Comfort Reads discussion
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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
Chrissie wrote: "Kathy, I adore Naslund! Have you read Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-gazer. If you haven't, you must!Abundance I have bought but not yet read..... Please tell us about Adam a..."Yes, Chrissie, I've read Ahab's Wife: Or, The Star-gazer, Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, and Four Spirits: A Novel. I loved them all! I hope to get some reading done on Adam & Eve today. I only got to read the first few pages last night, but it promises to live up to Naslund's level of excellence.
Chrissie, A Wrinkle in Time is great. I can't believe I waited this long to read it! I love reading about the apes in Ape House but some of the story is not so good. I'm almost done with it and it has inspired me to do more reading about bonobo apes! I think Water for Elephants is a better book overall.
Beth wrote: "Chrissie, A Wrinkle in Time is great. I can't believe I waited this long to read it! I love reading about the apes in Ape House but some of the story is not so good. I'm almost done with it and ..."Beth, don't stop with "A Wrinkle in Time." Read the other books of the series as well, A Wind in the Door, A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Many Waters and An Acceptable Time (and there's even more ...).
A Wrinkle in Time has always been one of my favorite books ever since it was new when I was nine and introduced to it. The other books in the series are okay but it remains my favorite by far. And, I like Meet the Austins the best of that series, also the first in the series. But there are a few other books in each series I like a lot too.
Beth, so it is not as good as Water for Elephants. If you find other books about Bonobos, please tell me!I should read Wrinkle in Time again...... I read it about 5 decades ago! I have a blue hardcover. I ought to arrange my books by color, then I would always find them!
Kathy I read one book by Naslund which I didn't like:The Disobedience of Water. I NEVER like short stories. Maybe that is why I was disappointed.
Chrissie wrote: "Kathy I read one book by Naslund which I didn't like:The Disobedience of Water. I NEVER like short stories. Maybe that is why I was disappointed."Yeah, I have that book, but I haven't gotten around to it yet, mainly because short stories aren't usually my preferred format either. I have read some short story books that were great, but I usually stick to novels and some non-fiction. Did you read Four Spirits by Naslund? It's another historical fiction one that I loved. I got busy running errands this afternoon, so I'm just now getting back to Adam & Eve. I will say that so far it is quite a departure from her historical fiction ones.
Lisa wrote: "A Wrinkle in Time has always been one of my favorite books ever since it was new when I was nine and introduced to it. The other books in the series are okay but it remains my favorit..."My son and I loved A Wrinkle in Time, and I can't believe we didn't continue with the rest of them. I'm such a serial reader (LOL), but at least it's good to know that I read the best one.
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Lee wrote: "Kathy, I was looking at the reviews for Adam & Eve recently and was surprised at the negative reaction and low ratings for the book so far. I too absolutely loved Ahab's Wife so I c..."Lee, I just managed to get Abundance at BM. Ahab's Wife is an unforgettable book!!
I am reading The Crow-Girl: The Children of Crow Cove. It's a wonderful story translated from Danish.
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I am really enjoying it. It has a "fairy-tale with a moral" quality to it, the little girl facing the world kind of story. I think they did a good job with the translation, too.
Jeannette wrote: "I am reading The Crow-Girl: The Children of Crow Cove. It's a wonderful story translated from Danish."Isn't it just wonderful. I totally loved that book, so totally that I am putting it on the shelf with my Lucy Maud Montgomery books, and that is saying a lot. I also need to write a review, but I am having a tough time finding the right words to describe loveliness of the novel. And, I've requested the sequel, Eidi: The Children of Crow Cove through ILL from the library.
Lee, are you already in your new home? If so, may I send the book to you?
I have Eidi: The Children of Crow Cove on hold for later this week. There is a third book, too, but my library doesn't have it. If I enjoy Eidi, I'll request that they purchase the third book, Tink: The Children of Crow Cove when it comes out.
I haven't read the sequel yet (and additional books are being translated!) but I loved the first Crow Cove book!
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Lee wrote: "Kathy, I was looking at the reviews for Adam & Eve recently and was surprised at the negative reaction and low ratings for the book so far. I too absolutely loved Ahab's Wife so I c..."Well, I'm only on page 50, but I am thinking that it may be too much of a departure from her usual subject matter that is not to some fans' tastes. I'm actually intrigued by this departure and am hoping that Naslund's wonderful writing will make it all work.
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Kathy, no, I haven't read Four Spirits. Maybe I should. I think I would prefer it more than Adam&Eve. It seems a bit too fantastical for my taste. Do tell us what you think.
Laura wrote: "Lee wrote: "Kathy, I was looking at the reviews for Adam & Eve recently and was surprised at the negative reaction and low ratings for the book so far. I too absolutely loved Ahab's..."I have Abundance too. I really do want to read it, but I just started a bick thick book: A Summer Without Dawn: An Armenian Epic. It has a map and list of Armenian words and even a name list. It starts by giving a brief background of the Armenian people, a group existing for 2500 years! It takes place in 1915 during the forced march to Syria.
So many books to read!
Jeannette wrote: "I have Eidi: The Children of Crow Cove on hold for later this week. There is a third book, too, but my library doesn't have it. If I enjoy Eidi, I'll request that they purchase the..."I have ordered the first Crow book!
Gundula, you really convinced me I should read it! The teeny bit I read enchanted me!
Lisa, I saw that you gave it 4 stars.
Chrissie wrote: "Lisa, I saw that you gave it 4 stars. "Chrissie, I really liked it, although through a lot of it, it was an emotionally difficult read for me, and I don't consider it a comfort read, but I do consider it well worth reading and plan to eventually read the other Crow Cove books.
Well Lisa, I tend to find such books very mind diverting. It should come any day but still I need time to read it.
Chrissie wrote: "Well Lisa, I tend to find such books very mind diverting. It should come any day but still I need time to read it."I often do too. This one was a bit close to home for me, but even some of those I find diverting/comforting. This one I didn't but it's very possible you will. I really liked it. I hope that you do too.
I think I would consider The Crow-Girl: The Children of Crow Cove a comfort read. There were a lot of heart wrenching scenes, but stories of people overcoming trials and receiving help in unexpected places always touch something in me. Plus, I just love the quiet pace, and the atmosphere of the story. I really think that I was meant to live near the water.
My first Crow Girl book came in the mail today. ;0)
Chrissie wrote: "My first Crow Girl book came in the mail today. ;0)"Chrissie, I hope that you enjoy it. I can't wait to read your review.
Chrissie wrote: "Lisa, nice big text. I like that."Oh, I'm happy for you that it will be easy to read! That's one great things about some children's books. My library also carries a lot of large print books, but I know you don't have access to that luxury.
Lee wrote: "Yay! I'm not scared by speculative fiction either so maybe that's what put some of her other readers off. Maybe they were expecting straight historical fiction?"Lee, I, also, think that some readers might object the questioning of traditional ideas of faith. I enjoy reading about other religions and the questioning of the established, so it doesn't bother me. It's interesting. I have one friend who I think will enjoy it and another who isn't really open to any reading material that questions the tenets of her faith.
Kathy and Lee, I am reserved about Adam and Eve due to its speculative nature. I don't mind at all questioning "faith". I think you both are right. I wonder how the public will rate it with time? I also believe a good author can pull a reader into ANY subject, It is just hard to get the readers to try something different.
Jo wrote: "I'm reading North of Beautiful"
I just put this on hold at the library. It sounds like a good book.
I just put this on hold at the library. It sounds like a good book.
Chrissie wrote: "Kathy and Lee, I am reserved about Adam and Eve due to its speculative nature. I don't mind at all questioning "faith". I think you both are right. I wonder how the public will rate it with time? I..."I am really amazed at Naslund's ability and bravery to tackle such a different type of novel. I am also wondering about the long-term reaction of the reading public to it. I think it's one that will grow into its popularity over time.
Well Kathy, she is a great writer and I do think speculative literature appelas to many! How do you think it compares to the others?
Chrissie wrote: "Well Kathy, she is a great writer and I do think speculative literature appelas to many! How do you think it compares to the others?"You know, I honestly don't know right now. I've read a little over 100 pages out of the 300+ pages. I think that comparatively speaking, Naslund might be trying more to convey a message in this book than in the others, although Four Spirits certainly contained a powerful message. I think the difference is that in Adam & Eve, she is aiming for a more contemporary message that can be acted upon now for our future. That might not make any sense, still formulating it all. Maybe by the end of the book, I can clarify it.
Laura, I have that sitting here too. Do you know about The Women by T.C. Boyle? I thought after reading Loving Frank, I would read that if I wanted more on Wright.
no, I didn't know about this book by T.C. Boyle, have I read already?
I've been struggling with The Forgotten Garden (picking it up, putting it down...) by Kate Morton. I can't seem to stay engaged but want to finish it. I'm trying to decide if I have too many distractions now or the story just isn't grabbing me.
Ronyell wrote: "I am currently reading Yours Until Dawn and so far, it's pretty good!"
The book synopsis looks good. Is this set in the Regency period? I enjoy a good romance once in a while.
The book synopsis looks good. Is this set in the Regency period? I enjoy a good romance once in a while.
Jeannette wrote: "Ronyell wrote: "I am currently reading Yours Until Dawn and so far, it's pretty good!"The book synopsis looks good. Is this set in the Regency period? I enjoy a good romance once ..."
Is the Regency period like when it's set in the 1800s? If it is, then yes this book is set in the Regency period and it really is a great romance novel to read! I strongly recommend it!
Yes. Regency is 1811-1820. I'll see if I can find this at the library. :)
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Comfort Reads
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Beth, A Wrinkle in Time is priceless, and I loved Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants. Please tell us what you think about Ape House.