THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Archives - Book Discussions
>
WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
message 3351:
by
Martha
(new)
Dec 27, 2010 05:53AM
Is all that snow going to delay your return home? That's a lot of snow!! Good time for games & reading!!
reply
|
flag
Gini wrote: "Shay wrote: "My big objection to this book is that the author was so mercenary and "unartistic" about his goals. I remember an interview that he gave and he sounded so smug and arrogant about how e..."I read The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. I read the latter one first. I found that I had to develop a "Dan Brown" rule. You have to slog through the first 150 pages and then you might find a story underneath. He wasn't quite as bad in DVC as in A&D. Both were interesting, and I have the earlier books - but there the Dan Brown rule definitely applies. He goes into too much back story and history of the topic and it is just boooooring! I'll have to see if the earlier books improve after page 150, I suppose. Or, I might just quit them now while I am ahead of the game and haven't invested too much time in them.
There are dozens of books that address alternative biblical interpretations. This one just happened to have more exposure than others. One must be careful not to be too sensitive to things that might offend, because it is not only the world of books that contains opinions, interpretations and expositions different to the ones a person might hold dear, so one runs the risk of being continually in offended mode.By all means, we need to hold on to what we believe, but we need to let everyone else get on with what they want to do as well. It's what freedom is all about, and 'art', and 'literature'.
A mind that is curious and open to possibilities becomes a balanced mind that can decide, choose, keep or reject, without offense or injury. It is perfectly possible to stand on the sidelines and say, "I'll have none of that, thank you," without choosing for millions of others.
Mod
I fly home on 12/31 so hope no delay
also hope no long lines flying home on New Years Eve!!
@Rick re:"pop" fad - we all know that granola and grains are better for us, but sometimes we just need a beer (or a chocolate malt) and a greasy burger with all the toppings. B^)Sometimes you just have to dance around your kitchen with Billy Idol on ELEVEN...
Mod
Sometimes you jus..."
LOL- true!!
Ron wrote: "@Rick re:"pop" fad - we all know that granola and grains are better for us, but sometimes we just need a beer (or a chocolate malt) and a greasy burger with all the toppings. B^)Sometimes you jus..."
But there are good greasy burgers and fries and milkshakes and then there are the ones that make you vomit or get food poisoning. So, I guess to me, Dan Brown is the literary equivalent of vomit or e coli.
Mod
Somet..."
I really enjoy current thrillers- Robin Cook, Vince Flynn
Thieves if Darkness - which while a great new thriller is also an amazing history lesson on Ancient Cultures- not preachy- just facinating!! Richard wrote a real winner!
Marialyce wrote: "I am starting The Great Gatsby today after finishing The Dead Secret. Lots of time to read today as we are deluged with snow. At least 18 inches has fallen. We can hardly..."Living in Buffalo,I hear your pain, although today we have big fluffy flakes that are quite beautiful. In snow a very good snow blower is a great thing to have!
I am currently reading Frankenstein's Monster because the original is one of my faves. This picks up where the original left off. Whatever became of the monster.
The holidays make me nostalgic and sinced Georgette Heyer is available in e now I have been doing an orgy of regency :-). Right now I am reading Regency Buck. Many of her books are social comedies but I like the ones that have some murder and intrigue (like The Reluctant Widow The Reluctant Widow or The Talisman Ring The Talisman Ring).Not sure where else to mention this but smashwords is having a 20% off sale for those with ereaders. Here is an URL for coupon codes on the sale books: http://backlistebooks.com/
and I must confess I'm sitting on my sunny deck in my short-sleeved shirt, looking at the sparkling Monterey Bay -- and I just picked up an OLD Jack Higgins to re-read, On Dangerous Ground, reviewing his "uncertain future of Hong Kong, China and the world." I guess when you write thrillers, you read thrillers! Liam www.terminalpolicy.com
Yesterday I started "With Speed and Violence" by Fred Pearce Beacon Press, Boston 2007An interesting look at new facts emerging from the study of global warming.
Em wrote: "Shay wrote: "Rose wrote: "Em wrote: "As ever, I'm juggling several books. I've finished Volume 1 of Gone With the Wind and although I'm enjoying it, I'm taking a break before getting ..."I agree. We Need to Talk About Kevin is a fascinating book. I enjoy books that make you question the reliability of the narrator. The family dynamic described in this book is full of twists and layers that make you think. I also love Shriver's prose style. I have her new book, So Much For That, on my TBR list.
Liam wrote: "and I must confess I'm sitting on my sunny deck in my short-sleeved shirt, looking at the sparkling Monterey Bay -- and I just picked up an OLD Jack Higgins to re-read, On Dangerous Ground, reviewi..."Liam, you wouldn't believe how many writers I've talked to in the past few years who don't read the genre they're writing... (subtle point here that I said "writers" rather than "authors").
Some say it's intentional because they don't want to accidentally "steal" an idea or two... but I have talked with newbie fiction writers who don't read fiction... none.
My thought is that it is truly impossible to write in a genre you don't read voraciously...
I used to worry more about being influenced if I read in the same genre I was writing in, but don't thin k about it any more. Partly because I write in a lot of genres and tghere wouldn't be anything to read :-). But also, once you have your voice almost nothing can shake it. It is as though I have laid down the railroad tracks of style and I run on them regardless of the changing scenery.Next up is The Shadow of the Wind. This is a re-read but that is okay, the book is so layered that I suspect there will be things I missed the first time.
Still working my way through my Caedfael book and my history of Weaponry book, but taking a bit of a break as well and reading one of the books I got for Xmas, The Book of Lists: Football by Stephen Foster.. Very good so far..
Mod
Old or new Jack Higgins is tops in my book- pun intended
Im reading The Reverand Alfred Sharpton's biography..he really got it going on!
Hey guys, I'm reading The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest. I think everyone knows why, Stieg Larsson is pretty much a genius. I've been reading the trilogy over the past 2 months (in between very cute children's books to balance out the drama and intrigue). It's really great so far!
I just finished Three Men in a Boat and Three Men on a Bummel. I had read the first years ago, and never knew about the second until someone on here posted about it. I've forgotten who you are, but thank you! Bummel was a great sequel and great entertainment.
Melanie wrote: "I used to worry more about being influenced if I read in the same genre I was writing in, but don't thin k about it any more. Partly because I write in a lot of genres and tghere wouldn't be anythi..."I just started reading The Shadow of the Windtoday. The Historical Fictionistas group is reading it, but the month is almost over so I'm late to the discussion.
Mod
love the classics!!!!!!!
About to start Three Men in a Boat on audiobook - just as soon as I finish the book I'm currently listening to! (I'm on the last disk of The Tomb of Zeus; and close to finding out who the murderer was I hope!!!) My current paper read is The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer. I've read plenty of her romances, but this is the first of her histories I've tried. I found it hard going to begin with, but now I'm accustomed to her style and deliberately archaic language I'm enjoying it far more.
I'm reading A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway because I'm trying to read more books from the classic genre. So far so good! I seem to enjoy it better than his other novel The Old Man and the Sea
Lennie -- I read A Farewell to Arms last year for a book class that I take. I hated it! The dialog seemed so forced and juvenile. Haven't read too much else by Hemingway.
I am reading Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay because it is the pick for my book club in January. I had avoided reading it on my own because I have read so much about WWII and the holocaust. Personally, I like reading about WWII and the holocaust, because the good guys and bad guys are so obvious, and I like that period of history. However, sometimes I feel that there must be SOMETHING else to read about. Something must have happened in another part of the globe that I could read about. But, it got picked by my book club, so I have to read it. And, I am enjoying the story and the way it is written.I am listening to an audiobook Shannon: A Novel by Frank Delany. We are very fortunate in my book club to have as a member a person who is involved in publishing. Several years ago we read Ireland by the same author, and our book club member arranged an author telephone chat with him. He was an absolutely lovely man, with a gorgeous Irish accent, and it was a lovely experience. Frank Delaney reads his own books (with his gorgeous Irish accent), so I make it a point to listen to his books.
You're right Susan, the dialouge between the characters isn't that great. At times I want to roll my eyes at what is being said. For me, I'm concentrating on the story of Henry as he makes his way across Italy during WWI and the difficulties he faces as a soldier who is retreating from the front line (there is a kind of suspense to it). If it wasn't for this, I probably wouldn't enjoy this book either!
I finished
. Love it! I highly recommend it. It's sci-fi, but more pure entertainment than anything else. I love it when a book is most of all a very enjoyable book. I'm in the middle of
. Spooky in that it's too close to the reality of corporate chains overtaking America. This is an enjoyable read so far. I'm also picking up
and alternating it with The Store.I'm listening to
. Terrific listen.
Vince wrote: "
The Call of the Wild and White Fang. Ought to make Chicago's winter seem mild. I vaguely remember "Call" from my youth, but I've ..."I must vaguely remember something else, cos I've never read "Call.." before, but what a great book! Buck is now one of my favorite characters from fiction. Starting "White Fang" now. Happy New Year, hope everyone gets home safely! (What I remember was London's description of a day so cold that spit froze before it hit the ground. Any idea what book that's from? "To Build a Fire" maybe?)
Vince, that particular image didn't stick with me from any of the London books/stories I've read (though with my memory, that doesn't mean it isn't there! :-) ). But I do vividly recall Jean Auel using it in The Valley of Horses, when she's describing the Ice Age winter on the Eurasian steppes. (Probably she stole the idea from London!) It probably stayed in my memory from there because I read that book aloud to my wife; we're more apt to recall things that we've actually said aloud, as well as read, than things that we've only read silently.
I am reading Zeitoun and enjoying it greatly. It is a story of a real family and their struggles with hurricane Katrina.
Currently reading Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke. Read it years ago but didn't get it back then. I recently found a paperback copy on bookmooch so am giving it another go. Trouble is I've been ill thru most of December so Ive not got much reading done!
I'll be reading Zeitoun in January with Book Nook, Marialyce.Right now I'm trying to complete my Urban Fantasy group challenge by readingFatal Circleby Linda Robertson. The central character is a witch with a werewolf boyfriend who has a huge political problem with both the Faerie and the vampire community.
Shomeret wrote: "I'll be reading Zeitoun in January with Book Nook, Marialyce.Right now I'm trying to complete my Urban Fantasy group challenge by readingFatal Circleby Linda Robertson. The centra..."
It,s a wonderful book. It is ever so fast paced and easy to read. I will probably finish it this evening. Fascinating and scary!
I started reading War and Peace and am really enjoying it so far. I missed the Group Read here but am still determined to read it. So far, I'm surprised at the readability of this book. It's not daunting at all, so far.I've also started Tempest-tost because I enjoy Robertson Davies books and its been awhile since I've read one.
Petra wrote: "I started reading War and Peace and am really enjoying it so far. I missed the Group Read here but am still determined to read it. So far, I'm surprised at the readability of this book. ..."Good for you, Petra. I hope you enjoy it greatly! :)
Aloha, I buy anything Bill Bryson writes. I even read his book about the history of homes. He could make my last week's leftovers sound good in writing. Just a good writer, period.
I'll be finishing The Dead Secret tomorrow or Friday, I hope. Just in time to start Little Dorrit for a group read and Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West for a challenge. I have a mystery going, too, but won't pick up another until I finish these 2 big books!! Well, I'll TRY not to pick up another book.
Werner wrote: "Vince, that particular image didn't stick with me from any of the London books/stories I've read (though with my memory, that doesn't mean it isn't there! :-) ). But I do vividly recall Jean Auel u..."I've never read any Auel, so scratch that. I was pretty young (over 40 years ago) when I read whatever it was,it may have been a collection of London's work. Maybe it's in White Fang, which I'm reading now.
Mod
That's the book my friend so wanted to read!
BTW-
Mod
some great signed cards, pics, letters from Authors- Issac Asimov, James Michener, Robert Ludlum and Sidney Sheldon- ( not to mention my favorites-ABC News Anchor Frank Reynolds, Game Show Host Jack Barry, Comedian Alan King, Bob Preston, Ralph Bellamy, Barnard Hughes, Ben Johnson and Ted Knight-not a writer but his nephew Spaulding could have been a fine novelist)
I just started The Pacific on Nook. The companion volume to the Tom Hanks/Steven Spielberg miniseries.The Pacific
I've always loved the late Stephen Ambrose's work and it looks like son Hugh is definitely following in dad's footsteps.
I am currently reading Like A Thorn by Clara Vidal (I'd like to see the original French copy, though.)
Mod
The Pacific
I've always loved the late Stephen Ambrose's work and it looks like..."
I was quite a fan of Stephen Ambrose- saw him on Book TV many times- a wonderful speaker- so sad to lose him so early
Don't know about The Pacific, but there's a quite readable coming of age novel called Atlantic by Luke Jennings that I quite liked.
Rick wrote: "That's the book my friend so wanted to read! BTW-..."Not Clarke's best to be honest! Quite boring and tedious so far!
I'm reading Redemption in Indigo: a novel by Karen Lord. It's the last of theUrban Fantasy challenge books. The category is New To You Author. This is Karen Lord's first novel and it's based on a Senegalese folk tale. It's also told in the same manner as a folk tale which means that the narrator addresses the reader a great deal. It's an interesting book.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Books mentioned in this topic
Confessions on the 7:45 (other topics)Amity (other topics)
Truly, Devious (other topics)
We All Fall Down (other topics)
Get Even (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Monica Rodden (other topics)Lisa Unger (other topics)
Natalie D. Richards (other topics)
Maureen Johnson (other topics)
Gretchen McNeil (other topics)
More...
