WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 1,751-1,800 of 10,669

[Jerome]

Thanks for inviting me, Rick. I am reading "Among The Bohemians" Experiments in Living 1900-1939 written by Virginia Nicholson. Virginia is the daughter to Quentin Bell whose mother was the painter Vanessa Bell-Virgina Woolf's sister. I'm reading this book because I pick works that help me inform me inspire me enlighten me in any kind of way that are vaguely similar to the novel that I am writing.The time frame of my novel is the turn of the 20th century and deals with emigrants. During this time in europe and america bohemianism was active. This movement is also in my novel.
ism was Jerome Peterson

[Lai]

Jo 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..."

Hi Jo, The Gum Thief broke my heart. :)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Jerome wrote: "Thanks for inviting me, Rick. I am reading "Among The Bohemians" Experiments in Living 1900-1939 written by Virginia Nicholson. Virginia is the daughter to Quentin Bell whose mother was the painter..."

Hi Jerome- pleasure to have you in our Group! (Your Group now too!)
I have always been facinated by Vanessa Bell/Virginia Woolf
I recall reading this book some years ago- quite a fine non-fiction read

Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell

[Mary]

I am halfway through "The Passage" - not my usual fave genre, but it seems like I am reading this stuff more and more. Recently read "Hunger Games" which was really good ya stuff. Also reading "Marilyn Monroe" and "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body." I usually have 1 fiction, 1 self-help and 1 non-fiction going at a time--sometimes more, but I find that if I have 2 of the same genre going at the same time, I'll favor one, so it doesn't work.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Shay wrote: "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 ..."

I just finished reading this one, too, Shay, and really loved it. The characters were so great and the writing was so interesting.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I am currently reading two histories. One is a non-fiction biography of Marie Antoinette. It is Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser. I am also reading a Jean Plaidy historical fiction called To Hold the Crown: The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. Interesting book. The last book that I am working on is Glenn Beck's new political thriller The Overton Window which is really quite a bit better than the reviews make it out to be.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Lyn M wrote: "I am currently reading two histories. One is a non-fiction biography of Marie Antoinette. It is Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser. I am also reading a ..."

I tend to feel that those who review books by either conservatives Like Glenn beck or Liberals- are unable to keep their biases out of their reviews. Sad to say

[Jim]

I have a year-long project of reading books about Ancient Greece and translations from the original plays, epics, philosophy, and histories. It's interesting to find out that we're not so original after all: we continue to walk in other people's footsteps.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Jim wrote: "I have a year-long project of reading books about Ancient Greece and translations from the original plays, epics, philosophy, and histories. It's interesting to find out that we're not so original ..."

Jim- is there a favorite translation that standsouttoyou so far?

[Jim]

I am really fond of Robert Fagles (Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles) and Robin Waterfield (Plato). The Rex Warner Thucydides is also wonderful.

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

Rick wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "I am currently reading two histories. One is a non-fiction biography of Marie Antoinette. It is Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser. I am a..."

I think so too, Rick. And in this book the media is not portrayed in a very positive way, whether liberal or conservative. He even disses Fox News, which is his station. Not a way to get great reviews.

[Leslie]

After putting A Gate at the Stairs aside for a while, I'm picking it up again. It's darker and hits closer to home for me than Lorrie Moore's earlier novel Who Will Run the Frog Hospital, which I loved.

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

[🥀 Rose 🥀]

I am currently reading The Passage and loving it!!! excellent writer.

[Barbara]

I'm reading Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell because Rick and others in this group said it was funny and recommended it. They're right! It's clever and funny!

[Howard]

Rick wrote: "Jim wrote: "I have a year-long project of reading books about Ancient Greece and translations from the original plays, epics, philosophy, and histories. It's interesting to find out that we're not - Jim- is there a favorite translation that stands out to you so far? ..."

I can't speak for Jim, who seems to have excellent taste. But I would offer Richard Lattimore's translation of The Iliad and Allen Mandelbaum's rendering of The Odyssey. These two are the best of those I have encountered. It is regrettable that Lattimore did not do an Odyssey nor Mandelbaum an Iliad so far as I know. Either would have been remarkable.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "I'm reading Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell because Rick and others in this group said it was funny and recommended it. They're right! It's clever and funny!"

so happy you are enjoying it Barbara! I really was taken by surprise by how great it was- I liked the description on the book flab- and decided to give it a try- and WOW!!!!!!!!!!

[Shay]

I concur with Howard. Lattimore's translation of the Iliad is the best, I have read about 10 different translations. The Lattimore translation was recommended to me by my Ancient Greek Philosophy prof and that is the translation I have stuck with for the past 19 years. I still reread it about once every year or so. Although I am open to suggestions, haven't done my Iliad reread in a while.

[Marialyce]

I am starting Her Fearful Symmetry today as well as reading Atlas Shrugged.

[Linda]

Shay wrote: "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 ..."

I understand you wanting to take your time and savor the experience, but no worries - Austen's novels are just as enjoyable the 2nd (or 3rd time) around IMO!

[Linda]

Rick wrote: "I tend to feel that those who review books by either conservatives Like Glenn beck or Liberals- are unable to keep their biases out of their reviews..."

Yeah, I just looked up the summary and reviews on Beck's novel and someone commented that people were giving it one star before even reading it. Way to be open-minded! I personally like Glenn Beck and am curious about his new book.

Lyn, I will be interested to hear what you think about The Overton Window when you finish.

[Jan]

I just finished A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters, an Amelia Peabody mystery. Although this author isn't British her main characters, Amelia and Emerson, are and she has captured the feel of British adventurers in the late 19th and early 20th century. I also wanted to be an archaeologist when I was a kid so that's why I started the series at the first book, Crocodile on the Sandbank. I haven't missed one of the series and highly recommend it as 'light' reading.

[Shay]

I must confess that once Mr. Bingley left, I just had to know and finished the book really quickly. But, you never read it like the first time, where I didn't know who would end up with who. For a while, after Bingley left I though perhaps Darcy would end up with Jane and Elizabeth with Mr. Wickham. (Darcy did think Jane prettier when they first met.) Don't laugh, I've never seen even a movie version of the book.

[Emma]

I just finished up Holy Fools by Joanna Harris, and love it!
And just started Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, because I have had it, and The Handmaid's Tale on my shelf for so long, I feel like I really need to read at least one. I am thoroughly engaged so far!

[Melissa]

I have The Blind Assassin on my TBR pile, too. I am waiting for The Year of the Flood to come out in paperback.

[Emma]

Glad to hear you're a fan of The Blind Assassin. This is my first dive into Atwood ad I am really excited. I am only about 60 pages in, but I am loving the mysertious quality of it already. I think I am going to really enjoy it!

[LeAnn]

Emma wrote: "Glad to hear you're a fan of The Blind Assassin. This is my first dive into Atwood ad I am really excited. I am only about 60 pages in, but I am loving the mysertious quality of it already. I th..."

I loved The Blind Assassin, but I've always been a Margaret Atwood fan. It's such a hard book to categorize. The elements of science fiction and mystery along with the history (I believe it's set just before and during WWII) all made it highly fascinating for me.

[[deleted user]]

I read SO many books at one time. I love all genres (well, not like those creepy gay books.), and I am currently reading:

The Princess Plot
The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ
The Reckoning
And I think there's one more...but I can't remember right now...

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I am reading ONCE A SPY-by Keith Thomson a Thriller- with sidesplitting dark humor about a degenerate Gambler and his former top spy father- who has early onset alzheimers - who are on the run- this book is brilliant- superb characters, plot, dialogue and a sensitivity to the terrible disease- yet somehow almost every page has me laughing out loud or unable to guess what will happen next- A classic in the making!!!

[Petra]

Emma wrote: "Glad to hear you're a fan of The Blind Assassin. This is my first dive into Atwood ad I am really excited. I am only about 60 pages in, but I am loving the mysertious quality of it already. I th..."

I loved The Blind Assassin, but I've always been a Margaret Atwood fan. It's such a hard book to categorize. The elements of science fiction and mystery along with the history (I believe it's set just before and during WWII) all made it highly fascinating for me...."


I'm a big Margaret Atwood fan and The Blind Assassin is one of my favorites, as was Oryx & Crake, The Year of the Flood and Payback: Debt And The Shadow Side of Wealth (quite witty).

[Petra]

I'm currently reading 2666 because it's been on my bookshelf for awhile now and it's one of the Summer Reading List from another Group I belong to. Seems like a good time to read it.
So far, it's an odd book and I'm not sure how the Parts fit together.....but there's still a lot of book left so I'm sure things will fall into place.

[Lai]

Currently reading Lamb by Christopher Moore. A friend gave it to me as a birthday present last month, she said it has replaced To Kill a Mockingbird as her all time favorite book now, so will see. But so far, i am enjoying the first few pages.

[Barbara]

Rick wrote: "I am reading ALWAYS A SPY-by Keith Thomson a Thriller- with sidesplitting dark humor about a degenerate Gambler and his former top spy father- who has early onset alzheimers - who are on the run- t..."

Thanks Rick. I'm putting this on my to-read list.

[Emma]

LeAnn wrote: "Emma wrote: "Glad to hear you're a fan of The Blind Assassin. This is my first dive into Atwood ad I am really excited. I am only about 60 pages in, but I am loving the mysertious quality of it a..."

I also have the Handmaid's Tale on my shelf, what did you think of it? I have heard such great things about it, but I would love to hear what you thought of it.

[Emma]

Wow, so many fans of Atwood. I admit, this is my first foray into her writing, but I am loving the style so far. And the story-what a mystery! I hope to get into her other works, but wonder if I will love her others as much as I am loving this one!

[LeAnn]

Hm, it's been a LONG time since I read it --- probably 20 years ago. At the time, it was very scary to me. It's a dystopian novel about the near future that eerily predicts some things we take for granted now (no one uses cash in the story, but ATM cards, although I don't know what she calls them). In this dark future, a cabal gains control of the U.S. and deletes all the financial accounts for women who have proven their fertility by having children. These women are then forced to serve as "handmaids" to women who can't have children. It's a very brutal, Old Testament kind of society. Now that I think of it, it reminds me of what the Taliban did to women in Afghanistan.

I can't say that I enjoyed or liked it, but it made an impression on me obviously and made me think and I do like that more than being entertained sometimes. I think it was written in the first person, which can make dark stories darker.

[Catamorandi]

I am reading Cassidy by Lori Wick. Someone gave it to me in the hospital. She is a Christian author. It is good so far.

[Petra]

Lai wrote: "Currently reading Lamb by Christopher Moore. A friend gave it to me as a birthday present last month, she said it has replaced To Kill a Mockingbird as her all time favorite book now, so will see. ..."

Lai, Lamb became a favorite of mine, too. It was sarcastically funny and a wonderful tale of true friendship. I hope you enjoy it.

[[deleted user]]

Marialyce & I are reading & discussing Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver if anyone would like to join the discussion they are very welcome. This is the thread, it has just been started.

http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

[Leslie]

I am reading Wayson Choy's Paper Shadows: A Memoir of a Past Lost and Found. I love the opening scene in which he discovers that he was adopted, like many children who grew up in Vancouver's Chinatown. The suspense, ghost stories and fragments of tales drawn from Chinese culture make it a engaging read. Certain aspects remind me of the Japanese immigrant experience, as filtered through my grandmother's recollections.

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

[Werner]

I'm currently reading two books: Eragon by Christopher Paolini and G. K. Chesterton's mystery story collection, The Innocence of Father Brown. The former is the book I'm reading out loud to my wife, who's a fan of draconic fantasy, and she's the one who purchased it (but I'm thoroughly enjoying it, too!). The latter is what I'm reading on my own; I picked it because I'd previously read and liked a couple of the Father Brown stories, and my interest in the author was piqued by some recent reading and discussion.

[Emma]

LeAnn wrote: "Hm, it's been a LONG time since I read it --- probably 20 years ago. At the time, it was very scary to me. It's a dystopian novel about the near future that eerily predicts some things we take for ..."
That's exactly what I am hesitant about: I am not the biggest fan of post-apocalyptic or futuristic fiction. I might hold off for a while and see if I get in the mood for it. Thanks for the input!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Werner wrote: "I'm currently reading two books: Eragon by Christopher Paolini and G. K. Chesterton's mystery story collection, The Innocence of Father Brown. The former is the book I'm reading out loud to my wif..."

WONDERFUL WERNER!! Ilove the Father Brown stories- and the fact that you are reading them aloud to your wife is so very touching

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I have had no time to read lately, so I am WAY behind on things. I have four books going so far, and am desperately trying to keep up:

To Hold the Crown: The Story of King Henry VII and Elizabeth of York by Jean Plaidy. I think I am liking this book better than some of the people in the group I am reading it for. I like the story, but am surprised at the characterization of the main focus since it is not represented the way I remember it. Interestingly, I either read this book in the not too distant future (I don't think so though) or a read a book that went through the exact same parts of Henry VIII's young life, because that part of the book, and the chapter about Perkin Warbeck in Scotland, I am finding VERY FAMILIAR, like almost word for word.

Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser. I am slowly slogging through this one. I have to say, I am enjoying the information, but it is a very slow read. Small type and lots of info to digest. Additionally, everyone is telling me how heavy the end is, so I am almost afraid to get there.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. I am only about 20 pages into this one, but I have wanted to read it for a long time. So far I like her writing and portrayals, but I am still at the stage where she is introducing all of the characters.

The Overton Window by Glenn Beck. This book is a real departure for Beck who usually writes either non-fiction political books or really sweet, sentimental fiction. It is a political thriller (the politics part is not a departure) and is a lot better than the reviews it is getting. I think the bad reviews are due to the fact that Beck does not positively portray government and the media in the book. He is equally critical of both the liberal and the conservative side, and even disses his own statipn, Fox News. I think a lot of people will be surprised by this book as they will probably be expecting it to be a liberal bashing treatise.

[Jan]

Werner....the lost art of reading aloud.....there should be much, much, more of it! I read David Copperfield to my family on a long trip. It helped pass the time and introduced my boys (who were eight and ten)to a book they would not otherwise have read or understood. Just because children can read, doesn't mean they don't need to be read to. Perhaps we need a goodreads-youtube link where members can read aloud to eachother!

[Lai]

Jan wrote: "Werner....the lost art of reading aloud.....there should be much, much, more of it! I read David Copperfield to my family on a long trip. It helped pass the time and introduced my boys (who were ei..."

I'd love that Jan.:) I love storytelling, i spent some summers volunteering as a storyteller for kids at a children's museum here in the Phils.

[Britta]

I am reading.. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman.
1. Because I'm a huge fan of Pratchett
2. Because I realized that I'm a fan of Gaiman without ever having read one of his books.. Guess I love the books made of his movies, and his general character :) I will read a book solely by him one day, but this was the only one available to me right now :3

I do usually read several books at the same time.. I actually have quite a few half-way through, but as I just moved country, and boxes still remain completely unpacked, I don't have access to them right now.

I may not be reading them yet, but I do have a large pile of books next to my bed that I will be reading next!

What I love about summer - lots of reading time :)
(What I do not love about summer(at least right now) - the completely excruciatingly unbearable heat that we're experiencing right now.. it is not fun)

[Werner]

Actually, Rick, Eragon is the book I'm reading to my wife. She's more into fantasy than mysteries. :-)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

finally figured out why I am so nuts over ONCE A SPY by Keith Thomson- its writing and characters are like like combining Carl Hiaasen with Vince Flynn!!
A perfect blend- still chuckling over some of the jokes in the book!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Werner wrote: "Actually, Rick, Eragon is the book I'm reading to my wife. She's more into fantasy than mysteries. :-)"

well- the title is not so significant as to the wonderful image of you reading to her!

[Mackenzie]

I'm reading Conflict In Blue: Behind The Badge by Richard Whitaker, because in another group, we're sending it around to be read. It's pretty good so far! :)