What are you reading? Showing 7,551-7,600 of 28,901

[Eileen]

I just started RUN by Ann Patchett and have been sucked into the story, putting it down with difficulty. I have high expectations after BEL CANTO and so far don't fear being let down.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Started Julie and Julia 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen last night. OK so far.

[Catherine]

Terri, I only know a little about Cuchulain, but that sounds really interesting!

[Liz]

Stef wrote: "I am currently reading The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I am on page 338 now and I have to say I really love the book. Should have read it a long time ago but the number of pages was deterent."
That was challenging for me when I was younger, although for some books lenght is entirely appropriate. Like Middlemarch by George Eliot has such a complex plot (it's rather soap opera-esque!) that it does need to be as long as it is, because the characterization in that novel is really crucial to the plot. I sometimes don't like it when you finish a book one there was one more chapter--I find that sometimes with Jodi Picoult, but then again she always writes her novels to really make her reader think. I'm actually not sure what genre one would classify her under.
On the note of the length of books, I'm thinking of reading The Count of Monte Cristo, and I'm aware that there's an abridged version and an unabridged. Does anyone recommend one over the other?

[Becky]

Definitely read the unabridged version! I recently finished it, and it was amazing.

I wouldn't recommend reading the abridged version. There is just so much nuance and subltety and emotion and depth in the original text that it makes you feel like you are there, experiencing what the characters experience and feel what they feel.

The abridged version just can't compare to that. Take the time and read the unabridged version. You won't regret it!

[Dorie]

I finished “An Uncommon Reader” and was mildly disappointed. You’d think a book about the Queen of England discovering the joy of reading would be interesting. The beginning was really good, but proceeded downhill after that. At least it was a short novella, or I would have given up on it half way through. I’m now in the middle of “Only Forward” by Michael Marshall Smith, and am enjoying it more than I anticipated. I’m not overly keen of Sci-fi, but gave this one a chance. It’s set in the future where nations have broken down and neighborhoods now have sovereignty. The main protagonist lives in Colorful, where the streets and buildings change colors to match the clothes of the pedestrians wandering past. There is Active, where all the busy businesspeople live, and Red is the dangerous neighborhood filled with thugs and criminals. I was amused by a neighborhood strictly for cats (left by an eccentric wealthy cat lover), and the fact that it creeped the protagonist out that the place was immaculately clean even though no humans lived or worked there.

[Liz]

Thanks for the advice, Becky! I'll get to it...eventually...

[Mary]

Hi all, I am new to the group. I am bout to (finally-sometime life just gets in the way doesn't it?) finish Something Dangerous, vol. 2 of the Lytton Family triology. Thinking I'd try something new before finishing this series, I have picked up America, America by Ethan Canin and The Thirteenth Tale. Any opinions, advice? Thanks!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Definitely the unabridged Count of Monte Cristo, Liz.

Only Forward sounds interesting, Dorie.

[Carrie]

Jackie, isn't REBEL ANGELS great? I turned those pages so fast I thought they were going to catch on fire. I want the third one, but am going to wait for it to come out in paperback.

MARY: Read THE THIRTEENTH TALE immediately!

[Melody]

I am about 3/4 of the way through A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is a quick read (for me anyway) and I am relly enjoying it. Some of the content is disturbing but I havent found the story depressing as I was warned. Rather one of hope and the toughness of human spirit.

[Carrie]

Oh, I loved that book, Melody!

[Becky]

I agree, Mary: Read The Thirteenth Tale immediately. I loved that book.

Melody, I want to read A Thousand Splendid Suns so bad!! Damn book buying ban! :*(

[Jackie]

Carrie I just finished. I'm giving it four stars, because it was really well done. I read it in a matter of days- probably would have read it faster if it wasn't for life getting in the way. :-)

I'm dying to read the third one, but haven't bought it yet because I bought the other ones in paperback. I didn't know that it's not out yet. I might just try getting it from the library and buying it later.

Thanks Gemma for the recommendation!

[Jill]

I just finished Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and I'm now getting ready to start in on Rebecca.

For the record, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? is a great book. If you go into it not expecting a novelized version of Blade Runner, you're better off. The movie is a classic of the sci-fi genre (and conceivably the best of the genre), but the book stands alone as a truly great classic of science fiction literature. They're very different. So it's best to view them as completely separate entities.

I gave it five stars. :)

[Mary]

Thanks Carrie and Becky. Thirteenth Tale it is.

Becky and Melody: I agree with those who loved A Thousand Splendid Suns.

[Vanessa]

I started to read Mrs. de Winter, but I do not like the writing style. Is anyone familiar with this book? Is it worth reading? I may have to just put it aside until I am in a better mood to read it. I am pretty disapointed.

[Sheri]

Amy,
My favorite romance is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers - and, just for the record, I'm not a "romance novel" person (not that there's anything wrong with that :)
Sheri

[Julianne]

I just finished The Monsters of Templeton and now am in the midst of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Now, if this wasn't a monthly read it would have stayed much farther down on my shelf--WWII novels don't interest me too much. But I am really enjoying it. And I'm doing the audiobook: it has a different narrator reading each of the characters' letters, which I have to say really helps me keep up with all the different characters.

I, too, will be starting Rebel Angels very soon!

[Melody]

Mary - reading through the threads, I completely agree with Carrie and Becky about The 13th Tale. It is fantastic and I am sure you will love it!

[Chrystal]

I just finished up Gone by Michael Grant, and started The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty. The first couple of chapters reminds me a lot of Jodi Picoult's writing. It started off good so I hope it continues.

[Katie]

Mary - I have to agree about The Thirteenth Tale. It's one of my favorite books. I'm glad you picked that one :)

Carrie - I'm loving this trilogy! I'm a little over half-way finished with The Amber Spyglass. It's getting really intense. I just absolutely love Lyra's character. Yeah, the movie was so disappointing. I always feel that more often than not I am let down in book to movie adaptations. There are only two that I think got it absolutely right: Lord of the Rings and the BBC version of Pride and Prejudice.

Becky - What is this book buying ban?

[Jenna]

Just started The Brief WOnderous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz today. Not too far into it but I like it so far. Like the style of the writing.

[Alisha Marie]

I finally got out of my reader's burnout. I could not read anything for the past couple of days. I couldn't even get into the interesting reads that I've been waiting to get to for months. So, after pointless internet browsing and numerous NCIS marathons, I can now pick up a book and not put back down immediately. Right now I'm reading The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and so far, intense first chapter for something that's supposed to be Children's/YA. Good so far, though.

[Becky]

Katie, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't acquire any new books this year since I have 112 owned unread books. Actually, I am now down to 106. Making progress!

If you want to see the list, it's here: My "Owned To Read" Challenge.

It makes me sad that I can't buy any books, but I am consoling myself with a new bookshelf: To-Get-Post-Book-Ban. ;)

[Dorie]

Susanna wrote: "Only Forward sounds interesting, Dorie."

It's a bit bizarre, but definitely interesting. It's holding my interest.

Alisha, I thought the first chapter of "The Graveyard Book" was pretty violent. I think it is more of a teen book than children's. I know I wouldn't read it to any young child. Each chapter is sort of it's own short story, though. I liked that about the book. Hope you enjoy it.

[Katie]

Becky - Your post made me laugh. That is a whole lot of books to own without having read them! I wouldn't know about that, most of my books come from the library.(I am a poor college student, I don't have any money left over after buying textbooks lol) I hope you get through them quickly so you can lift your book ban :)

[LovetoRead]

I am reading the 2nd book in Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood Series. Love it!

[Cindy]

Mary, I agree with everyone who suggested The Thirteenth Tale; loved it! and I would rate The Gargoyle as a top read also.

[Megan]

I'm currently reading Stephen King's It, which is a wonderful book, although it's very long. (1090 pgs)
I'm also reading To Kill A Mockingbird for school.
And I was reading The Complete Works and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, but I put that on hold to read it.
All good reads, really recommend them.

[Becky]

I hope I'm able to read them quickly too, Katie! I can't wait to buy new books!

Only 347 days or 106 books left. ;)

[Ann from S.C.]

I finished THE HOST and loved it!
Now I am back to THE STAND.

[Becky]

Oh, I love The Stand! Hope you enjoy it Ann!

[Esther]

Tango wrote: "Just finished Live in the Time of Cholera and really loved it, his writing is just so rich."

I'm in the middle of Love in the Time of Cholera.
I am slowing my reading down so that I can enjoy his reading style and not become frustrated with the fact that nothing is happening.
The total melodrama was a bit much for me at first but I am getting used to it.

I can add my recommendation for The Thirteenth Tale. I found Shadow of the Wind similar and enjoyed it even more.

[Robin]

well, as for a new wrtter ,i find it hard to get anyone to listen to new writers. i write children books. but my following is mostly adult ..i sell them on amazon ...but between harry potter and all the others my are lost...i;m still a new writter i have written six books three children and oneadult.but only have one selling ...so check my bookout bolivias grand adventures at Amazon.com or the adventures of bolivia.read it today and tell me what you think it still young enough i can make changes thanks angel s star

[Kelly]

Thank you Carrie. When people talk of Trilogy's I dont always know because there are sooooo many authors and books out there.

[Lori, Super Mod]

Robin,
I am a little lost for words.

1-You are posting here in the What are you reading folder, but you arent talking about what you are reading.
2-Your writing is very poor, and it is hard to follow what you are saying in your post.
3-I have to believe that is an attempt to spam my group, you have a generic profile with no information on it, and this is the only post you have made so far.

[Eileen]

A while ago, Becky said: Take the time and read the unabridged version. You won't regret it!

Sounds like a good topic for another thread - Abridged vs unabridged books.

(Personally, I'm very much against abridged versions and adapting books for whatever purpose, be it age, language ability, etc. My younger son once brought home an abridged version of THE GREAT GATSBY that was adapted for learners of English as a Foreign Language. I sent it back to the teacher and got him a copy of the original. Fitzgerald's lyrical prose had been butchered so badly, I'm sure he would have risen up in protest if he could.)

[Terri]

I remember having a long weekend off when I read It (in three days) couldnt believe I did that. LOL


Megan wrote: "I'm currently reading Stephen King's It, which is a wonderful book, although it's very long. (1090 pgs)
I'm also reading To Kill A Mockingbird for school.
And I was reading The Complete Works an..."

[Kellie]

Sheri wrote: "Amy,
My favorite romance is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers - and, just for the record, I'm not a "romance novel" person (not that there's anything wrong with that :)
Sheri"

Oh my gosh! I just LOVED that book. It's faith based but the story is riveting! Glad to know there are others here that enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Emilly R]

My dear Esther,i was sorry ,when ,Love In The Time of Cholera ended.I,love this book,also,i will add my recommendation to The Thirteenth Tale ,

[Linda]

Carrie wrote: "I'm reading the new(er) Jodi Picoult.. Change of Heart. It's good so far. "

Carrie, I read Change of Heart last year and thought it was one of her better books. I really like the way she blends humor into this story, though parts of it are very tragic.

[Linda]

Melody wrote: "I am about 3/4 of the way through A Thousand Splendid Suns. It is a quick read (for me anyway) and I am relly enjoying it. Some of the content is disturbing but I havent found the story depressing ..."

Melody, I found A Thousand Spendid Suns truly awesome. Khalid Hosseini is an amazing writer. I found both of his books hard to put down.

[Liz]

Linda, did you prefer one book over the other? I've only read The Kite Runner but I really enjoyed it and thought it was beautifully written. I cannot wait to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.

[Gracee]

I recommend the UNabridged version of The Count... I was assured by a salesclerk in Barnes / Nobel when I questioned that *I* would want the unabridged version ... that they didn't publish it anylonger, and it would be VERY difficult, if not pricey, to find. @@ Boy, was I annoyed when I finished the abridged version of The Count.. I would have MUCH rather read the "real" story.
If I could find the unabridged version, I'd consider re-reading it!!! Stupid salesclerk!

[Becky]

Gracee, Try this one: The Count of Monte Cristo. It's the "Penguin Classics" edition, and everything I've read (including the back of the book itself) states that it is complete and unabridged. (I went through 4 other editions before I got to this one!)

Barnes & Noble does have this edition, since that is where I found it.

[Allison]

Vanessa wrote: "I started to read Mrs. de Winter, but I do not like the writing style. Is anyone familiar with this book? Is it worth reading? I may have to just put it aside until I am in a better mood to read..."

Mrs de Winter is pretty strange-but I was interested enough to get through it.

[Carrie]

Carrie wrote: "I'm reading the new(er) Jodi Picoult.. Change of Heart. It's good so far. "

Carrie, I read Change of Heart last year and thought it was one of her better books. I really like the way she blends humor into this story, though parts of it are very tragic.




I'm really enjoying it.

[JuliAnna]

Robin wrote: "I'm STILL plodding through JS & MN - I'm really disappointed that I don't like this more - I had high hopes for it."

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I expected to like Jonathan Strange more than much more than I did and months later I have trouble even remembering much.

"I'm also reading Griffin's Daughter - by a GoodReads author. She had the first 16 chapters on audio that I listened to - now the rest I have to read and I'm missing the narration."

Is the audio on her website? I'd love to get a hold of it.

[Lisa]

I'm about 100 pages into The Thirteenth Tale - and it's great so far! I read Shadow of the Wind two months ago and can't wait to see which one I like better.