WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 2,501-2,550 of 10,669

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Wendy wrote: "I love Margaret George. I haven't read Helen of Troy, but I own it. It's on my TBR list. I read The Memoirs of Cleopatra, and Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isle..."</i>

<i>Kyle wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through [book:Helen of Troy by Margaret George. It's really good, not as good as Memoirs of Cleopatra but still very good and well researched.

Sorry..."

so glad to see fellow Margaret George readers! I have everyone of her books - my favorite is Henry VIII because of the Will Somers (His Fool) notes! a great read!!

[Larry]

I'm finding this Gulliver of Mars quite tedious to be honest, I think I've had enough of a Mars that's just like Earth, with english sopeaking martians, trees, rivers and flowers! And the writing is headache stuff! Just get on with the story already-and its over 600 pages (tho realistically closer to 400)
I need a break, something different, might pick up some classic horror

[Kristina]

The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze & Back in Chinese Time

as part of the Seasonal Reading Challenge - read a book about travel to somewhere you have yet to visit.

Kristina

[Gwennie]

Rick wrote: "Wendy wrote: "I love Margaret George. I haven't read Helen of Troy, but I own it. It's on my TBR list. I read The Memoirs of Cleopatra, and [book:Mary Queen of Scotlan..."

I haven't read this yet, I have to confess that I'm afraid I won't relate to him at all. My favorite was Mary Queen of Scots too. It made me cry so hard.

[Flora]

Kyle wrote: "I'm about 3/4 of the way through Helen of Troy by Margaret George. It's really good, not as good as Memoirs of Cleopatra but still very good and well researched.

Sorry..."

I have Helen of Troy on my to-read list. I keep meaning to get started on it but keep getting sidetracked on other books. Am glad to hear its really good that gives me more motivation to get started on it.

Currently I'm trying to get into The Dracula Dossier: A Novel of Suspense. So far its really dry and slow going. If it doesn't improve I shall trade it for Helen of Troy

[Gatorman]

I have just begun A Quiet Belief in Angels based on a recommendation. So far so good.

[Petra]

I'm listening to The 19th Wife, which has 2 parallel stories running; one in the present and one during the beginning of the Mormon Latter Day Saints Church. Interesting. Some of this fictional history is quite incredible.
I've just started reading The Wives of Henry Oades. I've been meaning to read it for awhile but other books have gotten in the way. It's off to an interesting start.

[Kyle]

Just finished Helen of Troy, so good! I liked how George ended it after the fall of Troy I thought it was very well done.

[Shay]

Kyle wrote: "Just finished Helen of Troy, so good! I liked how George ended it after the fall of Troy I thought it was very well done."

If you haven't, give The Aeneid a read. One of my favorite books.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

I am really enjoying No Such Creature- it has an Elmore Leonard tinge to it that is very entertaining- I really would not call it a "crime thriller" as several cover blurbs referred to it- it is more like a comic crime caper with very original characters!
Best is Max Magnus- a Charles Laughton-esque actor turned theif who speaks as if he is a character right out of Shakespeare/Dickens- very very funny

[Cecilia]

I am going to start October off with these two books.

Buddy Read for this group-- The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Pen Pal Read for another group-- The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard

[Kyle]

I'm reading The Tenth Parallel by Eliza Griswold. The prologue already has me hooked and thinking. I can't wait ot dive in deeper.

[Marialyce]

Cecilia wrote: "I am going to start October off with these two books.

Buddy Read for this group-- The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer

Pe..."

Am really interested in The Scent of Rain and Lightening, Cecilia. Please let us know what you think.

[Larry]

Gave up on Gulliver, now I'm reading , my first Le Fanu read.

[Curt]

The Aeneid- Roman propaganda. Homer gives a more objective view. Which makes the story of the siege that much more real. Shakespeare's take on it, is probably closer to than contemporary English uppercrust than either Trojan or Greek.

[Cecilia]

Curt wrote: "The Aeneid- Roman propaganda. Homer gives a more objective view. Which makes the story of the siege that much more real. Shakespeare's take on it, is probably closer to than contemporary English up..."


LOL!! You don't believe that the Great Aeneas survived the sack of Troy and is the Great Grandfather of Romulus and Remus???? Maybe that is why Dante gave Virgil a special place in Hell!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Larry wrote: "Gave up on Gulliver, now I'm reading , my first Le Fanu read."

major Le Fanu reader here!

[Tracey]

At the moment I'm reading my way through Terry Pratchett's Discworld series - I like to treat myself to a read-through at least once a year. He and Douglas Adams are by far my favourite authors although I have so many other fav's that I wouldn't even begin to list them all here.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Tracey wrote: "At the moment I'm reading my way through Terry Pratchett's Discworld series - I like to treat myself to a read-through at least once a year. He and Douglas Adams are by far my favourite authors al..."

LOVE Discworld- I have an entire shelf in my home library dedicated to the Discworld books- about 30 in all!

[Larry]

Rick, did you get my private message?

[Aloha]

I had to put aside . I couldn't get past the forced part where they became sappy with each other after he bit off and ate her body parts, and she doesn't have a "being eaten" fetish. I like WJW's style of urban writing, and I can see he's a writer not afraid to push the boundaries, so I'm going to pick up his other book , when I'm done with some of the books I'm currently reading. I heard that was a better book.

I'm in the middle of listening to audio. It's well-written in the old horror style, with beautiful descriptions and wording. Unfortunately, since I saw the movie first, it's hard separating the book from the movie and not making comparisons. The book is better than the movie, IMO.

On my iPhone, I'm continuing with , but not as enthusiastically. That's only if the paperback and the audio is not practical or available where I am.

On paperback, I am reading . That is a wonderfully well-written book so far. The Japanese horror movie "Audition" was based on that. I heard the movie is excellent, as well as the book.

Speaking of Japanese books, last week I had a major craving for Asian writing, in particular books by Japanese authors. I think it was the popularity of Haruki Murakami, who is up for the 2010 Nobel Prize in literature, and Bryan's referring me to some cutting-edge Japanese novelists whose horror movies were based on. I had a bunch of these books put aside on my Amazon wish list, when I decided to do a search on eBay for them. By a very lucky chance, I encountered a person with a HUGE collection of books by Japanese authors who is moving abroad. Last night, I won the almost complete collections of books by Natsuo Kirino (Grotesque, etc.), Yasunari Kawabata (1968 Nobel Prize in literature), Yukio Mishima (of the staging his own suicide fame by taking over Tokyo's headquarters and committing seppuku), Miyuki Miyabe, Ryu Murakami (In the Miso, etc.), and Kobo Abe (The Woman in the Dunes, etc.). All for $150. All in great condition, some in hardback. I would have spent 3 times that were I to purchase them all on Amazon. And I know I would have purchased them all over time.

[Curt]

Dante was being nice. There might have been a truce of some kind between Rome And Florence.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Larry wrote: "Rick, did you get my private message?"

YES INDEED LARRY!
here is my review.....

From the starting line "All aboard ship was quiet but for the faint nuclear hum,which after 8 months becomes unnoticeable" this story grabbed me and did not let go- the characters,plot and dialogue were uniformally superb- complex yet inviting, nuanced in a manner in which all readers-regardless of preferred genre can and will appreciate. This story is a WINNER Rick

[Larry]

Wow thanks Rick! I need to find the time to work on the next installment

[Casi]

I am reading a book that was recommended to me by a friend, titled Love Unscripted, by Tina Reber. I am freaking so into this book and it pained me to put it down to check my email! I highly recommend it! This author has managed to make me laugh out loud and shed actual tears - which I haven't gotten from any other books lately. Ok, back to reading. Bye all!

[Ann]

I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tell...one minute I love it, the next I am just liken it...I am mid-way thru but still excited...

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Rick wrote: "Larry wrote: "Rick, did you get my private message?"

YES INDEED LARRY!
here is my review.....

From the starting line "All aboard ship was quiet but for the faint nuclear hum,which after 8 mo..."

I see novella or even novel for your story Larry

[Shay]

Ann wrote: "I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tell...one minute I love it, th..."

I started Ape House yesterday. It will take me a while to get through it because I'm reading 8 books, three of them long. World Without End, Fall of Giants, and Gone With the Wind.

[Martha]

Shay wrote: "Ann wrote: "I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tell...one minute I..."

Oh Shay, that's what I usually do. I'm finally down to just 4, but am wanting to start 2 more - the Moonstone for a group read & a non fiction. takes me forever to finish a book b/c I read so many at a time!!

[Marialyce]

We, girls do like those long books for sure! I have got six going right now. Three of the same ones as Shay. I think we just tend to get distracted by books! (and that's a good thing for sure!) :)

[Cecilia]

Ann wrote: "I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tell...one minute I love it, th..."

I loved Water for Elephants! Please share your thoughts about APE HOUSE when you finish.

[Cecilia]

Nanette wrote: "Cecilia,

The Invisible Bridge sounds great!"

So far so good. Slow start, lots of character development... so I have to program my brain towards a more European Style novel.

We just started a Buddy Read on this book... Stop in and see what is going on and join in if you would like.

[Mary X]

I am reading Whose Body by Dorothy Sayers. My first by her. I'm a big fan on 1920-40's mysteries. Set in as well as written in that time frame.

[Jan C]

I love the Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey stories. I have re-read them frequently but not lately.

[Shay]

I'm about 1/6 of the way through Ape House and I'm not seeing what the fuss is about. It's a pretty average book. The only time the books is really good is when the bonobos are front and center. They are the stars of the book. The human characters are flat, one-dimensional, and cliched. A very blah book.

[Ann]

Cecilia wrote: "Ann wrote: "I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tell...one minute I..."

Cecilia...I could not put down 'Water for Elephants'...'Ape House' I have put down, alot...too soon to say how I feel about the whole but clearly no 'Water'

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Ann wrote: "Cecilia wrote: "Ann wrote: "I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tel..."

very well may be a one book wonder here- Water for Elephants set the bar so high- stores probably clamored for another Gruen novel ASAP

[Ann]

perhaps that is the fear I have towards putting out my second 'Call Upon a Dream'...and the real reason behind my not yet publishing it...hate the second book let down...I remember when I read 'The Secret Lives of Bees'...I really enjoyed it and recommended it to everyone...then came 'The Mermaid Chair'...perhaps I will publish my third before the second and eliminate the let down...do you think it will work?

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Ann wrote: "perhaps that is the fear I have towards putting out my second 'Call Upon a Dream'...and the real reason behind my not yet publishing it...hate the second book let down...I remember when I read 'The..."

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN!!

[Casi]

Ann wrote: "I am currently reading 'Ape House' by Sara Gruen...I waited for weeks for this book to arrive because I read 'Water for Elephants' and LOVED it...this one is hard to tell...one minute I love it, th..."

I finished WFE in 2 days. Thoroughly enjoyed the story, but wished there was more "meat" to Jacob and Marlena's love affair. Just my personal opinion.

[Jesslynn]

Just read Best Friends Forever. I picked it up randomly @ the used book stored and I loved it. Thought it was a cute, laugh out loud story.

[Kristina]

The Map That Changed The World by Simon Winchester

another one for the book challenge

[Barbara]

Jan C wrote: "I love the Dorothy Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey stories. I have re-read them frequently but not lately."

Mary and Jan C, I agree. Lord Peter is so charming! AND a great amateur detective!

[Barbara]

I'm reading The Winner by David Baldacci. It's about a woman who accepts the opportunity to win a rigged lottery - 100 million dollars! So far there's no clue as to why the lottery was rigged or why she was chosen...but I'm intrigued.

[Aloha]

came in from Amazon today. It's a really cool book with zombie illustrations even if you're not planning to practice drawing them, which I'm planning to. I'm bored. I need new amusements.

[Alexa]

i'm ready Beautiful Creatures. i've been wanting to read it for a while now. i finally saw it a my library and got all excited.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "I'm reading The Winner by David Baldacci. It's about a woman who accepts the opportunity to win a rigged lottery - 100 million dollars! So far there's no clue as to w..."

Love all David Baldacci novels!!!

I am just about done with NO SUCH CREATURE by Giles Blunt- if you like Elmore Leonard- you will LOVE this book!!!

[Jill H.]

Just started Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith. The story line is not quite the same as the Hitchcock film. It is a very dark and disturbing book.

[Connie]

I just finished because I love the Dexter T.V. show and I had read the first book. I'm currenly reading , which unlike a lot of people on this site, I really like, I'm about 200 pages in (but my library ebook holds keep coming available and I have had to put a few of them in front of The Passage). And now I need to start for my bookclub meeting on Monday. Hopefully that will be a quick read since I only have a week to finish and if it sucks that would just be draining!! :)

[Connie]

Rick wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading The Winner by David Baldacci. It's about a woman who accepts the opportunity to win a rigged lottery - 100 million dollars! So far there's..."

Kind of off topic but it's funny you mentioned Elmore Leonard. A couple months ago all of us at work had never heard of the country Djibouti (we were watching "are you smarter than a 5th grader" at lunch and it was the answer to a question). Then all of the sudden I'm hearing about Djibouti everywhere. And now Elmore Leonard's new novel is called, you guessed it, Djibouti. Funny how that happens, you've never heard of something and then all of the sudden it's everywhere! :)