The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Kellie wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Hayes, I have The Human Stain on my bookshelf at home. It's been sitting there for almost a year...I'm also kind of afraid to start it. I would love to know what you ..."I wanted to add my thoughts to everyone who mentioned the Human Stain. I read it after seeing the movie; honestly, I liked the story very much but I thought the book was a bit cumbersome. I typically don't like a movie over a book, but in this case, I'd suggest you rent the movie vs. read the book. Also the cast was some of my favorites: Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris and Anthony Hopkins.
I just finished Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver and enjoyed her essays on Darwinism and gardening the most. Maybe I'll re-read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle A Year of Food Life since its almost time to plant my garden!This afternoon I'm going to start Olive Kitteridge A Novel in Stories by Elizabeth Strout to knock one off my Pulitzer Winner list.
I just bought The Human Stain this weekend and have purposely avoided the movie. Damn!
Emily wrote: "I just finished Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver and enjoyed her essays on Darwinism and gardening the most. Maybe I'll re-read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle A Year of Food Life since ..."You'll have to let me know how Olive Kitteridge is for you. I've been wanting to read that for a while, and it's been sitting on my way-too-long TBR list!
Jess wrote: it's been sitting on my way-too-long TBR list! I've been looking at my "way-too-long TBR list" and realizing it is getting too close in numbers to my "read" #'s. So I decided that for at least this summer, I am not adding to my TBR, but only reading out of it. I hope to be able to decrease the number of books in my TBR by at least 25 between Memorial Day and Labor Day. My own TBR Challenge!!!
Lori wrote: "Serena wrote: "I'm starting two books that I've seen recommended here: The Preservationist and Dead Until Dark. I can't decide which to read first - so I may alternate! ..."Lori,
I enjoyed The Preservationist. It was a quick, fun read. I especially loved Maine's female characters and the quote comparing woman's place to animals (bees and cats).
I've requested Fallen from the library - but they don't have it at the local branch.
Jamie wrote: "I finished People of the Book today (audio version) and I'll be starting Enna Burning once I pick it up from the library.At first, I enjoyed listening to the narrator of People of..."
Jamie,
The narrator turned me off on this book too. I didn't finish it. Maybe I should give reading it a try.
I've started reading Sam Bourne's The Last Testament yesterday and it's pretty interesting so far =D
I just got House of Leaves in the mail and so far I love it. It's so different and weird, in a good way.
Just finished Plea of Insanity by Julliane Hoffman. She has only written three books, but I loved them all. Retribution and Last Witness (which is the sequel of Last Witness).
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Serena wrote: "The narrator turned me off on this book too. I didn't finish it. Maybe I should give reading it a try."Yeah, I thought it worked at first only because I really liked her Australian accent, which was obviously appropriate for Hanah. As the book progressed into the stories of the other people of the book, she got really annoying. Being that I listened to the entire audio book, I found out that she recycled voices/accents throughout the book, even though the characters did not come from the same place and would not have shared the same accents. I recommend reading the actual book, though, if you found it at all interesting.
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I finally finished Angle of Repose. That took me forever!
I am looking forward to moving on with As I Lay Dying.
Hi, I just seemed to stumble upon this site. It looks to be a fabulous resourse for readers. Right now I am reading An Accidental Light by Elizabeth Diamond. Although the topic of coping with a loss certainly has been often visited, Ms Diamond greets us with with interesting characters whose lives twist and tangle. I do enjoy the somewhat quirkiness of British personalities and setting. After reading less than one chapter I knew this book would keep me turning pages well past my bedtime.
I just finished You Suck and am now on to Practical Demonkeeping.
Lori wrote: "Oh ... yes!I finally finished Angle of Repose. That took me forever!
I am looking forward to moving on with As I Lay Dying."
Lori, how was Angle of Repose? I keep saying "someday", but that day has not come yet.
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Lori wrote: "el, it was just ... meh... for me. Check out my review if you are really interested in what I thought. I don't want to talk you out of reading it, but I wouldn't really recommend it to anyone. It w..."Fair enough, thanks. I did read Crossing to Safety a few years ago and remember liking it, but apparently not enough to get on a Stegner kick. I'll keep Angle on my ever-loving pile for now, but will get to it eventually.
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Kandice wrote: "I just bought The Human Stain this weekend and have purposely avoided the movie. Damn!"
I'm liking it so far, Kandice. We'll see how it continues, but the beginning is interesting. And Roth writes well, which helps.
I'm liking it so far, Kandice. We'll see how it continues, but the beginning is interesting. And Roth writes well, which helps.
Elhara wrote: "Hi, I just seemed to stumble upon this site. It looks to be a fabulous resourse for readers. Right now I am reading An Accidental Light by Elizabeth Diamond. Although the topic of coping with a los..."
Hi Elhara!
Hi Elhara!
Debby wrote: "Jess wrote: it's been sitting on my way-too-long TBR list! I've been looking at my "way-too-long TBR list" and realizing it is getting too close in numbers to my "read" #'s. So I decided that ..."
Debby, that's a great idea! My TBR shelf on here is a way for me to keep track of the books that I want to read that aren't on my shelf at home waiting to be read. So, I'll join your challenge and challenge myself to not add anything to my TBR shelf until I have at least a shelf's worth of books read!
I'm about midway through Eclipse..
Linda wrote: "Allison wrote: "I've started The Woods. I'm only on chapter 4, but so far I'm pleased. Mysteries are my very favorite to read, so sometimes I run into book that follow the same basic p..."Thanks! I stayed up way too late last night to finish The Woods, and immediately knew I had to find more of his books!
Just finished Slaughterhouse Five. I can't figure out what to read next!
Jamie wrote: "Just finished Slaughterhouse Five. I can't figure out what to read next!"When I can't figure what to read next, I play "The Pointing Game". Basically, I gather a few books I want to read, put them side by side on a flat surface, close my eyes, mix the books up, and then point to a book. That's the book I then read.
When I can't figure what to read next, I play "The Pointing Game". Basically, I gather a few books I want ..."
Heh, will you choose my next book? I have 10 books on my bookshelf I haven't read that I've recently purchased. Pick a number 1 - 10!
Hayes wrote: "Kandice wrote: "I just bought The Human Stain this weekend and have purposely avoided the movie. Damn!"I'm liking it so far, Kandice. We'll see how it continues, but the beginning is interesting...."
Kandice and Hayes- Let me add that I saw the movie before reading the book - since you are reading the book first, you may not find it cumbersome at all, and it is a really good story. I hope you still rent the movie after you finish the book.
Jamie: Just finished Slaughterhouse Five. I can't figure out what to read next!Jamie, Have you read The Sirens of Titan yet? It's another really good book by Kurt Vonnegut.
Sam wrote: "Jamie wrote: "Just finished Slaughterhouse Five. I can't figure out what to read next!"When I can't figure what to read next, I play "The Pointing Game". Basically, I gather a few books I want ..."
haha i love it! I may just have to play the pointing game considering the fact that I still haven't committed to reading a book yet. I have just decided to catch up on a bunch of magazines until I was rid of my indecision. That probably won't happen any time soon..the pointing game it is!!
Dorie wrote: "Linda, you have much stronger willpower than I do!"I don't know if it is willpower or just sort of like spinning the wheel in Vegas. Sometimes it takes all of my restraint to read the one that have been sitting for awhile. But, then when I do I am soooooooo glad that I did not let them slide and that encourages me to stay the course.
Emily wrote: "I just finished Small Wonder by Barbara Kingsolver and enjoyed her essays on Darwinism and gardening the most. Maybe I'll re-read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle A Year of Food Life since ..."Olive Kitteridge is a lovely surpise. Hope you enjoy it. Did not know what the expect when I read it for a book club selection, but was happy to find it a rare gem. All the people I have shared it with have also agreed.
For all the fans and all the critics of audiobooks, I say I love them. I cannot imagine doing the visual thing only, especially when it gives me an opportunity to enjoy a book whether I am in the grocery store, walking the track exercising or sitting in the sun waiting for a friend. It does not replace reading the real thing, but it adds immeasurably to those of us who want more.
Lori- I just bought Odd Thomas and since you gave it such rave reviews I am looking forward to reading it... did you know a new one comes out June 24th called In Odd We Trust?
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EDIT:::
Its not new (sniff sniff), It was released last June and its a graphic novel. Still and all, It somehow got by me, and I intend on looking it up on one of my next trips to the bookstore!
Will finish The Woman in Black - Susan Hill. Will read The Amazing Story of Adolphus Tips - Michael Morpurgo.
-Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. [The last book in the Twilight series:]-Witchcraft in America Today by Scott Cunnigham.
-Harry Potter And The Sorcerors Stone by J.K. Rowling.
Angela and Lori, I read "In Odd We Trust" and thought it was pretty good, although Odd didn't look exactly as I'd pictured him. It's actually a prequel to the first "Odd Thomas" book. I'm not usually big on graphic novels, though. They read too quickly for me. I think 'Maus' was the only one I've really loved.
I just started People of the Book last night. I'm only a few pages in, because I started it really late last night, but I'm already really drawn to the main character.
So yesterday I read The Cherry Orchard by Chekhov and The Worst Witch Strikes Again by Jill Murphy. I hope to start the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Vol. II today.
reading and should finish today Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. It is a cute little book.
I just finished House of Leaves this morning. Wow. What a book! I'm now going to have to get the companion book Whalestoe Letters. I'm currently trying to decide what to read. I'm thinking of going with The Sacrifice by Kathleen Benner Duble. Mostly to see whether or not I want to keep it.
I'm going to start "Thunderhead" Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child today.
Let me know how that is! I've been meaning to read it but don't know if it will stack up to their Pendergast series.
If I'm not mistaken Grace, this one takes place before "Cabinet of Curiosities" and introduces the female character. Somehow, I missed that and read "Cabinet" first. I'll let you know.
I'm finishing up Diana Her True Story in Her Own Words today (my last book for the Spring Challenge!) and I'm also starting You Suck A Love Story by Christopher Moore.
I started reading Night by Elie Wiesel last night, I was up until 5:00 am, I couldn't put the book down.
I've started reading Frankenstein and I also just started reading Lady Oracle - first time I read Atwood.
Patricia wrote: "I started reading Night by Elie Wiesel last night, I was up until 5:00 am, I couldn't put the book down."Patricia, Elie Wiesel goes straight to the core when you read his work. It can be a tough road to hoe, but he is truly worth the wrench at the heart to read. I have never read anything by him that didn't touch me to my soul.
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The Next Best Book Club
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So far we have, among the "side characters," a Pope who is a retired pirate. I only read the first two chapters!