What are you reading? Showing 2,551-2,600 of 28,901

[Charity]

I don't think there is anything wrong with not reading the HP books. If something isn't your thing, then it's not your thing. Personally, I can see how the HP books wouldn't appeal to everyone. Nothing wrong with that. :-)

[Sherry]

I'm another who has never felt tempted by a Harry Potter book.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

Thing is, I'm actually not sure if it's my thing or not. I am convinced it was the hype that put me off and also the fact that all the non-readers I know (who know that I read loads) always say things like "oh, call yourself a reader? You just HAVE to read it! It's the best book ever" which really, really, really, really grates on my nerves and makes me determined never to read the damn things just cos of that.

[Kellie]

I own 6 HP books.
Have cracked open a one.
Actually waiting till my kids are old enough to read them so I can read it with them...

[Sherry]

I think it's something similiar for me.My husband dragged me to the movies which I didn't appreciate all that much.There's something about that kid's face that just irritates me and I know if I read the book I'll be seeing his face in my mind,(though he did a stint in the play Equus(sp?)that could almost knock the Harry Potter image right out of my head!)

[Tisha]

I've never read them either.... about to start though, something else just keeps stealing priority.

[Lori, Super Mod]

SHerry, you saw Harry Potter Naked? I heard that was a big to-do since he was still filming the HP series and his agents or the producers or whoever thought it would taint his career....

[Tisha]

haha...that line cracks me up.

SHerry, you saw Harry Potter Naked?

[Sherry]

Not the goodies,but just about everything else.You can find it on You Tube.

[Lorena]

Lori - Tisha is right LOL wow ... wow!

Hey I haven't read them either, I have been waiting to read them with my oldest, but she keeps saying they sound dumb, we have 1,2,3 and never opened them ... weird, maybe later, maybe with my second, but as someone else said I just have too many books calling to me at the moment to want to pick it on my own time.

[Rachelle]

I bought the series and figured if I never read them my children could have them. We all read Chronicles of Narnia that way so I guess I will get to HP eventually.

[Ann from S.C.]

I have tried the 1st HARRY POTTER but could not get into it. My boys think the movies are ok. My 9 year old might get into them one day.

Boof, I liked TRANSGRESSIONS and you can't go wrong with HEART SHAPED BOX.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

Heart Shaped Box it is. Thanks Ann.

[Dorie]

I've just started Blood Brother by Jack Kerley. Carson Ryder is the main character and is a Homicide Detective. Carson's older brother Jeremy is a serial killer serving a life sentence in prison. Carson and Jeremy have an interesting love/hate relationship. This is the book I've been waiting for, where Jeremy escapes from prison.

[Angela]

Instead of reading all of the Harry Potter books, I've listened to them on CD. Jim Dale is the narrator for all of the books and he is fantastic. If you watched the show "Pushing Daisies" on ABC, he was the narrator. Also, he is a Tony award winner. His voice kept me company on many long rides to and from work. Out of all of the Harry Potter books, I think that Goblet of Fire is still my favorite. One of my friends read the books along with his young son (they would read aloud back and forth so his son could practice reading) which was a rewarding activity for the both of them. I've read some of the Chronicles of Narnia series and enjoyed them also. I think that you can't go wrong with either series.

[Mandy]

I haven't read any HP books either, although a few months back I did buy the first one, I think one day I'll get around to it just to see what all the hype is about, same with Twilight, although they're not on my to be read soon list, don't really appeal to me that much but I like to try to broaden my reading and try new things so I'll give it a try at some stage.

[Kellie]

I just finished Twilight tonight.

The book as a whole was pretty good. I can see why it appeals to the YA. Your "first love" in highschool is just something you don't forget. And if it's a vampire, it's even more unforgettable.

I'm definitely adding the sequel to my wishlist.

Now I'm on to some fluff....Fearless Fourteen.

[JT]

For those that are planning on reading the HP series, be forewarned that book one is quite a bit different than the rest of the series. It's very expositional as it has to lay foundation and groundwork. It's also the most "childlike" of the novels. They get progressively better - darker, more complex, etc.. - as the series goes forward.

For me the real turning point in the series is Book 3/4. This is really where the series makes leaps and long strides and really gets cranking.

[Kirsty]

I loved the HP books, and would tell anyone to at least give the first book a try - it's pretty short so wouldn't take up too much time. However I do appreciate that it's not everyone's thing. To each their own and all that

[Jessika]

Wow--I'm gone for a day and I come back to find so many posts to reply to! hehe

JT--I totally agree with you about books 3/4. Book 3 has been my favorite so far, but that is where there begins to be a distinction between being children's books and books for those with a more adult mind.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people not reading HP. I mean, I know that I wouldn't read them if they didn't appeal to me. And I also understand about not wanting to read them in light of all of the hype. That's half the reason I'm so reluctant to start the Twilight series after this. The only reason I never got caught up in all of the hype of HP was that my aunt bought me the first book when I was 11 (which is how old Harry is in the first book). So with each subsequent book, it was like I was "growing up" with Harry Potter.

[Jessika]

Oh, and Angela, I also have all of the books in audiobook format...and I LOVE Jim Dale as a narrator for these stories. For people who have never gotten into the Harry Potter series, I usually recommend listening to one of the audiobooks first because he does a fantastic job with these stories!

[Joanie]

Harry Potter lover here too. I'm looking forward to when my son is old enough for us to read them together.

Jess that's cool about you "growing up" with Harry! My niece got really into them about that age too (they were what really got her into reading on her own) but I never thought about it that way.

[Cynthia]

Thank goodness I'm not the only one who hasn't read the HP series...I just have never had an interest in the books or the movies...it's a similar thing for me an the Twilight series...it seems like everyone is reading them but I just don't think I want to.

[Kathyjo]

I started reading the Harry Potter series because my kids wanted to read them, and I read alot of their books first to make sure they are suitable. We now have them all on cassette, or on CD. My son listens to them all the time. I also got into the Twilight series, finishing Breaking Dawn last night. THey were at first hard to get into...slow motion, but seemed to pick up. Breaking Dawn was a good read, but at times a little too many words, not enough story. I want a story to grab me, but know it can't be every book. I am reading The perfect size 12 at present. Seems funny. Anyone have any suggestions for a gripping novel? Thanks

[Jackie]

I love the HP series. Still haven't gotten to Book 7 though. JT is right, book one is the most childlike, but it picks up steam after that. My favorite is also the Goblet of Fire.

For me the movies didn't really compare to the books. Movies one and two were really boring. I liked the third one, but the fourth one was better. I still don't like Daniel Radcliffe as HP. I thought he was so one dimensional in the first few movies, but he has grown a bit since then. Still don't want to see him naked *blah* =P

[Ann from S.C.]

"What are you reading?" hmmmm... What a good question... I just finished SISTER MINE and I am going to finish THS SHACK today!! (I have issues!) Also started UNACCUSTOMED EARTH by Jhumpa Jahiri, short stories (which I don't usually get into) and it is pretty good. I've also got some great books from the library needing to be read before being returned, AND those wonderful books I scored last weekend at B&N...AND I have some books laying around screaming at me that i have had for months!!! LIFE OF PI..... THE HISTORIAN.... You see what I mean??? So many books I could be reading right now!!

[Mandy]

I just finished Firefly Lane which I highly recommend to anyone who loves chick-lit. I just picked up the Tao of Pooh again. I never finished it the first time so I am hoping this time will be different.

[Jessica]

Jackie, I agree that the HP movies do not compare to the books at all. I like both of them but if you sit there and compare them, the movies end up being total crap.

When the 5th movie came out last July, I had just finished re-reading the book and was very disappointed. I kept thinking, "This is going too fast! They are leaving too much out!" But then when I stepped back and saw the movie again a few months later, I liked it much more.

[Jen]

I feel your pain, Ann. I have about five books out from the library right now and I've received notices that three have come in and are on hold for me. When am I going to read all of these? That doesn't even touch on the books I own.

[Angela]

Goblet of Fire is still my favorite, but Order of the Phoenix is a close second.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I've read and enjoyed all of them, but I think it helped that I read the first three! before there was much hype for them here in the US.

The second is still my least favorite, although I like all of them.

[Emma]

I've just started The Secret Countess by Eva Ibbotson. Eva is one of my old favorite authors and I love the book so far!

[Tim (Mole) The Gunslinger]

I just finished Heart Shaped Box!Thought it was excellent!!

Now ive started The Rising - Brian Keene its pretty good so far what an interesting take on zombies Im such a horror nut!lol

[Kathy McC]

I am reading The Corrections by Franzen and Apollo's Fire. Although Franzen's book is fiction it is a slow read because there is so much to digest. Apollo's Fire discusses alternate energy sources and draws some interesting comparisons to the space race of the 60s.

[Sharee]

Wow! Emma and Fiona, you both like Eva Ibbotson??? That's AWESOME! She's one of my favorite "new finds"! I just recently bought A Countess Below Stairs and really enjoyed it! She doesn't tell you everything, like a lot of authors do, but that's what made it amazing! Read my review of it, if you want. Her prose is enchanting!

[embrock]

Hi everyone. I found this list by accident when I was searching the internet for info on how to manage book collections. I own far more books than I may ever read, but I'm hopeless addicted to reading. On top of my pile is The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos. A book review in Entertainment Weekly raved about. About 54 pages into it, I'm finally hooked. A visit to the library this afternoon brought The Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill home. This list is not helping me manage by collection of books; it's only adding to it. However, I don't have to find a home for the books; they already have a home.

[Mandy]

I'm going to have to pick up that book, it's been on my list for a while.

Have you read Blindness by Saramago?

[Mandy]

It's one that a lot of us have read (thanks, Lori!) and I have heard other people talk about it in line with The Road. Hm, now my mind completely escapes me what I wanted to say!

[Mandy]

"Looks like The Road is the new Blindness :) Thats really cool b/c I loved The Road. One of my most favorites. Read it in like 3 hours, wouldnt put it down for the world! I really liked the way it was written, sparce scenery, Beautiful prose, nameless characters (hey, like Saramago in quite a few ways).... "

That's by Lori and also I just searched the comments and I think they are similarly structured.

Anyway I did not plan my post properly and now I'm all muddled. All I know is quite a few people have read both and liked both and found similarities.

Sorry for all the vagueness, Ken.

[Catamorandi]

I haven't read any HP yet, but they are all on my TBR list. I will read them when the time is right. I'll know when that is. I got Twilight from the library a couple of weeks ago. I plan on reading it after I read a book for one of my groups. I hope it at least partially live up to its hype.

[Shannon]

I'm on my way to finishing up Marley & Me. I *had* to buy a book in the airport on Monday as my flight was delayed and I was almost done with The Book Thief! I'm enjoying it, it has taken me awhile to prepare myself to read it, even though I know the ending. I think I'm going to give up on The Book of Lost Things, it's just not grabbing me. I picked up Shantaram at the library last night to read with a few others here, and after seeing the size, I want to have all my currently readings done!

[Linda]

Embrock,

Welcome to the land of the addicted. Forget managing the books you have. Try to figure out how you can cram more in and still remain sane.

I loved the Heart-Shaped Box. Pretty strange stuff, but fast paced.

[Linda]

Ken (right?)

What did you think of the pace of the book? At first I wasn't sure why I was getting this feeling about it, but then realized how it set the whole mood (at least for me). I have never been a Cormac McCarthy fan, but this one got to me.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

Yay, Ken, you liked The Road! I just loved the fact that it was just a snapshot in time (nothing before, only bits that were hinted at, and nothing afterward. They exist only for now). I found it a very powerful book. And yes, definitely get Blindness - it's fantastic!

Shannon, I couldn't get into The Book of Lost Things either. Why do you think that was for you?

[Liz]

Shannon-

I LOVE Marley and Me. I made all my dog-loving friends read it. I read it right after my beloved dog had serious back surgery, such a joy to read. I laughed and cried, and cradled the book next to my heart when i was finished. Hope you enjoy/enjoyed it!

[Shannon]

Boof, I was hesitant just reading the synopsis on the book if this would be something I would enjoy. Since I'm trying new things and trying to broaden my horizons, I knew I should at least start it and see what happens. I think the fantasy aspect is just not grabbing me, I can't seem to relate to it.

Sorry you didn't enjoy it either, but I'm glad it wasn't just me! ;o)

Normally, my OCD would make me keep reading in the hopes that eventually it would get better, but you guys have made me feel better that life's too short to keep reading what we're not enjoying! So, off to the next adventure.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

Mandy (Oz Mandy) you confused me then. Which one are you in the new photo?

[Chloe]

Mole, The Rising is one of my favorite zombie books. Very well done. The sequel, City of the Dead, is good but doesn't compare to the first book. Zombie books/movies give me crazy dreams.

[Shannon]

Liz, I really am enjoying Marley and Me and am so glad that I finally picked it up! I'm almost done with it and I've definitely laughed and cried (and know there is more to come).

[embrock]

I'm almost at the point of insanity right now. For a while my policy was that when I read a book, out the door it went. But what do you do when the characters in the books you love are your friends? You can't kick a friend out the door can you?