The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Just about done with Carrot Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke.Love this series and also started Twilight by Stephanie Meyers
Susanna...The Winthrop Woman is one of my favorite novels...let me know how you like it.
I'm saving Carrot Cake Murder to read on vacation in a couple of weeks. I think I want to read a bunch of light silly mysteries. I've been reading really dark ones at the moment.Finished Last Know Victim by Erica Spindler
Reading:
Exposed by Alex Kava
Well I've temporarily abandoned Snow.My life has suddenly got drama drama drama and a heavy and sometimes frustrating book that is frequently giving spoilers and a main character moony with an idealistic and mostly fantasy love is just not good escapist material.Has anyone read this?Does it get better?So currently I'm reading The Raw Shark Texts.It's described as the bastard love child of the Matrix,The Da Vinci Code and Jaws.Which in terms of plot about sums it up perfectly.The writing though is a feast of words and ideas.I find myself reading pasages aloud to my 17 years old son who grins in delight when hearing them.
That sounds really cool Sherry, I'm going to add it to my ever growing wish list!
Just finished The Secret Life of Bees...I started reading this book a couple months back but had to return it before I got really into it (I had read maybe 2 or 3 pages) and wasn't sure then whether I would really like it but in the end I really enjoyed it.Next is The Black Lyon by Deveraux.
I finished The Black Lyon late last night...I just love historical fiction. Next will be Evanovich's One For The Money...finally starting the Plum series that everyone talks about.
Finished Magician's Nephew! I saw a lot of the Christian themes within it, and I loved the book. I'll give The Lion, The Witch and The Wardobe a day or so (I'll probably start it tonight anyways). I only have 13 more holds before New Moon, so I should be able to finish one or two more of the books, then read New Moon, then read the rest, then get Eclipse. I have to read fast enough to finish before the beginning of July though, if I don't my whole reading list will be screwed up.
Just started Lamb by Christopher Moore. The Twilight series is not on my list of must reads. Should it be?
I'm currently reading Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. I'm not sure how I never had to read this book before - but I love it and am trying not to be mad that I didn't read it before.
I think you will find that it is one of those books that you will reread time and time again...and each time you will find something that strikes you just a bit different depending on your moods. There is so much more to the story than that of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The book makes me laugh. It is the one title that I always have on my person, because I can open it up anywhere on any page and just let Austen's story entertain me. I am glad to hear you are enjoying it...Obviously, it is my favorite.
Just finished Trespass by Valerie Martin. It was fairly good. One of the themes is the war in the Balkans in the 90's and it's effect on one family. It is continuously astonishing what human beings can do to one another during a war. Yet these attrocities are juxtaposed against the American sentiment toward things (people) that are foreign. How does mere distrust of "different" become torture, murder and attempted annihilation? This would make a good book club read - lots to discuss from many points of view.
I just finished Chuck Palahniuk's Rant. I loved it just as much as I figured I would. Anyone who is a fan of Chuckie P's previous works- Fight Club, Survivor, Choke, etc.- will love this one. For those not familiar with Palahniuk, you owe it to yourself to try at least one of his reads.This one deals with the oral history of Buster "Rant" Casey, a small-town kid with an affinity for being bitten by poisonous insects and rabid animals who heads to the big city to look for his real father. Along the way he joins a crew of Party Crashers, nocturnal car crash junkies who spend their evenings driving extravagantly decorated hulks into one another on the highways, and manages to ignite a nationwide plague of rabies. All of this before he dies and the story really begins. That's the sort of thing you can expect in a Chuck Palahniuk read and it only gets better from there.
Just Finished One for the Money...have to say that I loved it...makes me wish I wasn't so far behind in the series but I'll catch up eventually/hopefully.Next is The Thorn Birds.
Wow, I'm such a looser, I never knew Fight Club was based on a book ... ;o( I should have discovered GoodReads a few years back ...
I'm reading Choke by Chuck Palahniuk (I hope I didn't totally butcher his last name, lol)...after that I have Mr Maybe by Jane Greene and Fault Lines by Nancy Huston sitting here to read from the library.
I'm finally reading Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. She writes so well she grabs you right away. This one is a real page turner.Michelle, yes, you should have Twilight, New Moon, Ecilpse, and come August 2nd, Breaking Dawn on your "to read shelf". They are really well written with a good story line. Enjoy!
Celeste, I loved Water for Elephants. I'm looking forward to her next book (Ape House? I think it comes out later this year).
I thought Water for Elephants was good, that August really got on my nerves and I concluded it was because she did write so well that I felt the way I did about that man.
Michelle -- The Twilight series is something I was unsure of whether or not to read (I'd heard all the hype to)...I liked the series, especially the third book, Eclipse. I wouldn't say the series is the best thing I've ever read...it's young adult stuff...but I thought it was fast & fun. Just my two cents on that!!Logan -- I've been contemplating reading Chuck P...is there a favorite you would recommend to someone with a bit of ADHD (it's gotta catch my interest from the start or I will drag my feet something fearsome!)
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Katie, my two favorites from Chuckie P were Invisible Monsters and Survivior. You cant go wrong with either of those!
Logan and Lori - Thanks for the Chuck P recommendations. My husband has read a few and loves him. I just finished reading "Audition" by Barbara Walters - please no laughter. I was amazed at what an accomplished woman she is. I think my generation has made her into a bit of a caricature. It was really well done and I enjoyed all of the historical highlights from her interviews.
Now I'm reading Stephen Colbert's "I am America (and so can you!). Holy crap! I have never laughed out loud so much while reading. It's not a book that I can read while rocking my daughter to sleep. Here's a little except for anyone who finds him entertaining:
"No, my problem is the children themselves. They may be cute, but they are here to replace us. Need proof? Ever catch one walking around in your shoes? That's a chilling moment, like finding an empty body snatcher pod in the basement."
Jen I have been wanting to pick up Colbert's book for ever and Chelsey Handler's. I must resist and wait until I am down to two-three books on my reading shelf before buying anything else ...
Twilight is awful in my opinon, and not only is it awful, you get addicted to it as well! Stay away!
One of the things I love about this site is hearing about books I otherwise would not of even considered.Chuck p's book Rant sounds interesting and I've added it to my wishlist and reading the exerpt from Stephen Colbert's gave me my first chuckle of the day,another book to add to my already growing list!
Jen, no laughter from me about Audition. She's an inspiring woman. I have been lucky enough to meet her twice in recent months and she was gracious, charming, and very thoughtful each time.Thanks for the Colbert excerpt -- that's hysterical!
Ann
I'm about 70 pages into Second Chance by Jane Green, so far so good, just what I needed to fill the gap between now and when we find out what books are the winners for next month's group read.
Just finished Certain Girls and now am starting the Darkly Dreaming Dexter. I watch the show but have heard the books are even better, so I can't wait. I have to admit two chapters in and I am not sure, but we shall see...
I'm reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardobe, it's pretty good so far.
I just joined this group. I am currently reading Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass (in the same book). I have always wanted to read it since I was little. I am glad that I have finally given myself the chance to read it. It is interesting and very entertaining, even as a children's book.
I'm re-reading a book I read as a teenager - Footloose by Kate Cann. I loved it first time around and am enjoying it again now.Andi, I have a lovely boxed edition of those 2 boooks, I really enjoyed reading them as a kid, and will be passing them on to my children (when i have children lol)
I'm currently reading Love and Louis XIV, by Antonia Fraser. I'm really liking it.
By Lori's recommendation I picked up Odd Thomas - Dean Koontz at Costco the other day, just can't pass up a brand new book for $4.97. I also purchased The Judas Strain - James Rollins
I am reading 3 right now.Wildwood by Drusilla Cambell also another one by her Blood Orange.and sneaking in some Twilight when i am in the bath.
I am reading The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penny, really like it so far.
Melanie - I have almost purchased that book about fifteen times and just haven't yet. I'll have to add it to the list.
Melanie, I read that when it first came out. I really liked it. She really gives you a good sense of the place, considering that she'd never even visited Canada (so I've read).
I finished The Thorn Birds last night and plan to start The Last Day the Dogbushes bloomed by Lee Smith today.
I've finished Raw Shark Texts and will be starting Blindness.
Sherry - how was the Raw Shark Texts? I was planning on reading it next.
I am now reading The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry.
Jen- I was the same way with Tenderness with Wolves. Then I was going on a trip and forgot the book I was reading (Dirty Job) and I saw it at the airport bookstore. I am glad I picked it up. Renata - I agree with you, she has a great style of writing. Her descriptions of the cold and snow make me want to put on a sweater or something.
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I wonder what would happen if you put the two of them up against the other.... Dexter with his Dark Passenger, and Odd with his ability to see Bodachs.... hmmmm.....
The Raw Shark Texts was wonderful.Innovative,clever and just a really fun read.It goes fast but I think it will be interesting to read again as I'm sure I'll get more from the second reading.Several book references made throughout,most notably The Wizard of Oz.I rated it 4 out of 5 stars but would have liked to have given it 4 and a half.Definitely would recommend it,especially for those Lost fans out there.
Mona - I am still reading the alchemist, I have found it most delightful, it remainds me of Illusions: the adventures of a reluctant mesiah, I have loved that book since I was 16, and have read it a few times. You know its so touching that I find myself stoping after each small story to really think about the meaning and then coming back to the book later to continue, I'm almost afraid that if I read too fast I'm going to miss something.
Yes Lorena, I know exactly what you mean... it's such a simple story, but really says so much at the same time. I am so glad you are enjoying it. I have not read Illuisons: the adventures of a reluctant messiah. If it's anything like the Alchemist, I know I have to add it to my to-read pile. :)
I just finished "American Pastoral" and am just beginning "Vanity Fair."
I just started The Memory Keeper's Daughter ... have heard so many things about it (good and bad) that I just had to see for myself...
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The Next Best Book Club
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I think Paper Doll, by Robert B. Parker, is currently at the top of the mystery section.