WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 8,651-8,700 of 10,669

[Bonnie]

I'm reading Food for the Gods by Karen Dudley. It is very well written, hilarious, clever, and well researched. I'll never look at Greek myths the same way again.

[Mackenzie]

I'm reading The Snowman by Jo Nesbo at the moment. I like to vary my reading by genre and style and when I can, read and review works by authors I know and connect with on Twitter.

[Russell]

Rick wrote: "Russell wrote: "For the past several weeks I was reading Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy. I chose this book, first, because it was a gift; secondly, because Clancy is great when it comes..."

I don't know much about the co-author, but from what I've read on the Amazon reviews, he was the one who wrote most of the book.

[KOMET]

I'm thoroughly enjoying reading "The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today" by Thomas E. Ricks. I heard the author being interviewed by NPR about this book a year ago. My curiosity was piqued and so, when the paperback edition became available a few weeks ago, I went to the bookstore and bought it.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Russell wrote: "Rick wrote: "Russell wrote: "For the past several weeks I was reading Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy. I chose this book, first, because it was a gift; secondly, because Clancy is great ..."

I would definatley assume he did..another issue is that Clancy's books are always so very long..therefore a co-writer (or actual writer) of a Clancy book would have to insure that the novel is long..700+ pages..in order to simulate the appearance of a "Clancy Novel" It has to be difficult to write for another author as it is..but to have to write over 700 pages..very hard..and alot of puff gets put in to fatten up the book..more than likely affects the over plot coherence

[Patty]

I'm reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It is engrossing, a real page-turner.

[Russell]

Rick wrote: "Russell wrote: "Rick wrote: "Russell wrote: "For the past several weeks I was reading Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy. I chose this book, first, because it was a gift; secondly, because ..."

That's where the editor should step in. Adding so much fluff in a novel to the point that it breaks the momentum of the story may not bother hardcore fans. However new fans could potentially be turned off and never try the author again.

[Janet]

I'm reading "The Picara: from Hera to Fantasy Heroine" by Anne L. Kaler, and finding it very useful: a scholarly look at females in fiction through history by someone well qualified. Writers now need to decide how much they will let political correctness determine the way they present characters, both male and female, since the "common values" of Western Civilization are now longer so commonly held.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I am reading this 2013 Man Booker winner..very long..yet quite engrossing. I saw an interview the the author and she mentioned how long the book took to write. The level of detail is astounding, and the period (the gold rush..1866 - New Zealand) is captured so very well

[Emily]

Truth Like The Sun, by Jim Lynch

I selected this title from my local indiebook store, Edmonds Bookshop the evening that my girlfriend was doing a signing for her debut novel, '84 Ribbons' -- I've been reading 'lesson novels' of late: Award winning books from which I can learn writing styles - Jim Lynch does not disappoint.

Truth Like The Sun is set in Seattle and pivots between the opening days of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair and the social-economic architect of the fair, Roger Morgan -- who at seventy years old, in 2001, has decided to make a run for the Mayor's Office.

There are three major reasons I selected this novel: Having been in news media relations in Seattle from the 1970s through the 1990s - I know a little bit about the deals and dalliances of Seattle's smoke-filled rooms. I frequented 'Vito's Bar and Lounge' if that gives me cache.

Also, while I strolled through the Edmonds Bookshop the night I selected 'Truth Like The Sun' two customers I've never seen before stopped me to comment, "Oh! that is SUCH a good book!" okay ~ that's an endorsement.

Finally, even in the first few pages I was mesmerized by Lynch's writing to wit: "April 21, 1962 This is where it begins, with all the dreamers champagne-drunk and stumbling on the head of the Needle. . . Up here in the dark, five hundred feet above it all, downtown looks like it's on fire again, though it's just showing off this time" (downtown Seattle, BTW, burned nearly to the ground at the turn of the twentieth century) Truth Like The Sun is a historian's dream -- oh! That's four reasons! ;D

[Emily]

Barbara wrote: "Beth wrote: "I finally finished reading Anna Karenina, a classic by Leo Tolstoy. I want to watch the movie with Kyra Knightly, and I thought I should read the book first. It was a l..."

I was 12 and very ill when my mother introduced me to Anna Karenina. I think she was at wit's end to keep me entertained. She accidentally mentioned that the novel was for her daughter (me ;) and before the clerk would sell my mother the book she went to get the book store owner! The year? 1961.

[Erich]

Russell wrote: "Rick wrote: "Russell wrote: "Rick wrote: "Russell wrote: "For the past several weeks I was reading Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy. I chose this book, first, because it was a gift; secon..."
I think we have to understand Tom Clancy at that time. All his thinking and writing portraits him as he was, a military aficionado. He started with Red October and his research, historical and current carried over I all his notes. The last years he was already ailing and his co-writer did not fluff it up, he just followed Clancy's true and tried formula. There are many of us, including myself who lived in that age and shared the circumstances of his stories. Military men, Generals and President read his books. Of course on too many the intricate details of it is lost, to most of the readers only the plot matters today. I am sorry to have learned he was dead.

[Raymond]

Hypocrites In His Midst: A Story About Flawed Human Beings by Donnell Wilson – Book Review

4.5 out of 5 stars


The long road from street gangs to success…
Wilton Latso is seventy two years old and a grandfather. In the middle of a heated argument with his adult daughter Abbie, Wilton realizes that she has no idea of who he is, where he came from, and why he did the things he did when he was bringing her up. Spontaneously Wilton starts remembering and soon he decides to write down the story of his life. Wilton came from a poor family living in a poor suburb of St. Louis, Missouri in the late 1940’s / early 1950s. In this era of street gangs Wilton is soon introduced to a world of violence, ego and selfishness. Wilton’s parents are staunch Pentecostal Christians, but Wilton doubts that faith from the start. The trouble is that he can see all too clearly his parent’s hypocrisy, particularly his mother’s. Throughout his life Wilton will continue to observe people, noting many to be hollow, offering friendship, espousing beliefs but proving to be fakes.

Donnell Wilson’s Hypocrites In His Midst: A Story About Flawed Human Beings is a fictional autobiography spanning seven decades. It is a story of “redemption” (Ch. 8) in a secular sense. This is a book about trying to “do the right thing” (Ch. 3), though the “right thing” (Ch. 2) is not always obvious or easy to achieve. Wilson’s novel, especially in the first three Parts, is broadly comparable to Nicky Cruz’s real life autobiography Run Baby Run (Logos, 1972), though that book is firmly Christian, while this book is firmly agnostic (Ch. 31). Most of all, this book is about how a person can growing to maturity (or avoid it).


http://goo.gl/5kL3R0 Hypocrites In His Midst (Kindle ed.)

http://goo.gl/G3Vom5 Hypocrites In His Midst (Facebook page)


For the full review please click:

http://raymondmathiesenbookreviews.bl...

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Raymond wrote: "Hypocrites In His Midst: A Story About Flawed Human Beings by Donnell Wilson – Book Review

4.5 out of 5 stars


The long road from street gangs to success…
Wilton Latso is seventy two years old an..."

Quite a facinating review!! Extremely well written and comprehensive.

[Raymond]

Rick wrote: "Raymond wrote: "Hypocrites In His Midst: A Story About Flawed Human Beings by Donnell Wilson – Book Review"

Thanks Rick! I try my best.

[Barbara]

Emily wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Beth wrote: "I finally finished reading Anna Karenina, a classic by Leo Tolstoy. I want to watch the movie with Kyra Knightly, and I thought I should read the book f..."

was 12 and very ill when my mother introduced me to Anna Karenina. I think she was at wit's end to keep me entertained. She accidentally mentioned that the novel was for her daughter (me ;) and before the clerk would sell my mother the book she went to get the book store owner! The year? 1961.

Wow! I would probably resent a clerk censoring my choices for my child.

[Lisa]

I am currently reading:

Slauhter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
The First Judgement by Wendy Alec

[Barbara]

I finished A Turbulent Priest by J.M. Gregson. In this British mystery, a ferocious rainstorm unearths a murdered corpse and DI Percy Peach and DS Lucy Blake discover the victim was a priest suspected of molesting boys in the church youth club. Moreover, the priest seems to have been associated with a child porn ring. Plenty of suspects in this cozy mystery and some interesting characters. I thought it was an okay light mystery. 3 stars for me.

[Fiona (Titch)]

I've finally finished Rouge - Isabella Modra. Now to carry on reading My Savior Forever - Vicki Green, From a Dead Sleep - John A. Daly, Cold Mourning: A Stonechild and Rouleau Mystery - Brenda Chapman, The Heartstone Odyssey - Arvan Kumar, A Country Kitchen Christmas - Leanne Tyler, Cruel Justice - M.A. Comley and Emotional Geology - Linda Gillard.

[Barbara]

I finished The Poisoned Pilgrim by Oliver Pötzsch, the fourth book in the hangman's daughter series. Mystery is afoot in a monastery in Bavaria in 1666, a popular pilgrimage destination. Monks are experimenting with lightning, relics are missing, and people are dying and disappearing. On hand to look into the strange happenings are three unusual pilgrims: the hangman's daughter Magdalena, her medic husband Simon, and the hangman, Jakob Kuisl. I enjoyed this book which had plenty of colorful characters and enough twists and turns to keep it interesting.

[Emily]

I'm reading 'Succubus" Gladys Quintal's Book Four in The Dream Series. The minute it came on-line I grabbed a copy -- it's a steamy read!! oh, my! How DID 'The Chosen One' begin his path?

'Succubus' which is excellently edited and gorgeously designed is JUST what I need to break away from my own book promotions for a day.

[Fiona (Titch)]

At 1.30am this morning I finished My Savior Forever - Vicki Green . Now I am off to read The New Year's Masquerade - Elise Marion.

[KOMET]

I've now taken to reading "The Far Side of the Sky" by Daniel Kalla. It is centered upon the Adlers --- a Jewish family forced to leave Vienna in late 1938 (in the wake of Kristalnacht) for Shanghai, one of the few places at the time that would accept European Jews on the run from the Nazis --- and Soon Yi "Sunny" Mah, a young half Chinese and half American nurse, who, in many respects, is a most remarkable woman. The destinies of both the Adlers and "Sunny" become intertwined as the Second World War gets underway.

Any Goodreads member who enjoys an engaging novel may want to check out "The Far Side of the Sky."

[Mark]

I just finished reading “Feet First” (copyright 1971) a memoir by Ben Finney. The book in circulation for over 40 years is so obscure that I could not locate a review or even a synopsis on the internet. I was originally drawn to Finney's memoir knowing that he was a personal friend of WWII Medal of Honor recipient Marine aviator Joe Foss.

The front dust jacket of the hardcover “Feet First” has a bold photo of Finney and his lifelong friend Ernest Hemmingway sitting side by side on the back of a boat with bare feet in the air. To say Ben Finney lived life in the 20th Century is an understatement as the tough nut Marine loved to party. Each tale is revealing and I will recall a few of his self professed hilarious pranks until the day I die.

The book is now one of my favorites.

by Ben Finney (no photo)

[Lisa]

David Michie's The Art of Purring.... I have already read The Dalai Lama's Cat three times and I am a fan of the little Snow Lion! :D

[KOMET]

Mark wrote: "I just finished reading “Feet First” (copyright 1971) a memoir by Ben Finney. The book in circulation for over 40 years is so obscure that I could not locate a review or even a synopsis on the inte..."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thank you for putting me in the know about this book! It piqued my curiosity so much so that I went to Amazon and ordered my copy. (Ben Finney sounds like a man who LIVED quite an interesting life. It isn't everyday that you come across someone who was a combat veteran of both World Wars and the Korean War.)

[Fiona (Titch)]

Well I have just read The New Year's Masquerade - Elise Marion which was another romantic story that I've loved.

[Julie]

I am reading Mistress of Raghery I love historical gothic romance and mystery

[Mark]

KOMET wrote: "Thank you for putting me in the know about this book [Feet First]!..."

Komet, what is truly amazing is Finney's intimate circle of friends of both Ernest Hemingway and USMC General Lem Shepherd the 20th Commandant of the Marine Corps who wrote the forward for his other book “Once a Marine Always A Marine”! This is not to infer that General Shepherd was close to Hemingway. Finney was unique. I believe you will like a story or two from "Feet First".

The Goodreads author list attributes a few island books to Ben Finney however I’m quite certain this man is not the author of those.

& Once a Marine-Always a Marine (no bookcover) by Ben Finney

[Seeley]

I just finished Black Karma by Bill Davis and highly recommend it. You don't have to read the first book, Pagan Moon, to get the story but the go well together! I posted a short review on GR and a full one on my website.

Now I'm on to Valerie Plame's book,Blowback

Peace, Seeley

[Raymond]

A 3rd Time To Die by George A. Bernstein
Book Review by Susan McMichael
4 out of 5 stars

What is it about you stranger?
This is a love story with a mystery at the heart of it, a paranormal mystery. Why can Ashley Easton speak French so well? Why can she ride a horse so well, after only riding for just a few weeks? Who is the mysterious young man she meets in the dressage competition, and why is he so alluring? A 3rd Time to Die by George A. Bernstein is a love story and a mystery, rolled into one. It uses the concept of reincarnation as an interesting plot device.

Our first glimpse of Ashley Easton is of a woman rescuing a horse:
"Hey quit that!" Her shout raspy, she banged the gate with the side of the pitchfork. (p. 25)
The horse has always represented passion and desire in literature, and A 3rd Time to Die is no exception. Ashley's new horse brings her excitement and energy into her life and allows a new relationship to flourish. Ashley is revitalised and energised by rescuing the horse; it also brings into sharp relief the way her life has changed. Ashley is an engaging character who knows her own mind and who is financially independent. She feels a great deal, but takes a long time to act on these feelings: this is Ashley Easton's challenge.

http://goo.gl/Jg40jh A 3rd Time To Die (Book ed.)
http://goo.gl/eg6sE5 A 3rd Time To Die (Kindle ed.)
http://goo.gl/uTOJg9 George Bernstein (Facebook page)
http://goo.gl/xp0Wvc George Bernstein (Goodreads page)

For the full review please click:
http://raymondmathiesenbookreviews.bl...

[Barbara]

I finished Suspect by Robert Crais. In this thriller Police 0fficer Scott James is badly injured and his partner is killed when they stumble into a heist on a Los Angeles street. Elsewhere, Maggie, a German Shepherd "Marine dog" is shot and injured while sniffing for explosives in Afghanistan. Months later Scott and Maggie come together in the K-9 unit of the Los Angeles police department. Scott and Maggie train and bond while Scott continues to investigate who pulled off the heist that almost killed him. The book flows to a believable and satisfying conclusion. 4 stars for me.

[Barbara]

I finished Proof of Guilt by Charles Todd the 15th Inspector Rutledge mystery. There are plenty of potential crimes in this book; a body washes ashore in Sussex; another body is found on a Chelsea street; Lewis French - a London wine merchant - is missing; and his partner Matthew Traynor can't be located. There are confusingly many suspects/witnesses related to these incidents and Inspector Rutledge endlessly drives around England interviewing people over and over again. This leads to a slow moving story. Plus it bothered me that Acting Chief Superintendent Markham insists that Rutledge arrest two suspects though there is no proof they are guilty. Sadly all this rigmarole does not lead to a satisfactory conclusion that ties up all the loose ends. I usually like Todd's books but this one is only 2 stars for me.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "I finished Suspect by Robert Crais. In this thriller Police 0fficer Scott James is badly injured and his partner is killed when they stumble into a heist on a Los Ang..."

I remember reading Crais' books years ago when Elvis Cole was just introduced and the books were only found in the mystery sections..hilarious quick reads..have not read any of his recent books yet

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Raymond wrote: "A 3rd Time To Die by George A. Bernstein
Book Review by Susan McMichael
4 out of 5 stars

What is it about you stranger?
This is a love story with a mystery at the heart of it, a paranormal mystery..."

yet another highly intelligent and nuanced review!

[KOMET]

Rick wrote: yet another highly intelligent and nuanced review!

+++++++++++++++++
No non-fiction book yet, Rick? :)

I'm now reading Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J Edgar Hoover by Anthony Summers.

Since seeing the Leonardo di Caprio movie about J.Edgar Hoover, I have been curious as to how that man was able to amass so much power for close to 50 years as FBI head. This book is already teaching me a lot about the wholesale abuses Hoover carried out during his tenure.

[Barbara]

KOMET wrote: "Rick wrote: yet another highly intelligent and nuanced review!

+++++++++++++++++
No non-fiction book yet, Rick? :)

I'm now reading [book:Official and Confidential: The Secret Life of J Edgar H..."

The book about J. Edgar Hoover looks interesting; I'm putting it on my TBR list. I'd also like to know what Hoover did to amass so much influence. Abuses, eh? That's not a surprise. I'm becoming more and more dismayed with human nature as time rolls on :(

[Jerry]

Just finished The Seville Communion a wonderful mystery that explores love, greed and faith on multiple levels in the beautiful city of Seville. Wonderful prose, expertly translated, makes the emotions leap off the page. You can smell the orange blossoms!

[Don]

Rick, somewhere you mentioned reading Suspect by Crais. What an interesting perspective...from the dog. Loved it.

[Barbara]

I started A Question of Honor by Charles Todd, a Bess Crawford mystery.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Don wrote: "Rick, somewhere you mentioned reading Suspect by Crais. What an interesting perspective...from the dog. Loved it."

Indeed!! And very timely for me. Lost my treasured schnauzer Velvet last Wednesday and adopted a beautiful 8 week old puppy yesterday. Worst of times. Now become best of times again!!

Here is 8 week old Mason-James Friedman


https://m.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid...

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Jerry wrote: "Just finished The Seville Communion a wonderful mystery that explores love, greed and faith on multiple levels in the beautiful city of Seville. Wonderful prose, expertly translated, ..."

What a terrific and unique setting for a mystery!!!

[Fiona (Titch)]

I finished A Country Kitchen Christmas - Leanne Tyler in the early hours of the morning.

[Barbara]

I finished The Innocent by Harlan Coben. Matt Hunter accidentally kills a fellow college student during a drunken brawl and goes to prison for 4 years. Now, 9 years after his release Matt is happily married, expecting a baby, and looking for a house in New Jersey when his life unravels. A mysterious nun is murdered and a phone call she made connects her to Matt; Matt is sent phone pictures of his scantily clad wife in the company of a black-haired man - who is soon murdered. The nun and the dead man have ties to Las Vegas and local law enforcement as well as Vegas FBI agents see Matt as a suspect. Matt embarks on his own investigation, but everyone in this story has secrets to keep and Matt is soon in danger. There are a lot of characters in the book which can be confusing. But the story is a page-turner as we go from the NJ suburbs to the sex clubs of Las Vegas. Some of the twists in the story are telegraphed but I didn't anticipate all the surprises toward the end. All in all a good read.

[Peggy]

Just finished Up Yours by Howard Rosenberg. When a man who's professed a fear of the water is found dead in Friendly Lake, recent retiree Ted Milo takes a stab at the case. With skills honed from reading lots of Raymond Chandler and watching plenty of film noir, Ted and his ‘tomato’, Liv, start digging into Sam Fine’s death. Before you can say ‘hot water,’ Ted and Liv are up to their eyeballs in suspects. This fast-paced ‘whodunit’ is the debut novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Howard Rosenberg. Rosenberg brings the underbelly of suburban Friendly Lake to life, and his protagonists, Ted and Liv Milo, make a wonderful modern-day Nick and Nora Charles. Full of wit, a great cast of characters, and twists and turns galore. If you like humorous mysteries, this is well worth a read.

[Barbara]

Peggy wrote: "Just finished Up Yours by Howard Rosenberg. When a man who's professed a fear of the water is found dead in Friendly Lake, recent retiree Ted Milo takes a stab at the case. With skills honed from r..."

Sounds like a good book Peggy. I'm putting it on my TBR list.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Just finished Up Yours by Howard Rosenberg. When a man who's professed a fear of the water is found dead in Friendly Lake, recent retiree Ted Milo takes a stab at the case. With skill..."

Peggy wrote: "Just finished Up Yours by Howard Rosenberg. When a man who's professed a fear of the water is found dead in Friendly Lake, recent retiree Ted Milo takes a stab at the case. With skills honed from r..."

well I love mysteries and ESPECIALLY film noir!! sounds like a must read for me too!

[KOMET]

As someone who was in his early teens when Chic was topping the music charts (i.e., the late 1970s), I've just taken to reading "Le Freak: An Upside Down Story of Family, Disco, and Destiny" by Nile Rodgers.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I just finished THE MEDUSA AMULET..a terrific multi-genre read..part international thriller, part historical fiction..part supernatural suspence..a very fullfilling book.

[Darren]

I am currently reading lies. I am also reading the hobbit. Then I have a bunch of books that I am reading for seminary.