What Are You Reading - August 2011

[Booksy]

Just started "The City and The City" by China Mieville, can't yet say whether I em enjoying it or not, just started. Already lost in the forrest of incredibly complicatedly spellt characters' named... hmmmm
Will keep on reading.

[♥Xeni♥]

Booksy wrote: "Just started "The City and The City" by China Mieville, can't yet say whether I em enjoying it or not, just started. Already lost in the forrest of incredibly complicatedly spellt characters' named..."

Reading it? I felt that an Audiobook was a much easier way to get into it!

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Reading it? I felt that an Audiobook was a much easier way to get into it! ."

I can't find a copy of the audiobook, so I may have to read it

[Wendy]

Ive just started Middlesex so will see how it goes

[♥Xeni♥]

Ahh... Middlesex... the beginning was pretty long winded, I found, and I lost interest after a while, but if I ever get my hands on my copy again I know I'd love to actually plunge right into the story!

There's something about untold stories like this one that just capture me as a reader, I find.

[♥Xeni♥]

Knowledge Lost wrote: "♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Reading it? I felt that an Audiobook was a much easier way to get into it! ."

I can't find a copy of the audiobook, so I may have to read it"

Would you like my copy?

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Would you like my copy?"

Would love a copy

[Booksy]

Knowledge Lost wrote: "♥Xeni♥ wrote: "Reading it? I felt that an Audiobook was a much easier way to get into it! ."

I can't find a copy of the audiobook, so I may have to read it"

Thanks for the advice ♥Xeni♥, might also look for an audio book instead.
So far, the narrative has been developing like a standard crime novel, nothing special.
Booksy

[♥Xeni♥]

It's not the crime that makes this story so charming, I think. More the physics of it.

[Kim]

Booksy wrote: "Just started "The City and The City" by China Mieville, can't yet say whether I em enjoying it or not, just started. Already lost in the forrest of incredibly complicatedly spellt characters' named..."

It is very complicated to start with but eventually it all makes sense and comes together great.

[V.]

Wendy wrote: "Ive just started Middlesex so will see how it goes"

I enjoyed Middlesex- I think at first I was a little confused about the whole 'I was born twice' thing, but I just went with it and eventually it became more and more obvious. I found it really interesting if only because its a story I'd never heard told before- it's a unique perspective to explore that's for sure.

[Booksy]

Kim wrote: "Booksy wrote: "Just started "The City and The City" by China Mieville, can't yet say whether I em enjoying it or not, just started. Already lost in the forrest of incredibly complicatedly spellt ch..."

Thanks for the encouragement Kim, I understand exactly what you mean, I am getting more and more confused (especially about all those "crosshatching" and "protuberances", "border perforating transgressions") but keep reading as the core theme intrigues me. I am off to bed to read now.

[Booksy]

Victoria wrote: "Wendy wrote: "Ive just started Middlesex so will see how it goes"

I enjoyed Middlesex- I think at first I was a little confused about the whole 'I was born twice' thing, but I just went with it ..."

Can't agree more Victoria, a very unique and unusual book, and I loved the way Eugenides approached this complex topic. The historical backdrop added substance to the book as well. A great book indeed.

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

I'm now reading The Heart mender by Andy Andrews. A much nicer holiday read than that Brendan Cowell book. It was incredibly depressing.

[Lori]

I'm almost halfway through The Count of Monte Cristo. I wasn't sure I'd like it at first, but once I got used to the "old language" I actually started to enjoy it.

[Sonali]

Almost finishing Code name God by Mani Bhaumik. I like it, probably because it fulfills some basic need for science and mysticism that I have.

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

Reading Wither at the moment while in France

[Mary, Quiet Observer]

I'm now reading nowhere man that knowledge lost mentioned earlier as I finished both the books I packed. Unlike him, I'm finding the book quite thrilling and compelling and can't wait to see how it ends

[Kim]

I'm currently staying on a tropical island and I didn't bring my Nook and only packed one book, silly me. It was a big book so I thought it would sustain me but I went through it faster than I expected. Luckily the local everything store had a a small book range and amazingly I picked up Before I Go to Sleep so am currently reading that.

[Melki]

Most folks would not understand your panic at being on a TROPICAL ISLAND with NOTHING TO READ - but I do! Glad you found something to do besides swim, lounge around on the beach and look at girls in bikinis! I'd hate to think of you having to suffer another minute doin' THAT stuff!

Enjoy your vacation and your book, Kim!

[Kim]

Haha it's at night where the issue is. All day I'm studying and SCUBA diving. Almost got swam into by a green sea turtle yesterday :p

[V.]

Kim wrote: "Haha it's at night where the issue is. All day I'm studying and SCUBA diving. Almost got swam into by a green sea turtle yesterday :p"

Are you on the Great Barrier Reef? It's stunning isn't it? I think the Whitsundays is probably my favourite place in Australia. I'd love to go further north, up to Haggerstone or Lizard Island.

For the sake of staying on topic, I'm still working through Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell- it's turning out to be quite a page turner, but 1024 pages is still a lot of turning!

[Michael, Mod Prometheus]

Good pick

[Kim]

I live in North QLD, we're surrounded by reefs and beaches :p

I'm really lovin this book so far. Once it's done I'll move on to the way of kings part 2.

[Sonali]

Victoria wrote: "Kim wrote: "Haha it's at night where the issue is. All day I'm studying and SCUBA diving. Almost got swam into by a green sea turtle yesterday :p"

Are you on the Great Barrier Reef? It's stunnin..."
You gain a lot of knowledge about english folk lore.

[Sonali]

Sorry, meant to reply to Victoria's post...

[Booksy]

Kim wrote: "I live in North QLD, we're surrounded by reefs and beaches :p

I'm really lovin this book so far. Once it's done I'll move on to the way of kings part 2."

On a topic of QLD Far North, I love Great Barrier Reef too, it's gorgeous. And I really enjoyed my recent business trip to Hamilton Island. This is a stunning place, especially the parts that are not that "culturalised" by 5 star+ resorts. Really beautiful place to spend a few days on.

[V.M.H]

I've read Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay and Strong Motion by Jonathan Franzen this month. Clouded vision is OKish for a short read but Strong Motion is definitely the best book I've read this year. Now I'm in the middle of Marching Powder by Rusty Young. The story is interesting but writing is very simplistic... Have to catch up on this group's reading :)

[V.]

Finished the delightful Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, started The Shadow of the Wind, but have been forced to take a detour to read The Crimson Petal and the White so I can have it finished before the miniseries airs on cable.

Has anyone else read Crimson Petal? I don't normally flinch from books and have a pretty high threshold for distatesful characters and plots, but this one is pushing my limits. Amazingly well researched- it's answering all sorts of little questions I had wondered about- and a lot I never wanted to know about too. Will persevere though!

[Kim]

Have finally got a copy of Fatherland to read, though it may end up as part of my September reads.

[Sonali]

I have just started on a book in my mother tongue about some of the very strong women characters in The Mahabharata.It is pretty erudite and the author seems to feel deeply about them.

[Wendy]

Victoria wrote: "Finished the delightful Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell, started The Shadow of the Wind, but have been forced to take a detour to read [book:The Crimson Petal and the Whi..."

Ive read it and loved it. Although it a really long book I have to say I got through it very quickly. Sugar is such a compelling character and the grim bleakness of life in the London of the time really comes to life. The miniseries is very good but obviously is a more condensed version of the story.