The Next Best Book Club discussion
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What are you reading?
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Gitte
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Sep 30, 2010 03:06PM
I just started Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture today. It doesn't seem to have any plot, just descriptions of empty lives... I'm not sure if I like it...
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5*'s....OMGosh...I loved this book!! I listened to the audio version & it's in the voice of the child. That made it all the better, though I'll admit the 'why this' and 'why that' started to wear thin, but I got used to it...knowing kids actually talk that way. I just adored it!Lori wrote: "Jamaie wrote: "I am now reading
"More love for ROOM!!!!"
Bridgit wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Have been reading like crazy lately and not sharing - selfish, i know. Have just finished: The Gargoyle, The Cold Room, [book:The A..."
Ha, Bridgit. I read The Amber Spyglass when I was... 13? And I found the whole love thing so disgusting (but was wondering if I'd see it differently as an adult).
I also enjoy Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice is my favorite.
Bridgit, I agree: fiction that's too Message-y bugs me, whether it's pro- or anti-God.
Just getting started on The Woman in White as well as making progress on The Dracula Dossier: A Novel of Suspense which is getting better as it goes along.
I'm reading
and
(still) LOL .. Love the one your with is actually better than I was expecting.. I did like the other two books ive read from her though so I guess I shouldn't be suprised. I'm about half way through, i should be able to finish up this weekend.
I finished Firefly Lane and I liked it. I found it to be a solid three star book, but definitely not my favorite female friendship story. Now I'm going to start Rosemary's Baby. Fitting for it being October now (give or take some minutes).
Leslie T. wrote: "Me too! It's the book another group has chosen for the month, so I figured I would try it."I started it, too, because it's on the list of 1001 books someone thinks you should read before you die. I got about 20 pages in & then remembered I really don't like Coehlo. Reminds me of Richard Bach.
Alex wrote: "Bridgit, I agree: fiction that's too Message-y bugs me, whether it's pro- or anti-God."... or environmental or political or any other kind of message. I'm fine with a message book if it's non-fiction, 'cause at least you know what you're getting into. I absolutely hate it, though, when you pick up a novel you plan to relax and enjoy only to discover it's one of those books.
Miss GP wrote: "I'm fine with a message book if it's non-fiction, 'cause at least you know what you're getting into."As long as you do know what you're getting into. I've read my share of history books that conceal their agenda. Cahill's Mysteries of the Middle Ages is one; nowhere in the description does it bother to mention that it's proselytization.
Kaion wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Stephanie wrote: "Bridgit wrote: "Have been reading like crazy lately and not sharing - selfish, i know. Have just finished: The Gargoyle, [book:The Cold Room|634..."
I think you might be even more grossed out by it as an adult!
Catie wrote: "I just thought I'd write to throw my hat in with the so-far quiet group that loved His Dark Materials. Also, although I'm not a religious person...I love a fiction book with a message/point/lesson..."I think there is a big difference between a book with a 'point' and a book that shoves an idea so had into your face that you are smothered with it. I have zero problem reading books with a point-of-view. I do have a problem when that message takes precedence over the actual story that I picked up the book to read about.
I also have no problem with stories about children with crushes. As you said, that is natural among kids that age. Most YA books involve that of some sort. But this is about 13 year olds. Having sex. and it is supposed to be accepted and viewed as romantic?? No way.
That aside, the relationship went from non-existent to passionate love in the scope of like 50 pages. There was not even the evolution of a crush to love in the book.
Bridgit wrote: "The relationship went from non-existent to passionate love in the scope of like 50 pages. "That's how all my relationships went when I was 13. And then back to non-existent again, ten minutes later.
although the "passion" was sortof, y'know, expressed more through doodling names on Trapper Keepers than through actual sex.
I don't remember them having sex either? I was just disgusted by how goopy it made both the characters (and the corny daemon shenanigans).
I'm so glad to see so many people reading Ishiguro, his books are lovely. Even if the movie doesn't rise up to my expectations (which is very likely to happen given how breath-taking Never Let Me Go is), I'm still happy that they made it because so many people read his books.I have yet to finish On Heroes and Hero-worship (which is mildly interesting if you're taking a course on heroism in literature like me, but mildly boring if you're not), but I'm going to finish it over the weekend, I'm also reading How to Read a Poem by Terry Eagleton and Selected Poems by e.e. cummings. I've been wrestling poetry analysis a week or so now and reading some (incredible) poems without having to think critically about them is a wonderful breath of fresh air.
Kaion wrote: "I don't remember them having sex either? I was just disgusted by how goopy it made both the characters (and the corny daemon shenanigans)."Yeah - it was on the last page or two. When they went off on their little walk together.
Catie wrote: "Oh no! Sorry, didn't mean to start an argument on this innocent looking "what I'm reading now" thread. I really don't remember any sex in the book...I think that I tended to view the whole thing ..."Oh, no argument! sorry if it came off that way. Just differing opinions!
Alex wrote: "Miss GP wrote: "I'm fine with a message book if it's non-fiction, 'cause at least you know what you're getting into."As long as you do know what you're getting into. I've read my share of histor..."
Weirdly organized, as well.
Bridgit wrote: "Catie wrote: "I just thought I'd write to throw my hat in with the so-far quiet group that loved His Dark Materials. Also, although I'm not a religious person...I love a fiction book with a messag..."I have not read the trilogy in question - tried and it didn't appeal for some reason. But I am greatly amused to hear about this "middle-school-aged sex" issue. Back when it was new and hot, the mother of a friend of mine (who was a middle school librarian) encouraged her niece, age 12-ish, to read it. A year or two later there was a crisis in that family when her parents stole her journal and found entries about her propositioning boys at school! Not saying there is a connection there... And I don't necessarily think myself that everyone need wait till 18 - I didn't and I was fine. But still I find it funny.
I am reading
Gods, Graves and Scholars: The Story of Archaeology - started twice before and this time I'm finishing it!
Ha, when I was twelve, I read the whole Alanna: The First Adventure series, and *Mild Spoilers*
Alanna has sex, lots of it. But she also had birth control (albeit, of the fantasy non-modern variety?) and I admired her for it. I didn't proposition any boys. But then last month I was in a bookstore and a mom was making a big how-to-do about whether the contents of the first one were age-appropriate for her ten year old (as you should). And I honestly said they were (and very very awkwardly butted in again to add that there was other not-so G-rated stuff in the following books). I forgot to mention the violence. But I guess that goes without saying? Plus violence is totally A-OK, right? ;)
I just finished one book and was standing in front of my bookshelf last night to pick a new read and nothing appealed to me. Has that ever happened to you? Some of the books I was looking at made me question why I ever bought them......maybe I'm in a slump.
Just got Oryx and Crake from the library - may disappear for a while!Claire, sometimes I'm just not "in the mood" for anything I'm looking at, it seems like.
I agree, Susanna. Nothing I looked at grabbed me. I was thinking of reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and I may still do that - maybe I'll go and get Oryx and Crake as well - there are a few here that want to do a read along, I think (see earlier posts)
Kitty wrote: "I am almost finished with The Bone People
. This is one of the best books I have ever read."Glad to hear. I have this on my TBR shelf. Might need to push it up a bit.
Patricia wrote: "Kitty wrote: "I am almost finished with The Bone People. This is one of the best books I have ever read."Glad to hear. I have this on my TBR shelf..."
I don't think you would be sorry; if you like stream of consciousness writing. One angle of the story is hard to digest but it is part of the story.
I finished Rosemary's Baby. I didn't find it scary and thought that it was just okay. I think I would've liked it more had I not seen the film and therefore, knew everything that was going to happen.Now I'm going to start The Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley. I'm hoping it will be the first book that I've read in the past two weeks that wasn't just okay.
Claire wrote: "I just finished one book and was standing in front of my bookshelf last night to pick a new read and nothing appealed to me. Has that ever happened to you? Some of the books I was looking at made..."I do the same, thats why I always have heaps of books from the library, even though I have a ton of books on my bookshelf that should be read. If I can't get to the library, I stare at the bookshelf for ages, before finally pulling something random off.. most times though I end up enjoying it and wondering why it took me so long to read it! It's for that reason that I'm currently reading The Kitchen God's Wife.. and yes.. I'm enjoying it :)
I'm currently reading The Enemy by Lee Child. My first book by Lee Child. Halfway through and I'm enjoying it..
Currently reading Let Right One In and will start Shutter Island soon.
Claire wrote: "I agree, Susanna. Nothing I looked at grabbed me. I was thinking of reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and I may still do that - maybe I'll go and get Oryx and Crake as well - there are a few here th..."I'm currently about a little over 50 pages into Dracula so if you decide on that one we could discuss it if you want. I like it so far.
Read Oryx and Crake yesterday. A very interesting book, by an equally interesting writer.
I LOVE Dracula! Thinking about re-reading it, again! Might join you!
Kitty wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Kitty wrote: "I am almost finished with The Bone People. This is one of the best books I have ever read."Glad to hear. I have thi..."
I just picked this one up at Barnes & Noble myself. I had seen it on GR before but by the description wasn't too interested. Picked it up at the store and read a few pages and it hooked me so I bought it. Currently reading Moral Disorder: and Other Stories for now.
Oh and I finished Rebel Angels and wasn't as impressed as I was with the first Gemma Doyle book. Anyone else who has read them feel that way?
I read the gemma Doyle series and got more and more dissatisfied with it as it progressed. If you didn't like book 2 then the finale will be even more unsatisfactory. I don't want to give it away, but it was unacceptable how it ended!
I just finished City of Veils: A Novel. I really liked it. Zoe Ferraris is a gifted author, who has created wonderful characters that show a range of emotions and hopes. The stories are murder mysteries that occur in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The characters from her first book, Finding Nouf: A Novel are becoming more multifaceted with clear convictions. The life of a woman in veils with the dangers associated is clearly delineated in a strictly Muslim country. Kayta, Nayir and Osama as characters show the deep rifts between the Muslim society as people who are willing to put their lives on hold while working for the greater good, but people who are conflicted within themselves as they try to hold true to their mores and beliefs. I find the books fascinating and look forward to the next one when it is published.
Susanna wrote: "Read Oryx and Crake yesterday. A very interesting book, by an equally interesting writer."It's one of my favorite books by my absolute favorite writer! Glad you enjoyed it! I'm still to read The Year of the Flood - hoping for a group read at some point :D
Year of the Flood I really enjoyed as well.
Kate wrote: "Claire wrote: "I just finished one book and was standing in front of my bookshelf last night to pick a new read and nothing appealed to me. Has that ever happened to you? Some of the books I was ..."Kate, I read The Kitchen God's Wife a long time ago and really liked it alot. I've liked all of the books I've read by Amy Tan. I got to see her at a reading one time and she was great.
Rachel wrote: "Claire wrote: "I agree, Susanna. Nothing I looked at grabbed me. I was thinking of reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and I may still do that - maybe I'll go and get Oryx and Crake as well - there ar..."Ok, that sounds good. I'll start Dracula and we can discuss. It takes me longer to finish a book than alot of the other members here, but I'll try to read this one a little faster (its not that I can't read fast, its just that life gets in the way of my reading time). Hope you can join us, Jennifer.
Marti wrote: "I just finished City of Veils: A Novel. I really liked it. Zoe Ferraris is a gifted author, who has created wonderful characters that show a range of emotions and hopes. The stor...Glad to hear you liked this one Marti, I had just added it to my "tbr" list.
Paula wrote: "Marti wrote: "I just finished City of Veils: A Novel. I really liked it. Zoe Ferraris is a gifted author, who has created wonderful characters that show a range of emotions and ho..."you'll want to read both of them
1. Finding Nouf
2. City of Veils
Marti wrote: "Paula wrote: "Marti wrote: "I just finished City of Veils: A Novel. I really liked it. Zoe Ferraris is a gifted author, who has created wonderful characters that show a range of e...Oh, thanks Marti, I didn't know there was one before it.
Claire wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Claire wrote: "I agree, Susanna. Nothing I looked at grabbed me. I was thinking of reading Dracula by Bram Stoker and I may still do that - maybe I'll go and get Oryx and Crake as ..."Cool, I've been kinda slow go at this one cuz of life getting in the way too. But I am finding it a good read.
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