era spanning the Second World War and the immediate postwar era. Plus Jane Gardam is a very good writer. Those are my reasons for reading this novel.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

KOMET wrote: "A few days ago, I began reading The Flight Of The Maidens by Jane Gardam. The novel's setting is Britain in the summer of 1946 and is focused on the lives of 3 young women (all friends --- one of ..."

KOMET- I must know what Langella had to say about James Mason in his book- Name Dropping...was he kind Mason in book?

[Emily]

"All About Lulu" by Jonathan Evison is my current pick.. in turn-the-paper-pages format. Evison, a Whidbey Island author (across the pond from me) was keynoter at the recent Field's writer's conference.

Have you ever met Evison?? Oh. My. God. Roll off the sofa laughing!

I absolutely KNOW I am in for a good, irreverent read!

[Barbara]

I'm reading Requiem for a Realtor by Ralph McInerny, a Father Dowling mystery. It's an easy read, entertaining and diverting.

[KOMET]

Yesterday, I began reading The Old Ball Game: How John McGraw, Christy Mathewson, and the New York Giants Created Modern Baseball by Frank Deford.

As a baseball fan and history buff, this book is right up my alley as it takes a look at major league baseball during the first decade of the 20th century, as exemplified by the great pitcher Christy Mathewson and the saavy, pugnacious manager of the New York Giants, John "Muggsy" McGraw.

[Bill]

Currently reading Bill Bryson's At Home: A Short History of Private Life and enjoying very much so far. Just started City Of Bones, my first Michael Connelly mystery. It's started off nicely.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Just finished Michael Palmer's new book- Oath of Office- splendid! Palmer truly knows how to grab the reader and make his characters so real! The Lead character Lou Welcome is quite unique in that he is dealing with an alcohol addiction,and Palmer truly seems to understand all that entails- Just heard from Michael that Lou Welcome will be back in his next novel- great news!!

[Minnie]

I spoke to this question before telling you about "Glorious." I offer my review of this excellent novel.

"In my opinion, Bernice L. McFadden’s “Glorious” is gutsy, passionate, and written with wondrous insight. She is not afraid to delve into any culture, lifestyle, and the horrors of southern culture. The applied writing of each paragraph and use of human tenancy is genius. Creation of Easter, the protagonist, is testimony to McFadden’s passion for writing. Easter moves through life in a naive manner until it slaps her in the face. Many African American writers can testify to that.

"No wasted words in “Glorious”; she offers complete pictures of situations and characters, and in many cases, all in one paragraph. I cringed at some accounts and laughed at some. And there are scenes I will never forget. Several times I found myself in tears, asking, ‘Why, God? Why?'

"I bet Ms. McFadden surprised herself at her Muse’s ending.

“Glorious” is African American Literature. It will live on my bookshelf along with the classic works of Zora Neale Hurston, Toni Morrison, Jewell Parker Rhodes, and Octavia E. Butler. There are many other brilliant, African American writers who are not getting the recognition they deserve.

"What a wonderful teacher for serious writers. I will follow her."

“Glorious” is available on Amazon.com.



Minnie E. Miller, author of “Whispers from the Mirror” and other works.

[Robert]

I've started reading George Gissing's Workers In The Dawn. It's one of the few of his I haven't been able to find on kindle.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Robert wrote: "I've started reading George Gissing's Workers In The Dawn. It's one of the few of his I haven't been able to find on kindle."

I love Gissing's work- great to see others do to!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Kyle, The Rebel Leader wrote: "Took a chance on Thomas Perry, an author I've never read before. I must say, the book The Face-Changers is monotonous and drab to say the least."

LOVE Perry's stand alone books- not crazy about his Jane series

[[deleted user]]

I am currently re-reading Marked (House of Night series by PC and Kristin Cast). they're fun young adult books with a good twist on vampires. If you haven't checked them out you should.

[Kath]

I am about to begin . Have been on a reading binge and haven't kept up with goodreads at all! I am working my way through Indridason, Hakan Nesser, Mo Hayder, and Stuart MacBride. All very good crime/mystery authors but I don't like Mo Hayder as much as the other three I mentioned.

[Sanjana]

Currently reading The Paris Wife and Here on Earth. Both wonderful books. The Paris Wife is hard to put down! I love anything that has French and Paris in it and the novel is about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife Hadley. It's a great read so far!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Sanjana wrote: "Currently reading The Paris Wife and Here on Earth. Both wonderful books. The Paris Wife is hard to put down! I love anything that has French and Paris in it and the novel is about Ernest Hemingway..."

Love books on Hemingway!!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Kath wrote: "I am about to begin . Have been on a reading binge and haven't kept up with goodreads at all! I am working my way through Indridason, Hakan Nesser, Mo Hayder, and ..."

Some new names for me! thanks!

[Caron]

I just started El Rey by Ginger Myrick . It's a historical romance but instead of the usual setting of England, it takes place in Portugal. Really good so far.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Caron wrote: "I just started El Rey by Ginger Myrick [bookcover:El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia]. It's a historical romance but instead of the usual setting of England, it takes place in Portugal. Really g..."

interesting! how well does the writer capture historical Portugal?

[Kath]

Finished Silence of the Grave by Arnaldur Indridason and am going to begin Ritual by Mo Hayder while I'm waiting for my library to get Borkmann's Point by Hakan Nesser and Voices by Indridason.

[Ivan]

Patience & Sarah by Isabel Miller

Set in the nineteenth century, Isabel Miller's classic lesbian novel traces the relationship between Patience White, a painter, and Sarah Dowling, a farmer, whose romantic bond does not sit well with the puritanical New England farming community in which they live. Ultimately, they are forced to make life-changing decisions that depend on their courage and their commitment to one another.