Readers and Reading discussion
Book Miscellany
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Reading/Planning to Read - topic started 2/28/2010
I am going through my 'pick em up, put em down' phase again. I get books from my library thinking I am dying to read them, start them and just can't get into them. I do that sometimes, then I will be on a roll and read one right after another. I am so waiting for Alice Hoffman to write another so I can anticipate that!!
I did just finish "The Girl Who Chased The Moon" and it was not what I anticipated it at all. I gave it a 3.5 out of 5 stars. I loved Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen but not this one.
Mod
I felt the same way Charlotte...okay but I did not love it. She needs to change her story line or something.
Mod
Did you know that her book Green Witch was published on March 10th? It goes further into the world of Green Angel.
http://alicehoffman.com/hoffman-green...
I have Green Witch on my Library Hold list!
It has been a while since I picked up a "page turner," but Sarah Waters' ghostly novel The Little Stranger is just that. I love her style, and the way her plots unfold. I'm also reading a fascinating nonfiction book called Theatre De La Mode, which is about a series of fashion mannequins and outfits created in France in 1945. Shortages of food, fuel, material in Free France were severe, but the fashion houses decided to create what are essentially fashion dolls in haute couture, along with sets, and let people dream. Today the dolls are in a museum in Oregon.
I am reading whats been called a modern gothic called Yes,My Darling Daughter by Margaret Leroy. Seeing as I have read about 290 pages in 3 days I would call it a page turner. The story is about a 4 year old girl who remembers a past life.
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Donna in Southern Maryland
I've been known to "stir the soup" while reading a good book,Donna so you are right about getting anything done!I just snagged The Postmistress from the Library. We shall see if its as good as has been reported!
Mod
On CBS Sunday Morning I saw the beginning of an interview with a young man, Wes Moore, who wrote a book The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates that sounds riveting.
He and "the other Wes Moore" grew up in similar neighborhoods in Baltimore, fatherless and hanging out in the same, often unsavory, places. Yet one became a Rhodes scholar and the other is in prison for murder. The book is an examination of "why".
I am putting this one on my list.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am in Baltimore again and catching up on the local "literary scoops".On CBS Sunday Morning I saw the beginning of an interview with a young man, Wes Moore, who wrote a book [book:The Other Wes..."
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That does look good. I've added to my TBR list. Thanks !
Right now I am closing in on the end of Lin Enger's Undiscovered Country, a homage to Hamlet, about a Minnesota boy whose father dies in a hunting incident. Is it suicide or murder by the man's brother? I'm enjoying it.I'm listening to a recorded books version of One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, published in 1963, about life in a Soviet work camp, and that's interesting too, in a cold and grim sort of way. It has been on my "outta read" list for ages, and now I wonder what took me so long.
Undiscovered Country: A Novel
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am in Baltimore again and catching up on the local "literary scoops".On CBS Sunday Morning I saw the beginning of an interview with a young man, Wes Moore, who wrote a book [book:The Other Wes..."
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For those in Manhattan the author will be at B&N tonight.
The Other Wes Moore
Wes Moore discusses sharing the same name with a man from the same neighborhood he grew up in who went on to have a very different life. In The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates, he describes discovering the other Wes Moore, now a convicted murderer serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. At each stage of their lives both had come to similar crossroads, yet each of their choices would lead them to very different destinies.
Event: Wes Moore will be reading and signing books
Thursday, May 6, at 7:00 pm
Barnes & Noble, Upper West Side
2289 Broadway, at 82nd Street
I happened to hear an interview with the author last night on NPR.
You can listen to it online.
**Warning-- the author discusses the book, so there are spoilers.
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/lopate/epis...
Bunny this looks like an entertaining list. I read one Henning Mankell and enjoyed it, and I remember really enjoying Olive Ann Burns ages and ages ago.
I am currently reading "Major Pettigrew's Last Stand" and I am pacing myself and loving it! I am also glad that someone mentioned "The Little Stranger", I have that book and it is in my stack! My next read will be "The Girl Who Fell From The Sky".
I can happily reassure you that Major Pettigrew does not disappoint. I wish I could say the same of "Alice Have I Been," a novelization of Alice Liddell of Wonderland's life story, which started strong and then wandered into romance novel conventions when the author had nothing but conjecture and rumor with which to work.
Link to USATODAY article on 'The Other Wes Moore' author knows what might have been
http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/ne...
* link discusses book- spoiler warning.
I just sarted Olive Kitteridge, which I think many of you have already read, and I may go check out The Lace Reader. Our library is starting a contemporary fiction group. Much as I love my face group, an awful lot of time is spent on neighborhood chit chat and eating. I'm thinking a library group might be more focused. Then again, maybe not.The Lace Reader
Mod
Sherry, who will be leading the library group and choosing the books?
"JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am in Baltimore again and catching up on the local "literary scoops".On CBS Sunday Morning I saw the beginning of an interview with a young man, Wes Moore, who wrote a ..."
They had a review of this book in my local paper today. I thought it sounded interesting too.
<> Beats me. A librarian I guess. They lend out the books, so I never have to buy any or get on a waiting list. It's easy walking distance, and nobody has to prepare treats or clean their house. If I want to read the selection I will, and if not I'll skip that month.
Mod
Beats me. A librarian I guess. They lend out the books, so I never have to buy any or get on a waiting list. It's easy walking distance, and nobody has to prepare treats or clean their house. ..."
IMO, very good reasons for joining this group!!!
I just started reading The Knitting Circle by Ann HMeredithood. So far I am enjoying itMeredith
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JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am reading a book I have been looking forward to....The Scent of Rain and Lightning by Nancy Pickard which was just published in the last couple of weeks. This author also wrote The Virgin of Small Plains which I read a couple of years ago. It was excellent and so is this new book.Oh good, I really enjoyed The Virgin of Small Plains too and am am number twenty six on the hold list at my library for The Scent of Rain and Lightning.
Right now I am reading Man in the Middle by Brian Haig and listening to Rumpole's Last Case by John Mortimer and read by Bill Wallis.
Mod
House-Dreams: How One Man's Vision Became a Family Home by Hugh Howard. I am a sucker for books about home building and this sounds intriguing. Howard has written a lot of home-related books
The Longest Day: The Classic Epic of D-Day by Cornelius Ryan. And old book about D-Day by an Irish journalist who spent years researching this book. I just read an article about his research methods and that got me interested in reading the book. I saw the movie before we went to Normandy in 2008 and have read that the movie was very true to the book and the history.
House Justice: A Joe DeMarco Thriller by Mike Lawson, the 5th in the series of Joe DiMarco thrillers. I read the other four in this series in the last couple of months, got hooked, and could not wait for the latest book to come to me via the library. A friend and I split the cost and after we both read it, which will not take long, we will donate it to the library.
I'm actually reading an anthropology journal now, but next up in books is The Last Jewby Noah Gordon, a historical novel taking place in 1492 in Spain about a Jewish 15 year old boy whose family is dead and is trapped in Spain after the Jews have been expelled.
Mod
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff (I read his father's book two weeks ago)
Hurry Down Sunshine by Michael Greenberg - audio
I am not sure these are not too much dysfunction for me to read all at one time....
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DH has it too, and since he has to work, he's having a hard time fitting in his reading time.
Donna
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DH has it too, ..."
I was ultimately disappointed in the book. It started off with a bang and hooked me, but I think Child needs to take some time off and look back at his earlier books and see what he did then. Let me know what your DH thinks. Does he read all of Child's books?
Mod
Yes he does. He's finishing up David Baldacci's newest book, so I'm guessing he'll start on the Child book this weekend. I'll let you know.
Donna
I just started The Death Of Faith by Donna LeonMeredith
Mod
Everyone I know who has read it has enjoyed it. It has been on my list for 4 years!
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Yes he does. He's finishing up David Baldacci's newest book, so I'm guessing he'll start on the Child book this weekend. I'll let you know.
Donna"
He said he enjoyed it. Said the ending had him waiting for the next installment. I won't read it right now. Too many other books in my pile.
Donna
Mod
I am currently totally enthralled with "The Passage" by Justin Cronin. I had seen the book and the author featured on the Today show, and also read Stephen King's review. Mr. King stated that he defied anyone to read the first 15 pages and not read the book. I read the first 15 and I could not put it down. I read the first 200 in just one sitting! It is that good and it is over 700 pages, however, this is not a book you scan, you ingest every word! I am loving it so far....
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I'm so happy for you. Even though we all enjoy reading, every now and then a special book comes along..........
Donna in Southern Maryland
Mod
RNOCEAN wrote: "I am currently totally enthralled with "The Passage" by Justin Cronin. I had seen the book and the author featured on the Today show, and also read Stephen King's review. Mr. King stated that he ..."-----------------------------------
The Passage ~~ Justin Cronin
I see this book gets a mention in the GoodReads June newsletter. I was going to link it for you, RNOCEAN, but had problems. Did you read the June newsletter?
The Passage ~~ Justin CroninWhen you go to this book on Amazon there is a very nice write up about it by Michael Chabon. I think it explains why this book might be appealing to folks who don't usually go in for vampire type thrillers.
Joann and I, plus a few of my book buddies locally loved Cronin's Mary and O'Neil. This book is a big departure from that one!
Mod
When you go to this book on Amazon there is a very nice write up about it by Michael Chabon. I think it explains why this book might be appealing to folks who don't usually like vampire type thrillers..."
Yes, I read this....but I also usually shy away from post-apocalyptic America kinds of books. And huge books. So I will be waiting for the abridged version. LOL
I think that I would rather remember this author for his lovely Mary and O'Neil.
Mod
The first book was MARYLAND'S EASTERN SHORE by JOHN WENNERSTEN. The book was not well-written and was not what I expected, which was a history of the Eastern Shore. I would guess that this book never saw an editor. The book is full of innuendo and opinion, too much information and trivia, and was poorly organized. A chore to read.
But it did whet my appetite so I did a lot of research online and our discussion was pretty lively (considering that I was the youngest person in the group of 10!).
I also watched a great show on PBS last week, The Chesapeake by Air. Gorgeous scenery and the show gave me a real "feel" for this nearby area.
book #2 - DONE CRABBIN' by GILBERT BYRON, a book of stories set in Chestertown, MD on the Eastern Shore, beginning in 1914 with focus on a boy, his family, and the community. I think this will be much better than the previous book.
book #3 - SALT TIDE by CURTIS BADGER - natural history and memoir of a life along the Chesapeake coast. The author is a naturalist who lives on the bay.
book #4 - THE ENTAILED HAT or Patty Cannon's Times by GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND about a female gang leader, Patty Cannon, who kidnapped slaves and free blacks from the Delmarva Peninsula and sold them to plantation owners in the south. I am going to miss this discussion and cannot say I am sorry about that.
book #5 : BAY COUNTRY by TOM HORTON - this book chronicles changes in the lands and waters of the Chesapeake Bay. I enjoyed this author's book An Island Out of Time about Smith Island in the Chesapeake.
I am also going to start re-reading James Michener's CHESAPEAKE . I do not do a lot of re-reading but remember this book as being fantastic. I have a copy of this and from the date inside, I guess I read it in July of 1978. Wow, 32 years ago! That was our first summer in Connecticut. I am looking forward to reading this again - I love all the research Michener did for his books even though it is a l-o-n-g book (865 pages)!
My dear friend from Connecticut, Ray, worked as an editor for Readers' Digest (when he was not writing for SESAME STREET) and "condensed" several of Michener's books. He traveled to the Chesapeake Bay to meet with the author and had wonderful anecdotes. Ray was also the creator of NPR's All Things Considered.
I just ordered the condensed version of Michener's HAWAII for my daughter and SIL to read before they go there in December.
JoAnn/QuAppelle wrote: "I am participating in a 5-session book discussion at a nearby library this summer. The theme of the discussions is THE CHESAPEAKE BAY : END OF AN ERA and the series started this past Thursday. My ..."----------------------
That sounds like fun, JoAnn.
I went to my first library discussion last month. We discussed, My Life in France and Brooklyn: A Novel. But just this morning I canceled the request for Brooklyn, and I am returning unread, The Emperor's Children. I thought why should I force myself to read fiction books that I have zero interest in.
I enjoy f2f book clubs, but these next few selections are just not for me.
There is a new indie book store that just opened near me and they plan on having a book group. I'll see what they choose. I am not really in a position to buy books, so if they are just going to select books of the bestseller list I'll pass, unless they select a non-fiction one or something off the beaten track that interests me.
I would like these f2f groups to be more creative and think out of the box when it comes to selecting books.
Mod
It is just not easy to please everyone. I used to organize/implement a group in a bookstore where I worked and one woman wanted only happy books, one wanted historical fiction, one wanted mysteries, another wanted sci-fi while another wanted non-fiction. GRRRR How can you possibly meet all those "wants"?
And besides, what's to discuss about a "happy book"?
I suggested that the following year the store should have a non-fiction group and a fiction group and that worked a bit better. The happy book lady dropped out. LOL
Mod
I enjoy f2f book clubs, but these next few selections are just not for me. ."
I feel that way about most book group selections, including the ones online. Less than zero interest.
In the mystery F2F group that I attend, I'm the member that's difficult to please. The others are apparently very happy to read police procedurals. If they have an international flavor that makes them different enough to satisfy them. For me, a police procedural is formulaic regardless of where it's set. I rarely even want to attempt to read them. But I can occasionally get them to read something that's my idea of different. My problem with making a selection for the group is that I want it to be something I haven't read. So even though it looks interesting, it may turn out to be a dud. That has happened multiple times when I've made a selection and it's discouraging. I've gotten to the point where I hesitate to suggest anything. Despite these failures, I really like the F2F group members even though we have different tastes. And the best mystery I've read so far this year was a group read selected by the group's leader.
Mod
The Chesapeake Bay is a very interesting topic, and one dear to my heart, as a native Marylander. The "Eastern Shore" tends to get all the attention, but those of us who live on the "Western Shore" know where our heart is. :o)
I think I mentioned before to you that I started reading Reader's Digest Condensed Books as a teenager. They were a wonderful way to introduce me to a variety of books. I've read some books since that I thought could have benefited from Condensation!
Donna in Southern Maryland
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This was the case with reading and finishing the 644 page book,The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I spent many a long,luxurious hour reading this on our 7 day cruise to the Carribbean. I probably would have put this aside at home because IMHO the book did not take off till past page 300! The author was from Sweden. In the elevator I met a steward who had a scandinavian accent who asked me how I like the book. I said slow going. He told me to stick with it. I did and I really did like the writing...excellent translation! It was also a very dense but interesting mystery. I think I will eventually read the next one by this author.