What Are You Currently Reading? November 2011

[Linda]

I inhaled . Wow! Magic!

Now starting - Gershwin being my favorite "pop" composer.

Started listening to by John Lithgow. He is a good writer and (no surprise) an excellent narrator.

[Shannon]

Linda wrote: "I inhaled . Wow! Magic!

Now starting - Gershwin b..."

Linda, I started Drama by John Lithgow last night, and am really enjoying it so far! I am reading the text version, but I think listening to him narrate it would be a literary treat!

[Valerie]

Snow Crash by Neah Stephenson - awesome....!

[Tracey]

I just finished Before I Go to Sleep and was pretty underwhelmed until the last 20 or 25 pages. I'm reading Mule: A Novel of Moving Weight now.

[Jason]

Just finished Only Time Will Tell. This book is Jeffrey Archer at his best. I have to admit, it's the best book I've read so far (out of 18 books) for 2011. It's such an emotional book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves Mr. Archer's previous works.

Currently starting on 11/22/63. Anyone else is reading this?

[[deleted user]]

Yup, I'm reading 11/22/63 and loving it.

[Ann]

If one of you who has an ereader that is NOT a Kindle wants a free copy of 11/22/63 by Stephen King, you can use this link to download:
http://klout.com/perk/SimonSchuster/1...

It's only good for one person to use, so first person to use it gets it. Please post here if you used it, so that nobody else spends their time trying. And note that the link does not work for Kindle books, only Nook, Kobo, iPad/iPhone etc.

[Elizabeth☮]

i am now reading The Translator: A Memoir.

[Mshllvis]

I am currently reading Life As We Knew It, which is a YA book. It is very scary good. It is basically a teenagers diary of what would happen if the moon was pushed much closer to the Earth by an asteroid. I say scary good because although it isn't horror you really get a sense of discomfort while reading it. Next I may go for a mind cleanse kind of book with A Most Dangerous Profession because a good bodice ripper is a good way to just read and be light and fluffy or I may start Game of Thrones

[cazdoll]

Picked up at the library the other day, only on the 2nd chapter, if anybody has read this can you let me know if it's worth reading it's quite long, I hate wasting my reading time:)

[Dennis]

Just started Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I'm really looking forward to it.

[Tracey]

Ann wrote: "If one of you who has an ereader that is NOT a Kindle wants a free copy of 11/22/63 by Stephen King, you can use this link to download:
http://klout.com/perk/SimonSchuster/1......"

I got it! Thank you, Ann!

[Ann]

Enjoy, Tracey!

[Steph]

Just started reading The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. (Sorry if I'm pretty much too late in reading this book. haha. :))

[Kevin]

Catherine wrote: "Picked up at the library the other day, only on the 2nd chapter, if anybody has read this can you let me know if it's worth reading it's quite long, I hat..."

My wife adored this book...it is in my pile to read. I believe it has also been nominated as a book of the year on goodreads.
Happy Reading

[cazdoll]

Ok thank you Kevin, I read the reviews on it and most people gave it between 4 and 5 stars, I hope I can give it a good review too :)

[[deleted user]]

I'll post my final thoughts as always, but I want to pipe up and say that so far is a DAMN good read. One of the best King books in a while.

[Callie]

Eric wrote: "I'll post my final thoughts as always, but I want to pipe up and say that so far is a DAMN good read. One of the best King books in a while."

Eric, did you read Under the Dome? How does it compare, pacing-wise?

[Callie]

I finished Rosemary's Baby. Not as good as The Exorcist by far, but still interesting and creepy enough.

I am feeling tempted to pick up something new, but I should sit and finish at least one of the ones I have started on my nightstand.

I've also been dipping in and out of the audio version of Poe's Children: The New Horror: An Anthology. Short story anthologies on audio is a new genre for me, but it's good because there is a ton of material (~24 hours), with all different narrators. Some excellent choices so far, Dan Chaon's "The Bees" was fantastic.

[[deleted user]]

I liked UTD a lot. But a lot of people may have a problem with shifting points of view among so many characters, and with the ending/explanation. 11/22/63 draws me in with a single POV (Jake, the narrator), and with the attention to pitch perfect detail in recreating the lost America of 1958. And as far as plot is concerned, let's just say that saving JFK isn't the plot point you'll care the most about. There are smaller, more prosaic lives whose turnabouts will mean more to you.

[[deleted user]]

Also, fans of will shiver at being plunked down in Derry again, at the point in time right after Pennywise was active. And you'll visit with some old friends.

[Kathy]

I've finished and reviewed Terry Pratchett's Snuff (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...) and Arnold Bennett's 1922 novel Mr. Prohack (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...). I'd be curious to hear what other Discworld fans on this list made of the newest entry.

[Melissa Wiebe]

Currently reading Crime and Punishment and I have to get it done in about 5 hours from now (am about 214 pages into the book)

[Linda]

Melissa wrote: "Currently reading Crime and Punishment and I have to get it done in about 5 hours from now (am about 214 pages into the book)"

?????

[Jessica]

I recently finished The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers which, along with The Borrower ] , were two of the best books I have read this year. I was glued to both books. I am now reading Absurdistan Absurdistan which so far is not as good as Shteyngart's Super Sad True Love Story , but it is holding my attention.

[Elizabeth☮]

I'm on the wait list for The Borrower. I'm glad to hear it's good.

[Flora]

I've just started Out of Oz I've really been looking forward to this one.

[Andrea]

Only 5 days left before I can say I've completely read War & Peace and not just skimmed it! I'm glad this challenge was given and enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. Thanks! I have a War & Peace movie night planned for when that last 'page' is turned! The best thing I discovered while reading War & Peace is dailylit.com. I get a daily email of my reading segment for that day, it's free, and they have lots of books to choose from. You can schedule as much or as little as you want, or put it on hold if you need to. I had to take a week off while I was in Australia and had no access to my email, and it was painful to not have my daily dose of War & Peace! I had given myself the full year to read it, but got ahead of schedule when I hit those "can't put it down" moments and now I want to keep up with reading the 'classics'. I'm trying to decide if my next one will be The Count of Monte Cristo or Les Misérables. I'm open to recommendations or suggestions about which should be next! Thanks again to all whose posts gave me the courage to read Tolstoy!

[Ann]

Awesome job, Andrea!!

[[deleted user]]

I started "The Night Circus" on audio. Am I the only one who finds it repetitious, vague, cliche-ridden, and tedious? Overhyped?

Seems like a big waste of time to me, on par with the Twilight series.

[Kevin]

Andrea wrote: "Only 5 days left before I can say I've completely read War & Peace and not just skimmed it! I'm glad this challenge was given and enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. Thanks! I have a Wa..."

I really enjoyed both of those books but I have reread The Count of Monte Cristo many times. I love it, love it, love it! :). This is the best book to show how education changes people. Happy Reading!

[Frankie]

Eric wrote: "I liked UTD a lot. But a lot of people may have a problem with shifting points of view among so many characters, and with the ending/explanation. 11/22/63 draws me in with a single POV (Jake, the n..."

I read a sample of this in Entertainment Weekly and now I'm salivating to dig into the rest of it - great characterization, scene setting, pacing, etc. I've not read a lot of King, but I can't wait to read this one.

[Shannon]

I just finished John Lithgow's Drama (very enjoyable!), and am looking forward to starting I Am Half-Sick of Shadows. I have missed Flavia!

[Linda]

Shannon wrote: "I just finished John Lithgow's Drama (very enjoyable!), and am looking forward to starting I Am Half-Sick of Shadows. I have missed Flavia!"

Shannon, Flavia is next on my list, too. Got it from the library the other day (1st on the list). And I'm loving listening to Lithgow's book.

[Linda]

Eric wrote: "I started "The Night Circus" on audio. Am I the only one who finds it repetitious, vague, cliche-ridden, and tedious? Overhyped?

Seems like a big waste of time to me, on par with the Twilight series."

No, Eric, you are not alone, but I am not in your crowd. As many "hyped" books there are people on both sides. At the moment, this is the book I'm urging people to read, but I have learned, through past experience, that "one (wo)man's junk..."

Try John Lithgow. I'm sure you'll like that. Some of it even takes place near your neck of the state.

[[deleted user]]

Acting!

[Ann]

Eric wrote: "I started "The Night Circus" on audio. Am I the only one who finds it repetitious, vague, cliche-ridden, and tedious? Overhyped?

Seems like a big waste of time to me, on par with the Twilight series."
Hmmm, not a reaction I've heard from anyone. Personally, I loved it and don't see any parallels with Twilight (though I've only read the first book in that series). Most of those I know who didn't love it enjoyed the writing and the imagery but wanted more plot and character development.

[Nancy]

I finished a print book and audiobook at about the same time and am in the early stages of new ones. The print book is "Expiration Date" by Duane Swierczynski, described in some reviews as a "time travel thriller." I've just begun, but so far the concept is that an unemployed, broke journalist living in our time has temporarily moved into his grandfather's apartment while the older man is hospitalized. He takes what he thinks are outdated headache pills and either goes back in time to the day he was born, in this same neighborhood, or has a vivid hallucination brought on by the pills. His own father's murder is going to be involved in some way. It sounds intriguing.

The audiobook is in a completely different genre: Dickens' "Oliver Twist." I'm familiar with the plot through film and theatrical adaptations but had never read the entire text. I was motivated in part by the upcoming bicentenary of the author's birth and by a recent podcast from Guardian Books featuring a tour of the sites described in the book along with narration of selected passages.

[[deleted user]]

I finished His Mistress by Christmas by Victoria Alexander; narrated by Susan Duerden today. It's a Romance audiobook and; while I'm glad I tried it, I don't think Romance in audio is my thing. Of course, I'm not much for reading Romance novels much anymore either; but there was something a bit crude in having certain passages read aloud to me :-/

Tomorrow, I'm starting Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie; narrated by Sam Dastor. I've always been intimidated by this book, afraid that I'm not smart enough for it; But I'm determined to at least try it and see where it takes me :-)




His Mistress by Christmas by Victoria Alexander; narrated by Susan Duerden




Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie; narrated by Sam Dastor

[Callie]

Finished Domestic Violets, which was interesting and very amusing. Reminded me of standing in the rain waiting in line for an amazing grilled cheese sandwich @ BBF.

I picked up Fahrenheit 451, which is something I know I read in school, but it still feels unfamiliar, and so much better than I remember it being. I love the writing style.

[Joanne-in-Canada]

Just started At Large and at Small: Confessions of a Literary Hedonist by Anne Fadiman. I love short, well written essays, as this book appears to contain. I also want a novel on the go at the same time, so am starting The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I was inspired to read Victor Hugo after touring his house in Paris ("Maison de Victor Hugo") and the Notre Dame Cathedral.

[Elizabeth☮]

Callie wrote: "Finished Domestic Violets, which was interesting and very amusing. Reminded me of standing in the rain waiting in line for an amazing grilled cheese sandwich @ BBF.

I picked up Fah..."


i love fahrenheit 451. i hope you enjoy the rest of the book. when i first read it i stayed up all night reading it.

[Angela]

I am reading "Ready Player One" and enjoying it immensly. I should be reading "The Remains of the Day" because it's my bookclubs selection for this month but had a hard time getting into that one. Will try again sometime soon!

[nancy]

Just finished Northwest Corner by John Burnham Schwartz. I rented the movie Reservation Road to remind me about the backstory. It greatly enhanced my enjoyment of the new book (Northwest corner). I really love his writing...what a wonderful "wordsmith". I was lucky enough to hear him speak last week and Wow..what a life, what a great author event. I recommend this book to all of you.
Meanwhile, I've started some "oldies but goodies"...Shanghai Girls on audio and I'm reading Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Are they too similar to read at once? We'll see!

[Jay]

I just finished The Art of Fieldingand am sad that it is over. Maybe it is my nostalgia for college/athletic life that made the book so appealing to me. I don't think the author could have done any better making these characters real and vibrant. I was invested in their lives within the first 20 pages and it will take a little time for me to let them go.

With that in mind, my next book is something a bit lighter. I am starting both A Cool Breeze on the Underground and Dead to the World. I got them from the library for my NOOK.

I am also listening to Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhoodin my attempt to catch up on Michael Lewis's back catalog.

[[deleted user]]

Tanya/dog eared copy wrote: "Tomorrow, I'm starting Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie; narrated by Sam Dastor. I've always been intimidated by this book, afraid that I'm not smart enough for it; But I'm determined to at least try it and see where it takes me :-)"

I started Satanic Verses (by Salman Rushdie; narrated by Sam Dastor) today. What in the world was I afraid of?! It's completely accessible and engaging :-)




Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie; narrated by Sam Dastor

[Jana]

Andrea wrote: "Only 5 days left before I can say I've completely read War & Peace and not just skimmed it! I'm glad this challenge was given and enjoyed the book more than I thought I would. Thanks! I have a Wa..."

Andrea, I'm about to call it a "wrap" for War & Peace as well. Wow. What a journey. I read it mostly on my Kindle, but I also have the hardback with many post-it notes sticking out.

I don't remember ever having so many books to read at once. There's no way to get to them all, but I have library copies (screaming of due dates) for
and
Eric has me wanting to read the new Stephen King.
My Kindle has STILL waiting to be read.
I just started for book club.
I just finished on audio which was very fun for October. Now I'm listening to the wonderful David Mitchell's .
I'm also working my way through which is very interesting. I hope I can learn some practical things about memory from reading it, but either way it's very entertaining.

[Robin]

Just finished on audio. It was fun. Usually listen as I walk the dogs, so they put in a lot of mileage this past week. Not a video game player, but loved reliving the 80's. Could not stop listening till it was finished.

Almost finished with . Hard to put it down. First, because it was a Kindle Library loan, second because it is so good. Really drew me into the story. Guess I am pleasantly surprised as I am not usually interested in Werewolf stories. I blame it on all the good reviews in Goodreads and BOTNS,

[Andrea]

I finished War and Peace Sunday night!!! Amazing . . . I love anything historical! I was trying to decide between Les Miserables and Count of Monte Cristo, but I noticed my second volume of James Micheners 'The Covenant' sitting patiently on my nightstand. It's been waiting for over a year. I really liked volume one but got involved in other books before I got into volume two, so it's probably time to get back to The Covenant. Dumas and Hugo will have to wait a little bit longer. Too much to read, too little time!

[Julie]

Just finished "Room" by Emma Donoghue. It was on a 'best of 2010' lists I found in another notebook, I'm sure it was from BOTN . . One of the most compelling reads I've had in a long, long, while.