The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
I'm halfway through Three Cups of Tea. Next up is When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin.
I just finished The Kindness of Strangers by Katrina Kittle and I thought that it was great. It was a tearjerker, but such a good novel. Although, the subject matter is depressing (it's about sexual abuse) and it definitely would be hard for some to read it (especially those with kids), I completely recommend it.Now, I'm reading True to Form by Elizabeth Berg.
I just finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. It was pretty good. Now I'm starting on The Infinite by Douglas Clegg. One day my TBR pile will be no more!
Bleak House is slow to develop, but I found it very much worth the time. It's at the top of my Dickens list, with Dombey and Son, also fabulous.
I just finished JESUS LAND, and I enjoyed it, even though it dealt with some heavy subject matter. I am now reading LE DIVORCE by Diane Johnson.
Currently reading Walden, or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau and beginning Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen in about five minutes.
April wrote: "Currently reading Walden, or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau and b..."Just got a tidbit about Sara Gruen. She was doing a book signing today in my town (Fort Collins CO). She came to Fort Collins CSU vet school to get her puppy open heart surgery. She walked into our independently owned book store, introduced herself, and asked "What can I do for you?" and she agreed to a book signing. Apparently she feels the Indy book stores have made her success and she wants to give back, especially in todays economy. I thought that was awesome! What a gal! I will definitely have to read her second book now! Just thought I would share.
Pamela wrote: "April wrote: "Currently reading Walden, or Life in the Woods by Henry David..."That's fantastic! I'm a couple pages in and Jacob's hometown, Norwich, is my hometown. It's about 2 hours from Cornell, so I was really excited and obviously I like Jacob since he's now a "homeboy."
Revolutionary Road... it's not thrilling me... I'm on page 75. Does it get better?
I'm currently reading Charles Dickens' Bleak House, Stephen King's Dark Half and Ken Kesey's One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
I am handing back the library books today (as I am gettin 1 from Sainsbury and 1 in a swap). So I will read ML book The House at Midnight - Lucie Whitehouse (ML).
Ann from S.C. wrote: "I am now reading LE DIVORCE by Diane Johnson."I loved Le Divorce! It was one of the books that I picked up randomly and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it/what a quick read it was.
I am reading the 1st Lily Bard book (Shakespeare's Landlord) and just finished the 3rd book in Karen Marie Moning's Fever series (Faefever) and In the Woods by Tana French.
I have tried to read Amy MacKinnon's Tethered & The House at Midnight - Lucie Whitehouse. But can't get my head around them.I might read Y/A or kids books for a while to get back my reading mojo lol.
I just finished The Help by Kathryn Stockett and it was a real page turner. Last night I started War Fever by JG Ballard. It had been on my book shelf for a while but I thought I would go ahead and start it since he passed away yesterday. It's a collection of short stories and so far it's pretty good. I am still also plugging along with Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
I finished The Wasp Factory over the weekend and started The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. So far, it's fascinating...I'm already hooked. I even brought it to work with me in case I have a few spare minutes!
Jessica wrote: "I finished The Wasp Factory over the weekend and started The Sparrow, by Mary Doria Russell. So far, it's fascinating...I'm already hooked. I even brought it to work with me in case I have a few ..."Oh! The Sparrow!!! Make sure you follow it up with
Children of God! I was only so so on The Sparrow until I read Children of God and my impressions went way up! It fills in a lot of questions from Sparrow you weren't even aware you had.
Going to read The Woman in Black - Susan Hill.
It might look boring but for now it isn't: Plan B 2.0 Rescuing a Planet Under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble
I am reading 1633, the sequel to 1632 by Eric Flint and others. I didn't realize how many books have been written about this "universe".
Hayes wrote: "Revolutionary Road... it's not thrilling me... I'm on page 75. Does it get better?"Hayes - I liked Revolutionary Road quite a bit, but more for the author's style. The plot does move along rather slowly.
Currently reading The Bell Jar and loving it so far. It's like having a conversation with a friend - the tone just drags you right in.
Heather wrote: "I started on Prodigal Summer A Novel last night. So far, so good :)"I love this book too. Hope you enjoy!
It really took a while this time, but finally decided on Dreamers of the Day A Novel by Mary Doria Russell.This will mean that I've read, this year, all of the books she's written.
Why do authors we really like seem to write so few books?
Mosca wrote: "Why do authors we really like seem to write so few books?"Good question. The mediocre ones seem to really pump them out and the awesome authors only put out a few. Maybe because they take the time to make their books awesome?
That doesn't mean we readers aren't left hungry for more, though, does it? Why can't they be fast writers of awesome books? :-)
I finished The Pact....now reading Life Sentences by Laura Lippman. My first time reading anything by her.
Read The Demigod Files and The Wooden Mile Something Wickedly Weird, vol. 1 today at work. Started Exodus, Paper Towns, and Iron Kissed.
Chrystal wrote: "I finished The Pact....now reading Life Sentences by Laura Lippman. My first time reading anything by her."What did you think of The Pact?
Finished Rabbit, Run last evening. I put Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories on my Wish List last evening, learning today that it won the 2009 Pulitzer. When I went to the library to check it out this evening, I saw the library had their Advance Readers Copy on the cart, so picked it up for 50 cents. I'll start it in a bit, right after I finish 84, Charing Cross Road.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Finished Rabbit, Run last evening. I put [b:Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories|1736739|Olive ..."Regarding 84, Charing Cross Road: I wasn't aware it was a book. I saw the movie a few years ago, just stumbled upon it. I really liked it. How was Rabbit, Run? Have picked it up several times but have never committed.
I was going to finish The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, I read half of it months ago and had to return it to the library before I finished it. Opened it last night and found I had forgotten most of what I had read and had to start over. I'm not sure I can make it through over 500 pages, has anyone here read it? Should I try it again? I think I'll try When Crickets Cry first.
Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I put Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories on my Wish List last evening, learning today that it won the 2009 Pulitzer."This has been on my tbr for a few months. I'll have to bump it up a little now. Let us know what you think. I've heard nothing but good.
I finished Water For Elephants and am now working on Daughter of Fortune A Novel by Isabel Allende and am still plugging away at Walden.
I just finished reading Wizards First Rule by Terry Goodkind and I'm so sad I don't have part 2 yet *snort*, will have to buy it when I'm back from holidays. I don't know yet what the next book is I'll read, as I have a number of books with me
I just finisehd Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen. I wasn't really into it at the beginning, but then it grew on my and I stayed up way too late trying to finish it. I am now reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies The Classic Regency Romance - Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!. So far, I love it. It is funny. It is a twist on the old classic! I can't wait to see how it progresses.
"Ms Hempel's Chronicles" Bynum Just started this morning while I ate my cereal.
JG wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I put Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories on my Wish List last evening, learning today that it won the 2009 Pulitzer."This has been on my tbr for a few months. I'll ha..."
JG: My B&N book club group read Olive Kitteridge a couple of months ago and everyone really liked it. The main character can be quite a hoot. I really enjoyed the way people came across her life and the author would take side roads to show how they helped develop the personality of the main character.
I love Lippman, although I didn't read The Pact. Life Sentences was very good, though. Hope you enjoy.Chrystal wrote: "I finished The Pact....now reading Life Sentences by Laura Lippman. My first time reading anything by her."
I can't wait to read Olive Kitteridge. Good to know your book club enjoyed it.Linda wrote: "JG wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I put Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories on my Wish List last evening, learning today that it won the 2009 Pulitzer."
This has been on my tbr for a few mon..."
I'm reading The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar. Set in modern day India--it came recommended by Bookbrowse, but I am really kind of tired of all the stuff set overseas. (My local book club decided after like 6 in a row set in mideast, China, Africa and India that we would choose something different for a while) However, I have to say that I'm really enjoying this particular book. It was an award finalist for PEN.
Just finished Freakonomics Rev Ed A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of EverythingFascinating book!
Now I'm going to start The Book Thief
I know a lot of members have read this book. I'm looking forward to reading it myself.
Pamela wrote: "How was Rabbit, Run? Have picked it up several times but have never committed. "
Here is the review I posted:
This book is about a young man who apparently is ill-equipped for life. He seems insulated from everyone, yet seeks to satisfy his selfish needs.
This was a difficult book at the beginning. John Updike's writing does not flow. There are incomplete sentences and his punctuation is cumbersome. I found myself needing to reread sentences. As I adjusted to this style, I noticed it less, but could not disregard it entirely. As I became accustomed to Updike's style, the story became more compelling. These are not people you are likely to spend much time with. Harry "Rabbit" Angstrom does not like messes, yet he makes a mess of his life. I don't normally like series fiction and I doubt Updike originally planned to make this the first in a series. However, there are three more books, each published about 10 years apart, and I look forward to reading them.
Gave up on Just After Sunset.Don't have alot of reading time lately.I will pick it back up Eventually because i think some of the stories were going to be good.aLMOST DONE WITH uNDEAD AND uNWED.nOT SURE WHAT I'LL PICK UP NEXT.
JG wrote: "Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "I put Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories on my Wish List last evening, learning today that it won the 2009 Pulitzer."This has been on my tbr for a few months. I'll ha..."
JG, I'm enjoying it immensely and would have read more last night had the power not gone out. Then I decided I could read with a flashlight and went back to it. Only when the batteries started to fade, did I turn it off and try to sleep.
I have found many of the Pulitzer's I've read to be, though excellent books, sometimes stuffy or the style slow-going. Not Olive Kitteridge. Elizabeth Strout writes simply and beautifully. (I knew this going in, as I've read Abide with Me A Novel, and will look forward to her other novel, Amy and Isabelle). In Olive, each chapter is a little story in itself, as much character development as anything, where Olive is but a secondary character. We'll get to know Olive slowly, the other characters more quickly.
Rebbie wrote: "I'm reading The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar. Set in modern day India--it came recommended by Bookbrowse, but I am really kind of tired of all the stuff set overseas. (My local book club deci..."My daughter raved about this book, but I found it maybe 3.5 stars. I didn't like the beginning, particularly, but it did get better.
I just started The Book of Lost Things this morning. I like the idea behind the things that are happening right now, but I'm worried it's going to get a little too Inkheart on me and I will have to give up on it.
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The Next Best Book Club
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Dionisia, Let me know how you like the Flannery O'Connor. I keep meaning to read her. I've heard wonderful things. I hope you like the Calvino. "Inivisble Cities" and "If on a Winter's Night Traveler" are two of my favorite books.