The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Susanna wrote: "J. D. Salinger is undoubtedly a very weird dude.The two theories I've heard in English department chat are that A) he has 16 or more unpublished novels sitting in his safe, which he won't publish..."
I recently read Shoeless Joe, on which the movie Field of Dreams is based. In the book, the protagonist "kidnaps" J. D. Salinger and the way the author (W. P. Kinsella) develops the growing relationship between the two is both funny and somewhat touching. Kinsella obviously leans to the "tired of public attention" theory and makes some interesting points about that public attention.
I am reading "Ivanhoe", by Sir Walter Scott
Dan wrote: "I recently read Shoeless Joe, on which the movie Field of Dreams is based. In the book, the protagonist "kidnaps" J. D. Salinger and the way the author (W. P. Kinsella) develops the growing relationship between the two is both funny and somewhat touching. Kinsella obviously leans to the "tired of public attention" theory and makes some interesting points about that public attention."Yeah, when I saw that movie, I assumed the author in it was supposed to be Salinger.
Started Ender's Game last night. Really looking forward to getting home from work tonight to crack it open!
I've started Sarah Waters' Fingersmith, so far I like it. I did read in about a day and a half Skeleton Key, #3 in the Alex Rider Young Adult series. It was good. Looking forward to the next title in that series in my to-read pile.
Just finished THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE andgave it 3.5 or 4 stars. I forget exactly how many. The
author is a good writer.
This week I'm finishing up OLIVE KITTERIDGE and love it. I will give it 5 stars. Listened to Elizabeth Strout speak at the NC Literary Festival and loved her.
I am listening to THE EXPECTED ONE on my car CD player
and like it too. About halfway through that one. I will probably give it 4 stars.
I went to the library today expecting to get just two books, and walked out with six. Clearly, an epic failure of self-control on my part. I just...couldn't put any of them back once I picked them up. The mere thought of doing so made me want to cry, so of course the logical solution was to get all of them. They are: Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Desecration by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins
Terrier by Tamora Pierce
The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan
Fatherland by Robert Harris
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
Technically, I'm reading all of these, since I read the first chapter of each to determine which to read first, but in practice, I'm focusing on Unwind first, which I'm really enjoying. It's based on the concept that when their children are between the ages of 13 and 18, parents can choose to 'Unwind' their children: send them to an organ harvesting farm, where their organs will be given to those in need and the kids won't be considered dead, since each and every organ will still be part of a living body. I think it's a really interesting concept, and I'm swiftly growing attached to the main characters. I don't it will take me long at all to finish this one.
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Cait, I have House of Leaves, and may read it in October since it is a creepy spooky book....
Tani, I read Unwind a few weeks ago. It was a fast read and I really liked it. I am currently reading Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. It is the sequel to The Hunger Games and it has not been a disappointment. I am hopefully going to finish it tonight after my kids are in bed. I want to sit and enjoy it!!!
I started back in on The Bonfore Of the Vanities. I will see if it holds my interest.
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So far so good. I will keep everyone posted.
Dara wrote: "Jenna wrote: "Finished the Abstinence Teacher and really did not like it. Now I am on to A Great and Terrible Beauty. Hopefully I will enjoy this one more."Jenna, I didn't like the Abstinence..."
Dara,
Totally agree...I kept thinking that something had to happen. But nothing ever did.
Cait wrote: "I just started House of Leaves this morning and I'm so excited! I've been wanting to read this for quite some time."Cait,
This book had been on my shelf for about 6 months or so now and I still haven't picked it up. I am determined to pick it up soon. Like Lori said, maybe an October read. Would love to know what you think!
I'm reading Peter Matthiessen's Shadow Country, just on page 33 but already has me riveted.
Just finished Foundling by D.M. Cornish! Starting How to Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward!
I am currently studying the text of Six Degrees of Seperation, by John Guare. There are many references to Sallinger's Catcher In The Rye. Infact, the character I've been studying is very much influenced by that book. It's on my TBR very, very soon(!) list.
I am currently reading four books, which I never do. Two is usually my limit. I am reading:The Forgotten Garden - Kate Morton
The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - J.K. Rowling
I am actually reading the Harry Potter book to my kids at night before bed. Cute book!
Currently reading The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing. Not quite sure what I think of it so far. At the moment I think I'm more intrigued by the writing style of the book than the characters themselves. Not even halfway done yet though so we'll see.
Currently reading The Help and loving every minute of it so far.
I thought the Dexter books were more humorous than the shows.I just started Nightwalker The Warlocks of Talverdin. It's shorter than I expected!
I'm almost finished with Forty Words for Sorrow by Giles Blunt. It is OK, but not great. I doubt I will read his others. Next is either Evil at Heart or The Law of Nines. I have both from the library.
I just wrapped up The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. I am not one for science fiction novels, but this one totally fulfilled my expectations of everything that I have dreamed about. I know that this is one of the "best" sci-fi stories ever told, or at least that's what people kept telling me whenever I admitted I have never read it, but now I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! There were definitely parts that I had to re-read because sometimes his diction was hard to follow, but overall it was a great book.I came home today to find The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown in the mail and I canNOT wait to dive right into it! I have so much homework and errands to run before I can do that, so I'm trying my best to get everything done, that way I can really enjoy the book.
I'm still reading The Monster of Florence: A True Story by Douglas Preston, but unfortunately it's going to have to go on the backburner, because The Lost Symbol will take precident. Oh well, I hope the book understands...
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I've just finished Stone Junction by Jim Dodge--an engaging anarchist fable. And I've written This Review.It appears that I've begun reading Rivers of Gold The Rise of the Spanish Empire, from Columbus to Magellan by Hugh Thomas. If I complete this, it will be the fourth or fifth history by this author I've will have read. I've read a good bit of history (and I enjoy Hugh Thomas); but I'm not certain that I'm ready to jump into nonfiction right now. We'll see.
I seem to be becomming disinterested in Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. There's not much depth here; and, so far, I've been able to predict every plot turn in advance. I can enjoy fantasy if the plot is intriguing, the prose is beautiful, and/or the characters have enough depth and heart for me to care about them. So far none of these seem true. But it is an easy enough read that I'll stick with it a while longer.
Finished a Great and Terrible Beauty...liked it, but didn't love it. Kinda dragged in parts. I would read the other two though eventually.I think I am going to start About a Boy by Nick Hornby.
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Lori wrote: "Haha... "I hope the book understands""Hehe! :) I feel like I'm abandoning that other book. But I've been anticipating Dan Brown's book for quite sometime!
yikes, it's been over a week since i've been able to get on here, and there were 346 new posts to this thread!anyway, i'm still working on The Gargoyle. i'm really enjoying it, but i just haven't had a lot of time to read lately. hoping i can finish it in the next few days, i need to start Eat Pray Love for my library book club on Monday.
I just finished Project 17 and Nightwalker The Warlocks of Talverdin. Both were fairly good, and quick reads.
I finished Mermaids in the Basement and it was just okay for me. I just felt like it had all been done before.Now I'm reading War for the Oaks and I'm LOVING it so far! It's great fantasy!
I am halfway through The Bonfire Of The Vanities. I like it so far. It is holding my interest.
Lori wrote: "Jenna, About a Boy is a great novel. Have you seen the movie? "Lori, I don't think I have seen the movie. If I have, I don't remember a thing about it. Hugh Grant is in it, right? Is the movie any good?
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Writerlibrarian wrote: "I've started Sarah Waters' Fingersmith, so far I like it. I did read in about a day and a half Skeleton Key, #3 in the Alex Rider Young Adult series. It was good. Looking forward to the next title ..."I really enjoyed Fingersmith! I hope you like it!!
Just finished How To Be Lost by Amanda Eyre Ward! Starting Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan!
Juat finished THE BONSETTERS DAUGHTER by Amy Tan. It was pretty good. I liked THE JOY LUCK CLUB better. Now I am finishing THE SHADOW OF THE WIND... I promise.
Finished IT by Stephen King tonight. Should finish the last 45 pages of The Fellowship of The Ring but I'm tempted to start something totally new
I have been slacking on my visits to TNBBC lately. I finished The Time Traveler's Wife about a week ago and LOVED it! I am now about 2/3 of the way through Columbine by Dave Cullen.
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Going to finish Skellig, which was a book my son and I were reading together, but he lost interest in....
I'm reading through some reissues of John Bellairs novels that I missed when I was a kid! Miss the Gorey illustrations, though...
Finished The Fellowship of The Ring this morning. Time to stand in front of the Mt. TBR and wait for something to leap out at me. I think it might be The Book of Lost Things or House Of Leaves.
Nearly finished with Freedom Just Around the Corner A New American History 1585-1828, which has been very good, and selecting books to go with me to my knitting retreat this weekend.
Just Started: Earth Abides by George Stewart
Mosca wrote: "I've just finished Stone Junction by Jim Dodge--an engaging anarchist fable. And I've written This Review.It appears that I've begun reading Rivers of Gold ..."</i>
If you are interested in fantasy told from a more mature angle with a lot more poignancy and depth, I'd highly recommend [author:Guy Gavriel Kay's work, or Carol Berg's first trilogy or latest duology.
Or go back to Tolkein, who set the bar for so many other works...the above mentioned authors, I ought to add, are NOT in that style at all.
Finished reading Cast the First Stone. I really enjoyed the characters in this book! The setting was a great "change of venue" for me. Well written mystery with interesting twists! Now, on to The Help.
Thank you for thr reccomendations, Janny. I already have Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay on an informal TBR list.For now, I'm giving up on Wizard's First Rule--a little too simplistic for me.
So for the SciFi/Fantasy fix, I'm now reading Ilium by Dan Simmons. So far, I'm enjoying it.
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The Next Best Book Club
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The two theories I've heard in English department chat are that A) he has 16 or more unpublished novels sitting in his safe, which he won't publish..."
He won't publish them. He is tired of attention from the public, but he still loves to write so he just keeps his stuff locked up and lives like a hermit basically. I watched a documentary about him.