What Did You Just Finish, What Are You Reading Now & What Books Have You Brought Home Recently? (Spoilers Possible) Showing 351-400 of 1,086

[Petra X]

Just finished My Lobotomy, very moving. Reading No Room for Secrets - Joanna Lumley's autobiography.

[Terri]

Reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Very Good so far.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Gene Pool" and did enjoy it, although it is pretty dark as in drugs, alcohol, suicide, and mental illness. The most interesting character (the author's mother) is not a Vanderbilt by birth and seems to be one of those women who should never have had children. Should make for interesting conversation at book club. Now it's back to Teddy.

[Miriam]

Justice done.

[Cheryl S.]

Scored my regular book club's selection for June on PaperBackSwap--"The Nineteenth Wife". I don't know anything about it, but hope it's a good one.

[Miriam]

Isn't that about the Mormon sect in the four corners area? Let me know how you like it!

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

Terri wrote: "Reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Very Good so far."

I just picked that up recently at the library for a couple of bucks. A friend told me she loved it.

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

Just finished:

Bloodroot
4 of 5 stars. Incredibly intense, often sad. Despite liking it a lot, sometimes I wanted to be done with it already but I couldn't read through this one quickly nor could I put it down. Amy's writing is simply beautiful and haunting.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Mornings". Learned quite a bit about TR and think it is a worthwhile read. He was quite the character. Now I'm reading "Caucausia" about 2 daughters of mixed race parents -- one of whom looks black and one does not. Interesting so far.

[Petra X]

I'm reading Ulysses but read Daphne du Maurier's The Doll Short Stories for 'light' relief. She's a very creepy writer, Hitchcock made "The Birds" from one of her stories.

[Terri]

Jo: Hotel on the Corner...is written very well and definitely bittersweet so far. I'm about 2/3 of the way through now.

I have Bloodroot to read too but since you said it's pretty intense, I think I'll wait for a little while to read that one. Not in the mood for intense right now. :)

[Miriam]

Cheryl S. wrote: "Finished "Mornings". Learned quite a bit about TR and think it is a worthwhile read. He was quite the character. Now I'm reading "Caucausia" about 2 daughters of mixed race parents -- one of who..."

That could be a really traumatic situation- sibling envy at its worst. Should be an interesting read. Fiction or non?

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

Terri wrote: "Jo: Hotel on the Corner...is written very well and definitely bittersweet so far. I'm about 2/3 of the way through now.

I have Bloodroot to read too but since you said it's pretty intense, I t..."

It was definitely intense for me! I'm looking through my books for a lighter read to follow that one up with. I found The Help to be an intense read for me as well so 2 in a row is enough, now I need a break!

[Terri]

Jo: I can't remember if we discussed this or not, so if we have just ignore this post. (My mind is having trouble holding all this book info.)

The following books might be good choices for semi-light reading:

Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back is a sweet book. I wouldn't label it as intense. I found it to be comforting. It is however about a minister's son--so it's definitely a Christian viewpoint.

Also Homer's Odysseyis a good read with a few intense parts but for the most part it's very inspiring.

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

My memory isn't so hot either LOL! I may look into the first one you emntioned.

[Miriam]

Quick interesting read Devil's Waltz. Always like psychologist Alex Delaware stories.

[Cheryl S.]

Petra X wrote: "I'm reading Ulysses but read Daphne du Maurier's The Doll Short Stories for 'light' relief. She's a very creepy writer, Hitchcock made "The Birds" from one of her stor..."

I read "Rebecca" when I was quite young and it haunted me for a long time.

[Cheryl S.]

Miriam wrote: "Cheryl S. wrote: "Finished "Mornings". Learned quite a bit about TR and think it is a worthwhile read. He was quite the character. Now I'm reading "Caucausia" about 2 daughters of mixed race par..."

It's fiction, but I'm finding it a fascinating read and kept thinking about it when I was working outside.

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Caucasia". I'm not sure about the ending, little too contrived, but all in all I would give it 4 stars.

Started "Birds Without Wings". One of those it takes a while to figure out who all the characters are, but so far I'm enjoying the writing style of each chapter being in the voice of a different character.

[Miriam]

The Clinic. Okay, but not great.

[Miriam]

Critical Conditions Very good. With a sister living in Boulder and nephews in Denver, Stephen White's books always feel good since they are based in that area.

[Miriam]

The Best Revenge, finished. Strange, but interesting. A bit unbelievable at times.

[Terri]

The Possibility of Everything finished. You can read my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Petra X]

Terri wrote: "The Possibility of Everything finished. You can read my review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

I love reading reviews. I wish everyone would post if they've written one.

[Terri]

Thanks for reading Petra. Glad to know someone actually reads them. I always try not to mention anything that will spoil the book for upcoming readers.

[Petra X]

Its what I love best about Goodreads - reading reviews (especially by people I know from the groups) and writing them (sometimes).

[Terri]

Except for when they get eaten by the computer--right?

[Petra X]

LOL, so true.

[Miriam]

Pleading Guilty done.

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

I've picked up The White Garden: A Novel of Virginia Woolf again, we'll see if I finish it this time!

[Elizabeth]

Is this a story of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville West? Virginia's picture sat on Vita's office desk not far from the White garden? This sounds like a must read?

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

Elizabeth wrote: "Is this a story of Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville West? Virginia's picture sat on Vita's office desk not far from the White garden? This sounds like a must read?"

Yes, it's 'A Novel of Virginia Wolf,' Vita and Sisinghurst Castle & the gardens there. Mysteries (with some terrible romantic angst and cheesy names) aren't usually my thing so it's taking me Forever to read it but it's finally got my interest so I may finish it today! It was a group read here at OGSG sometime in the last year or 2 but I never finished it. I wanted more gardens and less mystery lol!

[Elizabeth]

I was lucky enough to be the horticulture guide for a tour group to England a few years back. I cried my eyes out at the beauty of the white garden and what Vita Sackville West had created. I know she and Virginia Wolf were very good friends!!!!??

This is a novel? I must check into this.
Thanks Jo

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

Yes, it's a novel and yes, they were very close ;-) Hope you enjoy the book! What an incredible opportunity you had!

[Elizabeth]

I have 3 volumes of the letters of Virginia Wolf and several copies on Vita and Sissinghurst There is a new book out on Vita and Sissinghurst I believe written by one of her sons. I must look into that.
Yes here it is "Sissinghurst: An Unfinished History by Adam Nicolson. This author is the grandson I believe.
The Virginia Wolf volumes are so fragile I hate to open them.
Off to plant planters for customers today,. Finally sun..

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

Just finished A Reliable Wife, this month's morning bookclub selection and was very surprised that I liked it!

[Terri]

Elizabeth: It's funny, I'd never heard of Sissinghurst until you and Jo started talking about it. Then in my e-mail I get from Susan Branch (a monthly newsletter) she had a link to the gardens. Serendipity. Not sure what I'm supposed to learn from that, but I did take note of it.

[Terri]

Here's the Link from Susan's page that sent me looking at the pictures:

http://www.susanbranch.com/tandfb/I-L...

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

Great link Terri! Thanks for sharing!!!

[Terri]

Welcome!

[Cheryl S.]

Finally finished "Birds Without Wings". I loved the many characters, but really got bogged down in some of the war between the Greeks and Turks descriptions.

I started "Queen Noor, An Unexpected Life" and am finding it interesting so far. It's a memoir about how she as an American woman met and married King Hussein of Jordan.

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

Elizabeth and Terri, I lucked into 2 bags of gardening books for $2 at the library sale on Friday including the following:

Vita's Other World: A Gardening Biography of Vita Sackville-West

Gardening at Sissinghurst

I'll add the others this week.

[Terri]

Wow--the planets must be in alignment for you! Excellent!

[Cheryl S.]

Jo wrote: "Elizabeth and Terri, I lucked into 2 bags of gardening books for $2 at the library sale on Friday including the following:
[bookcover:Vita's Other World: A Gardening Biography of Vita Sackville-We..."

What luck!

[Cheryl S.]

Finished "Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life" and gave it 5 stars which I rarely give. This is the memoir of Queen Noor the American born wife of King Hussein of Jordan. Very well written interesting perspective on issues in the Middle East as well as the love story of the king and queen.

[Miriam]

Oh, that is one I want to read Cheryl!

I was bad and ordered from Hamilton booksellers again! I got a book on gluten sensitivity, arthritis, and shoulder injuries, as well as histories about polio and 1918 flu, and one on the Armenia genocide. Oh, and one on the Korean War. Also, a quick read, How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner by the doc on one of the forensics show. Oh, and a biography of Edith Piaf. Having fun!

[Cheryl S.]

Miriam wrote: "Oh, that is one I want to read Cheryl!

I was bad and ordered from Hamilton booksellers again! I got a book on gluten sensitivity, arthritis, and shoulder injuries, as well as histories about pol..."

Good for you on ordering some more books. Have to treat ourselves now and then.

The Noor memoir was enjoyable for me because I remember so many of the events in the middle east that are included and it was so interesting to read a different perspective on the actions of world leaders.

[Miriam]

Yes, the media does tend to give only one side, and even that is biased.

Finished the book on polio last night. It was very interesting. Started with FDR and his role in instigating the Foundation, originally as a way to save Warm Springs. Then on to the March of Dimes, funding the research, the controversies, and the results. Pretty amazing.

[Cheryl S.]

Had started a book called "As The Crow Flies" and was really getting into it when I realized I have book club in a week and haven't started "The 19th Wife" which is our selection for June. Since I don't have as much time to read with so much to do outside right now decided I'd better get going on "19th".

[Miriam]

Cheryl S. wrote: "Had started a book called "As The Crow Flies" and was really getting into it when I realized I have book club in a week and haven't started "The 19th Wife" which is our selection for June. Since I..."

Good luck!