WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 2,101-2,150 of 10,669

[Martha]

Gini, I only listen to unabridged books, too. I've never understood why people would want to read an abridged version.

[Deborah]

I was interested to find, on another group having to do with audiobooks, that many people have their favorite narrators for books. I haven't listened enough to identify any, but now I'm going to start doing that. Some of the audios have really been a flop with me because of the narrators.
Do any of you have favorites...or certain ones that were good with certain books?

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Deborah wrote: "I was interested to find, on another group having to do with audiobooks, that many people have their favorite narrators for books. I haven't listened enough to identify any, but now I'm going to s..."

I do notice that on many audiobooks- the actor John Rubenstein is the narrator- have not listened to any- but he is a very fine actor
if only James Mason could have lived long enough to narrate audiobooks!!!

[[deleted user]]

Gini wrote: "Le Pion De La Prophétie wrote: "Some people believe reading will die out in a few years. I refuse to believe it."

Studies like this one stating that one in four Americans didn't read a single bo..."

WOW!!! That just opens my eyes to more of the world.

[[deleted user]]

Gini wrote: "Le Pion De La Prophétie wrote: "Pretty soon people are gonna have books read by machines to them. Not as good as

That's been happening for years! Audiobooks are big selle..."

I forgot those!! But that is true!!

[Barbara]

Rick wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I was interested to find, on another group having to do with audiobooks, that many people have their favorite narrators for books. I haven't listened enough to identify any, but no..."

I think a great narrator is C. J. Critt who does Janet Evanovich's Steohanie Plum series. Another good narrator is Will Patton who reads James Lee Burke's books about detective Dave Robicheaux.

[Jason]

I just finished A Secret Kept I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I was actually moved.

Reviewed on my blog: http://wp.me/pTRJE-3Q

[Karen]

Guardians of the West
Part of a fantasy series I wanted to get going on for a few yrs. I love david eddings


andVirgin River
Some one loaned this book beginning of another series I had started the forth book in and now I am playing catch up.

sorry neitehr are british LOL

[Lyn (Readinghearts)]

I just finished The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. GortnerExcellent Historical Fiction book about the French Court. Now I am reading Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, which is excellent so far. Guess I am sort of a HF jag. I am also just starting The Stand: Complete & Uncut which I am reading with a group that breaks big books up into 50 page chunks and reads one section per week then discusses it. We are going to be reading the book until sometime in January, lol.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "Rick wrote: "Deborah wrote: "I was interested to find, on another group having to do with audiobooks, that many people have their favorite narrators for books. I haven't listened enough to identif..."

Will Patton is also a very good character actor in films!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Karen wrote: "Guardians of the West
Part of a fantasy series I wanted to get going on for a few yrs. I love david eddings


andVirgin River
Some one loaned this book beginning..."


neither have to be British! some great choices there, Karen!

[Martha]

Richard Thomas narrated Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. He did a wonderful job. I would definitely choose him for more audiobooks.

[Rita]

Jo wrote: "I'm reading Mockingjay"

Jo, I am so envious! I would love to be reading that now! But I am 127th on the wait list at my library. My husband agreed to buy it if he gets to read it first.

In the meantime, I'm reading Fire by Kristin Cashore and Enna Burning by Shannon Hale and Inkheart by Cornelia Funke.

[[deleted user]]

Rita wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Mockingjay"

Jo, I am so envious! I would love to be reading that now! But I am 127th on the wait list at my library. My husband agreed to buy it if he gets ..."

I'm getting Mockingjay on September 6th

[Kyle]

I hope to be getting Mockingjay tomorrow in the mail! I've decided that pre-ordering is pointless especially if the book has so much suspense on it!! I've gone to the library twice in as many days just to find it even though its coming in the mail D:

Rita, Fire by Kristin Cashore is very good. Differnet from Graceling but very very good.

[[deleted user]]

Jo wrote: "Rita wrote: "Jo wrote: "I'm reading Mockingjay"

Jo, I am so envious! I would love to be reading that now! But I am 127th on the wait list at my library. My husband agreed to buy i..."

You got it from the library?

[Emma]

I am currently re-reading Northanger Abbey. I began it in order to discuss it in the Buddy Reads, but for some reason, my work has a filter that is not allowing me to view the discussion. I am so upset, because I seem to alwyas be on goodreads at work, and when I want to post to the discussion, I cannot. Well, I guess I will have to make more of an effort to jump on the computer at home.
But I am loving NA even more the second time around!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Emma wrote: "I am currently re-reading Northanger Abbey. I began it in order to discuss it in the Buddy Reads, but for some reason, my work has a filter that is not allowing me to view the discussion. I am so..."

Emma- at work- you cannot access Goodreads at all or just the Buddyread?

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Just checked- Mockingjay is halfprice on Amazon 8.75

http://www.amazon.com/Mockingjay-Fina...

[Petra]

Rick wrote: "Just checked- Mockingjay is halfprice on Amazon 8.75

http://www.amazon.com/Mockingjay-Fina..."

Already at half price?!!! I'm surprised. Still waiting for the Library to get it's copies. I'm not as enthralled with the series as most and don't mind waiting until I hear from them.

Currently I'm reading Pride and Prejudice and am surprised that I'm finding it quite a yawner. I had expected more. It's not bad, slightly amusing at times but somehow so meaningless and shallow.
I'm also listening to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which is a sweet and touching story and yet so drawn out. I am interested in seeing how the rest of the story unfolds, though....just wish it would hurry along a little bit.

[Shay]

Rick wrote: "Just checked- Mockingjay is halfprice on Amazon 8.75

http://www.amazon.com/Mockingjay-Fina..."

It's $8.45 at B & N but I'm still back to school shopping.

[Jason]

I just finished the action packed read that is Mixed Blood

Reviewed here: http://wp.me/pTRJE-40

[Rita]

Rick wrote: "Just checked- Mockingjay is halfprice on Amazon 8.75

http://www.amazon.com/Mockingjay-Fina..."

Thanks, Rick!!! I ordered it. It will arrive on Saturday. So excited.

[[deleted user]]

Thank you guys! I am gonna go buy it now.

[Emma]

I can access buddy reads and see everything that is posted, but every time I go to post a comment, the links aren't "active". It's really annoying since the majority of my goodreads purusing is done at work. I frequently see things I would like to comment on or discussions I would like to join, and then I am unable to. It's a real bummer, because by the time I get home, I forget either what group/conversation it was or what it was I wanted to say. :(

[Emma]

Rick, you had mentioned reading the Mysteries of Udolpho once, what did you think of it? Is it a difficult read? I am not very familiar with its premise or really anything other than its references in Northanger Abbey but would love to hear your opinions of it. Thanks!

[Lori]

I am reading A Distant Mirror: the Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara Tuchman. I have owned my copy for over 10 years and am finally getting around to reading it. It is a very detailed and fascinating look at life during a period of history that makes the terrifying 21st century look good in comparison.

[Shane]

I just finished reading The Magus - a British book - will be posting a review on Gooodreads shortly.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Emma wrote: "Rick, you had mentioned reading the Mysteries of Udolpho once, what did you think of it? Is it a difficult read? I am not very familiar with its premise or really anything other than its references..."

it was a good read- dry at times- but well worth the effort- very Gothic- and dated- but a very original book!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Emma wrote: "I can access buddy reads and see everything that is posted, but every time I go to post a comment, the links aren't "active". It's really annoying since the majority of my goodreads purusing is do..."

Emma- I am as baffled as you- as all our discussions are open to all- please write to me- and copy and past any messages that you get when you try to post- it must be some kind of glitch- which I will do my best to work out.
Rick

[Emma]

I think it may have been a work filter problem, because I was able to do everything perfectly today. Thank you for your assistance, though, I absolutely love this group and was so sad when I wasn't able to participate! :(
But it looks like I am back in action. If I am unable to post again, I will certainly let you know! Thanks!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Emma wrote: "I think it may have been a work filter problem, because I was able to do everything perfectly today. Thank you for your assistance, though, I absolutely love this group and was so sad when I wasn'..."

happy to hear Emma!!!! ps: invite all your friends to join :>))))

[Lev]

I'm reading half a dozen books at the same time and have downloaded two more to my new iPad. But I'm spending most of my time at the moment hawith Trollope's "He Knew He Was Right," a compelling story of jealousy and the struggle for women in Victorian England to find a place ford themselves. I never read him until recently but absolutely love "The Eustace Diamonds" and "The Way We Live Now." He's a wonderful story teller and I enjoy entering his world.

[Lev]

Lori wrote: "I am reading A Distant Mirror: the Calamitous 14th Century by Barbara Tuchman. I have owned my copy for over 10 years and am finally getting around to reading it. It is a very detailed and fasci..."

I ADORE this book and will never forget Enguerrand de Coucy. I first read a Tuchman book when I was twelve, The Guns of August, and forgot all about her until someone recommended this book. It's so rich and compelling it's hard to believe at times.

[Book]

Un Lun Dun Fantasy book club, and it sounded interesting

[Erich]

I've been returning to the books from my early years: Agatha Christie, Paul Scott, Kipling and Maugham....because Christie reminds of how to interrogate characters (via Poirot), Maugham and Scott remind me of my first intrigues with becoming an expat. And I read slower now. I pay closer attention.

[Helen]

Hello I have been a member of this group for a while but haven't posted here. I have just finished The City & The City - the first book of China Mieville's that I have read (the author of Un Lun Dun, of course, mentioned by Amy, above.

I thought it was brilliant and I'll be reading others of his.

[Martha]

I'm listening to Farewell My Lovely by Raymond Chandler. Having some trouble with the "N" word. I'm from the south so it's not like I haven't heard it before and from family at that, but I've never been comfortable hearing it and refused to allow my mother to use it around my boys. Other than that I'm enjoying the book. I guess in all, it's not as bad as the horrid language on the HBO series, "Deadwood", which we loved, but hated the profanity which was almost a whole character of "Deadwood" in itself.

[Marialyce]

Oh I have trouble with that word too, Martha. I recently read Mudbound and found it truly bothered me every time it was written. I think that is a good thing though. At least our sensibilities have been heightened to that point where name calling is bothering us. As to the profanity, it seems like many authors and writers of TV and movies today define their characters by the number of times they use the f word. Truly a shame in many cases, I think.

[Shay]

My real problem with that kind of language is when authors use it as some kind of shortcut to be "edgy". It reminds me of that whole Pulp Fiction/American Psycho era of American "entertainment" where there seemed to be an element of trying to top what came before. Like people were getting so numbed to gore and language that it was like a never ending race to see who could be most shocking.

[Jesslynn]

IDK...i'm a big user of the "F-word"...and I don't use it in derogatory context most of the time. I use it as an adjective and it kinda gets on my nerves when i see ppl start screeching about it bcs it offends their sensibilities or whatever.
for me language/words depend on the context and yeah, for me it's sometimes necessary to use those offensive words.

[Martha]

I guess it was just a shock to hear it in a conversational way, not meant as a putdown ... at least in the mind of the speaker. It was just like saying that "guy", but as a way to describe the individual. It definitely is a putdown. Another one in my mind that is as bad is calling someone by the "R" word. As the parent of a mentally challenged adult, that offends me as well. And I know it offends my son. OK enough soapbox. I am enjoying the book ... it's been years since I've read any Chandler. Hammett is next! Or maybe Rex Stout. :-)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Martha wrote: "I guess it was just a shock to hear it in a conversational way, not meant as a putdown ... at least in the mind of the speaker. It was just like saying that "guy", but as a way to describe the indi..."

I love thrillers with real authentic language- meaning four letter words- I don't think many Gangsters spoke like Jeeves! but as far as the N- Word- I despise it and it is a real turnoff for me to see it in a book- just like I hate all derogatory words for any Groups- be they race, religion, sexual orientation ect- I consider characters cursing different- because many thrillers take place in high anxiety situations and it would simply not seem "real" if a sniper exclaimed "oh, dear" if he missed a target.

[Jesslynn]

It's a distasteful word, obviously, but do you rate books lower bcs of it?
Like in to Kill a Mockingbird...it's used and that's a total classic.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Jesslynn wrote: "It's a distasteful word, obviously, but do you rate books lower bcs of it?
Like in to Kill a Mockingbird...it's used and that's a total classic."

very good point, Jesslynn- I think it comes down to the fact if it is used gratuatively- or as part of portraying a specific time, era or place as Mockingbird did.
It is used many times by Mark Twain - I cringe when I read it- but realize that it was written many many years ago and is reflective of the times when the books were written- I am all for free speech- just not speech meant to harm others or incite-

the fact is that in many books there are unsavory characters who are going to say things that right-thinking folks would never say- it is ugly- but it is reality-

as Gregory Peck told Jem in the Movie after the boy witnessed his father being spit on "There are alot of ugly things in this world son, I'd like to protect you from them all, I'm afraid I just can't"

[Shay]

I like Marialyce's point that the fact that we object so much to the N-word is a good sign. I mean it's beyond not liking it, it's cringing and recoiling from it. But, that is how it was and if we sanitize the past, we also do a disrespect to people who were called that because it lessens the horrors and miseries of their lives.

I think when looking at the past we should cast a harsh eye on ourselves right now and think how we will be judged by later generations. I mean I have Muslim friends who immigrated to America. They love this country and chose to live here. They are good Americans and they are afraid to live in their own country (America) at times. I have a cousin who is gay. He was in town visiting and asked me about the nightlife and I suggested a bar close to our house. He said, no a gay bar because he wanted to be able to relax without being afraid of ending up like Matthew Shepherd. So, the nearest gay bar was to far away to drive to and he stayed in. In other words, he too is afraid to live in his own country sometimes.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Shay wrote: "I like Marialyce's point that the fact that we object so much to the N-word is a good sign. I mean it's beyond not liking it, it's cringing and recoiling from it. But, that is how it was and if we ..."

VERY WELL PUT, SHAY

[Teipu]

I'm reading A Great Deliverance by Elizabeth George in German.
I think I got the book from my grandma a while back and she also got it from someone else. I'm reading it because I felt like reading some book in German again and it was on top of my German to-read-pile.

[Barbara]

I'm reading Epidemic: The Past, Present and Future of the Diseases That Made Us by Dr Robert Baker. It's about how virses, bacteria, parasites, etc. have shaped the evolution and cultural development of humans. It's written for the lay person and is quite interesting.

[Prudence]

I'm reading Jurassic Park and I am reading it because it was recommended, but also I hear it is better than the movie. So far, it is about ten thousand times better than the movie! :)