What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD) Showing 201-250 of 7,588

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Chrissie, it took me a couple of hundred pages before I really got into the story but now I'm hooked! I love learning about the Lewis and Clark expedition and Sacajawea's role in events. I also especially love all the detail about camp life etc. It's really fascinating.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Mary wrote: "Lee, I am a sucker for a pretty book cover!"

Aren't we all?!? That hummingbird is so pretty!

[Chrissie]

Lee, oh good, I read it very many ears ago and I was scared I would mislead you. But it has always stuck in my head! The book I am reading now is fabulous!

[Lisa]

I just finished a book and I'm about to start The Magicians for a book group. I'm nervous because when I first heard about it, it sounded really good, but many readers didn't enjoy it. I will see. There's a couple of books coming out next month that I have to read as soon as I get my hands on them: This World We Live In and The Spellmans Strike Again. Can't wait!!! Hope to read a few other books first though.

[Laura]

Starting to read
Middlemarch by George Eliot which discussion starts tomorrow at Classics and the Western Canon.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "Starting to read
Middlemarch by George Eliot which discussion starts tomorrow at Classics and the Western Canon."

That sounds interesting, Laura (I read the novel ages ago), I think I might join the group. Even though I don't usually see many of the classics as comfort reads, I love reading and discussing them.

[Laura]

join us Gundula since we are planning to learn about the historical background while reading this book.

[[deleted user]]

Starting Saving Ceecee Honeycutt: A Novel

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "join us Gundula since we are planning to learn about the historical background while reading this book."

I did and that is exactly my kind of group. I love history and in university I always got sidetracked by historical aspects in novels etc. Well, actually, I should not call that sidetracked, I believe that the historical background for books (or the historical information present in books) is just as important as textual analysis, literary theory etc. (of course, many of my professors did not agree with me). I'll be ordering (or trying to order) a cheap copy of the book from Amazon today, and hopefully will start reading by this weekend. By the way, does your group ever read any German literature in translation (like Thomas Mann or Goethe)?

[Laura]

I am glad you are going to join us Gundula!!! I am not sure if this group have already read any German literature but the moderator is a great guy, open to any kind of discussion. I also bought a cheap version of Middlemarch in order to able to join this discussion.

[Manybooks]

Laura wrote: "I am glad you are going to join us Gundula!!! I am not sure if this group have already read any German literature but the moderator is a great guy, open to any kind of discussion. I also bought a c..."

I just ordered mine from Amazon Canada. That means I will probably get the book by Thursday or Friday. I've got a huge amount of book club read to go through, but this sounds so interesting. By the way, thanks for mentioning the book and the group, otherwise I would have never known about it.

[Laura]

great Gundula, I hope you will enjoy this nice group. Yes, it´s hard to follow all book discussions. It´s better just to follow a few of them and once can follow the threads of others later on. Otherwise, we get crazy....

[Kimberly]

I finished The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith and now I'm reading People of the Lake: Mankind & Its Beginnings by Richard E. Leakey and Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela by Nelson Mandela. Both are really good so far.

[Diane]

Chrissie wrote: "I just finished Niki: The Story of a Dog which I liked, although the ending disturbed me. It is not only about a dog but also about life in Budapest after WW2 and before the Hungaria..."

Chrissie-- I just added both of these books to my TBR. My partner is from Hungary and I'd love to learn more about Hungarian history as well. Thanks for the tip! I think I would pick up Nicki first.....but I worry about your comment about the ending?

[Chrissie]

Diane, remember that Niki is a NY classic. That says alot. The writing style is very unique. When I get thrown from one book to the other, I say there is just no comparison. I ADORE what I am reading now. One would assume that the dog book was a lighter read - it isn't at all. It is both extremely philosophical AND a charming photo of dog behavior. Forget comparing it to anything like Marley & Me: Love and Life with the World's Worst Dog or The Art of Racing in the Rain or any of the Herriot James books or my favorite Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog. You can feel when you read it why it is cllassified as a classic! It is a very short book and worth the experience of reading. It creates an atmosphere of life in Hungary after WW2, but few specifics. The prologue to the book offers some specifics and a comparison to what happened to the author. You can also read my review and the comments between Lisa and I to help you decide if you want to read it. The three stars mean exactly what it says - I liked it.

The Storyteller isn't just a history book. It is a biography of a family living through Hungarian history in the 1900s. To see if you like the writing style, check out my running review b/c I have quoted bits. You get Hungarian history and tales going back to the Huns, rhe 1400s, but predominantly the 1900s after WW2. If you want a dry history book, don't read this. Does this help you decide? I hope so.

[Peregrine]

Lisa wrote: "Peregrine, I really enjoyed The Speed of Dark. I hope that you do too."

5 stars and definitely a comfort book. This is why I read, for stories like this.

[Peregrine]

I'm starting Eifelheim by Michael Flynn.

[[deleted user]]

I've just started The Magicians and Mrs. Quent. It is a sci-fi/fantasy story, written in the style of Austen and Bronte. Right now I wish I had a big chunk of time to read it in!

[Diane]

Chrissie wrote: "Diane, remember that Niki is a NY classic. That says alot. The writing style is very unique. When I get thrown from one book to the other, I say there is just no comparison. I ADORE what I am readi..."

Hi Chrissie. Yes it helps me decide and thanks for posting such a thorough explanation. I also read your review. To see that Nicki is a NY classic has me even more intrigued. I am going to stop at my library and see if I can get both books. Thanks too for mentioning Merle's Door, The Art of Racing in the Rain, and James Herriott. I've read all those books and understand when you say Nicki can't be compared. I'll remember to talk with you once I've gotten one of these books read. I'm excited to show them to my partner too.

[Kathy]

I've just started Death at the Alma Mater: A St. Just Mystery by one of my favorite new comfort mystery authors, G.M. Malliet.

[Chrissie]

Diane, I haven't read the Art of Racing in the Rain. I fear it will be too melodramatic for me. I have read the Herriott books, but ages ago. Would I still like them? Well I am not so sure ..... They might be too tame. Merle's Door is SUPER! Marley and Me is just a fun read, but nothing more. My point is mainly that each are so very different. I like the diversity. BTW, I have lots of dog books on my fauna shelf.

I simply adore the writing style of The Storyteller!!!! The impossibility of understanding what happens to you that was described in Nikki, is also described tin this book! Everything is lies. Everybody was spying on each other. How do you teach a child honesty with all this going on around you?! Vili says to his granddaughter that lies in school are self-preservation; only the lies at home are the ones that count! These little kids comprehend this duplicity immediately.

[Diane]

Chrissie -- I'll have to peruse your fauna shelf from home, as I'm sneeking in from work now...I see that you have 107 books on that shelf. The Art of Racing in the Rain is one of my all time favorites. I think you should give it a shot and let yourself be taken in by it. Don't have any expectations and see what you think ;)

I read The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story about a year ago....that might be right up your alley.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Peregrine wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Peregrine, I really enjoyed The Speed of Dark. I hope that you do too."

5 stars and definitely a comfort book. This is why I read, for stories like this."

I get so excited when someone gives a book five stars and it's on my to-read list! Yay!

[Lisa]

Oh, I'm eager to read The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story. It's one of the books I've suggested to my real world book club several times.

[Diane]

Lisa wrote: "Oh, I'm eager to read The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story. It's one of the books I've suggested to my real world book club several times."

That's who I read it with Lisa, my live book club.

[[deleted user]]

Lisa wrote: "Oh, I'm eager to read The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story. It's one of the books I've suggested to my real world book club several times."

It's really good, Lisa.

[Lisa]

Diane & Christine, I might have to read it without them if not with them. Thanks.

[Diane]

Hey Lisa, Christine and I can talk with you about it!

[Lisa]

Diane D. wrote: "Hey Lisa, Christine and I can talk with you about it!"

Okay. Hopefully, I'll get to it, sometime this year. My on-deck and to-read list is soooooooooo long. But, thanks; I'll keep that in mind!

[Diane]

Lisa -- LOL! I know, I am the same with the "on deck" TBRs!!

[Chrissie]

Christine and Diane D, I have had such a hard time determining whether to read the Zookeeper's Wife! I keep switching it from shelves "maybe", or "to read" or a "must" shelf. While it wanders, I still haven't read it. If I had a library it would be a different matter..... I think I would like that the horrible times of the German invasion of Poland and then a flip to the animasl would offer relief. That not all issues are completely covered, well no book answers all questions. Could you each tell me why you think I should read it. Now I am tempted again to put it back on a must shelf. ..... I will go take a peak and see if Book Depository has it. BAD , bad me!

[[deleted user]]

I actually like any book that shows a different part of the war that I had never really thought about. It's a wonderful history lesson to find those books. This one had a very unique story, and I was just really taken with it. It might not be everyone's cup of tea.

[Chrissie]

Christine I have added it to my must shelf. Thanks for your advice. Basically b/c it has a mixture of history and animals and takes place in Poland. I amways figure, if I learn something, then it is not the end of the world if the writing style doesn't grab me. When I get both, WOW then I am very happy.Exactly what I am getting in The Storyteller: Memory, Secrets, Magic and Lies. It is a winner.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Chrissie, that Storyteller memoir looks very good! I've added it!

[Lisa]

Chrissie, I added it too. Thanks.

[Chrissie]

Lee and Lisa, it is marvelous! Lots of history but told in a form that it goes down like ice cream. The text is funny too. The Spanish Civil War was "an uncivil civil war against civilians". Hungary did not support Franco. There are marvelous photos of the family members, but there is no map. So far that is all I can complain about. What is also interesting is that in this book the family members are not communists. They are a wealthy, well educated known Hungarian family. In Nikki the main characters are communists. Both are suffer, both are put in jail. Tha absurdity is jarring. I guess I have blabbed enough about this book here....... I simply must read more by this author, Anna Porter.

[Kathy]

I am also one of those who have been meaning to read The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story for some time now. Like you, Lisa, I hope to get to it sometime this year, and like you, Chrissie, I keep switching it from one list to another, at times on my current month list and other times at to-be-read in the future. I do hope I read it in the coming months.

Also, Christine, I agree with you about reading and learning about parts of WWII that I hadn't previously given a lot of thought. I just finished Blackout by Connie Willis and learned so much about what people in London went through during the bombing of their city by the Germans. Also, another one of my favorite books is The Good German, a story that takes place in post-war Berlin, something I knew nothing about, and a book that takes a hard look at peoples' motivations and actions during war time and after.

[Lori]

So what did you think of Blackout? I just finished it too. While any book from Connie Willis is cause for celebration, this one was slightly disappointing.

[Chrissie]

Lori and Kathy - pls tell me more about Blackout. Is there some happiness or humor mixed in with the terrible situation? I must go and see if I can find a Kirkus review of this and the Good German. Any information about either book is appreciated. I am supposed to be making dinner - Toodles!

[Lori]

Yes Blackout has some amusing moments, it's definitely not sad like Doomsday! And altho the subject matter is not as light as To Say Nothing of the Dog, Wilson has some very amusing secondary characters that make you chuckle, because you can so easily imagine them with their little annoying habits.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Lori wrote: "So what did you think of Blackout? I just finished it too. While any book from Connie Willis is cause for celebration, this one was slightly disappointing."

Oh, I'm sorry to hear it was a little disappointing! I was really looking forward to it. How did you rate it?

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Chrissie wrote: "Lee and Lisa, it is marvelous! Lots of history but told in a form that it goes down like ice cream. The text is funny too. The Spanish Civil War was "an uncivil civil war against civilians". Hunga..."

Chrissie, thanks for sharing more info about this memoir! You always find such interesting books.

[Chrissie]

Lee, it doesn't read like a memoir, but like a fairy tale - thanks to her grandfather.

[Chrissie]

Lori, thanks for the info, but Blackout is science fiction I don't know if I can cope with that.

[Lori]

Chrissie, Blackout is not what you think of as science fiction at all, the only reason it's labeled as such is because time travel is involved. Otherwise it's about future historians experiencing the Blitz during WWII and pretty much stays right there. It's like historical fiction in that regard.

Lee, don't go by what I say! :D Most everyone seems to have loved it. And I thoroughly enjoyed it, couldn't wait to get back to reading. As always she has great characters. My biggest complaints are: 1. It's a bit repetitive, and; 2. It's very much the first part of a book that will be completed this fall with All Clear. Which was frustrating! I'm a very tough rater, and I'm still deliberating between a 3 (which means I quite liked it) and 4 which means it was something that sticks with me for awhile. While the repetitiveness irked me somewhat, it also added to the general anxiety of being in London during the Blitz.

[Lee, Mod Mama]

Lori, I'm definitely going to read it because I love her work. You're right, I might love it!

[Chrissie]

Lori, maybe if it is actually historical fiction. That I DO like! Lee, you can read it. You know me. Tell me if I will like it, OK?

[Lee, Mod Mama]

I will read it and let you know Chrissie. :-)

[Chrissie]

Lee thanks. You guys, English libraries are non-existant in Belgium. That is why I am so picky about my books.

[Virginie]

Chrissie, there is a Waterstones in Brussels, I went there last year, I left husband and kids at the hotel on the Avenue Louise, took the subway and spent two delightful hours there.I think you have to get out at "Botanic"(metro station) or something like that.
Have you been there ?