THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
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I am reading Blindness. Which is awesome so far and finishing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince I think I am the only person on the planet that has never read this series...until now.
I haven't finished the series either. I've been trying to read books I can let go of to clear out the house, but so far I'm bringing in more than I'm taking out!
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>>>>raises hand>>>>>>> never read a Harry Potter book!
Rick wrote: "Kristina wrote: "I am reading Blindness. Which is awesome so far and finishing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince I think I am the only person on the planet that has never ..."I didn't really care for Harry Potter. I get that it was good, I just didn't really like it. Stopped reading after about the fourth or fifth one. I actually preferred the Redwall series for children's fantasy books.
I just read the last Harry Potter Book this past summer, with my daughter. I did enjoy them. I think by the time I got to the last book I felt vested in the characters and it was good to see it through.I guess too, because I read them with my daughter I sort of watched the HP crew grow up through her eyes. That makes it pretty special.
Okay... Enough of that mushy stuff.
I am back to
for the buddy read. I am going to read chapter 8 & 9 tonight and tomorrow and will probably finish Part 3 by the end of the weekend. Things are getting exciting.
Cecilia wrote: "I am reading Faithful Place
by Tana French.I am really enjoying this book. Ms. French is getting better and better with every nove..."
This was a wonderful book! I got it from the library, but because it was written in first person and the protagonist was hilarious! I actually went back on got it on audio book so I could get the full affect of emotion of the book. The audio with the Irish brogue really added to my enjoyment. Just thought I would pass that along.
You're probably right Cecilia, if my son had enjoyed Harry Potter, I probably would have enjoyed them more. He really hated the series.
Continuing my 1001-books-you-should-read-before-you-die kick, i've just finished Atonement, which I really quite enjoyed and I'm now starting The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
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I heard wonderful things about The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Why? Alright, here it comes, I've never read it. Thus far, a few chapters in, I'm loving it.
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Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Why? Alright, here it comes, I've never read it. Thus far, a few c..."
Does Judith Anderson come to mind when you read Miss Danvers character,Ivan?
Rick wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Why? Alright, here it comes, I've never read it. Thus..."
"Last night I dreamed I went to Manderly again"....one of the great first lines in a novel. Ivan, I think you will really like the book. I thought the film casting was perfection, especially Dame Judith Anderson as Mrs. Danvers. A great film IMO
I am currently reading Indelible Ink. It's set in Sydney around my old haunts from when I first moved here umpteen years ago. I love the language, love the descriptions of the places. It has drawn me back. The book has such a lovely fresh feel about it. Yum.
Where did you live before that Gail?Rick I've heard a lot about Pillars, but never read it. Sounds like you would recommend it.
Rick wrote: "Ivan wrote: "Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier Why? Alright, here it comes, I've never read it. Thus..."
I haven't encountered her yet. I'm only just 60 pages in and I believe the chapter I'm about read will introduce her character. Still, I can't imagine not calling Anderson to mind.
Jan wrote: "Where did you live before that Gail?."
Outback NSW. I moved to Sydney when I finished school. Love it.
Outback NSW. I moved to Sydney when I finished school. Love it.
Ivan, I've never read Rebecca either, so don't feel like a cultural ignoramus! (Or if you are one, at least you have company. :-))
I just finished Wuthering Heights, which I loved. And decided to start The Hounds of the Baskervilles. It seems like it will be a fun, easy read.
Flora, I quite enjoyed Hound of the Baskervilles. It was the first Sherlock Holmes book I read but won't be the last.I just got back from a few days of visiting my step-dad. While away, I finished reading Coffee: A Dark History (interesting in parts; dry in parts) and Crocodile on the Sandbank. I really enjoyed Amelia Peabody and will be reading more of the series.
I've now started Island of the Sequined Love Nun because I'm in the mood for wacky and off-the-wall and Christopher Moore usually provides that.
As well, I'm listening to The Golden Mean, which I'm really enjoying but wish I knew more about Aristotle and Alexander The Great. The recording is almost lyrical in how the story comes together. I requested this one from the Library awhile back and have finally gotten to the top of the Request List.
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I just got back from a few days of visiting my step-dad. While away, I finis..."
I love Christopher Moore!! have most of his books!
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Rick I've heard a lot about Pillars, but never read it. Sounds like you would recommend it."
Jan- it is quite long- and I am reading two other books with it- but each time its turn comes- i really fall right back into the story- very well drawn characters, quick pace, so very original
Rick wrote: "Petra wrote: "Flora, I quite enjoyed Hound of the Baskervilles. It was the first Sherlock Holmes book I read but won't be the last.I just got back from a few days of visiting my step-dad. While..."
I'm reading
right now. I read
a few months ago. I was kind of disappointed at how he ended the trilogy.
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interesting, Barbara- are Swedish mysteries written quite different than US mysteries? facinated to hear how you like SUN STORM
Shay wrote: "I'm reading Fool right now. I read Bite Me a few months ago. I was kind of disappointed at how he ended the trilogy...."Shay, I enjoyed Fool. I haven't read Moore's vampire books but will get to them one day, I'm sure.
My favorite still is Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal.
I'm enjoying Island of the Sequined Love Nun. I enjoyed the character of Tucker Case in The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror, Version 2.0, so am glad to read another story featuring him.....and Roberto, the fruit bat.
At the moment I'm reading an early science fiction novel from 1901 called A Honeymoon In Space! Its an e-book I downloaded for free from project gutenberg. As for why well I'm sort of on a vintage history of science fiction kick at the moment-started with War of the Worlds and working my thru the early years of the 20th century. I'm also reading an old book on bird song and a book about the origins of our domestic cats!
I've discovered Anita Brookner and I've finished 2 of hers so far and I'm working on #3 - Strangers, Hotel du Lac and Rules of Engagement---
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was she recommended to you by anyone?
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have you ever heard of Phillip K. Dick?
Petra wrote: "Shay wrote: "I'm reading Fool right now. I read Bite Me a few months ago. I was kind of disappointed at how he ended the trilogy...."Shay, I enjoyed Fool. I haven'..."
I finished Fool. Really loved it. A lot of people are now writing takeoffs either based on the novels themselves or on the characters. (Think of what a industry Jane Austen has spawned.) This really sets the bar though, haven't read another one as good as this in a while, if ever. I'm now reading Island of the Sequined Love Nun. Are a lot of his books Shakespeare "inspired"? (Fool=Lear, Island=Hamlet)
Rick wrote: "Larry, have you heard of Philip K Dick?"Yea I've read a few Dick but I dont rate him that highly to be honest. Flow My Tears the Policeman Said being so far the only novel of his I enjoyed. Too much drug influence for my liking.
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Yea I've read a few Dick but I dont rate him that highly to be honest. Flow My Tears the Policeman Said being so far the only novel of his I e..."
I enjoy Eddings- have his three main series- Belgariad, the Malloreon and The Elenium- have you read them?
if so, Larry- Belgariad,& the Malloreon - must they be read back to back - or can one take a break btween the 5 books in each series?
Rick, I have read some of the Eddings book but I'm not really a fantasy reader. However I do know from my other half who DOES read fanttasy, that the Mallorean is a series that follows on from the Belgariad. I just can't be doing with long series of books that seems to be the norm with fantasy.
I am currently reading Mine Til Midnight by Lisa Kleypas because I wanted to read more romance novels by Lisa Kleypas.
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is that one of her contemporary novels? or historical?
I'm reading the Bartimaeus trilogy.
Robotgirl33 wrote: "I'm reading the Bartimaeus trilogy."I. LOVE. THOSE. BOOKS!!!
Sorry...but the trilogy is a favorite of mine :D
I'm re-reading Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon because I can't go to the library until tomorrow and I need to re-read it for No Mercy anyways.
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I. LOVE. THOSE. BOOKS!!!
Sorry...but the trilogy is a favorite of mine :D"
Robotgirl33 wrote: "I'm reading the Bartimaeus trilogy."
never heard of "Bartimaeus trilogy" what can either or both of you tell me about it! Love trilogies!
Shay wrote: "I finished Fool. Really loved it. A lot of people are now writing takeoffs either based on the novels themselves or on the characters. (Think of what a industry Jane Austen has spawned.) This really sets the bar though, haven't read another one as good as this in a while, if ever. I'm now reading Island of the Sequined Love Nun. Are a lot of his books Shakespeare "inspired"? (Fool=Lear, Island=Hamlet)..."Is "Island.." a take-off of Hamlet? I haven't read Hamlet or heard of the story line, so I can't comment on this aspect. I would be interested in knowing, though.
I'm really enjoying this book. It's meandering story and out-of-the-blue one-liners is brilliant. I'm guessing that Prince Charles (if he's read the book) cringed at the reference to his famous tampon line. I don't think that incident will ever really go away.
I enjoyed Tucker Case's character in The Stupidest Angel and am enjoying his story throughout Island as well.
I just finished Blood Harvest by S.J. Bolton - Scary mystery set in England. Why did I read it? Love mysteries and thrillers.Natalie :0)
Rick, The Bartimaeus Trilogy Boxed Set by Jonathan Stroud is about magicians, daemons, and a new take on the British Empire.It centers around a Nathaniel, a young boy who wants to be a magician (people who harness the powers of demons). Demons are broken up into a bunch of categories (I don't remember them all right now). Nathaniel is extremely intelligent but over-zealous and summons a Djinn (about the 3rd most powerful level of demon I think) named Bartimaeus, the other main character. The trilogy centers around the exploits and events that the two go through together.
The books are told from Nathaniel's, Bartimaeus's POVs. In Bartimaeus's pov there are little footnotes that explain things in their world, most are really witty and just plain entertaining.
The British empire is the most powerful empire in the world because they have the strongest magicians after defeating Prague...but just go ahead and read them to learn all that. They are soooo good.
I'm FREAKING out...I just checked the books out to see what other people have rated it and theres going to be a FOURTH one in November called The Ring of Solomon: A Bartimaeus Novel!!!!I. AM. TOO. PUMPED.
I'm reading North & South, which I'm actually really really enjoying. Historical Fiction tends to be one of my favorite genre's, still this series made me nervous and I would never have picked it up on my own. I hate to admit I judged the book prematurely and was afraid I would find it slow, but a friend of mine read my favorite series (Diana Gabaldon, Outlander) and in return she asked me to read the North & South trilogy. Despite my earlier misgivings I'm quite involved.
Rick wrote: "Kyle wrote: "Robotgirl33 wrote: "I'm reading the Bartimaeus trilogy."I. LOVE. THOSE. BOOKS!!!
Sorry...but the trilogy is a favorite of mine :D"
Robotgirl33 wrote: "I'm reading the Bartim..."
Basically, it's about a boy named Nathanial who wants revenge on a man named Simon Lovelace. Nathanial and Lovelace are magicians, and Lovelace owns an artifact called "The Amulet of Samarkand" (That's also the name of the first book in the trilogy by the way) that he murdered someone to get. The amulet protects people from any spell or hex, you see. One day, lovelace went to go visit Nathanial's master/mentor, Arthur Underwood. Nathanial was very bright, he already knew magic twice his level. Lovelace would constantly put him down, saying he was slow, stupid.
"You're just a sore loser" Nathanial says. Then Lovelace turns him upside down and beats him until he's unconscious. Nathanial wants revenge and summons a djinni (Excuse me if that was a misspell) named Bartimaeus to steal the amulet. Then the police along with Lovelace come after him...
well, this is a very long summary. but you should really read them!
Kyle wrote: "Robotgirl33 wrote: "I'm reading the Bartimaeus trilogy."I. LOVE. THOSE. BOOKS!!!
Sorry...but the trilogy is a favorite of mine :D"
Woop!
Djinni is right, I forget the there was that second 'i' at the end :P Theres going to be a fourth one! :D Sorry I'm still excited about that haha!
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Books mentioned in this topic
Confessions on the 7:45 (other topics)Amity (other topics)
Truly, Devious (other topics)
We All Fall Down (other topics)
Get Even (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Monica Rodden (other topics)Lisa Unger (other topics)
Natalie D. Richards (other topics)
Maureen Johnson (other topics)
Gretchen McNeil (other topics)
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He's one witty, insightful guy.
Long way to go; I hope it holds up.