WHAT ARE YOU READING AND WHY!! Showing 4,751-4,800 of 10,669

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Ellie wrote: "KOMET: I love your reading list! What a mind you have-coupled with the passion to learn."

my thoughts exactly Ellie! KOMET indeed has such a facinating list

[KOMET]

Shay,

For starters, here are a series of books that deal specifically with the air war on the Eastern Front during the Second World War ---

Barbarossa Christer Bergstrom

Stalingrad - The Air Battle

Kursk: The Air Battle, July 1943

Kursk was where the greatest tank battle in history took place. Operation Zitadelle, Germany's last offensive on the Eastern Front.

Bagration to Berlin: The Final Air Battles in the East 1944-1945


In another message, I'll cite some books on the land battles on the Eastern Front that you may want to check out.

[KOMET]

Shay,

The Alexander Werth book is terrific, gives you a really good feel (from the perspective of a foreign correspondent) of what life in the Soviet Union was like between 1941 and 1945.

Now, without further ado, here are a few other non-fiction books about the Eastern Front ---


Hell's Gate: The Battle of the Cherkassy Pocket January to February 1944


Battleground Prussia: The Assault on Germany's Eastern Front 1944-45

The Retreat: Hitler's First Defeat

Kharkov 1942

The Road to Stalingrad

The Road to Berlin

When Titans Clashed: How the Red Army Stopped Hitler

A Writer at War: A Soviet Journalist with the Red Army, 1941-1945

Grossman served throughout the war as a correspondent with the Red Army.

Ivan's War: Life and Death in the Red Army, 1939 - 1945

In Deadly Combat: A German Soldier's Memoir of the Eastern Front (Modern War Studies

Stopped at Stalingrad: The Luftwaffe and Hitler's Defeat in the East, 1942-1943 (Modern War Studies

Zitadelle: The German Offensive Against the Kursk Salient 4-17 July 1943

KORSUN POCKET, THE: The Encirclement and Breakout of a German Army in the East, 1944

Bridgehead Kurland


Hope this helps.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

KOMET wrote: "Shay,

The Alexander Werth book is terrific, gives you a really good feel (from the perspective of a foreign correspondent) of what life in the Soviet Union was like between 1941 and 1945.

..."
well done KOMET!!!!!!

[Harold]

Komet's list is amazing!

I'm currently reading The Lost Books of the Odyssey. Excellent so far.

[Shay]

Thank you Komet. I think that most Americans did not get a chance to learn much about this aspect of WWII in school.

[Emma]

Susie wrote: "The House at Riverton is kind of reminding me of Downton Abbey & Upstairs, Downstairs. Really liking it!"

I loved Downton Abbey and Kate Morton's books! Is Upstairs, Downstairs similar? I always see it at the library, but have never checked it out. Now I will!

[Jane]

Mary - I've read all her her Phryne Fisher and Corrine Chapman and have loved each and every one.

[Doug]

I'm reading "To Hell and Back" by Audie Murphy...because I've never read it.
:-)

[Jane]

Started Meeks by Julia Holmes - so far very interesting.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Doug wrote: "I'm reading "To Hell and Back" by Audie Murphy...because I've never read it.
:-)"

great book and great film- with Audie playing himself!

[Michelle]

I am currently reading Game of Thrones...because of the tv series. No surprise that the books are much better. War of the Roses with dragons. But I can understand why GRR Martin is so highly rated.

[Sonia]

This message is to Komet. I am a survivor of WW2. Spent my childhood with partisans in the woods of Germany and Poland, fighting the Nazis. It took me close to 50 years to be able to look back. Then I decided to revisit the war, but seen through the eyes of Gypsies, the most peaceful moving parts I had experienced in the killer zones. I then take my heroine, a young Gypsy girl, back to the totalitarianism of the Red Empire, where the Soviets will turn out to be the first Russian rulers to persecute the Gypsies. Sometimes fiction tells what mere facts never can. http://dosha.homestead.com/

[Barbara]

I'm reading Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods, a Stone Barrington mystery. These books are pretty light reading. In this book Stone Barrnington is looking for a valuable stolen desk that may contain a die for counterfeiting rare gold coins. Along the way the apparently irresistable Stone hooks up with some beautiful women ...I thought I'd mention that in case it recommends the book to anyone :)

[Maryab]

Currently reading The Demon in Me
Why? It was in my TBR pile. No particular reason. I have at least 100 books in my pile. I don't go looking for a book or author. I simply pull a book from my stack.
The book is pretty good so far. Entertaining. The woman is possessed by a somewhat friendly demon.

A friend of mine is going to loan me the new Charlaine Harris book next week. Looks like I'll be reading two books at once.

[Marialyce]

I am reading Lorna Doone, A Discovery of Witches, and Kings of the Earth because they are all book club selections.

[Doug]

Rick wrote:
great book and great film- with Audie playing himself!"

I've seen the movie many times, but I always heard the book was much better because there were things they couldn't include in the movie due to censors.

I finally got around to buying it!

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Barbara wrote: "I'm reading Hot Mahogany by Stuart Woods, a Stone Barrington mystery. These books are pretty light reading. In this book Stone Barrnington is looking for a valuable sto..."

I read several by Woods- loved his earlier books- the newest ones- seem paint by the number

[Ian]

KOMET and anyone else interested in WWII history, this is a must-read:
The Chief Culprit: Stalin's Grand Design to Start World War II by Viktor Suvorov. I'm currently reading his Inside Soviet Military Intelligence which is also fascinating.

[Emma]

I am currently reading Sarah Addison Allen
and am devouring it! In my workday today I have almost finished it and cannot wait to get home to finish. Has a very small town, real life people vibe mixed witha little family history/mystery and a hint of magic! Great fun!

[Emily]

I am currently reading The Russian Renaissance by Goodreads author Ian Kharitonov. The Russian Renaissance

I noticed an announcement by Ian on the publication of this book. I checked out the sample, downloaded a copy to my Kindle and haven't been able to put it down since.

This is a thriller set in Russia, a real page turner. Check it out, this is a good one.

[Robin]

Emma, you need to read Garden Spells, and her other book. She has a way of writing that is intriguing. Russian Renaissance sounds intriguing as well. I am reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins, it is a great read as well, suspenseful as all get out.

[Bill]

Currently reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and Pilgrim by Timothy Findley and am enjoying both so far

[Barbara]

I'm reading Time of Hope by Charles Percy Snow, the first book in his "Strangers and Brotherss" series. I read this series many years ago and have always meant to read it again...so I bought the books from Amazon and am re-reading them all (11 books consolidated into 3 volumes). Has anyone read these books?

[[deleted user]]

Currently reading Tabloid City: A Novel by Pete Hamill. It is one of many ARCs that I've recently won through Goodreads First Reads. I've slowing trying to get through them in order to write reviews for each.

I'm also reading Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This one is for another group that I belong to.

[Robin]

Le Miserables is a good book, J. Elizabeth.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks Robin. I'm actually reading it for the second time. I read in once when I was in eighth grade but honestly its been so long and I've read so many other books that I only remember parts of it.

[Gary F]

It is one of those rare times that I am reading two books at once. First I am reading Cartwheels in a Sari about growing up in a cult. Also, as a compliment to the amazing book on the Amanda Knox case written by James Mason Book Club member Candace Dempsey, I am not reading The Monster of Perugia. As the Knox case is heating up again and hopefully she and her former boyfriend will soon be released, i am looking to add to the already huge wealth of information provided by Candace in A Murder in Italy.

[Petra]

I finished reading The Little Stranger this weekend. Loved it! Very gothic and eerie.

I've now started reading Doc: A Novel because it's only a 2-week loan from the library with no renewals and I want to make sure I've got time to finish, no matter what Life throws at me in the next couple of weeks. Only 40 pages in and I'm hooked!

[Emma]

Robin wrote: "Emma, you need to read Garden Spells, and her other book. She has a way of writing that is intriguing. Russian Renaissance sounds intriguing as well. I am reading The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins,..."

Robin,

I was lucky enought to get an ARC copy of Garden Spells before it came out and have been a huge fan of Sarah Addison Allen since then. I think Garden Spells is my favorite, but I loved the Sugar Queen and the Girl Who Chased the Moon as well. I always preorder her books the moment they are available! You are right, they are not to be missed! I am glad to see someone else enjoying them as well! I was sad to get to teh last page of the Peach Keeper last night, I held off as long as I could!

[Jason]

I just finished A Conflict of Interest and even though it is a debut author, Mitzner's writing will no doubt cement him into the world of legal thriller writers.

Fast paced, full of twists and turns, and completely engrossing. A solid 4* read.

If you're interested I reviewed the book on my blog and it can be found here: http://wp.me/pTRJE-5y

[Jill H.]

I am just about finished with Unsinkable by Daniel Butler. Although most of us know something about the sinking of the Titanic, this book really brings the story into focus. It fills in some of the blanks without being judgmental.....just facts although he does include the human interest aspect of the tragedy. In my opinion, this is one of the best re-tellings of that fateful night and the aftermath. A good companion book is The Other Side of the Night: The Carpathia, the Californian and the Night the Titanic Was Lost by the same author. Fascinating reading.

[Leslie]

I just finished reading Haruki Murakami's After the Quake, which hauntingly brings to life the aftermath of the 1995 earthquake in Kobe.... The book of short stories was particularly moving to me in light of the more recent earthquake in Japan. My full review can be read at www.the-reading-list.com

[Emily]

I'm reading 'Devil's Den' - Why? Because I learned the Civil War novel by Ashby was unfairly panned by a Confederate sympathizer, as the book was written from the Union Army perspective. The research that went into the novel, and the construction, editing and cover design is laudable on ever level.

[Jim]

I am reading Julio Cortazar's Hopscotch in preparation for a trip to Argentina this winter. My readings in Argentinian literature have been too heavily slanted toward Borges, but Bioy Casares, Cortazar, and Eloy Martinez are also worth reading.

[Kerra]

I am currently reading ,, , , , , , and . Loving them all!!

[Charles]

Hi Kerra. You have varied tastes and I think the selection is great.. If only there were enough hours in the day..

[Jane]

Reading Inamorata about spiritualism in the 20's. Very good so far.

[Gail]

I'm reading Duty, Honor, Country, A Novel, by Bob Mayer because it is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
I'm reading A Walk in the Snark by Rachel Thompson because it is funny!
And I will begin IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth by Andre Jute because I just returned from my first trip to Alaska and couldn't believe my luck coming across his information on Goodreads today! Immediately bought it on Kindle.

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Jim wrote: "I am reading Julio Cortazar's Hopscotch in preparation for a trip to Argentina this winter. My readings in Argentinian literature have been too heavily slanted toward Borges, but Bioy Casares, Cort..."

sounds like a great trip- I have relatives who settled in Argentina in the 1920's- hope you have a great trip!

[Jason]

I just finished Tabloid City: A Novel and have to say that it was amazing!
Easily a best book of 2011 for me.

The story has something for everyone - it's somber, exciting, fast paced, and a great read.

I think what won me over on this book was Hamill's characters. They stayed with me long after I put the book down.

You're welcome to read my review here: http://wp.me/TRJE

[MissSusie]

Decided to read Running with Scissors by, Augusten Burroughs I know I saw the movie years ago but after finishing Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger's by, his brother John I thought I needed to go back a read this one.

[Chris]

Currently reading and

[Rick-Founder JM CM BOOK CLUB]

Christina wrote: "Currently reading and "

loved Once a Spy- Keith is a great guy- a member of James Mason and even drew a picture of James Mason for our Group! can't wait too read the sequel!!

Keith's drawing
http://www.goodreads.com/photo/group/...

[Steve]

Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Paterson. A comically pompous British expat in Tuscany and his Eastern European expat neighbor get mixed up in various hijinks.

It's funny and awkward and hard to pull off as a writer, with dueling first persons. I'm reading it partially to see how the author pulls it off. A Kindle version just came out in the US, by the way.

[David]

Have just started Lori Baker's "CRAZY WATER: Six Fictions". The 1st short story of Grace, her overbearing mother, and Grace's first kiss to be such an enjoyable read. If any of the other shorts are anywhere near this good, I'll have to chase the author's other works.

[KOMET]

I'm in the midst of reading

WINSTON CHURCHILL - SOLDIER: The Military Life of a Gentleman at War



It's remarkable to think that before he was 25, Churchill had taken part in 4 wars.

I'm now at the part of the book in which Churchill, having resigned his commission from the Army in furtherance of a political career, has gone to South Africa in October 1899 (after Britain declared war on the Orange Free State and the Transvaal) as a war correspondent.

Though I am of somewhat mixed opinions about Winston Churchill en toto, nevertheless I find him a highly fascinating personality.

[Robin]

Steve, the book you are reading sounds fascinating. I am reading the Sorceror's Apprentices about the restaurant in Spain where they have people intern there, it is kind of fascinating like Top Chef without all the drama. I just finished The Moonstone and found it a fascinating read, Wilkie Collins is a great Vctorian writer. If anyone gets the chance, read his works.

[Curt]

Just finished Tacitus 'Annals' and Suetonius' 'The Twelve Caesars'. There is a strong resemblance of the oligarchy then and those now. Yeech! Intelligent, gallant rats? I'm prejudiced against that one. 'Ben' both the movie and the dreaded song by MJ ( When it was definitely proven to have been him singing, back in my high school/dungeon time days, among us aspiring bull males, that boy's stock fell hard. Fritz Lieber's 'Swords of Lankhmar' villains were diabolic rats. And in the Warhammer Imperial world, the Skaven rat critters are a bunch in need of extermination.

[Steve]

Robin wrote: "Steve, the book you are reading sounds fascinating. I am reading the Sorceror's Apprentices about the restaurant in Spain where they have people intern there, it is kind of fascinating like Top Che..."

Robin, The Sorcerer's Apprentices: A Season in the Kitchen at Ferran Adrià's El Bulli looks great. As a former restaurant soldier, I can probably relate. Thanks.