The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
Just finished reading Lady Chatterley's Lover, which I really enjoyed. Trying to decide what to start on next; Tiger! Tiger!, Rich Girl, Poor Girl, American Psycho, or Catch-22. Any suggestions??
Oh man, Melissa, American Psycho is so boring. Except for the gross parts, which are so gross. That book does not work for me.Lady Chatterley's Lover is good, huh? It's kinda cool that you read that; it's one of those things that everyone sorta mildly giggles about, but no one's actually read. I should do that too.
I hope the dirty parts aren't disappointing, is all.
I loved Catch-22, but over on the Thread of Dire Judgment I've learned that many others do not love it. Don't know the other two.
Alex, there's frequent use of four letter expletives, and there's some frank, open discussion about sex, which somewhat surprised me, considering when it was written. i first heard of it when i was really young, watching a Carry On Christmas video, then again a couple of years ago when Lady Chatterley was reviewed in Sight & Sound magazine. the story appealed to me (what does that say about me?!! lol) and so when i saw it in a charity shop i just had to buy it!Just found a cinema ticket stub in American Psycho, from September 2008, marking page 6. Looks like i struggled to get into it back then, might hold off for a little while on that one, at least until i've got the time and patience to dedicate!
thanks for the advice!
Ashley wrote: "Dessa wrote: "I'm presently reading The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson."Dessa I read Devil in the White City last summer and really enjoyed it, I liked the two stories and wondering why..."
Well, there are still World's Fairs, but they don't get much attention.
Sometimes I think Disney's Epcot is like a permanent world's fair setup, though.
Aleksandra wrote: "hello everyone Im here for the first time and I started read Shattered dreams by Irene Spencer ( I will enjoy it for sure) and The lost daughter of happines by Geling Yan ( Im reading but it isnt w..."Good luck with the growing pile of books you will want to read Aleksandra!:-)
Ann from S.C. wrote: "Just finished THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and loved it! I am waiting for the next one in the series to come in from th library. Now I am reading FORD COUNTY by John Grishom. I don't usually lik..."the girl with the dragon tattoo is on mys helves for months now, unread:-((( But I am getting there not that I only allow myself to read the once on my shelves and not buying any..
Jeane wrote: "Good luck with the growing pile of books you will want to read Aleksandra!:-) "Seriously, this site is a nightmare. I used to have such an orderly list of what to read next; since I found this place, it's gone haywire. I'm like a dog in a bone factory.
Gonna finish The Book Thiefthis weekend, maybe read on with The Last Fighting Tommy: The Life of Harry Patch, the Oldest Surviving Veteran of the Trenches BUT ...can think already about the next book to read!!!!! Candidates are Atonement, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The American Boy...but also many others.:-)
Stephanie wrote: "Just started 
Troy: Shield of Thunder it is the second book in the Troy series by David Gemmell. I really enjoyed the first book, although the b..."Stephanie, I loved this series! Glad to hear you're enjoying it.
Petra wrote: "Lastly, I'm reading Sweetheart in the evening, right before bed. It's the second book in a series featuring a really cold, brutal serial killer named Gretchen Lowell. I'm enjoying this series...."I have read two of these, and like them (maybe 3?) very creative.
Melissa wrote: "Just finished reading Lady Chatterley's Lover, which I really enjoyed. Trying to decide what to start on next; American Psycho..."It is really hard to stick with all the name dropping in American Psycho. They want you to fully understand how superficial the character is and how it is warping his mind. This is one that may disappoint in the end if you are struggling with it now. I liked it, and the movie. But it's not one I normally recommend.
Am in the middle of a few, but my primary book right now is The Art of Racing in the Rain and I am both loving and hating it at the same time. I really didn't need another book that makes me sob hysterically as I read it. For one, its seriously limiting where I can read it. Looks on the subway that I am getting are not comforting. And secondly, I am worried that this is heading right towards Marley and Me territory and I am going to get to the point where I am literally having to change shirts because i am crying and snotting so much that i am soaked. anyhoo...to counter balance, I am also reading The Prehistory of the Far Side which is both a compendium of Far Side comics as well as a sort of 'commentary' version, with notes and explanations from Gary Larson of the originations,etc. of each comic. Really cool!
And then just so I remind myself that I am supposed to be smart, am still plowing through The Age of Innocence, though it is taking a while.
Clare wrote: "I'm trying to get through Portrait of a Lady, someone please tell me it gets better."Hi, i have just joined this group...nice place! I liked Portrait of a Lady. hang in there. it is really multi-layered and has fascinating character studies. Lots of surprises and betrayals.
On the other hand tho, i have tried to get into The Golden Bowl (on audio) and am stalled out...maybe that needs to be read, not listened to.
Tess, I believe Golden Bowl is infamous for being one of the world's least readable books. Coincidentally, there's a joke about that in this week's episode of House. Dude pretends he's reading Golden Bowl because he knows it's one book no one will ever pick up.
PS: Your cat looks exactly like one of mine.
Alex wrote: "Tess, I believe Golden Bowl is infamous for being one of the world's least readable books. Coincidentally, there's a joke about that in this week's episode of House. Dude pretends he's reading ..."
Alex, thanks for the tip! if i get book deprived enough i will probably try again. i will have to try to catch that episode of House, which my DH doesn't like, but i do.
i love russian blues, or domestic in this case. Cookie came from our local shelter...
I don't think I even got past the first page of The Golden Bowl.
Henry James the Old Pretender?!? Run away! Run away!
As a newbie i had better get on topic...I'm reading Val McDermid's "A Place of Execution" after it was mentioned in my previous read "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" Steigg Larsson liked to name drop his favorite authors, i've read...
Oberon also came from the shelter. Yeah, Blues are beautiful cats.DH...you have your own designated hitter? I should get one of those. That'd be awesome. "See that dude yelling into his cellphone and spilling his stupid latte on me on the subway? Go hit that guy."
Alex wrote: "Oberon also came from the shelter. Yeah, Blues are beautiful cats.DH...you have your own designated hitter? I should get one of those. That'd be awesome. "See that dude yelling into his cellp..."
TAFC...OK i'l quit, not very literary of me...DH is geek shorthand for dear husband.
Jessica wrote: "I don't think I even got past the first page of The Golden Bowl."i tried really, but i just don't like the characters in the slightest to suffer that much...
I mentioned The Golden Bowl to my mother, one of whose fields was Victorian lit, and she sucked her breath in. LOL
Susanna wrote: "I mentioned The Golden Bowl to my mother, one of whose fields was Victorian lit, and she sucked her breath in. LOL"Wow, then that book is most def. going straight to goodwill.
Of course i noticed on your profile that you enjoyed "Bleak House" ... yikes! My eyes glazed over re. the British legal system...
I like Charles Dickens.
Spent the day yesterday at the hospital with my sick hubby, so I finished Greywalker by Kat Richardson. Now I have another urban fantasy series to read. On to In the Woods by Tana French.
I want to like Charles Dickens. I really enjoy George Elliot. Great Expectations was too strange for this chick in middle school.Lyn, In the Woods is my next read.
So I just finished 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' and am getting ready to start 'Shutter Island' tomorrow.I gave 'Dorian Gray' two stars because the story itself was ok, but I found some of the writing a little long-winded.
Which Orwell book Carol?I'm feeling dumb, I've never heard of The Golden Bowl. There's a lot of 5 star reviews for it here. So someone likes it...or pretends to. You guys aren't making me want to run out and pick it up though.
Dana wrote: "I have read two of these, and like them (maybe 3?) very creative...."Dana, there are three in the Gretchen Lowell series so far. I'm about 3/4 through the second and should think about reserving the third from the Library very soon.
I've started reading Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog. The book was recommended to me by my friend and classmate who greatly enjoyed the book. I've only started but it's intriguing so far =)
I'm reading Don't Sleep, There Are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle. It's the true story of a man, part missionary, part linguist who lives with an Indian tribe called the Piraha in the Amazon. I'm about half way through and I am enjoying it. A lot of the cultural aspects of the tribe that the author writes about are very interesting, although at times he repeats information. Pretty good book, especially if you are at all interested in the culture and the language of a very isolated tribe in the Amazon.
Jayme wrote: "Which Orwell book Carol?I'm feeling dumb, I've never heard of The Golden Bowl. There's a lot of 5 star reviews for it here. So someone likes it...or pretends to. You guys aren't making me want to..."
Dorian Grey
Dana wrote: I read that a few months ago and loved it. I think at the end you will be very satisfied with it. I did like the ending, I think the sequel should be good, the secret speech. Have you read it?
Sequel I've just started A Fraction of the Whole and it seems pretty good, even if I only have to think about Stephen Kings It to remember how tedious a long book can get.
Ah, you meant Wilde then, Carol! I loved it.
Yes It was early in the morning I meant Wilde. LOL
still no computer, but i should have one by the end of this coming week. woohoo!anyway, i finished The Little Giant of Aberdeen County yesterday, and i was pleasantly surprised by it. it wasn't excatly what i was expecting, but i loved the main character and enjoyed the story a lot.
not sure what i'll be reading next...i currently have no kitchen and only 25% of a bathroom, and that will decrease to 0% by the end of the day today. my life is not organized right now, and i'm hating it! i need to go find a book to escape in, i think.
Oh man, Maria. You need a book and a flask of whiskey.
Susanna wrote: "Finished The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, and really enjoyed it. What a fun read."It is a sweet book, which i enjoyed. If any have YA around them, they would enjoy it also.
i'm about halfway through "a reliable wife" which is keeping my attention.
I finished Body Double by Tess Gerritsen and it was great! Reading it really made me look forward to the Rizzoli & Isles tv show. Now I'm going to start The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King.
I finished "Birthmarked" two days ago. I am currently reading for an upcoming book discussion "The Birth House."
I'm reading "Along Came a Spider". Very suspenseful so far.
Melissa wrote: "Just finished reading Lady Chatterley's Lover, which I really enjoyed. Trying to decide what to start on next; Tiger! Tiger!, Rich Girl, Poor Girl, [book:..."I just read "Tiger! Tiger!" albeit under its U.S. title, "The Stars My Destination." It's really interesting, especially considering when it was written. Parts of it are a little dated and the dialogue has a stilted quality but I liked it a lot.
Just starting Wild West Women by Rosemary Neering, listening to Outlander by Diane G. on my iPod as I commute to and from work and someday I may finish the Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella, which I have as an ebook on my computer. I just never think about it.
I finished Sweetheart this morning, over coffee. I really enjoyed it and it drew in a sub-story that was in Heartsick. Although the ending to the book is somewhat far-fetched, I still enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the third of the trilogy soon.I started Birthright: The True Story of the Kidnapping of Jemmy Annesley this afternoon. It's a bit full of detailed, background information in the beginning. I'm hoping the story will start moving ahead a bit more quickly soon.
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The Next Best Book Club
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I was psyched to discover that Franklin Park, up the street from my condo in Boston, was also designed by Frederick Olmsted. I walk my dog there every day. Nice place.