THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
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Marialyce
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Oct 26, 2010 05:24AM
Yep, you are so right, Kyle. At any rate, I guess I have awhile to get to the deep end. :)
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I am reading R.J. Ellory's The Anniversary Man. Having recently read A Quiet Belief in Angels by this author, I realize I have quite a find here. He is an english author who writes stories in American settings. His style of writing is beautiful. He mixes crime with literature. One of my favorites. Hope to read all his books. Highly, highly recommend!
On the other hand, Franzen does have a point. This whole thing started in 2001, over this book The Corrections. Pre-2001, some of her books choices include: three books by Bill Cosby in one year (1997), a few books by Maeve Benchly (I'm sorry, I think she's a third rate hack). Post Franzen, 2001: East of Eden, Love in the Time of Cholera, Anna Karenina. There must have been a grain of truth in what Franzen said because it sure seems like she took the criticism to heart.http://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/C...
I guess you are right, Shay, but Oprah does has her favorites like Bill Cosby, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou.
Marialyce wrote: "I guess you are right, Shay, but Oprah does has her favorites like Bill Cosby, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou."And Wally Lamb. I've never read him, so this is probably unfair, but man writing chick lit usually equals not good. I'm happy that Oprah has gotten people excited about reading, but there are so many good authors who could use the publicity that I wish, once someone is famous, she would stop choosing them. I wish that most of her choices were obscure, unheard of authors who never would have found an audience without the publicity.
I have read Wally Lamb and I like him although the two I did read were a bit (well maybe a lot) depressing. ....but yes, new authors would be nice (look at what happened with James Frey though?) ... and I too, appreciate that she is encouraging people to read, a definite plus in my estimation.
Marialyce wrote: "I have read Wally Lamb and I like him although the two I did read were a bit (well maybe a lot) depressing. ....but yes, new authors would be nice (look at what happened with James Frey though?) ...."You notice that she's never chosen a "memoir" since. Kudos to her, though, for getting millions of people to pick up Anna Karenina and Pillars of the Earth.
I'm reading
. The new Spenser. I hope he had a lot of unpublished works waiting for us. On a side note, has anyone read any of Parker's other series?
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. The new Spenser. I hope he had a lot of unpublished works waiting for us. On a side note, has anyone rea..."Yes- I loved the Jesse Stone books- I am so saddened that there will be no more Stone books- he was a very well developed character- I loved Spencer- quick and fun reads- Jesse Stone was somewhat deeper- such a terrible loss- losing Mr. Parker
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I wouldn't necessarily read a book that some celeb chat show host recommended anyway! I'll give her her dues tho, on a recent show she let slip that she was flying all her audience to Australia for a show there!
Oprah shills wide open melodramas, woe is my life books or 'huh' (self help) sloggers. Not my type of reads.
I finished
. Love it, love it, love it! Beautiful writing, seamless usage of metaphors and descriptions that lulls you into the poetry of the story. I'm planning to write a review for it soon.I am now listening to
. The narrator is okay, not as terrific as the two narrators in Kafka on the Shore. The writing is still terrific. He has a thing for cats. Lots of cats in Kafka on the Shore, too.Barely touching
because my life is too scattered right now.
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Barbara Pym is a very great and underated writer - in my opinion.
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from what I have read of her choices- I, myself tend to agree- just not my type of books- although if she chose Pillars- then I agree with that choice- but as I previous stated I never watched that chat show in my life- so all I know is second and third hand
Im reading the most dangerous game by richard connell and hush,hush.One is an independent reading and the other is for school:)
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haha-your secret is safe with us, Megan!
Franzen is a brilliant writer. The corrections was profund and every book I have read by him are mastarpieces. Not sure why is such a big deal his decision of not been recommened by a TV personality is taken so badly. Maybe he did not like her show, or the sort of books she suggests. he has accepted now for his lastest book to be mentioned in her show... Franzen has the gift of writing deeply in a very simple way. I compare him to a top chef. he makes a banquet with 2 basic ingredients. he does that with his books. I haven't read Freedom yet, but i have a feeling that the magic is still there.
Eda wrote: "Franzen is a brilliant writer. The corrections was profund and every book I have read by him are mastarpieces. Not sure why is such a big deal his decision of not been recommened by a TV personalit..."I agree Eda. I just finished Freedom. It was wonderful!
I trust your taste, Marialyce, so I'll try one of Franzen's books. Which is the best? I'll admit to this, I have this irrational dislike of some authors I haven't read. Some are not so irrational, like Dan Brown, I know why. But some authors I just avoid without having a real reason, Franzen is one of them. Some of the others are: Nicholas Sparks, Wally Lamb, Douglas Adams, and Margaret Atwood. I don't know why, at some point it just got stuck in my head not to read them. I'm not even saying that I think they're hacks so much as I'm convinced I wouldn't like them.
Well, I do recommend Freedom. I have the other book, The Corrections but have not read it yet. I do hope you will like it Hopefully, this will take you to my review.http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...
Hell Douglas Adams weren't no hack! Just a fun loving sci fi nut with a mad sense of humour! He done detective novels as well as hitch hikers guide.
I am currently reading The Mists of Avalon . I really love the Arthurian legend and this is the first book I've read from a womans perspective. So far I am enjoying it greatly and I love reading about Morgan le Fay as a young girl just starting out as a priestess.
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I ordered that book- havent read it yet- but certainly will- when I have the time!!
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Shay- I must admit that I share your "irrational dislike(perhaps dislike is too strong a word for me- more like total lack of interest) of some authors" I do love Douglas Adams, but Nicholas Sparks, Wally Lamb and Norah Roberts are writers my instincts tell me that are not ones I would enjoy- to those who do- thats what makes reading so great- our varied tastes and reasons (or in my case- no reasons!) for reading some writers.
Rick wrote: "Shay wrote: "I trust your taste, Marialyce, so I'll try one of Franzen's books. Which is the best? I'll admit to this, I have this irrational dislike of some authors I haven't read. Some are not so..."I don't like Norah Roberts when she writes as "Norah Roberts". However, I do enjoy her books when she writes as "J.D. Robb". I suppose it may be that Norah writes romance and Robb writes a futuristic police procedural.
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excellant point- I have read her as JD Robb
Continuing my 1,001-books-you-should-read-before-you-die kick (although with all three versions it comes out at over 1,200!), I've just finished The Moonstone and am now embarking on Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China.
Jan C wrote: "Rick wrote: "Shay wrote: "I trust your taste, Marialyce, so I'll try one of Franzen's books. Which is the best? I'll admit to this, I have this irrational dislike of some authors I haven't read. So..."I love J D Robb's 'in Death' series! Need to slot one in between other reads now and again, to get my 'fix'!!!:)
Just finished reading "The Follower," the first novella in Damon Galgut's In a Strange Room.... It's a fascinating mix of travel narrative, philosophical enquiry and romance, and brought back memories of travelling on my own. My full review can be read at www.the-reading-list.com
I just finished reading Doctor Zhivago and loved it. It's brilliant.I've never seen the movie and had no idea of the story line except that it was a love story. Well, it's much, much more than that. It was a greater love story: the love of a man for his country.
It wasn't always easy to read but it was amazingly told. Pasternak was way ahead of his time and I can understand why the Regime of his time did not want the book published.
Kristine wrote: "I am starting The Gargoyle because I heard it was really good and so far it is."The Gargoyle will always stand out to me as a great book that I actually remember the plot of (that is rare as my memory for plots is horrible-5 minutes after I finish a book, I cannot tell you anything abou tit). I hope you like it!
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I've never seen the movie and had no idea of the story line except that it was a love story. Well, it's much, muc..."
The movie was excellant- Omar Sharif was stunning
Hi, Heather here..Brenda, I simply love J.D. Robb! A friend bought me the first In Death book and I fell head over heads in love. I have requested Indulgence In Death and am awaiting my turn (I hate waiting). I am currently reading Twice Bitten, the 3rd book in the Chicagoland Vampire series..
Emma wrote: "Kristine wrote: "I am starting The Gargoyle because I heard it was really good and so far it is."The Gargoyle will always stand out to me as a great book that I actually remember..."
It is very different from what I have recently read...but I do like it very much, the writing is great and the main character, love him
Heather wrote: "Hi, Heather here..Brenda, I simply love J.D. Robb! A friend bought me the first In Death book and I fell head over heads in love. I have requested Indulgence In Death and am awaiting my turn (I..."
Hi Heather, I have read 21 of them, have one on my bedside table to read, and there are still lots more..:) I have a list of the ones I have read in my wallet, so I don't inadvertently buy one I've already read, when I'm out and about! :)
I'm reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". Why? Because I finally caved and joined the rest of the what appears to be the whole darned country.
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haha! I must admit to buying the first two- yet have not yet read either yet- but I can at least say "I bought the books!!"
Hey Brenda, I had to play catch up as well so I would read a Robb book once a month. I have a thing that I won't read the same author twice in a month. It was hard though cause I think I broke down and read two a month.
Jenny wrote: "I'm reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". Why? Because I finally caved and joined the rest of the what appears to be the whole darned country."The whole darned world is more like it haha!
Kyle wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I'm reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". Why? Because I finally caved and joined the rest of the what appears to be the whole darned country."The whole darned world is more l..."
I haven't read it yet :)..
Janet wrote: "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 yo..."
I am enjoying it, I must admit I missed the TV series, it's a long story why.
Rick wrote: "Jenny wrote: "I'm reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". Why? Because I finally caved and joined the rest of the what appears to be the whole darned country." haha! I must admit to buying the first two- yet have not yet read either yet- but I can at least say "I bought the books!!"..."
(chuckle) I bought them, too, and have yet to read them.
Heather wrote: "Hi, Heather here..Brenda, I simply love J.D. Robb! A friend bought me the first In Death book and I fell head over heads in love. I have requested Indulgence In Death and am awaiting my turn (I..."
There is a Chicagoland Vampire Series !?!
Jenny wrote: "I'm reading "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". Why? Because I finally caved and joined the rest of the what appears to be the whole darned country."I am almost done with the first one, and honestly, I don't even know if I like it. It was REALLY slow at first, then it picked up and became interesting, and now, as we're headed towards the conclusion (I hope), I'm simply losing interest. I want to like it, I do, but... I'm not feeling the love on this one. And I read almost everything that isn't nailed down, so I have a pretty broad range. Maybe it's just me. :(
Hey Fran, yeppers, there is a Chicagoland Vampire series:Some Girls Bite
Friday Night Bites
Twice Bitten (I'm reading this one)
And a 4th one but I don't know what the title is and I don't think it is out yet..
If you like urban fiction, you should try Mark Henry's series that starts with Happy Hour of the Damned. It's a humorous, but gross series.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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