What are you currently reading and why? (CLOSED) Showing 751-800 of 4,001

[Susanna]

Starting this month's group read, Bill Bryson's Notes From A Small Island :)

[Jaime]

Beth wrote: "Just finished The Remains of the Day (pleasantly surprised!) and The Little Stranger (disappointed). I am now half-way through [book:The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo|242..."

Oh, no! The Little Stranger was disappointing? Sarah Waters is one of my favorite authors and I've been looking forward to reading this one. Have you read anything else by her?

[Beth]

Jaime wrote:

Hi Jaime,
I hear you! I had such high hopes for The Little Stranger after reading the description so I felt very disappointed by the end of the story. No, I have not read other books by Sarah Waters, but I will give her another try. Any specific title you can recommend? I'll be curious to hear your impression of The Little Stranger given the fact that you have prior experience with her writing.

[Jaime]

Beth wrote: "Jaime wrote:

Hi Jaime,
I hear you! I had such high hopes for The Little Stranger after reading the description so I felt very disappointed by the end of the story. No, I have not..."

I really enjoyed Fingersmith, but I have recommended it to others who could not get into it. It's a mystery story that takes place in Victorian London. It has a Dickensian feel to it. The Night Watch is really interesting. It's actually told in a backward fashion (from current times to past times). I think it's neat to see relationships devolve. It provides insight that books written in regular forward fashion do not.

[Cecily]

Having just finished Cormac McCarthy's brilliant, but emotionally harrowing, The Road (my review is here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... ), it's time for some light relief, so I'm about to read The City of Dreaming Books. If it's as good as 13 1/2 Lives of Captain Bluebear, it should be a riot.

For the August group read, I will be reading Little Women, but having put it off for 25 years, I wanted to read something I was confident I would find fun first.

[Ally]

I've just started reading 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' - I'll let you know what I think when I've got further ahead! - Has anyone else read this one?

[Beth]

Wow! Just finished The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it is chock full of intrigue, suspense, ethics, and a broad range of emotions. I gave it five stars. I am now reading The Snapper by Roddy Doyle and Kluge The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind by Gary Marcus. The Snapper is utterly hilarious so far :-)

[[deleted user]]

Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner. I naively thought that its winning the Booker prize established it as brilliant. I am enjoying it but not spectacularly. I suppose my enjoyment is tainted by the disappointment I feel.

[Cecily]

Have you read any other Anita Brookner? She has quite a distinctive style, in terms of laguage, characters and situation; perhaps that's the problem?

[Heather]

CSFR, I think you will like The City of Dreaming Books. I just found Moers this year and I have read all three of the Zamonia books in quick succession. I love them all. I am extremely excited for the new one in September, The alchemaster's apprentice.

[[deleted user]]

C F S R wrote: "Have you read any other Anita Brookner? She has quite a distinctive style, in terms of laguage, characters and situation; perhaps that's the problem?"

No, it's my first. I do like the style, and ordinarily I would be satisfied, but I had hoped it would be better.

[Ally]

Lauren wrote: "Hotel Du Lac by Anita Brookner. I naively thought that its winning the Booker prize established it as brilliant. I am enjoying it but not spectacularly. I suppose my enjoyment is tain..."

I agree - the Booker Prize is a bit of a strange thing. Does anyone else feel that most of the books that win the prize win for reasons other than great writing?

I mean, when you look at the prize itself, even though its designed for commonwealth writers, very few British writers win it - it's usually won by novelists who are perhaps politically or socially motivated to elaborate the plight of India, Africa etc or their woes at the hands of the British colonialists or to explain about the culture of places many moons away from 'the centre' (perceived?) that is London.

I enjoy reading about other cultures. Some Booker reads are great BUT its become a bit of a poltical animal the Booker prize! - Am I alone in thinking this?

Ally

[Victoria]

Allhug wrote: "I've just started reading 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' - I'll let you know what I think when I've got further ahead! - Has anyone else read this one?"

I have it on my bookshelf to read. I was tempted by the title alone.

[[deleted user]]

Allhug, truth be told I'm not that familiar with other winning novels but I do understand what you mean.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Just finished the brillant Succubus Nights - Richelle Mead. Will now carry on reading Hollywood Wives - Jackie Collins.

[[deleted user]]

I'm starting The Sea by John Banville, simply because it looks interesting and since The Secret Scripture I've a fancy for Irish literature. It seems to have a sort of melody to it.

[Donna]

Just started The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and it is charming. I am really enjoying it.

[Heather]

Donna - I really enjoyed that one. Hope you do too!

[Susanna]

Starting Thinner by Stephen King (writing as Richard Bachman) for the "Stephen King Fans" group read.

[Beth]

Just finished Kluge The Haphazard Construction of the Human Mind (4 stars). Found the content very interesting, not only as it applies to me but also, as a teacher, as it applies to my students (and why some of them just can't memorize their math facts or other useful information :-) I'm reminded of the importance that learning be contextual and am further inspired to keep plugging away at best teaching practices! Also just finished Last Night in Montreal and was very impressed with the fact that this was a debut novel...well written and engaging (also 4 stars). Now I'm reading Mudbound.

[[deleted user]]

America, Empire of Liberty by David Reynolds. This is a fascinating book about the history of the USA from the earliest days.
It was serialised on Radio 4 and that is what got me hooked. It portrays the broad historic aspect but also includes the individuals who helped shape the USA.
I have to admit that some of it is hard work but, on the whole, this is an enthralling and highly enjoyable book.

[Fiona (Titch)]

Taking a break from Hollywood Wives - Jackie Collins and gonna read Meredith's Treasure - Philip Harbottle. A Western genre book lol.

[Beth]

Just finished Mudbound and really enjoyed it (4 stars). I am now reading The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox as well as Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading Finding and Losing Myself in Books

[Heather]

Finished the Children of the Vampire by Jeanne Kalogrides and now going to start in on the last in the series Lord of the Vampires...(kinda like lord of the dance but with fangs)

[BurgendyA]

Now I am reading The Fire Starter by Stephen King. I just can't seem to get tired of reading his books, but the last SK novel I finished reading was "Blaze", and I didn't like it much.

My second read is The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. It is the first time I've read from this author. Has anyone read it before? =)~

[Fiona (Titch)]

Finally finished Meredith's Treasure - Philip Harbottle. Now I am gonna carry on readin Over The Edge - Jonathan Kellerman.

[Susanna]

Loved The Road, it seems like a hit-or-miss book. Will start the last in the Millennium trilogy, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest.

[[deleted user]]

The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson.

[Heather]

Finished Lord of the Vampires. It was a good ending to the series. I enjoyed it quite a bit. I am now starting on The Zookeeper's Wife because it was the first title on my bookshelf. (I keep them in alpha order by author's last name.)

[John]

I just finished reading "Away" by Amy Bloom. I must have read a review of it years ago because it has been on my"to find" list almost longer than anything. It didn't disappoint - I quite enjoyed it.
Now I am going to try "The Gargoyle" - Andrew Davidson. I'm not sure if it is my kind of book but it sounds odd enough to call out from my "to read pile".

[[deleted user]]

After abandoning The Pirate's Daughter, I have started Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks. I loved the movie.

[[deleted user]]

Arcadia by Tom Stoppard for A level.

[Heather]

Finished The Zookeeper's Wife and now reading Sense and Sensibility cause it was the next one in the alphabet on my TBR shelf.

[[deleted user]]

I just bought Suite Française to read on holiday - it will be a temptation not to start it before then. Must finish Charlotte Grey and Arcadia first.

[Molly]

Lauren wrote: "I just bought Suite Française to read on holiday - it will be a temptation not to start it before then. Must finish Charlotte Grey and Arcadia first."

I hope you enjoy Suite Francaise as much as some of us did during our recent discussion a few months ago. When you've finished, add your thoughts there - I'd love to hear them!

[[deleted user]]

Thanks for the encouragement :) I wish I'd known about the book and this group back then. It would have been nice to discuss it.

[Molly]

Lauren wrote: "Thanks for the encouragement :) I wish I'd known about the book and this group back then. It would have been nice to discuss it."

I'll still discuss it with you whenever you revive the original thread with a new comment :0)

[Donna]

I finished The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - wonderful book. Highly recommended. Now I'm reading Mistress of the Art of Death. If you are a fan of the Brother Cadfael mysteries you would like this one.

[[deleted user]]

Molly wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Thanks for the encouragement :) I wish I'd known about the book and this group back then. It would have been nice to discuss it."

I'll still discuss it with you whenever you reviv..."

Thanks :D

[Heather]

Donna - I thoroughly enjoyed both of the books you just mentioned. I'm glad you liked Guernsey & I hope you will like Mistress of the art of Death. The second in the series was good but not as good, but apparently the 3rd in the series is really good according to someone in the group (can't remember who right now though)

I gave up on Sense and Sensibility. I just can't deal with the language w/ everything that's going on right now. So I started reading The Cat's Pajamas by Ray Bradbury.

[Ally]

I've just started 'The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane' (...published as 'The Lost Book of Salem' here in the UK...If on;y I'd known!). - I'm really loving it so far - its about the history of the Salem Witch Trials.

[Susanna]

Started The Unknown Soldier by Väinö Linna because it's really one of the must reads for Finns. And, eh, it's on the 1001 Must Read list. But so far I like it.

[Beth]

I am now done reading The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (3 stars). Loved the idea of the story but found it a bit confusing to follow. Leave Me Alone, I'm Reading Finding and Losing Myself in Books was very engaging in some parts yet dry in others. I can now say I completely understand why avid readers always have a STACK of books to read..."so as not to address the void after the last page...". Dishwasher One Man's Quest to Wash Dishes in All Fifty States was also a 3 star. I just started Olive Kitteridge because I have seen it mentioned in many reader's reviews and lists.

[Beth]

John wrote: "I just finished reading "Away"...

Hi John,
The Gargoyle is truly what you said...odd enough to try. I read it and could not put it down. The author must have had to do an amazing amount of research. I remember being very curious to see how the story would end. The book is definitely unique!

[Bernard]

I have just finished "Shadows of the Workhouse" by Jennifer Worth which gave me a strong and plentiful dose of nostalgia - a lot of detail about life in the UK during the Second World War blitz. I am now starting on "The Historian" which is supposed to be a "page turner" but we shall no doubt see!

[Shannon]

I just started Shanghai Girls A Novel and am really looking forward to it. Its one of Lisa See's books and I know that I loved Snowflower and the Secret Fan and even enjoyed her mystery The Interior (two books very different from each other).

[Heather]

Bernard - I liked the Historian and I thought for the most part it was a page turner, however, there are some dry parts and some people will completely disagree. and think that the book was terrible. Let me know what you think when you are done!

I finished the cat's Pajamas yesterday. 5* by the way. I am ashamed to admit it but it was the first thing I have ever read by Ray Bradbury and I just thought it was phenomenal. I will have to read more.

based on the fact that so many of my fellow YLTO bookies are reading the Gargoyle, I thought I would read it too. I am about 70 pages into it and really enjoying it so far, but I must say, I really hope the narrator becomes a changed man at the end because he's a real jerk right now!

[Beth]

Just finished Olive Kitteridge (5 stars) and was amazed at the characters' emotional composites. I did not care for Olive Kitteredge's character initially, but her evolution throughout the book was intriguing. Also read Black Flies A Novel (3 stars). Interesting look into lives of inner city paramedics. I'm now reading Every Last Cuckoo A Novel .

[John]

Beth wrote: "John wrote: "I just finished reading "Away"...

Hi John,
The Gargoyle is truly what you said...odd enough to try. I read it and could not put it down. The author must have had ..."

Hi Beth
I am about 130 pages in and like you say it is hard to put down. Both the burn recovery story and the 1300's stories are incredibly interesting.

[Heather]

John - I am about 118 pages into the Gargoyle right now, and I completely agree. I am finding both stories really interesting and a couple of the smaller stories within are heartbreakingly beautiful, especially the black plague story. Call me a sucker I guess, but I am loving this book, and I am starting to like the main character a bit more. He was really hard to like earlier on.