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[4cats]

Just finished set in Jeddah, deals with society, women and a murder. Good thought provoking read.

[Catherine]

Just finished The Godwulf Manuscriptby Robert Parker. It was a fast, fun read that I slid in between papers and textbooks. I didn't have to think too much about it nor did I have to work too hard at figuring out the characters or the plot.

[Pete]

Just finished Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem.

His astonishing prose makes me feel entirely inadequate.

Chronic City

[[deleted user]]

Finished the first two of The Victorian Mystery series, by Robin Paige (who is really Susan Wittig Albert and her husband, Bill Albert). Light and amusing, quite well written. I'm also reading The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, so needed some light bedtime reading to fill in. These two fit the bill nicely:

Death at Bishop's Keep
Death at Gallows Green

[Shawn]

4cats wrote: "Just finished set in Jeddah, deals with society, women and a murder. Good thought provoking read."

That was a GREAT book!

[Bill]

I'm halfway through The Crystal World by J.G. Ballard. It was a bit of a slow start but it's warming now. I've just started A Touch Of Frost by R.D. Wingfield, my first Inspector Frost mystery. I've enjoyed the tv series, so it's about time I read one of the mysteries.

[Ken]

Bill wrote: "I'm halfway through The Crystal World by J.G. Ballard. It was a bit of a slow start but it's warming now. I've just started A Touch Of Frost by ..."</i>

Reading the synopsis of [book:The Crystal World and was immediately reminded of book:The Ruins|21726] and simultaneously The Constant Gardener. I only looked at the synopsis because I really liked Ballard's Empire of the Sun

I read the two I was reminded of and was mildly entertained by the The Ruins. The Constant Gardener kind of soured me on LeCarre who has been a favorite since his Smiley series.

[Jeanie]

Well, after listening to the raves for Karin Slaughter's books, I set aside Stuart Woods (got all the way to book six or seven and couldn't take it anymore) and picked up the "Grant County" series. I'm now at "Beyond Reach". She's pretty good! Sort of like I imagine a Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve mystery/thriller series would be if they decided to write such a thing. There's a little too much angst for my taste, personally, but they're still good enough that I want to read or listen to the next book. It's not a chore. (smiling) So, I suppose I'll continue on after this one and pick up "Triptych" and continue up from there. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Ken]

Pete wrote: "Just finished Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem.

His astonishing prose makes me feel entirely inadequate.

Chronic City"

Somedays a well-written billboard makes me feel that way.

[Jannene]

The book is moving faster than the other two I have read. I'm very thankful for that. I may not even get side tracked to another Sue Grafton book. ;)

[Renee]

4cats wrote: "Just finished set in Jeddah, deals with society, women and a murder. Good thought provoking read."

Ah! Did you read the first one too? How was it? Should they be read in order?

[Georgia]

Jannene, I started Edgar Sawtelle and was so bored that I had to take it to church's Trift Shop. Could not finish it. How does it end?

[Renee]

Georgia wrote: "Jannene, I started Edgar Sawtelle and was so bored that I had to take it to church's Trift Shop. Could not finish it. How does it end?"

Oh, thank goodness! It's not just me. Don't know how it ends. Wouldn't mind knowing. It's not that I don't care... but, well....

[[deleted user]]

Georgia wrote: "Jannene, I started Edgar Sawtelle and was so bored that I had to take it to church's Trift Shop. Could not finish it. How does it end?"

I loved it through the first third and then couldn't finish it.

Don't know how it ends.
Something about Hamlet...

[Jannene]

This is from Shawn: **applauding** And doing so in a completely un-sarcastic manner, btw. I felt like treating myself to chocolate cake when I managed to finish The Story of Edgar Sawtelle.

You'll have to ask her how it ended. I never read the book. She was being sympathetic with me finally finishing The English Assassin by Daniel Silva.

[Diane S ☔]

Renee wrote: "4cats wrote: "Just finished set in Jeddah, deals with society, women and a murder. Good thought provoking read."

Ah! Did you read the first one too? H..."

They are both really good. A lot of personal history with the main characters that the first sets up.

[Steffi]

I am finally done with The Historian, it was such a slow and long read that I am actually relieved I am done. only 2 stars from me...

[Renee]

Stefanie wrote: "I am finally done with The Historian, it was such a slow and long read that I am actually relieved I am done. only 2 stars from me..."

Congratulations and my undying admiration for finishing, Stefanie! Alas, i can't say the same for the Swan Thief. Sigh.

Between that and Edgar Sawtelle and the one about the Dutchman in Japan I am feeling so incomplete.

[Diane S ☔]

Renee wrote: "Stefanie wrote: "I am finally done with The Historian, it was such a slow and long read that I am actually relieved I am done. only 2 stars from me..."

Congratulations and my undyin..."

What is the one about the Dutchman in Japan?

[4cats]

Renee wrote: "4cats wrote: "Just finished set in Jeddah, deals with society, women and a murder. Good thought provoking read."

Ah! Did you read the first one too? H..."

I

[4cats]

Renee wrote: "4cats wrote: "Just finished set in Jeddah, deals with society, women and a murder. Good thought provoking read."

Ah! Did you read the first one too? H..."
I haven't read the first one, and I don't think you really need to read them in order, in fact I'm usually a stickler for reading series in order but this felt like a stand alone

[[deleted user]]

Stefanie wrote: "I am finally done with The Historian, it was such a slow and long read that I am actually relieved I am done. only 2 stars from me..."

That's another one I couldn't get through!

[Jennifer]

Just started Up Jumps the Devil . I have a personal challenge this year called "batting clean-up" where I'm finishing everything I have not yet read of authors I'd already read most of. Margaret Maron is one of them. It's been a while since I read her-- I'd forgotten how much like her!

[Diane S ☔]

Jennifer wrote: "Just started Up Jumps the Devil . I have a personal challenge this year called "batting clean-up" where I'm finishing everything I have not yet r..."

She has a new one out called Three-Day Town. I like her too.

[Sharon]

Didn't realize her new one was out yet. Just downloaded it ... I do like this series. I'd read some of them years ago (before moving to KY) and thought they were somewhat exaggerated. After living in KY several years, I appreciate them a great deal more ... I've *met* many of her characters in person now!

[Shawn]

I'm perfectly willing to give away the ending of Edgar Sawtelle to anyone who wants to know, but it should probably be private message. :) Very Hamlet. But with dogs.

Finished , now reading . It is holding up well so far. Since I love Repairman Jack, it's a big relief.

[Pete]

Ken wrote: "Pete wrote: "Just finished Chronic City by Jonathan Lethem.

His astonishing prose makes me feel entirely inadequate.

Chronic City"

Somedays a well-written billboard makes me..."

Bwaaaahahaha. Billboards in Boston are all motion now. Like enhanced ebooks.

[Pete]

I've been meaning to mention my praise for Robert Parker's western genre novels, especially Resolution.

I've read a fair number of his mysteries, all with great satisfaction. In this novel, I might have guessed that he was experimenting a bit, exploring the austere aspect of Cormac McCarthy's prose.

And I am reminded that I had a lunch date scheduled with Mr. Parker - the Monday following his tragic death.

[Scott]

Ah I love Lethem, thanks for the reminder that I need to get this, Pete! About to start Stirred by JA Konrath and Blake Crouch.

[Bill]

Ken wrote: "Bill wrote: "I'm halfway through The Crystal World by J.G. Ballard. It was a bit of a slow start but it's warming now. I quite enjoyed Constant Gardener, myself, Ken. It didn't follow le Carre's earlier Cold War theme, but I thought he presented it nicely and the story kept me interested. I finished The Crystal World last night, gave it a three out of five. I much preferred some of J.G. Ballard's earlier SciFi, The Drowned World and The Wind from Nowhere, but I still found this interesting. I think it's more of a Heart of Darkness-lite, Sci-Fi type story. I'm currently reading two mysteries, A Touch Of Frost by R.D. Wingfield and Hot Six, by Janet Evanovich.

[Jannene]

Eli wrote: "I do think it is good to read the first in the series first, though. It gives the life of Allon's mother through the Holocaust and the aftermath which gives a very helpful understanding of him and how he continued in his life and career. Also the second one continues with his coming to Israel and who things began to shape for him."

Eli, I just read the account of Gabriel's mother in her own words what happened in the camps. It was chilling! It is in the 4th book A Death In Vienna by Daniel Silva.

[Renee]

Diane wrote: "Renee wrote: "Stefanie wrote: "I am finally done with The Historian, it was such a slow and long read that I am actually relieved I am done. only 2 stars from me..."

Congratulations a..."

Sorry! I meant The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. I wanted to like it and maybe in another time and place I will. But for now, I just cannot slog through another page.

[Jeanie]

Sharon wrote: "Didn't realize her new one was out yet. Just downloaded it ... I do like this series. I'd read some of them years ago (before moving to KY) and thought they were somewhat exaggerated. After living ..."

(laughing) Ms. Maron's characterizations are spot on. I've lived in Middle Tennessee my entire life, and the folks in Cotton Grove are, basically, the same people I grew up with. She does a fine job, and is one of my favorite Southern authors.

[Sharon]

Bird wrote: "(laughing) Ms. Maron's characterizations are spot on. I've lived in Middle Tennessee my entire life, and the folks in Cotton Grove are, basically, the same people I grew up with.

I don't think an author can get that kind of complete characterization of any regional group unless they have either grown up there or have actually lived there for many years.

[Jeanie]

Okay. So, after completing Karin Slaughter's "Beyond Reach" last night, I have decided my earlier comment about her writing being more like Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve was more true than I realized at the time. I don't think I'm going to be reading/listening to her other books. There's just too much emotional angst, in my opinion, than there needs to be in this genre. She spends WAY too much time pulling her readers into the drama of her characters' relationships, and not nearly enough on the complexity of the mystery, itself. I haven't read any of her other books, but I can already tell you who killed off the main character at the end of "Beyond Reach". I've just found the whole experience somewhat disappointing.

[Deanne]

The Friends of Eddie Coyle by Higgins, quick, short and fun read.

[Teresa]

Bird wrote: "Okay. So, after completing Karin Slaughter's "Beyond Reach" last night, I have decided my earlier comment about her writing being more like Jodi Picoult or Anita Shreve was more true than I realiz..."

I don't see. A comparision between slaughter and picoult. Picoult takes a newsworthy subject and weaves a story around it that is heartwrenching and makes it all ok in the end.

Slaughter writes gritty hard core mysteries with compelling characters. Their lives influnence how they react to the circumstances around them

[Ethan]

I just finished reading The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. With this novel, I am starting to find that I actually enjoy reading "mysteries" with a supernatural element. With that in mind, I am going to read Dexter By Design next. I have heard that there is a kind of supernatural element introduced into the later novels in the series, so I'm interested to see how it works.

[Ken]

I'm about a hundred pages into Pain Managementby Andrew Vachss. I keep wavering between liking it and not liking it. Not sure I like the main character and I just hate when the author goes off on a two sentence political statement or morality rant.

I think I just have a problem with lawyers turned writers. I don't like John Grisham. I did like the Pacino movie The Devil's Advocate. Satan was portrayed as an attorney and it seemed more true to life.

[Sharon]

Ken wrote: "I'm about a hundred pages into Pain Managementby Andrew Vachss. I keep wavering between liking it and not liking it. Not sure I like the main character ..."

I think Vachss and Burke are definitely an acquired taste and I do prefer the books earlier in the series than some of the later ones. I also have to be in the mood where I can handle the very grim tone of these books, they are definitely not 'happy ever after' in any sense of the word.

I like them well enough to read as they come out, through the library, but I don't own any of them though I do pick one up occasionally at the library to re-read.

(Okay, I confess ... I like the earlier books where he has the Neopolitan Mastiff, Pansy!)

[Ken]

Well, there's a spoiler. I haven' read any of the others and I thought Pansy was his squeeze.

[Sharon]

Ken wrote: "Well, there's a spoiler. I haven' read any of the others and I thought Pansy was his squeeze."

Oops ...

Although I think he cared more for her than any of the women he was associated with in any of the books. She died trying to save his life. I almost quit reading the series after that ... didn't go back to it for several years, in fact.

[Shawn]

Es135 wrote: "I just finished reading The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. With this novel, I am starting to find that I actually enjoy reading "mysteries" with a supernatural el..."

Love Love Love the Dexter series!

And The Night Strangers sounds very intriguing. I'm never going to catch up to my reading pile at this rate...

[Shawn]

Ken wrote:I think I just have a problem with lawyers turned writers. I don't like John Grisham. I did like the Pacino movie The Devil's Advocate. Satan was portrayed as an attorney and it seemed more true to life. "

This made me laugh. Twice.

[Ken]

Shawn wrote:Love Love Love the Dexter series!


I really liked Darkly Dreaming Dexterbut the rest of them seemed kind of churned out following the success of the Showtime series which I love, love, love.

Wish the series had stayed true to the book. I can't stand Captain LaGuerta.

How come when I copy something in italics my post is italicized too?

[Ethan]

Shawn wrote: "Es135 wrote: "I just finished reading The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian. With this novel, I am starting to find that I actually enjoy reading "mysteries" with a s..."

I think I'm more a fan of the show than the books, but its still fun to read the series. I feel your pain on that pile of books!

[4cats]

Just finished she never fails her readership. Stunning writer who writes characters and emotion quite beautifully.

[[deleted user]]

Ken wrote: "How come when I copy something in italics my post is italicized too? "

Hi Ken,
when you hit 'reply', the message that you are replying to gets automatically copied into your new message surrounded by "mark up", which is the html code that tells the program how to deal with the text. So you should see, before and after, the "codes" {i} and {/i} although it will have < and > instead of { and }, which is the code for italicize. (If you surround your text with {u} and {/u} it means underline, {b} and {/b} it means bold. There's a list of things above the comment box: click on '(some html is ok)')

When you type your answer you have to be careful to type after the {/i}, otherwise your text will get italicized as well.

Hope that helps.

[Sharon]

Just finished Legwork, a new author/series for me which I found on the Kindle free book list.

Uncomplicated but an entertaining read, interesting characters. Will probably try the next one in the series to see how that holds up.

[Dorie]

Recently finished Bad Moon, the second book in a new series. I was really impressed and look forward to reading more from Todd Ritter.

I'm now reading by Linwood Barclay. Good, but not as engrossing as others I've read of his.