THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
Continuing our buddy read of Stephen Lawhead's King Raven trilogy, my friend Jackie and I just started on the third volume, Tuck.
Am slowly making my way through The Likeness by Tana French. It's only going slowly due to my moving and school obligations. Otherwise, it is a very enagaging read and so far a good follow up to In the Woods. I am glad I realized this followed before I picked up A Faithful Place, which I also have from the library (although I have a feeling it will go back either unread or extememly late).
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to me Elmore Leonard is a genuis- only he can take subjects like the horror of Rawanda, and other untouchable subjects and turn them into SENSITIVE- as well as hilarious novels- may he live to be 150!!!
BTW- sad to see that Stephen J Cannell passed away- enjoyed his Shane Scully books- as well as of course Rockford Files ect.
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Werner- I have all three books in my personal collection- based on your mentioning them- Just have not had the time to start a trilogy- can they be read as stand alones as well?
Rick, I would recommend reading them in order, but you wouldn't have to read them back to back unless you wanted to. The first one has more complete closure as a unit than the second, which has a bit of a cliffhanger.
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sounds good! I also purchased the Parke Godwin books as well
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Rick, I've found the 1st and 3rd volumes in Thrift Stores. I want to find the 2nd volume before I start reading it.
Rick, His Dark Materials trilogy is terrific! It's YA in that it's not explicit, but it is beautifully written and sophisticated in concept. I think it is geared toward YA and adults. Most of the time, I do not like YA because it is too simplistic for me. This trilogy has a fairy tale feel to it that is great for the young, but a sophistication of ideas and writing that adults would enjoy. I highly recommend it. Philip Pullman is a terrific writer.
Rick wrote: "Connie wrote: "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 mill..."We have a book & author luncheon here in the Detroit area twice a year. There are usually 4-6 authors at each luncheon (and usually several hundred people) and the authors are asked to talk about life as an author (as opposed to just using the event as a book reading). Anyway Elmore Leonard was one of the authors last year and he said he gets uncomfortable talking at events like that so he explained that for some reason his books seem to be very popular among the "prison" crowd and he gets many letters every year from convicted felons. So he spent his whole time reading several letters he's received from prisoners. It was absolutely hilarious. I still haven't read one of his books and I keep meaning to. I think he still has a home in this area so I should support a local author. Maybe Djibouti will be my first Elmore Leonard book.
Rick wrote: "I just ordered the Phillip Pullman Trilogy- HIS DARK MATERIALS- curious about those who read it- it says YA- yet seems more geared to adults"I read this one not too long ago and I agree that it is more geared to adults than to kids. I just wish it hadn't been so sad.
I finished The Dracula Dossier: A Novel of Suspense and I really liked it. It was really slow at first but after about the first 50 pages it picked up. I am now continuing on with The Woman in White
This is on the BBC 100 list. I tried to use it once when I was a teacher and on pretty much the first page it had demons and some parent flipped out and I had to pull it. I know this may sound irresponsible, but every year I taught, I chose one new book. To keep it fresh for me so I wasn't teaching like a robot. So, I would read it with my students at the same pace. We would have a discussion circle, no book reports, grades just based on participation. Then I would create projects and activities based on what the students seemed to like and feel passionate about to use the next year.
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Elmore Leonard based most of his books in Detroit- where he lives, South FL and a few in LA (Get Shorty ect) He is simply a national treasure. Just finished NO SUCH CREATURE by Giles Blunt- which has a definite Elmore Leonard influence and was simply wonderful and FUNNY!! I highly recommend it- you will NEVER forget the Max Maxwell character ever!!! A Shakesphere spouting career thieg who referred to Prison as "Oxford"...."Perchance I have no desire in my heart to return to Oxford, hence my lenghthy respite between operations (robberies)"
just started Robin Cook's new book The Cure
I picked up the book, No Such Creature at the library. You made it sound so fun and interesting.
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really love to hear how you like it Shay- a quick and very enjoyable read!
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..."I started reading that one a couple years back...lost the book before I could finish it...what I had read was good...thanks for the reminder...I shall put that one on my to read list...I still have to finish this dang 'Ape House'...have five books awaiting my attention...
Mary and Jan C, I agree. Lord Peter is so charming! AND a great amateur detect..."
Alexa wrote: "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."
Aloha wrote: "Rick, His Dark Materials trilogy is terrific! It's YA in that it's not explicit, but it is beautifully written and sophisticated in concept. I think it is geared toward YA and adults. Most of th..."I agree
I am starting my period of reading Japanese authors.My book menu:
My Audible credit kicks in today and I'm going to download and start on
audio. I also have an eBook backup in case I need to refer to it via the written word.In paperback, I'm reading
. This is a really good, thought provoking horror. Loving it so far. Since my girl will be at her dad's this weekend, I'm hoping to sit in a bookstore/cafe and read a huge chunk of it or finish it.On the iPhone for when I'm waiting somewhere with no reading materials, or in the dark in bed, I'm reading
. I saw the movie a long time ago. It was a mesmerizing thought provoking movie. I'm finally getting around to reading the book.I still have my collections, which I've been neglecting, but is good for cleaning the palate between the Japanese books.
When I'm tired of reading, I'd like to draw from
. If you're into the visual of horror and zombies, I highly recommend this book even if you don't draw. This book has gorgeous drawings of zombies, and is laid out in an entertaining way. I would get it for your kids or for your inner child.I finished
audio. It was entertaining and enjoyable. I wish I hadn't seen the movie before listening to the book. I would have enjoyed it more and be more surprised. JM did a terrific job updating the classic werewolf concept. Sorry, Jason, but I decided not to pursue reading
and
. I'm in this mood to read Japanese authors and want to start right away. I listened to part of A Game of Thrones, and it sounds terrific. When I'm back in the mood to listen to fantasy, I'm going to start with that one.
Ann, I wish I could tell you Ape House gets better, but it doesn't. The apes are the best part of the book and they're hardly in it. It's maddening how bad this author's instincts are about what's a good story.
Shay wrote: "Ann, I wish I could tell you Ape House gets better, but it doesn't. The apes are the best part of the book and they're hardly in it. It's maddening how bad this author's instincts are about what's ..."Definitely one to cross off my list!
Marialyce wrote: "Shay wrote: "Ann, I wish I could tell you Ape House gets better, but it doesn't. The apes are the best part of the book and they're hardly in it. It's maddening how bad this author's instincts are ..."One of the big problems with Ape House is the same problem I had with The Passage. A good author, who created a good character and then proceeded to make the book about other really cardboard cutout characters. Bad instincts, I can't believe a writer couldn't see which are the most interesting characters in their own writing.
Frankenstein
I've recently finished Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and since I already owned a copy of Frankenstein, it seemed like the logical "next book". I'm on chapter 6 right now and have been enjoying the story very much :)
How to Read and Why
I've only read the first chapter thus far, but since it inspired me to go read the Flannery O'Connor's works, I don't mind. :)
Flannery O'Connor : Collected Works : Wise Blood / A Good Man Is Hard to Find / The Violent Bear It Away / Everything that Rises Must Converge / Essays & Letters
Right now I'm in the middle of Wise Blood. O'Connor is fascinating; I can't believe it took me so long to read her stuff! Thank you very much Mr Bloom.
Ha, I do hope I don't sound like a pedantic poser. :)
I've recently finished Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde, and since I already owned a copy of Frankenstein, it seemed like the logical "next book". I'm on chapter 6 right now and have been enjoying the story very much :)
How to Read and Why
I've only read the first chapter thus far, but since it inspired me to go read the Flannery O'Connor's works, I don't mind. :)
Flannery O'Connor : Collected Works : Wise Blood / A Good Man Is Hard to Find / The Violent Bear It Away / Everything that Rises Must Converge / Essays & Letters
Right now I'm in the middle of Wise Blood. O'Connor is fascinating; I can't believe it took me so long to read her stuff! Thank you very much Mr Bloom.
Ha, I do hope I don't sound like a pedantic poser. :)
I'm reading BOULEVARD by Stephen J. Schwartz because several of writer friends recommended it, and they know I love police procedurals. In this one the cop is a sex addict. It's compelling so far.L.J.
Secrets to Die For
The Baby Thief
The Sex Club
The Suicide Effect
Thrilled to Death
At long last, and pressured by the library due date, I'm reading Atonement and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.
I finished The 19th Wife today. I really enjoyed this look at polygamy, how it got started, the effects on both the early practitioners and the effects about 100 years afterwards (today's world). I don't know how acurate the "facts" are and, being fictional, I'm sure some license was taken. That said, it seemed as if the author was trying to give a human side to the polygamy issue by focussing on the thoughts and reactions of the characters.
Very interestingly told in 2 time lines: one at the time when polygamy began (the why, the how, the inital effects) and one in modern times (how polygamy effects practitioners today, especially the children/young adults).
I'm continuing with Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, which is fascinating. A few chapters/ideas give me a bit of a squeamish feeling/thought. Those who donate their bodies to science are really heroes. They've helped so many of us today.
My daughter recommended Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers to me. I am anxious to see what you think when you finish, Petra.
Reading The City of the Singing Flame by Clark Ashton Smith-kinda weird!
I finally remembered some of my thoughts from my reading of
while I was traveling. I guess it's good I didn't remember all of my thoughts because it became a long review. I love this little book and I'm glad I was able to write a review for it. Here is the link to the review:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52...
Petra wrote: "I finished The 19th Wife today. I really enjoyed this look at polygamy, how it got started, the effects on both the early practitioners and the effects about 100 years afterwards (to..."I'd like to recommend Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Kraukauer. It's a wonderful account of how the mormons began.
I started yesterday with the dutch book 'In Europa' (In Europe) by Geert Mak. It's about the history of Europe since 1900. I really like this one, although its over 800 pages haha (but I'm a total history geek so it should be no problem to read so many pages)For relaxation I also started in An ice cold grave by Charlaine Harris, the third novel in the Harper Conneley series, and I just love all of her books.
Furthermore I hope that everybody understands my english 'cause I'm a true dutch girl :P
Shay wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Shay wrote: "Ann, I wish I could tell you Ape House gets better, but it doesn't. The apes are the best part of the book and they're hardly in it. It's maddening how bad this autho..."Thank-you both for the support...haha...unfortunately for me I am the type who can't put the book down no matter what...someone wrote it so unless it is amoung the very worst I can't disrespect the author and not finish the read, I know it sounds stupid but thats just me...yes, I have been stuck with many three week reads because of this...but I only have app 40 or so pages left...I now have seven books sitting here begging me to start so I think after work tonight I shall just focus on finishing 'Ape House' no matter what...books begging for my attention are :AntHill by E.O. Wilson/ Forgotten Fire by Bagdasarian/ Moloka'i by Alan Brennert/ The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard/ The Facts Behind the Helsinki Roccamatios by Yann Martel/ The Good Daughter by Joyce Maynard/ and The Speed of Dark by Elizabeth Moon...if anyone has any suggestions on which of theses I should start first that would be wonderful...
Molokai really irritated me. The author really only has a bookish, surface, tourist kind of insight into Hawaii. So much so that I dream of stranding him one day in Waianae or Waimanalo after dark.
ok...great...so that one can go to the bottom of the pile because after this 'Ape House' I really want a read I can totally enjoy...
Ann wrote: "ok...great...so that one can go to the bottom of the pile because after this 'Ape House' I really want a read I can totally enjoy..."I understand that people not from Hawaii (born and raised there) find it acceptable. Besides that, the author has an inner hysteric, he is a manipulative author that doesn't leave well enough alone. He either doesn't have the talent or the patience to let things build, he has to force it. Needlessly melodramatic which befits his past as a television writer, it's like he can't help but write a grand, dramatic scene with everyone shuffling off stage left.
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That makes me curious. I used to live in Hawaii for 4 years.
I was born and raised in Hawaii. My family has been there for 5-6 generations (depending on which side). As early as mid-late 1800's. I concede that he researched that particular part of Hawaiian history (leprosy) well. Other parts, not so well. I pretty much have almost every book he listed in the bibliography on my shelf at home. My mother majored in Hawaiian history and did an internship at Bishop Museum. So, I say with complete confidence that he got a number of things wrong that are just historical facts. Also, it's just that he doesn't have a good grasp on the kind of cultural things that you could only know from really living there. My husband is from California, and we lived in Hawaii, off and on for about 10 years. There are still things he doesn't get.
Shay, do you think he could have gotten the details just by doing research, or would he have to be a native to Hawaii? BTW, what island were you raised on? I lived on Oahu. My favorite island is Kauai. It has enough of the luscious laid-back feel but with plenty of activities to keep me preoccupied while I'm on vacation.
I lived on Oahu, but my family is originally from the Big Island(Hawaii). Some of it, he could have done research, some of it, he would have had to live there for years, maybe even from birth. An example of something he could have researched, he said something negative about the explorer Cook, but didn't make it clear that that's a "local" sentiment. The truth is that Cook was one of the more responsible explorers- he tried to keep his crew on board to not spread diseases like smallpox and venereal diseases to the indigenous populations. An example of something he would know if he lived there was he had a character refer to someone as a hanai relative. Hanai is a relationship made because of love, affection, etc not by blood. But, most people from Hawaii wouldn't refer to someone as a hanai relation because it degrades the relationship. You would admit to it if pushed, but the pushing is considered rude.
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Big Island(Hawaii). Some of it, he could have done research, some of it, he would have had to live there for years, maybe even from birth. An ..."
my older brother has a home in Maui- we went for a visit a few years ago- when the humpback whales were there- what an amazing sight! shay
I really enjoyed Moloka'i. I may not be familiar with Hawaiian history or culture so that may have helped me from getting frustrated, but I enjoyed the story very much.
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Marialyce wrote: "My daughter recommended Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers to me. I am anxious to see what you think when you finish, Petra."Marialyce, it was fascinating, interesting, squeamish (in parts), informative, respectful and had a touch of humour. Not at the expense of the Dead; just an occasional human reality check. I found the book informative, for sure.
Rose wrote: "I'd like to recommend Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Kraukauer. It's a wonderful account of how the mormons began. ..."Thanks, Rose! I'll check it out.
I love Hawaiian culture. I was glad that I learned social studies in Hawaii. It's more fun learning about King Kamehameha than George Washington, having luaus, and learning how to make poi. Do you get island fever, though?Shay wrote: "I lived on Oahu, but my family is originally from the
Big Island(Hawaii). Some of it, he could have done research, some of it, he would have had to live there for years, maybe even from birth. An ..."
The Mummy's Foot by Theophile Gauiter (1811-1872)Why? Because its on my reader and I like scary stuff! ;)
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Why? Because its on my reader and I like scary stuff! ;)"
new one on me, Larry- very interested in your take on it
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Monica Rodden (other topics)Lisa Unger (other topics)
Natalie D. Richards (other topics)
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I actually happened to like The Passage however, it did leave me with alot of questions and I found some inconsistencies that led to even more questions. I'm hoping that the next one will iron some of this out for me.
I'm currently half way through The Dracula Dossier: A Novel of Suspense and I must say it has gotten much better. But its frustrating because now that it has gotten really good I have had no time the last few days to read.