Comfort Reads discussion
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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
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Feb 18, 2012 07:18AM
I'm reading The Building of Jalna, the first book in a sweeping, family saga! The books I have belonged to my mother, and I never read them, but always wanted to.
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So I had about 7 books going and wasn't making significant progress anywhere. Finished two, most of the way through most of the others, zeroed in last couple days on two of them: Bad Luck And Trouble on audio and The Tin Roof Blowdown. Enjoying both but The Tin Roof Blowdown-- well, first of all it's set right after Katrina which is horrific. Second, I recently read a book several books farther in in this series, one in which the main character never once mentioned his daughter- who has always been a main focus. So for him to NEVER mention her makes me think something awful happened. Now I'm reading one of the in-between books I missed- The Tin Roof Blowdown-- and reading every page with my heart in my throat, because the daughter is a character in this one and a psychopath has met her.....
I just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and it was wonderful. I think it's my new definition of a "comfort read," beautifully written, wonderful story, and full, interesting characters.
Mod
Lauren wrote: "Just started reading The Book of Tomorrow and trying to force myself to finish The Scorpio Races"That's Celia Ahern right? I can't get the link to pull up for some reason. If so, I'd like to know what you think. I usually love her stories, but haven't gotten around to this one yet.
Lee wrote: "I haven't read a Jennifer Crusie book in many years but picked up Maybe This Time for some light reading and thought it was cute. I like her spunky heroines."I didn't care for this one as much as I have her other books. But I'm really glad it gave you what you were looking for.
Cathleen wrote: "I just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and it was wonderful. I think it's my new definition of a "comfort read," beautifully written, wonderful story, and full, interesting ch..."This poor thing has been sitting on my TBR list and in my stacks for quite some time. I haven't heard anyone say something negative about it yet. I'm sure someone has, but I haven't heard it. I definitely need to get around to this one.
Kristi wrote: "Cathleen wrote: "I just finished Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and it was wonderful. I think it's my new definition of a "comfort read," beautifully written, wonderful story, and ful..."It's a quick read, but I'd actually like to reread it because there were so many beautiful lines--both descriptive and thought-provoking (about life, people, families). It's definitely a book to curl up with. Hope you enjoy it, Kristi!
Oh no! I'll be pulling quotes out of it forever. ha ha! Seriously, it sounds right up my alley! Thanks!
Jennifer wrote: "So I had about 7 books going and wasn't making significant progress anywhere. Finished two, most of the way through most of the others, zeroed in last couple days on two of them: [book:Bad Luck And..."Just wanted to mention that James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux books are exceptionally good audiobooks. They are narrated by an actor named Will Patton and as far as I'm concerned he embodies the main character - some of the best audiobooks out there.
Kristi wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Just started reading The Book of Tomorrow and trying to force myself to finish The Scorpio Races"That's Celia Ahern right? I can't get the link to pu..."
Yes it is Cecilia Ahern and I'm about 45 pages in and so far I like it. So I would recommend giving it a try.
Here is a new one for me: I am going to be reading two books at one time! I thought I would be incapable of liking audiobooks, and actually I have found that I love them. Soooo, why not try reading two books at once. I am picking one that I can take with me everywhere and another that I will read at home with Vocatex. I have finally figured out how to use it, at least the magnification part, and I LOVE it. The audio part is still a challenge, but I'll learn that too with time. Hopefully. Anyhow, I figured I would read one book that was fiction and one that was not. So I chose Oliver SacksUncle Tungsten for the non-fiction and River in the Sea which is historical fiction, although based on the author's mother's life. That means both books are kind of biographies.The first is set in England, the second in Holland. I picked up RITS free a few days ago for my Kindle. My GR friend Misfit was so kind and told me about it being free at Amazon. I have been waiting to read UT for ages, and if I like this then I can read The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat & Other Clinical Tales as an audiobook! That is suppose to be really good too.
Picking books to read is almost as much fun as reading them. I NEVER have trouble finding books to read!
I have a feeling the latter will draw me more...... Will I end up reading one first?
I just finished Bloodroot. Here follows my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Katri wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "How many languages can you read/speak? Five? Is there any Finnish Gothic romance translated to English? I confess I don't know any Finnish authors."Hardly anybody knows Finnish..."
But as you most certainly know, Tove Jansson wrote her books mostly in Swedish, being one of those Finns of the Swedish community.
It's so good to hear about the books you are reading, again, Chrissie! I'm glad you took to audiobooks so well. With the right narrator they can be a real pleasure! Enjoy!
I just got out of bed an hour ago! lol
It is nice to see her back, no matter what time, or how often we say it!
It's nice to see you a bit more "chipper", too!
It's nice to see you a bit more "chipper", too!
Chrissie wrote: "Here is a new one for me: I am going to be reading two books at one time! I thought I would be incapable of liking audiobooks, and actually I have found that I love them. Soooo, why not try reading..."Chrissi, great review of Bloodroot. I have wondered about this one, and I think your review brings out the interesting aspects of it, as well as the questionable ones. I will investigate it further now. Thanks.
Oh, Kathy...I just read that last month - what a treat.
Ivan wrote: "Oh, Kathy...I just read that last month - what a treat."Thanks so much, Ivan, for that encouraging remark! I've only just started it, but I'm already intrigued.
I just reread (so I could write a review) a classic of modern Canadian literature, How I Spent My Summer Holidays by W.O. Mitchell. I loved this book when we read it for grade eleven English, but I honestly think that I loved it even more (and certainly understood it better and more completely) this time around. Highly recommended!!
Chrissie, Good luck. I can read only one novel at once but can also simultaneously read picture books and non-fiction books. Uncle Tungsten might be a hard one for me though because it kind of reads like a novel, but I hope it works for you.
Kathy wrote: "Finished When She Woke and loved it! I've now started Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children."My daughter swiped my copy and has finished it already. She really liked it. Another one I've heard good things about and need to get around to reading.
You all are murder on my books stacks and my TBR lists. I keep "rearranging" bc of these conversations.
Kristi wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Finished When She Woke and loved it! I've now started Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children."My daughter swiped my copy and has finished it alr..."
LOL, Kristi! I know what you mean about your book stacks growing because of all the great reports on what others are reading. I'm finding Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children deliciously bizarre.
This is a nice "natural" way to get and give book recommendations! :)
Jeannette wrote: "This is a nice "natural" way to get and give book recommendations! :)"Yes, it is. I've found so many good books to read because of the book recommendations here. Since I've just watched the last episode (for now) of Downton Abbey, I'll probably be looking for novels akin to that. I think I'm going to have some difficulty waiting for season 3!
I'm going to watch it on Tuesday. Did you know we have a DA discussion thread?
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7...
Jeannette wrote: "I'm going to watch it on Tuesday. Did you know we have a DA discussion thread?http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/7..."
No, I didn't know that. That must be a lot of fun. I'll look for it :)
Simran and Jeanette, I am certainly happy to be back. Thanks! So Simran, I cannot figur this out; do you love spinach or is it a requirement. Me, I adore spinach, particularly in asparagus soup! Try sometime to throw in chopped frozen spinach into Knorr's Asparagus Soup. Yum, yum! But I am a veggie fanatic....Kathy, actually I spent last night still thinking about Bloodroot. That is kind of liike an extra plus for a book if you keep going back to it in your mind. And in fact I added a bit to my review. The title is in fact quite telling, but it took me a while to put it all together. The primary theme is in fact: the force of love! The book is written in a manner that I find quite singular. I like that each chapter shows a different character's pov.
Lisa, I find both books quite different. I am going to try and read two with one being fiction and one non-fiction. Or two non-fictions......
Simran wrote: "Hey Chrissie !! I love my spinach; I have it cooked, raw and everything in between :) I get that way sometimes with a really good book too, it lingers behind in your thoughts. Sometimes i'll find ..."Try fresh spinach on a slice of whole-wheat, full grain bread spread with peanutbutter. That is another yummy. I was thinking and thinking about Bloodroot last night, and in fact while sleeping I came to better understand the title.....
Mod
I am giving up on BOTH Uncle Tungsten and River in the SeaI am neither in the mood for chemistry lessons, although I do find Sacks family intriguing, or a Bildungsroman. I think I will switch to the audiobook Dancing at the Rascal Fair.
Lee wrote: "I've been on a mystery reading tear lately. I started the second of Elly Griffiths' books about English forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway last night and am really enjoying it...."I wondered about Elly Griffiths' books, Lee. You really, really like them?
Pat wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "So I had about 7 books going and wasn't making significant progress anywhere. Finished two, most of the way through most of the others, zeroed in last couple days on two of them: [..."I don't know if I've heard any of the Patton. The one I like for Burke is Mark Hammer-- he's actually what got me hooked on Burke, years ago. Just like CJ Critt got me hooked on evanovich-- I can't even listen to the ones done by that chick who replaced her.
Mod
Kathy, I think you may like these. They have a slightly more old-fashioned, cozy feel compared to S.J. Bolton books but I've enjoyed the first two in the series. The characters are growing on me and I like the English coastal setting.
Lee wrote: "I wondered about Elly Griffiths' books, Lee. You really, really like them? "Kathy, I think you may like these. They have a slightly more old-fashioned, cozy feel compared to S.J. Bolton books bu..."
I think I'd like the old-fashion, cozy aspect, and I love English coastal settings. Thanks for the additional info, Lee. I'm adding some to my list now.
Mod
Lee wrote: "I've been on a mystery reading tear lately. I started the second of Elly Griffiths' books about English forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway last night and am really enjoying it...."As a result of this discussion I bought the first book in this series today. It was already on my TBR list and the Kindle edition is very inexpensive.
I had to explain why I gave up on Uncle Tungsten. I do not want any of you to think it is a bad book, but it is perhaps best read by.... Please see my review if you are considering the book: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...And I decided to continue with River in the Sea. I am not enjoying myself but I need to know what will happen. I have already read half. I might as well finish. So I will read this with Fanny Stevenson: A Romance of Destiny.
I finished The Book of Tomorrow which I really liked although not loved. I'm still trudging through The Scorpio Races and about to start Distant Waves
Lee wrote: "Great! I think our tastes in mysteries overlap quite a bit so I have a feeling you will like these books. The environment plays a large part in the story. I remember I felt compelled to look up t..."I love the setting as a character. In fact, just the other day I added that as a category in my shelves. I'm planning on going back and adding books to it soon.
Kim wrote: "Lee wrote: "I've been on a mystery reading tear lately. I started the second of Elly Griffiths' books about English forensic anthropologist Ruth Galloway last night and am really ..."I won't be far behind you, Kim. LOL!
I am reading The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel and so far I am really enjoying it. I haven't read any Conan Doyle before but now I plan to.
Jane wrote: "I am reading The House of Silk: A Sherlock Holmes Novel and so far I am really enjoying it. I haven't read any Conan Doyle before but now I plan to."I have not read all that much Conan Doyle, but from those stories I have read, The Hound of the Baskervilles is my favourite, I think.
I have seen several TV and film adaptations but for some reason have never read the book. It is my husband's number one favourite book so maybe I will try it next.
Mod
Kim and Kathy, when I started reading, I was mildly irritate by the way the protagonist viewed herself (her body & age) but once I got past that, I began to really enjoy the story. I hope you like it, as I said in my review, it has an old-fashioned feel.
Lee wrote: "Kim wrote: As a result of this discussion I bought the first book in this series today. It was already on my TBR list and the Kindle edition is very inexpensive..."Kim and Kathy, when I started..."
'tis on my to read list, too, tho not something I'm likely to get to soon. I lived in Norwich for a year, so I'm always interested to read books set in Norfolk.
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