Comfort Reads discussion
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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
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Lee wrote: "Yay! I hope you love it! I don't know if it won the Man Booker but I do love his writing."
It did, although at that time it was just called the Booker prize. I started it last night, and I love the writing style! I didn't get very far because I was watching Monday Night Football, but I hope to have reading time today.
It did, although at that time it was just called the Booker prize. I started it last night, and I love the writing style! I didn't get very far because I was watching Monday Night Football, but I hope to have reading time today.
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Right now, I'm reading two of my holiday favorites: The Christmas Box Collection: The Christmas Box Timepiece The Letter by Richard Paul Evans and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
Lee wrote: "Yay! I hope you love it! I don't know if it won the Man Booker but I do love his writing."
I'm at the halfway point, Lee. I love this book! Thanks for giving me a nudge in its direction.
I'm at the halfway point, Lee. I love this book! Thanks for giving me a nudge in its direction.
Darkpool wrote: "Petra wrote: "...And I started listening to Death on the Nile during my commutes. This is the third Hercule Poiroit audio I'm listening to and I quite like the narrator."Is it narrated by David Su..."
Darkpool, sorry, I just saw this message. I've taken the discs back to the Library so I can't say who narrated the book.
What I liked about this one is that I could just sit back and listen to it without trying to solve it. There are so many characters, all with hidden motives, that it was more relaxing to just listen to the story unfold.
Poiroit is an interesting character. He's humerous, patient and entertaining. It would be interesting to know something about his private personal life, don't you think?
I finished reading Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl last night. I quite enjoyed it. Stacey (the author) showed incredible insight and patience with Wesley. He was an amazing bird, too, and must have been interesting and fun to have around. I don't think I could keep a wild owl but it was fun to read about it.
From the reviews, some people seem upset that the book is poorly written. I found that Stacey was writing as if she speaking to a friend. There are hiccups in the flow of the story but that's what happens when a friend tells a heartfelt story to another friend.
I enjoyed the story for what it was and recommend it to any animal lover. (Note: Wesley grows to sexual maturity and a few scenes may not be appropriate for younger, perhaps pre-teen, children).
I finnished read book"Pasion india" by Javier Moro. This book was translated from Spanish language to Slovakian language.I still also read book:
1."Les derniers jours de Paris" by Nicolas d'Estienne d'Orves. This book is translated from French language to Slovakian language.
I got a Kindle for Christmas yea! So I downloaded a wonderful book to see if it feels the same as reading a paperback book ;-) Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued
So far it's great.
THE RISE OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT by Edmund Morris.
Just started
If I need a good romantic-suspense Linda Howard is my favorite to pick up.
I've started A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé. So far I'm finding it rather dull, or maybe that's from too much egg nog.
Shelley wrote: "I've started A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé. So far I'm finding it rather dull, or maybe that's from too much egg nog."Ah, I've been really wanting to read that, so I'll be interested if your opinion changes by the end of the book, if you get to the end of the book.
I'm reading
. I love it the rest of the series is definately one I'm going to look out for!
Shelley wrote: "I've started A Novel Bookstore by Laurence Cossé. So far I'm finding it rather dull, or maybe that's from too much egg nog."I loved A Novel Bookstore - I poured through it and wanted to read the other books mentioned by the characters in the novel. Love the cover art. I found the characters carry so many dimensions and flaws and the descriptions of feelings and opinions well written.
There is even a nice website to accompany the book:
http://www.thegoodnovel.com/
Either way - to each their own!
Cheers - I love Europa Editions
It's a snow day so I will be curling in bed to finish a quirky read: Cooking with Fernet Branca
Loida, thanks for the info - like you, I'm a huge fan of Europa Editions!
Pamela wrote: "I got a Kindle for Christmas yea! So I downloaded a wonderful book to see if it feels the same as reading a paperback book ;-) Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued..."That looks like a good book! You'll have to let me know what you think of it.
Jess wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I got a Kindle for Christmas yea! So I downloaded a wonderful book to see if it feels the same as reading a paperback book ;-) [book:Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She R..." Hi Jess, I really like it, I'll review it when I'm done. Thought provoking. You can check out Kim Meeder's other books, about her ranch in Oregon where they rescue horses and help children...
I finished
and now I'm reading
and
.
Just started Catacombs: A Tale of the Barque Cats. Listened to the first in the series on audiobook, and kinda wishing I'd waited until I could have got the audiobook for this one, too. I keep hearing the narrator's voice in my head while reading it! She had very distinctive voices for all the characters. Speaking of audiobooks, I've just started Three Men in a Boat on audiobook. From what some of you said above it sounded like it was valuable background reading for To Say Nothing of the Dog, which I have every intention of reading sometime in the next few months.
And I'm somewhere in the middle of The Conqueror. I've read a lot of Heyer's romances, but this is the first of her histories I've attempted. Found it hard going to start with, but it's a bit easier now I've become accustomed to her style/language.
Jeannette wrote: "I just started The Fellowship of the Ring, my annual read in January."That's a great tradition, Jeannette. Do you read the other two books as well each year? I never tire of The Lord of the Rings but don't read it every year.
I started reading Tempest-tost because I like Robertson Davies books and its been awhile since I read one. This one is quite humerous and I like the characters. Still reading War and Peace. I finished Part 1 and would continue but don't want to get too far ahead of the Group that I'll be reading this with. It's surprisingly readable and entertaining. Not at all the daunting read I expected.
Petra wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I just started The Fellowship of the Ring, my annual read in January."
That's a great tradition, Jeannette. Do you read the other two books as well each year? I never..."
I'll read all three. I can't stop with just one.
That's a great tradition, Jeannette. Do you read the other two books as well each year? I never..."
I'll read all three. I can't stop with just one.
Jeannette wrote: "Petra wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I just started The Fellowship of the Ring, my annual read in January."That's a great tradition, Jeannette. Do you read the other two books as well each y..."
When you do your rereads, do you also read all of the "supplemental material" at the end of "The Return of the King" or do you just stick to the story itself? I usually try to read everything, but the last time, I did not manage to read the notes.
I read some of the Appendices, to get the story after the story of the members of the Fellowship.
Jeannette wrote: "I read some of the Appendices, to get the story after the story of the members of the Fellowship."That makes sense, I should try that the next time I reread the book.
It's not exactly comfortable but I am rereading Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria. Only read it a few months ago but I need to read it again. Wonderful.
I finally finished Selected Stories of O. Henry, and really, really enjoyed it. Now, I'm reading Need by Carrie Jones and Behind the Mist - Book One of the Mist Trilogy by M.J. Evans.
Spongebarb wrote: "It's not exactly comfortable but I am rereading Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria. Only read it a few months ago but I need to read it again. Wonderful."I have that on my to-read shelf. I also want to see "Agora" sometime.
Jeannette wrote: "I just finished The Blind Contessa's New Machine, a lovely, and very interesting, little book."I think I will have to add this to my to-read list (if I have not done so already). Both you and Chrissie really liked it.
I am just hopping right in here, I haven't read all the messages above. I have like 300 messages to read after Xmas! Gundula, yes, yes, yes! You must read The Blind Contessa's New Machine, and Jeanette, I am so happy that you enjoyed it too! Don't you love Turi? Well, I do. I love the subtle humor. Remember the page when she looked not high enough, only to his buttons?!
Gunduala, so you haven't read Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria yet...... I want to hear your opinion.
Jess, could you tell us more, or give us a link to your review? Is the writing good? Do you have to be a real true feminist to enjoy it? Do you get interesting history?
I am currently reading The Gift of Rain. For me, it is a mixed bag! I am about 2/3 through and I have learned quite a bit, but the characters seem two dimensional..... I chose it to learn more about the Far East during WW2 and also to learn more about Japanese, Chinese and Malayan cultures. Sometimes the author draws pictures with his words that are utterly beautiful, such as a night sky filled with fireflies.
Under a Cruel Star: A Life in Prague 1941-1968, which I read over Xmas, was fabulous. My review follows: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... I cannot praise it enough!
I also read and reviewedBuddha's Orphans:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This book really disappointed me! Disregard the blurb in the book description. It is completely misleading! Well, that is what I think......
Chrissie,
I liked The Gift of Rain quite a bit, but also remember having several issues with the character development. I am trying to recall specifically what my issue was...I'll have to find my review.
ETA: I just found my review on my blog and added it here.
I liked The Gift of Rain quite a bit, but also remember having several issues with the character development. I am trying to recall specifically what my issue was...I'll have to find my review.
ETA: I just found my review on my blog and added it here.
Welcome back, Chrissie! I see you got a lot of reading done over Christmas. I did love Turri. I wonder how his story would have unfolded if he had taken that last opportunity. (But, no more or it's a spoiler....)
Christine, what I like is learning about the different cultures, although the stuff on martial arts was a bit too much for me. All this blabb about houw one should only use it when necessary, and yet they were always punching eachother. Sometimes the writing just draws the most beautiful pictures, and the customs are so magnificently described. Remember the Chinese wedding customs? Nevertheless, there is something wrong with the character portrayals. Kind of flat. So, as I said, a mixed bag. I have acturally written nothing as I read it! I will have to figure out at the end what I think. Pls add a link here to your review! I will not read it until I have written mine. Jeanette, I am SO glad you liked The Blind Contessa's New Machine. It must make you happy too, when you find another person adores a book as you do too!!! ;0) You guys that haven't read it - READ it !
*adds "the blind contessa's new machine* to the "to read" list. Man, this group - in fact this topic - is a serious problem for my TBR list!
Chrissie wrote: "Jeanette, I am SO glad you liked The Blind Contessa's New Machine. It must make you happy too, when you find another person adores a book as you do too!!! ;0) You guys that haven't read it - READ it ! ..."
I have recommended it to a few friends on another group I'm in. A lovely little book. :)
I have recommended it to a few friends on another group I'm in. A lovely little book. :)
Chrissie wrote: "I am just hopping right in here, I haven't read all the messages above. I have like 300 messages to read after Xmas! Gundula, yes, yes, yes! You must read The Blind Contessa's New Machine..."</i>
Welcome back, Chrissie. Yeah, I've been reading way too many children's books and [book:Flow Down Like Silver: Hypatia of Alexandria somehow got lost in the shuffle. I should maybe move it from my bookshelf to my bedroom, sometimes bookshelves make me forget I have a book. But, The Blind Contessa's New Machine seems even more interesting and I know that "Flow Down Like Silver" will likely end up being quite depressing. Kudos for sticking with Buddha's Orphans. I read your excellent review and I don't think I would have been able to continue reading the book if it was that disappointing.
I just finished All Clear, which was really part 2 of Blackout, and just loved them. I'll shelve it when I get home. I'll check but I don't think I can "reach" all the shelves on this phone. Last night I started Before I Fall and I'm having a hard time enjoying hanging out with the main character/narrator. I suspect she changes. It's kind of like Groundhog Day for teens, I think.
Gundula, I THOUGHT I had to be making a mistake! I had to be sure...... Stupid, huh!Darkpool - good decision. It is a lovely book! Jeanette and I are happy!
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, I THOUGHT I had to be making a mistake! I had to be sure...... Stupid, huh!Darkpool - good decision. It is a lovely book! Jeanette and I are happy!"
Not stupid, you just have to realise that if you don't like a book, even if it is a classic, even if it has great reviews, you should be true to your own taste, especially if you are reading for enjoyment. I had to read a few books (some of them classics) for university courses that did not appeal to me at all, so now I am rather careful and picky about what I am reading (and, I go through stages of liking certain types of books). I am glad to have read your review, though, otherwise I might have put the book on my to-read list.
I'm reading One Day for my weekly book club. One section a week. I'm listening to The Pillars of the Earth while I drive to and from work. This statment will appear for quite some time as I can only manage about 1% a day it seems, and I only work PT.
I'm starting Brave New World today.
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Comfort Reads
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Robert K. Massie (other topics)
Edmund Morris (other topics)
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Did that win the Man Booker prize? I usually like anything that wins that one.
ETA: okay, I am going with that one.