What are you reading? Showing 21,751-21,800 of 28,885

[Irene]

Beg For Mercy by Toni Andrews

[Jayme]

Well, Kaion, that settles it, I'll have to move it up my TBR!

[Kathy]

I just finished reading Marlin, Darlin': Garnet Sullivan Live from Florida #1 [Kindle Edition:]
I truly love a book that twists and turns without telling me first. This delightful book Marlin Darlin, from the "pen" of Margaret Langstaff is sharp-edged and entertaining. The main character Garnet Sullivan is a wannabe ambitious newspaper reporter with man trouble, dog trouble, and a classroom full of adult education students she teaches while waiting for the `big story'. Each of the students has enough troubles of their own to sustain twenty books.

[El]

Jayme wrote: "Well, Kaion, that settles it, I'll have to move it up my TBR!"

Jayme, if it helps any, I really liked The Left Hand of Darkness and was actually surprised I enjoyed it as much as I did.

[Julie]

Maria wrote: "i finished The Map of True Places from brunonia barry today.

did anyone else read this and have mixed feelings about it when they were done? don't get me wrong, i loved the story, but it ju..."

I didn't notice or remember that. I did have mixed feelings for another reason though, which I won't mention because of spoilers. It is all in the Map of True Places thread somewhere in this group though.

[Emily]

I finished Tipping the Velvet, and my review is now up. It's a fun read, and definitely no great work of literature, but for what it was, it wasn't bad

[Susanna]

Well, I've only read the first chapter so I have no idea what's going on yet but so far it's too early to tell if I'm going to like this one or not. Though, Leslie, that sounds promising! :D

[Natalie]

Carol (Kitty) wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Carol (Kitty) wrote: "Slow Man sounds good. I like Coetzee's writing I have read three of his books."
I'm interested in what you liked about Coetzee. I know he's a Nobel Prize winne..."

I like your comment "he (the author) makes me think" because I like that in a book, too. Have you read To the White Sea by James Dickey, author of Deliverance. Its almost a prose poem with plot.

[Marti]

I finished up a romance I was reading A Kiss at Midnight - My 100th book! Waahooo

I started reading Day After Night: A Novel. Seems to be a fast read and interesting Might actually need to find out more about these camps.

[Petra]

I finished 2666 and, all in all, I liked it.
I can't seem to write a review on it, though. It cannot be pinned down. There's so many dimensions, twists and angles that could be commented on but they're all long-winded discussion points; not simple review comments.
There were times when the book had me almost defeated. When I finished Part 4, I had a completely "what's the point of continuing? what's the point of this book?" attitude. Now that I've had some time, I think it was Bolano's motive to wear the reader down at that point in the book.
An interesting book, well worth a re-read (but I don't know if I'll re-read it....maybe one day).

[Carol]

Natalie wrote: "Carol (Kitty) wrote: "Natalie wrote: "Carol (Kitty) wrote: "Slow Man sounds good. I like Coetzee's writing I have read three of his books."
I'm interested in what you liked about Coetzee. I know h..."

No I don't think I even read Deliverance.

[Lori Ann]

I am reading Ender's Game and I am really liking it! I didn't know anything about the book before I started but was still surprised that it is about a six year old boy.

[Paula]

Lori Ann wrote: "I am reading Ender's Game and I am really liking it! I didn't know anything about the book before I started but was still surprised that it is about a six year old boy.

I enjoyed this one too Lori Ann, thought it was a fun read.

[Caity]

Lori Ann wrote: "I am reading Ender's Game and I am really liking it! I didn't know anything about the book before I started but was still surprised that it is about a six year old boy."

I just bought this, as well as 3 of the next 4 books for $2 each. I already had the only one of the first 5 I didn't buy because of the bookcrossing station where I went to school. Good to hear some love for it.

[Harold]

Petra wrote: "I finished 2666 and, all in all, I liked it.
I can't seem to write a review on it, though. It cannot be pinned down. There's so many dimensions, twists and angles that could be comme..."

This was the first Bolano I read, both because it was the first I came across and it was getting the most "play." I enjoyed it - gave it a five star review- and a little while later went on to read The Savage Detectives. THAT'S when the 2666 came more into focus. While the plots are different, there is a similarity of form - and that's also is when it became apparent to me that Bolano really didn't get to the end of of 2666 before he passed.

[Carol]

That was what I did also Harold. In The Savage Detective you are introduced to his writing style and as you say 2666 comes into focus more. But it still is a difficult book to read but worth the effort. I only rated it two stars ,because there was so much to understand at the time I read it. In retrospect it probably deserves a three or four star. As you all know it was suppose to be released in five books instead of one, because each part can stand alone. The most difficult was part four , only because it has so many murders.

[John]

I'm new here and new to blogging, so go easy. I'm reading Martha Grimes "The Blackcat" like all of her works in crime, it takes it's name from a Pub. I'm also rading "A Much Married Man" a hoot of a book about British class,, manners and sexual fisson. But I'm looking for a humorous novel along the lines of Michael Malone's "Handling Sin" Any laugh out loud suggestions?

[Carol]

Welcome John. I am sure someone will come up with many suggestions for you.

[Flora]

Just finished The Secret Life of Bees and getting ready to start The White Queen

[Petra]

Carol (Kitty) wrote: "As you all know it was suppose to be released in five books instead of one, because each part can stand alone. The most difficult was part four , only because it has so many murders...."

Do you think many people would have bought Part 2 (or any other parts) of 2666 if the books were sold seperately? I wonder. It was/is an interesting market idea. The author (or his family) deserve any additional royalties from selling seperate books for each part but I wonder whether people would have bought them in their entirety?
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have bought Part 2. Part 1 was a complete story in itself. I don't think I would have felt a need to continue.
Because of that, I'm glad it was published as one volume. For me, this is a story to be read as a whole.
Carol, I totally agree with you.....Part 4 was, by far, the hardest part to get through. I felt really battered after it and quite "what's the point?" about the book. It really wore me out.

[Carol]

No I think he was thinking of the anticipatory sales. The publisher made the right decision in releasing it as one book. If any one else wishes to discuss this book , we should probably open another thread.

[Rayna]

All this talk is making me really want to read Bolano. 2666 has been on my list for a while, but I haven't had a chance to get to it yet. Would you suggest reading The Savage Detectives first?

[Carol]

It is a forerunner to his writing style. I read it after 2666. You know what just jump in with both feet. It is an experience worth the time. Read a little about Bolano and his stance and you will get more from the book.

[Rayna]

That sounds like a good plan. I might have to wait a while since the summer is winding down and I still have 20 books out from the public library to get through before returning to school....

[Carol]

Can't say no huh.LOL

[Harold]

Carol is right -just jump in, but be aware that Bolano was a poet and The Savage Detectives will reveal (in form)the technique that Bolano would have used to complete 2666 had he lived.

[Rayna]

Yea, I have pretty much no self control when it comes to books. It's even worse at the library since I don't have to pay for them. I'm pretty sure even the librarians think I'm a little crazy.

Thanks for all the info. I think I might just wait and see which book reaches me first. I mostly just wanted to make sure that there wasn't some sort of prequel/sequel type issue.

[F1Wild]

Rachel wrote: "Currently reading "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet". It's an interesting read but I feel so much more could have been done with the subject matter."

I read it a few books ago and also thought that, but after finishing realized that wasn't what the book was really about. The subject of Japanese (and other) internet interests me and seems to be one that we brush under the rug as never happening in the USA.

[Kristi]

John wrote: "I'm new here and new to blogging, so go easy. I'm reading Martha Grimes "The Blackcat" like all of her works in crime, it takes it's name from a Pub. I'm also rading "A Much Married Man" a hoot o..."

John I loved Michael Malone's "Handling Sin". Have you tried his new one? "Four Corners of the Sky" I believe it's called? I didn't love it as much as Sin, but definitely good.

I've heard really great things about Carl Hiaasen. I have one of his books on my TBR, but I haven't actually read any of his work yet.

[Harold]

If you like Elmore Leonard you'll like Carl Hiaasen. Same type of thing and marketed in paperback to highlight that similarity. I read Hiaasen's Sick Puppy five or six years ago and enjoyed. It's good, fast, entertaining reading.

[Loretta]

Started reading Her Fearful Symmetrylast night and it is really pulling me in. I really love her writing, and the characters and story are really engaging to me. I suspect I'll be spending most of my weekend with this one.

[Betsy]

Trying to make it through one last book before school starts - The Piano Teacher by Lee.

[Betsy]

Marti wrote: "Maria wrote: "i finished The Map of True Places from brunonia barry today.

did anyone else read this and have mixed feelings about it when they were done? don't get me wrong, i loved the st..."

Hi, Would need to re-read this to answer your question properly. I remember thinking the writing was very good,but,...yes something missing.

[Paula]

I'm just starting "The Bone Garden" Tess Gerritsen. . I've heard good things about this book so am anxious to get into it.

[John]

Kristi,
Yes, I've read "Four Corners" not as good as "Handling Sin" I've also read all of the Hiaasen books and the first three are the best of the lot.

Here's one that almost equals "Handling Sin," John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces."

I'll keep searching for the next really funny writer.

[John]

Harold wrote: "If you like Elmore Leonard you'll like Carl Hiaasen. Same type of thing and marketed in paperback to highlight that similarity. I read Hiaasen's Sick Puppy five or six years ago and enjoyed. It's g..."

Harold, Thanks for the response. However, I've done all the Leonards and Hiaasens and keep an eye out for their next books. So, I'll keep searching for someone new on the scene.

[F1Wild]

I just finished reading Timothy Hallinan's A Nail Through the Heart and really enjoyed it - enough to look forward to the next 3 in the series. Highly recommended!!!

I just started The Calligrapher's Daughter, the debut by Eugenia Kim. I honestly couldn't decide between several books and so started it without much conviction. Well, several hours/chapters later I can't put it down.

[Kaion]

Anyone read The Passion? Barreled through it in one day. Will probably begin Itinéraire d'enfance tomorrow- and fully expect the undertaking to take up my reading brain cells for the rest of the month!

[Kristi]

John wrote: "Kristi,
Yes, I've read "Four Corners" not as good as "Handling Sin" I've also read all of the Hiaasen books and the first three are the best of the lot.

Here's one that almost equals "Handling..."

Thanks John. I'll try to keep that in mind. Though with my mind? Not likely to stay long. (ha ha).

Hmmmm, funny stuff.....Well, if you don't mind female authors...Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Though it does have a little bit of romance in there. And the main character is a female, so you might not find it as funny. Sometimes if you can't relate to the character, it's difficult to see the humor. Myself I literally found myself laughing out loud at her.

Hmmm...I just read Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. It's got a twisted sense of humor, a touch dry, which is similiar to Michael Malone. Now, I didn't find Illuminated all that funny, but I've heard from people who read his other work(s) and they said funnier than Illuminated. Maybe you might want to give him a try?

[Beth]

I just started reading How to Be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway

[Shay]

Just started reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Have been waiting for this book for a while.

[Carol]

Shay wrote: "Just started reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Have been waiting for this book for a while."

As usual another great book by Mitchell.

[Bridgit]

We just read Troilus and Cressida by Shakespeare for my book club in preparation for going to see a live, outdoor performance of it last night. It was a lot of fun! Got to picnic outdoors on the Hudson River for a few hours before watching in a beautiful outdoor ampitheater.

Overall, my least favorite Shakespearean play that I have read - move over Julius Caesar. I probably understood about 40% of it while reading it. Watching and hear it, complete with inflections and acting really helped though. I probably now understand about 60-70% of the play.

Definitely plan to see more Shakespeare live. Great night!

Now, I am reading an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet (purely coincidental) called Juliet. Pretty entertaining so far.

[Patricia]

I finished Genesis by Bernard Beckett which I thought was very interesting. I'm now reading Roommates: My Grandfather's Story by Max Apple.

[Lisa S]

Just started Witch & Wizard

[John]

Thanks, I'll look for "Illuminated" And, I did laugh alot with Evanovich's series of crime novels. I think the lead is a facinating character and her sidekicks are really funny.

[Shay]

Bridgit wrote: "We just read Troilus and Cressida by Shakespeare for my book club in preparation for going to see a live, outdoor performance of it last night. It was a lot of fun! Got to picnic outd..."

I'm envious. That, too, is my least favorite Shakespeare play, I think it may be everyone's. So, it's hardly ever performed- I've never seen it on stage. Was the play itself improved by seeing it on live, on stage?

[Bridgit]

Shay wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "We just read Troilus and Cressida by Shakespeare for my book club in preparation for going to see a live, outdoor performance of it last night. It was a lot of fun! Go..."

It was definitely 'better' than the written version. The first half of it was pretty enjoyable, but the second half definitely dragged. It was 2.5 hours, which was way too long. My attention definitely lapsed a bit by the end. There was a lot of running and yelling - recreating the fight scenes was hard and it didnt come across all that well. BUT it definitely improved my understanding and appreciation for the play.

[F1Wild]

Shay wrote: "Just started reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Have been waiting for this book for a while."

Love it!! I had been a Mitchell virgin, but now after this book, eagerly await reading more.

[Carol]

F1Wild wrote: "Shay wrote: "Just started reading The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet. Have been waiting for this book for a while."

Love it!! I had been a Mitchell virgin, but now after this bo..."

Try Black Swan Green next. Excellent book.