The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Flower Confidential by a Goodreads author. Its about the business of breeding, growing and selling flowers. http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
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Now I am onto book 5 of the Sookie Series.
Just started Book Thief last night and it is as promising as everyone on here said it would be!
Susanna wrote: "I am currently reading "The Pillars Of The Earth" by Ken Follett and I am really enjoying it. "That's good to hear. I have the book, but the size does intimidate me a little. I am afraid I may not get to it until the summer.
Emma, I loved Rebel Angels! It's funny, I didn't read a lot of YA when I was younger because what I did read was pretty badly written, but these are pretty strong. I can't wait to read the third, but I'm going to take a little break to prolong it.
Also, just started Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and am about 1/3 of the way through. Hard to tell on my Reader since it's more than 700 pages that way, but I like it so far. I can't seem to focus lately.
Catherine, Just Listen is my favorite by Sarah Dessen. Hope you continue to enjoy it.
Skin by Jeremy PoolmanFiona, the only thing that comes into my mind to describe it is that a Polish guy awaits trail and starts to tell about his life. You don't know what is lie, he jumps from one thing to the other, he rambles....
This is what they tell about the book, but gtipping it isn't
Janek Janowiec is awaiting trial. In his cramped attic apartment in Krakow he has decided to set straight the record of his life, and yet he is wracked by the guilt and knowledge of a number of terrible secrets. What happened to his friend, the charismatic revolutionary leader, Fredzio? What exactly did his father do in the war? And where is his wife Rachel? With Janek himself telling the story the answers can never really be known and the need for secrecy seems ever more necessary when the voice of his dead father starts to visit him in his attic - goading and tormenting him, as he used to when Janek was a boy. Casting a revealing light on many of the neuroses of the late twentieth century, Skin is a gripping read that looks into the chilling mind of a man whose lies and obsessions spill shockingly across every page.
The book just doesn't make any sense. you are reading about something and thinks he is weird don't have a clue what he is talking about and two pages later he is busy about again something else.
Vicki wrote: "Susanna wrote: "I am currently reading "The Pillars Of The Earth" by Ken Follett and I am really enjoying it. "That's good to hear. I have the book, but the size does intimidate me a little. I ..."
He he...That is exactly why it's taken me nearly a year to gather the courage to read it. It's been sitting on my "to read" pile as the "next book to read" for ages, but once I finished whatever I was reading I looked at it and put it back on the pile and read something else. However, now that I started it, I wish I'd read it earlier. It's awesome (only one flaw that is minor and that I'd like to discuss with someone at some stage).
I think you'll see this book on my "currently reading" shelf for a long long time. I wonder if I can finish before April - yikes!
Joanie wrote: "It's funny NyA, I don't remember Breathing Method either-except for the beginning. I wonder what it is about that story? Guess I'll have to re-read it and see."I think the issues is the other stories so outshined it. I wasn't all that thrilled with "Apt Pupil" also in that set of four novellas. But "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" and "The Body" were the finest novellas I ever read.
-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)
Linda wrote: "Just got home from the library and now I have to get on the stick to read [b:Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen: A Novel|1270360|Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen: A Novel|Susan Gregg ..."What a great title for a book -- I genearally am not imporessed by a title - but that one really makes me sit up and take notice ...
Marsha wrote: "I started Farenheit 451 the last couple of days and am only to page 40. I'm reading this for the Winter challenge book I have never been able to finish. I'd love some encouragement. I'm struggli..."I LOVED Ferenheit 451 - but it was ages ago that I read it. I don't remember struggling with it - as I recall I considered it a "Quick read". But in the irony to end all ironies - it's amazing this is now on a banned book list !! (See link below)
http://bsalert.com/news/1410/Fahrenhe...
Susanna wrote: "I am currently reading "The Pillars Of The Earth" by Ken Follett and I am really enjoying it. "Hubby is reading that now - he is on "Part 2" - He's enjoying it. I have it slated for February - I've heard so much great things about this book!
Darla wrote: "oooh, Fiona... are you reading Watership Down right now??? I just read that one this month... I absolutely loved it. If you want to totally creep yourself out, picture the rabbits as humans... I ..."Ohh I so much want to re-read Watership Down what a great book - we MUST get this on a 'rabbit themed' list for April (Easter) and hopefully it will win to give me a great excuse to do a re-read when my TBR is so high!
Finished Definitly Dead last night and started Angels by Marian Keyes this morning. Only about 20 pages in but I like the Walsh sisters so I should enjoy it.
Ashley- I love Marian Keyes. My fav was Watermelon.
Vanessa wrote: "Have you read Rebecca?"Yes, I liked it and I've also read The Jamaica Inn by her, but I thought My Cousin Rachel was her best of all of those. What did you think of the ending of Rachel?
Callista wrote: "I am reading The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Amazing so far, and it's rapidly approaching the point where I can't put it down."Isn't it wonderful, Callista? I want to read all of his. I found that one terrific! You'll love it, the whole thing. The ending did not disappoint.
Robin wrote: "Darla wrote: "oooh, Fiona... are you reading Watership Down right now??? I just read that one this month... I absolutely loved it. If you want to totally creep yourself out, picture the rabbits a..."Never thought of it as an Easter read, oddly enough....good idea, Robin!
Right now, I'm actively reading three fiction books, and they are ALL good!Ghost at Work
Chasing Windmills and
Anne of Green Gables
Fiona - I'm ready for WD whenever you and GEmma are. I do have it, just haven't started it yet. Those other 3 are really terrific tho!
I also started Michael Connelly's new one based on Kellie's rec. and it is terrific as well, but if I keep on w/it, I know I won't be able to keep reading the others. So I'm gonna get the audio version and carry on with it that way.
Ashley, Angela~ I love Marian Keyes as well! :) My favorite of hers is Anybody Out There, but I also really loved Watermelon and This Charming Man.
Laura wrote: "Robin wrote: "Darla wrote: "oooh, Fiona... are you reading Watership Down right now??? I just read that one this month... I absolutely loved it. If you want to totally creep yourself out, picture..."Lol - it's not really - I just want an excuse to get it so I can justify a re-read -- it is such a good book.
Robin- I tried to red Farenheit 451 for the first time when I was around a Freshman in high school. I'm one of those people who can make impulsive goals, and I decided I was going to read through the entire 500ish high school reading list before I got to college. Needless to say, I had piles of books opened to the 20th page as I looked for something to sink my teeth into and decided I could pour all of my intellect into a thimble.
I think I tried this book again later in high school after reading and enjoying a book of short stories by Bradbury. I don't know if it was just saturation or the memory of the first failed attempt, but again, I just couldn't get into it.
I know I tried a couple more times at least, and never got past 30 pages.
The difficulty this time (although I've overcome that- and now that we are waxing philosophical, I'm really enjoying this book and should finish today) was that Guy Montag is very unlikable at first.
I am very character driven. If I like a character, I'll even put up with a pretty crappy book. I just didn't like Montag at first, nor did I find him terribly interesting. I think I will by the end of the book. I can certainly see room for the growth of the character- but I'm pretty sure that has been the barrier to me getting started.
Marsha, I'm a bit like that, too. I tend to get frustrated with a book if the central character is unlikable, yet the author is trying to get me to sympathize with him or her. I either don't read the book, or read the book, but spend every page cursing at this imaginary character.
Vicki, I'm glad you liked Just Listen. It's my first Dessen, so thanks for the input!
Susanna wrote: "I am currently reading "The Pillars Of The Earth" by Ken Follett and I am really enjoying it. "I am also reading The Pillars of the Earth, but I'm having a hard time. The premise is ok, but I just don't think his writing is very good. I'm only about 150 pages in, but does it get better? I've heard so many great things about this book, that I'm currently a little disappointed...
I started The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society this morning and it's good so far. :) I'm excited to chat with you all about it this coming month.
I started Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell last night. I think I got to the third chapter ... can't wait to see what others in the group have to say about it. So far, I'm significantly happier with it than my other current book, Love in the Time of Cholera (Garcia Marquez).
Susanna, I first picked Pillars of the Earth up at the library, with several other books. I had to ask how many renewals I get and the librarian laughed after she looked at the book. I ended up getting it from paperbackswap so I didn't have any time constraints on me.. I'd like to try to get to it, but I too, keep picking up other books.
Laura wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Have you read Rebecca?"Yes, I liked it and I've also read The Jamaica Inn by her, but I thought My Cousin Rachel was her best of all of those. What did you think of the ending ..."
I loved the ending. In an effort to not spoil the book for anyone else, I will just say no, I do not agree with Phillip about her at the end. How about you? I also read Jamaica Inn and liked it. Definitely not as glamorous as Rebecca. Have you tried Frenchman's Creek or any of her other books? They are on my list but I have not gotten around to them yet.
Vanessa - I've only read Rebecca, Jamaica Inn & My Cousin Rachel. I love the gothic mystery/suspense novels even better than the 19th century romance novels. I'd like to read all of hers tho, I'm sure they'd all be good.Have you read anything by Wilkie Collins? Woman in White is a great classic mystery.
Fiona - Are you thru w/the Divide?
Just gotta love the "definitely probably" statements!LOL
Have you read Anne of Green Gables Fiona?
I'm currently reading:Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler (which I'm very close to finishing)
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
And I'm going to start reading Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris soon.
Robin wrote: "Linda wrote: "Just got home from the library and now I have to get on the stick to read [b:Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen: A Novel|1270360|Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen: A Nove..."Met the author at the B&N book club and was very impressed with her. She has an easy way about her and it was like sitting down with an old friend while she spoke. I also admired the fact that she took into account that not everyone had read the book and though she gave us a flavor of where her characters came from, her writing approach, etc., she was quite respectful to those who were going to read the book later to not divulge too much of the plot. It was just enough to whet the reading appetite.
By the way, so far so good.
i finished Unravel Me from Christie Ridgway. it's my first book for the Winter Challenge. even though i finished it today, i'm thinking of counting it as my first book for 2009. is that wrong of me?i still have to finish A Mercy. i'll try that tomorrow, i don't have much left. that also counts for a WC read, so i'm off to a good start on that.
Alison, Jackie and Kelly, The Last Lecture was an upbeat and inspiring read. It has many tips on living a full life. Pausch was very upbeat in his approach and it will be a great legacy for his children. It was sad in places but overall very uplifting.
Linda I will have to go to youtube and find his lecture and interview. I had never heard of him until my Mom loaned me the book. I did like the book and would at least like to "see" him in person.
Oh Susanna, "Pillars" was a favorite book of mine a couple of years ago. I hope you enjoy it. It's a big book but the pages seemed to fly for me.
I'll be finishing Jane Austen's Letters today and working on Emma (which I'm about halfway through and not enjoying very much). I really need to get back into Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, too, but I've only gotten to about page 50 so far. I think I'll also start Eleven by Patricia Reilly Giff on audio tomorrow.
I finished Tudor Wench, by Elswyth Thane night before last. I found it a charming historical romance about the life of Elizabeth I before she became queen. I got a copy of the 1932 edition for Christmas - I suspect it's long out-of-print.Still working away on Eleanor of Aquitaine, which continues good. Henry II has died, her son Richard the Lionheart has let her out of the jail Henry had kept her locked up in for some 16 years, and she is Regent of England, in Richard's absence on crusade. Eleanor didn't live a boring life!
Marsha wrote: "Robin- I tried to red Farenheit 451 for the first time when I was around a Freshman in high school. I'm one of those people who can make impulsive goals, and I decided I was going to read through..."Ah - I can see your points. I know what you mean about having to "like the character"
Kim wrote: "I am also reading The Pillars of the Earth, but I'm having a hard time. The premise is ok, but I just don't think his writing is very good. I'm only about 150 pages in, but does it get better? I've heard so many great things about this book, that I'm currently a little disappointed... "I've not started yet but hubby is reading it (on page 693) and I asked him.. his response was... Yes it gets better... Quote from Hubby:
"His writing is initially a bit distant and none of his characters seem all that appealing but you understand his reason for that style once you get further in because the story is so vast ... it is much more along the line of an easier to read "Les Miserables" - Once you see how the various lives intersect it will get more interesting."
He says if you get to part 2 and still don't like it then you probably won't like it. He says based on where you are - you really don't know the real "main characters" yet.
Hope that helps.
I planned to finish Sinn Fein but ended up spending the whole afternoon here and playing on the computer.....
So, I just finished The House at Riverton by Kate Morton about five minutes ago and I loved it. It was extremely compelling. I was engrossed in the mystery of what happened at Riverton that "fateful day". Amazing book. It was a library read, but I loved it so much that I already ordered a copy from Amazon.Now, I'm onto picking the next book to read. Something tells me that whatever I read next (Little Children by Tom Perrotta is calling out to me) won't be as great as The House At Riverton.
Don't you hate it when that happens Jeane?!
Last book of the year:Pride and Prejudice.
And a pretty damn good book to end the year!
Paula, thanks for your comments. I'm glad to hear it was uplifting. I had been putting it off cause I was worried it was going to bum me out, haha. :)Alisha~ I'm glad to hear you liked House at Riverton. I have been wanting to read it for a while and just picked it up today. I'm looking forward to reading it. :)
Just finished:Blindness by José Saramago and loved loved loved it.
First book for 2009:
The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
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And now you are onto another great book.....
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The Next Best Book Club
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I just finished The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill and it was absolutely incredible. The story is amazing and it is so well written. I would highly recommend it! It's a story that I think is going to stick with me for a long time. I think if you are in the States it was published as Someone Knows My Name.