Comfort Reads discussion
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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
Yesterday I finished
by Jennifer Donnelly. The Tea Rose is an extremely well-researched and well-written novel which is packed full of unexpected twists and turns throughout the story. I absolutely enjoyed this book! I thought this book was very gripping, intriguing and engrossing tale and I found it very hard to put it down for long. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next! I fell in love with all the main characters. They were all so interesting, compelling and very well-developed, especially Fiona. As soon as I finished this novel I brought the sequel, The Winter Rose, on my Kindle and I'm really looking forward to reading it! My full review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I've just started reading
by Jojo Moyes.
Because I'm reading The Name of the Rose, and it's detailed and long and will take me forever - I went to the library and got, Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Bookstore," which sounds very interesting.
Janice, I do not like Umberto Eco's writing. One is NOT supposed to say that! Any sophisticated person will appreciate him, except me!
Just started "Explosive Eighteen"
in paperback
in paperback
Chrissie wrote: "Janice, I do not like Umberto Eco's writing. One is NOT supposed to say that! Any sophisticated person will appreciate him, except me!"I'm really struggling with it, sooooo not sophisticated, ha ha! Liking Mr. Penumbra's though.
Janice wrote: "sooooo not sophisticated"We re not scared to admit this are we! YAY for us!
Just started the 6th book in the Miss Julia series by Ann B.Ross. It's been a while since I read the first 5.
I absolutely love Colum McCann's writing. I highly recommend This Side of Brightness, but for the right reader. It will not fit everybody.My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I will start Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. If you haven't heard about this book I am surprised. What will I think?
Just started on Kindle "The Werewolf Society"
Slowly making my way through "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Poet, Spy" by Eric Metaxus. Interesting, thought provoking, and looonnnggg.
Presently reading:The Moonflower Vine
Grounds for Death
Dirty Trouble
Barb, is "Bonhoeffer" good? I have that waiting to be read on my Kindle. Check out Saints and Villains. It is a great historical fiction about him.
I completed Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death, and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity. It well complements Colum McCann's This Side of Brightness. I recommend both if you want to read about the homeless and most destitute, be they in NYC or in Mumbai.My review of the former: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I will read another by Ernest Hemingway: For Whom the Bell Tolls. I like Hemingway's simple strong lines.
I've finished reading
by Jojo Moyes and
by Ernest Hemingway. I loved Me Before You from beginning to the end. It's a very complex novel. It is well-written, heart-breaking, gripping and deeply moving. I cried my eyes out several times while reading this book. I don't think I've ever cried this much while reading a book before! This novel deals with the topic of euthanasia and could have been really depressing but it's a credit to the skill of the author that she makes the book so readable. This is a thought provoking story and, whatever you feel about assisted suicide, it will make you think about how you would cope if suddenly all your choices and decisions were taken away from you and you had to rely on others to do everything for you. I gave this book 4.5 Stars!
My full review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I'm a couple of chapters into
by Janet Evanovich.
Just finished
. I really enjoyed it. Now reading
Chrissie wrote: "Barb, is "Bonhoeffer" good? I have that waiting to be read on my Kindle. Check out Saints and Villains. It is a great historical fiction about him."Chrissie, I'm liking the book but it's a slow read. When it's quoting old journals, the language is stilted. That's to be expected since it's from almost 100 years ago and translated from German. Also some of it can be deep and intellectual. But the man and the WWII history from a different perspective is intriguing.
Barb, thanks for telling me. I guess I will not be jumping to read it next. Saints and Villains was an enjoyable read.
Just started on Kindle "Hardball" by V.K. Sykes
Completed Tightrope: Six Centuries of a Jewish DynastyMy review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
It is a family history about a Jewish family living near Lvov, Ukraine.
Moving on to River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. I am determined to read the books I have purchased, or at least most of them. Some I cannot figure out why I ever bought them, but this one is one of the few remaining that looks really good!
Almost finished with "Hardball" on Kindle
and just started "Notorious Nineteen" in hard cover
and just started "Notorious Nineteen" in hard cover
I am enjoying BOTH For Whom the Bell Tolls and River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze.What a lucky hit. Hemingway's can be annoying at first but then you become glued.
Yesterday I'm Finished
. It's a book good for every ages and I liked. Now I'm reading
I finished For Whom the Bell Tolls. My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Do yourself a favor. Pick another book by Hemingway. May I suggest A Farewell to Armsinstead?!
Hemingway uses special "literary techniques" in "For whom the Bell Tolls" that rather than enhancing the reading experience detract from it. The ending is totally soppy. What remains undeniably true though is that Hemingway can draw a scene so you see, hear, smell and feel it in your pores. Some dislike the macho behavior of his characters, but this doesn't bother me. I see it as typical of the times, and Pilar is the best character of this novel. She is a strong, intelligent,no-nonsense woman! The gimmicks and the ending totally destroy this book.
Now I will start The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry. I am very skeptical that I will enjoy this. I am afraid I will find it preachy, and I hate books about illnesses. I am reading this for a friend b/c she still believes I will love it. I hope so! The narration of the audiobook is said to be excellent, so that is what I have chosen.
Reading Notorious Nineteen "Notorious Nineteen" by Janet Evanovich in hardcover and just started on Kindle "Fastball" by V.K Sykes
I've recently finished reading
by Ernest Hemingway and
by Janet Evanovich. The Old Man and the Sea
I enjoyed this book. At 127 pages, The Old Man and the Sea was a quick read. I managed to read the entire novel in just under an hour. It was a touching and thought-provoking tale. I admired Santiago's determination and his refusal to let his spirit be broken. I loved Ernest Hemingway's writing style. I thought it was very similar to John Steinbeck's style (who is my favourite author by the way). Although it is a very short novel, the story got quite slow and repetitive in places. It is a good novel but I honestly didn't think it was worthy of the Pulitzer Prize it won in 1953.
My full review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Lean Mean Thirteen
I enjoyed this book but I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as the previous instalment, Twelve Sharp. The plot was predictable and virtually nothing happened in it to develop the characters further. I'm getting tired of the love triangle with Joe Morelli and Ranger and I wish Stephanie would finally choose one of them or else dump them both and date someone new! Janet Evanovich has let this go on for far too long and now there's no sexual tension left between the characters.
My full review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Now I'm halfway through
by Jane Casey.
Just finished, "Mr. Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store." I just loved this book. Funny, great writing style, never boring and a feel good story that left me smiling. Definitely, a "Comfort Read!"
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was a failure for me. There is nothing wrong with the narration by Jim Broadbent, in fact it was superb. I particularly adored the voice of Rex, Maureen's neighbor! I listened to 23 of 38 chapters. Having listened to such a large portion, I still had to stop. If you care to know my personal thoughts please send me a PM. I am writing no review. I have begun listening to The Grapes of Wrath and enjoy it very much. I can guess from the very start that it will not appeal to all. Some may call it slow and too descriptive. Many minutes are spent on a land turtle's passage from a ditch and then over the road. I have already laughed, and I have seen how meticulously accurate Steinbeck's depictions of landscapes and a character's personality can be. The story will be interspersed with chapters of historical content. That is fine by me. I imagine a slow wonderful read.
I have just finished
. A good idea,but for some reason, I found the central character a bit irritating.I spent my time wishing she would stop waffling and get on with it, but that was probably intended by the author.
Hannah wrote: "I'm doing something I don't normally do - read 3 books at the same time. I know alot of you can do it, but it usually confuses me to juggle that many. I think I can do it this time because the bo..."I agree, I agree, Dame Stewart for me, every time. I just finished ' Stormy Petrel' for the nth time!
For a case, I started The Master and Margarita. A strange book and a new genre for me. Usually I prefer other type of books, but I wanted to try something else like a classic.
Andrew, I never thought I would enjoy M&M. I loved it!
Chrissie wrote: "Andrew, I never thought I would enjoy M&M. I loved it!"Now I'm reading only the fifth chapter, but I like it very much
Chrissie wrote: "I am enjoying BOTH For Whom the Bell Tolls and River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze.What a lucky hit. Hemingway's can be annoying at first but then you become glued."
That's a good way to describe Hemingway, Chrissie - LOL! I did end up loving A Farewell to Arms.
I am alternating between two books: logicomix - a graphic novel about mathematics, set theory, and major mathematicians (a bit of history), and the other - which I LOVE - is Tell the Wolves I'm Home. Its alternating right-brain with left-brain, and quite a bit of fun.
I'm about to start Jake by R.C. Ryan. It's the third book in her Wyoming Sky series. Can't wait!
Just started "Don't Cry For Me" by Sharon Sala
in hardcover, and still reading, "Fastball" by V.K Sykes
in hardcover, and still reading, "Fastball" by V.K Sykes
Diane D. wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "I am enjoying BOTH For Whom the Bell Tolls and River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze.What a lucky hit. Hemingway's can be annoying at first but then you become glued."
That's a g..."
Diane, very few good writers though succeed with every book! Did you dislike "For Whom a Bell Tolls" too? I am going to avoid Steinbeck's Tortilla Flat. I have been forewarned by Kim. He too experimented with the "thee and thou technique" used by Hemingway. Some experiments do fail!
I have been eyeing The Twelve Tribes of Hattie. What do you think? Is it for me or not?
I've just finished Life of Pi by Yann Martel, but too late to catch it at the cinema I think, even here in Sweden. I liked the book but definitely wasn't thrilled, I'm giving it 3/5. I will start When Hoopoes go to Heaven tonight.
I cannot recommend The Grapes of Wrath more highly. Engaging fiction that teaches about life during the Depression.My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I will begin In This Hospitable Land. While I am still living here, I thought I would read another book set in Belgium.... and France too.
Chrissie - Lisa and I are going to read The Grapes of Wrath together this summer. Glad you give it such high marks.As for The Twelve Tribes of Hattie -- I am just not sure if you would like it or not. I'm finding it a little slow going...but on the other hand, I'm very impressed that an author's first book can be so diversified, meaning each chapter is about a different child of Hattie's.
Oh wow. Fantastic, Diane! I am speaking of your reading GoW with Lisa!Hmm, still just considering Hattie.
Yes, I'm excited about reading The Grapes of Wrath with Diane. I didn't like what John Steinbeck I read when I was a kid, but I want to try him again, and specifically want to see what I think about this book, Chrissie, your review has definitely whetted my interest.Right now, in addition to a few vegan cookbooks, I'm reading First Light AND A History of the Present Illness. ETA: Oh, and also Kinsey and Me: Stories.
Lisa, I read The Pearl as a kid and I wasn't blown over. Glad I tried another. I also read Of Mice and Men; I maybe should reread it. I just went and bought Travels with Charley: In Search of America. Calling GoW a comforting read is stretching it.
Chrissie, I read TwithC when young and liked it and The P when younger and wasn't that interested. I remember not liking his writing style, but hopefully I'll appreciate it better now, and I am interested in The G of W story.
I am quite sure you will enjoy GoW, although I wish you could listen to the audiobook narrated by John Chance. Amazing.
I've had Grapes of Wrath on my TBR list for a long time, I'll push towards the tops now! One of my challenges for the year is to read more Nobel Prize winners anyway, so it fits in nicely.
Helena, good!! Are you Swedish? We will be moving back to Sweden very soon. Home again! :0)
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Comfort Reads
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My review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Scarcely a comforting read, but a necessary one! If you can read scary mystery novels you can also read this. So no excuses are acceptable.
For pure fun I will now start This Side of Brightness. So far I have loved everything by Colum McCann. Can this guy disappoint? I don't think so.