Books on the Nightstand discussion
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What are you currently reading?
Lmj wrote: "Kirsty, I went to the book discussion on Wicked tonight. I was not the only one who had read the book earlier and thought, "eh," then reread it for the discussion tonight and got a whole lot more..."Ok that settles it - definitely going to re-read Wicked at some point soon!
I was happy to hear how much Shona liked Shadow of the Wind and Fraction of the Whole, both of which are on my nightstand. And I've added Book of Joe to my list. II just finished a GREAT non-fiction book called Re-Thinking Thin by Gina Kolata (the science editor at the NYTimes). The book's subtitle is The New Science of Weight Loss -- and the Myths and Realities of Dieting. It covers the history and theories of dieting from the 1800's to the present, and was published in 2007 so the scientific research is fairly reccent. All I can say is that it completely changed the way I think about weight, metabolism, and eating disorders.
I halfway through a novel called The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall. Anyone out there know it? It's a little uneven but when it's good it's really good. How about this for an opening: If I could tell you only one thing about my life it would be this: when I was seven years old the mailman ran over my head. As formative events go, nothing else comes. close.
I just finished Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner and Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Good in Bed was a great, fun read. Mudbound was simply amazing. I found myself wanting to know more details about these characters. Very well written, I just wish I would have learned more. I highly recommend it. Now I need to decide what to read next..so many choices!
Shona wrote: "I just finished Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner and Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Good in Bed was a great, fun read. Mudbound was simply amazing. I found myself wanting to know more details about t..."
Certain Girls is the sequel to Good in Bed -- you might want to check that one out. Actually any of Jennifer Weiner's books are worthwhile reading.
I, too, loved Mudbound (thanks to BOTNS for the recommendation!) -- have you read The Help?
Certain Girls is the sequel to Good in Bed -- you might want to check that one out. Actually any of Jennifer Weiner's books are worthwhile reading.
I, too, loved Mudbound (thanks to BOTNS for the recommendation!) -- have you read The Help?
My daughter has to read To Kill A Mockingbird for her junior year english class. She is having a tough time with it. She does not like to read. I cant belive shes my kid. Anyways, I got the book from the library and i am going to read it with her. I have read it before and love it.
Eric wrote: "My daughter has to read To Kill A Mockingbird for her junior year english class. She is having a tough time with it. She does not like to read. I cant belive shes my kid. Anyways, I got the book fr..."
When I was in HS, I also had to read TKAM and I hated it. Two years ago, I got the audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek, for an audiobook group discussion and, to be honest, I wasn't particularly looking forward to it. I was completely blown away. Sissy Spacek became the voice of Scout and the narrative not only came alive, but the brilliance of Harper Lee's writing came to the fore. Perhaps she could do a "read-along" with the audiobook. There are some educators who use audiobooks in this way to help those who don't like to read. At the end of the book, you might also consider a movie night, renting the movie. Harper Lee was on set during the shoot and loved the way her text was handled, even with the changes. Personally, I felt the porch scene with Scout asking about her mother was as equally brilliant as anything HL could have written. Anyway, hope that helps.
When I was in HS, I also had to read TKAM and I hated it. Two years ago, I got the audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek, for an audiobook group discussion and, to be honest, I wasn't particularly looking forward to it. I was completely blown away. Sissy Spacek became the voice of Scout and the narrative not only came alive, but the brilliance of Harper Lee's writing came to the fore. Perhaps she could do a "read-along" with the audiobook. There are some educators who use audiobooks in this way to help those who don't like to read. At the end of the book, you might also consider a movie night, renting the movie. Harper Lee was on set during the shoot and loved the way her text was handled, even with the changes. Personally, I felt the porch scene with Scout asking about her mother was as equally brilliant as anything HL could have written. Anyway, hope that helps.
Thanks Tanya. I am going to take your suggestions and try them out. It is so hard for me, who has read and love to read my whole life to have a kid who dont like to read.
Mod
Sometimes it's a matter of not having the right material. And other times it will grow on them. I read to my son every night until he was about in 7th grade. He doesn't read as much as I do, but then, he's a college student now, too. His reading is mostly textbooks. I do find if I find something he really likes he will stick with it - for instance he did read Stephen Hawking's A Brief History of the Universe. I also read John Elder Robison's Look me in the Eye and suggested Son read it since the author spent some time as a gaming programmer which Son wants to do. He really liked that book and we had a wonderful discussion about it and how it related to him. I had a student whose mother bemoaned her daughter's "readinglessness." I fluked into finding out she loved cats and started supplying her with Lillian Jackson Braun and any book I could find involving cats and she became a reader. The audiobooks was an excellent idea from Tanya. She has many years to learn to love reading and you have shown her the way.
Suzanne wrote: "Shona wrote: "I just finished Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner and Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. Good in Bed was a great, fun read. Mudbound was simply amazing. I found myself wanting to know more d..."Suzanne,
I'll put Certain Girls on my list..I haven't read The Help yet..it's on my list! I have a list I keep with me in my purse and whenever I'm in the library or a bookstore, or on-line, I'll put it out and see if I can get a few that's on there. But I've heard great things about The Help, so I'll move it up on the list..Thanks!!
Eric wrote: "Thanks Tanya. I am going to take your suggestions and try them out. It is so hard for me, who has read and love to read my whole life to have a kid who dont like to read. "
I can certainly emphasize with both the POV of your daughter AND yourself! I came from a "medical" household (my father was a neurosurgeon and my mother was a RN who ran a terminal care floor) and growing up, the only bookcases were in their children's rooms! Other reading material was limited to medical journals at the office and newspapers. My mother is still a bit bemused that my sister and I read "so much!"
On the other hand, my daughter, prefers reference books! Usually she prefers reference material about animals (and plants, Egyptology, astronomy...) Last night, my DH read to her HIGH ELK'S TREASURE (a story by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve) but then she poured through a couple Native American Reference books that she had gotten from the library and asked question after question. I think my father finally got the child he wanted through his granddaughter!
I can certainly emphasize with both the POV of your daughter AND yourself! I came from a "medical" household (my father was a neurosurgeon and my mother was a RN who ran a terminal care floor) and growing up, the only bookcases were in their children's rooms! Other reading material was limited to medical journals at the office and newspapers. My mother is still a bit bemused that my sister and I read "so much!"
On the other hand, my daughter, prefers reference books! Usually she prefers reference material about animals (and plants, Egyptology, astronomy...) Last night, my DH read to her HIGH ELK'S TREASURE (a story by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve) but then she poured through a couple Native American Reference books that she had gotten from the library and asked question after question. I think my father finally got the child he wanted through his granddaughter!
Hi everyone,I just joined your group and I love what I have seen so far. What a great group!
I am reading Country Girls by Edna O'Brien and Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett.
Mod
Pillars of the Earth is one of my all-time favorite books. Some day I will get a chance to re-read. Enjoy!
Mod
Hi all--I am new to GoodReads too. I read both POTE and WWE last winter and loved every single page of both books. Found it so hard to let the characters go at the end of each book.... I'm a librarian and have recommended both books to lots of people since then.Right now, I'm midway through Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo, and am enjoying its wittiness.
Mod
Lmj wrote: "Oh, I love Ken Follett and especially Pillars of Fire. Welcome, Kokeshi!"Gosh :} What a welcoming! I feel so at home already. A thousand thank yous. By the way, I am completely addicted to the podcast, the web page, and now this forum. Life is good! Have a great weekend everyone!
Mod
I haven't yet read Nobody's Fool (saw the movie, which pushed the book down on my TBR list) but I'm a huge Russo fan so I'm sure I'll get to it eventually.
I just read LOVE IS THE HIGHER LAW by David Levithan and want to recommend it to anyone and everyone. It is a young adult novel, following the stories of 3 teenagers on 9/11 and the following year. It is so well done and I think it's a perfect demonstration of why a ya is better than an adult book could ever be on certain topics. Because it's teenagers, they are allowed to be over the top dramatic, idealistic, crushed, raw, irrational, confused, joyous, everything to the nth degree... in a way that authors shy away from in adult characters since they don't want to go over the top; but it's exactly the way we all were during that time.
It's a quick read... only 160 pgs, but had me in tears the whole time and thinking and talking about it for the 2 days since.
I'm reading The Shadow of the Wind at the moment. This is my second attempt - I put the book aside the first time I tried to read it because I just couldn't get into it. I don't like to give up on books unless I really hate them though so I'm giving it another go. I'm enjoying it much more this time, but I'm finding it's one of those books that you have to devote time to (rather than just reading a little here and there) and so it's taking me a while to read. I'm around half way through and hope to finish it in the next couple of days.
Ann--did you not like the movie version of "Nobody's Fool"? Or was it that seeing the movie just made reading the book less important?I had read somewhere that "Nobody's Fool" was Russo's most humorous book. I know you like him. Which Russo book is your favorite?
Toni wrote: "Tanya -- I'd like to know what you think about the latest Tom Rob Smith novel. Child 44 was such a thrill -- I'm hoping his 2nd novel is just as good!"
I just finished THE SECRET SPEECH and I'm a bit disappointed in it. Tom Rob Smith's way of converting a screenplay into a novel didn't work out as well this time around. There was so much action and so many chapter breaks that the driving momentum that's needed to shape a story was absent as well as any tension that would have generated focus or thrills. I actually got a little bit bored with it a little more than halfway through. Should TRS decide to write a third title in the Leo Demidov series, I would probably still read it, but I might not feel I had to read it right away (i.e. I would get it form the library or wait until it came out in a less expensive trade edition.)
I just finished THE SECRET SPEECH and I'm a bit disappointed in it. Tom Rob Smith's way of converting a screenplay into a novel didn't work out as well this time around. There was so much action and so many chapter breaks that the driving momentum that's needed to shape a story was absent as well as any tension that would have generated focus or thrills. I actually got a little bit bored with it a little more than halfway through. Should TRS decide to write a third title in the Leo Demidov series, I would probably still read it, but I might not feel I had to read it right away (i.e. I would get it form the library or wait until it came out in a less expensive trade edition.)
I'm about to start THE HUNGER GAMES (by Suzanne Collins.) I had it from the library a couple of weeks ago, but ran out of time to read it before I had to return it (dozens of holds on it.) Last night, I bought the last copy at the store as well as Agnes Grey (by Anne Bronte.)
Ann - Kateri - I just watched Nobody's Fool for the second (or maybe 4th) time this weekend. It's one of my favorites but I think the book was richer - entire plot segments/characters are omitted for time reasons. But I think his most humorous was Straight Man - that one had laugh out loud segments and his new one - That Old Cape Magic has a very funny segment.Dottie M.
Tanya wrote: "I'm about to start THE HUNGER GAMES (by Suzanne Collins.) I had it from the library a couple of weeks ago, but ran out of time to read it before I had to return it (dozens of holds on it.) Last nig..."I absolutely loved this book, the sequel just came out, you may want to have the second one handy once you're done with THG
Hello everybody! I'm reading The Time Traveler's Wife and Happy Yoga at the moment,
Mod
Tanya, enjoy The Hunger Games! If you can hold off starting til 10/5, you will have a head start on our next super secret reading challenge ;)
Ann wrote: "Kateri - I loved the movie version of Nobody's Fool, but like you guessed, it took away much of the need to read the book. That happens with me a lot. Though I love great writing, I typically read ..."
Unfortunately, it's too late for me to qualify The Hunger Games for your next reading challenge. With YA novels, almost as soon as you start, you're finished!However, I will wait until 10/05/2009 to read the sequel.
I see you've posted two Goodreads threads inre "the Super Secret Reading Challenge: YA Dystopian Novels;" but I'm guessing the rules, etc will be posted on next week's blog/podcast?
Unfortunately, it's too late for me to qualify The Hunger Games for your next reading challenge. With YA novels, almost as soon as you start, you're finished!However, I will wait until 10/05/2009 to read the sequel.
I see you've posted two Goodreads threads inre "the Super Secret Reading Challenge: YA Dystopian Novels;" but I'm guessing the rules, etc will be posted on next week's blog/podcast?
Mod
Ann wrote: "re: the challenge - Had to start the thread here now because I needed to grab the URL of the Goodreads thread in order to put it in the blog post. I was planning on launching the challenge on 10/5,..."
Without giving anything away, will Catching Fire (by Suzanne Collins), the sequel to The Hunger Games, qualify? If so, I will wait to read it. If not, I will go ahead and "get it out of the way" before the challenge.
Without giving anything away, will Catching Fire (by Suzanne Collins), the sequel to The Hunger Games, qualify? If so, I will wait to read it. If not, I will go ahead and "get it out of the way" before the challenge.
Mod
Ann wrote: "Tanya, yes, it's an open challenge, so any YA Dystopic fiction will qualify. I'll give suggested titles (and Catching Fire is on there), but any book that fits the category will count!"
Thank you.
Thank you.
I am reading:The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler by James Giblin because I soooo LOVED the Book Thief by Zusak and felt that I needed more of a background on Nazi Germany and Hitler and how they were able to do such terrible things.
I am listening to:
The Road - Cormac Mccarthy
Life Sentences - Laura Lippman
I'm re-reading Of Mice and Men and am loving it just as much as the first time around (I read it at school when I was 16). I love his description, it's so vivid... I wish there were more than 106 pages! I really need to read more Steinbeck.
Mod
And Steinbeck rocks. He has never disappointed me and, in fact, left me wondering what took me so long to read that one.
Linda
I have The Grapes of Wrath on my shelf so I'm going to try to fit that in in the next couple of months I think.
I am current reading The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and loving it.
In anticipation of the DystopYA Reading Challenge, I'm putting aside a number of YA novels I had on my stacks, to be read later. After some reshuffling, I decided to next read STRIP JACK (fourth in the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin.) It's mediocre fare, I know, but it's a good interstitial read before I get some "serious" reading done.
I also finished listening to DEAD BEFORE DARK (by Charlaine Harris, narrated by Johanna Parker) which I really didn't care for all that much. It was a little too girly and a more than a little bit too derivative for my taste. Also, the Louisiana twang grated on me. Of course, that didn't stop me from unconsciously picking up the accent! The gas station attendant on duty this afternoon got a little "Sookie"-voice from me!
Next on my listening queue is DEAD I WELL MAY BE (First in series by Adrian McKinty, narrated by Gerard Doyle.)
I also finished listening to DEAD BEFORE DARK (by Charlaine Harris, narrated by Johanna Parker) which I really didn't care for all that much. It was a little too girly and a more than a little bit too derivative for my taste. Also, the Louisiana twang grated on me. Of course, that didn't stop me from unconsciously picking up the accent! The gas station attendant on duty this afternoon got a little "Sookie"-voice from me!
Next on my listening queue is DEAD I WELL MAY BE (First in series by Adrian McKinty, narrated by Gerard Doyle.)
Mod
And Melissa, yay for Flavia!
Mod
I've picked up an incredibly guilty read so I can get the book out of my house and to the library book sale this week. It's Carol Higgins Clark's second book Snagged. I read her first Decked a few months ago because a friend gave it to me (with misgivings). My friend and I agree on not liking the first book. I'm wondering if the only reason she is published is because of her mother (Mary Higgins Clark).
I am curious whether CHC is any better now - if she's gotten better. My dislike is because the books are formulaic and trite - she uses hackneyed phrases rather than something new and does it over and over and over again. I admit that I feel that I have grown past her mother, too, (I like something with more substance now). I consider MHC to be mind candy. Her daughter is drivel. (Should I tell you what I really think?)
And Mitch Albom's new (nonfiction) book is out tomorrow!
Linda
I finished STRIP JACK (fourth in the Inspector Rebus series by Ian Rankin.) I can never figure out why I don't love this series more! It has real plots, some clever dialogue (or rather repartee,) literary allusions and, the author writes about a city I love... and yet, I feel like I'm always plodding through a book, eager to move on to the next book in the stack!
Now I'm starting PEACE by Richard Bausch. It's about three American soldiers in Italy, 1944. They have an Italian guide take them up a mountain... The book was published last year and skimming through it, it looks to have the spare writing comparable to THE READER by Bernard Schlink. We'll see...
Now I'm starting PEACE by Richard Bausch. It's about three American soldiers in Italy, 1944. They have an Italian guide take them up a mountain... The book was published last year and skimming through it, it looks to have the spare writing comparable to THE READER by Bernard Schlink. We'll see...
Mod
It also just won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, an international prize that is the first and only annual U.S. literary award recognizing the power of the written word to promote peace.
Mod
I have The Lost Symbol here waiting to be read, but I have a few other books ahead of it.
I've never read Carol Higgins Clark, but I used to read Mary Higgins Clark in her early days. It's always hard to know if we've outgrown an author or if the author has gotten away from whatever it is we loved. And sometimes, I think we can enjoy a formula for awhile, but then we tire of it. That's happened to me with a number of authors.
I am on Volume 5 of Remembrance of Things Past by Marcel Proust *taking a bow*; when I need to take a break from that I am reading Oliver Twist for a discussion group at my library.
I am listening to My Life in France by Julia Child which is really interesting and inspiring.
Next on the pile is The Year of the Flood.
I am listening to My Life in France by Julia Child which is really interesting and inspiring.
Next on the pile is The Year of the Flood.
Mod
Lmj wrote: "Finished The Lost Symbol which I would love to discuss with someone who read it - but don't want to spoil for anyone else. I liked it with reservations. I've picked up an incredibly guilty read s..."I am wanting to purchase The Lost Symbol since I loved The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons. Was it worth while?
Ann wrote: "Oh, Peace ............. you are in for a treat. One of my favorites of last year. Incredibly powerful. If you can, try to read it in one sitting.
It also just won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, ..."
One sitting?! I'm afraid I would have to book a room at an inn or hotel and leave DH and daughter behind in order to read anything more than a graphic novel in one sitting! We'll see how far two hors of reading will take me tonight...
It also just won the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, ..."
One sitting?! I'm afraid I would have to book a room at an inn or hotel and leave DH and daughter behind in order to read anything more than a graphic novel in one sitting! We'll see how far two hors of reading will take me tonight...
Mod
I think The Lost Symbol was worth it. I did enjoy the book.
Hi, I'm new to Goodreads - though I have been lurking the forums since I signed up last week. Books on the Nightstand got me onto Goodreads, so thank you for that! (By the way - BookSexy is my book blog - I use it as my signature just to keep things consistent in my world).I'm currently reading Amphibian by Carla Gunn, a book published out of Canada, which I'm very much enjoying.
And I'm working on The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt (I've been "working" on it since I ordered it from Amazon.uk months ago). I'm looking forward to your podcast review on it - because I am finding it a bit tough going. I like Byatt, usually, but I feel like she has too many characters going on in this novel. It's hard to empathize with any of them, because the reader is given only superficial glimpses of their story/plot line before Byatt has to move on to the next. I'd love to hear what anyone else whose been reading it is thinking.
I was on vacation and had a marathon reading of some of Alexander McCall Smith's Isabel Dalhousie books. Earlier I had read "The Sunday Philosophy Club" in one sitting. On vacation (including a 8-hour flight from London) I read "Friends, Lovers, and Chocolate," "The Right Attitude to Rain," and "The Careful Use of Compliments." The last one I found in a used book store in London just browsing the shelves, not looking for it specifically.
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Books on the Nightstand
Books mentioned in this topic
The Pillars of the Earth (other topics)Eat, Pray, Love (other topics)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (other topics)
Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings (other topics)
Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jane Green (other topics)Aimee Bender (other topics)
Aimee Bender (other topics)
Jacqueline Sheehan (other topics)
Jonathan Dee (other topics)
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I finished THE RAPHAEL AFFAIR this afternoon and I will definitely be reading more Iain Pears! It's not as fast-paced a thriller as The DaVinci Code, but much smarter, funnier and clever.
I'm now onto THE SECRET SPEECH (by Tom Rob Smith.) I've been told it's not as good as Child 44, but its siren's call from the stacks is irresistible!