Which LIST book did you just finish? Showing 501-550 of 7,922

[Laurent]

Great book, read it three times.

[Jen]

This is one of my favorites. I had to read each line slowly to devour the phrasing and the meaning (and had my dictionary with me). I also enjoyed the balance between the almost magical romance of the earlier times with the more pragmatic flirtation of the modern.

Since you saw the movie before reading the book, I think some of the detail was probably lost. The book had an almost gothic quality to me that was lightened up in the film.

[Dominique]

I only have about 5 pages left in Middlesex, and can not wait to fnish, yet at the same time don't want to fnish it because i've enjoyed it so much. Was very shocked with the father towards the end, something i defiantly was not expecting.

[Karen]

Mary Jo, my classics group read Cannery Row. I liked it so much that I read the sequel Sweet Thursday. They are both quick, easy reads, well worth reading.

[Mary Jo]

Stacie and Karen,
Thanks for your thoughts on Cannery Row; I didn't realize that Sweet Thursday was the sequel. I'll pick up both of them for my ever-growing pile of "books to read next".

[Paul]

I just finished Adjunct: An Undigest. Like with most experimental prose, I go from being entertained to being frustrated. Overall though, I thought the concept was an interesting one, and it developed mini story-arcs and a type of cadence.

[Tera (TheBookishAbyss)]

Paul,

I just reviewed this one as I just completed it as well. Honestly, I found it more of a frustration than anything else. I did feel a deep sense of accomplishment once it was completed. It has never taken me so long to get through 70 pages.

[Stacie]

Just completed Death in Venice (thank you Pamela). I really enjoyed it. I found the contrasting and hypocritical ideals of the main character to be true to form and a bit funny.

This actually reminded me a lot of Dorian Gray and the desire and obsession for beauty/youth. Which was a bit creepy at times.

Logan, I think you should definitely give it a go!

[Galen]

I just finished 'Robinson Crusoe'. It was wonderful. Other than having to constantly remind myself not to get too worked up about the treatment of the blacks and hispanics, or women (at the very end), because it was written so long ago, I enjoyed this book much more than I expected. The writing is occasionally a bit difficult due to the stylistic differences of the time, but the story is enduring and the narrator has some interesting thoughts on religion. I can see why this remains the foremost example of the shipwreck/survival tale. The imagination and research that must have gone into writing such a realistic-seeming account of survival is incredible. Anyone who loves a great story should read this book--it is the original 'Life of Pi,' but less difficult to immerse yourself in.

[Stacie]

I didn't realize Sweet Thursday was the sequel either...I guess I know what I am reading next!

[Pamela]

Stacie,

I like the connections you made concerning Death and Venice and The Picture of Dorian Gray. I read Dorian Grey.

It's funny, I don't think I "got" Death in Venice the first time around, as an undergraduate. What fiftenn years will do for you! Irony is the key with this one.

[Kieffala]

I finished Aesop's Fables. Same views on it I had when I posted my having started it. I haven't decided upon what to read next. It may depend upon the bookclub pics for August and September.

[Vicky]

Definitely not on the list: "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks. Cloyingly sweet (although the ending is interesting). Back to the classics!

[[deleted user]]

Finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time. Great book! A must read! I can see why it is on the list!

[Denise]

Tia,
I loved Cat's Eye. I reemember thinking the early scene of the family going out to collect insects really lovely.

Kieffala,
I'm waiting for my copy of Ballard's Cocaine Nights in the mail. That's the August book. Hope to see you in the discussion. The voting is still fast and furious for the Sep-Nov picks.

I just finished Solaris, which was good. You don't have to be a sci-fi afficionado to like it. Apparently there was a 2002 movie made. The book itself was copyrighted in 1961 or thereabouts.

[Deanne]

Saw the film Solaris, very strange hope the book is better. Think George Clooney was in it, but don't remember who else was there.

[Denise]

Deanne- The book was strange, too. I liked it though. I'd like to see the movie if only to see how the director envisioned the ocean.

[Pamela]

I'm looking forward to Cocaine Nights. This is the discussion book for next month, right?

If so, I was mesmerized by Ballard's Crash.

[Kieffala]

Hahahaha. Thanks Denise. I laugh because I too am waiting for Cocaine Nights to come in the mail. Did you buy it or are you renting it from Booksfree?

[Denise]

Kieffala- I bought it. What is this Booksfree you mention?

Pamela- Yes, Cocaine Nights is up for discussion in August. I keep hearing good things about Crash; maybe this will be mesmerizing also.

[Derrick]

I just finished a Tale of Two Cities, it was good, but I found it very difficult to get emotionally involved with the characters and the first half of the book seemed to move quite slow for me. I enjoyed it while reading but found it difficult to start reading at anytime.

[Kieffala]

Denise,

Booksfree.com is a site that lets you rent books, like netflix. It's great if you don't have a good library near you. What I like is that aside from the recommendations, it lets you set up a list so you can keep track of what you want to read and when. It's pretty easy to move things around as far as priorities on the list. I've been adding books from the 1001 as well as the others on my "to be read" shelf.

Enjoy!

[Kieffala]

Denise,

Booksfree.com is a site that lets you rent books, like netflix. It's great if you don't have a good library near you. What I like is that aside from the recommendations, it lets you set up a list so you can keep track of what you want to read and when. It's pretty easy to move things around as far as priorities on the list. I've been adding books from the 1001 as well as the others on my "to be read" shelf.

Enjoy!

[Alie]

The Remains of the Day, I loved it too. What a great book.

I just finished reading the Mammoth Book of Shipwrecks and Sea Disasters. Short paragraphs, human triumphs, etc., just the kind of book to read when you know you are going to fall asleep in five minutes.

For a good shipwreck book, 171 Days Adrift in the Ocean is better, as are the Shackelton books and Strove in by a Whale (Melville based Moby Dick on this book).

[Juliane]

I just finished Alfred Döblin's "Berlin Alexanderplatz". I really loved the book and the language, but the story is so sad and depressing. It was quite hard to get trough.

[Stacie]

Just finished the Body Artist. Like most DeLillo books, I really liked it, but found myself struggling at time to really get what he was talking about. In the end of this one, as opposed to the end of Cosmopolis, I am pretty sure I got it! :)

I am still waiting for my copy of the Book of Lost Things (not on the list) and started reading Roland Barthes Mythologies - a book of essays on the mythologies created in every day life. While written in the 50's, his insight is still just as appropriate now.

I am also reading Fitzgerald short stories becasue a girl can read only so much Barthes in a day!

[Jason]

one of the best classics I've ever read - i have to disagree. as required reading for a lit class, i was less than enthusiastic. i was hooked after the first few chapters and it was then why i realized these were CLASSICS. full of symbolism and double meaning, it was as much fun to figure out as to watch the plot. sorry, but this one will always be on my top list

[Jason]

that was one of the best books i've read. written by a reporter, i felt that he gave a clear picture of the food industry without bias or hidden agenda. i especially appreciate his willingness to live a sustainable life whether it's feasible for the rest of us all the time. I feel much more educated after this read; i recommend the Wal-mart Effect next for those interested.

[Ann from S.C.]

I just finished ATONEMENT By Ian McEwan. I really enjoyed it! Knock one more off the list.

[Liz]

Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory

[Deanne]

Fugitive pieces, Anne Michaels. Beautifully written book.

[Tom]

Ah, Herr Doblin ... I read this one almost 25 years ago, without really understanding what I was getting into, but I had a hankering for all things German in those days, and so stuck with it. Despite 400+(?) pgs of unrelieved grimness and bleakness, I recall enjoying it quite a bit. Having made the long slide from youthful temerity to middle-aged timidity these days, I'm not sure I could take it now. Nonetheless, I would like to see the film version, by Fassinder (?). Anyway, nice to know people still read Doblin.

[Irfan]

Doomsday Conspiracy by Sidney Sheldon

[[deleted user]]

Finished yesterday: The Sorrow of Belgium by Hugo Claus. I enjoyed reading it.

[Ermalinda]

The Master by Colm Toibin. It was a good read. Not sure what the next one will be yet..

[Macy]

Just finished A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. It was worth the trial of reading it, but I think I'll go for something lighter next!

[Karen]

I just finished Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth. Very short and enjoyable--but it I think the footnotes probably equalled, if not exceded, the book itself! There were the footnotes of the author from 1800 when the book was written, footnotes ABOUT the footnotes, and then the editor of my editions own footnotes. For anyone interested in Irish history and culture, it is a satire of the land-owning classes, and the footnotes really give great insight.

[Kris]

Just finished Kafka on the Shore.
Provoking, intriguing and beautifully written, I found both the plot and characters to be strong.
While sometimes disturbing, I haven't read a book quite this interesting for awhile.

[Kim]

I just finished The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams...I find his writing very comical. I love the characters and they are fast reads. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Darcy]

I just finished A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It was such a captivating, brilliant read - I highly recommend this book. The Christian symbolism and imagery and plot and characters - WOW! I loved it.

[Anna]

"Ladies of Grace Adieu and other stories", "Hotel Paradise" and "The Catcher in the rye"

[Jocelyn]

I just finished Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. The book was a bit too slow but the character of Catherine Morland kept me invested in the outcome.

[Caroline]

The Sound and the Fury - it took me quite some time to get through this one! I must admit, I'm not a fan of the author's writing style throughout the first parts of the book - I found it confusing and disjointed. On to a writer that I know I'll enjoy = Maya Angelou!

[Marie]

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice - so not what I thought it would be! It was everything and more! Reminded me of Edward pre-vegetarian days! :D

[Jennie]

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Loved it!

[Judith]

Can't wait to read "A Prayer for Owen Meany" after such great praise. It's on my shelf!

I just finished "The Illiad" - at long last - and I loved it. Don't think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much if I had not kept referring to books about mythology and "The Illiad" specifically while I read it since I've never taken a course in mythology. The three combined worked for me though, and I'm glad I finally tackled it!

[Nina]

I just finished William Faulkner's: The Sound and the Fury

[[deleted user]]

I finished Can You Keep A Secret by Sophie Kinsella a little while ago, and it was soooo good! I love her books :)

[Coalbanks]

Congratulations Judith. ILLIAD is well-worth reading & re-reading, IMHO, ha! Now to read the Odessey?

[Denise]

I just finished Cocaine Nights. I apologize to anyone I encouraged to read this. I found the premise completely implausible. In a positive note, there is much to discuss if anyone else was unfortunate enough invest the time reading it.