WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 1,701-1,750 of 10,669

[[deleted user]]

Thanks Barbara. I picked it up purely because I trust the friend who recommended it. I know nothing about it. :)

[Mary X]

I'm reading City of Masks because it looked good and I love ghost type stories. I'm only 20 pages in but so far so good. City of Masks: A Cree Black Novel Daniel Hecht

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I just finished Skeletons at the Feast by Chris Bohjalian, which I thought was a phenomenal book about WWII. Now I am starting Hold Still by Nina LaCour. It is a Young Adult book about a the aftermath of a suicide, and has been highly recommended to me by one of my son's best friends.

[Melissa]

I started The Benevent Treasure by Patricia Wentworth today and so far I'm loving it! The author was recommended to me by a fellow mystery lover. I found some of her books at the library today and rather randomly picked one out.

[Sheila]

Jo wrote: "I'm reading Misery"

I highly recommend that you read "On Writing" by Stephen King. It will give you a lot of insight into the foundation of Stephen King's talent and his great gift of storytelling.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Marialyce wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "The Great Santini by Pat Conroy after finishing The Lost Summer of Louis May Alcott. (This was a wonderful fictionalized story of Louis May Alcott and the romance th..."

Thanks Marialyce. I already have My Name is Mary Sutter on my TBR, and I have just added Little Bee. In fact, when I added it, I saw that most of my GR friends that I rely on for recommendations have already read it and rated it 4 or 5 stars. The others all have it listed to read.

[P.Q.]

Sheila wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Misery"

I highly recommend that you read "On Writing" by Stephen King. It will give you a lot of insight into the foundation of Stephen King's talent and his gr..."

I checked it out at my library. I haven't cracked it open yet though. I am looking forward to reading it. He's one of my all time favorite writers.

[Zuzana]

Ivan wrote: "Speed Reading, Speed Dating, Fast Food....no one wants to take the time to appreciate the prose, the person or the flavors. I wouldn't want to watch a film in fast forward, so why would I want to ..."

Great discussion! I always savor every word of a good book and, hence, read rather slowly. I sometimes envied people who read faster, since they were able to get through more books. But then many of these friends and acquaintances say things like, "I read that, but I don't remember what happened in it." O_o What's the point?! I'm not quite comfortable with my slow-mo reading! :D

[Gail]

Love this discussion of reading speeds. In high school we were required to take a speed reading course, but only if we were in "College Track", presumably to help us cope with all those gigantic college textbooks coming our way. It was interesting, in a sort of scientific way, to see how fast one could read while maintaining, I believe, an 85% comprehension level. That said, I'd never go back to that system again. If it's a mindless read, which I've pretty much eliminated from my mental diet, I go lickety-split. Other books take lots of time, and sometimes a second reading immediately, to get to the heart of the matter. Often I have to slow down quite deliberately. And the multi-media age has done nothing to help me with my wandering mind.

Reading right now Working IX ot V, a pretty funny and light read about culture in the Classical world. Funny and informative.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

facinating selection of books you are all reading!
I continue to trudge (happily) through The Poe Shadow and am enmeshed in the latest Dr Michael Palmer thriller - The Last Surgeon- which has one of the most frightening villians I have ever read about - simply because he is so outwardly "normal" yet pure evil on the inside!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

interesting article on "Found Stieg Larson Manuscripts"

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-ent...

[Barbara]

I'm reading Out of Range by C.J. Box. It's part of a mystery series about Park Ranger Joe Pickett. In this book Pickett is looking into the suicide of his friend, a fellow ranger. C.J. Box books are always good; I recommend his books for mystery lovers.

[Marialyce]

I am about to start My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares. I am also finishing up The Great Santini today. I finished The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter last night.(It is hard to say how this book affected me. I think its tone of desperation for the people living during this time was the main current for the author. While her writing was able to depict characters and settings well, the overwhelming theme was one that offered little hope for the situations of racism, aloneness, and boredom. To be stuck in this reality that one had no ability to change one's life and that the only way out was through death was depressing. Perhaps the currents of that time following the depression and pre World War 2 produced this morose feeling for the author and her writing.

[P.Q.]

I am currently reading "The Summer of Moonlight Secrets" by Danette Haworth. It's an ARC that I won here on goodreads. The story is a young adult tale about a strange girl who appears at the Meriweather Hotel and makes friends with Ali Joe, the girl who lives there with her parents who work at the hotel, Chase, a young boy who's father is an author, and Sophie, the sweet pretty girly girl and the love interest of Chase. Tara is different and it's not long before they all realize there's something "special" about her as she swims with the manatees. Who is she....what is she?
It's a good book. The author tells the story strictly through first person POV and alternates between the three main characters, Ali JO, Chase, and Tara. I've only got about 25 pages left so I expect to finish it today.

[Lisa]

Currently I'm reading:
The Mindful Way Through Depression - pretty self explanatory.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath- so many of my friends love this book so I thought it was about time I read it. So far it is good but I'm only about 20 pages in.
Classical Mythology - school text book
Tales of Greek Heroes by Roger Lancelyn Green - my easy read
I also have The Book of Margery Kempe started but I have had to put that on hold as it fell into a bucket of water and required some major first aid. Currently it is in the process of getting (sort of) re-flattened after spending a week in front of my fan to get dry so that it doesn't mildew and pass it on to my other books.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Lisa wrote: "Currently I'm reading:
The Mindful Way Through Depression - pretty self explanatory.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath- so many of my friends love this book so I thought it was about time I read it. So ..."

My best wishes for a speedy recovery for The Book of Margery Kempe!!!

[Mystique]

Well, I usually read several books in tandem, so I have one around that suits my mood. The one that I have the most trouble putting down today is "The Dogs of Babel" by Carolyn Parkhurst.

I'm reading it because it was up for swap and had great reviews. It looked slightly mysterious. That's right - I judged a book by its cover!

I have to say, it's the first book that has really grabbed me in a long, long time.

[Lai]

I just finished The Eyre Affair and i really enjoyed it. I'm now on to Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland. I started reading Nick Drake's Nefertiti, Book of Dead but I stopped after the first few pages. I found the language to be so annoyingly contemporary and inelegant for a story set in ancient Greece.

[[deleted user]]

I'm a multi-tasker...i'm reading Misery, The Hunger Games, Eating Animals, and more.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Lai wrote: "I just finished The Eyre Affair and i really enjoyed it. I'm now on to Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland. I started reading Nick Drake's Nefertiti, Book of Dead but I stopped after the first few pages...."



This a wonderful book by Michelle Moran - a novel on Nefertiti - I bought it- and Ms. Moran has a website where she sends free autographed bookplates to those who email her - I did and received 3 in the mail the other day- which I placed on the inside cover of my copy.

[Lai]

Rick wrote: "Lai wrote: "I just finished The Eyre Affair and i really enjoyed it. I'm now on to Gum Thief by Douglas Coupland. I started reading Nick Drake's Nefertiti, Book of Dead but I stopped after the firs..."

Thanks, Rick! Hope I find a copy in our local bookshops, Amazon takes at least 3 weeks to ship orders from the Philippines.

[Suzanne]

I'm reading Number9Dream by David Mitchell because, well, I need to catch up on my David Mitchell. His new book looks great, but I need to read some earlier books first.

[[deleted user]]

I'm reading Ulysses at the moment...pretty much devoting my entire time to trying to understand just what the hell is going on :)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Dan wrote: "I'm reading Ulysses at the moment...pretty much devoting my entire time to trying to understand just what the hell is going on :)"

haha!! Dan- you are a very brave man!!!

[Cliff]

I just picked up a copy of Satan's Chamber by Molly Best Tinsley and Karetta Hubbard. I was browsing a bookstore and the first chapter captivated me. Can't wait to read more!

Cliff Scovell
www.prison-earth.com

[Leslie]

I am readingToo Much Happiness: Stories by Alice Munro. Normally, I love her work, but this latest collection is not striking a chord with me. The final story has a kind of fake Chekov feeling (exotic European locales), and I found myself yearning for Munro's earlier stories set in the Canadian cities and towns she knows so well.

Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Leslie wrote: "I am readingToo Much Happiness: Stories by Alice Munro. Normally, I love her work, but this latest collection is not striking a chord with me. The final story has a kind of fake Ch..."

interesting Leslie- Ms. Munro is one of Canada's premier authors- do you have a favorite Munro work?

[Leslie]

I absolutely loved Runaway: Stories! The story called "Chance," which focuses on a Classics student named Juliet, was particularly memorable for me. She is on her way to becoming a Classics professor when she meets her future husband on a train, derailing her life and leading her to unexpected happinesses (and miseries). A different life altogether.

(Perhaps it struck a chord with me because I am ex-academic who wishes her course of study had been led off track....)

[Evelina A.]

Reading HOOD by Stephen Lawhead. Loving it so far. Just ordered his 2nd book in the series, SCARLET.

[Linda]

Just joined and have to put in my two cents.
I'm currently reading Gulliver's Travels and Dracula. Working on adding to my list of "have reads" in preparation for teaching Brit. Lit. next year.
Also, I try to choose books from the 1001 Books list, but don't limit myself to only those titles.
Also currently reading "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment" for my own spiritual growth.

[Judith]

Just started E.E. Cummings' only novel, "The Enormous Room". Turns out it is nonfiction though: his memoirs of when he was a prisoner in France for four months during WWI. And it's humorous! Who knew!?

[Shay]

I'm reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time. I was educated at a time when Jane Austen (and most women authors) was not considered real literature. From the first page, I could tell that it was a book I could zip through in a day. That's how much I enjoyed it. I've been slowly parceling it out to myself because she wrote so few books and I will never read them for the first time ever again. (Does that make sense?)

[Leslie]

Rick wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I am readingToo Much Happiness: Stories by Alice Munro. Normally, I love her work, but this latest collection is not striking a chord with me. The final story has a ..."

Just thought I'd let you know that when I couldn't sleep last night, I began writing in my blog about Munro and how she has helped me at some very low points over the years.... Full response can be read at: www.the-reading-list.com

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Leslie wrote: "Rick wrote: "Leslie wrote: "I am readingToo Much Happiness: Stories by Alice Munro. Normally, I love her work, but this latest collection is not striking a chord with me. The final..."

What a wonderful essay about you and Munro and your "Secret Treasures"- very touching and VERY WELL WRITTEN- highly reccomend all read Leslie's heartfel blog

[for-much-deliberation]

Hi everyone, Hi Rick, I haven't been around in a while, whats happenining....

Right now I'm reading 'Catch 22', I bought this almost 3 years ago and I've just never gotten around to reading it, Its going ok for now, some humor here and there....

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Thinker wrote: "Hi everyone, Hi Rick, I haven't been around in a while, whats happenining....

Right now I'm reading 'Catch 22', I bought this almost 3 years ago and I've just never gotten around to reading it, ..."

Great to see you back Thinker!!!- Group is going great! so many terrific folks!

[for-much-deliberation]

No probs, I see some new members too, thats great!

[Marialyce]

I am reading a book recommended by our librarian, Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCamm after finishing My Name is Memory. (This was a wonderful book about love through the ages. It revolves around a soul's ability (in this case Daniel) to be reborn again and again having the ability to remember his past lives. Daniel falls in love with a young girl he names Sophia and searches through thousands of years to find her. He is pursued by his evil brother who also posses the ability to remember but does not recognize the souls he is looking for. How Ann Brashares puts it all together is both fascinating and intriguing. I would like to think that we are all reborn souls searching for love and acceptance just like Daniel and Sophia.)

[Leslie]

Thanks, Rick! I am new to this, but I must say that I'm really enjoying venturing into the world of blogging and literary social networking. The immediacy of being able to connect with other readers and writers so quickly is very appealing.

[Classyreader]

I am reading Hamlet. I want to get back into reading Shakespeare and this one is the one I have read more often. Next is MacBeth.

[Vergil]

hi!i am currently reading the Sam Bourne's final reckoning and i am about to complete it so after that i am gonna read "the brotherhood:the world of Freemasons"

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Leslie wrote: "Thanks, Rick! I am new to this, but I must say that I'm really enjoying venturing into the world of blogging and literary social networking. The immediacy of being able to connect with other read..."

so pleased to hear you are enjoying Group,Leslie!!!
Rick

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I am reading a new Book- Once A Spy-by Keith Thomson I am about 50 pages in - and I can already tell it is a winner. Funny, Thrilling with a lead character who adds a new meaning to the word "shallow"!!!

[Marialyce]

I am starting Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver because I have read all of her other novels and like her style. I finished reading Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Marialyce wrote: "I am starting Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver because I have read all of her other novels and like her style. I finished reading Let The Great World Spin by Colum McCann."

Marialyce- how are you girls doing with The Heart is a Lonley Hunter_ seems like some of you are not thrilled with it- hope you girls keep the buddy-read going and choose a more exciting book!

[Marialyce]

I know, Rick, it was quite the depressing tale. I guess its age is showing, but it was wonderfully written with an edge that certainly was part of the era it came from. I did finish it happily glad to move on to something else. :)

[Ivan]

The Devil Rides Out by Dennis Wheatley - because it's been one my list for a long while.

[Scott]

I am currently reading The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo due to all of the hype that it has gotten. I am about 140 pages into it. There has been a huge amount of detail given in the book already but I am waiting to see some action.

[Leslie]

I have read the first half of the sequel, The Girl Who Played with Fire. So far, it's excellent - action-filled and psychologically complex! I read a review that lauded the sequel for giving more attention to the character development of Lisbeth Salander. She resonates with me on several levels... (My full response can be read at my blog).

Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com

[Evelina A.]

Reading The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. Since I'm neck deep in a historical fiction challenge, my choices have been leaning in that direction. Gortner is happily reminding me that smart, sexy HF is not only written by the ladies!