The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
I've just started The Mistress's Daughter by A.M. Homes ('This Book Will Save Your Life). Its about when A.M. Homes' birth-mother tracked her down when she was 31. Interesting and different since most adoption stories are of the child tracking the parent down.
Alisha wrote: "Morgan, I loved Plain Truth. I've read quite a lot of Jodi Picoult's novels, but this one is my absolute favorite. The Lifetime movie with Mariska Hargitay is also pretty good.Kelly, I can't ..."
I liked the Lifetime movie of Plain Truth as well. Very convienent that it was on TV soon after I finished the book. And it also helps that I have a slight girl crush on Mariska Hargitay, haha!
I finished THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN and WHAT IS THE WHAT. Very different books, but very good reads.Now I am into I AM THE MESSENGER. I am loving it.
I just finished "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld. And plan to start "The Catcher In The Rye" by JD Salinger. I read it in high school but want to see if my opinions have change any.
Mahogany wrote: "And plan to start "The Catcher In The Rye" by JD Salinger. I read it in high school but want to see if my opinions have change any. "Mahogany, I'd be very interested to know how reading it in high school versus now differs for you. We had a brief exchange about it a while back on this thread. I don't think I would have know what to make of it if I had read it in high school. But, a teacher said that her students tend to respond very positively to reading it.
Just finished I Am The Messenger - Markus Zusak. Will now read The Mentalist - Rod Duncan.
I read and read so I could finish Santa Cruise A Holiday Mystery at Sea today and only ahve two books left, big ones. Santa cruise was a very nice story, mystery but not too ahrd to read. very light but still soemthing that makes you curious. especialy as new things kept going wrong for the maiden trip of the cruise ship!The two other books I planned to read before starting any other are Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell and Outlander.
But since some weeks there is a Ian rankin watching and screaming to get my attention. It is since a bit I want to read something by him and I lvied the tv serie....so I started it. I am half way so maybe it wasn't such a bad idea. Then the other two i can use one for work and the other for home reading.
Kellie wrote: "Just finished [b:The Full Cupboard of Life|97898|The Full Cupboard of Life (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Book 5)|Alexander McCall Smith|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171......"Kellie, Read Whiteout last year and enjoyed it. Not necessarily the best Follett read, but interesting on the whole.
Mahogany wrote: "And plan to start "The Catcher In The Rye" by JD Salinger. I read it in high school but want to see if my opinions have change any. "I read Catcher in the Rye only a month back Mahogany and loved it. Would love to know what you felt about it.
Mahogany wrote: "I just finished "Uglies" by Scott Westerfeld. And plan to start "The Catcher In The Rye" by JD Salinger. I read it in high school but want to see if my opinions have change any. "What did you think of Uglies? I bought the trilogy through Scholastic for my class and read the first one...but I really didn't enjoy it. Do you plan on reading the others?
I just finished The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King. I really enjoyed it, it's a great read. :) I am currently still working on reading A Thousand Splendid Suns which I hope to finish soon, and then I'll be starting on Outlander. :)
Linds - I really enjoyed Inkheart and I've heard some negative things about the movie. I haven't gotten the courage yet to go see it (One of my biggest aggravations in life is seeing books I love turned into horrible/mediocre movies ugh) Just from the trailer alone, it seems that there's an entire subplot that deals with The Wizard of Oz...which isn't mentioned in the book. When I see it (b/c I probably will...I can never stay away for long) I'll let you know :)Okay so I'm doing this post for my mother haha. She just finished The Thirteenth Tale and she loved it. She relies on me to supply her with books that I think she'll like. Sometimes I get a hit and other times a miss. She loved: The Thirteenth Tale, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Red Tent, Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and The Plain Truth.
I was thinking of getting her The Time Traveler's Wife. I haven't read it yet myself. Anyone think that's a good pick? Other suggestions? She always gives me an earful when I make a bad decision...as mom's do haha
Kim...I had a tough time starting Devil in the White City as well. However, after skimming the first 150 pages or so, the book really picked up and I ended up really enjoying it.
Just finished reading Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. It is a memior about the author's son's meth addiction.
Now starting A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. Reading this because of all of the wonderful praise it gets from this group. Looking foward to reading it.
I finished The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff last night and I read Buying a Fishing Rod for My Grandfather today (ugh). I'm moving on to An Abundance of Katherines by John Green now.
Lori wrote: "I am currently knee deep in the Dexter Series... I finished Darkly Dreaming Dexter last nite (a day and a half), and I am already half way through the Dearly Devoted Dexter.I have Dexter in the..."
Hi Lori, I am currently reading "True Evil" by Greg Isles. It's a good mystery thriller. I have not yet read any of the Dexter series, they look good and I think I would like to try them.
Thanks Jeane and JG. I will let you know what I decide to do. I was just surprised because I had heard a lot of people raving about Alice Sebold.
Katie wrote: "She loved: The Thirteenth Tale, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Red Tent, Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and The Plain Truth.I was thinking of getting her The Time Traveler's Wife. I haven't read it yet myself. Anyone think that's a good pick? Other suggestions?."Well, I've only read the first two (both of which I enjoyed). What first came to mind for me was Water for Elephants. I loved the Time Traveler's Wife, but I'm not sure how well it fits with her taste.
Just finished Lottery by Patricia Wood (which I loved in a Forrest Gump-ish way) and have gotten 25 pages into The Teahouse Fire, an historical fiction set in Japan during the late 19th century.
Katie, has your mom read Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier? I think that has the same kind of feel as The Thirteenth Tale, and it's really good, so that might be a good fit for her.Titch, how did you like I Am the Messenger? It didn't seem like you were loving it. How did it finally end up for you?
I read all day and finished I AM THE MESSENGER and I loved it. I love the way he writes. Now what to read next???
Oh, I guess LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA...
So, I decided bring The Hour I First Believed A Novel back to the library. No, it wasn't bad. The parts I read were actually pretty great. The thing is I've just passed my bookshelf for the umpteenth time and it's unread books just started calling to me louder than they've ever had before.So, I decided to actually read the books I already own and return the four unread books I borrowed back to the library (and back to my manual list of books to checkout).
So, now I'm going to start reading Loyalty's Web by Joyce DiPastena. I won the book as a part of the first reads contests and decided the best place to start was a book that was given to me mainly so that I could give feedback. So, can't wait to start it!
Yeah, JG that's actually one of her favorite books. She's also read Water for Elephants. Haha, she's actually read a lot so it's always hard trying to pick out a new book for her. Is there a huge style difference between things like The Thirteenth Tale or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Time Traveler's Wife?
I would never think of The Thirteenth Tale and The Time Traveler's Wife together, but I have read them both and I love Thirteenth and like Time Traveler, so they both obviously have something that works for me. Maybe some other people have read both?
Katie wrote:"Is there a huge style difference between things like The Thirteenth Tale or Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Time Traveler's Wife?"Snow Flower and the Secret fan deals with mother/daughter and women relationships in general. There are some graphic details on footbinding, but the overall story is beautifully told. If your mother likes Amy Tan then I believe she will like this one.
The Time Traveler's Wife is good, but it seems like people have mixed feelings on it. It's an interesting story, but personally I didn't love it (gave it 3 stars). It's a contemporary love story that spans a couple of years because of the time travel. I found the beginning a bit confusing, but once I got into the book it got better.
Katie wrote: Okay so I'm doing this post for my mother haha. She just finished The Thirteenth Tale and she loved it. She relies on me to supply her with books that I think she'll like. Sometimes I get a hit and other times a miss. She loved: The Thirteenth Tale, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Red Tent, Snowflower and the Secret Fan, and The Plain Truth.
"
Neither my daughter nor I enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife so much, although I usually enjoy that kind of book. If she enjoys historical fiction, she might like Ahab's Wife by Sena Naslund. Or for both the history and the family relationships she might like The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. Another Salem one from a slightly different perspective (and a little more oddly written--the narrator is a book) is The Last Witchfinder by James Morrow.
If she like Snow Flower, she might also enjoy Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress by Dai Sijie. Or Red Peony by Yutang Lin.
Good luck. I know how hard it can be to find books for Mom to read.
Allison wrote: "I just finished The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King. I really enjoyed it, it's a grea..."Glad you liked it - I have it lying about somewhere but haven't cracked it yet - It goes a bit higher on the TBR pile.
JuliAnna wrote: "Well, I've only read the first two (both of which I enjoyed). What first came to mind for me was Water for Elephants. I would also give a vote for Water for Elephants it didn't sound like something I would like but was picked for a book club - It turned out to be one of those things I really enjoyed and was glad I was given a reason to try it.
-- Wife of GR author Michael J. Sullivan: The Crown Conspiracy (10/08) | Avempartha (04/09)
I finally finished A Lion Among Men. It just felt like filler between Son of a Witch and whatever comes next. I won't be reading any more of the Wicked Years.Scratch that. I forgot that I have two lovely group reads sitting on my nightstand, patiently waiting for their turns. I think Love in the Time of Cholera will be next.
Finished The Mentalist - Rod Duncan. I also read Sleepover Club Makeover - Jana Hunter. I am now gonna read Sleepover Girls Go Green - Angie Bates.
Ann from S.C. wrote: "I finished THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN and WHAT IS THE WHAT. Very different books, but very good reads.Now I am into I AM THE MESSENGER. I am loving it."
YAY Ann YAY! I'm so glad you're loving it! I'm dying to see what you think of the ending.
Jeez, I was so far behind - glad you loved it Ann! I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about the ending in the Messenger thread we added in Wanna Discuss this Novel - we're pretty much just discussing the ending.
Katie wrote: "Yeah, JG that's actually one of her favorite books. She's also read Water for Elephants. Haha, she's actually read a lot so it's always hard trying to pick out a new book for her. Is there a h..."
Katie, I am with JG and only think Elephants and Time Travelers Wife are a matched set in the sense that they go forward and backward in time. I have read both and loved both though many have mixed reviews on Time Travelers Wife. For me, a former Chicagoan, it was nice to revisit neighborhoods with which I am familiar.
Just finished Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout and thought it was an excellent read. Have to admit I would probably never have selected it myself except for it being a B&N book club choice. I still have to get with it on Girl With A Pearl Earring (good, not great) and back to My Enemy's Cradle. Thought I would start the C.J. Box new one I just picked up - Three Weeks to Say Goodbye, but with a shelf full of tbr's am in a quandary what to pick up and what to leave.
I've finished Good Omens - I really enjoyed this book - but as I'm still reading 5 others I can't add a new one on my list for having taken this one off ;-(
I am actually just about to start "Good Omens". Either that or "Fragile Things". I Love Neil Gaiman!Currently, though, I am reading up on my Jose Saramago, specifically "The Cave".
I'm currently re-reading for about the 8th time now The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan.
Mike wrote: "I'm currently re-reading for about the 8th time now The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan."I want to read that one really bad. I've heard great things about it.
Ichaerus wrote: "Mike wrote: "I'm currently re-reading for about the 8th time now The Eye of The World by Robert Jordan."I want to read that one really bad. I've heard great things about it."
You will totally love it. It's one of those epic fantasies that just lose yourself in.
Saturday I finished Brother by James Fredricks and Sunday I started When the Day of Evil Comes by Melanie Wells. Think I will go to lunch soon, so I can read...LOL.
I'm reading Mistress of the Art of Death. I'm getting into it, and its very good so far...looking forward to reading more of it! Looks like I'll be investing in yet ANOTHER series...at least the 2nd one just came out in paperback.I ordered Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and I Am the Messenger and will be getting them tomorrow. I'm trying to decide which to read first...
I just started The Gargoyle. I'm very intrigued so far (about 100 pages in) but it seems like this book is going to be very slow going.
Justine wrote: "I just started The Gargoyle. I'm very intrigued so far (about 100 pages in) but it se..."I have an ARC of Gargoyle I keep meaning to get to, but people keep saying how slow it is so I keep putting it off...keep us updated on whether or not it gets better!
*whispers to Allison*Messssssenger
Messsssssssenger
Messssssssssssenger
( I feel like Gollum. Thank God I don't look like him too! )
Jenna wrote: "Kim...I had a tough time starting Devil in the White City as well. However, after skimming the first 150 pages or so, the book really picked up and I ended up really enjoying it.
Just finish..."
I'm still working my way through Devil in the white city. It has it's high points, but mostly I'm having to force my way through. I'm neat the end, though, so I'll keep plugging away! It's not a book I'll recommend.
Fiona wrote: "Okay. Decisions.I hate deciding! What shall I read? Was going to read Above Suspicion by Lynda La Plante but I've had a good little run of crime and... maybe better give it a break before I get b..."
Have you read LaPlante before? I heard her speak on public radio and have been meaning to read one of her books but wanted to get feedback first.
Finished this weekend: "Mistress of the Art of Death" which I really liked although I thought it was slow closing up. Also read this weekend "Tomato Girl" which was also really good, if you're ready for another dysfunctional family story were a child has to carry the burdens of the family. It is much better written then most.
I'm about 50 pages into Coraline and it's really good so far. Probably would have freaked me out when I was little.
Have just read Steve & Me which was a funny, interesting and emotional read. Will now read A Time Traveler's Wife.Can I get some advice? My daughter has just turned 10 and her best friend (who is also 10) is reading New Moon after having read Twilight. Now my daughter wants to read these books. I have told her that I think she should be a bit older before she reads these as I think she will understand them better then. I have read Twilight but not the others yet in the series. Does anyone else think they are inappropriate for a 10 yr old or am I just being paranoid?
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The Next Best Book Club
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GRRR I really need to move that up on the TBR list - I want to read it before the movie.