The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
I finally finished The Eleventh Man and now I will be starting [book:The Lost Symbol|6411961. It's a heftier book than I thought it was but I am looking forward to it.
I'm going to start The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte tonight, because it's a group read for the Victorians group. It won't be my irst by Anne becaue I've read Agnes Grey, but I'm hoping this one will be a lot better.
Keta wrote: "Janny wrote: "Keta wrote: "Hi Janny, Going to have to try Dunnett again. Heard so many great things about her books. Read the beginning of one once and had trouble. Must stick with it next time. Wh..."It wasn't the deep and the complicated - I thrive on that - it was the fact that her character (the centrally focused one) alienated me with completely maddening behavior - until the key to that motivation and the insight was given - then my jaw hit the floor with a thud! Wow. I had to go back and re-read the whole book in the light of that shifted perspective. An awesome experience, since most plots and twists - (shrug) - are so horribly transparent. (years and years of reading, really, I am not jaded, only become the more wily at spotting stuff in advance).
Well I have about 50 pages in Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell. While I waite for my taxi to take me to work (the airport as I am an air hostess) I just started A Single Thread byMarie Bostwick. I am about to start The 5th Horseman by James Patterson.
Just finished my first Jules Verne - Journey to the Center of the Earth - and I loved it. I had only seen the movie with Brendan Fraser and thought it was total cheese. But reading it as a period book - the first real sci-fi/adventure novel - really made it stand out as amazing. I also appreciated that it was much different than the movie - the book was much more readable and entertaining than the film.
Apparently its sci-fi week here in my house, becuase I just got my husband to read Enders Game (his first book in almost a year) which he loved, and I started Dune last night. Its too early to tell, but am having a little difficulty getting into it. Will give it at least 100 pages to draw me in.
Linda wrote: "Claire wrote: "Linda wrote: "Just finished Under the Dome by Stephen King. Give it a 5. What a great read. It just never lets you take a breath."I finished this last week, Linda, and agree w..."
Yes, Linda, LOL- I agree! I may use the book as weights now that I'm finished- my biceps are in desperate need of toning!
I'm just about done with Shutter Island and am really loving it. Can't wait until the movie comes out.
F1Wild wrote: "Tani wrote: "I'm reading Shattered Dreams: My Life as a Polygamist's Wife by Irene Spencer at the moment. It's been making the rounds at work, and I was feeling a litt..."Tani and F1Wild, Have you read Jon Krakauer's UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN? Jon does investigative reporting on a horrible murder case by members of a branch of fundamentalist Mormons. I have read several of his books, and I like his journalistic style. He likes to go places where the average person fears to tread such as Mt Everest(INTO THIN AIR), the outback of Alaska (INTO THE WILD) and the western US where members of this very private religious sect live and thrive.
i started Sepulchre last night. i'm already liking it more than Labyrinth. it felt like i had to force myself to get into that one, but this one is good right from the start.
one of the girls I work with lent me 1st to Die which is the first novel of the Women's Murder Club by James Patterson..I literally just started it though so I don't have an opinion yet.. has anyone else read it?
I am starting Life of Pi. I have heard a lot of good reviews of it.
Currently I'm making my way through the books of Lisa Kleypas. Up now:
Stranger In My Arms
Hello!
I am currently reading The Disappeared by Kim Echlin. I am on page 111. It is quite intriguing.
The novel deals with a displaced (in Montreal) Cambodian man, Serey, and his relationship with a young Montreal woman, Anne. Serey returns to Cambodia once the borders re-open to search for his family, leaving Anne behind. She never gets over him and, 17 years later travels to Phnom Penh to search for him. It is an interesting perspective on a horrendous time in Cambodia's history (Pol Pot and the genocidal massacres). Stylistically it is compelling as the pace, sentence length and rhythm add a sense of urgency to the story.
The Disappeared is undeniably ambitious: Echlin attempts to portray the twin currents of memory and desire while at the same time dramatizing the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge, whose operative principle was “Better to kill an innocent person than to leave an enemy alive.” And she attempts to do all this in under 200 pages.
I can fully sense where the story is heading but I will enjoy following the path leading to the end of the novel.
Vonney-"Have you read Jon Krakauer's UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN?"I haven't read this book of his, but making the rounds in my family now is his book on local (Arizona) and national hero, Pat Tillman -
Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman.
I will certainly put Under the Banner of Heaven on my "To Read" list - cheers!
I just started reading John Steinbeck's
and quickly realized why I absolutely love Steinbeck's writing......especially after reading Christopher Ciccone's
which, IMO, was pure crap.
Janny wrote: "Keta wrote: "Janny wrote: "Keta wrote: "Hi Janny, Going to have to try Dunnett again. Heard so many great things about her books. Read the beginning of one once and had trouble. Must stick with it ..."Another loop/group just had a big discussion on this same factor. How we dislike characters or are put off by their behavior UNTIL we discover what motivates them to behave like that. Many authors give this away at the onset of introducing the character. It was the consensus of this group that they liked the hold-out and then had an entirely different take on the character upon discovering their background or what caused them to behave in such a callous manner. Most took on an entirely different perspective then, and even held great empathy toward the character they loathed a chapter or two back. Is that what you're referring to with Dunnett?
Keta
F1Wild wrote: "I just started reading John Steinbeck's and quickly realized why I absolutely love Steinbeck's writing......especially after reading Chri..."F1Wild, I just started Travels With Charley this afternoon as well. It's been ages since I've read a Steinbeck book and I'm looking forward to it.
Petra wrote: "F1Wild, I just started Travels With Charley this afternoon as well. It's been ages since I've read a Steinbeck book and I'm looking forward to it."What a cool coincidence!!!
I also really enjoyed Steinbeck's writing style in The Grapes of Wrath.
Bhumi wrote: "I also really enjoyed Steinbeck's writing style in The Grapes of Wrath."My favorite so far is East of Eden, but also love TGOW. It was such a heart wrenching story!
Keta wrote: "Janny wrote: "Keta wrote: "Janny wrote: "Keta wrote: "Hi Janny, Going to have to try Dunnett again. Heard so many great things about her books. Read the beginning of one once and had trouble. Must ..."Bang on. But she does this with utmost cleverness. I didn't see it coming, she played her hand so well. That's the risk, always - with authors who don't tip their hand, that some readers lose out and abandon them.
I was thinking the same thing; an author runs the risk of totally alienating the character from the reader beyond redemption.Will check her out again for sure. Thanks, Keta
hi im new to this site and group!but i am currently reading growing up bin laden by najwa and omar bin laden. its such an interesting book and so necessary to read, so that we can start to attempt to understand bin laden.
Lauren wrote: "I'm going to start The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte tonight, because it's a group read for the Victorians group. It won't be my irst by Anne becaue I've read [book:Agnes Gre..."The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is one of my absolute favorites by Ann Bronte!!
Irene wrote: "Lauren wrote: "I'm going to start The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte tonight, because it's a group read for the Victorians group. It won't be my irst by Anne becaue I've read ..."That's good to hear, Irene, as it's up next for me for the Victorians group read, too.
Started Lolita last night. Only a few pages in so far.
Maria wrote: "i started Sepulchre last night. i'm already liking it more than Labyrinth. it felt like i had to force myself to get into that one, but this one is good right from the ..."Yahoooo Maria! I loved both of them!!!
Jayme wrote: "Started Lolita last night. Only a few pages in so far."I am waiting to get it from the GR bookswap!
My favorite Steinbeck is Cannery Row, but I really enjoyed Travels with Charley.
Travels with Charley was really really good! I haven't read the other one but I read and liked The grapes of wrath.
Leah wrote: "one of the girls I work with lent me 1st to Die which is the first novel of the Women's Murder Club by James Patterson..I literally just started it though so I don't have an opinion ye..."I love this series! I've read through the first 4 and have the 5th in my "immediate" TBR pile by my bed. They are easy quick reads that grab you right away. I hope you enjoy!
Jayme wrote: "Started Lolita last night. Only a few pages in so far."That's one of my all time favorites! Hope you enjoy it.
Edith wrote: "Leah wrote: "one of the girls I work with lent me 1st to Die which is the first novel of the Women's Murder Club by James Patterson..I literally just started it though so I don't have ..."I also read the first four and I love them. I have the 5th to read the next book. I like the way James Patterson writes.
I started The Lost Symbol a couple of nights ago. I'm about a fourth of the way in and loving it! Despite the heft of the book, I think it will be a fast read. Or at least, me and the library hope so. I doubt I can renew it if I don't finish.
Donna wrote: "I am waiting to get it from the GR bookswap!"That's cool. I should go check out how the swap works. What did you have to swap for it?
I'm reading Beowulf on the Beach: What to Love and What to Skip in Literature's 50 Greatest Hits, which is an interesting look at some classics. The author is quite humerous. I've added a few new books/authors to my TBR list. There's only 2 things to distract from this book: he spends a bit too much time with the Ancient Writers (Homer, Virgil, etc) ....and he likes Anna Karenina. LOL!I'm listening to Travels with Charley: In Search of America. I haven't read Steinbeck in years and should reread some of his books. The descriptions and thoughts in this book are awesome so far.
I hope to be starting Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal today, which I hope will be a light read.
I finished with Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky....now on to Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult.
Hi Chrystal..I'm about to run thru Not My Daughter. Today I'm listening to Thirteen Reasons Why. It's actually not that bad so far, but I'm only at the 2nd CD of 5. I have heard diff. opinions of this one.
Chrystal wrote: "I finished with Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky....now on to Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult."
How was it?? I have it sitting on my Kindle.
How was it?? I have it sitting on my Kindle.
Avigail wrote: "Edith wrote: "Leah wrote: "one of the girls I work with lent me 1st to Die which is the first novel of the Women's Murder Club by James Patterson..I literally just started it though so..."I like his books as well and I am having trouble putting this one down! The woman I'm borrowing it from told me she has several of them.. I definitely plan on continuing to read the rest!
Jayme wrote: "Started Lolita last night. Only a few pages in so far."I enjoyed Lolita, although it took me a two tries to fully read it through but that was more due to things in my life aside from the book.. I hope you like it..
Chrystal wrote: "I finished with Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky....now on to Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult."That book is on my to-read kindle wish list. How was it?? I'd also be interested to hear what you think about Keeping Faith too when you are done!
I've started reading Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle and it's quite interesting and lovely so far =)
As I have said, I'm deep into Steinbeck's Travels With Charley... (seems to be popular these days) and as a huge fan of his writing, of course, am finding this delightful!!I also just read the sample of Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly and will probably read this next. I kept clicking away for a Kindle copy to be available and it seems my wishes (and clicks) have come true.
Yesterday I finished Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult and really enjoyed it. Now I'm starting The Eye of the Storm by Patrick White and am finding it a TOTALLY different read. On like page 2 I get what the Nobel committee sees in his writing. It is beautiful. Which makes reading absorbing, but maybe not exactly the kind of book you can't put down. I'll see how I go.
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The Next Best Book Club
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I finished this last week, Linda, and agree with you! I tho..."
Claire: I think I would have finished it sooner if I could have carried it with me when I work out. But the good news is that just lifting it has given my biceps better definition.