THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
Komet, I didn't realize this was just the first Volume, but thanks for the info & I look forward to your thoughts on it.
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Love his books!!
Reading Barry Unsworth - he just died and used to live about 2 miles from me in the Umbrian countryside and to think that in spite of this closeness, I never met him, how sad! And what a wonderful writer, superb historical fiction! The one I got into is The Ruby in her Navel, set in 12th century Palermo (because of my own book, Fear of the Past, I have a definite weakness for historicals set in Sicily). Do get it, you'll enjoy it, here's the link:
The Ruby In Her Navel
I'm currently reading
. I love it! Historical/paranormal romance that's beautifully written with three-dimensional characters. I can't believe this author is so little known.
I'm currently getting started with The Sword in the Stone and enjoying so far. About to start The Poisonwood Bible as well.
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And what a wonderfu..."
seems a wonderful writer and books! Sad he passedBarry Unsworth
Someone, on one of these pages, recommended Carl Hiaasen, specifically Tourist Season and Stormy Weather. Despite the fact that his book covers look designed for a Young Adult novel, I overcame my prejudice, and started Tourist Season. It may not be great art, but you gotta admit, it's a fun read
Michael wrote: "Someone, on one of these pages, recommended Carl Hiaasen, specifically Tourist Season and Stormy Weather. Despite the fact that his book covers look designed for a Young Adult novel, I overcame my..."I love Hiaasen - his writing is a fun, irreverent, satirical read, and his characters truly are characters!
I'm reading Gone Girl for my book club, and I have to say that I am really enjoying it (about halfway through) - the writing is refreshingly good after the last couple of books I trudged through, sheesh. I am on the edge of my seat to see what happens!I'm also reading Bite Me for fun - big Christopher Moore fan!
Zuzana wrote: "I'm reading Gone Girl for my book club, and I have to say that I am really enjoying it (about halfway through) - the writing is refreshingly good after the last couple of books I trudged through, s..."I think Lamb is one of the funniest books I've ever read. Definitely a big fan myself!
Jane wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "I'm reading Gone Girl for my book club, and I have to say that I am really enjoying it (about halfway through) - the writing is refreshingly good after the last couple of books I tru..."I know! I think my favorite is still The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, but A Dirty Job also holds a special place in my heart, since it was the first Moore book I read.
I just finished reading
. I loved it. Now I'm reading
Mod
Michael wrote: "Someone, on one of these pages, recommended Carl Hiaasen, specifically Tourist Season and Stormy Weather. Despite the fact that his book covers look designed for a Young Adult novel, I overcame my..."
I have been a fan of Hiaasen for over 15 years! Read every book of his- he is truly the gold standard (along with Elmore Leonard) for comic crime thrillers- Loved all his books so cannot choose a favorite- met Hiaasen and Leonard at The Borders bookstore that was in Two World Trade Center when I worked there - Dave barry was with them too- they,along with several other writers had co-wrote a book- All three were great- Hiaasen- very nice and very down to earth, Leonard- very nice and somewhat shy, Barry nice and loud!
Rick wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "Michael wrote: "Someone, on one of these pages, recommended Carl Hiaasen, specifically Tourist Season and Stormy Weather. Despite the fact that his book covers look designed for a Y..."Nice to know Hiaasen's a nice guy. I read Tim Dorsey, kind of in that vein. Wonder what kind of guy he is, with his serial killer paranoid schizophrenic hero!
Rick wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "Michael wrote: "Someone, on one of these pages, recommended Carl Hiaasen, specifically Tourist Season and Stormy Weather. Despite the fact that his book covers look designed for a Y..."All faves of mine! How awesome that you got to meet them all!
Forgot to say I'm reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. She's a nice writer but I'm having trouble staying with it. I think it's because I'm so tired of vampires and demons, et cetera. Guess I'm jaded. I'm longing for a nice murder mystery without forensics, police detectives, serial killers...just an old-fashioned cozy where I don't know who did it till the end!
I am reading What Uncle Sam Really Wants by Noam Chomsky because it is small and continues my exploration of the mechanics of the world being subjugated by extreme brutality and torture in order for it to be exploited into destitution by the West. This is a snap shot book that suffers from being too short: atypically of Chomsky, it is not foot noted. While this make it easier to read, what is written is so incredible that people unfamiliar with America's real foreign policy will dismiss Chomsky and his book as the rantings of a lunatic.
Mod
Wish I knew where book was!! had all three sign it!
but really nice guys- for some reason nobody else was by them- all three seated at table- so got to spend sometime with them- really terrific time!
Cheryl wrote: "Forgot to say I'm reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. She's a nice writer but I'm having trouble staying with it. I think it's because I'm so tired of vampires and demons, et cetera..."Hi, neighbor! *waves* (I'm in Atlanta.)
I'd love to hear how you like A Discovery of Witches - we almost picked it in my my book club a while back, but then, not. Same sentiment: "Not vampires and demons again." I'm sure you'll blog a review!
Sounds like you like procedural mysteries, but if you also like historical ones, I recommend the Ravel mystery series from author Susanne Alleyn, starting with The Cavalier of the Apocalypse. She does a wonderful job not only relating the historical period but also creating dynamic characters and sustaining a believable mystery - three distinct talents in one!
Zuzana wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Forgot to say I'm reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. She's a nice writer but I'm having trouble staying with it. I think it's because I'm so tired of vampires and de..."Thanks for the reminder. I loved The Cavalier of the Apocalypse so just put the 2nd one on hold.
I just started reading FIFTY SHADES OF GRAY by E L JAMES...I heard the book was really good and its a trilogy..So after this book I will read Fifty Shades Darker and then Fifty Shades Freed..
Jane wrote: "Zuzana wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Forgot to say I'm reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. She's a nice writer but I'm having trouble staying with it. I think it's because I'm so tired of ..."I was so sad when the last book ended ... just wanted Aristide's story to go on and on! I completely fell in love with the brooding investigator! :D
Zuzana wrote: "Cheryl wrote: "Forgot to say I'm reading A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness. She's a nice writer but I'm having trouble staying with it. I think it's because I'm so tired of vampires and de..."I'll have to try Susanne Alleyn. Thanks for the tip!
I've finished Enchantment - Charlotte Abel. Now I think I will read This Devil's Dice - Jackson Spence.
I'm now reading with great interest Tomorrow to Be Brave: A Memoir of the Only Woman Ever to Serve in the French Foreign Legion by Susan Travers. The author lived quite a life. Her service with the Foreign Legion during the Second World War was incredible. As the son of a combat veteran of the War, I had a deep respect for those people who fought against Hitler, Fascism, and Japanese militarism, and helped free the world from that noxious 3some.
Mod
"deep respect for those people who fought against Hitler, Fascism, and Japanese militarism, and helped free the world from that noxious 3some."
SO very very very very well put!!!
Rick wrote: "KOMET wrote: "I'm now reading with great interest Tomorrow to Be Brave: A Memoir of the Only Woman Ever to Serve in the French Foreign Legion by Susan Travers. The author lived quite a life. He..."Why doesn't GR have 'like' buttons so we wouldn't have to type "Hear hear!"
Mod
here here to that suggestion!!!
Decided to have a bit of fun reading Fifty Shades of Garbage - Allie Beck. See if this is any fun lol xThere she sat, the coffee cup half full and likely cold, gripping that damn book again. Joe had come home from work for three days in a row now this week to find Marcia sitting on the couch, legs curled under her, the dim light of the end table lamp casting a glow on her enthralled form, reading a book with a necktie on it.
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Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Decided to have a bit of fun reading Fifty Shades of Garbage - Allie Beck. See if this is any fun lol xThere she sat, the coffee cup half full and likely cold, gripping that damn book again. Joe ..."
HA! Sounds hilarious.
Finished Fifty Shades of Garbage - Allie Beck. In my opinion, was funny when you saw some parts like Fifty Shades of Grey but, near the end was boring.
Still enjoying this thread but will be out of touch for a few due to the holiday.Happy Birthday America.
wild by Cheryl Strayed. Fascinating!
Currently reading Dog Blood by David Moody, 2nd in the hater series, I loved the first, and so far am enjoying the second.
Just started The House at Riverton by Kate Morton. I haven't read anything of hers, but have been meaning to for quite some time. I am looking forwarding to this book.
Mod
Barbara wrote: "I'm reading Wolves Eat Dogs by Martin Cruz Smith. I always enjoy this author and recommend him for mystery book fans."Think I've read everything by MCS but the Renko books top the list. The last two, Stalin's Ghost and Three Stations left me feeling the series has run its course. Just felt like he was going through the motions (author and Arkady both). Polar Star is my favorite but Wolves is almost as good.
Mod
Think I've read everything by MCS but the Renko books top the..."
loved Havana Bay best
Right now I am reading Seraphina by Rachel Hartman because I am an Ambuzzador with Random Buzzers and it looked really awesome!
Barbara wrote: "I'm reading Wolves Eat Dogs by Martin Cruz Smith. I always enjoy this author and recommend him for mystery book fans."The Arcady Renko series is definitely one of my favourite series. I enjoyed Wolves Eat Dogs too.
Over the past couple of days I have read and finished Mid Life Crisis - William Mwendwa and Three's Company - William Mwendwa. Now I am reading Taken - Charlotte Abel.
I finished "Almost Amish" by Nancy Sleeth. And now I'm reading "Rules of Civility" by Amor Towles.
The Drowning River: A Mystery in Florencehttp://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78...
I teach classes in Italy, and this book takes place where I lived in May 2012.
Perry
Author: 99 Motivators for College Success (April 2012)
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Giveaway ends July 11:
http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...
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Think I've read everything by MCS but the Renko books top the..."
It's sad when a series loses it mojo isn't it? In a perfect world authors would know when to atop. Thanks for the tip Ken!
If you like mystery and suspense, Jerry B. Jenkins has done it again with The Breakthrough. This is another story from the 11th precinct series and starts slow to introduce characters and a slathering of the evens in his first book, The Betrayal. By page 25, the plot begins to twist and turn in unexpected ways and doesn’t stop until the last page of the book. Tragedy that tests, tries, and produces faith takes you to a place of considering if you could or would have endured to the end.
It isn’t possible for me to give you details found in this story as it would ruin your “Oh No” moments. I can say from Chicago to the back alleys of China, you will be wondering, what else could possibly happen to Boone Drake, the chief of the Chicago Police Department
My thanks to Jerry for allowing me to review his new books.
Finished Gone Girl - really liked it in the "darn it" kind of way you do when you rally connect with characters and see their reality as dynamic. Here's my review: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...Then I started - and already am finishing (it's short and fascinating) - my Horror Aficionados group read, Some of Your Blood. I may be posting a review of that today or tomorrow, because I can't put it down! :)
This evening I finished Taken - Charlotte Abel and have to wait til September to read the finale and find out what happens next lol. Now I am reading Ignite - Z.L. Arkadie which is book 5 of the series.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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One of his best-known quotes is on the subject & as a writer myself, I can relate as it's very true.
Speaking of Mark Twain (whose work I've enjoyed since reading "The Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" over 30 years ago), I bought Autobiography, Vol 1 shortly after it came out on the market. But I've yet to read it. Frankly, the print in it is rather small, which suits the book ill. Nonetheless, I'll either read it or buy the paperback version and read that one. But, in the meantime, I have plenty of summer reading ahead of me...