WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 8,701-8,750 of 10,669

[KOMET]

I'm now reading "Prelude to Leadership: The Post-War Diary, Summer 1945" by John F. Kennedy. Few people know that prior to embarking upon a political career, JFK had worked as a journalist covering the opening session of the United Nations in San Francisco in late April 1945. He spent time in Europe that summer as well. This book also contains extracts from a diary JFK kept at the time. All in all, a highly fascinating book.

[Raymond]

Crimson Footprints by Shewanda Pugh - Book Review
5 out of 5 stars

The balancing act of life…
Deena Hammond is a 24 year old architect living and working in her home town of Miami, Florida. In some ways Deena is very successful, but she comes from a poor background, and in many ways she is still inextricably tied up with those origins. Her grandmother, Emma Hammond, who brought Deena up, is constantly demanding and never satisfied. Deena’s adult brother Anthony is a small-time criminal, and her sister Lizzie, though still at school, is incorrigibly wayward and seems headed for a disaster of a life. Deena is half African-American and half white and feels that she was never really accepted by the black side of her family when they took her in as a child. In very harrowing circumstances Deena meets Takumi (Tak for short) Tanaka, the son of her world famous, distant and demanding boss Daichi Tanaka. Immediately the personal chemistry and attraction seems right, but everything else between these two people seems impossible. Deena is a mere underling. Should she even be talking to the son of the owner of the business she works for? What is more Deena’s family very much expects her to date a black man. Can these two people overcome the odds and form a friendship, or even the romance they both desire?

Shewanda Pugh’s Crimson Footprints can certainly be classified as a romance; however, it is much more than that. It is a story of class consciousness and racial division. It is about the struggle to find the right equilibrium between work and family, and it is a story about trying to ‘do the right thing’. Most of all, this novel is about balance in all things. We are all different, but we must overcome our resistances and come to the centre ground if we are truly going to be a success in life.

http://goo.gl/HwV0jG Crimsin Footprints (Book ed.)
http://goo.gl/vyOHiw Crimson Footprints (Kindle ed.)

http://goo.gl/aTcWKT Shewanda Pugh’s Blog
http://goo.gl/gcUo06 Shewanda Pugh’s Facebook Page

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

[Malina]

Currently reading
I love all King's books, so far I'm enjoying this a lot.

[Barbara]

I finished A Question of Honor by Charles Todd, the 5th book in the Bess Crawford series. In the early 1900's, young Bess lives in India where her father is in charge of a British regiment. A young officer in the regiment, Lt. Wade, is charged with murdering a family of three as well as his own parents. Wade makes a run for it and is reported dead, leaving a blot on the regiment's honor. Ten years later, during WWI, Bess is an army nurse and hears that Lt. Wade has been seen in France. Bess is determined to find Lt. Wade and bring him to justice. The usual characters are on hand in this story, including Beth's parents and her friend Simon. The book provides an authentic feel for the horrors of combat; the pain and plight of wounded soldiers; and the difficult conditions in field hospitals. A good book for fans of historical mysteries. 3 stars for me.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "I finished A Question of Honor by Charles Todd, the 5th book in the Bess Crawford series. In the early 1900's, young Bess lives in India where her father is in charge o..."

I bought a few Charles Todd Bookss beased on your posts Barbara!! Looks like a writer I will enjoy!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I introduce you to the newest member of the family..my puppy..Mason-James Friedman!

https://www.goodreads.com/photo/group...

[Jerry]

Just finished Night Film. Oh my! Reading this book is like taking a Sunday drive to the mountains. The weather turns. You turn, onto the wrong road. It’s narrow, winding through dark trees. It starts snowing and the clouds lower. You come around a turn, hit some ice and you slide. Out of control. A canyon on your left. No guardrail. You slide, the steering wheel useless. And then, your wheel hits the shoulder. And stops. You take your first breath in an hour and get out of the car. You look over the edge, the clouds obscuring the bottom. You gather your wits and turn away taking a step up to the pavement. Your foot slips.

[KOMET]

My fascination for the aviators from World War I led me to the book "The Bad Boy: Bert Hall, Aviator and Mercenary of the Skies" by Blaine L Pardoe. Hall was the "loveable rogue" among the fighter pilots who flew with the Escadrille Lafayette over the Western Front. (His postwar life was also rather colorful.)

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading The Brothers K

[Barbara]

I'm reading The Hidden Reality: Parallel Universes and the Deep Laws of the Cosmos by Brian Greene. If you're interested in superstring theory, the origin and structure of the universe (and the possibly infinite number of parallel universes) and that kind of thing I highly recommend Brian Greene's books. He's a theoretical physicist at Columbia University but he writes books meant to be accessible to people who are not necessarily scientists. Truly fascinating stuff!!

[Barbara]

I finished Darkness, My Old Friend by Lisa Unger. The Hollows has a lot of troubled people. Jones Cooper, a retired police officer is in therapy and bored; Michael Holt's gorgeous mother, Marla, disappeared long ago and he asks a private detective to re-open the case; Eloise Montgomery is a psychic who sees ghosts; fifteen-year-old Willow Graves is a chronic liar and runaway; Kevin Carr is a sociopath who terrorizes his wife. Though the central mystery of the story is 'what happened to Marla?' the other residents' dramas make up a good part of the book. The characters were well-developed and the Marla story was okay (though many readers will probably guess the ending). 3 stars for me.

[Malina]

Starting Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

[Kaylin]

Blackberry Winter - met Sarah Jio at a recent book signing.

[Gerald]

Because of its movie-to-be, the current book I'm reading, actually rereading, is my own, OF GOOD AND EVIL. And, too, I'm rereading it because of the tremendous reaponse to my most recent posting on the book and movie, http://geraldggriffin.blogspot.com --- potent but highly entertaining and made just a few days ago.

And I invite you to join in. If you would browse down to the end of the posting, to the COMMENTS, I'd certainly appreciate you making a comment to what you've read on the posting, joining the ranks of the others there pleased by the post's content, some ecstatically so.

As an example of these comments you can join in on, I quote:

"Hey Gerald, Shane Porteous here. You silver tongue devil you, absolutely brilliant, witty, charming and thought provoking. Just like your novel, which is one of the best books I have ever read. Simply one of the greatest paranormal thrillers out there at the moment. I cannot wait to see the movie and not that I need one, but this gives me a great excuse to read the book for about the tenth time. I salute you sir."

[KOMET]

As I'm now close to finishing reading a couple of books (plan to finish the joyful job on January 1), I've resumed reading this morning "A Few Great Captains: The Men and Events That Shaped the Development of U.S. Air Power" by Dewitt S. Copp.

[Barbara]

I finished A Story Lately Told: Coming of Age in Ireland, London, and New York by Anjelica Huston. This first book of her autobiography tells tales from her childhood in Great Britain to her young womanhood in NYC. Huston's father is the great director John Huston and Anjelica met large numbers of the rich and famous. However she mentions so many people that they blend together in a confusing swirl of names. The book also seems more a list of activities - fox hunting, partying, skiving off school, moving, modeling - than a comprehensive life story. We do get a feel for the love Huston's mom (Enrica Soma) had for her kids and for the fun and hardships that come with having John Huston - a hard-drinking womanizer and gambler - for a dad. The story gets more interesting when Anjelica becomes a fashion model in her late teens. This book was just okay but I'm looking forward to Volume 2 about when she became a great actress and dated the infamous actor Jack Nicholson.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I am starting to read my first Elizabeth Gaskell novel.."Ruth"..written in the 1850's

[KOMET]

Earlier this week, I began reading "Feet First" by Ben Finney, who led a truly fantastic life. A United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran of 3 wars (World War I, World War II, & Korea), Finney travelled the world many times over, helped establish the French Riviera as a popular summer resort, worked in Hollywood and New York, and among his friends were Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald, Charles MacArthur, Humphrey Bogart, Elsa Maxwell, and Joe DiMaggio.

[Barbara]

I finished W is for Wasted by Sue Grafton. P.I. Kinsey Millhone is between jobs when she becomes involved with the deaths of two men: Pete Wolinksy, a disreputable P.I. acquaintance who is shot to death in a park; and R.T. Dace, an alcoholic, ex-con vagrant who Kinsey never met but who has left her a small fortune. When Kinsey starts looking into the deaths of the two men she discovers some intriguing connections between them. Seems that Wolinsky was investigating a doctor who may have falsified data in a pharmaceutical study involving alcoholics. There are plenty of interesting characters in this story including old favorites like Kinsey's handsome 88-year-old landlord Henry, his hypochondriac brother William, and William's wife, Rosie. Grafton does a good job of intertwining the Wolinksy/Dace story lines leading to a satisfactory conclusion. This is a treat of a mystery book.

[KOMET]

Barbara wrote: "I finished A Story Lately Told: Coming of Age in Ireland, London, and New York by Anjelica Huston. This first book of her autobiography tells tales from her childhoo..."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Besides reading the VANITY FAIR excerpt from this memoir, I also listened to radio interviews Anjelica Huston gave on NPR (National Public Radio - the 'Fresh Air' program with Terri Gross) and 'Q' with Jian Ghomeshi (Radio 1 - CBC in Toronto; available online). When the book is available in paperback, I'll check it out.

[Peggy]

I've just started reading The Cuckoo's Calling. Though I'm only 1/4 of the way through the book, after reading several independently published new authors, it's a joy reading something written by an assured hand!

[Barbara]

Peggy wrote: "I've just started reading The Cuckoo's Calling. Though I'm only 1/4 of the way through the book, after reading several independently published new authors, it's a joy reading something written by a..."

I enjoyed that book a lot ;)

[Barbara]

Rick wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished A Question of Honor by Charles Todd, the 5th book in the Bess Crawford series. In the early 1900's, young Bess lives in India where her fathe..."

@Rick - hope you enjoy the Charles Todd books :)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I am about to start the new Demille book..The Quest..actually it was written in 1975..and is now "updated"..shall keep you posted!

[Robert]

I am reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan (paperback). I am also reading Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. Both are Christian devotional books. I am reading them for personal edification and challenge. I am also reading them to capture the elements of that genre as I am planning to write a devotional book this summer.

[Barbara]

I finished The Corpse on the Court by Simon Brett. Carole and Jude are friends and amateur sleuths in Fethering, a town in England. In this fourteenth volume in the series Jude has fallen for handsome, mysterious Piers who is obsessed with 'real tennis', a game played on an indoor court. Jude's preoccupation with Piers leaves Carole feeling neglected so she decides to look into an old unsolved mystery, 'the girl in the lake', by herself. Meanwhile, the body of an elderly tennis player, Reggie Playfair, is found on the tennis court. Thus Carole and Jude undertake simultaneous - but largely independent - investigations. During their sleuthing Carole meets a woman looking for her long lost daughter and Jude discovers that the tennis court is a trysting place for lovers. The book has some interesting characters and the dual investigations dovetail nicely at the end. I'd recommend the book as an entertaining light mystery.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "Rick wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished A Question of Honor by Charles Todd, the 5th book in the Bess Crawford series. In the early 1900's, young Bess lives in India wh..."

Just read A Pale Horse. Loved it!! And I just realized Charles Todd (mom and son) are members of our James Mason Group!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I just finished
A very fast moving and quite intriguing mythological thriller.

[KOMET]

Whilst en route to my home on the East Coast (2:11 AM as I write this), I've now taken to reading The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum. It's my first Ludlum novel and its premise is that J. Edgar Hoover, the infamous Director of the FBI for almost 50 years, may have been murdered in 1972 as part of a conspiracy. Despite some clumsy prose, the novel has piqued my curiosity enough to want to finish reading it.

[David]

I'm reading Truman and I did
Not k
Like it.

[Barbara]

I finished This Body of Death by Elizabeth George. This 16th book in the series tells the story of two crimes: the murder of a toddler by three juvenile delinguents and the murder of a young woman in a London cemetery. DI Thomas Lynley, still mourning the death of his wife, returns to Scotland Yard to help investigate the second crime. His team is supervised by Acting Superintendent Isabelle Ardery, a divorced, pushy, alcoholic micromanager who is anxious to retain the job permanently. Plenty of drama ensues, some due to the murder enquiry and some due to interaction & friction among the characters. My favorite parts of the book occur when DS Barbara Havers, instructed to dress better by Ardery, is assisted in this endeavor by her nine-year-old neighbor Hadiyyah. These parts are heart-warming and fun. George does a good job dispensing clues throughout the book and the ending is satisfying. 4 stars.

[Barbara]

Rick wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Rick wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I finished A Question of Honor by Charles Todd, the 5th book in the Bess Crawford series. I..."

I like the Ian Rutledge mysteries. I'm going to add this to my list :)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

KOMET wrote: "Whilst en route to my home on the East Coast (2:11 AM as I write this), I've now taken to reading The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum. It's my first Ludlum nove..."

That one of the few Ludlum books I have not yet read. Written during his prime so has to be great

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

. I just started reading the second Robin Monarch novel. Very enjoyable and fast moving thrillers

[Seeley]

I just finished Blowback and am on to South. Blowback was incredibly realistic but I didn't buy into the danger/thrill for some reason. Really liking South so far.

Peace, Seeley

[Fiona (Titch)]

Last night I finished Private Berlin - James Patterson and now will read Private Down Under: - James Patterson.

[Malina]

I finished In the Woods,I must say, I'd heard so many good things, but I was disappointed, I didn't like the ending , thought the plot was very sole moving, but I will give the author another chance,I have a few more books of hers.

Now I'm starting The Wolves of Midwinter, I love Anne Rice's vampire novels, so far the werewolves are not as intriguing...

[Emily]

I'm currently reading 'Going Within' by Shirley MacLaine whose work I had somehow tiptoed past over the past twenty+ years.

I must be entering the "New Age" late! This is the fourth Shirley MacLaine title I've read in the past year - starting with Camino after seeing the movie based on a book by ANOTHER author. I wanted to learn about the el Camino experience which led me to Shirley MacLaine's doorstep!

[Peggy]

Jerry wrote: "Just finished Night Film. Oh my! Reading this book is like taking a Sunday drive to the mountains. The weather turns. You turn, onto the wrong road. It’s narrow, winding throug..."

Sounds right up my alley. I look forward to reading. Thanks for the lead.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I have read about a third of . It is a very eerie Victorian thriller. The synopsis describes it perfectly.

Building on his haunting, superbly written debut, The Meaning of Night, Michael Cox returns to a story of murder, love, and revenge in Victorian England.

In the autumn of 1876, nineteen-year-old orphan Esperanza Gorst arrives at the great country house of Evenwood in Northamptonshire. There she will serve as the new lady's maid to the former Emily Carteret, now Lady Tansor. But Esperanza is no ordinary servant. She has been sent by her guardian, the mysterious Madame de l'Orme, to uncover the secrets that her new mistress has sought to conceal - and to set right a past injustice in which her own life is intertwined.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Last night I finished Private Down Under: - James Patterson and will carry on reading Under Different Stars - Amy A. Bartol.

[Julie]

I am reading The Widow File: A Thriller . This book was part of the kindle first program from December. So far I like it.

[Barbara]

I finished Missing by the Swedish author Karin Alvtegen. Born into a life of privilege, Sybilla is now homeless. Sometimes she hangs out at a hotel bar and charms a businessman into paying for her dinner and hotel room. One night Sybilla chooses the wrong man and he's found dead and mutilated the next morning. Of course Sybilla is the prime suspect. Alvtegen does a skillful job developing the character of Sybilla and the mystery is well-constructed and resolved.

[Lance]

The Death and Life of Bobby Z is the book that started Don Winslow on his “drugs in Laguna” series, which isn’t actually a series as much as an attitude and state of mind. The attitude and stock company are there; the plotting isn’t quite yet. Still, it’s well entertaining. Three and a half stars rounded down to three.

Read the full review here.



Now moving on to Black Karma .

[KOMET]

Several minutes ago, I finished reading The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum. It's an high-octane action novel with the premise that J.Edgar Hoover, the infamous FBI Director, did not die a natural death in 1972, but had been murdered. (Feel free to check out my review.)

[Julie]

I am reading Big Sky Secrets

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

KOMET wrote: "Several minutes ago, I finished reading The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum. It's an high-octane action novel with the premise that J.Edgar Hoover, the infamou..."

as usual..superb review!!

[Barbara]

KOMET wrote: "Several minutes ago, I finished reading The Chancellor Manuscript by Robert Ludlum. It's an high-octane action novel with the premise that J.Edgar Hoover, the infamou..."

Looks good. I'm adding it to my list.

[Julie]

I am reading The Lincoln Deception

[Shannon]

For the next week or two i be reading on
Sister by Rosamund Lupton
Black House byStephen King
Gone Missing by Linda Castillo
Killing Floor by Lee Child
The Sixth Man by David Baldacci
Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult