The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Just finished Birds of a Feather. What a nice book.
JG wrote: "Jackie, I added those two to my list. Thanks for the recs!"I hope you enjoy them!!
JuliAnna wrote: "Critical Race Theory, and I have been using it as a guide to good readings in the field. I just started Whitewashing Race The Myth of a Color-Blind Society"Read the description of this book. Pretty racist and offensive.
Lori wrote: "I read Alices Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass today. I found a great Lost link in the second book. Those who are addicted to the show like I am may have picked up on it. Chec..."I have a deep love and appreciation for Lewis Carroll and all of his writing!
Stephanie wrote: "Just started [b:Love Is a Mix Tape Life and Loss, One Song at a Time|46190|Love Is a Mix Tape Life and Loss, One Song at a Time|Rob Sheffield|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170......"That's on my TBR list, but I can't buy anymore books and the library here often is lacking in good taste in books. I have to request that they order all the ones I want!
Lori wrote: "I'm reading jonathan strange & mr. norrell but i'm afraid i'm not getting very far in it, i'm not totally into it right now but i'm only 70 pages in and nothing has really happend yet. I'm also r..."
Stick with Jonathan Strange! It definitely has a slow start, but it's wonderful!
Jeane wrote: "Ann from S.C. wrote: "Jeane wrote: "Ann from S.C. wrote: "I jsut finished THE HANDMAIDS TALE and now am starting SCARPETTA by Patricia Cornwell."Ann I am curious about that one! I have it also ..."
I agree, the first were better, but I still like them all!
Mel wrote: "[b:Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom|170184|Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay And Other Things I Had to Learn as a New Mom|Stefanie Wilder-Taylor|http..."Let me know how it goes! I've got it and haven't really been in the mood.
i picked up If You Could See Me Now from Ceclia Ahern at the library yesterday, but then i went to B&N after work today and bought New Moon and The Sister's Mortland.i think i'm going to start New Moon tonight. my son is having his first playdate tomorrow, and i'm thinking i'll need some kind of escape with two 5 year-olds running around my house!
Right now I'm doing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on audio book. Also, I'm reading Fly Me to the Moon by the amazing Alyson Noel, and How to Hook a Hottie by Tina Ferraro. So far, so good!
Just finished SCARPETTA. It was a quick read, for a 500 page book. It got better from the middle to the end. Now I am reading THIS CHARMING MAN by Marian Keys. I needed something lighter.
Elizabeth wrote: "Read the description of this book. Pretty racist and offensive. "I'm sorry you think so. I didn't read this description before posing the link. I just looked the description and it basically just says that racism still exists the U.S. Are you saying that it is racist against Whites? I would guess that you found the first sentence objectionable: "White Americans, abetted by neo-conservative writers of all hues, generally believe that racial discrimination is a thing of the past...." I would agree that it is a bit of an overarching and somewhat unfair generalization. But, I'm not sure that calling the description as a whole "racist and offensive" is the most useful way to show a deeper understanding racial issues in the U.S. or the best way to move the discussion of race in a profitable direction.
JuliAnna wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Read the description of this book. Pretty racist and offensive. "I'm sorry you think so. I didn't read this description before posing the link. I just looked the description and..."
I'm not suggesting that racism in the US does not exist, because I think it most certainly does. In fact, I think that racism is rife in all races and all cultures and against those who are different from themselves. To suggest whites think it no longer exists is racist on its face. By the way, some racism continues to exist legally. I have been discriminated against in employment because I am not Native American - by an Act of Congress! As long as people are categorized by our government by race, (and they are - wait until you fill out a census form next year) and described by our news media by race, no amount of change in attitude by the general population will occur.
Alisha wrote: "Jeane, so far I'm liking Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, but I do have to admit that I am a bit anxious for something to happen. That being said the subject of magic (and it's history/origins) i..."Alisha, for me a lot happened after a while so hopefully it changes soon ...
Becky wrote: "Jeane, I wasn't complaining about the footnotes! I have been reading them as part of the text as well, but it just seems to me that they could have been incorporated rather than being footnotes. (A..."Becky I found the footnotes also very interesting. The only thing of them I didn't liked is that when it was a footnote linking to something in the middle of a page and the 'footnote' goes on for three pages...so you have to go back to the real text afterwards.
JG wrote: "I just finished Portrait in Sepia and I thought it was just okay. Jackie, was it you who said you loved Allende's work? Is there something else you think I would like better? Or is this a pretty..."I was surprised to like Paula by her a lot. It told a lot history together with a very well told story about Paula.
Becky wrote: "I hope so Elizabeth! I can feel like that tingly yucky feeling in my sinuses that always signals a cold for me, and I'm hoping to head it off this time around. I'll cross my fingers and send the ..."
Don't know if you like them but while you rest you might listen to a light book? So somebody does the reading for you....
Brilliance of the Moon - Lian Hearn
Linda wrote: "One vote for Dirty Job here. So I did start Dirty Job - Don't want to get too "far into it before tomorrow so I can use it for Spring challenge ;-)
I must say I'm surprised that a "funny" book starts off with the death of a wife and mother. Trying not to let that disuade me but ... geez!
"Lori wrote: "I am reading The Book Thief for the Bookaholics thread. I dont usually read YA books, but Ive seen so many great reviews on it that I had to give it a shot...."I really enjoyed this book one of those things I would not have read except for TNBBC. But...I'm still confused why it is classified "YA" - is it just because there is a young girl as the main character? Personally this did not feel YA'ish to me. Personally I love YA as it tends to be "easy reading" where you just enjoy the story and don't get too wrapped up in minuita - but when I read this book it seemed very "adult".
Melissa wrote: "Right now I'm doing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban So I think I'll always like the "first" HP as it introduced me to Rowlings excellent world - but of the "later" books I think Prizoner of Azkaban has a special place in my heart. It certainly comes in #2 of the Potter books for me.
-- Robin (32 days until Avempartha)
Wendy wrote: "I starting "The Guernsey Literacy and Potato Peel Pie Society" tonight."Yah Wendy! Always like seeing people start this charming light read. I really enjoyed it -- hope you do too.
I am almost finished with Outlanderand suddenly so much happened!i am also reading Hinduism. Don't really like the writing style but some parts are interesting.
I'm almost finished with Guernsey - and completely agree that it's nice a nice read. Unfortunately for me, I've read this book scattered among other books and a busy couple of weeks with many interruptions. So, this is definately one I want to read again - and am thinking of recommending it for my neighborhood book club.
Elizabeth wrote: "In fact, I think that racism is rife in all races and all cultures and against those who are different from themselves. To suggest whites think it no longer exists is racist on its face. By the way, some racism continues to exist legally. I have been discriminated against in employment because I am not Native American"I have already said that the description made an overarching generalization. The argument made by most critical race theorists is that 350 years of systematic discrimination against people of color in the U.S. has left deep seated economic and cultural divides that have not yet been overcome. They would argue that a white child has a better chance of being born into a more economically secure home in a more economical well off neighborhood, with better schools and better educated parents. Obviously, being white does not guarantee anyone any of these things. Critical race theorists argue that we need to find policies that do not perpetuate these inequities by claiming that all individuals have equal advantages when they do not. And, we need to recognize how some of our best intentioned actions can have unintentionally discriminatory consequences. How to address these issues is exceedingly difficult, and it is made more difficult due to the intense feelings many of us have around racial issues. No doubt your experience of not having access to a job on the basis of the color of your skin gives you a great deal of insight and empathy into what your African American and Native American friends may experience regularly. You clearly care deeply about these issues and want to live in a country that gives everyone a fair chance regardless of skin color. Hopefully, we as a country can find ways to work together to make this a reality.
Am currently reading "When You are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris for my local book club. If I could have gotten it on audio I would have, Sedaris is hysterical on audio.
Robin wrote: "Melissa wrote: "Right now I'm doing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban So I think I'll always like the "first" HP as it introduced me to Rowlings excellent world - but of the "later" boo..."
I'm enjoying it so far!
Pamela wrote: "Am currently reading "When You are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris for my local book club. If I could have gotten it on audio I would have, Sedaris is hysterical on audio."Pamela, I did listen to this one on my MP3 and he is funny. Not sure if I liked it or not. Just about the time I was ready to give up on it, it pulled me back.
I just finished Daughter of the Blood. Oh my gosh, I'm exhausted. This one grabbed me and didn't let go. Now I'm left not quite sure what to pick up next.
I'm reading Sag Harbor A Novel, American Rust A Novel, and The Language of Bees, all ARCs. Also, I'm hoping to get to The Book Thief before it's due back to the library!
Linda wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Am currently reading "When You are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris for my local book club. If I could have gotten it on audio I would have, Sedaris is hysterical on audio."Pam..."
Hi Linda, I know what you men. The first one I read (also for book club) was Me Talk Pretty Some Day and I totally did not get it or think it was funny. I didn't even finish the book. Then a friend loaned me one of his on CD (can't remember which one) and it was totally different hearing him read it. He has sort of an odd voice and a humorous inflection. This one is much easier for me to get through--I think the audio really helped me accept his writing (still prefer the audio though).
Just picked up "Promises in Death", the new J.D. Robb. I have no doubt I'll read it in one sitting. Good thing it's a weekend.
I started Emperor. It says it's an alternate history book. Since I'm not very familiar with the history of Rome in Britain, I'm sure where the new history starts. It's very good so far. I'm about 100 pages in.
Who's the author, Lisa?
It is by Stephan Baxter. I have the first 2 of the series checked out from the library. I'm not sure how many there are total, but I saw at least one more.
Just started the Book Thief...am already really enjoying it :)
I just started Pretties (2nd book in Uglies series).
Suzanne wrote: "Just started the Book Thief...am already really enjoying it :)"A great book - glad you are enjoying it.
I just started:
A Dirty Job
The Lightning Thief
Just started The Million Dollar Divorce by RM Johnson and it is excellent so far... last book before Spring Challenge begins :)
Pamela wrote: "Linda wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Am currently reading "When You are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris for my local book club. If I could have gotten it on audio I would have, Sedaris is hysterical o..."Pamela, You are right on. He has a nasally quality that lends itself to the somewhat sarcastic, somewhat caustic tone of his writing. He is better at whining than playing it straight.
I'm about half way into "Stiff" Mary Roach. I think it's very good so far.
Tonight I'll start The Hours A Novel by Michael Cunningham. It's short, but should be thought-provoking.
Elizabeth, I thought The Hours was fantastic. Let me know what you think!
Finally finished American Gods by Neil Gaiman and picked up McEwan's Atonement. This is my second attempt (only got about 50 pages in the first time), so we'll see how it goes.
I recently starting reading Anne Rice's trilogy "Sleeping Beauty" a friend recommended it and said I HAD to read it. But, so far, I am having a hard time getting past all the sexual content. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy some erotic lititure just as much as the next person but when I am reading a novel especially a trilogy I would like the series to elicit a little more emotion. I am about 100 pages into the first book and unless somewhere in the rest of the first book suggests that there are actual emotions inside Beauty besides her desire to please her master, or if someone responds and suggests that I continue reading, I am going to have to put the rest of the series aside and move on. I think my next pick will be "The Power of One" what do you think?
The Pillars of the Earth. It's interesting from a historical standpoint, however, it's also a little too fairytale (for my taste). I'm enjoying it as a fast, light, entertaining read.
Just started re-reading Twain's, Life On the Mississippi.Always found it interesting that Twain,like Wordsworth( and so many others) regretted the loss of unalloyed joy that results when our youthful and uninformed first experiences are replaced by more formal education and life experiences. I wonder if anyone ever laughs as hard (or as often) as children.
Im starting The Ruins by Scott Smith.
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The Next Best Book Club
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I've been wanting to read some contemporary Critical Race Theory. It was still primarily in legal studies when I first discovered it. I love Patricia Hill Collins. I recently found an online syllabus for her course on Critical Race Theory, and I have been using it as a guide to good readings in the field. I just started Whitewashing Race The Myth of a Color-Blind Society.