You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
Closed Discussion Topic
>
What are you currently reading and why? (CLOSED)
Happy reading, Wanda. Let me know how you like them.
Wanda - Thanks for your concern. I am feeling a touch bit better, at least well enough to work. I see my doctor tomorrow, as unfortunately I was unable to go to my local urgent care on Sunday thanks to a whole debacle with my insurance company (grr). Kathy - You liked Adelia's turn to motherhood? I felt as though she was entirely wishy-washy. As a mother, I do feel that many times, going from "I'm the best mom in the world" straight to "I'm the most horrid mother in the world" in about 1.5 seconds at times, but I just thought that she was almost too much so at times. And especially wishy-washy about her whole relationship with Rowley, as he apparently is too! Also, w/ the Serpent's Tale, I wish she had done more real investigative work, as was done in the first novel. I missed that this time...but Eleanor? What a crack pot!
I've just finished
Galapagos
, which was fantastic. Big thanks to Molly for nominating it for June and another big thanks for suggesting that, when it didn't win, I read it anyway so that we could discuss it - which we did. It's a darkly humorous tale that raises issues of fate/independence, the meaning and importance of intelligence and ultimately, what makes us human. Its particular quirk is that the narrator sprinkles the story with so many snippets about what will happen to everyone, why and how, that you don’t know if there will be anything left by the time the main narrative catches up. He even prefixes the names of those about to die with an asterisk!
If you enjoyed Oryx and Crake, I'd particularly recommend it.
I've written a longish review here.
Heather wrote: "Wanda - Thanks for your concern. I am feeling a touch bit better, at least well enough to work. I see my doctor tomorrow, as unfortunately I was unable to go to my local urgent care on Sunday thank..."LOL, yeah Eleanor was something, wasn't she? I agree with you that the realtionship between Adelia and Rowley often frustrates me. They sometimes act like petulant children. I just like the idea of motherhood for Adelia because I think it adds empathy to her character, as she more often than not operates on a practical, scientific approach to matters and emotion suffers.
I am reading The Time Traveler's Wife because Donna in this here group told me to. Well, more accurately, when she sent me a Friend invite I have a question (in order to keep mean spammers away) that asks what your favorite book is. She said this was her favorite book. I had seen it all over the place but wasn't sure it would be my type of book - lovey dovey romance usually isn't.In any event, I noticed she had not yet read one of my favorite books, To Kill A Mockingbird, so told her that if she read that I would read her favorite. Wouldn't you know she went right out and read TKAM and reported back that she enjoyed it. So therefore I felt like I should follow through on my end of the bargain.
So that is why I started reading what I am reading - though I did have to wait a while for the library copy - as I have mentioned before in discussions here with Fiona.
Oh - and I am enjoying it so far - just in the beginning third - so thanks Donna! Certainly not mushy - but definitely about love.
Molly - Me haves big big mad mad love for The Time Traveler's Wife!!!! (yes the horrific grammar was on purpose)
Heather wrote: "Molly - Me haves big big mad mad love for The Time Traveler's Wife!!!! (yes the horrific grammar was on purpose)"It seems everyone does - that was another reason I kept putting it off - too much hype leads to such a high threshold and I always get let down. Nice of you to pimp the book though - I'll have lots of folks here to chat with about it when I'm done!
Oh, btw, I did finish Ella Minnow Pea this afternoon. It is a quicky so super. I hope lots of people will read it so we can have fun talking about it next month. Trying to dig my teeth into The City & the City by China Mieville today.
Heather wrote: "Molly - Me haves big big mad mad love for The Time Traveler's Wife!!!!"Molly wrote: It seems everyone does"
Yes, it's one of the few books my husband and I both enjoyed! (As you say, it's not at all slushy, which isn't my thing either.)
I am so biting at the bit to get back to the audio when it comes back into the library.
Molly- I feel the same way about big hype books too. Hence the reason I still haven't read harry potter books. I am super bummed that I can't get june's read here, but when I get back to the states I am certainly going to pick it up.
Anyway I just finished The Robber's Bride by Margaret Atwood. I chose to read it because ever since we read handmaids tale I have fallen in love with Margaret's writing style and couldn't get enough (having read her other book Blind Assassins and half way through Alias Grace)
I am also reading Amsterdam by Ian McEwan because I am casually doing the 1001 books you should read before you die. I am not going to try to read all the books suggested only the ones that catch my eye.
Heather wrote: "Oh, btw, I did finish Ella Minnow Pea this afternoon. It is a quicky so super. I hope lots of people will read it so we can have fun talking about it next month. I've finished it too so roll on Monday I say!
C F S R wrote: "Heather wrote: "Molly - Me haves big big mad mad love for The Time Traveler's Wife!!!!"Molly wrote: It seems everyone does"
Yes, it's one of the few books my husband and I both enjoyed! (As yo..."
Its the "Oh No!!!!" moment that gets me!
Donna wrote: "Its the "Oh No!!!!" moment that gets me!..."Since I have no idea what you are talking about I guess I haven't found that moment yet. Now I'm not sure I want to keep reading - this is going to turn super sad? Don't tell me - I hate spoilers.
Molly. It is sad, but beautifully happy at the same time. Just go with it. It's a lovely book.Donna - I agree. I got a bit sniffly at that part, but The end of the book is soooo completely worth it. Just beautiful
A beautiful book, and it doesn't get all lovely-dovey, thank goodness, but I wouldn't have written the ending the way she did.
I've just finished "Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn and wrote the following review: This was a very fun book to read about a very serious subject. Without giving away the topic of the book, it takes a look at several major societal problems; censorship, idol worship, greed, and the ability of the few to control the many to the point of the ridiculous, although it happens all the time. However, this book uses something near and dear to the hearts of all readers, the alphabet, to make the point.. Please buy and enjoy this very well written book.
This afternoon, I sat and listened to Jamica Inn - Daphne Du Maurier (audio). As my right calf was sore.
Jenny wrote: "I'm pretty sure Twilight is a 'Young Adult' book."I am not sure it should be considered Young Adult. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. It is a lot of fun to read! I was totally hooked. The first book is the best. I did not like Host at all. It wasn't nearly as good as Twilight.
I am reading Can You Keep a Secret by Kinsella which I am loving. Have you read it?
Dylan wrote: "Right now I'm reading New Moon. I chose this book because I loved Twilight, and also because I heard the author got better at writing after the first book. I love horror novels, so I..."I thought the first book was the best and the 4th wasn't as good. I really didn't like Host at all.
I'm reading At Home in Mitford or I should say rereading it. I absolutely love this series. I usually don't reread books. But I was having a hard time settling on a book from my TBR pile. These books just give me a warm fuzzy feeling :)
I'm also listening to From the Corner of His Eye. Just started that one....so far so good.
I'm also listening to From the Corner of His Eye. Just started that one....so far so good.
I finished Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin last night and enjoyed it as much as the previous two Adelia Aguilar historical fiction mysteries. I've now moved on to My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. My daughter just finished it, and now I'm reading it so we can go see the movie when it comes out.
I am now listening to Blind Eye - Stuart MacBride (Audio) (should finish 2day) 
I just finished listening to People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I have read her other 2 books and again she tackles complex subjects in very creative and thought provoking ways. I really wanted to give this one a 5 star rating but I have to go with 4.5 because of a few aspects of the life of the present day character, Hanna.
Donna wrote: "I just finished listening to People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I have read her other 2 books and again she tackles complex subjects in very creative and thought provoking ways...."Another one I've been wanting to read! I read
Year of Wonders earlier this year. I liked it. Have you read it? Which would you say is better?
Hi Jaime, I read Year of Wonders quite some time ago so some details of the book are a bit fuzzy. I did give it 5 stars and I know I thought it was very, very, good. As to which is better, hard to say. I think People of the Book is a more complex story and Brooks' method of telling the story is more challenging with shifting time periods and story lines but I don't know that it is better. Actually both books are terrific.
I actually like Year of Wonders quite a lot and People of the book as well, but I didn't care for March all that much.
Heather wrote: "I actually like Year of Wonders quite a lot and People of the book as well, but I didn't care for March all that much. "March is the only one of her's that I have read. I liked it a lot - and I don't usually go for historical fiction.
Louise wrote: "I'm also reading Baby-led Weaning Helping Your Baby Love Good Food (for reasons I'm sure you can work out!)..."So you have a good excuse to delve into the glorious world of picture books and children's books as well.
Good luck with the weaning: trust your instincts and those of your baby (rather than well meant advice from ageing friends and relatives).
Okay. I just finished The Soul Thief. I was literally obsessed with this book. I usually only read about an hour a day, as, time-wise, it is all I can really afford. I felt like I was constantly reading this book. Thank God for long waits at Doctor's offices this week!! I read passages over and over and went back through the book and read passages again. The prose is absolutely riveting. And I savored it whole-heartedly! I found Baxter's thoughts and expressions concerning identity very interesting. And then I got to the ending. Hmm. I'm still trying to organize my thoughts about it. And I can't really say too much here. Some say it was a let down. Maybe if you are reading this book purely for it's plot. If you are, you probably won't like the book long before the ending, though.
I recently found Saul and Patsy at a used book shop and am looking forward to reading it sometime in the near future. I'm also going to order The Feast of Love from the swapping site I'm a part of as soon as I have a credit. I definitely need more from this author!
Jaime wrote: "Okay. I just finished The Soul Thief. I was literally obsessed with this book. I usually only read about an hour a day, as, time-wise, it is all I can really afford. I felt like I was constantly r..."This is another book that would get a 1/2 star rating from me if they were offered on Goodreads. I would give it 4 1/2 stars.
I am Reading Witch in the House by Jenna McKnight. I had started it for the Spring Challenge on TNBCC and never finished it, so I restarted it and am enjoying it.
I am currently reading 'The Remains of the Day'. It has sat there, on the side, looking at me for the last two years, and I have finally picked it up.Went to a stately home today and saw Anthony Hopkins around every corner!
Just finished the City and the City by China Mieville. Now I will be all ready to go for next Tuesday. I decided, given the heaviness and feeling of that book to go for something a bit lighter and "fun" and so I am now reading The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen. It's gotten so so recs from Goodreads, and I have it on my shelf, so I figured, why not, eh?
aaaand stayed up rediculously late to finish The Sugar Queen. Lovely. Quite quick, quite fluffy, quite a nice little package of a chick book. Now, before I got off to bed, as it is now past 1 am my time and I really must get up around 6 tomorrow (this??) morning, Am going to be starting The Enchanted Castle and Five Children and It 'cause it's there on my shelf staring at me.
Finally finished Blind Eye - Stuart MacBride. Not decided what to read next.
Louise wrote: "Time Traveller's wife is one of my favourites too, I would definitely recommend you read it!"Louise, I am awaiting for my 2nd copy to come back from library as my tape player chewed the last copy I borrowed lol.
Fiona (Titch) wrote: "Louise wrote: "Time Traveller's wife is one of my favourites too, I would definitely recommend you read it!"Louise, I am awaiting for my 2nd copy to come back from library as my tape player che..."
I'm halfway through it. I only get 30 minutes to an hour a day to read during the week and last weekend was very busy. I have lots of time on Saturday and hope to get it all wrapped up by then! Still enjoying - no spoilers please :0)
So what are you guys going to do if Time Travel is the winning category for July? LOL
C F S R wrote: "So what are you guys going to do if Time Travel is the winning category for July? LOL"It would be really nice if that category won and The Time Travelers Wife was the book selected - I'd have lots of people to talk to about it and wouldn't have to read something new!
Now - if that category won and some other book was selected my brain might explode trying to work out all the time travel rules and timelines. So I'd probably go read something nice and linear instead ;0)
I nominated that category with that exact thought in mind!!! That was the book I was going to nominate if the category won. I read it several years ago and would really like to read it again and discuss it with everyone! Now that a movie is being (or going to be) made, I really feel as though I should read it again before I see the movie.
Heather wrote: "aaaand stayed up rediculously late to finish The Sugar Queen. Lovely. Quite quick, quite fluffy, quite a nice little package of a chick book. Now, before I got off to bed, as it is now past 1 am my..."i hope you like the e. nesbit stories i find her story telling so charming!
aww Jamie, I am quite disappointed they are making it into a movie....Eric Bana??? come on! Thanks Kip - I am enjoying it so far, but I'm not too far into Five Children and It yet.
I'd heard there was a Time Traveler's Wife film in the pipeline. I have reservations (doubts, not prebooked seats!), but would probably go to see it, though I too would want to reread the book first.
Heather, Yeah, I know. I'm pretty skeptical, too. But I probably will see it eventually. Even if just to complain about how bad it was! I've posted on one of the Goodreads groups about this before (I think this one). And on Facebook. One GOOD thing about the movie is that everyone, absolutely everyone, I know is talking about the book! Talking about it so much has gotten me wanting to read it again.
but I loathe Eric Bana (except in Star Trek, he was pretty ok). I just feel that Henry deserves better.
I am reading Pefect Fifths...because when I was buying a book on Amazon it came up as a suggetion. I am enjoying it. It looks like Pefect Fifths is the fifth book in the series has anyone read the other 4?
I just started The Bloody Chamber. It's a bunch of short stories with feminist leanings based on fairy-tales. I've been into reading this genre lately, so that is one reason why I chose it. I am also waiting for Ella Minnow Pea to come in the mail any day, so I didn't want to get into another novel. I just started the first story, "The Bloody Chamber". I believe it's based on Fitcher's Bird and/or Bluebeard. I'm not far enough into it yet to have an opinion about it.
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
The Sandcastle Girls (other topics)The Bachelor Farmers (other topics)
Anna Karenina (other topics)
The Hoard (other topics)
The Orchardist (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Leo Tolstoy (other topics)Alan Ryker (other topics)
Brenda Sorrels (other topics)
Anna Funder (other topics)
Patrick Carman (other topics)
More...
Thank you, Kathy. I will definitely add these to my list of books to be read. I love historical fiction and historical mysteries and these fit the bill exactly.