The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
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I read it in two days and didnt want to put it down!!!
Yeah finally did Alex! There only seem to be three long poems to Inanna, the first half of the book was more of a cultural introduction. Important I think, because of the transitional era in which the author lived. The first poem Inanna and Ebih is illuminating, in a historical as well as personal context for Enheduanna (who in many ways is the more interesting figure), loved that one. Only on the second now "Lady of Largest Heart" which is going more deeply into the power and duality of the goddess. Like how she's super bad ass hah. Favorite quote thus far?
"Lady of blazing dominion
clad in dread
riding on fire-red power
Inanna
holding a pure lance
terror folds in her robes"
Yeah, that's just an awesome visual. Wonder what terror folds look like. :)
Terror folds! That is totally badass.
Lori wrote: "Oh my god guys -- Go out and Buy ROOM right now!!!I read it in two days and didnt want to put it down!!!"
I learned yesterday that Emma Donaghue is going to be in town in October for our local writer's festival - very excited. So Room just jumped up on my to buy/to read list, because I'll want to have it read before seeing her speak.
I just finished The Center Cannot Hold, which I really liked - helped me understand the nature and challenges of schizophrenia. And have just started You Must Remember This, which - I'll have to see. I'm finding the opening chapters kind of a wordy, depressing slog. But willing to carry on.
I just finished Crossing Oceans by Gina Holmes. It was a really great book. Now just started Beachcombers by Nancy Thayer. Not ready to throw in the towel on beach reads just quite yet! : )
I've finished reading The Summoning, i liked it so much that i went straight out and get the second one...but i'm now reading the final book in the millenium series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson. I'm still struggling with the names and places in swedish..
Carol (Kitty) wrote: "Shary wrote: "I'm reading 
I'm only on page 50 but enjoying it so far."Didn't know there was a book called that . hahahaha LOL
So what are you really reading Shary?"
Haha! Ooops! I'm reading Bound by Antonya Nelson. I'm really enjoying it. The author brings the characters to life.
I finished reading Next by Michael Crichton. Its not great writing but the premise of gene manipulation, ownership of genes, cells and genomes & the concerns of Big Business over the Individual more than made up for it. I found the characters of Gerrard and Dave interesting. I kind of hope we never get to the point of being able to create our own Gerrards and Daves. I'm now reading Coffee: A Dark History, which I'm finding fascinating, despite some rather dry writing. Who knew there was so much to learn about coffee??!!
Alex wrote: "Claire, it's written from the point of view of a woman whose teenage son recently killed a bunch of his classmates Columbine-style. It's written as a series of letters to her husband.I'm not act..."
Oh wow, that does sound disturbing. I may have to pass that one up. Thanks, Alex.
Petra wrote: "I'm now reading Coffee: A Dark History, which I'm finding fascinating, despite some rather dry writing. Who knew there was so much to learn about coffee??!! "Hey Petra, how much does that book talk about Ethiopia? And how much about history, and how far back?
I started "Woman in White" Wilkes Collins the other day and it was really dragging for me, felt like I was working rather than reading. I've put it aside for the time being and am now reading "Forever Odd" Dean Koontz.Does anyone have any comments on why I should or shouldn't keep going with "Woman in White"? Thanks.
Alex wrote: "Hey Petra, how much does that book talk about Ethiopia? And how much about history, and how far back? ..."Ethopia is mentioned a lot as the place where coffee originated but the history and people of Ethopia aren't well defined. I'm on page 80 and we've left Ethopia and moved to St. Helena.
The book speculates that, since mankind and coffee both originated in Ethopia, perhaps (he admits to speculation) the Tree of Knowledge was a coffee tree; rather than an apple tree. In that sense, it goes back to Genesis but, coffee history being vague, it starts getting detailed in the 1600s. It's all rumour and speculation before that (very interesting, though).
He also speculates that the "brain growth" (particularly in the frontal lobe areas of the brain) that mankind had millenium ago may have been due (at least partially) to the stimulation of coffee, which initiated the urge in mankind to communicate and listen; hence perhaps "jump starting" language and organized thought.
There's so many interesting facts and stories and speculations all about coffee.
I now want to try coffee "tea" (made with coffee leaves and steeped like tea) and qish'r (coffee made with the coffee cherries); both drinks are apparently popular in the Ethopian, Yemen, Turkey areas.
I love Wilkie Collins, Paula, so I say go for it. But at the same time if it's not working for you, don't push it.
Christy wrote: "I'm reading The Stand by Stephen King. I've never been much of a King fan, but we'll see."I loved and adored The Stand. It was my first Stephen King book and though I've read a few more by him, it remains my favorite. I hope you enjoy it.
I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time and I loved and adored it. It went on my list of favorite books ever and is tied with I Capture the Castle for my favorite books this year so far. Now I'm starting The City of Ember.
El wrote: "I love Wilkie Collins, Paula, so I say go for it. But at the same time if it's not working for you, don't push it.It may be my mood El, so I'll try again after I finish this book. I had just finished "Kiss the Girls" and it was such a page turner and it seemed I was really working hard with this one. I've heard very good things about this book so will try again and see. Thanks for your input.
just read a review of "Room" at bn.com. I put it on my TBR list. Glad you liked it.
After finishing Northanger Abbey yesterday, I began the Mysterious Benedict Society, which is supposed to be classified as a children's book, but is really entertaining me. I heard about it from a goodreads member and was curious-I am so glad I looked into it!
I have a Maisie Dobbs book to finish.
Emma wrote: "After finishing Northanger Abbey yesterday, I began the Mysterious Benedict Society, which is supposed to be classified as a children's book, but is really entertaining me. I heard about it from a..."Now that sounds interesting. What year was it written? and is it a translation from a foreign press?
I'm fascinated with that title.
I was, too! I don't know that much about it, but it's from 2007, looks to be a British author, although the publication I have is American. It was a NYT Bestseller and is very Harry Potter-esque as far as the main character goes. I am not sure if fantasty plays a role, but the main character is an orphan who has genius intellect and is kind of recruited to be part of this society (that I do not know much about) along with some other "misfit" children. It is kind of like Harry Potter also, in the way that it is geared toward children but I think would really appeal to adults. My mom is going to read it next. And it is part of a series, so hopefully this one keeps being good and I can delve into the whole series. If you get your hands on it, let me know what you think!
About half way through with One Day by David Nicholls. Totally not into it, enough that I wouldn't have made it past page 30 except that I am reading it for a book club that is meeting next week. Blech.
Paula wrote: "I started "Woman in White" Wilkes Collins the other day and it was really dragging for me, felt like I was working rather than reading. I've put it aside for the time being and am now reading "Fore..."You have to be in the mood for a 'classic', it is definitely an older, heavier writing-style.
On the other hand I loved it and there was a certain amount of woman power with a totally non-kick-ass heroine.
The end also holds a bit of a surprise.
I have just finished Politically Correct Bedtime Stories. I first read it when it came out but it is still funny after so many years.Now where is my copy of Roald Dahl's Revolting Rhymes?
Petra, very interesting re. the coffee book. That's the shame about stuff that happened ages ago in Africa, huh? Nobody wrote any of it down. Coffee tea does sound interesting.
I finished The City of Ember last night and I didn't hate it, but I didn't necessarily love it either. Now I'm going to start Tell No One.
Havinga hard time recently,getting into books. Reading North and South by John Jakes, and Second Sight
Alisha wrote: "I finished The City of Ember last night and I didn't hate it, but I didn't necessarily love it either. Now I'm going to start Tell No One."Alisha:
Hope you like Tell No One as much as I did and the movie version was great as well.
Happens to me sometimes too, Betsy. I keep a couple of books tucked away in the back of my head for emergencies like that - books I know I'll have a good time with. The Hunger Games trilogy is currently at #1 on that list; next time I start to burn out, I'll just dive into that. I'm pretty confident I'll have fun.
I'm about halfway through Affinity by Sara Waters and liking it so so- not as good as Fingersmith for sure. Its good enough thats it keeping me reading to see how it ends.
Petra wrote: "Alex wrote: "Hey Petra, how much does that book talk about Ethiopia? And how much about history, and how far back? ..."Ethopia is mentioned a lot as the place where coffee originated but the hi..."
this sounds like a very interesting read. may have to hunt for this one for a winter read.
i put aside The Jewel of St. Petersburg, it just wasn't doing anything for me.i picked up The Fire which is the sequel to The Eight. i read that last summer and really liked it, and so far this one is just as good. sometimes hard to follow all of the intersecting action that is happening, but it's a nice, fast paced story.
Esther wrote: "Paula wrote: "I started "Woman in White" Wilkes Collins the other day and it was really dragging for me, felt like I was working rather than reading. I've put it aside for the time being and am now...Thanks Esther. I'm going to give it another go, I'm pretty sure it was me just coming off a fast paced thriller and going to this much slower classic. I've heard so many good things about it and do want to give it another try. Thanks again for your input.
Lori wrote: "OK, I am 3/4's through Room: A Novel and I have to tell you - If you are a fan of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close orThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night..."</i>Thanks for the recommendation, Lori. I've read & enjoyed all those books, so I just pre-ordered [book:Room: A Novel for my iTouch (B&N). Interestingly, it looks like it's already available over at Amazon, although it doesn't look like it's supposed to be released for a week or so yet. I won't be able to download it until 9/13.
Alex wrote: "Petra, very interesting re. the coffee book. That's the shame about stuff that happened ages ago in Africa, huh? Nobody wrote any of it down. Coffee tea does sound interesting."
It would be interesting to really know what happened so far back in history. It would be thrilling to have a time machine and invisibility cloak and just wander around observing happenings without being seen or affecting things.
Maria wrote: "i put aside The Jewel of St. Petersburg, it just wasn't doing anything for me.i picked up The Fire which is the sequel to The Eight. i read that last summer ..."
I read and loved The Eight, but the reviews for Fire were weak, so I skipped it. I look forward to your future thoughts.
Donna wrote: "It's been a busy August but I managed to finish The Secret Life of Bees, Santa Fe Dead and The Day the Falls Stood Still. I'm currently reading [book:The ..."I recently picked up The Day the Falls Stood Still from B&N for $3 at the recommendation of a friend, but haven't heard much else about it. What were your thoughts?
I finished "Judge Sewall's Apology" and starting The Lives of a Cell: Notes of a Biology Watcher and Word 2007 For Dummies - maybe I'll figure out this new picture design of Micrsofts.
I'm reading "Southern Italy - The World 100 Years Ago" by Burton Holmes. I've always been interested in travel literature, especially when it pertains to Italy. Holmes' accounts and photos from years past give an interesting perspective.
Emma, I found their website: www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/my...The author is Trenton Lee Stewart and lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. So far, there are 3: the one you have, then "The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey" followed by "The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma". You're right they do have a HPesque feel, and who didn't like Harry Potter?
Paula wrote: "I started "Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins the other day and it was really dragging for me, felt like I was working rather than reading. I've put it aside for the time being..."Paula, if you want to give it another try in October, there's going to be a group reading of both "The Woman in White" and "The Moonstone" in the Cozy Mysteries group. You're more than welcome to join in!
Heather L wrote: "Paula wrote: "I started "Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins the other day and it was really dragging for me, felt like I was working rather than reading. I've put it aside for the time being..."..."
I loved both of those book. One I liked even better was The Haunting of Hill House
Heather L wrote: "Paula wrote: "I started "Woman in White" by Wilkie Collins the other day and it was really dragging for me, felt like I was working rather than reading. I've put it aside for the time being..."Thanks Heather, I will do that. I should have it finished by then. Thanks much!
Miss GP wrote: "Lori wrote: "OK, I am 3/4's through Room: A Novel and I have to tell you - If you are a fan of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close or[book:The Curious Incident of the Dog..."Just finished room. Best book I've read this year. The style is easy to read once your used to it and I read it very quickly which is unusual for me. It would make a great book club read in a similar way to Shriver's Kevin.
I'm reading Angel's Game. I'm enjoying it a lot so far. I love Zafon's writing style and it is easier to get into than Shadow of the Wind
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The Next Best Book Club
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Madeline, you got to Inanna! Wicked cool! And you like the second half better than the first, huh? Good to know. I'm thigh-deep in Don Quixote right now, so I won't be able to join you full time, but I'd love to at least read some of them now. Any particular favorites?