THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
Currently, I'm reading both The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss and The Shadow of the Torturer by Gene Wolfe. I'm reading Name of the Wind because I have heard that the author's style of writing is great and this tale is devoid of the usual fantasy archetypes. Plus, Pat really made me take a different approach to education. I'm reading the Shadow of the Torturer because of two things: I wanted to know more about Gene Wolfe, and I read some of the book's plot on Wikipedia. I got it today. I'm pleased already and I'm just on the second page!
Shay wrote: "Bill wrote: "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 Ma..."</i>I'm finding I like the historical mysteries as well. I've got [book:Mistress of the Art of Death, which is set during the time of Henry II, on my TBR list for 2011 and I've enjoyed the one Barbara Cleverly mystery set during the Raj in India, The Last Kashmiri Rose. Not quite so far back historically, but still a pretty decent story.
Darkpool wrote: "Just starting an Barbara Cleverly on audiobook as it happens - The Tomb of Zeus."Is that a Joe Sandilands story as well?
Bill wrote: "Darkpool wrote: "Just starting an Barbara Cleverly on audiobook as it happens - The Tomb of Zeus."Is that a Joe Sandilands story as well?"
No, it's the Laetitia Talbot series. I've only read the third one. That book's big weakness for me was that it didn't have a really strong sense of place, lacked atmosphere.
Bill, I've always loved mysteries but I'm finding that a lot of modern mysteries seem too cliched and hokey. It seems as if an author invests a lot of time in research for a historical that it generally results in a better written book.
Has anyone read Bernard Cornwell's novel The Fort? About the Revolutionary War. Does he bring a unique perspective- a Brit writing about "our" war?
Shay wrote: "Bill wrote: "Darkpool wrote: "Just starting an Barbara Cleverly on audiobook as it happens - The Tomb of Zeus."Is that a Joe Sandilands story as well?"
No, it's the Laetitia Talbo..."
I hadn't considered that. Some of my favourite mysteries are set in either the past or other countries, which maybe gives them some freshness that the more modern mysteries now lack. While I do still enjoy Karin Slaughter, Jeffrey Deaver and others, some of my favourites include Donna Leon, set in Venice, David Rotenberg, set in China, Alexander McCall Smith, set in Africa and then those historical settings. You have a point.
Just finished reading Margaret Atwood's Surfacing - I loved this early Atwood novel that established her longstanding fascination with the Canadian wilderness and the wildernness within one woman's tormented soul.... My full review can be read at www.the-reading-list.com
I'm about halfway through Stettin Station
by David Downing because I'm sucker for anything set in 1930s/40s Europe under the threat of war. His series involves an Anglo-American longtime expat in Berlin who's a journalist, but he also gets mixed up in espionage and mystery, mostly to hold out hope of protecting his son and girlfriend in a doomed Germany. The details are good and the characters drawn well enough, but Downing frustrates me by often introducing too many subplots that have equal importance. It's the same with this one, but I'm entertained in any case. -Steve
I'm reading The Lost Books of The Odyssey: A Novelwhich is a modern author playing riffs on Homer's Odyssey. I enjoy this sort of thing. I consider it a more sophisticated and intellectual form of fanfic.
Mod
Shay- on a Sharon Kay Penman buying binge- I purchased When Christ and His Saints Slept- haven't read it yet- but I recall it being highly recommended by a fellow Group member
BTW- Sharon Kay Penman is a member of our James Mason Group
Carmel wrote: "Go Jenny, so worth it!!!"It's one of the better YA series that I have read - fresh, engaging characters, lots going on, nice plot twists, and I like that she lets those characters act flawed in every day, small ways. It's very entertaining and a QUICK read - I'll definitely make my goal of 100 books by the end of the year. :)
Currently reading The House on Olive Street--I just felt like something nice to read--after reading shelter mountain--I was still in a Robynn carr-chicklit mood.
I'm about halfway through Cosima Wagner: The Lady of Bayreuth. I started reading it for research, but it has so much info about Wagner I have to finish it.
I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what all the hoopla is about :)
Rose wrote: "I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what all the hoopla is about :)"LOL! When I saw this book in a Used Bookstore, I bought it for the same reason. Still haven't read it but still want to know what the Hoopla is.
I'm about half throught Christmas Holiday. It started slow (very relaxed, idealic lifestyle with no worries or issues) but once Lydia starts telling her story it really picks up. I'm enjoying the book quite a bit now.I finished The Salmon of Doubt: Hitchhiking the Galaxy One Last Time and quite enjoyed it. I was a bit rushed because it had to go back to the Library. I think this would make a very good coffee table sort of book. It's full of Adams' newpaper columns, his interviews and such (short items). I think it would be the perfect book to have lying around to pick up for an article or two. He's really witty.
Petra wrote: "Rose wrote: "I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what all the hoopla is about :)"LOL! When ..."
I flew through that book. It was amazing.
I'm returning to my old love, The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I'm reading for the joy of paranormal stories. I saw the musical in Chicago years ago. I think the singers were Sarah Marchman and Mr. Crawford. I'm off on the names but close. I'm coming down from a publishing-high and need something to level me. My novel, Whispers from the Mirror, is being printed as I write this.
Mod
Loved Phantom (the novel..never saw the musical)
best wishes on your book..Whispers from the Mirror, Minnie!!
lets all support Minnie and our Member Authors!
Mod
LOL! When ..."
I must say I tried to read The Help- but found it plodding- my friend loved it- and I am very much not the end all when it comes to judging books! but I really could not get into that one
...and they were wonderful!! I saw them on Broadway and wow!
Rick wrote: "Petra wrote: "Rose wrote: "I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what all the hoopla is about :)"..."I haven't read The Help either, Rick, but I'm pretty sure it's primarily a "chick" book. I don't think I've ever seen a man even looking at this book, let alone buying it or checking it out of the library.
Mod
I was interested in all the hype- but just not my kind of book- far more into thrillers and historical novels ect- I found it a terrible yawn- and I just read about a two chapters- but to each their own..
Rick wrote: "Shay wrote: "Rick wrote: "Petra wrote: "Rose wrote: "I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what a..."It's been sitting on my shelf for months and I keep pushing it back in favor of other books. I'll get to it one day, maybe.
David wrote: "Minnie wrote: "I'm returning to my old love, The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I'm reading for the joy of paranormal stories. I saw the musical in Chicago years ago. I think the singers we..."David wrote: "Minnie wrote: "I'm returning to my old love, The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I'm reading for the joy of paranormal stories. I saw the musical in Chicago years ago. I think the singers we..."
Yes! That's right! Sarah Brightman and Michael Crawford.
David wrote: "David wrote: "Minnie wrote: "I'm returning to my old love, The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I'm reading for the joy of paranormal stories. I saw the musical in Chicago years ago. I think ..."Thank you, David. I'm going to stay with this for awhile and listen to the words of The Music of the Night. YouTube is great.
Can you tell us a bit more about Whispers From The Mirror, Minnie? What genre is this book? Is it a love story, a feminist novel, a combination of the two or neither one? I need to get a clearer impression of the book in order to decide whether I want to read it.
I'm currently reading the third book in the Hunger Games series, MockingJay. It is fantastic in every way but I'm still wondering what I should read afterwards..
This is the back text.Belle Deville is a Civil Rights lawyer, news commentator and single mother. She preaches courage, independence, and distrust of men into Brianna, her only child. She doesn't know her father and Belle never explained his absence when she was alive. These issues take their toll on Brianna’s heart and mind. She becomes celibate to avoid close relationships with men that pass through her life and hides behind a mask of feminism well into her forties. Rape adds to her anguish and reinforces her mistrust of men.
Mirror-Lady appears in Brianna’s bathroom mirror at will. She is an apparition and guardian angel sent by Belle to protect her daughter after her death. Mirror-Lady warns that if she doesn’t open her heart she will have a loveless existence and die like her mother—alone.
“Whispers from the Mirror” is provocative yet mitigating.
BTW, I love that cover, too. I searched for a month looking for the many faces of a woman, plus I was an art student and appreciate color.
Re description of Whispers From the Mirror--Oh wow, Minnie! There's a paranormal aspect. I'm very interested. Thank you for giving me further details.
Shomeret wrote: "Re description of Whispers From the Mirror--Oh wow, Minnie! There's a paranormal aspect. I'm very interested. Thank you for giving me further details."I love hearing that. You make my heart happy!
I'm currently in love with Kristin Hannah, so I ordered her Christmas book (Comfort & Joy: A Novel) and I am pretty sure I will have it finished within the next 12 hours.
"The Art Of Racing In The Rain"...someone on goodreads recommended it so I picked it up...fingers crossed because the last book I read...well I did not finish
Minnie wrote: "I'm returning to my old love, The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux. I'm reading for the joy of paranormal stories. I saw the musical in Chicago years ago. I think the singers were Sarah Marchm..."added to my to-read list...
Rita wrote: "Petra wrote: "Rose wrote: "I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what all the hoopla is about :)"..."this was a very good read...and I guess it would fall more towards the chic read although I do not think it is considered chic lit...it is about the life of the hired help in what I think was the sixties...as told by the help....which happen to be women...so...yea
Mod
Belle Deville is a Civil Rights lawyer, news commentator and single mother. She preaches courage, independence, and distrust of men into Brianna, her only child. She doesn..."
The plot is FACINATING!!!! the cover art- BREATH-TAKING!!
Mod
My own advice, Shay- let The Help get alot of rest on your bookshelf- not a book to rush to read- my opinion of course
Barbara wrote: "I'm reading The Girl of His Dreams by Donna Leon, a Commissario Brunetii mystery."Barbara - I haven't read that one yet, but I do love the Commissario Brunetti series.
I am reading a goodreads giveaway, "Sal Mineo." Since I live in LA, I've been fascinated by his rise to fame and his tragic murder. This is a good biography.
Rick wrote: "Shay wrote: "Rick wrote: "Petra wrote: "Rose wrote: "I am reading The HElp. Why? Because I work in a bookstore and whenever we get this one in used, it flies off our shelves. Want to know what a..."In some ways I would call it historical fiction only because it deals with the shameful subject of how African-Americans were treated back in the 60's by the white families who hired them to be maids. The fear these women feel for what they did by telling their stories bounces off the pages.
Mod
Rick wrote: "Minnie wrote: "This is the back text.Belle Deville is a Civil Rights lawyer, news commentator and single mother. She preaches courage, independence, and distrust of men into Brianna, her only c..."
Rick wrote: "Minnie wrote: "This is the back text.
Belle Deville is a Civil Rights lawyer, news commentator and single mother. She preaches courage, independence, and distrust of men into Brianna, her only c..."
Rick wrote: "Minnie wrote: "This is the back text.
Belle Deville is a Civil Rights lawyer, news commentator and single mother. She preaches courage, independence, and distrust of men into Brianna, her only c..."
The plot is FACINATING!!!! the cover art- BREATH-TAKING!!
Rick, thank you for getting my cover posted. I couldn't figure out how to do this. Ha! Now I'm really getting excited!
Mod
Who sent you the Sal Mineo book in the Givaway? I see it is still not offered as a giveaway..was it author or publisher?
Mod
Belle Deville is a Civil Rights lawyer, news commentator and single mother. She preaches courage, independence, and distrust of men into Briann..."
my Pleasure!
Whispers From The Mirror
Mod
excellant point Rose- and the subject matter is VERY important- I just could not get into the storytelling technique- but obviously many can and did as it is a great best seller
You can add this Temperature: Dead and Rising to your list this weekend. Offering it free this until Monday (12-20-2010) in exchange for reviews left here or any site offering my novel. Visit www.facebook.com/DeadRights for details. (Not required to login to see the fan page)Enjoy!Adam Santo
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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I have the C.J. Sansom books on my TBR list. I've heard they are good. Ruth Downie writes a mystery series set in Britain during Roman Occupation. They're a little dry, but I love historical mysteries.