What are you currently reading? Showing 401-450 of 1,649

[Melissa]

I started The Book Thief last night. I meant to read the first 25 pages or so, and then get back to my reading for work. I read 325 pages, and then stayed up far too late finishing my work reading. At first, I thought the first person narration by Death would be trite, but it beautifully illustrates the tone of life in Germany during the years that encompassed the World Wars. This wondrous book describes not only the plight of the Jews in Germany, but also the hardship and loss experienced by non-Jews who opposed the Reich. I can't wait to finish it. Thank you, Ann and Michael for talking about it on your podcast!

[Jessika]

I'm currently reading Breaking Dawn, and I'm trying to finish it by today or tomorrow so I can move on to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, since it's due back at the library on Tuesday.

[Dottie]

Shona - loved the Book of Joe (he reminds me of the guy version of Elinor Lipman). Have read them all and enjoyed them although the last one "how to talk to a widower" was beginning to feel a bit repetitious.
Dottie M.

[Finkelmax]

I too wasn't able to get into Emperor's Children and finally gave up on it. Just finished Mr. Pip and there was a quote in the book about reading that I adored but didn't write down (of course).

I began I Was Told There Would Be Cake, a collection of essays by Sloane Crosley. The first one is very humorous and New York-centric.

I may just have to read The Gargoyle next, I think! Any word on Carlos Ruiz Zafon's new book? (If already discussed here, I apologize!)

Deby

[[deleted user]]

Jess wrote: "I'm currently reading Breaking Dawn, and I'm trying to finish it by today or tomorrow so I can move on to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, since it's..."

You will get through Guernsey in a flash, not only because it is a relatively short book, but it is simply a wonderful story that you won't want to put down once you've started.

[[deleted user]]

Finkelmax wrote: "I too wasn't able to get into Emperor's Children and finally gave up on it. Just finished Mr. Pip and there was a quote in the book about reading that I adored but didn't write down (of course).

..."
I got about 50 pages in to The Angel's Game but wasn't impressed. I might pick it up again some other time.

[Dennis]

I just finished "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and I'm now about 100 pages into Child 44. This comes on the heels of reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" last month. I think I've really hit a good string of books here - all of which I heard about on the BOTN podcast.

[Elhara]

I just finished The Book of Lost Things. I was totally surprised reading this book. I had no idea it was a dream-fantasy like story. It did drag in a few places but I'm glad I read it to the end.

[Bobbi]

Ditto on Suzanne's comment regarding Guernsey...what a marvelous book!

[Michael]

so many things to comment on:

Heather, are you really going to Guernsey? SO COOL!

Dottie- thanks for mentioning the Take Your Book Club to Guernsey contest... I've been meaning to blog about it for months now....

Melissa - isn't it amazing how The Book Thief just grabs you?

[Elhara]

Down River by John Hart. I can tell if I am really enjoying a book if I find myself toting it with me wherever I go during the day. I am with this one. Interest is caught early. Good night all. Going to read right now.

[Heather]

I LOVED the Book of Joe. I felt kinda bad though because it was a book club selection and my book club has some pretty conservative people in it!

Also, I was ok with The Emperor's Children. It was more of a character development novel rather than one with a real plot, but it was worth finishing.

Heather in KS

[Elhara]

I'm finally reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Once I became familiar with the characters (fault of mine - distractions) the book is a lovely read.

[Irene]

I'll have to look into Jonathan Tropper. I've never heard of him and I feel like I'm missing something!

I am almost finished Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey and I give it 5 out of 5 stars. He's a pyrotechnical writer. If anyone read The Electric Michaelangelo by Sarah Hall and liked it, you would like this too.

I finished the Emporer's Children and was very disappointed. It never went anywhere as far as I was concerned.

I just listened to Little Bee and loved it.

[Laura]

I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society last night. It was supposed to be my Saturday afternoon read but once I picked it up I didn't want to stop.

Guess I'll spend time with John Adams by David McCullough on Saturday. Although, I have time to see if the library has The Gargoyle or the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

I also enjoyed The Book Thief - the narration by Death was more powerful than I expected.

[Elhara]

I will have to choose between Fugitive Pieces and Extremely Loud Incredibly Close. Probably the latter.

[Irene]

I just started a book called The Girls by Lori Larsens, a fictional autobiography about conjoined twins. I found it on Paperback Book Club. I'd never heard about it before but the reviews on Goodreads and Amazon were good. I haven't read enough to know what I think yet.

[Ann]

Irene, The Girls sounds interesting. There was another book about conjoined twins called Chang and Eng and that was quite popular with booksellers a few years ago - though I think it was nonfiction.

[Amy]

The Girls is a great book. I highly recommend it!

[Elhara]

I've started Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. A little bizzare story with disturbing photos but it has me curious. Again I have gone into a popular book without any idea what it is about. Sometimes this can be a good thing.

[Bobbi]

I'm bleary-eyed after staying up WAY too late last night finishing The Book Thief. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, but it was moving and powerful and thought-provoking. The narration by Death was unique, and I liked the "asides" of information that provided. Should be required reading for everyone...

Started Beat the Reaper this morning and already read 50+ pages (before I had to leave for work - have you noticed how much time we lose by having to WORK?) and hope to finish it tonight. If I can keep my eyes open...

[Libby]

Ann wrote: "Irene, The Girls sounds interesting. There was another book about conjoined twins called Chang and Eng and that was quite popular with booksellers a few years ago - though I think it was nonfiction."

"Chang and Eng," by Darin Strauss is a fictionalized novel about the original 'Siamese twins.' They were actually Chinese but their parents had moved to Thailand to work. One aspect of their lives I wish he'd covered was their days in the sideshow. That part is glossed over.

[Ann]

Libby, thanks for clarifying. I suppose I could have googled, but chose the lazy way out. I appreciate your posting!

[Elhara]

Is it totally irrational to feel sneaky and dishonest to read more than one book at a time. Does anyone else feel like they are doing something on the sly? It's been so lovely outside lately I have now begun to read there. I usually do my daily crossword and sudoku in the fresh air and now find myself reading another book than the one that is literally on the nightstand. Sometimes the books I am waiting to borrow from the library are available and delivered all at once, adding height to my already tall stack. When I cannot get through all of them it drives me crazy to have to return an item before I get the chance to read it. Oh yes and... I'm to cheap to pay the fine. Do you think I will be forgiven for the two book sin?
Anyway, I delve into Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close at bedtime and am having a nice time reading Tori Spelling's latest book called Mommyhood in the sunshine. I didn't expect to like a play by play reality TV personality penning a book at all. Tori Spelling, of all people...geesh! Telling Stories, her first was interesting and entertaining and this one is the same.

[Ann]

Elhara, I think you'll be forgiven. At least, I hope so, since I usually have at least 3 or 4 books going at the same time.

It does help to have a mix of fiction and nonfiction, I've found, so that plots and characters don't get confused in my mind, but other than that -- no rules!

[Elhara]

Thanks Ann. That made me laugh. I agree the books should be a mix. My family gives me funny looks and question me with "How can you do that?", when they see me finishing a book and immediatly opening a new one. It's a thrilling rush for me as I always look forward to the next one on my TBR list.

[Shona]

I just got done reading The Accidental Bestseller by Wendy Wax which was a fun read and now have started Everything Changes by Jonathan Tropper who is quickly becoming one of my very favorite authors!

[Elhara]

I have a few that I have to get through before the library police come after me. I'm about 1/4 through Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels. I seem to be carrying this book with me everywhere today. I rarely say that I can't wait to go to bed (night owl), but tonight with this story to look forward to I may even head there early. Ohhhhhhhhh..is it going to be another all nighter readathon?!

[Melissa]

I just started A Fraction of the Whole. I enjoy pieces (or fractions) of it, but so far, the story as a whole isn't coming together for me. I'm going to give it another 50 pages. I'm beginning to feel burned out on newer releases. I think I need to go back to some good British Victorian literature.

[Shona]

Melissa wrote: "I just started A Fraction of the Whole. I enjoy pieces (or fractions) of it, but so far, the story as a whole isn't coming together for me. I'm going to give it another 50 pages. I'm beginning to f..."

Melissa, I just finished a book this morning and picked up A Fraction of the Whole to start now. I've heard good reviews, but I'll let you know how I'm faring with it.

[Suzanne (Chick with Books)]

I'm almost done with Last Night in Montreal! What a great book! Heard lots of great buzz, didn't know what to expect, thought I had it pegged, then it takes an entirely wonderful twist... can't wait to see how it ends, but will be disappointed when it's over!

[Katherine]

Just finished reading SOMETHING MISSING. What a fun book. Quirky. It's going on my staff pick shelf... as soon as we get more in because I've gone and sold them all.

Ann... the way that you describe him being the guy you know is a thief, but you want to have dinner with because he's charming and quirky... my easiest way to describe it is Cary Grant in To Catch a Thief or in Charade before you know what he's up to and you think he might be the bad guy, but you just don't care.

[[deleted user]]

Katherine wrote: "Just finished reading SOMETHING MISSING. What a fun book. Quirky. It's going on my staff pick shelf... as soon as we get more in because I've gone and sold them all.

Ann... the way that you des..."

I came back from vacation and immediately did two things: 1) placed a hold on a slew of books at the library and; 2) placed an online order for books that the library did not have! Something Missing was at the top of my order and I should have it before the week is out! I can't wait!

Other books on my Hold and Order list: The Compound (by S.A. Bodeen),The 52nd Poem (by Thomas Trofimuk), If I Should Die Before I Wake (by Han Nolan), The Resurrectionist (by Jack O'Connell) and Last Night in Montreal (by Emily St. John Mandel).

I also just came back with a copy of A Happy Marriage (by Rafael Ygelsias) which got a full page review in last Sunday's NYT Book Review and a nod in today's NYTBR under "Editor's Picks."

But first, I need to finish off Pere Goriot (by Honore de Balzac) and Great Expectations (by Charles Dickens) and thereby finish my BOTB Challenge!

[Ann]

Katherine - woot! Thank you for selling out of Something Missing - I'm thrilled! Just found out we're publishing Matthew Dicks' next novel and I can't wait to read it.

Tanya - what a great list of bookso n hold. I've wanted to read The Resurrectionist for a long time. I need to look up The 52nd Poem by Tofimuk - his newest, Waiting for Columbus, which we are publishing end of August, is one of my top novels of 2009.

I'm in the middle of a few things that are tugging at me for attention -- the new Henning Mankell, a historical mystery set in the 16th century, and a fun novel with a quirky teenage boy protagonist. I'm sure I will tell you about all of them in due time.

[[deleted user]]

Ann wrote: "Tanya - what a great list of bookso n hold. I've wanted to read The Resurrectionist for a long time. I need to look up The 52nd Poem by Tofimuk - his newest, Waiting for Columbus, which we are publishing end of August, is one of my top novels of 2009."

Ann,

I've developed something of a literary crush on Thomas Trofimuk. After having read "Waiting for Columbus," I checked out his blog site and discovered a few short bits of prose and poems there and signed up for "Sorbets" (Every Friday he e-mails an unfinished piece of prose or a poem.)

I have to admit that though I've understood and appreciated poetry in the past, I never "got" it because I never had a poet/writer able to speak to my inner heart. Thomas Trofimuk changed that and I think I have found "my" poet. Ironically, it was through his prose that this came about... but more on that later if you guys decide to highlight Waiting for Columbus.

And I have you to thank directly for "introducing" us!

[Stephanie]

The Bridge of San Luis Rey

Outlander #1

[Shona]

I'm still reading A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Tolz. It's taking me longer to get through this book, only because I keep rereading passages - I love it!!!!!

[Ann]

Shona wrote: "I'm still reading A Fraction of the Whole by Steve Tolz. It's taking me longer to get through this book, only because I keep rereading passages - I love it!!!!!"

Shona, I'm so glad. I had the same experience - I would either laugh out loud or reread a passage on just about every page.

[Savvy]

I'm reading OLIVE KITTERIDGE for an on-line group and am finding it very good, but haven't discovered enough yet to decide if the Pulitzer was well deserved or not IMHO. :-)

[Shona]

I just got finished with A Fraction of the Whole which I absolutely recommend to anybody! Definitely at the top of my list for one of my all time favorites. Have you ever finished a book and been hesitant to start another one because you think everything else will pale in comparison?? Or is that just me? So I have decided to start reading East of Eden and since I will be on a airplane going to Germany this evening, I wanted to have a easy light book, in case I'm not in the mood for Mr. Steinbeck at 35,000 feet. So I've also started Can You Keep a Secret?. That should get through a 7 hour trip!!

[[deleted user]]

Shona wrote: "Have you ever finished a book and been hesitant to start another one because you think everything else will pale in comparison?? Or is that just me? "

No, it's not just you! I call it "literary afterglow!" I always give myself permission to enjoy it for a few days until I start another title!

[[deleted user]]

Ann, I had a drink of your virtual Kool-Aid and started The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Enjoying it so far.

Shona/Tanya, I find that once I've finished a book that I love I have to tell people to read it. With the next book I pick up I try to choose something that is pretty different so that I'm not as likely to make comparisons.

[Michael]

"Literary Afterglow"

Love that Tanya!

[Shona]

Tanya wrote: "Shona wrote: "Have you ever finished a book and been hesitant to start another one because you think everything else will pale in comparison?? Or is that just me? "

No, it's not just you! I call i..."

I love that Tanya - "literary afterglow!"

[Rita]

I'm now reading Neuromancer by william gibson

[[deleted user]]

I finally wrapped up Pere Goriot (by Honore de Blazac) and I'm about to start If I Should Die Before I Wake (by Han Nolan.) I ended up really loving Pere Goriot (the subtitle for the novel should have been "Deep Down I'm Really a Shallow Person") and wish there were more readily available translations of other of Balzac's novels in Le Comedie Humaine. As for If I Should Die Before I Wake, the critics' reviews are not very good, but I'm intrigued with the premise: A Neo-Nazi girl succumbs to a coma in which she "becomes" her hospital room-mate (as her hospital room-mate was during WWII as a Jewish girl in Europe)...

[[deleted user]]

If I Should Die Before I Wake (by Han Nolan) is a YA novel with an interesting premise, unfortunately, that was about it. It's fairly artless, derivative and, doesn't "feel" authentic. This is an argument for "writing what you know about" as clearly, Ms Nolan is too far removed from the original events to craft a convincing story.

I'm on to The Resurrectionist (by Jack O'Connell) which is about a father trying to rescue his son from a persistent coma. A clinic has a remedy which involves entering the fantasy comic-book realm of the boy. There's a spooky trailer (ok a trailer with creepy music) that sets the tone...

[Ann]

Suzanne, I loved serving you "virtual Kool-Aid" -- hope it's still cool and refreshing.

I'm reading When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, which Michael recommended in a recent podcast. Excellent so far, and I can't wait to see where it goes next. I'm perplexed and charmed at the same time.

[Bobbi]

I've just finished "Beat the Reaper," "Songs for the Butcher's Daughter," and James Patterson's "Cross Country." Now I'm 100 pages into "Moscow Rules." Enjoyed all of them and liked the way Butcher's Daughter was set up, with the "translator" chapters interspersed with the diary.

BTW, has anyone else wondered how Josh Bazell had the time to write a novel while doing his internship?!?!? Did the man not sleep AT ALL?

When I finish my current read, I'll finally get to "Moby Dick" for the Beowolf challenge.

[Elhara]

I have just started The Echo Maker.