Comfort Reads discussion
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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
Gundula, good to hear you are recuperating. Me I stay away from palourdes - those teeny round little shells. Never will I eat them again!Lisa, It is impossible to read everything when I go on vacation and have no computer. I have to simply delete some and then I worry what HAVE I missed!!!
Lee and Fiona, gosh I read the Loop ages ago It was very popular when it camle out. We talked about it at work. In Sweden where much of the countryside has isolated houses, people really are scared of wolves! They do not accept that wolves are generally not dangerous to people. When wolves come into the outskirts of urban areas hysteria STILL occurs. It is really hard to change such beliefs.
Gundula, I'm glad you're feeling better. Once, when I was young and on vaction with my family, my mom and brother got food poisoning from some coleslaw. My dad and I felt awful for them but boy were we glad we didn't eat that coleslaw!
Beth, I have never re-read anything. It's hard enough for me to find time to read a book once.Every once in a while, he can finish a crossword w/o asking me and he seems so proud. I just tell him my genius(for useless tidbits of trivia) is finally rubbing off on him after all these years ;). Hubby just does it as a hobby. He's not really concerned whether or not the answer is correct. If it fits and seems plausible...
oh, and what your son and his girlfriend do is cute. Some couples watch TV over the phone.
Dear Gundula, hope you are feeling better now.
Laura wrote: "Dear Gundula, hope you are feeling better now."
I love the picture Laura, thanks. Yeah, I think I'm almost over it (and I'm hungry which is a good sign). Thanks everyone and a happy weekend with lots of books.
Just finished The Lost Summer but haven't decided what to read next for the Challenge. But I am also reading I,Claudius for that group read - have not gotten too far yet. I have housework and especially yard work that needs to be done - too many books and not enough time!
Mary wrote: "I finished Hannah's Dream which I loved and am now reading The Irresistible Henry House."I just added Hannah's Dream into my TBR Mary, thanks.
I finished Chef: A Novel last night. I liked it alot. Althought it does not teach about the Indian / Pakistani conflict over Kashmir giving dates, names and historical info, it does teach about how the conflict affects the people and personal relationships of the people in the area. I would suggest reading the book more for its original prose. The language employed is suggestive and is filled with ambiguity. DON'T worry about it being too food oriented. I wrote a short review. Now I am starting The Ginger Tree.P.S. The Chef is NOT a fluff read - quite a grim tale, but not without hope!
Reading Crone's Moon: A Rowan Gant Investigation by M. R. Sellars, Torture at the Back Forty: The Gang Rape and Slaying of Margaret Anderson by Mike Dauplaise (real crime), The Killings At Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham and just finished Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur.
Mary wrote: "I finished Hannah's Dream which I loved and am now reading The Irresistible Henry House."
I have The Irresistible Henry House, and I am planning to read it this summer. Please tell me what you think!
I have The Irresistible Henry House, and I am planning to read it this summer. Please tell me what you think!
I'm also reading The Irresistible Henry House. I'm enjoying it. His character is followed from birth to his present age, which is about 20, at the place that I am. I won't give anything away but to say it's well worth a read.
Sue wrote: "I'm also reading The Irresistible Henry House. I'm enjoying it. His character is followed from birth to his present age, which is about 20, at the place that I am. I won't give anything away but to..."
Is it a funny book or just sentimental?
Is it a funny book or just sentimental?
It's not what I would call a funny book. It is somewhat sentimental but nothing like a tear jerker. Henry grows up in unusual circumstances and it impacts him for the rest of his life. This is what the book follows.
Christine wrote: "Mary wrote: "I finished Hannah's Dream which I loved and am now reading The Irresistible Henry House."I have The Irresistible Henry House, and I am planning to rea..."
Will do, Christine! I need to set aside some time to really get into it - there has just been a lot going on here lately. And Sue, keep us posted on your thoughts as well!
I finished Henry House and gave it four stars. I'd recommend it to any reader who enjoys going behind the personality of the character and getting into what he is really feeling. This book really shows just who Henry is, emotionally. That's my kind of book! It's all about people and their relationships w/one another.
I am reading People of the Book which i have to finish before tomorrow when it is due back to the library. Then I have to read A Beautiful Place to Die for my Mystery Book Club on Tuesday - it's set in 1950's apartheid South Africa and I am worried it may be violent.
Maude, I loved People of the Book, but I really didn't like this author's Year of Wonders. Many people do like both books - but not me! I am going to go check out A Beautiful Place to Die.......No, crime isn't often my thing, although this sounded pretty good since it takes place in Sout Africa apartheid! I have to be very selective or my TBR mountain will erupt.
Chrissie, I had gotten both books out of the library, but won't have enough time to read Year of Wonders. I am a little leery of A Beautiful Place to Die, because it is a murder mystery and definitely not a cozy.
Chrissie wrote: "I have to be very selective or my TBR mountain will erupt. "I am truly laughing out loud. This is the best description I've heard about our commonly experienced problem as active Goodreads members.
Right now reading a P&P retelling: An Assembly Such as This from Mr. Darcy's point of view! Very cozy and I'm enjoying it :)
I'm currently reading Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden and the remaining two volumes of Dante's The Divine Comedy at the moment =)
Mary wrote: "I finished Hannah's Dream which I loved and am now reading The Irresistible Henry House."Glad you liked Hannah's Dream. I hope to get to it soon. I read Bloodstream by Tess Gerritsen yesterday and started Caught by Harlan Coben today.
I can't wait to read Henry House. (btw: the author and I were buddies in elementary school! She was such a smart and interesting girl, way back then.)
Okay, you've got me ready... will go order it now!
Okay, you've got me ready... will go order it now!
Hayes wrote: "I can't wait to read Henry House. (btw: the author and I were buddies in elementary school! She was such a smart and interesting girl, way back then.)Okay, you've got me ready... will go order i..."
How cool, Hayes!
Morning Kathy! That is cool, isn't it?
I had been lusting after another book, Women's Letters: America from the Revolutionary War to the Present and had been staring at the author's name for about 3 weeks, when the penny finally dropped and I realized it was my old buddy. Then I heard about Henry House.
I had been lusting after another book, Women's Letters: America from the Revolutionary War to the Present and had been staring at the author's name for about 3 weeks, when the penny finally dropped and I realized it was my old buddy. Then I heard about Henry House.
Hayes wrote: "I can't wait to read Henry House. (btw: the author and I were buddies in elementary school! She was such a smart and interesting girl, way back then.)Okay, you've got me ready... will go order i..."
Yes, that is very cool, Hayes!!
Mod
Shibumi - it doesn't look to good. .... but what do I know?! There is always someone who will tell you that a book is fabulous. It is easy to make mistakes. Even reading a bit first can fool you.
I started to read Commencement yesterday by J. Courtney Sullivan. I made it to about p.75 and decided to abandon ship. It was just too silly; no depth to it at all. So today I started Private Life by Jane Smiley. So far it's good but I'm only on p. 27! It's interesting already. She also wrote A Thousand Acres and won a Pulitzer prize. So in a little while I'm going to sit down (after I have lunch and do the dishes-I hate the way those things cut into my reading time!) and get back to my book. Happy reading!
Mod
I've read about 140 pages and I keep hoping it's going to get better.
Sue wrote: "I started to read Commencement yesterday by J. Courtney Sullivan. I made it to about p.75 and decided to abandon ship. It was just too silly; no depth to it at all. So today I started Private Life ..."
Uh oh...I have Commencement on my Kindle. Shucks.
Uh oh...I have Commencement on my Kindle. Shucks.
Try it-maybe you'll like it. It was about college age kids and I really couldn't identify with them.
Kathy: I just finished Caught last month. It was pretty good. I liked the fact that I couldn't predict the outcome.
Sue & Christine: I just had to return Commencement: A Novel to the library before even getting a chance to start it. Maybe I'll pick it up again one of these days but it's not at the top of my list.
Lee, stick it out or throw it against a wall. That is the question. I am sure you would like The Ginger Tree. Maybe I shouldn't say anything until I am done....... but so far I am enjoying it. The super naive part has disappeared and Mary is wisening up but has retained her humor.
Just finished
and starting
and hopefully
if it comes in the mail today.
and starting
and hopefully
if it comes in the mail today.
Mona wrote: Sue & Christine: I just had to return Commencement: A Novel to the library before even getting a chance to start it. Maybe I'll pick it up again one of these days but it's not at the top of my list."
I downloaded it a while back because it got a good review in Bookmarks magazine, which I trust for reviews more than other sources. I can't remember what it's about though, I'll have to look up the description again.
I downloaded it a while back because it got a good review in Bookmarks magazine, which I trust for reviews more than other sources. I can't remember what it's about though, I'll have to look up the description again.
Mona and Christine: Commencement is going back to the library today! I've got some other good reads (hopefully!) on my to read shelf. Ive just started a real piece of chick-lit called Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin. Only on p. 72 but it's good already. Good luck on whatever you decide to start next!
Li wrote: "I'm currently reading Kate Morton's The Forgotten Garden and the remaining two volumes of Dante's The Divine Comedy at the moment =)"Li, how are you liking The Forgotten Garden? I really liked Kate Morton's first, The House at Riverton and am looking forward to this.
I read The Forgotten Garden awhile ago and really liked it. I think I'll look for The House at Riverton.
Mona wrote: "Kathy: I just finished Caught last month. It was pretty good. I liked the fact that I couldn't predict the outcome.
Sue & Christine: I just had to return [book:Commencement: A Nove..."
Mona, I was very pleased that I didn't predict the outcome, made the story that much better.
I've started No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. I'm fitting in some books to go with the A-Z title challenge I'm doing this year, and Coben's Caught and No Second Chance satisfy my "C" and "N" letters. They are also very good reads.
Mod
Chrissie, I so want to throw it against a wall but for some reason I keep plugging away at it. This book is so strange. One of the storylines I absolutely hate but other bits are not so bad. I like reading about Japanese culture, the Basque people, caving etc. I honestly can't believe the high ratings this book has.
Lee, I can definitely understand. When you mentioned both the Japanese and the Basque cultures I went and looked at it AGAIN, even though your experiences are bad. This show - a book is good depending up HOW the writer writes. I finished The Physician. I would not say it was really worth it, but I did it. It is the stupid belief that MAYBE things will improve and maybe the end will make it all worthwhile. I really have to HATE a book to stop in the middle. About The Ginger Tree. It is good but parts drag and I wish it were not just letters or diary notes. The form isn't my favorite, but what she writes can make you laugh. There is a naivity that kind of bugs me. I am happier when she is having a hard time and she is being brave and strong. Some bits have holes - she hardly talks about the birth of her first child. Or did I miss something?! I will go update my review.
Someone told me that I should read The Gift of Rain: A Novel
(who was that???), which I just got in the mail. I'll have to start it soon. Still reading
, then it's on to Plum, then The Gift of Rain (probably...I can flake out and go a whole different way).
(who was that???), which I just got in the mail. I'll have to start it soon. Still reading
, then it's on to Plum, then The Gift of Rain (probably...I can flake out and go a whole different way).
Kathy wrote: "I've started No Second Chance by Harlan Coben. I'm fitting in some books to go with the A-Z title challenge I'm doing this year, and Coben's Caught and [book:No Second ..."
Oh, I love Mr. Coben. You could use The Innocent for I, Deal Breaker for D, The Woods for W....I could go on and on. :)
Oh, I love Mr. Coben. You could use The Innocent for I, Deal Breaker for D, The Woods for W....I could go on and on. :)
Christine: Didn't you take a book by Linwood Barclay on your trip? Did you get a chance to read it? I have his Never Look Away: A Thriller from the library. Kathy: I am just finishing up Deception: An Alex Delaware Novel and it went in a direction that I did not expect.
I think I'm going to start
Relentless today. I've never read any Koontz and this one sounds really good.
Mod
I have officially given up on Shibumi: A Novel. It's truly a stinker and it boggles my mind that the average rating is above 4.00 on goodreads. Now I need a palate cleanser so back to the pile! *rubbing hands*
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Funny, yes, and sometimes even w..."
Thanks, Lisa. Hope everyone has a good (reading) weekend.