The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
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Cindy
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Dec 31, 2008 11:13PM
The Book of Lost Things is going to be my first book of 2009 too. I've owned it for ages and ages but have just never gotten around to picking it up. I still need to request JS&MN from the library so that'll be next.
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Hi Cindy. Happy New Year. I hope you are able to spend it with who you want. Have fun and be safe. Take care. 2009 Yeah!
selena wrote: "Don't you hate it when that happens Jeane?!"Selena, it is hateful because I would have finished it or practically finished it! Now I feel like I still have to finish something that was for yesterday....
I picked up Pharaoh by Valerio Massimo Manfredi using one of my Christmas book tokens. I don't normally buy this type of novel, but it took my fancy for some reason. It is in the Da Vinci code genre. There is something hidden which can change the world. I wonder how many books there are in print at the present with the same premise - something hidden and if found will destroy the Church or the World.
Thanks Paula for your update on the Last Lecture.
Happy New Year Everyone. Have fun and be safe.
Married Lovers ~ Jackie Collins
Laura wrote: "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..."Sorry, you did already say that. I get excited talking about Daphne duMaurier...:) The Woman in White is on my list. I am not sure when I will get to it, though.
A lot of chatter on this group about Stephen King's Different Seasons - what a great book. It got me nostalgic for a re-read and since it fit one of the Winter Challenge Categories I re-read it and watched the movie last night. (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemtion that is). What a great Story and what a great movie!!I can't think of any better way of doing the movie - it is so true to the book and everyone in the movie was so good. It was a great way to end the year - I've seen that movie probably 8 times and it never gets old.
I've also picked up "Long way Gone" - the story about the boy solider - it was too "intense" for me before but my husband has read it and says it gets better - it also fits a good winter challenge so its a good excuse to go back to something that I would not normally revisit.
I just finished A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail.This was the second time reading this book for me. I love this book. Bryson not only tells us about his experience walking the Appalachian Trail, but he also gives us great information on a variety of things like history of sorrounding areas, plant and animal life and his opinions on the government organizations that have been involved with maintaining the trail (among other things). There are some hilarious recaps of his experience with his hiking buddy, Steven Katz.
My next adventure is going to be Gone With The Wind. Another bookclub book. Looking forward to reading this and then watching the movie.
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Ken, there are TONS. When I first read Da Vinci Code, I went nuts trying to find all the books that were similar in plot and summary.... Some were good, most were kinda crappy! HA! Happy hunting, and you can check out my bookshelves if you want to see which Ive read!
I finished up My Sister's Keeper last night. I loved this book. I was not expecting the ending at all. I'm getting ready to start Dying Breath by Wendi Corsi Staub.
jabadabadooooooooo, yahoo!!!!!!!I was hoping it would be like that. I had it too with The divide. Me and my friend were afraid that he changed writing and it wouldn't be one of those wonderful books anymore that he writes. But after finishing it, I remember I just stared in front of me, had a big smile on my face because he had done it again. Like you said, it is a slow burner but wonderful book in the end.
I'm reading Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson. I'm really enjoying this one! Maureen has an amazing writing style and a great sense of humor! I tried to start The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but I didn't like the format (I couldn't get into the letters).
yeah smiling, crying, heavy feeling, happy feeling...he gives it all to you after reading it.fiona, I am so glad you felt that way afterwards.
Melissa wrote: "I tried to start The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but I didn't like the format (I couldn't get into the letters). ..."
Sorry you didn't like it - I thought the letter were very well done -- how far did you get into it?
Robin wrote: "Melissa wrote: "I tried to start The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but I didn't like the format (I couldn't get into the letters). ..."
Sorry you didn't like it - I thought th..."
I got about 1/4 of the way. The letters weren't written badly, it's just my reading habits. The conversational letter format doesn't give my ADD-self enough to create the plotline in my head. It's just personal preference. I'm sure if my brain would have allowed me to get into it, I would have liked it (I've heard good things about it). Maybe I'll try again sometime.
Fiona wrote: "I admit I don't usually and wouldn't usually ever choose a book with a letter format for myself. It was only because Laura recommended it so highly, and because she has superior taste in books that..."I tried, but just couldn't get used to it. I might try again when I'm a little less stressed and busy.
Moving on to Angel of Ruin by Kim Wilkins.
Carrie wrote: "The Stolen Child: A Novel <---- anyone read this? It's amazing."I read it several months ago and loved it.
Mod
Allison wrote: "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 R..."
Allison, Paula is absolutely spot on about The Last Lecture. Randy Pausch was just one of those guys who looked death in the face and didn't blink. He did more in his short life than some people do in twice the time. I also liked that he could impart a wisdom for grabbing each day by the tail that didn't come off as too preachy or maudlin.
I just finished Blindness and found it fascinating! I just started Waiting for Snow in Havana : Confessions of a Cuban Boy. I like the writing style so I am hoping to enjoy the book and learn more about Cuba after Castro took over.
Linda, wow that is awesome! :) Can't wait to read it. I will have to read it soon, it sounds like he was an amazing person. :) Thanks for your comments!
Yeah, LORI...I do not like the rotating. It gets a bit confusing, but the story is still great.
Mod
I am still amazed at how much Blindess stuck with me. I hope you pick up more by him Christine....
Fiona wrote: "I admit I don't usually and wouldn't usually ever choose a book with a letter format for myself. It was only because Laura recommended it so highly, and because she has superior taste in books that..."Awwwwwww... *blushes*
Fiona wrote: "Okay. SO I am now waiting to read Watership Down because Laura is reading something else now. *prods*I am just gonna read One Day in September which I was gonna read at the same time anyway, perh..."
Soon I swear Fiona !!!! I have tomorrow off too...
Anne of Green Gables is so terrific!! I am really enjoying it....*I'll finish Fiona, stop the poking*
AHA! I was just digging the garage storage boxes for my old journals (which I never found) but I did find another little gem.. my leather bound copy of the complete works of Jane Austen (which I had also been searching for several months back)... woohoo! Austen here I come!
I am reading The Invisible Wall: A Love Story That Broke Barriers by Harry Bernstein.It's a memoir and I usually don't read memoirs (in fact, I think this is the first) but it's for a local bookclub (there is finally one at the library :D) and well...it is indeed good. The story is interesting but I get so emotional and sad. I feel a bit selfish when I avoid based on true stories novels because they are depressing but I cannot help it. It's not fun being sad after all, especially when some things reminds you of others. Simply the dedication page in this book made me want to cry because I thought of my own mother. I had to go and hug her :)
Kellie wrote: "I just finished [b:A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail|9791|A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail|Bill Bryson|http://photo.goodreads.co..."I loved a Walk in the Woods. Cracked me up. I just realized I have another of Bryson's books on my shelf - shows how crammed that poor shelf is ... definitely time for more space!
i finished A Mercy this afternoon...not one of my favorites. oh well, i guess every book can't be a favorite.i think i'm going to start Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. i picked it up in early december on clearance and was a waiting for a reason to read it, so i was so happy to see it's a group read for this month.
Sorry I haven’t posted for a while. Right around Christmas I became very ill. (It was a digestive disorder so I’ll spare everyone the details.) But I’m feeling better now and looking forward to hitting the bookstore tomorrow with my $100 gift card. Watch out!I didn’t get much reading done the last week or so, but now I’m into a very fine book by Jefferson Bass titled “Carved in Bone”, my first read of this author. The main character is an anthropologist named Bill Brockton who works at the Body Farm. One of the authors who comprise the writing team is Dr. Bill Bass, who actually founded the Body Farm (as it has come to be known), so all the forensic detail is certainly authentic. I would recommend it to anyone who likes Patricia Cornwell or Kathy Reichs.
I just finished thirteenth tale and loved it. I read it in about two days, which is unusual for me unless I am really into a book. I would recommend it to everyone. It keeps you turning the pages to see what all the secrets are. And then you are still surprised when you find out.
I am STILL reading THE HOUR I 1ST BELIEVED, and THE BINDING CHAIR, and I am started THE GUERSNEY LITERARY AND POTATOE PEEL PIE SOCIETY book. I tried reading it a few months ago and could not get into the letter format, but I am determined to read it and finish it!
Robin wrote: "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 ..."Thanks, Robin! That definitely inspires me to keep reading!
Christine wrote: "I just finished Blindness and found it fascinating! I just started Waiting for Snow in Havana : Confessions of a Cuban Boy. I like the writing style so I am hoping to enjoy the book and learn mor..."Christine, sounds interesting. Is it any good?
Fiona wrote: "I admit I don't usually and wouldn't usually ever choose a book with a letter format for myself. It was only because Laura recommended it so highly, and because she has superior taste in books that..."letter format??
Fiona wrote: "I admit I don't usually and wouldn't usually ever choose a book with a letter format for myself. It was only because Laura recommended it so highly, and because she has superior taste in books that..."I actually think the "letter format" was an attraction to me -- but it has alot to do with the fact that I'm in and around so many authors. It is an extremely difficult venue to do...and it was done so masterfully that it was my appreciation for the difficulty that really made the book even more enjoyable for me.
-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)
So I'm now about 1/3 into The Name of the Wind which is classified as fantasy - and in a pureist form it is but its really not like most fantasy (which is a good thing - even though I like that genre). Reminds me a bit of my husband's book in that way. It reads more like a historical novel - It was the "pick one from your hat" things for the winter challenge and at first I was .. oh no...its so big!! (600+ pages) but they are going fast and when I put it down it is reluctantly -- always a good sign.
I will join you 3 in reading Watership Down - Richard Adams
I just finished Special Topics in Calamity Physics. LOVED IT. Who else has read it and what do you think?
Christine, I loved Waiting for Snow in Havana. We had actually bought this for my father-in-law, who was growing up in Cuba around the same time as the author. He loved it and said that the guy got it exactly right--that's how Cuba was. I read it later and enjoyed it until about the time Castro actually came into power. It got a little too political for me then.I just finished Just Before Sunset, Stephen King's newest collection of short stories. It was really good, but a little more thoughtful and just sort of eerie instead of horror.
I'm starting People of the Book: A Novel. I'm really liking this one.
Yesterday I finished Guernsey, which was very sweet and I really enjoyed it. :) And now I'm reading Stardust and it's very good so far.
Allison wrote: "Yesterday I finished Guernsey, which was very sweet and I really enjoyed it. :) And now I'm reading Stardust and it's very good so far. "I really enjoyed Stardust!
JGI have People of the Book on my bedside table but have yet to start it. I loved March and Year of Wonders so I look forward to getting to that one. Let me know what you think.
Jeane wrote: "Christine wrote: "I just finished Blindness and found it fascinating! I just started Waiting for Snow in Havana : Confessions of a Cuban Boy. I like the writing style so I am hoping to enjoy the ..."Jeane wrote: "Christine wrote: "I just finished Blindness and found it fas
I am about halfway through and I am enjoying it. It is funny and sad but the author does a good job describing his childhood in Cuba. I think he is about to be sent to the US as Castro is now taking over. I will let you know what I think of the second half of the book.
I think the term for Guernsey is "epistolary novel." I just found it (it was hiding), so I think I'll start it today or tomorrow.
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