THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!!
Beatrix wrote: "Horsefan101 wrote: "Beatrix wrote: "I am reading Five weeks in a balloon, one of the most famous novels of one of my favorites, Verne. It's a classic, and right now I am looking for classics I hav..."
makes sense Maybe A Christmas Carol or Oliver Twist both by Charles Dickens I like those ;)
makes sense Maybe A Christmas Carol or Oliver Twist both by Charles Dickens I like those ;)
Horsefan101 wrote: "Beatrix wrote: "Horsefan101 wrote: "Beatrix wrote: "I am reading Five weeks in a balloon, one of the most famous novels of one of my favorites, Verne. It's a classic, and right now I am looking fo..."Sounds a lot better!! =D Thanks!
I am reading "Eye Of The World" by Richard Jordan. Wonderful fantasy to read and I am happy I discovered this author via a goodreads friend.
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I agree 10000% Rickey (and I'm not even an author:>)
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I am currently reading The Collected Stories of HG Wells as well as House Justice a new thriller and continuing on with Pillars of the Earth (Hope to finish it by 2025!)
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The following statistics about book publishing and reading were found on www.p..."
Jill- all I can say to that is "MM MMM MMMM"
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how are you finding Little Dorritt? I have itof course- but yet to read it
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Rick, I get the feeling that more and more Aussies are reading but at the same ti..."
Totally agree Carmel- as I firmly believe that fostering a love of reading in the young will lead to a more successful educational career as well as kids missing out on what Dr. Seuss would call "Oh, The Places you Will Go"
Really slow to read these last few weeks. I've been sick with Bronchitis with no energy to read. Looking forward to feeling better and catching up on my reading and lowering the number on my TBD books.
Leslie wrote: I'm half way through Room. I love the freshness of the child's perspective and the way that all the objects in the room, where he's been held captive all his life, take on animate qualities.... I just found out that we'll be reading this for my book club, and I'm enthused about it . . . have been hearing such good things.
I am 57 pages into "The Vagrants" by Yiyun Li...I picked it up because I saw it on a shelf while waiting on my children in the library...I am enjoying it...so far
Get an E~Reader for the Holidays? Grab a FREE copy of 'Where the Sun Sets' @ smashwords.com...enter coupon code SY34P at checkout...Expires:January 31, 2011
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feel better Mel!
1. 'La mano de Fátima' by Ildefonso Falcones - recommended by my mum. Quite thick, I'm somewhere in the middle.2. 'Grass for His Pillow' by Lian Hearn - Pocket edition, just perfect to read on the bus.
3. 'Rabbit Redux' by John Updike - part of my American literature studies.
Melissa (Mel) wrote: "Really slow to read these last few weeks. I've been sick with Bronchitis with no energy to read. Looking forward to feeling better and catching up on my reading and lowering the number on my TBD bo..."I hope you feel better real soon, Mel. Those books are waiting for you!
Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was happy to see this second book in the series. I also just ordered a boatload of books from amazon - Charlie Chan, Allan Quartermain books and Fu Manchu books. And pre-ordered the next Flavia de Luce book A Red Herring Without Mustard - really looking forward to getting that in February!
Magdalena wrote: "1. 'La mano de Fátima' by Ildefonso Falcones - recommended by my mum. Quite thick, I'm somewhere in the middle.2. 'Grass for His Pillow' by Lian Hearn - Pocket edition, just perfect to read on the..."
I loved the Across the Nightingale Floor series!
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I also ..."
Love R. Rider Haggard books!!
Jenny wrote: "Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was happy to see this second book in the series. I also ..."
What a great bunch of books you ordered from Amazon.....oldies but goodies. Speaking of Haggard books, has anyone read
She?
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YES! Ayesha is one of Haggard's Greatest creations! a terrific read.
I am currently reading Selected Stories of HG Wells- and I must say- might be a cliche- but THAT MAN was so ahead of his time!!
Does anyone know and good Greek Mythology books beside Percy Jackson?????
Jill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was happy to see this second book in the serie..."Wells and Verne are two of my all-time favorites. :)
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I am reading The Time Machine now- it is thefirst story (actually a novella) in the collection- facinating story!!
i have never read so many of these and find myself grabbing a pen, taking notes and seriously considering a walk to the bookstore...
I've started Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making - Includes Two Unpublished Poirot Stories by John Curran. Reading Agatha Christie in my teens was the start of a 'love affair' with mysteries. I still love British cozies and am enjoying the insights into her notes about her writing.
Jan wrote: "I've started Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making - Includes Two Unpublished Poirot Stories by John Curran. Reading Agatha Christ..."love Poirot/Christie - I'll have to check this one out!
Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was happy to see this second book..."Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was happy to see this second book..."
Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was happy to see this second book..."
Rick, I'm waiting for War of the Worlds this very week. I think I read it many, many years ago. Now you know how old I am. *smile*
I believe I said before that author Octavia Butler was ahead of her time. I miss her work.
Jan wrote: "I've started Agatha Christie's Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making - Includes Two Unpublished Poirot Stories by John Curran. Reading Agatha Christ..."Jan....I saw that book in one of my book club notices....come back with a review when you are finished since I might want to order if. It looks interesting.
Listening to A Connecticut Yankee in King Authurs Court
I'm reading Under the Mercy Trees: A Novel by Heather Newton to be released Jan. 17 and The Other Life by Ellen Meister to be released Feb. 18. Love to review newly published books.
Bill wrote: "Listening to A Connecticut Yankee in King Authurs Court"Hi, Bill, didn't know you were here. I'm new. Just finished By Darkness Hid. Excellent recommendation. Thank you!
Am reading Mockingjay. I saw from reading previous reviews that this third book in the series is rated lower than the two other books in the series. So we will see. Also reading Skippy Dies which is said to be one of the top books published in 2010. Enjoying both so far.
Just finished The Giver which was a great book...thought provoking...still thinking about parts of it. I highly recommend it :-) Now will start something 'lighter'....Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. Reading it because I really enjoyed The Mortal Instruments Series by the same author.
Horsefan101 (Sara!) wrote: "Does anyone know and good Greek Mythology books beside Percy Jackson?????"You might consider looking at some of the stories by the original authors. I would recommend The Iliad (translated by Lattimore), the Odyssey (translated by Mandelbaum) and Ovid's Metamorphoses (also translated by Mandelbaum). If you don't find those translations, there are other good ones. The first two are about the Trojan War and include a good deal about the gods, who were actively involved. The third is Roman but includes many stories and descriptions of the Roman gods who were basically the Greek gods with Latin names. If you want to branch out a little, try Gilgamesh, a Babylonian tale. It includes some not very flattering views of the Babylonian gods while telling of the Flood (much the same story as in Genesis but 1,000 years older). Ishtar (the Greek Aphrodite) plays a part and comes across rather like Veruka Salt in Willie Wonka. These epics are the original tales from which the modern stories are made. Glad you are looking at the ancient Greeks. The stories they told have lasted 2,500 years or more and hold up very well.
I'm reading the Hunger Games because I've heard it's really good. And it is really good.
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I am 57 pages into "The Vagrants" by Yiyun Li...I picked it up because I saw it on a shelf while waiting on my children in the library...I am enjoying it...so far
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Where the Sun Sets- a wonderful read!!
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I have to check out Ms. Butler- never read any of her book- which is a good title to start with, Minnie?
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Howard wrote: "Horsefan101 (Sara!) wrote: "Does anyone know and good Greek Mythology books beside Percy Jackson?????"You might consider looking at some of the stories by the original authors. I would recommend..."
Howard, I suggested the Lattimore to someone and they reported that it was hard to find. And, someone told me that the Fagles is more accessible/readable than the Lattimore. I don't think that's true, but the Fagles is another good translation.
Try Parable of the Sower. Butler's view of the future.
Rick wrote: "Steampunk - I have seen that genre several times- what exactly is Steampunk ?"Think Jules Verne. Usually modern authors with a setting either in the Victorian era (or something Victorian like) with impossible for the era technology powered by steam. (Like in the Victorian Era.) The inspiration for the genre was believed to be Verne. In a visual sense, think Wild Wild West or League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. (The original book also had characters from that era.)
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Think Jules Verne. Usually modern authors with a setting either in the Victorian era (or something Victo..."
facinating! always wondered what the term meant!
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Rick, I've grabbed a description from Wiki:
"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, alternate h..."
thanks!! great info!
Shay wrote: "Howard, I suggested the Lattimore to someone and they reported that it was hard to find. And, someone told me that the Fagles is more accessible/readable than the Lattimore. I don't think that's true, but the Fagles is another good translation."
I would not quarrel with Fagles. My daughter's prep school used it and it worked well. I agree Lattimore is hard to find if you want to buy it. I had to get my copy used, but it should be available in a library or through inter-library loan. Any reasonably accurate and literate translation will do fine for this or any other ancient classic. I like Lattimore enough to take the trouble to get it but tastes and mileage will vary. It is the story and the characters that ultimately matter.
Howard wrote: "Shay wrote: "Howard, I suggested the Lattimore to someone and they reported that it was hard to find. And, someone told me that the Fagles is more accessible/readable than the Lattimore. I don't th..."Usually, when I pull out an old copy of any book for a re-read, I discover it has a funky smell and go out and buy a new one. My ancient Lattimore copy of the Iliad, though, gets read over and over despite the "funky" smell. So, that's how highly I think of this translation.
Never heard of Lattimore. Elucidate for the uneducated, please?
Rick wrote: "Minnie wrote: "Rick wrote: "Jill wrote: "Jenny wrote: "Reading The Osiris Ritual right now, as well - I really enjoyed Mann's The Affinity Bridge last year, so I was h..."Not Minnie, but I have a recommendation about which Octavia Butler book to start with. Kindredis a time travel novel dealing with slavery, but many people who usually don't read science fiction have been very impressed with it.
Robin wrote: "Never heard of Lattimore. Elucidate for the uneducated, please?"Richard Lattimore was a noted translator of Ancient Greek literature, including his superb translation of The Iliad.
Let me give you an example....When I was a student of philosophy, I translated most of the pre-Socratic philosophers. One of my first translations was a passage by Thales. I translated it as something like, "All things, even inanimate objects, contain a spirit." My tutor eventually helped me translate it into, "The world is ensouled and full of daemons." I still remember it because after 20 years, this is what made me realize that I had no "ear" for it. As you can see, they both say fundamentally the same thing, but the second translation is accurate and lyrical. That's what you want in a translation and the Lattimore is both.
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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UUufff, I think I gave the wrong impression; though I am a real Austen fan, I am not that into romantic novels. I don’t despise this genre, but very few of these success in hooking me up.... maybe another classic?? LOL!!