Comfort Reads discussion
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What are you reading right now? (SEE NEW THREAD)
It's only 200 pages, with very short chapters. I love the narrator's voice -- it speaks to the audience like a storyteller would.
Jeannette wrote: "It's only 200 pages, with very short chapters. I love the narrator's voice -- it speaks to the audience like a storyteller would."I think I'm going to love it. Our meeting isn't until mid-January though, and I want it fresh in my mind. I think I'll read it during the December holidays, or around that time.
Simran wrote: "Christine wrote: "Almost done with The Paris Wife
"
That's going on my 'to read' list. I thuoght it sounded quite interesting when i came across it ..."
It is very interesting in that I am finding myself looking up all of these writers and artists to see if they really knew each other and if they really did these things...and yes, they did. I can't say that it makes me like any of them though, yikes! But it is definitely interesting, and brings out the researcher in me.
"That's going on my 'to read' list. I thuoght it sounded quite interesting when i came across it ..."
It is very interesting in that I am finding myself looking up all of these writers and artists to see if they really knew each other and if they really did these things...and yes, they did. I can't say that it makes me like any of them though, yikes! But it is definitely interesting, and brings out the researcher in me.
I was thinking you might enjoy this, Chrissie, but I was waiting until I finish it to decide on the recommendation. I need to research a bit of Kenyan history, because the story centers around this community of East Indian ex-pats, descendants of the Indians who came to help the British build the railroad. This is something I didn't know anything about.
Jeanette, What do you mean by this you said:"I need to research a bit of Kenyan history, because the story centers around this community of East Indian ex-pats, descendants of the Indians who came to help the British build the railroad.
Please explain more. I just thought the book would offer an amusing look at ornithologists.
Does it teach about Kenyans?
Yes, it is getting into politics right now, and has given some glimpses into Kenyan history. But, I know nothing about Kenya, and have to take it at face value. The author lived in Nairobi for two years. This is why I thought it might interest you.
The main characters are bird-watchers, not trained ornithologists.
The main characters are bird-watchers, not trained ornithologists.
I'm finishing up Slow Burn by Julie Garwood. I am loving this series and can't wait to read the rest!!
Chrissie: He also mixes a little fiction into his facts. For example, the grandfather of one character begins his life as a trader by selling red cloth to the Masai -- "Thus it came to pass that the Masai....acquired their taste for red cloaks..." Well, this isn't true, but it ties a fact, that the Masai wear red, into the story.
Simran wrote: "Susan wrote: "I'm finishing up Slow Burn by Julie Garwood. I am loving this series and can't wait to read the rest!!"Have you read any of her older work ? I'm a die ha..."
No I never have. This series is the first I read of her, but I may check out her older stuff! Thank you!! :)
Jeannette wrote: "Yes, it is getting into politics right now, and has given some glimpses into Kenyan history. But, I know nothing about Kenya, and have to take it at face value. The author lived in Nairobi for tw..."The history theme is a plus for me. I am no ornithologist AT ALLl. I just enjoy taking those bird walks as much as nayone else! And you do nave to laugh at yourself because, well, the bord watchers can be quite amusing. You have to see the humor in your own behavior.
Simran and Christine,A great deal of this cultural exchange among Muslims, Jews and Christians took place in medieval Spain, especially in the Ninth and Tenth centuries. Unfortunately, the open attitude was reversed by the Almohads and al-Morabids in Moorish occupied Spain in the XI Century, and in the Christian lands from about the XIV Century.
Simran wrote: "Christine wrote: "I startedThe Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East
"
This really appeals to my fascination with that region and its inhabitants"
This book is amazing. I have learned so much already. It really gives you all sides of the conflict. I'm just about to the middle of the book now.
"This really appeals to my fascination with that region and its inhabitants"
This book is amazing. I have learned so much already. It really gives you all sides of the conflict. I'm just about to the middle of the book now.
I absolutely adored The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East, miles better than Mornings in Jenin. In my opinion you can totally skip the latter. The first offers a balanced view from both side. The latter presented primarily the Palestinian pov. I want both sides presented in a fair manner.
I am glad that I read Mornings in Jenin, but I agree that it was very one sided. The Lemon Tree is much better. I haven't finished it yet, but I love it.
Chrissie, I think you will enjoy A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. I should finish tonight and have a review by tomorrow.
Simran wrote: "Clark wrote: "Simran and Christine,A great deal of this cultural exchange among Muslims, Jews and Christians took place in medieval Spain, especially in the Ninth and Tenth centuries. Unfortunate..."
Right, Simran. The Reconquista i.e. the Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula by the Christian kingdoms aagainst the Muslim Caliphates and Emirates. Strange, the Iberian Peninsula was conquered by the Muslims in only 7 years (711-718), but the Reconquista took almost 800 years (718-1492). Fernando and Isabel combined the forces of Ferd's kingdom of Aragon and Isabel's Castile to conquer the last Moorish kingdom in the Peninsula, Granada. In that same year the expelled the Jews, who had to leave with only what they could carry, but nothing of value, in a month (or two months, I don't remember which). The choice was to leave Spain or convert to Catholicism. It is said that most left, but a significant number remained as Catholics (some for real, some secretly practicing Judaic rites). Only after these two events --conquest of Granada and expulsion of the Jews-- did the two monarchs allow Columbus to sail.
I finished The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East
which was definitely a 5 star book. I got it from the library, but I think I will buy a copy because I'd like to have it for Emma to read eventually.
which was definitely a 5 star book. I got it from the library, but I think I will buy a copy because I'd like to have it for Emma to read eventually.
Christine wrote: "I finished The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East which was definitely a 5..."YAY, I hoped you would love it. I liked the balanced pov.
Chrissie,
That was the most that I've gotten out of a book in a long time. I really feel like I understand the conflicts now, and it was such a readable book with the stories of the families. I'm going to be pushing this one on everybody.
That was the most that I've gotten out of a book in a long time. I really feel like I understand the conflicts now, and it was such a readable book with the stories of the families. I'm going to be pushing this one on everybody.
Christine, that is exactly what I have been doing for ages. I was going crazy when everyone was praising Mornings in Jenin...... I kept saying, "Please, please, please read The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East instead." You have to yap too now. We have to get people to read this book.
I'm going to pick it for my book club when it's my choice again.
Christine, what a great idea. There is lots to talk about!
I am reading Crush by Alan Jacobson, Second Son by Lee Child, and I just started a book on strategic management.
I'm reading
and loving it and I think I'm going to start
I'm going to be starting "The Birth House" by Ami McKay. I didn't get the chance to read it when it first came out but I have heard many good things about this novel.
Mod
It won't be my turn for a while since I just hosted, but I'm sure that it will still be in the news then.
My hosting got messed up. I was supposed to do The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks but someone quit the group right before her book, so I ended up picking up her hosting duties for The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
I have just begun A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. Do not make the error I made! I actually thought this was an ornithological guide, so I never looked inside! It is a story about a group of bird watchers in Nairobi, Kenya. It teaches about Kenya. It is humorous. And it is about how people relate to each other. If you have ever taken part in such weekly "bird walks", as I have, you will understand the humor to be found in observing each other. Every week the same troop arrives. Every week Mr. X arrives late. Every week some come with their dogs! Here I am the guilty one! Are dogs welcome at a walk where everyone talks in shispers and crouches down and stares into the leaves, rapidly setting up their tripods zooming in ing on the "finds". So this book attracts me,and I was told that I would learn about Kenya too. Well, that is just perfect. Humor and information all rolled into one.I just completed The Last Van Gogh. Unfortunately, this was a total disappointment! The subject matter is not Van Gogh and the author did not create a moving, captivating tale. You might like it fi you like soppyromance novels. Perhaps sone of the female characters had to be weak, because that is how they were in real ife. In any case, something went wrong in the telling.
The epilogue, which explains who the book was really about, was totally fascinating! My spoiler -free review explains the true contentt: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I have several books on my shelves by this author. I DID enjoy Swedish Tango. The Mask Carver's Son and The Lost Wife were both on my TBR shelf. Now I do not know whether I should read them.
If you want a book of historical fiction more focused on Van Gogh, I would suggest Sunflowers. It is a good book. Here is my short review of that:http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81...
I am listening to an audiobook version of Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native, narrated by Alan Rickman. I have spent 35 years believing that I don't like Hardy and I decided that if Rickman couldn't make me change my mind, no one could. I have been completely blown away. It is simply amazing.
Chrissie wrote: "I have just begun A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. Do not make the error I made! I actually thought this was an ornithological guide, so I never looked inside! It is a story abou..."I thought it was a birdwatching guide as well, but I was wondering why it was so popular within the group (usually I am an oddball, as I actually read birding books for fun). This does sound good, but I'm trying to not overload my already tottering Mount TBR (not that it will do any good, I will likely find a few books again that I must add, this one being decidedly tempting).
Kim wrote: "I am listening to an audiobook version of Thomas Hardy's The Return of the Native, narrated by Alan Rickman. I have spent 35 years believing that I don't like Hardy and I decided that ..."
I await your review. Rickman might be able to convince me to expand my limited experience with Hardy. I was underwhelmed by Under the Greenwood Tree.
I await your review. Rickman might be able to convince me to expand my limited experience with Hardy. I was underwhelmed by Under the Greenwood Tree.
Gundula, it was jeanette and Lee and another friend show that lall loved a guide to the Birds of East Africa. I have seen this book all over the place and never looked, for this reason I wrote immediatlely that others would know it is not a bird guide! I love the prose. It has a subtle humor about everything from haircuts to voice to pudgy people. I have just begun, but every pageso far is enjoyable. My head is so leaky. I know I have read The Return of the Native, but I remember nothing. I just cannot add such books to my read shelf if my memory is so weak. How could I eer rate it?!
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, it was jeanette and Lee and another friend show that lall loved a guide to the Birds of East Africa. I have seen this book all over the place and never looked, for this reason I wrote imme..."I think I will add the book, otherwise I might forget the title. My head has been leaky as well, too much to think about and not enough time.
Gundula, I know I cannot read everything on my to-read shelf! It is just a good place to store titles that any of which could be great. I put my top choices in my "whish-lists". And then I have a "maybe" shelf too. You can spend time just moving books from one shelf to another...... It makes me feel better that you thought it was an ornithological guide too! WHY was everyone reading this strange guide about African birds?!
Well, I do enjoy looking at Bird Guides. I liked the pencil sketches of birds on each chapter title page, too. The birds in Kenya must be amazing.
No one will ever read all the books on their tbr piles. I have a bump-up shelf for books I want to read soon, as well as books with friends' names, so I know who encouraged me to read a book. Ordering lists is fun sometimes, too.
No one will ever read all the books on their tbr piles. I have a bump-up shelf for books I want to read soon, as well as books with friends' names, so I know who encouraged me to read a book. Ordering lists is fun sometimes, too.
I am reading Love and Friendship, written by Jane Austen when she was 14. It's proving to be a fun read.
Chrissie wrote: "Gundula, I know I cannot read everything on my to-read shelf! It is just a good place to store titles that any of which could be great. I put my top choices in my "whish-lists". And then I have a "..."I was absolutely positive it was a real ornithological guide, and I purposely did not click on the title, as I did not want to be tempted to purchase yet another bird-watching book (I have way too many as it is). Now though, I might just see if the book is available at the library (less tempting to purchase a book about bird-watching, than an actual bird guide, lol).
Jeantte, and then I have a "too-read soon" list that grew to be over 100 books...... These are the ones I purchased. Now I do not know when I will read them/0) Such is life!
You never know when you'll go to add a book, realize you have it, and then finally read it. I read East African Birds because I found it for $3 at a store closing sale. It was on my tbr for a long time.
Simran, yeah it is depressing when you cannot get ahold of the books you want to read. The Lemon Tree is super. You might try ABeBooks. They have everything, but then you must add on postage......
Simran wrote: "$3 ! You're lucky, books are so expensive here and its hard to find titles. ..."
It was our only local bookstore, Borders, and they went out of business. I typically buy from amazon; at least my manga. I get lots of books from the library.
It was our only local bookstore, Borders, and they went out of business. I typically buy from amazon; at least my manga. I get lots of books from the library.
I have so many new books waiting to be read, but, alas, I have become obsessed once again in a series. This time it is the Louise Penny novels featuring Inspector Gamache. Right now I'm finishing up #4, A Rule Against Murder
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Comfort Reads
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Maybe I'll read it early. ;-) Except that I have so many other books I should read or need to read first.