The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Tara wrote: "Liz wrote: "Dara wrote: "Liz wrote: "I just finished Twilight, which I didn't care for much, although I will read the rest of the series at some point. I'm also in the middle of Stardust and will ..."I am no longer interested in books for YAs. I guess that is why I have never read those books. I must confess I did not read Harry Potter either. The genre has not appealed to me in the least.I know it is a loss for me,because everyone generally likes both Rowling and Meyers' formats.
I just started reading The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry about an Irish lady who is almost 100 years old and has spent most of her life in a mental institution.
SillySuzy wrote: "I just started reading The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry about an Irish lady who is almost 100 years old and has spent most of her life in a mental institution."I had started that but then needed to take it back to the library. It seems interesting and would love to get it again. I would love to hear what you think about it.
I finished The Time Traveler's Wife yesterday, and have started reading The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.
I tried to start Prozac Nation but had to put it down for now. Too depressing. So I am biting the bullet and starting A Suitable Boy. I expect I will not surface for awhile lol. So send out a search party if you don't here from me hahahaha
Tara wrote: "Liz wrote: "Dara wrote: "Liz wrote: "I just finished Twilight, which I didn't care for much, although I will read the rest of the series at some point. I'm also in the middle of Stardust and will ..."I've read YA which I thougt has been more well written, but I'll agree to disagree. Also, when I say I didn't care for her writing style, I didn't mean that in comparison exclusively to classics or more adult literature, I included YA. I really wasn't trying to compare Twilight to anything else in my post, so I apologize if that was unclear. When I give it a bit more thought, I feel that I might be able to enjoy Meyer's writing with the use of a different narrator, so my dislike of Bella probably skewed my perception. I probably would have enjoyed it more at a younger age. I'm definitely willing to try The Host.
Also, Joyce Carol Oates did wrote one YA book entitled Big Mouth and Ugly Girl--I read that roughly at the age of 15 and remember enjoying it. However, I haven't read any other Oates, so that's not a fair comparison for me to make. Wehn I think of a writing style that's not really suited to teens I tend to think of Virginia Woolf, because I read To the Lighthouse in high shcool and it's one of my all time favorites, but other people I'd heard read it disliked it.
I've completed reading Cloud Atlas, a remarkable book. And I written a review Here.Now, after much effort, I've returned to Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami.
Mod
The last thing I want is to set people up in arms over the YA genre....
Lori wrote: "Sorry, didnt mean to jump start the YA war ... this one is always boiling away under the surface. I was just pointing out a possible reason why the Gaiman books were appealing to her.....The la..."
You don't start wars you start discussions. Hurray for every book ever written. Some will like them some will not. Keep up the good moderating. It is what makes it interesting.
I just started The Calling by Inger Ash Wolfe. It is a real page turner but not for the faint of heart as the local Ontario Police Service chase a serial killer.
I Am Currently Finishing Angela's Ashes & Starting Peace, Love, & Baby Ducks.
Hello!
I'm new to Goodreads and to this group. My name is Joyce and I'm currently living in the Philippines. I work as an investment banker for a German Bank.
I'm currently reading The Time Traveler's Wife and I'm loving it. After that, I plan to read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.
I'm new to Goodreads and to this group. My name is Joyce and I'm currently living in the Philippines. I work as an investment banker for a German Bank.
I'm currently reading The Time Traveler's Wife and I'm loving it. After that, I plan to read North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.
Melissa wrote: "I am currently reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I just finished reading The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte (Emily's sister!). I'd never before read anything from these sisters. An..."Melissa, I really liked Wuthering Heights.
i just finished I See You Everywhere from Julia Glass. it wasn't that great. i most likely wouldn't have picked it up, but it was for a book group, so i finished it. not one i'd recommend though.have a few to choose from next, i'm thinking either The Help or The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. any thoughts?
Sophie wrote: "Just finished La théorie des cordes (English title: Zig Zag), a scientific thriller about the consequences of manipulating time. The tale is as disturbing as it is fasci..."i really liked The Reluctant Fundamentalist but i was let down by the ending. i wanted something a little more concrete than what i got. hope you enjoy it!
I'm reading Silverthorn by Raymond E. Feist, it is the third book in the riftwar sega and so far it's really good.
Finished Beauty is Therapy Memories of the Traverse City State Hospital by Earle E. Steele. Had a lot of good info on how the grounds were run but not exactly what I was looking for. Started Tower Hill by Sarah Pinborough and it is great so far!
Alisha wrote: "Jenna, I'm looking forward to hearing your opinion on The Dogs of Babel. There are a few of us who own it on her that have had it for a while and have still not picked it up."Just finished The Dogs of Babel and couldn't put it down. Loved it!
I'll soon be finishing 3rd Degree by James Patterson and Andrew Gross. I really like the Women's Murder Club series. Then I'll be starting Paint it Black by Janet Fitch, who wrote White Oleander.
I'm reading Thirteenth Tale right now and am about 220ish pages in. Once I'm done i'll be reading Time Travelers Wife so that I can go see the movie!
Lori wrote: "Sorry, didnt mean to jump start the YA war ... this one is always boiling away under the surface. I was just pointing out a possible reason why the Gaiman books were appealing to her.....The la..."
I'm sorry, Lori, I didn't mean to come across as overly defensive or up in arms, I just wanted to clarify what I was saying and add some additional thoughts :/ I enjoy a bit of friendly debating, and apologies if I came across as unfriendly in any way!
'So Long and Thanks For All the Fish' - Douglas AdamsThundering through the 'Trilogy in Five parts' book!
Wrapping up The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and planning to start The Virgin of Small Plains A Novel of Suspense. Then I think I will detour back into my Asian writer fetish with Out. I am going to the beach for several days mid-week (no hubby, no stepkids, no cats {I will miss the cats!}) so who knows? Maybe one of my sisters will be reading something interesting!
Just finished up Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and now have started The Shadow of the Wind. I must say I am picking some real winners here lately!
Ben Goldacre's amazing Bad Science which explains the myths behind all the conflicting nutritional advice we are given, the awful MMR-autism farce and debunks loads of other health myths by means of an easy explanation of statistics and research. He's not afraid to name names which is a real bonus. The book is not available in the US. If anyone American wants to read it, you can get it, as I did, from the Book Depository which amazingly is cheaper than Amazon and offers free worldwide delivery. http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/...
I'm also reading Monica Ali's Brick Lane.
*cue Rocky music*I FINISHED IT! I finally finished
! *pumps fists in the air*I must say, though, that it never really seemed like I was slogging through it, for all of its heft. Incredibly well-written book about one of my fave areas of American History.
I think I'm to start The Readernext - my first group read!
Started Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. I'm not feeling this one as much as Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. This one is moving rather slow. I hope it improves.
I just finished Cocktails for Three. I gave it 2 stars. I just couldn't get into it. I thought it was very slow reading. With that being said, I am now starting The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I certainly hope that this one is better than the last.
Liz wrote: "Tara wrote: "Liz wrote: "Dara wrote: "Liz wrote: "I just finished Twilight, which I didn't care for much, although I will read the rest of the series at some point. I'm also in the middle of Stard..."Liz, such erudite reading material for a teen (Virginia Wolfe)! I am impressed!I had no idea Oates wrote a YA book-I will have to put on my "to-read" shelf. I love good discussions and in no way think of this thread as a war ;). Always something to learn from a good discussion!
I just finished with Nineteen Minutes and absolutely loved it!! Just started The Catcher in the Rye and looking good so far!
Maria wrote: "i just finished I See You Everywhere from Julia Glass. it wasn't that great. i most likely wouldn't have picked it up, but it was for a book group, so i finished it. not one i'd reco..."Hi Maria,
I loved The Help. Highly recommend it. I did read Mysteries of Pittsburgh a long time ago and don't really remember much about it.
Jennifer wrote: "I finished The Time Traveler's Wife yesterday, and have started reading The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen."Jennifer, I loved The Sugar Queen. Hope you like it too.
Maria wrote: "i just finished I See You Everywhere from Julia Glass. it wasn't that great. i most likely wouldn't have picked it up, but it was for a book group, so i finished it. not one i'd reco..."Maria: I can't speak much for Michael Chabon since I haven't read any of his books, but The Help is wonderful and haven't met too many people that have disagreed with that assessment.
Mary wrote: "Wrapping up The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane and planning to start The Virgin of Small Plains A Novel of Suspense. Then I think I will detour back into my Asian wr..."Mary: What do you think of The Physick Book...? I really liked the back and forth between the past and present. Another book that moves like that and is excellent is The Little Book by Selden Edwards.
Shona wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "I finished The Time Traveler's wife almost two weeks ago and LOVED it. Usually I can read a book in 3 days but since I was so into that book everything I try to read now can't grab..."Haha at least you get to experience a book that touches you that much rather than one you hate.
Dara wrote: "Lindsey wrote: "I finished The Time Traveler's wife almost two weeks ago and LOVED it. Usually I can read a book in 3 days but since I was so into that book everything I try to read now can't grab..."oh yes i've read several of jodi picoult, she's great. I LOVED The Pact and My Sister's Keeper and Plain Truth was really good too.
Just finished Memoirs of a Geisha, and trying to decide between The Name of the Rose and The Alchemist to read next.
Tara wrote: "Just finished Memoirs of a Geisha, and trying to decide between The Name of the Rose and The Alchemist to read next."I loved Memoirs of a geisha! It's one of my favorite books. How did you find it?
Jennifer wrote: "I finished The Time Traveler's Wife yesterday, and have started reading The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen.Jennifer, I loved "The Sugar Queen". Have you read "Garden Spells" by same author?
Aths wrote: "Tara wrote: "Just finished Memoirs of a Geisha, and trying to decide between The Name of the Rose and The Alchemist to read next."I loved Memoirs of a geisha! It's one of my favorite books. How d..."
I really liked it! I thought everything just seemed so gorgeous and really enjoyed it. It turned out to be a very quick read :)
Tara wrote: "Liz wrote: "Tara wrote: "Liz wrote: "Dara wrote: "Liz wrote: "I just finished Twilight, which I didn't care for much, although I will read the rest of the series at some point. I'm also in the mid..."I'm glad! And to be fair, I did read To the Lighthouse at 18, and again at 19, so fairly late.
Just finished Abarat by Clive Barker! Now I am going to have to decide what to read next! So many choices...
I am reading "Thanks for the Memories" by Cecelia Aherne. It is ok but not exactly taxing. "The Children's Book" by A S Byatt is probably my next read.
Sue
Maureen wrote: "*cue Rocky music*I FINISHED IT! I finally finished
! *pumps fists in the air*I must say, though, that it never really seemed like I was slogging through it, for all o..."
that's EXACTLY how i felt tuesday night when i finished it!! i agree, for it's imense density and subject matter, it was an awesome book. i learned so much!
high fives to both of us for this feat!
Mod
You were fine... I was kidding a bit. It always seems when someone mentions YA, people start discussing it... Please dont worry :)
Mod
Just..."
Thats good to know, I have this one and am looking forward to getting to it.... eventually!!
I finished This Is Where I Leave You and enjoyed it, very funny. I've now started The Highest Tide, which I picked up in a bargain bin because I'd heard so many good things about it. And it makes me feel good to get something off my long-time TBR pile.
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The Next Best Book Club
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Liz, I disagree with you on your critique of Meyers writing. She writes for the YA genre. Read with the eyes of a teenager. She did not write the books for the discerning eyes of adult literary critics. It's a bit unfair to compare apples to oranges. I have read other YA novels and find her to be on par with her contemporaries. I think if she were to write like Faulkner or Joyce Carol Oats, teens would drop the book in a New York minute, bored to TEARS by page after descriptive page about the color of the leaves and the feel of the wind as Bella and Edward strolled through the woods. . .they have the attention span of gnats and Meyers streamlines her story to accomodate that factor. I found the sophomoric writing a nice break from heavier reading-I read all 4 novels in about 2 wks! I guess all I'm saying to Meyers critics is, remember that you're reading a great book written for teenagers and enjoy it for what it is!