What Did You Just Finish, What Are You Reading Now & What Books Have You Brought Home Recently? (Spoilers Possible) Showing 751-800 of 1,086

[Cheryl S.]

Currently on the second book of Diana Gabaldon's "Lord John" series. The first book was pretty dry, second one is much better but so far not as good as her "Outlander" series.

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Recently finished The Beach House and The Tender Mercy of Roses - both 5 of 5 star reads for me!

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Just finished Summer in the South: A Novel, another 5 star read for me! Really enjoyed this fun read.

[Cheryl S.]

Read 4 of the books in the Lord John Grey series by Diana Gabaldon and enjoyed the series more with each book. Got more attached to the characters as I went along. Now am reading "Rules of Civility" and liking it a lot. Late 1930s New York, poor girl makes rich friends. Some humor and interesting characters. Perfect summer read.

[Miriam]

I have read the first two books in the "Gray" series. I am really concerned that women reading this series will ignore the warming signs of an abusive relationship since this book romanticizes sadistic, controlling behaviors. In the book, the sadistic controlling man changes in to a gentle, caring man. In reality, this NEVER happens! I am not a proponant of censoring books, but this one makes me want to rethink that philosophy!

[Petra X]

Miriam wrote: "In the book, the sadistic controlling man changes in to a gentle, caring man. In reality, this NEVER happens..."

Sadly it happens the other way all the time.

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Finally got my own copy of
Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation today! A gift from my Mom :o) I had my hands on it once via library but had to return it without finishing it because of holds and have yet to be able to get it back the hold list is so long! I made it a quarter of the way through it and it was fascinating!

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Re those Gray books, I won't even pick one up much less try to read any of them. I chalk them up to being a fad much like Twilight was though I'm sure they'll fade more into obscurity than Twilight has.

[Miriam]

The first one especially is almost all sex scenes. That is probably why the series is so popular- soft porn disguised as literature.

[Cheryl S.]

Miriam wrote: "I have read the first two books in the "Gray" series. I am really concerned that women reading this series will ignore the warming signs of an abusive relationship since this book romanticizes sadi..."

We're talking about two totally different series. I think you are commenting on the 50 Shades of Gray series which I wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole. The Lord John Gray series is historical fiction and although the protag is gay he's not into sadistic sex and spends most of his time trying to keep his sexual orientation under wraps especially since he is a member of the British military.

[Cheryl S.]

Just finished "Matterhorn" . I'm glad I read it but parts of it are pretty hard to take. Also if you have a problem with the F word, this is not the book for you. I have several friends who served in Viet Nam and not one of them ever talks about it. After some of the reading I've done I can see why all they want to do is forget.

[Miriam]

Cheryl, your Gray books sound good! As does Matterhorn.

[Cheryl S.]

Miriam wrote: "Cheryl, your Gray books sound good! As does Matterhorn."

The first in the series of the Gray books is kind of blah but they get better. Lord John Gray is also a minor character in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander Series.

[Cheryl S.]

Now I'm reading "A Feast for Crows" which is book 4 in George R.R. Martin's Fire and Ice fantasy series. It's been a while since I read the first three so it's taking me a while to remember all the characters and I do mean ALL!

Ordered "The Paris Wife" today as it's my book club's selection for July. Fictionalized account of Hemingway and his first wife.

[Miriam]

Just read Kitty Cornered: How Frannie and Five Other Incorrigible Cats Seized Control of Our House and Made It Their Home and LOVED it! I laughed so hard I gave myself an asthma attack! And I could really identify with the man who wrote it! I highly recommend it!

[Cheryl S.]

Miriam wrote: "Just read Kitty Cornered: How Frannie and Five Other Incorrigible Cats Seized Control of Our House and Made It Their Home[bookcover:Kitty Cornered: How Frannie and Five Other Incorrigible Cats Seiz..."

Love the idea of how much you laughed at this book!

[Miriam]

Cheryl, this is one you would probably enjoy too!

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Finished Summer by Edith Wharton and while not my favorite of hers, I really enjoyed the last quarter of the novel because of her descriptive writing, what I enjoy most about her writing overall. 2 of 5 goodreads stars; July's morning bookclub selection.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "The Paris Wife" and found it very interesting even though it is a fictionalized account of Hemingway's first marriage. Now I would like to read more about his life as he is someone I've never read much about.

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Finished Lucia, Lucia on 7/28 which was our July evening bookclub selection. 2 of 5 goodreads stars. I didn't enjoy this by a long shot as I did Big Stone Gap (same author).

Today I finished The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott 3 of 5 goodreads stars. I thoroughly enjoyed the last 3rd of the novel.

[Cheryl S.]

Just finished my first ever Sebastian St. Cyr mystery "What Angels Fear" and gave it 4 stars. Historical murder mystery with some humor and a love story. Will be reading more of the series.

[Miriam]

I recently read a book on neuroplasticity written for the lay reader- The Brain that Fixed Itself by Doidge, MD. (It isn't pulling up on the book search.) It was fascinating, and so good that I want to buy it for my bookshelf. It helped me understand my cousin's abilities more (he had his left frontal lobe removed when he was ten to control his severe seizure activity.) as well as why talk therapy works when it does. And why people who fall in love or have kids, tend to be so rigid in their thinking- the hormones from those events promote change in the brain. Also going to send a copy to my son, with sections highlighted that show how OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) gets worse without treatment (he is refusing to treat his depression, social phobia or OCD. Maybe this will kickstart him in the right direction!

[Cheryl S.]

Just started reading Hemingway's "A Moveable Feast" for my book club which meets next Monday night. Very interesting after just reading "The Paris Wife". Should make for a great discussion.

[Petra X]

Miriam wrote: "I recently read a book on neuroplasticity written for the lay reader- The Brain that Fixed Itself by Doidge, MD. (It isn't pulling up on the book search.) It was fascinating, and so good that I wan..."

That sounds really interesting. I find neurology and psychology books fascinating.

[Miriam]

Petra! Welcome back! How was your trip? I missed you terribly!

[Petra X]

:-) I've been back a few days but my computer wasn't working for more than a few mins at a time and then would switch itself off. I have a new one now.

The trip was like the curate's egg. Good in parts. The book show in Boston was rubbish. But I absolutely loved Boston. We stayed in the Copley Marriott, a 5* hotel (at reduced rates!) and that was in a mall of shops so expensive we could only windowshop. There was an amazing supermarket opposite, Shaw's. Bliss... all that food, all those salads, all that choice and at excellent prices. To us, Boston was so like London, including the sun-cold-rain triple weather days and we loved the architecture, street theatre, parks (squirrels) and the general vibe.

We went down to Fort Lauderdale after that. Stayed in a Hampton which wasn't anything like as grand as the Marriott but outside of the public rooms, was just as nice and comfortable and at $79 was far more affordable. Sawgrass Mills outlet mall was awful, very depressing, old stuff sold off not very cheap, but there were other malls that were good and, as always in Florida, everyone we met was really nice, chatty and interesting.

Funny thing I noticed was that in Miami I always have to ask 'do you speak English' and the answer is usually no, they are Cuban and speak Spanish. But in Fort Lauderdale, the immigrants are Haitian and speak Creole which I understand a bit as I understand a bit of French.

I always fly AA because they were so wonderful to me when my mother was dying three years ago and I was going back to the UK every six weeks - held planes, bumped me up, gave me a letter so I could check in at first class and so I accumulated a lot of airmiles. But the timing wasn't right for Boston so we flew JetBlue (which I prefer, wider seats, more legroom and tv) and discovered that JB give AA airmiles, so its JB all the way from now on.

I'm off again tomorrow. Have a new bf (actually my old lawyer bf back again, sort of) and we are going to San Juan for a few days.

[Cheryl S.]

Petra X wrote: ":-) I've been back a few days but my computer wasn't working for more than a few mins at a time and then would switch itself off. I have a new one now.

The trip was like the curate's egg. Good in ..."

Good to have you back and I'm so glad you enjoyed Boston. I loved it there and would like to go back. I've been to Florida and the things we did were fun but I didn't enjoy the scenery as much as I thought I would. We were in the St Pete's Beach area so different from what you did.

Hope you found some good bargains and enjoy your trip to San Juan.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Feast" and enjoyed it. Plan to reread a few things before book club on Monday.

Started "Doc" by Mary Doria Russell which is a fictionalized account of the life of Doc Holliday. Three of my all time fave books were written by Russell so I'm hoping for good things.

[Miriam]

I like Russell too- I will look for this!

[Miriam]

Petra, glad your trip was good for the most part. Always good to get home, though, isn't it?

[Cheryl S.]

Haven't read much of "Doc" yet, but already like it.

[Miriam]

The county seat's library does not have a single Russell book! I will have to order it!

[Cheryl S.]

Miriam wrote: "The county seat's library does not have a single Russell book! I will have to order it!"

I tried for a long time to get them from PaperBackSwap and finally resorted to Amazon. I thought "The Sparrow", "Children of God" and "A Thread of Grace" were outstanding. "Doc" is turning out to be just as good but in a different way.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Doc" today and didn't want it to end. I'm going to suggest it to my book club.

[Cheryl S.]

Made a trip to the book store today to pick up the fall schedule for my Memoir Book Club. Came home with not only the book for the club "Walking the Amazon" but a couple of other goodies as well. Bought "Northwest Angle) William Kent Krueger's latest addition to the Cork O'Connor mystery series and "Sherlock Holmes and the Red Demon" which I think will be interesting. The premise is Sherlock and Watson came to Minnesota in the 1800s to help solve a crime. There are several more in this series, so if I like this one I might have to investigate the rest of them.

I'm also considering joining the new Cook Book Club at the book store. A book store in a neighboring town has been running one of these for 15 yrs and it's very successful. Members all purchase the same cookbook and then each member chooses a recipe to make to bring to the next meeting where everyone shares and then critiques the food and the book. I like the idea of the social aspect, but am not sure I should really be in 3 book clubs.

[Petra X]

I'd love to join a Cook Book Club. I wonder if I could run one from here? Something to thing on.

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Finished The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake the other day for evening bookclub. I found this book to be sad, dull and flat. There was something missing for me. It had 2 strikes against it right off the bat as I'm not too fond of novels in the 1st person POV or when the main character is a kid. I really wanted to like it and kept with it hoping I would. But, alas, it was not to be. I don't use 1 star lightly either and I felt bad using it but I just didn't like this one.

[Cheryl S.]

Petra X wrote: "I'd love to join a Cook Book Club. I wonder if I could run one from here? Something to thing on."

I'm still not sure if I'm going to join. If I do it will be more for the social aspect than anything else, Lord know I don't need any more cookbooks. I do think it is a really fun idea.

[Bloomin’Chick (Jo) aka The Eclectic Spoonie]

Finished The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns, overall enjoyed it. Wasn't always an easy read as I can relate to the main character A Lot health wise.

[Miriam]

Finished The Red Garden Basically a bunch of short stories about a town. Not my cup of tea, but well written.

[Cheryl S.]

I read the first three mysteries in P.D. James' Adam Dalgleish series. Was kind of bored by the third one, think I read too many in a row, but will read more in the series. Then for Memoir Book Club I read "Walking the Amazon" by Ed Stafford and liked it more than I thought I would. I'm not a jungle fan, but it kept me interested until almost the end when it got a little repetitious, but picked up at the very end. I had not previously heard of this feat so it was kind of interesting.

Now I'm reading "Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey" which is a biography of the real person the Downton Abby TV series was based on. I have not seen the TV series but know people loved it so though this sounded interesting. It's written by the women who is the current Lady Carnarvon and actually lives in the house.

Next on the list is "Midnight's Children" which is my regular book club selection for September.

[Petra X]

Midnight's Children is one of the best books I ever read and in general, I'm not a Rushdie fan.

[peg]

I just finished "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" by Carol Rifka Brunt. It is a bittersweet multi-layered story that I imagine would provoke some good discussions in a book club setting. Brunt's writing is amazingly descriptive and thoughtful.

[Cheryl S.]

Petra X wrote: "Midnight's Children is one of the best books I ever read and in general, I'm not a Rushdie fan."

Ooh, should be a great choice for our book club. Can't wait to start reading it.

[Cheryl S.]

peg wrote: "I just finished "Tell the Wolves I'm Home" by Carol Rifka Brunt. It is a bittersweet multi-layered story that I imagine would provoke some good discussions in a book club setting. Brunt's writing i..."

I'm going to look for this one. For a while we were in kind of a rut in book club and this sounds like something to investigate as we like the many layered ones.

[peg]

I was hesitant to read "Tell The Wolves..." because I thought that it might be a sappy variation on the overused themes of suffering and loss but I was pleasantly surprised. I hope you enjoy it,Cheryl.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Lady Almina" and found it very interesting, although the writing wasn't the best. Gave it 4 stars because I did enjoy it and learned a lot about what went on in those huge mansions in the English countryside.

[Miriam]

Cheryl, the history of mansion life might be interesting to read more about. I may look for that one.

[Petra X]

What went on... what still goes on! Servants look after it, rich people live in it, and the well-connected still leave London early on Fri and return on Mon morning after having been to a house party with, at this time of year, shooting. Hunting is now banned but takes place in a modified form. Thing to remember about huge mansions is that they are a) cold and b) the kitchen is very far away when you want a snack.

I know some people (live close to my late Mum's house) who have a smallish mansion and a few years ago they got burgled in one wing and didn't know it until the police came (from the alarm connection at the police station) because the rooms they lived in were too far away to hear anything. It's a nice house, dates from Oliver Cromwell's time, 1653 I think. Got some fantastic original glass.

[Miriam]

The history in just ONE of those beautiful old mansions... but the upkeep is making more and more fall to the wrecker's ball. I am so happy when I hear of one being refurbed for another use.