Gardener's Group discussion
Overall Reading Goals&Book Chats
>
What Did You Just Finish, What Are You Reading Now & What Books Have You Brought Home Recently? (Spoilers Possible)
Gabi wrote: "Cheryl S. wrote "I can't manage without a book. I'll reread if I have to."Me either, I have plenty I like to re-read, usually Anne McCaffrey.
I have finsihed "The Sparrow"! What a strange and am..."
It's a continuation of the story and I don't remember any more horrific physical trauma for Emilio. I fell in love with little Emilio and will probably reread both books. My book club is going to read "The Sparrow" sometime later this summer so I have an excuse to reread. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I too think it's different that anything else I've read. The author has a couple of other books that I also love. One is "Doc" the story of a US western folk hero and the other is "Thread of Grace" about a young American in Italy during WWII. I don't know if either of those would interest you. My book club read and loved them both. We all think Russell is a terrific author and would probably read anything she writes.
Just read "Jane Eyre" for my regular book club. I had read it a couple of times before so it was just "OK" for me this time but originally I probably gave it 4 stars.
The World BeneathFor this month's Wednesday evening bookclub. And while I liked the ending of the book, I gave it 2 of 5 goodreads stars because I felt like it spent too much time, at times throughout the novel, with characters rehashing the exact same parts of their past, like beating a dead horse, as the ole saying goes, making it feel like such a long read despite the fact that I tended to skim often.
Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read "Jane Eyre" for my regular book club. I had read it a couple of times before so it was just "OK" for me this time but originally I probably gave it 4 stars."Have you read Wide Sargasso Sea, Cheryl? It is a great book to read now that Jane Eyre is fresh in your mind. Jean Rhys gives some eye-opening background on Bertha (the mad woman in the attic) and Rochester. Wide Sargasso Sea is written beautifully and could easily stand on its own without serving as an adjunct to Jane Eyre.
peg wrote: "Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read "Jane Eyre" for my regular book club. I had read it a couple of times before so it was just "OK" for me this time but originally I probably gave it 4 stars."Have you ..."
I've heard of the book but not read it. I'll have to look for it on PBS.
Gabi wrote: "I am afraid I got nowhere with TransAtlantic. Page 16, to be exact. I made the mistake of reading the back cover and found Peter Carey Liked it. I may be an Australian, but his writing is just weir..."I'm not familiar with Peter Carey. I think McCann's writing is a little weird too, but for some reason I didn't have trouble reading his stuff.
Just read "The Help" for the second time and liked it just as much as the first time around. I saw the movie with my granddaughter when it first came out and really enjoyed that too.
I didn't like the film at all, but I loved the book. I think it's really great when the director's vision matches your own, that you both saw the same book the same way. It's just a problem when as you say, "Don't you hate it when a book you have loved for decades, finally reaches the screen, only to be peopled with actors who bear no resemblance to the protagonists that are in your brain..." Exactly.
Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read "The Help" for the second time and liked it just as much as the first time around. I saw the movie with my granddaughter when it first came out and really enjoyed that too."The Help is one of my favorite books. I heard the author of The Help speak at our local library. She was a hoot. If you are interested, you can hear a podcast of her presentation on the Free Library of Philadelphia website.
The problem with Tom Cruise I believe is that his personal life and preferences have so skewed most people's opinion of him (at least, mine) that I can't take him seriously as a hero anymore. I used to think he was very attractive, but now, I just see the man and it's a turnoff. And, of course he's too short.
Gabi wrote: "I really loved it, both the book, and the movie. For a change, the movie realised the book perfectly! Don't you hate it when a book you have loved for decades, finally reaches the screen, only to..."
I'm just in the process of getting some Jack Reacher books on the recommendation of a friend. She loves the series and had the exact same comments as you concerning Tom Cruise playing him in the movie. I can think of 2 or 3 movies made from books off hand that were spoiled for me by someone totally unsuitable playing a main character.
peg wrote: "Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read "The Help" for the second time and liked it just as much as the first time around. I saw the movie with my granddaughter when it first came out and really enjoyed that ..."How lucky you are to have heard her in person!
MissJessie wrote: "The problem with Tom Cruise I believe is that his personal life and preferences have so skewed most people's opinion of him (at least, mine) that I can't take him seriously as a hero anymore. I use..."He was a fave of mine for a long time--"Top Gun", "Days of Thunder", "The Firm" etc. Then suddenly he became this dare devil, religious belief spouting, sofa dancer on "Oprah" and I thought whoa--what is going on here? I haven't seen a movie of his for years. I know some people still love him, but he's no box office draw for me anymore.
On another note at the movie today I sat through about 6 previews and it made me wonder about what our country is now considering entertainment. I saw a variety of monsters, end of the world scenarios, and more weapons than you would need to fight an actual war. There was not one thing I would consider worth my time and money to see. What ever happened to a good story enacted about real people? The last movie I saw like that was "The Help".
I've seen both of them, Gabi, and agree. Such great stories.
Cheryl S. wrote: "peg wrote: "Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read "The Help" for the second time and liked it just as much as the first time around. I saw the movie with my granddaughter when it first came out and really e..."We are fortunate to have such great author events here. I go every chance I get. After the presentation, the authors take questions from the audience and a book signing usually follows. I have had the opportunity to meet and have brief chats with several wonderful authors. I have to say, Kathryn Stockett's presentation was the funniest event I have ever witnessed. She is quite a wit.
Gabi wrote: "The only one I got to go to was when I was working in Sydney CBD and I got to go to one with Wilbur Smith! Must be 20 years ago!"Wilbur Smith is a prolific writer.
Some of the more memorable authors I have seen are Elie Weisel, Salman Rushdie, Tim O'Brien, Joyce Carol Oates, T. C. Boyle, Jonathan Franzen, Jodi Piccoult,Mary Roach, Toni Morrison, Isabel Alende, and Walter Mosley. I'm looking forward to seeing Oliver Sachs on the 22nd of this month. I love hearing what these authors have to say.
Gabi wrote: "Did you ever see "Second Hand Lions"? or "Hidalgo"? Such lovely "make you feel good all over" Movies!"I've see Hidalgo and did enjoy it.
peg wrote: "Gabi wrote: "The only one I got to go to was when I was working in Sydney CBD and I got to go to one with Wilbur Smith! Must be 20 years ago!"Wilbur Smith is a prolific writer.
Some of the more ..."
Wow! That is so impressive. I've always wanted to meet Pat Conroy who is my favorite author. Fat chance of that happening.
Just finished "Nefertiti"
which is historical fiction. Interesting but a tad repetitious and for that reason would give it a 3.5.
About 2/3 through Rushdie's Joseph Anton: A Memoir and just started American Terroir: Savoring the Flavors of Our Woods, Waters, and Fields.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies, Kangaroo by D.H. Lawrence and Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Daniel Fo.Feel like reading something lighter.
Gabi wrote: "I will qualify that statement, by saying that I like the work of Sharon Penman. She puts in a trememdous amount of detail and researches the heck out of anything she takes on, so while some of any ..."Haven't read anything about her. What author would you recommend if I should look for a book on her?
A friend borrowed me "Letters from Skye"
and it turned out to be a touching read although a little predictable. As you might gather from the title it is written in letter format but it wasn't off putting and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Quick read, probably 3.5 stars.
Today I picked up a classic to read again, Rosalind Creasey's, " Edible Landscaping". I am very interested in incorporating food plants and trees into my garden. So far I have planted: Hardy Kiwi, Grapes, fig trees, pear trees, a peach tree, blackberries, Black raspberries, Asparagus, and Rhubarb. I have quite a few herbs, pole beans, tomatoes, blueberries, apricot trees, a sweet cherry tree, squash, peppers, cucumbers, and watermelon going as well. I truly love the idea of having my own fresh food to eat , being able to defray some of my astounding grocery expense; and I know it's all organic - no pesticides or GMO stuff.
Viki wrote: "Today I picked up a classic to read again, Rosalind Creasey's, " Edible Landscaping". I am very interested in incorporating food plants and trees into my garden. So far I have planted: Hardy Kiwi,..."I envy all the fruit you are able to grow in your area. I could have raspberries or strawberries but don't have room.
I went to the local Mango Fair today. We have one once a year and every stall has to have mango as a main feature (other fruits too). The Agricultural department had a display of all the mangoes grown on the island, there were about 20 including one called 'ice cream' which I would love to try. There was mango wine, mango liquers, breads, cakes, smoothies, chocolates, jams and jellies, soaps, tarts etc.The usual ones that are commonly grown, like passionfruit, guava, papaya, coconut, banana, starfruit, soursop, sugar apple, limes and pineapples, guineps, sorelle (the plant is called roselle, it's a hibiscus relative) were baked into patties (turnovers), or made into drinks, and lots of cakes and tarts.
But there were also unusual ones like mammey apples golden apples (pommes sivette), wax apples which are cream and rose-coloured, and very pretty but tasteless, cocoa pods, jackfruit and gooseberries which look like little pattypan squash, grow on trees not bushes, and taste of the sourest gooseberries in the entire world.
All really lovely and wonderful to wander among the stalls listening to the local music and eating samples (and buying some). But no strawberries, no raspberries and no apricots, can't grow those here at all. I wish we could.
Here are some pretty pics of Caribbean fruit.I can't grow much in my garden, but tree fruits do well, so I have lots of them.
Petra X wrote: "I went to the local Mango Fair today. We have one once a year and every stall has to have mango as a main feature (other fruits too). The Agricultural department had a display of all the mangoes gr..."This sounds fabulous! Such a variety and a lot of them sound very exotic to me.
Petra X wrote: "Here are some pretty pics of Caribbean fruit.I can't grow much in my garden, but tree fruits do well, so I have lots of them."
Gorgeous pics although I can't identify most of the fruits.
Just finished "The Aviator's Wife"
for my Memoir Book Club. Even though this book is historical fiction we decided to read it as a change of pace. I would give it 4 stars as it's very well written. I was aware of most of the information but I think I enjoyed it the most because it was written from Anne Morrow Lindberg's point of view. Since Charles Lindberg is from Minnesota there is a lot of info about him available locally but I didn't know about Anne's background and found that interesting as well.
Has anyone read any of the books in Jussi Adler-Olsen's Department Q series? I was turned on to them by a friend and have read "The Keeper of Lost Causes"
and am now reading "The Absent One"
which is book 2 in the series. The author is Danish and the action takes place in Denmark. I wouldn't classify these books as lite mysteries as there are some dark components as well as humor and interesting characters.My Memoir Club is looking for suggestions for good memoir/autobiography/biography titles. Anyone have a favorite?
Mom & Me & Mom. I listened to the abridged book and it was so fantastic I ordered it in hardback, so I could read the whole thing. Maya Angelou's mother was a very unusual woman! And it is beautifully written. It's short though. 225 pages I think.
You've probably already done these Cheryl, but anything by Anne Morrow Lindberg is quite intresting and enjoyable in an historical way. Her life was not as easy (discounting of course the poor child) as one might think.
Also: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48...
That's enough I guess :)
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/70... Fascinating lives and view of the times.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38... A classic really.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75... Unsung woman of science.
Thanks for the help! I'll be adding some of these to our list. We'd read a few duds and really needed some good suggestions.
My regular book club decided to read "Gone Girl" for July
. I wasn't excited about it as I had a feeling it wouldn't be my kind of book. The writing is good and the plot is very clever but I couldn't identify with any of the characters or their motivations. Very dark and kind of made me feel sick. I can see why it's very popular but I like to read books where I can learn something new and this one didn't hit the mark for me.
The Lost Saints of Tennessee
This month's Southern Lit Lovers group read & chat. http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3305 5 of 5 stars! In a nutshell: I love it. I simply loved it. In a word: Transportive. Amy's writing captured my interest right from the get-go and transported me into the world of her novel, where, despite loneliness and grief, there is also hope. I couldn't put it down and when I did, I couldn't wait to get back to it. A perfect Summer read! Full review here: http://theportablehomestead.blogspot....
Discussion of "Gone Girl" at Book Club last night. Very mixed opinions. We all agreed the writing is very good, clever plot, well drawn characters etc. However a couple of us really disliked it, some were kind of meh and the rest loved it. Made for a lively discussion and boy were we loud!Next month we will be reading "The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell
which I talked them into reading. They all say they don't like Sci-Fi so we'll see what happens.
Just read two books I really enjoyed. "The Queen of the South" which is fiction written by Arturo Perez Reverte a Mexican author and tells the story of a young Mexican woman who becomes a drug kingpin in Spain. Fascinating information regarding the drug trade and a world I knew nothing about. The second book is "Loving Frank" which is the historical fiction story of the affair of Frank Lloyd Wright and his client Mamah. All I previously knew about Wright was that he is considered a genius in architecture and there was some sort of scandal in his life. A friend at Memoir Club recommended it to me and I loved it. Great insight into the struggles of women in the early 19th century, a love story and a tragedy all in one.
Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read two books I really enjoyed. "The Queen of the South" which is fiction written by Arturo Perez Reverte a Mexican author and tells the story of a young Mexican woman who becomes a drug kin..."T. C. Boyle also wrote an interesting biographical novel about Frank Lloyd Wright. The title is "The Women." I love the fact that Boyle wrote the book after buying and refurbishing a house designed by Wright. Boyle currently lives in that house with his family.
peg wrote: "Cheryl S. wrote: "Just read two books I really enjoyed. "The Queen of the South" which is fiction written by Arturo Perez Reverte a Mexican author and tells the story of a young Mexican woman who ..."Interesting info. He certainly was an interesting character.
At last Memoir Book Club at the book store I picked up a 3 books in 1 by Sicilian author, Andrea Camilleri. He writes a lite mystery series sited in Sicily and I think I've found another favorite author.
These books feature a quirky cop, well plotted mysteries and humor and I enjoyed them a great deal. I'm currently reading "The Borgia Bride"
which is pretty good historical fiction. From Amazon today I received "Light of the World"
the next addition to the Dave Robicheaux mystery series by James Lee Burke and "The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog"
one of the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters that I missed reading in the past. So, lots of good reading ahead for me!
Just finished "Light of the World" and think it's probably my favorite in the series so far.
Just finished "And If I Perish"
and couldn't put it down. The true story of US Army nurses working on the front lines during WWII. I think I learned more about that war from this book than anything else I've ever read or was taught in school. I'm so impressed with what these women did.
I've been enjoying some lite short mysteries and especially have enjoyed the latest ones I've read in the Inspector Montalbano series: "The Smell of the Night"
and "Voice of the Violin"
. Also read "Silence of the Grave"
which is the second book in the Icelandic mystery series I've been enjoying. They're all fairly quick reads--perfect for summer.
Just finished "House Rules" by Jodi Picoult
. This book is about a teenager with Asperger's syndrome and affected me a great deal. A few years ago a very dear friend's 18 year old daughter who suffered from Asperger's committed suicide. My friend was an RN in the Emergency Department where I worked. Her daughter was brought into our department and needless to say it was extremely traumatic for all of us. What the families of these poor people go through is just heart wrenching. I'm not usually a big fan of Picoult but this one struck very close to home.
You could post that as a review Cheryl. I love personal story reviews.
I just finished, " The Firebird" by Susanna Kearsley. It is a fast moving story of a young woman gifted with the ability to see the past by touching a physical object . Nick , a young woman working in an art gallery, is both blessed and burdened having " The Sight". She normally tries to repress her gift but becomes involved in trying to verify the history of a carved bird , brought to the gallery by a dying woman. The owner of The Firebird wants to sell it so she can afford to travel however she lacks the historical proof that the artifact is genuine. Nick is determined to help her and sets out to see if she can find the history the owner claims. The reader will travel with her from Canada to Scotland and finally Russia. Susanna Kearsley is a Canadian author that I discovered recently after reading another book of hers called, " The Rose Garden". She is compared to authors like Daphne du Maurier and Mary Stewart ( both are childhood favorites of mine ) . Her books seem to be a combination of historical/ paranormal / and some romance. They flow well and kept my interest from the first page. I am not a fan of romance novels so I was pleased she handles those parts very delicately and that is in no way the focus of the novels. I love history and she weaves historical reality and the mystical into very pleasing tales populated by charismatic characters . If you need some light reading I recommend her books.
Gardener's Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Family's Century of Art and Loss (other topics)The Hidden Half of Nature: The Microbial Roots of Life and Health (other topics)
White Beech: The Rainforest Years (other topics)
Orchids of Britain and Ireland (other topics)
A Garden with House Attached (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
D.E. Stevenson (other topics)Margaret George (other topics)
Bernd Heinrich (other topics)
Adriana Trigiani (other topics)
Konrad Lorenz (other topics)
More...
I got three new books today,
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies (for the kitchen book)
Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef (for something light to read) (bedside)
Notes of an Anatomist because it looked interesting, but I may not keep it.
I also have The Seventh Gate for a handbag book but I've had it a while and not started it. Not been stuck in any queues!