The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
I thought Middlesex was an ok read, not as good as I thought it would be. I think I gave it three stars.Now I'm reading Fugitives of Chaos by John C. Wright.
I am reading The Hobbit. I just started it. I think it will be a lot of fun.
I´m reading Another View by Rosamunde Pilcher now, just for fun, while I wait for my new books to come.And I thought The Hobbits was SO boring! I hope you are enjoying it!
I finished Because Your Vampire Said So.It was okay Now I'm moving to the newest in the Ophelia series by Shirley Damgaard. It's called Witches Grave.
i'm currently reading succubus blue and since i'm quite busy right now, i totally have no idea when will i finishd reading this book..
I'm currently reading Stardust by Neil Gaiman. And so far so good. :)
re: #9279-- I recently finished The Hobbit. I liked it but it seemed like a story to read aloud to a child.I'm in the middle of The Book of Air and Shadows. It's terrifically interesting.
Rebbie wrote: "I really want to read BOOK THIEF. Glad to hear you liked it.
Robin wrote: "Lynai wrote: "I'm midway through the Book Thief now and I'm loving it."
Great book - I recently read it because of this..."
My book club finally yielded to reading The Book Thief and I am soooooooo happy. It took a bit of arm twisting considering who the narrator (won't give it away) is. I am really eager to hear what they have to say having given it a chance. I really thought the book was fabulous.
Robin wrote: "Rebbie wrote: "I really want to read BOOK THIEF. Glad to hear you liked it...."Thanks Rebbie - at the time I wrote that I was 1/2 way through and finished it up earlier this month - it was a re..."
Robin, I sometimes fear that I am becoming too OCD when it comes to getting to the next best read, but this group makes a person feel right at home even with their "issues". You are so spot on about the contribution this group makes to expanding ones horizons. The Book Thief, Shadow of the Wind, Blindness. I could go on and on but just say thanks to all of you.
Gail - As I understand it, it was intended to be a book to read to a child. I read it as a child, and much enjoyed it then, but I haven't read it in years.
I'm so behind! Travelling last weekend, no internet at work, travelling this weekend... I miss my GR and especially TNBBC!Here's the round-up:
I Capture the Castle--I really, really liked it, but I didn't love it. Sorry, Fiona! Maybe I'll have time to get to your thread to talk about it.
Don't Look Down--An odd hybrid that's supposed to be chick-lit and some sort of military thing. It even has a chick-lit dustcover and a camouflage "real" cover. Quick, brainless read, but I'm only giving it 3 stars.
The Double Bind--Messes with your head. I went flipping back through the book to see the clues I'd missed. I recommend it, but I like Bohjalian's Skeletons at the Feast more.
Now I'm starting The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. I really like the narrator's "voice" so far, but I haven't gotten very far into it yet.
Fiona, I agree with you about book love. There are few books which I can truly say I love. And I Capture the Castle is also on my TBR list.
I think I will be finishing Anna Karenina today. It's really good, but probably 200-300 pages longer than it really needs to be. Next is What Happened to Anna K.
Fiona - I checked out ICTC the other day from the library, too, thanks to you! I'm sure I wouldn't have, if it hadn't been for your recommendations. I'm really looking forward to it!
Fiona - I will definitely check in with you all over in the ICTC thread. I've got to finish my current book first, but I'll be starting it next.
I am taking an Agatha Christie with me this weekend. I have lots, so I think I'll just close my eyes and pick. They're quick, easy traveling reads.
I just finished And the Shofar Blew and really enjoyed it. I'm now starting I Captured the Castle!
I'm into The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb and loving it so far.
My favorite book of all time--okay one of them :) is COMING HOME by Pilcher. She is such an incredible writer! Manages to keep me flipping those pages without anyone getting shot or hit or beaten up!
Carol wrote: "I´m reading Another View by [a:Rosamunde Pilcher|20849|Rosamunde Pilcher|http://www.goodreads..."
Lisa wrote: "I think I will be finishing Anna Karenina today. It's really good, but probably 200-300 pages longer than it really needs to be. Next is What Happened to Anna K."I'll finish Anna Karenina this weekend. It's a nice, well-written novel. I wonder if there is something wrong with me in that I actually enjoy the parts about Levin and his thoughts about farming and laborers more than many of the parts about Anna. Let me know if you think What Happened to Anna K. should be next of my list. It seems to get very mixed reviews.
It was a busy, stressful week, so I took a little break from Anna Karenina and read Barr's Firestorm and Coel's The Lost Bird. I always enjoy Nevada Barr's mystery novels, and I am not really sure why. She is a Park Ranger of all things, but she is strong and smart and I love hearing about the national parks and the politics there. And, I just started the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, since folks here say it is better than the first (and it wasn't bad).
JuliAnna - I'm a fan of the Anna Pigeon series, too. I really like Barr's writing style, but Anna actually gets on my nerves occasionally. Flashback was the last one I read, so I've got a few more to go yet. I've taken a break from the series for a while, since I was getting a bit tired of the formulaic plots and somewhat predictable conclusions. I love the national park aspect though, and I think I'll have to return to the series soon.
I just finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I'm about halfway through The Gargoyle. I also started Gregor the Overlander.
While on vacation in Mexico in late January, I read two books by two of my favorite mystery authors:Yankee Doodle Dead by Carolyn Hart
and
Owls Well That Ends Well by Donna Andrews.
Both were enjoyable reads and great reminders why I loved these authors, Carolyn for her terrific characterization and setting, and Donna for her madcap humor. I recommend both books!
Victoria - I hated "A Long Way Down". Let me know what you think of it. The book was very strangely written and I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I also absolutely hate it when there is tons of unnecessary cursing in novels. Using it appropriately is fine, but when every other word out of the characters mouths is "F***" I just can't read it without getting angry. Allison - I had to read "Lady Audley's Secret" for a Victorian Novel class and I had pretty much the same reaction as you. I liked it but it was kinda predictable and very average. What made me laugh was in class we discussed that this was the equivalent of a "beach read" in Victorian times.
I'm still struggling through "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". I've had some other things going on so I haven't picked it up in about a week, but I would really like to finish it. I don't know why I'm so apathetic about it. Hmm.
I finished reading Dead Until Dark and I have to say that this is one of those times where I wish that Goodreads would allow us to use half stars since I'm kind of wavering between giving it 3 stars or 4 stars. I liked it. I thought it was a cute, funny, read (the identity of "Bubba" had me in stitches). So, I'm kind of leaning towards the four stars. After I bring down my TBR pile that I own, I'll take out the second Sookie Stackhouse book.I'll be reading Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain tomorrow (would start it now but it's after 1:00 AM) the sequel to Heartsick. Hopefully, it's as good as the first which I loved.
Fiona wrote: "I'm buzzing with happiness here Jamie! Thank you. :D"Tweety got blushy red cheeks...
Kandice wrote: "I am taking an Agatha Christie with me this weekend. I have lots, so I think I'll just close my eyes and pick. They're quick, easy traveling reads."oooohhhh....my books.....:-) isn't it weird but I feel jealous now that you are going to read them? but luckily very happy tooooooooo. Enjoy Kandice, I can read them any time. They are my favourites.
Katie wrote: "Victoria - I hated "A Long Way Down". Let me know what you think of it. The book was very strangely written and I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters. I also absolutely hate it..."Katie I agree with you on A long way down. The language was a bit too much that 21st century style, too much like certain areas of LOndon talk now. The author also lives there and it is situated there so that explains it a bit but won't read anothe one of his books easily.
Currently reading two books:Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
Jamie wrote: "JuliAnna - I'm a fan of the Anna Pigeon series, too. I really like Barr's writing style, but Anna actually gets on my nerves occasionally..."I have to agree that Anna sometimes gets annoying and the plots are a bit formulaic. I definitely spread out when I read them, but, they are the book equivalent of comfort food.
Alisha, I just picked up Sweetheart at the library booksale for $1. I thought that Heartsick was all right, but I read The Heart-Shaped Box shortly thereafter, which really creeped me out.Let me know how you like the book.
Jamie wrote: "JuliAnna - I'm a fan of the Anna Pigeon series, too. I really like Barr's writing style, but Anna actually gets on my nerves occasionally. Flashback was the last one I read, so I've got a few more ..."My mom loves the Anna Pigeon series and gave me a few to read. I started with "Flashback" and was unimpressed. But my mom likes them so much, I'll probably give them another chance.
Just started New Moon by Stephanie Meyer.
I just started with THE CREATOR'S MAP by Emilio Calderon. I am not sure what to think of it. Have to get used to his way of writing.
Going to try to finish Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell tomorrow. I am still really enjoying the book and almost at 700 pages.
I'm still working on Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell too and am determined to finish it by the end of the weekend (about time since I started it the first week of January). I struggled through the first half, especially with all the war talk, but am really into it now.
Beth wrote: "I'm still working on Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell too and am determined to finish it by the end of the weekend (about time since I started it the first week of January). I struggled through the ..."I can't say there were parts I didn't like, it felt all good to me.
Jeane wrote: "Beth wrote: "I'm still working on Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell too and am determined to finish it by the end of the weekend (about time since I started it the first week of January). I struggled..."I agree, I really liked it despite its length!
Lisa - I'm not sure if any of the other Anna Pigeon books will change your mind, since Flashback is a pretty good representation of the series as a whole. I enjoyed several better than this one, though (Liberty Falling, Ill Wind, A Superior Death, and Blind Descent). You may want to read them in order, though, since a lot happens in Anna's personal life throughout the series.
I am onto Ball of Fire. I'm pretty sure it's the only biography on Lucille Ball that I haven't read yet.
Fiona wrote: "I'm thinking of reading IT by Stephen King but I'm too scared/excited to open to the first page. Help!"OOHHH...Creepy! I started reading it a long time ago and never finished. I should probably do that sometime. The only Stephen King I've actually made it through was The Shining.
I am reading Testimony by Anita Shreve. I have seen a lot negative comments about her newest novel, but I am enjoying it so far.
Fiona wrote: "I'm thinking of reading IT by Stephen King but I'm too scared/excited to open to the first page. Help!"IT is my very favorite Stephen King book. It is scary, but excellent. I highly recommend it.
I just started Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil. I really like it so far. Makes me want to go to Savannah. :)
Just finished Per Petterson's Out Stealing Horses, it was different from the other books I have been reading lately, and a nice change of pace. Now I am going to start A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry.
Just finished Coraline by Neil Gaiman. I hear about him all the time from my students, and I loved the movie Stardust. This book blew me away! It is a simple story, with an obvious plot line, but the astute characterization of children's fears and fantasies was riveting. Definitely a 5. I am going to get another one of his books tomorrow.
Lisa wrote: "My mom loves the Anna Pigeon series and gave me a few to read. I started with "Flashback" and was unimpressed. But my mom likes them so much, I'll probably give them another chance."I have to agree with Jamie on this one. Some of the books are better than others, but I think either the various elements of the series appeal to you or they don't.
Vanessa wrote: "I just started Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil. I really like it so far. Makes me want to go to Savannah. :)"That is my favorite book in the whole world! I hope you enjoy it!
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The Next Best Book Club
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Nikki, i'm glad you liked Middlesex! i read it right after it came out, and it's probably one of my favorites!