THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
I'm back up to 5 books, but really concentrating on just one as I'm close to the end of it & it's pretty good! The Sleepwalkers, which I won in a GR giveaway, is an excellent mystery with great historical background on pre WW2 Germany & the rise of the Nazis. Since I'm not a scholar by any means, I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I lived in Germany in the 70s so am really liking the description of the area. I will probably finish this one today ... then on to Truman for a group read. Man, that's a big book! Rick, I will be reading Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West beginning in January. I can hardly wait!
Shelter Mountainby Robyn CarrWhy--love the series and characters are like family as I read good escape reading especially after reading a crime story/mystery. Gets my head out of a bad space.
I just finished the New England Grimpendium by J. W Ocker (eh not so good for what he intended to pull off largely because he sort of insults those who would read the book in the first place) and am about to read D C Showcase's The House of Secrets Volume 1. I read the Grimpmendium looking for interesting tales from New England as I'm interested in ghost stories and those sort of things whether they're real or just fun to read about. House of Secrets is something I picked up after having gotten a few of the original comics for my 30th birthday last month. I figured the less I handle them the less likely I am to have them get damaged (especially with a 5 year old boy to contend with lol) and I also prefer to start things like this from the beginning when I can.
I finished Three Seconds and really enjoyed it. I found the story and characters to be real and human (not the usual crime drama characters that are usually trigger-happy and rough). Other than the circumstances, these are people one could meet on the street. The story really moved along also. It was well-written and suspenseful. I've now started Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth because I thought it would be interesting to read about Bertand Russell's early life in graphic form.
To balance things out a bit and because it has to go back to the Library soon, I started Christmas Holiday. It's the first W. Somerset Maugham I've ever read.
During my commutes I'm listening to The Falls. So far, I'm on the fence. The writing is really quite beautiful but the story is moving along so slowly.....and yet it's not entirely boring. There's enough interest to keep me listening. I just wish it would speed up a bit.
Just started With Wings Like Eagles: A History of the Battle of Britain by Michael Korda. It has grabbed me from the first chapter.......I will be recommending it for the bookshelf.
Barbara wrote: "I'm reading Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich. Her mysteries are always good for a laugh."I started 'reading' (via audiobooks) Evanovich when I was commuting 3-4 hours each day. Laughed so hard it was hard to keep the car on the road, especially with Grandma Masur in a scene.
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wonderful! I found it such afacinating narrative- so well written!
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I started 'reading' (via audiobooks) Evanovich when I was ..."
I agree Ron. Grandma Masur is a hoot. In Lean Mean Thirteen Grandma has a boyfriend...and he's pretty funny too.
I am reading Angel Harp...I won the book from Hachette books and really enjoy the titles they send me.Check out my blog: http://silversolara.blogspot.com for more book titles and reviews.
I have just started 'Half A Life'...I grabbed it because it was on the end display in the library...no wait, that's not right...It's sequel was on the end display so I grabbed that one and after reading the inside cover I realized I needed to read this one first so...there you have it...I grabbed this because I wanted to read it's sequel
Finished The Tombs of Atuan and looking forward to the rest of the Eartsea series.Currently I am just getting started on False Memory, In the Time of the Butterflies, and Phineas Finn
David wrote: "Currently reading The Dogs of Riga by Henning Mankell - much better story teller in my view than Steig Larrson. These are characters who you care what happens to."David, I read his book, Italian Shoes: A Novel, which I hear is a departure from his usual genre of books. I liked the character development in that book and have meant to pick up another of his books. Do you recommend a particular one?
I've just started reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer. My oldest daughter gave me a copy as a gift earlier this year, and has been anxious for me to read it. Since it's a 619-page book, I thought it would make ideal airport/airplane reading on a long trip my wife and I had planned to take this month, so I promised my daughter I'd read it then. Our travel plans had to be scrubbed at the last minute, but since I'd promised to, I decided to go ahead and read it anyway. Originally, I had my doubts as to whether I'd like it --but the hook is in already!
Werner wrote: "I've just started reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer. My oldest daughter gave me a copy as a gift earlier this year, and has been anxious for me to read it. Since it's a 619-page book, I thought..."You're going to guilt me into trying it again - I attempted to read it once before, but just couldn't get into it. :(
You shouldn't feel guilt for NOT reading a Stephanie Meyer book.
Carmel wrote: "I also have The Host on my bookshelf and have been holding off reading it after experiencing Twilight burnout *brushes off Edward to go and play with the Volturi*, but have heard it is written with..."The Host is so much better than the TWilight series. It does take a while to get into though...like almost 75-100 pages but then it is very good!
I am reading The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. It was highly recommended by friends on another Goodreads group. I really like it so far.
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David wrote: "Hi Petra, I haven't read that much - I fell in love with the TV series of Wallander - particularly the Swedish version rather than th eKenneth Branagh version. And the Inspector Kurt Wallander seri..."Thanks, David. It looks like Faceless Killers is Wallander #1. Have you read it? My Library has a copy. I think I'll check it out.
I finished reading Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth today.A graphic novel on math, logic, philosophy and proofs. Who would have thought?!!?!? It's a very unique, interesting concept.
Logic/Philosophy isn't my strong-point (I'm more of a "from my gut" person) and I had to think my way through the philosophical thoughts/ideas, proofs and logic but I enjoyed the look at Bertrand Russell's life and thoughts. I think he kind of lost the whole point of just "living" but then, that's just me.
That said, I enjoyed the novel. It's a unique concept: cartoons (graphics) & philosophy/math!
I came away wanting to know more about Bertrand Russell The Person but could probably live without Bertrand Russell's works....gracious, the man wrote a 362-page proof on "1+1=2"...and it took him years to write! Gak!
Note to Mothers: Don't let your babies grow up to be Logicians or Philosophers. They all become unhinged in later life. :)
Thanks Rick..didn't know Lee Child had an author brother..just looked the two books up on Andrew Grant's web-site, and have ordered them at my library...:)
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They really are quite addicting- not literature by any means- but fun- quick reads
I'm currently reading The Rembrandt Affairby Daniel Silva. I've never read any book by this author previously, but I was interested in the art aspect and the Holocaust aspect. This is a good thriller so far.Because The Rembrandt Affair is too heavy to lug on mass transit to read on my work commute, I am also reading Rain Village by Carolyn Turgeon. It was recommended to me some time ago because I said I liked circus novels. I am not sure about this book right now, but I'm withholding judgment until I finish it.
I am going a massive American faze. Watching a lot of Mad Men and Breaking Bad. Now I am reading the biography of John Adams by David McCullough. McCullough can beautifully paint a picture of the 18th Century, warts and all.
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Barbara wrote: "I'm reading From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris. I don't usually read vampire books but I was curious because I like the TV series "True Blood" that is based on Cha..."Hi Barbara. I've read the whole Sookie Stackhouse series, and just about everything else the library had by Charlaine Harris. I was just wondering why you started with the 8th in the series?
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Danial Silva is my older brother's favorite author- I also love his Gabriel novels
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Good question Darkpool. The truth is it's an audiobook, and it was the only Charlaine Book on the audiobook shelf. I was curious about the Sookie Stackhouse series so I just grabbed it. (My local library is seriously short of funds). I figured I'd have an idea what was going on because I'd seen a couple of seasons of the TV series.
Laurence wrote: "I am reading The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. It was highly recommended by friends on another Goodreads group. I really like it so far."Laurence - The Gargoyle was one of my favorite reads last year.
Connie wrote: "Laurence wrote: "I am reading The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. It was highly recommended by friends on another Goodreads group. I really like it so far."Laurence..."
ooh, me too! really, really enjoyed that book.
Just started A Dying Light in Corduba. I'm working my way through this excellent series very, very slowly, and thought that these holidays were the perfect time to read the next on the list.
I am just about finished with With Wings Like Eagles: A History of the Battle of Britain by Michael Korda. This must be the best history of the Battle of Britain I have ever read. I highly recommend it to all lovers of British/military history.
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I read that one- excellant early Bosch book!!
I am currently reading The Marlowe Conspiracyby M.G. Scarsbrook. The author posted about it and it looked like my sort of book. It's an Elizabethan thriller. Playwright Christopher Marlowe has discovered that there's a conspiracy against him. He enlists the aid of fellow playwright William Shakespeare.
I finished The Falls and didn't like it very much. A good story idea but I didn't like the main character....at all..., there are many false starts that went nowhere, the plot went nowhere and it kind of ended nowhere. Despite the awfulness of this book, I would give the author, Joyce Carol Oates, another try. I could see glimpses of beautiful writing and, reading the reviews for this awful book, many of her followers also say that this book is awful.
I'm now reading The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time, which is quite humerous. It's a compilation of some of Adams' newspaper columns, some interviews, some introductions that he wrote for books and a few chapters of an unfinished book he was writing when he passed away.
I've put aside Christmas Holiday until I finish Salmon Of Doubt because there's no renewal for Salmon. However, I'm quite enjoying the story and look forward to getting back to it soon.
And I started listening to Death on the Nile during my commutes. This is the third Hercule Poiroit audio I'm listening to and I quite like the narrator.
Finished The Year of the Flood last night and started one of the Caedfael books, Ellis Peters; One Corpse Too Many, a nice light mystery to finish off 2010
Bill wrote: "Finished The Year of the Flood last night and started one of the Caedfael books, Ellis Peters; One Corpse Too Many, a nice light mystery to finish off 2010"I love Ellis Peters. I got started reading her by accident, I was reaching for an Elizabeth Peters and wound up with a Cadfael. I also loved the TV version, Cadfael with Derek Jacobi. Cadfael is set in England during The Anarchy (Pillars of the Earth) and I believe King Stephen makes an appearance in at least one book.
Shay wrote: "Bill wrote: "Finished The Year of the Flood last night and started one of the Caedfael books, Ellis Peters; One Corpse Too Many, a nice light mystery to finish off 2010..."One of the reasons I found Pillars interesting was the connection with the time frame that Caedfael was set during. I've seen a few of the Caedfael tv episodes and enjoyed them very much. Derek Jacobi is a perfect Caedfael.
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I like the Caedfael books and TV series as well and I agree Derek Jacobi is perfect in the role.
Bill wrote: "Shay wrote: "Bill wrote: "Finished The Year of the Flood last night and started one of the Caedfael books, Ellis Peters; One Corpse Too Many, a nice light mystery to fi..."Have you read When Christ and His Saints Slept by Sharon Kay Penman? It's set during this time period too. There's only one copy in the whole library district where I live, but I just requested it.
I always read several books at a time. Keeps things interesting:-) Right now I'm reading Diana Gabalson's seventh book in her Outlander series, Echo In the Bone, and I'm in the middle of rereading The Chronicles of Narnia series.
Shay wrote: "Bill wrote: "Shay wrote: "Bill wrote: "Finished The Year of the Flood last night and started one of the Caedfael books, Ellis Peters; One Corpse Too Many, a nice light ..."I've not heard of that one; I'll have to keep it in mind. Have you tried any of the Matthew Shardlake books by C.J. Sansom? They are set during Henry VIII's time, but are very good mysteries.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Books mentioned in this topic
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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)
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because I am intensely curious to learn why and how ..."
Being a Brit I am fascinated by US history and what little of it I actually understood. I published an article on something I discovered earlier this year, which may interest some GR JM's.
Title: Forgotten hero?
I like history-mainly Roman, but I am partial to all sorts of interesting facts that my magpie like brain cannot resist. I write predominantly but not exclusively dark humor/ satire and have just finished the Vengeance Trilogy.
Casting around somewhat aimlessly for new book ideas, I chanced upon a remarkable tale that defies any satire.
In the UK & mainly through 'Hollywood'(the perpetrator of all lies) we assume that the American War of Independence was all the colonists up in arms against the British Empire. Apparently it was not as I discovered, purely by accident when researching stuff for a possible new book.
In 1785 at the end of the American war of independence 70,000 or so loyalists moved out of America and into Canada (Nova Scotia.) The motto of their leader at the time was 'Better to have one tyrant a thousand miles away than a thousand tyrants one mile away.'
Approximately 5000 black African Americans went with them, some were freedmen some were still slaves. (Many were runaway slaves who answered the British call for volunteers to fight the insurgent colonists and were promised in return their freedom and land.)
The re-settlement in Canada did not go well for the ex-slaves. There was local opposition and there was much discrimination. Land was begrudgingly and very slowly allocated, much of it barren and many died in the harsh winters.
One of the African Americans, Thomas Peters became their main spokesman. He had been brought to America by French slavers and sold in Louisiana around 1760 to a landowner in North Carolina.
During the 1770's his new owner, William Campbell became a supporter of colonial independence.
Thomas Peters was a serial absconder and when Lord Dumore's proclamation came in 1775 offering freedom and land to all runaways Thomas was swift to take advantage of the offer. Once enrolled he showed great leadership qualities and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Black Pioneers.
As spokesmen for the newly arrived in Canada he petitioned the governor of New Brunswick, Thomas Carleton for the land as promised. His petition was refused along with many others so Thomas Peters petitioned the British Government for land citing discrimination and maltreatment from the white majority.
In 1790, Peters traveled to Great Britain to continue his crusade for land and equal treatment with whites in their new homeland. While in Britain, he met with the remarkable abolitionist, Granville Sharp where he learned of a project by the Sierra Leone company to resettle emancipated black Africans back on their native continent. The British government provided the funding for this venture and, in early 1792, 1200 Black Loyalists from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, including Peters and his family, moved to Sierra Leone.
Thomas Peters died in the summer of 1792 from malaria barely a few months after his arrival 'home.'
All that strife, all that fighting for freedom, all that 'wanting to go home,' just for a damn mosquito to end a truly remarkable life which, to add insult to injury, seems largely overlooked by historians.
©RD Le Coeur 2010