WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 2,701-2,750 of 10,669

[Joy (Cheery♡Reads)]

After finishing Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare a week ago and was soo captivated by it that I couldn't decide on which book to read next. Finally,I went on a bookstore browsing therapy and came back to read Black Swan Rising (which is today)by Lee Carroll~

[Cheryl]

I am reading Along Came a Spider by James Patterson. I have heard so many good things about this series and had to check it out!

[Marialyce]

I am reading The Wives of Henry Oades and The Bell Jar.

[Ronyell]

I just finished Yours Until Dawn and my review on it is right here:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Now, I am currently reading One Night of Scandal.

[Jill H.]

Just got Anything Goes: A Biography of the Roaring Twenties by Lucy Moore from my book club. It looks interesting and I enjoy history of that dynamic time in America.

[Harold]

Poe is on my "read soon" list. I think I'll start with "The Murders In The Rue Morgue." Right now I'm reading Arthur Conan Doyle's "A Study in Scarlet". Sherlock! Good stuff. In the past few months I've reread a lot of things that I read years ago and have totally forgotten - other than I remembered enjoying them.

[Book]

Just started
Why? It's Brandon Sanderson! :D

[East Bay J]

Rick wrote: "Justin wrote: "What's In A Word? by Webb Garrison, because I'm interested in the etymology of words and phrases."

Justin I would also recommend HL Mencken's works on the English Language[bookcov..."

Looks outstanding! Thanks for the tip!

[Howard]

Justin wrote: "What's In A Word? by Webb Garrison, because I'm interested in the etymology of words and phrases."

Somewhat along those lines, let me recommend possibly the finest style manual I have ever encountered, and the only one that could be read for pleasure. The is "The Complete Plain Words" by Sir Ernest Gowers. Gowers was a senior British civil servant in his day job (and the successor to Fowler in editing Fowler's English Usage in his spare time). "Plain Words" is the combination of two style manuals he wrote for the benefit of the English Civil Service. He argues two things: First, that the point of writing (and any other communication) is to convey a thought from my mind to yours. If I do this successfully, a florid style doesn't matter. If I don't do this, style won't help. Second, a great deal of what appears to be sloppy, turgid, unclear, just plain awful writing is, in fact, a crystaline expression of sloppy, turgid, unclear, just plain awful thinking. If you haven't a clue, your writing will reflect this. The book is an argument for these two premises. He assumes you are literate and doesn't waste his time on spelling and basic grammar. He does focus on clarity and the accurate use of language. Along the way, he writes with great wit and clarity. He cites numerous examples, both good and bad. The good ones are elegant, the bad ones often very funny indeed. For anyone really interested in the precise and accurate use of language, this book is a must. If you can find it, enjoy.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Werner wrote: "Rick, to answer your questions, when we're together in the car, Barb drives and I read. She's a much better driver than I am, and she likes my reading style, since I try to use different voices fo..."

what a terrific way to make the best use of time- when driving- love it!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Eda wrote: "Ricky, I'm still learning how to use goodreads, so I wasn't able to say thank you for the invite...not sure how, where.... Anyway thanks."

Hi Eda- you are very welcome!! so happy to have you as a member!!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Justin wrote: "Rick wrote: "Justin wrote: "What's In A Word? by Webb Garrison, because I'm interested in the etymology of words and phrases."

Justin I would also recommend HL Mencken's works on the English Langu..."

my pleasure Justin!

[Marialyce]

I am going to start The Wayward Bus after finishing The Wives of Henry Oades.

[Shay]

Marialyce wrote: "I am going to start The Wayward Bus after finishing The Wives of Henry Oades."

Wow, I thought I had read every Steinbeck, including Travels with Charlie, but I've never read that one. I'll have to add it.

[LeAnn]

Howard wrote: "Justin wrote: "What's In A Word? by Webb Garrison, because I'm interested in the etymology of words and phrases."

Somewhat along those lines, let me recommend possibly the finest style manual I ha..."

Howard, I'll put it on my wish list. Perhaps it's available on the Espresso book machine at the Harvard Bookstore.

[LeAnn]

LeAnn wrote: "Howard wrote: "Justin wrote: "What's In A Word? by Webb Garrison, because I'm interested in the etymology of words and phrases."

Somewhat along those lines, let me recommend possibly the finest st..."

Just checked on Amazon. Penguin issued a paperback edition in 1987. There's also a hardback version. Interesting to me that Jacque Barzun, who wrote From Dawn to Decadence: 500 Years of Western Cultural Life 1500 to the Present, which was nominated for a National Book Award (I've started it), recommended it. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Janet]

Stuart wrote: "I am reading Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh for my offline book club."

Hope you are enjoying it. Brideshead Revisited is a wonderful book. Have you seen the 1982 television version? It is fantastic.

[Janet]

I am now reading, Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe. This is the selected book this year, by our library, for "The Big Read".

[Barbara]

Right now I'm reading "Backseat Saints", and listening to "A Reliable Wife" on audio.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Janet wrote: "I am now reading, Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe. This is the selected book this year, by our library, for "The Big Read"."

I also noticed that Poe was chosen for THE BIG READ- I am so pleased- after reading The Poe Shadow- I have a new appreciation for Poe

[Janet]

Rick wrote: "Janet wrote: "I am now reading, Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe. This is the selected book this year, by our library, for "The Big Read"."

I also noticed that Poe was chosen for THE BIG..."

Which "Big Read" do you mean? I know they go on in various parts of the country, but not in every state. Some libraries also choose different titles. I have always liked Poe. Now, I appreciate him even more.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Janet wrote: "Rick wrote: "Janet wrote: "I am now reading, Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe. This is the selected book this year, by our library, for "The Big Read"."

I also noticed that Poe was chosen ..."

I am in South Florida- and there have been several articles and events relating to the Poe Big Read

[🥀 Rose 🥀]

Just finished Lost Horizon, still reading Sherlock Holmes and will beging Anniversary Man by R.J. Ellory today :)

[Larry]

It would seem I'm reading 2 versions of the same book, Something Wicked This Way Comes

[Petra]

I'm slowly reading Doctor Zhivago because I've never read it or seen the movie and I enjoy Russian writing. So far, I'm not disappointed. It's a very good story (after a fairly slow start, though).
I'm also reading Beat the Reaper. It's been on my TBR list for some time now and is due back to the Library in 3 days. I'm really enjoying this one.

[Nissie Lambert]

I've just started reading Monster Slayer by Robert Scott. Why? I really couldn't tell you.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Petra wrote: "I'm slowly reading Doctor Zhivago because I've never read it or seen the movie and I enjoy Russian writing. So far, I'm not disappointed. It's a very good story (after a fairly slow s..."

I LOVED!!! Beat The Reaper!!! Petra will have a blast reading it!!!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Larry wrote: "It would seem I'm reading 2 versions of the same book, Something Wicked This Way Comes"

facinating observation Larry, I would love to see you elaborate on it..

[Larry]

Rick wrote: "Larry wrote: "It would seem I'm reading 2 versions of the same book, Something Wicked This Way Comes"

facinating observation Larry, I would love to see you elaborate on it.."
Well I sorted it, noiw only reading the one version ;)

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Ijust finished STRIP by Thomas Perry - a thriller about clubs and mugs in LA- dissapointed as I read all his books and this one lacked the depth of character that the others had- also the story was far too disjointed- next up in the current thriller category is THE CAPITOL GAME by Brian Haig

[Teawench]

I'm usually reading at least a couple of books at once. Right now I'm reading
Soulless
an unpublished manuscript
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Tarizon: The Liberator (Tarizon Trilogy)
It's been very slow going because I've had a nasty cold that has made me do nothing but sleep for over a week.

[Marialyce]

I am starting The Corrections after finishing The Bell Jar.

[Janet]

Rick wrote: "Janet wrote: "Rick wrote: "Janet wrote: "I am now reading, Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe. This is the selected book this year, by our library, for "The Big Read"."

I also noticed that..."

Glad to hear that they are doing Poe in South Florida. Our event ends next Sunday. It has been such fun and interesting.

[Petra]

Rick wrote: "I LOVED!!! Beat The Reaper!!! Petra will have a blast reading it!!!.."

Rick, I did! It was a page turner. There's everything in this book...including some grisly scenes.....and it all came together so seamlessly. I'm looking forward to his next book.
I'm going back to Doctor Zhivago now and am glad that I took the break to read Beat the Reaper. I almost took it back to the Library unread!

[Marialyce]

I am starting Freedom this afternoon. Don't know how, but I just walked into the library and there is was sitting on the new book shelf waiting for me.

[Leslie]

I just started In a Strange Room by Damon Galgut.... It's a fascinating trilogy of travel narratives; I'm currently reading the first one set in Lesotho. Can't wait to see where this dark journey goes!

Ex Lit Prof
www.the-reading-list.com

[Kristine]

I am starting The Gargoyle because I heard it was really good and so far it is.

[Marialyce]

Kristine wrote: "I am starting The Gargoyle because I heard it was really good and so far it is."

A favorite of mine, Kristine. I hope you like it!

[Flora]

I'm over half way through The Witches of Eastwick, which I have loved, and just getting started on The Witchery

[Kyle]

Marialyce wrote: "I am starting Freedom this afternoon. Don't know how, but I just walked into the library and there is was sitting on the new book shelf waiting for me."

Let me know how Freedom is. Getting it won't be hard because no one at our library has checked it out ONCE since its released. Surprising, I know.

[Marialyce]

Kyle wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "I am starting Freedom this afternoon. Don't know how, but I just walked into the library and there is was sitting on the new book shelf waiting for me."

Let me kno..."

I am about 100 pages in and although I like it, it is nothing "special" so far. Perhaps I am not far enough to see yet what all the hype is about.

[Marialyce]

I just won a book from goodreads. Does anyone know where I post the win and all? Thanks!

[Shay]

Marialyce wrote: "I just won a book from goodreads. Does anyone know where I post the win and all? Thanks!"

I think if you go back into giveaways, there should be a link for "Winners" and "Giveaway's I've Entered". When you get to the book, it'll have a button for "I've received the book." But, I don't think you're supposed to click on it until you've received the book.

What did you win?

[Marialyce]

I won Her Fearful Symmetry.

[Ciara]

I am reading Beautiful Dead by Yvonne Woon but even though i like it, there are too many things it has in common with Twilight series.

[Kyle]

Marialyce wrote: "Kyle wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "I am starting Freedom this afternoon. Don't know how, but I just walked into the library and there is was sitting on the new book shelf waiting for me...."

Sad day. Well I hope it gets better but I wouldn't be surprised if its not amazing. Oprah makes mad choices sometimes.

[Shay]

I know that there was some kind of controversy regarding Oprah and the author, Franzen, right. She selected one of his previous books and he declined and bashed her choices. That's when she started picking more "literary" works and classics. I've heard that Freedom is kind of mediocre, like Franzen has a few writing ticks and they are becoming more pronounced and annoying. I can't think of a literary example, but...I loved the movie Reservoir Dogs that Tarantino made a long time ago. Over the years, though, it seems like he's sometimes more concerned with making a Tarantino-esque movie than a good movie. So, I've heard Freedom is like that, but in book form. It's more Franzen-esque than good.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Shay wrote: "I know that there was some kind of controversy regarding Oprah and the author, Franzen, right. She selected one of his previous books and he declined and bashed her choices. That's when she starte..."

I recall that incident as well- she chose his book for her book club choice- and unlike all the previous authors chosen- he refused to appear on her show

[Marialyce]

Apparently, from what I read, he was upset to have it chosen. He thought it belittled his book and didn't think it would be understood by the masses. So far, (I am on page 126) there is nothing there that could not be understood by everyone. (with a fourth grade reading level) Perhaps, the "heavy" part is coming. :)

[Kyle]

A review video I watched said its pretty straight-forward and near the end it becomes "deep" or something. Oprah also picked Pillars of the Earth as a book club pick so I think Flazen or whatever his name is should just...pardon my french...shut the f*** up. Its a good way to promote his book being on that show! I know if I publish a book and Oprah says "Want to be on my show?" I won't skip a beat before saying "Hell yes!"