THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
Peter wrote: "Since my son was initially diagnosed with autism (or asbergers) my wife and I decided to read as much autism books as possible in as short a time as possible. I think we read at least thirty in tot..."My son was diagnosed with Asperger's about 10 months ago. It was like a light turned on about what was "wrong" with him and we were really able to help him a lot better. He's like a different child. About two months after he was diagnosed, he told me he loved me for the first time in his life. When you get the diagnosis, it seems so awful and then you have a breakthrough. I hope you have many breakthroughs, Peter.
I'm making headway with Going with Gabriel, which I won on one of the site giveaways a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty hard going to start off with, but seems to be picking up somewhat.Before that, I read all the Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse books. I'd been bought the boxset as a birthday present and whizzed through them all in about a week!
Minnie wrote: "Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Let me know how you get on with Far From The Madding Crowd I read and really enjoyed Tess of the D'Urbervilles, but I found the end shattering. I had to find a c..."Hi Minnie,
I am reading Far From the Madding Crowd .
It is a group read on another book club here. So, it will be awhile until we are finished. So far, I love it, but I will let you know in September when we are done.
LeAnn wrote: "Catamorandi wrote: "I am reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It is part of a challenge I am doing."I just picked up The Angel's Game by Ruiz Zafon today after bro..."
I think you ladies are going to like them. They are quite wonderfully written and quite mysterious.
Marialyce wrote: "LeAnn wrote: "Catamorandi wrote: "I am reading The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. It is part of a challenge I am doing."I just picked up The Angel's Game by Ruiz Zafon t..."
Looking forward to it (after I finish A Tale of Two Cities and a biography of Shakespeare and as long as I don't get sidetracked reading Sookie Stackhouse novels -- yes, I've got eclectic reading tastes).
I am currently reading Blood Meridian by Comac McCarthy.
I have just finished reading Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri. Beautiful, simple, thought provoking stories.
I am about to start La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexabder McCall Smith
I am about to start La's Orchestra Saves the World by Alexabder McCall Smith
I'm currently working my through the Felix Castor series. I'm the middle of 3rd one (Dead Men's Boots) at the moment.
Peter wrote: "Since my son was initially diagnosed with autism (or asbergers) my wife and I decided to read as much autism books as possible in as short a time as possible. I think we read at least thirty in tot..."A few years back I read a highly creative and surprisingly uplifting novel written from the perspective of a boy with aspergers - Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Have you read it? I would definitely recommend. The author worked with autistic children before writing the novel, and provides great insight into what it might feel like to see and inhabit the world from this different but all too human perspective....
Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com
Peter & Shay, I commend you for researching your sons' conditions. I have an adult son with intellectual disabilities who was also ADHD. I remember reading the first book (wish I could remember the title) that described my 2 year old "whirling dervish" (sp?) who still did not talk. The doctors blamed me for his not talking! I just sat & cried ... it was such a relief to know that I was not this huge failure as a parent and it gave me some great tips for working with him. He is 35 now and a great joy!! I wonder if you could recommend a good book on autism for me to read. I am a Special Olympics coach & have just begun to work with a 14 year old autistic boy. His mother is a great help, too, but I don't know if she's a reader. Thanks for any help.
Rick wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "That would be priceless, Rick."Here is exactlywhat the cover of the annotated Holmes i found and bought- used in my Local library! $2 each- total cost- $4.00 for both Vol I and II..."
Rick, that's a steal! Great find!
I haven't read any Sherlock Holmes and I would have been sorely tempted with these books at that price. I keep thinking I'd like to try one but other books keep rising to top place.
Gail "cyborg" wrote: "Minnie wrote: "I would like to hear your thoughts on Far From The Madding Crowd. It seems stuck in the back of my memory bank and won't come forward. I do like the title, however...."Minnie we ..."
I read them long ago but remember really enjoying Far from the Madding Crowd, The Mayor of Casterbridge andJude the Obscure but not really liking Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
I've just finished Part 4 of 2666. This is a brutal section of the story. This book is very well-written, an interesting story (actually a few loosely connected stories) and yet is very dense and hard to read. I'm taking a break before reading the last part of the book by reading Pride and Prejudice.
@Martha,try the The Autism Answer Book which is a good general book on autism. Many people on some of the message boards I am on give this out to relatives, caregivers, and teachers. If you don't know, stay away from any Jenny McCarthy style "autism cure" books which seem to have really created a schism in the autism/Asperger's communities. (The kind of books that say you can cure it by diet, vitamins, not vaccinating,etc.) You do not want to start this conversation with people, trust me.
Thanks so much, Shay! I can imagine the discussions that would cause!!
Petra wrote: "I've just finished Part 4 of 2666. This is a brutal section of the story. This book is very well-written, an interesting story (actually a few loosely connected stories) and yet is ver..."I am anxious to see your review of 2666, Petra. I am thinking that it might make a great winter read.
Mod
Here is exactlywhat the cover of the annotated Holmes i found and bought- used in my Local library! $2 each- total cost- $4.00 for both..."
Petra and others who would like to sample Sherlock Holmes for free- here is a link to Project Guttengerg-which has every book online- takes seconds to download- for free!
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/1661
At the moment I have been sucked into reading the Twilight books and am now on the third one called Eclipse! I love it. The characters are just so well written, I can't put the books down!
I'm reading "The Tales of a Jazz Age," by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Syncopated and spattered wording style is heard underneath Scott's storylines. Just amazing. His fascination/obsession with the losely veiled images of his own wife, Zelda, are stark and gorgeous. I'm glad I picked this old volume up this week.Started early this morning (2:30 AM) "The Particular Saddness of Lemon Cake," by Aimee Bender. Highly recommended by all and sundry in literary circles here. It seems very good so far.
I'm anxious to see what everyone's reading and why!
Texas Roads, Cathy Bryant. Why guilt, have watched her blogs & facebook page and never got around to any of her books. Its great so far! Yes Texas is far from England but I do read yank stuff too.
Mod
Have not heard of that book Bill- curious to see if it holds up to end!
Mod
LOVE Fitzgerald- especially his stories- I have both his complete stories, and The Price Was High- The Uncollected stories Of F Scott!
I am about to start
on a Buddy Read. Anyone can join us it you would like. There will be a thread for the book soon.
I'm listening to Around The World in 80 Days by Jules Verne while I pack up the last of my stuff and do my move out clean.
Just finished Occupation about the Nazi occupation of France in WWII. If you are a history buff it's a good addition to your reading list but it does lay to rest some of the myths about that troubled time in the history of France. Very interesting.
Mod
mary- very curious about who is the narrator/reader of that Verne audiobook?
Currently reading Comac McCarthy's Blood Meridian.I am trying to work my way, slowly, through McCarthy's books. I need to give myself space between his books because they are so dark but so lyrically written.
Mod
I am trying to work my way, slowly, through McCarthy's books. I need to give myself space between his books because they are so dark but so lyri..."
Rose- have never read him- interested in hearing your thoughts
I have started reading Blindness http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...
Mudbound http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3... , both for Buddie Reads. If anyone would care to comment they are welcome.
Mudbound http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3... , both for Buddie Reads. If anyone would care to comment they are welcome.
I started
for ideas on structure. I hear he weaves some disparate plots together, which I think is going to happen in my next book.But I'm really enjoying it now. Vividly told.
Dave wrote: "I started for ideas on structure. I hear he weaves some disparate plots together, which I think is going to happen in my next book.But I'm really enjo..."
I really enjoyed this book and it is on my library book club's agenda for November. Happy to hear you are writing another book. I will be on the lookout for it when it comes out. Good Luck!
Currently I am reading A Game of Thrones. I was instantly engrossed into the book enjoy how the chapters are actually updates on each character. I understand this is a long epic with multiple books and if it is anything like the first 100 pages it will be a great read.
Rick wrote: "Rose wrote: "Currently reading Comac McCarthy's Blood Meridian.I am trying to work my way, slowly, through McCarthy's books. I need to give myself space between his books because they are so dar..."
I have read The Road, No Country for Old Men as well. His writing is hypnotic. To be honest you don't enjoy reading it at the time due to the dark nature of his books. But they stay with you forever. I'm intrigued by that feeling.
I'm reading Blindness for the Buddy Read. Just found myself caught short with another book, from the library. I can't renew it because it had a last minute hold on it, so I have to read it by tomorrow at 7pm. The Kitchen House. Don't you hate when that happens?
Dave wrote: "I'm also STILL reading Light in August, still loving every line."We are doing that for an October read in my library.
Shay wrote: "I'm reading Blindness for the Buddy Read. Just found myself caught short with another book, from the library. I can't renew it because it had a last minute hold on it, so I have to read it by tomor..."Yes and no. Shay! I love having to read a book that has to go back so it gives me an excuse to do nothing else. :) and no because I feel stressed. :( How is the book by the way?
So Rick - I am liking the Sherlock Holmes stuff so much that I went out and bought the two volume Bantam classics versions that are supposed to have everything. It's all your fault!
Seriously, I can't believe that I waited this long to read them.
Mod
It's all your fault!
Seriously, ..."
haha- wonderful to hear! to use the name of a great Dr Seuss book- Lyn- by reading all the Holmes stories- "Oh, The Places You Will go"!
Mod
We are doing that for an October read in my library."
Dave wrote: "I'm also STILL reading Light in August, still loving every line."
I find it interesting that some brilliant authors are really either loved or strongly disliked by readers.
William Faulkner is a favorite of mine- but I know many that find him a bit dry- same goes for Henry James- another love him or dislike him author. (I like James as well)
Marialyce wrote: "Shay wrote: "I'm reading Blindness for the Buddy Read. Just found myself caught short with another book, from the library. I can't renew it because it had a last minute hold on it, so I have to rea..."The Kitchen Help was a really good book. Just finished it about an hour ago. I was surprised at how unsentimental it was.
Rick, Henry James is also a favorite of mine, though many people do find him dry. I don't know that I've read any Faulkner, but I will have to get some.
I am currently reading Cutting for Stone and in the first 10 pages, you are hooked!
I just finished The Shadow of the Wind and am now reading The Thirteenth Tale.
Mod
I've nearly finished The Color of Magic, which I picked up because I kept seeing Pratchett's name on the shelves when I was looking for Mervyn Peake. I've heard a plethora of good things about the Discworld series, so I figured I'd give it a shot. So far, I like it--it's no Hitchhiker's Guide, but it's good.I'm also working on Caravan to Xanadu, which I picked up because I've been on an adventure kick lately, and it was only $1.
Lastly, I've just started an ebook version of A Princess of Mars that I downloaded from manybooks.net. I had heard the John Carter of Mars series mentioned before on IO9, and it sounded like it might be good.
I'm reading Stewart Lee's How I Escaped My Certain Fate, which has been fascinating so far. I love Stew and I always appreciate it when he shares his influences; this is quite the treasure trove.
I'm also quite close to finishing Boy A, but I'm scared to go further 'cause I've seen the film and I know what's going to happen! x(
I'm also quite close to finishing Boy A, but I'm scared to go further 'cause I've seen the film and I know what's going to happen! x(
I am reading
I am a cake decorator so enjoy reading books that contain cake and murder! lol.. This book is set around a network cooking show and challenge. It is an ok read, maybe a little slow but I love the 'Food network cake challenge' on tv and it reminds me a little of that.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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Minnie we will both have to wait until Marialyce finishes reading it. I have only read Tess of The D'Urbervilles.