The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
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Hayes wrote: "I'm having a hard time with Everything Is Illuminated A Novel - is..."Hayes, I really liked Everything is Illuminated. But it did take me a bit to get into. It takes some time to get used to Alex, who speaks broken English as though he is looking up every other word in a Thesaurus. But I loved the interaction between Alex and Mr. Foer, and I ended up loving the grandfather. Some of my favorite characters came from this book. The town scenes also are a bit strange at first, but I would say the further you get in the better it gets.
I have heard people who have read both Everything is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close say that they preferred EL&IC, but I haven't read the other so don't know.
Good luck with it! I struggled through the first parts, but it was worth the effort (for me).
Thanks Stephanie. I'll carry on.
I like the interaction with Alex too, and find it very funny. (His broken English reminds me of my own students and their struggles with learning our language ; ) )
I don't like the mystical wanderings of the young girl and Yankel... I'm skipping over most of it, or reading it very quickly.
I like the interaction with Alex too, and find it very funny. (His broken English reminds me of my own students and their struggles with learning our language ; ) )
I don't like the mystical wanderings of the young girl and Yankel... I'm skipping over most of it, or reading it very quickly.
Just finished reading (not finished the book) Sir Apropos of Nothing. I read three chapters, and that was enough. Bleah!I had to clean my palate with some nice art history.
I finally finished Brother Odd.I did not really like it as much as I liked the other two.I think that's why it took so long for me to read it.I started The Other Mother.
Hayes wrote: "Thanks Stephanie. I'll carry on.I like the interaction with Alex too, and find it very funny. (His broken English reminds me of my own students and their struggles with learning our language ..."
Actually, truth be told, I didn't really like the parts about Yankel all that much either. However, as the girl ages and the characters in those stories change, I started to enjoy those stories.
i am just finishing up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I am loving it. Hate to see it end. I highly recommend it.
I need to stop reading this thread. I don't remember the last day that I didn't add like 5 books to my TBR wishlist.
Robin wrote: "Ella wrote: "I'm reading A Confederacy of Dunces by Kennedy Toole and it's a humor, fiction. I'm enjoying it. It seems to be reading quickly."Really glad you are liking that - I know nothing ab..."
Melissa wrote: "
"melissa, we're on the same reading page! i'm still struggling with JS, but i've been reading ..."
Yeah, it took me a while to get through JS, but it was worth it. I really enjoyed it!"
It never fails to amaze me how arrogant some people can be. I mean, the ones who have not read the book who make mindless opinions based on someone else's jaded perception of literature that has already been awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Bizzare.
I just finished Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. I thought it was great, although really bizarre. The sort of symbiotic relationship between the main character Archie Sheridan and the villian Gretchen Lowell was fascinating and more than a little creepy. But anyway, great book.Right now, I'm reading The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. I started reading it a couple of months ago, but just wasn't in the mood for a non-fiction. But now that I picked up again, I'm a bit upset I put it down in the first place.
Susan wrote: "I am currently reading Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. It's fan..."Susan, the ideas about Jonathan strange and mr norrel or different indeed. I am reading it now and love it, Hope you do too.
Ella wrote: "Robin wrote: "Ella wrote: "I'm reading A Confederacy of Dunces by Kennedy Toole and it's a humor, fiction. I'm enjoying it. It seems to be reading quickly."Really glad you are liking that - I k..."
Ella - I don't think Robin was expressing an opinion on the book; I think she was merely saying that the only thing she knew about the book was that one person didn't like it. It's not fair to label that as arrogant. As you peruse the posts, I think you'll find more like that - commenting that you've heard negative feedback on a book does not equal ignorance OR arrogance. I have found Robin (through her posts) to be very open-minded and interested in many different genres.
Just my two cents.
*** Edit *** If I misread your statement or took it wrong, my apologies. Don't want to step on any toes or misconstrue anyone's comments, but just wanted to step up in Robin's defense.
I've just finished Pat Barker's The Ghost Road, which I enjoyed on the whole. I'd like to read the first two books in the trilogy it's in at some point.I need to read through Counterparts in Dubliners by tomorrow--I've read it once and enjoyed it. I'd also like to try to finish A Room with a View sooner rather than later.
Finished with Eclipse....now on to Cross Country by James Patterson.
I finished up Guernsey today; I really liked it and breezed through it.Now I'm onto Love in the Time of Cholera.
just finished The Heretic's Daughter, and I really enjoyed it. i always liked reading about that period in American History, and there is some great fictional accounts out there. one of my favorite aspects of this book is that although some of the names you routinely come across when reading about the trials are there, they aren't the central focus, just an added part.this was a great read, one i would recommend to anyone who likes a little dose of truth to their fiction (or fiction to their truth!).
That does look interesting, Maria! Thanks for the recommendation.
Mod
Everyone is allowed to state their opinions, no one is required to agree with them, but we should all be capable of accepting them without repsonding harshly.
I think a person giving empty comments on material they have even read would be best to keep quiet.
Mod
Please refrain from the snide comments or I will ask that you leave the group. I do not allow members to verbally attack each other.
And your behavior right now is testing the waters tremendously.
It would be my pleasure to leave and no longer be subjected to pointless drivel.
Ann from S.C. wrote: "Finally finished THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED by Wally Lamb. It was great. Now I am getting into WHAT IS THE WHAT, and also starting THE ART ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN."The Art of Racing in the Rain - one of my top reads of 2008! Enjoy!!
I am reading When you become engulfed in flames and it is hysterical. I love the way Sedaris writes and the way he describes people just cracks me up.
Fantastic book!
selena wrote: "I'm currently reading Revolutionary Road (yes, I'm on the RR bandwagon!) and the Undertaking. So far, both are really great but RR is the better of the two! :) Anyone else reading it?"
Selena,
I read RR and thought it was really well written. I didn't care too much for the main characters but it's theme is interesting...the suffocation of suburbian life.
Ella wrote: "It would be my pleasure to leave and no longer be subjected to pointless drivel."Wow. Like...I don't know what to say.
Oh! Yes I do. Progesterone! It is good for the mood. I recommend perhaps a bath in it.
It's kind of odd for someone to just go off like that isn't it? I don't get it.
Mod
She is no longer a member of the group, and has also changed her profile to private (he he he he)
Well, as always Lori, I really appreciate your mature and protective attitude to your group and to the group members. Thank you.
Laura,I am on p20 & struggling to understand the book. I keep falling asleep hun.
Alisha wrote: "I just finished Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. I thought it was great, although really bizarre. The so..."Alisha, Don't know how far into Devil in the White City... you are, but I found the book really fascinating. Hope you enjoy the rest of your journey.
Alisha wrote: "I just finished Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. I thought it was great, although really bizarre. The so..."I started reading heartsick this monday. and I was quite enjoying but in the meantime I received
Stalking DarknessLynn Flewelling I've read the firts volume of this series last week. and jut had to get the next one. so when I got it I just had to read it. I'm completely adicted to this series. Already ordered the other 2 books.
anyway I'll return to heartsick soon. its looks a really interesting thriller
Ella wrote: "I think a person giving empty comments on material they have even read would be best to keep quiet."Don't usually comment on these types of messages, but there is no reason for this type of behavior. We should not lose sight of the fact that this is a forum for people to state preferences that, yes, some may agree/disagree with. Not good form to lash out at members of the group. Bad, really bad.
Liz wrote: "Ann from S.C. wrote: "Finally finished THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED by Wally Lamb. It was great. Now I am getting into WHAT IS THE WHAT, and also starting THE ART ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN."The Art ..." *me dancing around* Yeah, Art of Racing in the Rain is a really great read.
Maria wrote: "just finished The Heretic's Daughter, and I really enjoyed it. i always liked reading about that period in American History, and there is some great fictional accounts out there. one of my favorite..."Sounds good, Maria. Looks like that will have to #78 on my TBR list!
I can't wait to read THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED. I really enjoyed his other books.There was a review on Lamb in the Dallas Morning News
since he'll be at the Dls. Museum of Fine Arts. Anyway, he said that he never writes an outline when writing a book. He just writes & it is what it is.
I thought------YES, a person who writes like I did in school. I didn't write outlines when writing a paper either. I didn't like it.
i am just finishing up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and all i can say is WOW!!! it is TERRIFIC!! i haven't enjoyed a book like this in a while!!! Read it!! Read it!! Read it!!
Suzanne, I just finished THE HOUR I FIRST BELIEVED and i hated when I was done. It was wonderful!!! Some of t was hard, but it was a beautifuk read.
Oh, and THE ART OF DANCING IN THE RAIN is fantastic!!!! Loving me some Enzo!
Finally making some progress on The Audacity of Hope ... I started it about 3 weeks ago and tried to read it while reading other books at the same time, which is a great example of why I shouldn't do that. I would get too wrapped up in my other books and abandon this one. Really trying to make some headway now.
Ella wrote: "Robin wrote: "It never fails to amaze me how arrogant some people can be. I mean, the ones who have not read the book who make mindless opinions based on someone else's jaded perception of literature that has already been awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Bizzare."Frankly, winning a literary prize is no guarantee that a book is a good read, at least for me.
Robyn wrote: "i am just finishing up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and all i can say is WOW!!! it is TERRIFIC!! i haven't enjoyed a book like this in a while!!! Read it!! Read it!! Read it!!"I read it and really enjoyed it. Those of us in the US are patiently waiting for the sequel to be released here. (I'm assuming you'll be reading it, Robyn?) I was glad to hear Salander is also in the sequel, as I was intrigued by her character. The book started slowly for me, but I quickly became engrossed in the Vanger family history.
Dorie wrote: "Robyn wrote: "i am just finishing up The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and all i can say is WOW!!! it is TERRIFIC!! i haven't enjoyed a book like this in a while!!! Read it!! Read it!! Read it!!"..."
yes, i will!! it's called the girl who played with fire and it's due out this summer. it's on my wish list to remind me and i'm excited. they have the first chapter on the knopf website. enjoy til then.
Mod
Lori-I have book 7 on my nightstand! It's killing me not to read it. I am hoping to fit it in between Outlander and ICTC. They are such quick, fun books. You'll enjoy it! I'd love to hear what you think about Quinn after that one.
I'm currently reading Inca Gold by Clive Cussler. I've never read his books before. I have to say that right from page one it caught my full attention and I'm really enjoying it. Not a bad way to start.
Alisha wrote: "I just finished Heartsick by Chelsea Cain. I thought it was great, although really bizarre. The so..."Alisha wrote: "The Devil in the White City Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America...."
I enjoyed this book quite a bit particularly all the inventions and products that came out due to the world fair.
Woah!! I just read this thread...I had no intention on starting such a commotion it was just a small off handed comment. Thanks all those for defending me though. I like that you've "got my back" ;-)
I finally started The Other Mother and so far I am enjoying it.
Lori, I love Sookie...sad that I have read all the books, but trying to be patient.Currently reading The Poisonwood Bible...excellent book!
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The Next Best Book Club
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Going to start Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories today/tomorrow for my B&N club read.