Bookmarks Subscribers discussion
Q and A
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What book did you just start?
Victoria wrote: "I lucked out and found
available on our e-library site the other night. So I'm reading that - it's pretty good. I haven't read Patchett before, I tried Bel Ca..."I own Bel Canto, but haven't read it yet. I do hear people give reviews that are all over the map. I've never read Patchett before either, but I would like to do so. Maybe next year.
Getting ready to start
in preparation for the Manchester meet. I was lucky enough to get it from the library as well. I'm definitely saving some money ths year using the e-library.
I started
on audio today. Do you consider listening to a book as having "read" it? One of the podcasts I listen to was debating that.
Betsy wrote: "I started
on audio today. Do you consider listening to a book as having "read" it? One of the podcasts I listen to was debating that."Yes, absolutely, it counts.
Victoria wrote: "I am now reading
. Wow, what an opening. I'm about 1/4 done, I am totally hooked."Oh, this one caught my eye - it looks so good.
To me,listening to an audio book is reading with your ears. Since you actually hear the characters talk, audio books can bring the reading experience alive in a way reading a book doesn't. Though To me there is no greater joy than holding a book in your hand, turning the pages, falling into the story, listening to audio books is a another way of experiencing a story an author is trying to bring the reader, whatever the form.
I just started "The Technologists" by Matthew Pearl and "Iinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" by John LeCarre. I've read all Mr Pearl's novels. His creative approach generates good reading.
Betsy wrote: "I started
on audio today. Do you consider listening to a book as having "read" it? One of the podcasts I listen to was debating that."I do. I listen to many books now due to my commute. A classmate in library school said they had a young woman who wanted to do teen summer reading but due to a learning disability wanted to get credit for audio books and the head librarian wouldn't let her. I thought all that did was discourage the young woman. Especially since they allow small children to count books read to them. Interesting question, Betsy.
Melissa wrote: "Betsy wrote: "I started
on audio today. Do you consider listening to a book as having "read" it? One of the podcasts I listen to was debating that."..."
Melissa, the story about your classmate makes my blood boil. That said...
I've always considered listening to a book as "reading" it. I know former colleagues who do not agree with me. As a retired Special Educator, I know that sometimes the only way true comprehension occurs is through hearing. My own son benefitted from both visually reading and listening to a book simultaneously. Something I recognized, but his teachers did not.
I looked up the definition of "read" on my computer dictionary: look at and comprehend the meaning of (written or printed matter) by mentally interpreting the characters or symbols of which it is composed
The only part of that definition that differs from the auditory method is "look at" but I know that even I, avid reader that i am, have looked at pages and not comprehended. So technically, I guess, I wasn't reading.
I guess this would mean a blind person could never read a book.
Victoria wrote: "Sera wrote: "I just started
."Haven't read that since college, but I really enjoyed Hardy."
I'm only a few pages in but already he seems very readable. I'm trying to hit the classics harder over the next few years.
I just started
in print and
in the car.I agree with the many voices above that the audio experience does fall in the realm of reading, and definitely can only enhance the total reading experience. I have fond and vivid memories of excellent narrators bringing to life many memorable and remarkable reads in my car. Some say they can not focus on audiobooks, but I never found this to be true for me. There are many options for our listening pleasure out there and many fall short of a truly well-read book. If this media can provide greater exposure of great books to the masses, whomever that includes, it can only be a good and positive thing.
Cathy wrote: "I just started
in print I really liked
- hope you think as much of it as I do.I agree about the audio books counting as reading. I don't use them myself, but many need to have an audio book in order to read at all - and it sure beats a driver looking down to read the pages ;) Unfortunately, I've seen people really do that.
Tomw wrote: "I just started "The Technologists" by Matthew Pearl and "Iinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" by John LeCarre. I've read all Mr Pearl's novels. His creative approach generates good reading."Did you see the movie tinker tailor soldier spy?
I did and was a bit confused by the plot and have wanted to speak with somebody who read the book to see if it would be clearer
Karen wrote: "I just started
"Me too - I just got it from the e-library last night. I got it as an Adobe e-book/pdf (whatever) whereas I usually read Kindle books. On this version, I can see I'm going to have a difficult time reading it - the lines of type are so close together, it's making my eyes swim!
I'm half way through
. This is a tough one. It's hard to believe people can live in such horrific conditions.
Sera wrote: "I just started
and
."I read Seabiscuit a long time ago & I almost gave up on it, the first 100 pages were tough but it was well worth it, I loved this book!
Becky wrote: "Sera wrote: "I just started
and
."I read Seabiscuit a long time ago & I almost gave up on it, the first 1..."
I've only read the first chapter and I can tell that I am going to really enjoy it. Hillenbrand has the ability to make non-fiction read like a novel.
Cathy wrote: "I just started
"I loved this one. Hope you enjoy it too. I would love to do it for my book group.
I'm currently juggling 3 books:
I'm reading "Adrenaline" for my Barnes & Noble F2F book club. It's a fast-paced, compelling thriller. I have been reading it for free at B&N on my Nook, but haven't been able to get there recently because my son had surgery last week. I'm so tempted to purchase it, because the suspense is killing me! I'll just have to be patient and wait a few more days until I can get back to B&N.
I received an ARC of "Cloudland" from BookBrowse. It's a psychological thriller. I'm using it as my bedside book and it is keeping me up late into the night.
I'm also reading "The Soldier's Wife," which is a WWII historical fiction set in Guernsey. I'm not too far along into the book, but so far like the author's writing style.
It feels good to get back to reading again, and there are so many good books calling out to me.
@SeraI can't wait to hear what you think about
. I read it several months ago and some of the characters are a little fuzzy to me now, but I did like the book. One of my F2F book groups is reading it this month. I need to skim through it to refresh my memory, but I loaned it to another book club member.@Karen & Victoria
A friend just loaned me
. I'm anxious to pick it up, but I need to finish some of the ones I've already started.
LynnB wrote: "I'm currently reading
,
, and a YA classic
."Lynn,
is another book that has been lingering on my shelves for years. I don't know why I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, when so many of my trusted reading buddies have given it rave reviews.
Lisa wrote: "LynnB wrote: "I'm currently reading
,
, and a YA classic
."Lynn, [bookcover:Suite Française|43944..."
Same here. I really hope to get to this one this year.
Sera wrote: "I'm starting
. This one has been sitting on my shelf forever."I read this when it first came out and loved it. Frasier's writing was evocative and gave you a real sense of time and place.
Lisa wrote: "Lynn,
is another book that has been lingering on my shelves for years. I don't know why I haven't gotten around to reading it yet,..."That's exactly why I'm reading it...it's been sitting on the shelf forever. Don't know why I haven't gotten around to it either, so I just decided it has to be read next!
Lisa wrote: "Sera wrote: "I'm starting
. This one has been sitting on my shelf forever."I read this when it first came out and loved it. Frasier's writing was evocative and ga..."
Oh, I love his writing. Have you read Nightwoods yet? It was excellent.
@Sera ~ I haven't read Nightwoods or Thirteen Moons. I gave my father "Thirteen Moons" a couple of years ago, but I'm not sure if he ever read it. I'll have to make time to read both.
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You Are Here (other topics)
My Side of the River (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Michel Faber (other topics)
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Cathy, let me know how you like The Snow Child. I thought that it was such a beautiful book.
You reminded me that I really need to get back to Chelsea Cain at some point. I'm on #2 in the Gretchen Lowell series.