What are U reading these days? (PART SIX) (2010) Showing 751-800 of 1,059

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Have you noticed that Goodreads has changed its format at its book description pages?

Among other things, they now include any literary prizes the book has won. For example, see:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...

I think I like the change, but like everything else, it will take getting used to.

[Jackie]

I like that it shows how it's been shelved according to genre. Often I don't know what to classify a book until after I've read it, this new addition helps with that.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Yes, Jackie. That IS an excellent new feature. At least we can tell whether a book is fiction or non-fiction... and of course, many other "shelves"!

The Remains of the Day certainly has been categorized many different ways. See:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/shelves...

[Jackie]

Wow, that's a lot of shelves.

[Nina]

it was a wonderful movie. well, Anthony Hopkins and Emma thompson. What else is there to say? nina

[Mary JL]

I have just started a thriller/mystery by John Lescroart called "A Certain Justice".

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Mary JL wrote: "I have just started a thriller/mystery by John Lescroart called "A Certain Justice"."

Here's the Goodreads link: A Certain Justice by John Lescroart

At Amazon, Publishers Weekly says: "By showing the political maneuvering that can accompany an outbreak of violence, he offers an unusually thoughtful, exciting thriller that evinces insight into incidents and attitudes that seem all too real."
FROM: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451...

[Margaret]

I'm reading Easier to Kill by Valerie Wilson Wesley.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thank you, Margaret.

I've been reading a good old book this week and have posted a separate topic about it at:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/3...

The book is: _From Pillar to Post_ by Helen R. Martin (1933). Goodreads does not list the book, but does list some of Martin's other books at:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

[Jackie]

I'm having a great time reading Hood with Werner. The book is great and having someone who's current to talk with about it is just about the best thing ever!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I agree, Jackie. It's always fun having a book in common with someone else.

[Werner]

Joy, Goodreads now does have a listing for Martin's Pillar to Post. I found a record for it in World Catalog, and created a Goodreads entry.

I'm also greatly enjoying the buddy read Jackie and I are doing! This is the first time I've ever done this (I hadn't heard of the concept until this year), but I definitely hope to do something like it again.

[Jackie]

Oh me too! It's been an excellent experience. I'm thinking we can do the rest of the series together in the future.

[Werner]

Jackie, I'm very open to that suggestion! We'll explore it some more when I message you later today.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner wrote: "Joy, Goodreads now does have a listing for Martin's Pillar to Post. I found a record for it in World Catalog, and created a Goodreads entry. ..."

Werner, thanks very much for doing that!
Nice to have a librarian in the group! :)
I'll update my separate topic here about the book.

From Pillar to Post by Helen Reimensnyder Martin

[Werner]

You're welcome, Joy! If your local public library subscribes to World Catalog, you can actually use it yourself --it's just like any other online library catalog, except that it has the holdings of 100,000 libraries worldwide. (Check their homepage, wherever they show their online databases --if they have it and you're a cardholder, you probably have access capability from your home computer.) It's a wonderful resource for running down bibliographic information!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner wrote: "You're welcome, Joy! If your local public library subscribes to World Catalog, you can actually use it yourself --it's just like any other online library catalog, except that it has the holdings o..."

Thanks, Werner. I'll look into that.

[Jen]

Hi everyone! :)

I'm working on The Fiery Cross and Mockingjay. I've just started listening to Cutting for Stone. All three are good books! :)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Hi Jenni. Our local library's book group recently read _Cutting for Stone_. I didn't read it, but have been curious about it. I checked out the GR reviews. One of our group members has written some good comments, as usual.
Excerpts from her review:
=====================================================
" Part family saga, part fictionalized memoir, part bildungsroman..."
"Taking its title from a mandate in the Hippocratic Oath, the book tells the story of Marion Stone, a conjoined twin disjoined at birth from his brother Shiva, from his childhood on the grounds of a struggling charity hospital in Addis Ababa, through his flight from Ethiopia during the 1974 revolution, his medical studies in American, his search for the father he never knew, and his quest for a sense of self. Verghese’s style often seems to be tugging at its moorings in the direction of magic realism but never actually goes there, always circling back with a sort of rueful joy to the awareness that the only magic there is, and perhaps the only kind we need, lies in the circumstances and relationships life offers us and what we choose to do with them. Luminous, vivid, and so filled with compassion for humanity that the book almost glows in your hands - there was a point towards the end that I had to stop reading because I was crying too hard to see the words on the page – this is a beautiful and beautifully written personal exploration not only of what it means to be a surgeon, but what it means to be a brother, a son, a father, a man. Really special.
NOTE: The book features a number of highly detailed descriptions of surgical procedures, and though Verghese is careful to maintain a cool, practical tone at these moments to keep from freaking out the lay-person, they are nevertheless extremely graphic and may be challenging for the squeamish!"
ABOVE IS FROM the GR review at:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
====================================================

Margaret and many others gave the book 5 stars. I checked the minority reviews of those who gave it only one star. It's always interesting to read the wide variations in different readers' opinions.

I'm still not sure I want to read this book. It might be too heavy for me.

[Jackie]

Almost finished with Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead which I've really gotten into. I'm going to start A Dark Traveling by Roger Zelazny later tonight or tomorrow, while waiting for Stephen R. Lawhead's Scarlet to arrive from interloan at my local library.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jackie, thanks for the links. I checked out the GR description of _Scarlet_ and found the following interesting info:
====================================================
"Scarlet continues Stephen R. Lawhead's riveting saga that began with the novel Hood, which relocated the legend of Robin Hood to the Welsh countryside and its dark forests. Steeped in Celtic mythology and the political intrigue of medival Britain, Lawhead's trilogy conjures up an ancient past and holds a mirror to contemporary realities. Prepare for an epic tale that dares to shatter everything you thought you knew about Robin Hood."
FROM: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61...
====================================================
Sounds like a book you will really enjoy.

[Jackie]

So far, I have not been disappointed with Hood; it's unique and satisfying. I've enjoyed Lawhead's Pendragon novels so I felt confident I'd like Hood and the subsequent novels. His take on the Robin Hood legend is brilliant, I couldn't be more pleased or more excited to continue.

[Werner]

I'll echo Jackie's comments about the King Raven trilogy, except that I'm not quite as far along with Hood as she is; but I expect to finish it by this weekend, or sooner. Then, for me it'll be on to Scarlet as well! My previous acquaintance with Lawhead was through his Song of Albion trilogy and In the Hall of the Dragon King; I haven't read the Pendragon series. (Someday, I hope to; but I want to read his Celtic Crusades trilogy first.)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner and Jackie, I envy your enthusiasm for reading. I'm in a reading slump after having been disappointed in a string of unsuccessful reads (for me). So I'm taking a rest until my interests are rejuvenated. Cataract surgery this week may slow down my posting here for a few days, but I'll be back. :)

[Werner]

Joy, best wishes for a very successful surgery, and a really speedy recovery! You can be sure that a lot of people will be praying for you, and thinking about you.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Werner, thank you very much for the nice wishes. As you can imagine, I'll be glad when it's over!

[Jim]

Good luck, Joy!

[Nina]

Dear Joy, It is never "fun" to have or look forward to having surgery but your fun will come, I promise when you have the luxury of seeing everything in brilliant color. I felt like I had gone there from black and white. I know of what I speak so be of good cheer. nina

[Werner]

You're welcome, Joy! Hang in there.

[Jackie]

Joy, may you have a quick recovery. I'll be thinking of you.

[Earl]

Good luck, Joy. I recently found out I have beginning cataracts in both eyes. I hope you can share as many details as possible, I'm trying to store up personal anecdotes to help me make decisions. So far, I'm only having real trouble reading the crossword printing and small print books in bed (kind of dark). My 'swim buddy' 83? years old showed off the other week by reading a sign on the pool wall thru his replacement lenses, that I couldn't read with my 2x swim goggles.

[Katherine]

Joy,
You certainly will be missed around here, your commentary, updates and New York Times links. Most of all, I'll miss your good nature and humor.
Hurry Back!

[Jackie]

A Dark Traveling was a quick easy read; enjoyable entertainment fantasy.
On to The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell, an author I haven't read before.
Still waiting on Scarlet to arrive.

[Nina]

I read a quote today that went like this: "Having cataract surgery is like having a birthday; being born, having a bright new look at the world. Good luck, nina

[Jim]

I just finished an HCC book & didn't like it much. It revolved around dealing pot (the moral decline of those that do) & the author obviously hadn't even smoked it much less dealt any. I hate it when authors try to fake stuff like that. Smoking a joint of Mexican practically had people tripping & an ounce fit into a small brown envelope. Then a guy goes & buys 3 ounces to deal, like he wouldn't have gone for a 1/4 lb. Sheesh!

[Jackie]

I don't care for books that have low-lifes as central characters. And you can always tell when an author is faking it. He could have at least interviewed a dealer if he didn't do it himself.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

I'm back. :) Thank you all for the thoughtful messages. All went well, thank goodness. Earl, cataract surgery is painless and worth it, as Nina says. In any case, it never hurts to have your eyes checked.

[Jackie]

Wow, that was fast, Joy! Painless, too? That's fantastic! So good to have you back! You were definitely missed, that's for sure.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thanks, Jackie. They numb your eye and they also inject you with "happy juice". But I was scared stiff anyway. :)

[Jackie]

Any kind of surgery is scary to me. But once it's over, it's so much better.

[Jim]

Ugh! Eye surgery is scary. I'm going to have to get it done, probably within 5 years, which is ridiculous for someone of my tender age. I'm glad to hear it went so well, Joy. When do you go back for the other eye?

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim, my other eye was done last year. I'm glad that's over!

[Nina]

I was very scared when I had the surgery as I am legally blind in one eye and if there had been a mishap when the dr did my good eye,dI would have been blind, I was so so relieved when I could SEE. So glad it is behind you, Joy. It will be joyous, you'll SEE. Literally. nina

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Nina, I'm happy to hear your surgery was successful.

[Jim]

Oh, I thought they usually did the eyes a week or so apart. Well, I'm glad all is well.

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Jim, they do the eyes when the eyes are "ready" to be done. Sometimes one eye isn't as bad as the other. So they can wait until it needs treatment.

[Earl]

Joy H. wrote: "Jim, they do the eyes when the eyes are "ready" to be done. Sometimes one eye isn't as bad as the other. So they can wait until it needs treatment."
My eye doctor tells me that Medicare has a 'guideline', something like when you reach 20/45 vision, but, right now, you can have it done about any time it impacts your quality-of-life. (Of course that could change at some bureaucrat's discretion) Joy, did you have an Intra-Ocular-Lens inserted? Will you be able to go without glasses do you think? Is your new vision so bright you'll have to wear dark glasses for a while? I'm VERY glad to hear you report 'painless'. I can't stand anyone messing with my eyes!

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Earl, I had a new lens put in to replace my original lens, but I'm not sure of the terminology. The brightness of my new vision isn't noticeably different from my former vision during the day, but my night vision is much better. My eyes have a condition which necessitated a lens change sooner than would normally be needed. Each case is different.

There are different kinds of new lenses available. Some of the more expensive ones have variable powers and eliminate the need for eye glasses. I did not choose that kind of lens. My new lenses have a fixed power. So I do need to wear eye glasses for different distances.

As far as wearing sun glasses, I've always been sensitive to light. So when it's bright out, I do wear sun glasses as well as a visor. But that's nothing new for me.

Each case is different.

[Werner]

Joy, just wanted to let you know I'm delighted your operation turned out well. I trust that this will give you really improved vision --and I know you'll put it to good use with your reading! :-)

[Joy H., Group Founder]

Thank you, Werner. I'm delighted too! :)