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What Did You Just Finish, What Are You Reading Now & What Books Have You Brought Home Recently? (Spoilers Possible)
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Petra X
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Mar 15, 2011 05:35PM
Try the Forstye Saga if you haven't read it. Also available on Youtube. I took the Forsyte Saga up the Amazon with me, reading a few pages and then, umm using them. Very good book, nice thin paper ;-)
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Petra X wrote: "Try the Forstye Saga if you haven't read it. Also available on Youtube. I took the Forsyte Saga up the Amazon with me, reading a few pages and then, umm using them. Very good book, nice thin pape..."I've read it, but thanks for the suggestion.
I'm reading the Barchester Chronicle series. I might look for the BBC tv version when I've finished. I'm really into Victorian/Edwardian classics right now.
Petra, I am just laughing at your experience on the Amazon! What an amazing woman you are!
I'm almost finished with "An Unexpected Light" a travelog/memoir done by a young Brit prior to 9-11 and just at the beginning of when the Taleban was coming to power in Afghanastan. It drags a little in places, but overall has been a worthwhile read as I've learned a lot about all the different religious factions and how this one area has probably seen more war than any other patch of ground on Earth. There's very little about Afghan women in the book, but there are fascinating parts where the Afghan men question the author about the customs of his country and obviously don't believe most of what he has to say. It's just beyond their area of understanding. Primitive hardly describes the conditions in many parts of the country. On the other hand there is a wonderful cultural history in other areas and much work is being done to preserve artifacts from the ravages of almost coninual war. The author talks a lot about the resiliance of the people and their unfailing generosity and willingness to share whatever they have and offer what help they can. All in all a very thought provoking read.My next book will be "Sunset Park" by Paul Auster which is my regular book club's selection for March. I wasn't present when it was chosen so don't know what to expect. Sometimes it's better that way!
Well I finished my book on Abraham Lincoln entitled "A Team of Rivals"--I gave it 5 stars. I was very sad to reach the end of it, even knowing how it would end of course. The author put her heart and soul into that book and it is evident throughout. I felt her work was unbiased and yet you just couldn't help by admire, even falling-in-love with Abraham Lincoln. Such a gift he was to this country. Made me think about how things happen for a reason. He was there at the right moment to be elected (against all odds) and the right man to bring about the end of slavery. Very good read. I highly recommend it.And now on to something a bit darker for another book club: The Regulators by Stephen King. I don't think it's one of his better ones from what I've been hearing. It was written under his alias of Richard Bachman which means it was one of his very early writings.
I also received in the mail Stephen King's "Under the Dome" which I've been waiting for for two years! I've heard nothing but fabulous reviews on it and can't wait to jump in. But first, I must read my bc SK read. Sigh. And I'm going to stay at my MIL's alone for the week. Dare I read scary books when I'm alone? Hmmmm....stay tuned.
Oh, here's the link to my review of the Lincoln book if anyone cares to read it:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
"Sunset Park" is turning out to be a drag and I don't think I would finish it except it's for my book club. I'm really wondering how it got picked. Can't get interested in any of the characters, of which there are many, and there's also some really yukky sex scenes which aren't my thing.
Terri, Excellent review! I think you will be sorely disappointed with his successor. I just read Impeached, and it made my want to cry, as well as all the other books on the life of blacks after the Civil War. I am reading Looking for Trouble now, and have to keep putting it down. It is overwhelming to read about it, I cannot imagine how people lived through Jim Crow.
Yeah, I was afraid of that. I mean, who could ever measure up to Lincoln? Impeached is on my list as well as a book about the reconstruction. I haven't heard of Looking for Trouble, I'll have to check it out.Thanks for the nice note about my review--I wasn't sure if I was rattling on and incoherent. I kept thinking "Gosh, I'm almost gushing over this man!" LOL. I would love to go back in time and spend one day in his presence. We talked about this over dinner tonight. If you could pick one President from past or present time and spend one whole day picking his brain and spending time with him, who would you choose?
My 19 yr. old son said he would either pick FDR or Obama to talk to. My husband said Washington. I haven't read a biography on Washington yet but I just don't see how anyone could top Lincoln in my mind.
Lincoln for sure. You would not get a straight answer from FDR, too much of a politician/ game player, although I highly respect what he did also! If you are ever in New York FDR's and Eleanor's houses (she had a little cottage to retreat to) in Hyde Park are a great tour- one learns a lot, unlike some other tours.
Terri wrote: "Yeah, I was afraid of that. I mean, who could ever measure up to Lincoln? Impeached is on my list as well as a book about the reconstruction. I haven't heard of Looking for Trouble, I'll have to..."Interesting idea, I would really have to think about who to pick. Obama would be interesting because he is current and how he thinks affects our lives right now and I've always been interested in FDR as he was pres longer than anyone else, took our country through a world war and incidentally died the day I was born. I've ordered the book on Lincoln by Doris Kerns Goodwin and am very excited to read it after hearing your reviews. A friend just read a book about Benjamen Franklin, and although he was never pres, he was certainly and interesting character and my friend raved about the book. I'm going to look for that one too. The older I get the more I enjoy reading about real people who were important in their time.
Me too. There's a lot to be learned from the past--especially when the learning is provided by brilliant minds. I have a book on Benjamin Franklin to read, not sure if it's the one you're referring to. I hope you enjoy the book on Lincoln half as much as I did. The beginning chapters I was very confused by all the different names/characters in his cabinet. It would probably have helped if I had written down who was who, who they were married to, etc. for reference. By the end of the book I saw them all as individuals and not just names.
Terri wrote: "Me too. There's a lot to be learned from the past--especially when the learning is provided by brilliant minds. I have a book on Benjamin Franklin to read, not sure if it's the one you're referri..."Good to know about all the names. I sometimes find that offputting when there are a lot of characters especially if there are some similar names.
I'm currently reading "1921" by Morgan Lewellyn which is an historical novel about the Irish Rebellion.
Finished 1921, which I enjoyed. Then read "The Bookseller of Kabul" another book about Afghanastan that makes me want to scream. I have to get away from reading about descrimination against women for awhile, I get too agitated about it. So, I started "Team Of Rivals". Judging by the size of the book I'll be at it for a while. I've just started, but so far it seems very readable.
It went surprisingly fast for me.I have been struggling through several histories, but nothing really catching my attention. So when I was bringing down books and rearranging, I pulled a few that I had only read parts of, or read a long time ago, to reread. So I am now rereading case histories of treatment of sexually abused kids. It is truly amazing the resiliency of the kids! And what incredible results GOOD therapy can get. (Of course, these are the best of the best practitioners- I have worked with the results of far too many inadequate therapists.) So far the model I like best is the one that has the caretakers in one group, the kids in another group, each getting educational activities, but also a sense of not being the only one having to deal with this, or that they are "different". The families also have family and/or individual therapy in conjunction with the groups.
At Home: A Short History of Private Life Intersting enough that I am taking notes! Answering lots of unasked questions, musings about words, rectors vs. vicars in England in the 1800s, etc.
I just finished:
The Improper Life of Bezellia Grove: A Novel
4 of 5 stars! A very good southern read.
Miriam wrote: "At Home: A Short History of Private Life Intersting enough that I am taking notes! Answering lots of unasked questions, musings about words, rectors vs. vicars in England in the 180..."I have this book and keep meaning to read it but there are so many others I have in front of it. I will be interested to read your review.
Petra, I didn't write a review, but I found it fascinating. Just the sort of information I enjoy. I had a notebook beside me to take notes! Especially enjoyed the chapter on halls, and, because my mother died from a fall down stairs, the one on stairs. I often go around my house wondering where the original walls were on the portion where I know walls were knocked down. The garden chapter would be of interest to most gardeners, but I had most of that information from my landscape design class. I love the references to where word usages came from, like room and board. Also it was really fascinating to see how recently many of the things we take for granted, like sofas and dining rooms, came in to being! All in all, I wish I owned the book instead of getting it from the library. But I took good notes!
That was a kind of review! I am so sorry about your mother, absolutely tragic.
Petra, my mom really killed herself with her Munchausen's disorder. She made herself so sick, popping all kinds of pills by the handful, especially uppers and downers, but also anticonvulsants, heart drugs, antibiotics, anti-diahrheals, anti-nausea, etc. We knew that she would eventually either unintentionally overdose or fall. She was a really bad case. Doctor shopped until she found one who would write the script she wanted, went to many pharmacies to hide all the meds she was taking, even bought a CPAP for cash when a sleep disorder clinic said she did not have sleep apnea and wouldn't write a script for it! All her doctors were the best in the country, she claimed, until they denied her some diagnosis and med she thought she needed, and then they were quacks. At various times in her life she had doctors convinced she had MS, epilepsy, all sorts of disorders, skin rashes that were self-inflicted. She was a very sick woman, but it was all in her head. The only time she could get her dad's attention was when she was physically ill. So all her life she made sure that she was. Sad.
That is so sad. I am sorry she was never able to get treatment for her true illness.
Miriam: That is so FUBAR, as our boys in the military are so fond of saying. I thought it fit the description of your mother.I am now reading "Under the Dome" (and loving it) after bailing out on "The Regulators" by Stephen King (alias Richard Bachman) because it absolutely, positively stunk. I don't usually say that about a SK book, but if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck...etc.
I'm also reading "Heaven is For Real" which I'm really enjoying (it's short and sweet).
I still need to read "On the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" which I won in another BC.
Miriam: Did I tell you I liked "Face the Winter Naked?" I didn't love it, but I thought it was an interesting read. I do keep thinking about it, so that says something.
Cheryl: How's "Team of Rivals" coming along? It's not as long as it seems. The last 200+ pages are all cross references used for writing the book.
Terri, yes, FUBAR is an apt description for my mother. It is sad, since she had so much potential, and all she ever used it for was faking/making herself ill. She was a wonderful artist, but she was an incredible musician. She played cello for the the Nashville Symphony when we lived there. She did not do ANY art from the time I was a small child. Beautiful, talented. What a waste.
Cheryl, I found that Team of Rivals was a fairly quick read once I got the cast of players straight. (I actually used a little crib sheet, like some books put in the front section, and added little one or two work reminders.) Often when confronted with a big text, I check to see how much is references, notes, etc.
Miriam, my God, I am so sorry for what you and your family have been through! Thank you for sharing your history with us; I'm glad you feel comfortable with us here to do so!I started The Help last night and I'm attempting to read some more of The Shack for evening bookclub tonight but it's doubtful I'll finish; I find the writing terrible.
Stick with The Help- great book!Jo, shame is a horribly destructive emotion, so I decided long ago to be open. It is really amazing once one is, to find out how common the experiences really are. I am very thankful that my mom did not have Munchausen by proxy- I have known two women who survived that, and it was terrible child abuse.
I agree! Shame is a terribly destructive emotion. Good for you to be pro-active like that!!! I'm sure I'll like The Help; I love southern fiction. You might like The Improper Life Of Bezellia Grove if you liked The Help. It's another novel of the 60's South but it finds it's own voice and story; I really enjoyed it!!!
I will look for that, Jo. I am doing a happy dance! Just by chance I stopped in the local ice cream parlor to chat with my friend who owns it. She has sale racks for the library discards and donations. I found THE HELP there! For 50 cents! Doing a happy dance!
Miriam wrote: "Petra, my mom really killed herself with her Munchausen's disorder. She made herself so sick, popping all kinds of pills by the handful, especially uppers and downers, but also anticonvulsants, hea..."This is so sad. I had a classmate like that when I was in college and she spent more time in the Emergency Room than she did in class. She actually stabbed herself and tried to convince people she had been assaulted in an alley. She died at a very young age from a self inflicted burn she picked at with a paperclip and contracted a systemic infection. Because of being on so many meds all her life when she really needed them to fight this infection nothing would work. So hard to understand.
Terri wrote: "Cheryl: How's "Team of Rivals" coming along? It's not as long as it seems. The last 200+ pages are all cross references used for writing the book."I'm hanging in there. As I noted in another thread I've been a bit distracted the past couple weeks, but I am enjoying it and I'm glad I decided to read it. It's been a long time since highschool history class!!
Miriam wrote: "I will look for that, Jo. I am doing a happy dance! Just by chance I stopped in the local ice cream parlor to chat with my friend who owns it. She has sale racks for the library discards and donati..."Wow! What a great find!
Wow,I'm envious Miriam! I have it on my wish list and the wait list for it is quite long. But then, I do have about 500 other books to read so...
What a great find Miriam! :-) I love when that happens!
Believe it or not, Terri, it was discarded from my little local library. I had been the only person to take it out in a couple of years. Often, when I notice that, I offer to buy the book, so they can buy some more "christian fiction" which is what is hot in this small Mennonite town. I have found most books about the Civil War, blacks, civil rights,Jews etc. just sit on the shelf. I bought the Thread of Grace that way. I had taken it out twice, but otherwise it had sat on the shelf since 2005. Sad!
I had to take a break from "Team of Rivals" as I'm getting bored with it. I think it's reminding me of all the governmental infighting going on today and it's just overload. For some reason I felt the need to re-read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and that's what I'm reading now. I'm not sure if I will go back to "Team" of not.
Cheryl, whether you go back or not, I remember feeling that way at the beginning too. I wanted to strangle all of these prima donna's who just couldn't get past their pettiness and ambitions. Eventually, all of them do except one. And...what I loved the most is that they all come to admire him and respect him. They are amazed at his even handedness, his lack of grudges, his wisdom. Some get there slower than others. Even the one who still felt he was slighted did have to acknowledge in the end that Lincoln had always been very fair handed with him and a friend. I found that to be incredible considering how they all start out at the beginning of the book. Bunch of wannabes.Now, you want to hear something incredibly funny? I could barely get through To Kill a Mockingbird (I know sacrilege!) It was so slow to me. Plus, I had expected it to be seen through Aticus' eyes. Instead there was a lot about Scout and her brother. I also knew what the book was about and kept waiting for the book to get to the "real story." Only in time did I realize there were several stories int he book intertwined. Scout's story; Bo Riddley's (sp?) story; Atticus' story; and of course the story of racial injustice. Afterwards, as time has given me space to think about it, I will probably give it another go 'round since I didn't like it much the first time.
I just finished some light reading- Victorian mysteries. I LOVE Anne Perry's books! The Face of a Stranger A Dangerous Mourning Defend and Betray
Still reading "Under the Dome" and it's getting better and better. This is the best SK book I've read in years. Also started "On the corner of Bitter and Sweet", seems like a sad one. And "A Widow for a Year" also a sad one--it's for a book club. It was the basis for a movie "The Door in the Floor" with Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger. Did anyone see that?
Terri wrote: "Cheryl, whether you go back or not, I remember feeling that way at the beginning too. I wanted to strangle all of these prima donna's who just couldn't get past their pettiness and ambitions. Eve..."LOL! TKAM is my favorite book and I have no idea how many times I've read it. I not sure why I like it so much, but I think it's because it's comforting to know there was one man who was willing to live by his principles no matter what other people thought of him.
I'm about 2/3 of the way through "Team" and it was really starting to drag for me. Isn't it funny how different books affect people in different ways? I've found in the book clubs I belong to some of the best discussions come from people with different perspectives and everyone learns something new or thinks about something in a new way. I think that's why we "book people" are so interesting.
Terri wrote: "Still reading "Under the Dome" and it's getting better and better. This is the best SK book I've read in years. Also started "On the corner of Bitter and Sweet", seems like a sad one. And "A Wid..."I've been curious about "Dome" and might have to give it try. I haven't read much SK but this one sounds interesting.
I'm working my way through the Trollope canon, plus lighter modern stuff. My business isn't very good right now so I have a lot of time for reading.
Well Cheryl, if you DO decide to read it be aware of one thing: At the beginning of the book there are a lot of names and people that are skimmed over--they are not important to the continuing story but they set the story up if that makes sense. So don't drive yourself crazy over trying to remember everyone. When you get to the main characters, you'll know it. Also, when reading a Stephen King book, one must always keep in mind that he kills people off with ease. LOL! So every once in awhile he surprises me and kills someone off that I think for sure is going to be there to the end. Which is why I love him--nothing is sacred. Nothing is formula. I'll let you know how I like it after I finish. The ending is always a true barometer of how I feel about a SK book. Sometimes the books is very good and then the ending is wrapped up to quickly, making me feel let down. All of my favorite Stephen King books have good endings. And by that, I don't mean that everyone I want to live, does.
Terri wrote: "Well Cheryl, if you DO decide to read it be aware of one thing: At the beginning of the book there are a lot of names and people that are skimmed over--they are not important to the continuing sto..."LOL! Now I think I have to read it just to see what you're talking about! I think the only other SK book I've read is "The Stand" and it was so long ago I can't remember much about it other than some parts were gross. I read a book SK wrote on writing and loved it, he's a hoot when he writes in his own voice.
Now I'm reading "Mind Hunter" by John Douglas who is the famous FBI serial killer profiler who developed many of the techniques used in law enforcement today. He has a breezy humerous writing style which lightens some of the more grisley info in the book and I'm enjoying it very much.
Cheryl, I do enjoy John Douglas, have the Mind Hunter on my shelf of books to keep. I enjoy forensics, anyway. I just picked up Hangman at the library today and finished it about an hour ago. Interesting who done it. Always enjoy the main characters she writes about. (The Friends of the Library group was the same old incompentent waste of time- oh well.)
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