The Next Best Book Club discussion

note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
27906 views
Revive a Dead Thread > What are you reading?

Comments Showing 21,751-21,800 of 28,901 (28901 new)    post a comment »

message 21751: by Sasha (new)

Sasha Yeesh. Good luck with that, Leslie. You're certainly diving in the deep end.


message 21752: by Maria (new)

Maria (minks05) | 481 comments 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 just seemed to me that it wasn't very well edited, because i continuously found passages repeated, not word for word, but pretty close, and it didn't seem necessary. just wondering what others thought about it.


message 21753: by Felina (new)

Felina Alex wrote: It's being made into a TV series on AMC, debuting this October, incidentally.

Oooo really? Awesome. Love me some flesh eating zombies.


message 21754: by Matt (new)

Matt Sinclair (cflames55117) Finished It by Stephen King a couple nights back. His best book that I've read of his thus far, barely beating out The Stand.

I was going to start Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, but it seems my girlfriend has snatched that one before me, so I decided to start a fantasy trilogy based off a video game I used to play with some friends in high school. They were a gift from them for graduation, so I feel inclined to read them now...4 years later, ha ha!

Also, I've had The complete works of Edgar Allen Poe for a while as well, so I'm alternating between the before-mentioned trilogy and his short stories and poems.


message 21755: by Susanna (new)

Susanna (jb_slasher) Well, I'm still stuck so I decided to swing by the library and got Wuthering Heights since I have one of the TV adaptations and thought I'd actually read the book first this time.


message 21756: by Bridgit (new)

Bridgit | 475 comments 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..."


Maria - i read it and definitely had mixed feelings. You should check out the discussion we had about it here in the book threads. Brunonia Barry was involved, so the comments were a bit stifled, but you will see that a few of us didnt really love it. I mean how many bad things can happen to one person? Just a little over the top and too coincidental for me.


for-much-deliberation  ... (formuchdeliberationreads) Just starting "The Terror" by Dan Simmons


message 21758: by Carol (new)

Carol I am reading India: A History


message 21759: by Marguerite (new)

Marguerite (randomreetie) I'm about halfway through The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides.


message 21760: by Madeline (new)

Madeline | 293 comments Zombies!!! nom nom :d I'm so excited to hear about a series!


message 21761: by Kaion (new)

Kaion (kaionvin) Jayme wrote: "Kaion, I've been wanting read that forever. Let me know what you think. If you hate it, I'll probably love it. ;)"

I didn't *hate* it. Okay, there was a little bit of me that hated it & a small piece that was interested, both losing out the vast part of me that was bored by it.


message 21762: by Patricia (new)

Patricia | 185 comments I just finished The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy and moved on to Genesis by Bernard Beckett.


message 21764: by Marti (last edited Aug 12, 2010 06:29PM) (new)

Marti (marjay) | 985 comments 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 have that book to read in my short read pile (time limit at the library) I would love to talk about it when I finish it.

I am reading either THe Island or Day After Night next.


message 21765: by Sasha (new)

Sasha Matt, I think It is one of King's best, but the weird sex stuff at the end really threw me.

Susanna, Wuthering Heights! I've been jonesing to reread that for ages.


message 21766: by Leslie T. (new)

Leslie T. (lat0403) | 69 comments I love Wuthering Heights but I've never really been able to figure out why. I hate every character in the book. No, I like Hareton. I guess that says a lot about the book, though. There aren't many books out there where you can hate almost every single character and still love the book.


message 21768: by Jayme (new)

Jayme (jayme-reads) Well, Kaion, that settles it, I'll have to move it up my TBR!


message 21769: by Kathy (new)

Kathy | 5 comments 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.


message 21770: by El (new)

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.


message 21771: by Julie (new)

Julie (readerjules) 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.


message 21772: by Emily (new)

Emily  O (readingwhilefemale) | 140 comments 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


message 21773: by Susanna (new)

Susanna (jb_slasher) 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


message 21774: by Natalie (last edited Aug 13, 2010 01:21PM) (new)

Natalie Baer | 182 comments 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.


message 21775: by Marti (new)

Marti (marjay) | 985 comments 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.


message 21776: by Petra (new)

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).


message 21777: by Carol (new)

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.


message 21778: by Lori Ann (new)

Lori Ann | 105 comments 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.


message 21779: by Paula (new)

Paula | 1098 comments 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.



message 21780: by Caity (new)

Caity (adivineeternity) 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.


message 21781: by Harold (new)

Harold | 6 comments 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.


message 21782: by Carol (new)

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.


message 21783: by John (new)

John Hampton (johnnoel) | 30 comments 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?


message 21784: by Carol (new)

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


message 21785: by Flora (new)

Flora Smith (bookwormflo) Just finished The Secret Life of Bees and getting ready to start The White Queen


message 21786: by Petra (last edited Aug 13, 2010 05:39PM) (new)

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.


message 21787: by Carol (new)

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.


message 21788: by Rayna (new)

Rayna  (Poindextrix) (poindextrix) | 73 comments 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?


message 21789: by Carol (new)

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.


message 21790: by Rayna (new)

Rayna  (Poindextrix) (poindextrix) | 73 comments 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....


message 21791: by Carol (new)

Carol Can't say no huh.LOL


message 21792: by Harold (new)

Harold | 6 comments 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.


message 21793: by Rayna (new)

Rayna  (Poindextrix) (poindextrix) | 73 comments 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.


message 21794: by F1Wild (new)

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.


message 21795: by Kristi (new)

Kristi (kristicasey) 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.


message 21796: by Harold (new)

Harold | 6 comments 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.


message 21797: by Loretta (new)

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.


message 21798: by Betsy (new)

Betsy (mistymtladi) | 511 comments Trying to make it through one last book before school starts - The Piano Teacher by Lee.


message 21799: by Betsy (new)

Betsy (mistymtladi) | 511 comments 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.


message 21800: by Paula (new)

Paula | 1098 comments I'm just starting "The Bone Garden" Tess Gerritsen. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen . I've heard good things about this book so am anxious to get into it.


back to top
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.