You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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What are you currently reading and why? (CLOSED)
I have just begun 36 Views of Mount Fuji: On Finding Myself in Japan. It was recommended to me by my GR friend, Gaeta, who lived in Japan for a while. On her recommendation I read the sample and was attracted by the thoughts presented in the small bit I had read. I always have seen Japan as a country where beauty is valued, but in the beginning of this book the author points out that in fact there is ugliness too. The modern cement building and flashing lights and electric wires all over the place are a part of present day Japan too. However, there is beauty too, you must just look for it. I did not have any trouble spotting it on my three week stay there. The spots of beauty are so startling that that is all you remember. The author writes the book in the hope that her distance to the Japanese people and culture will give her a clear perspective. This thought was voiced by Hokusai. The title of the book refers back to Hokusai's painting of Mt. Fuji. Have you see his print depicting a Japanese drinking a cup of tea, where the mountain is only seen as a reflection in the tea cup? So I am reading this book b/c I believe I will enjoy and learn from the author's years spent living in Japan.
I just finished A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. It is not an ornithologial guide, as I so erroneously thought every time I saw it here at GR. No, it is about a group of bird interested people living in Kenya. It is humorous and delightful. It helps to be interested in birds. It is clearly a comfort read. Here is my spoiler-free review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Just finished and loved A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry A great read, this is my review www.goodreads.com/review/show/204184173Just starting The Language of Flowers
Dem wrote: "Just finished and loved A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry A great read, this is my review www.goodreads.com/review/show/204184173Just starting The Language o..."</i>
[book:The Language of Flowers looks good. I'm looking forward to your review.
I,m reading Sister by Rosamund Lupton Brilliant in depth story very well written
I have just finished 36 Views of Mount Fuji: On Finding Myself in Japan. I t is about Japanese culture. You get to know these people on a personal level. It also deals with how you determine where you fit in if you feel at home in several countries, since you have lived in each of them for many years. Here is my spoiler free review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...I will now start From the Land of the Moon. Why? Because it takes place in Sardinia, I often enjoy books set in Italy and the story looks interesting. I do not think it will be too romantic for me. I don't mind a good love story if the author just keeps away from the fluff.
Having completed From the Land of the Moon (spoiler free review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...) in just one day, I have moved on to Mosaic: A Chronicle of Five Generations. I wanted to read this book for ages, and then it was kindlized :0). It is about a Jewish Polish family. It is not fiction. There is a map and two family trees, but, as usual, these are impossible to read on Kindles. I will make my own family trees and uses Wikipedia for maps. Best of all, I will be reading with my dear friend Lynne. Our views very often overlap! She will be listening to an audio. I wonder how the two will compare?!
I am reading
as a friend lent it to me.
I debated about nominating that one for the montly read, but by the time I got off my butt, the nominations had closed. Oops!
Just finished The Language of Flowersthis is my review www.goodreads.com/review/show/204322262Just started The Siege
I have decided to abandon Map of Bones. The narrator was in danger of putting me to sleep which isn't the best thing when you're driving. I've started Anansi Boys. So far, the narrator is quite entertaining.
I just finished an absolutely fabulous book: Mosaic: A Chronicle of Five Generations. This must be read by anyone who thinks they might be interested in following one Jewish Polish family's life through the 1900s. The author begins her search into the lives of her Jewish paternal grandparents. They had eleven children...... So there are lots of people. Don't be discouraged, You will come to truly know these people. They will feel ike family to you. Some you will like, some less so, but for all of them you will feel understanding. You learn about the holocaust through one family. You learn about what it is to be Jewish, to feel part of a larger family of people, the Jewish people. It is an amazing book so it gets five stars. Here is my spoiler free review, which provides excerpts: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... So now I will start The Printmaker's Daughter: A Novel. Fun! Do you love Hokusai's prints? This is historical fiction about him and his daugther. His prints of Mt. Fuji in Japan are famous and utterly stunning. He had a philosophical message too. I have received this from NetGalley. If I am pleased I will read other books by this author. She has written another about Audubon's painting expeditions in Canada: Creation.
I read a saga about a Jewish family years ago. It spanned several generations. I don't recall the name of the story (or much of it), but I don't think it was Mosaic.The Printmaker's Daughter sounds very interesting Chrissie.
I started reading The Skystone last night for our November read. I read it years ago, and am looking forward to getting reacquainted with it.Tomorrow morning, I will start the audiobook Their Eyes Were Watching God. It's the next on the list.
i started reading Thirteen Reasons Why this afternoon im pretty sure im going to finish tonight. Then maybe one of my first reads books.. who know as long as my nose is stuck in a book ima happy camper :)
I just bought and began reading Before I Die yesterday. I love stories about teens and kids facing death for some reason. I think because it makes me appreciate every little detail of being alive. I am also reading The Creature from My Closet: Wonkenstein simply because it is funny and I couldn't resist reading about a creature that was half Willy Wonka and half Frankenstein!
I am 2/3 of the way through The Kitchen House. A book I picked up at Half Price Books awhile back. Today I was subbing at the high school and gleaned many titles of YA fiction to add to my TBR list! Yay! Always on the search for my next book(s).
Michelle wrote: "I am 2/3 of the way through The Kitchen House. A book I picked up at Half Price Books awhile back. Today I was subbing at the high school and gleaned many titles of YA fiction to a..."Don't you just love Half Price Books? And I must admit I also raid the library and bookshelves of the schools when I sub. Many of the schools here give books away once they are done with them, so that is like a field day to me!
Judy wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I am 2/3 of the way through The Kitchen House. A book I picked up at Half Price Books awhile back. Today I was subbing at the high school and gleaned many titles o..."I am but it is not exactly a "feel good" story since it deals with slavery. It is feeling a bit predictable and I am hoping for a happy ending. We shall see.
Maranda wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I am 2/3 of the way through The Kitchen House. A book I picked up at Half Price Books awhile back. Today I was subbing at the high school and gleaned many titles o..."This week my school is having it's Book Fair - I must contain my enthusiasm!
I am almost finished with The Sweet Far Thing and Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Two very different books but I'm enjoying them both immensely! I love the Gemma Doyle trilogy with all the magic and excitement of the realms and Gemma's metamorphasis from a sheltered young girl into a strong young woman. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is an engrossing read interspersed with fascinating photographs of the peculiar children.
Judy wrote: "I enjoyed Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, too. Very different kind of book. do you think there will be a sequel? It seems he left it open so he could write one."I came across that book while browsing at B&N. I was really interested in it but wasn't sure it was worth the price, now I might just have to go get it. It did look fascinating.
I have just finished The Printmaker's Daughter: A Novel. I t has been given rave reviews. I highly recommend it for its depiction of life in Edo during the first half of the 20th Century and for those wishing to know more about Hokusai's artwork. In my view the dialogue passages could have been improved, while the depiction of landscapes and sights were exceptionally good. Here is my spoiler free review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/.... I felt I was living there in the pleasure district of Edo. I learned very much about Hokusai and his daughter, their relationship and their lives. It is a work of fiction, but the research behind it is excellent, and there is a detailed and noted Afterword.
Nevertheless, I gave it three stars. In my view certain aspects could have been improved. Please see the review if you are interested. Please remember, a three star book is worth reading. It means I liked it.
I will now start The Raven's Bride. I am curious to know more about Poe and his marriage to his cousin Sissy.
I'm reading
for a book club. I like it but it's slow going so far, I haven't had time to concentrate but it's getting better!
I quit reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. I know that it has rave reviews, but I wasn't enjoying the audiobook version. Maybe someday I'll read it in a different format.I started listening to The Pillars of the Earth because it was next on my list. :)
Janice wrote: "I quit reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. I know that it has rave reviews, but I wasn't enjoying the audiobook version. Maybe someday I'll read it in a different format.I star..."
I really enjoyed that book so much Janice, will look forward to your review.
Just finished the last of the The Luxe series -- Splendor -- which is billed as YA but I didn't particularly think it was. However, im in a "finish some unfinished series" challenge and that's one down! Also reading Lucia, Lucia and really liking it. The author is someone I challenged myself to read everything of hers that I haven't read already this year. Just starting Mistress of the Sun because I loved Gulland's first trilogy and Murder Takes the Cake to finish out a challenge for another group.
Dem wrote: "Janice wrote: "I quit reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. I know that it has rave reviews, but I wasn't enjoying the audiobook version. Maybe someday I'll read it in a different fo..."I quit the book. :( I was listening to the audiobook version and the narration of it was irritating to me. I will pick up a written version someday.
Janice wrote: "Dem wrote: "Janice wrote: "I quit reading Their Eyes Were Watching God. I know that it has rave reviews, but I wasn't enjoying the audiobook version. Maybe someday I'll read it in a ..."I just started the audiobook and am on the fence about whether I want to listen to this book or read it. I love the language and may want to read it so I won't miss anything!
I downloaded the iBook version of Their Eyes Were Watching God and will read it that way. Eventually! I have a few books I want to read first.
I am now reading several books, but two standouts are Bodega Dreams by Ernesto Quinonez and Isaiah Washington's memoir, A Man From Another Land.
Just finished Cutting for Stonemy review www.goodreads.com/review/show/221509471I am now reading Moloka'i
Just finished Lucia, Lucia
. I LOVED this book, even though I loved the main character so much that I wish her life had turned out better for her in the end. It really captured that glamourous, changing world of NYC in the fifties without any "cold war" apocalyptic pessimism. A bit like Breakfast at Tiffany's without the neurotic behavior.
I just finished Moloka'ithis is my reviewwww.goodreads.com/review/show/211156874
Just starting Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Judy wrote: "I've added Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and taken it off my list a few times because there is such a wide spectrum of reviews from my friends. I guess its one of those boo..."I agree with you Judy, I have it a couple of months now and have been putting it off, but trying to get through the books on my bookshelf so its next in line now !!
Right now I'm reading:A Quilter's Holiday
Victoria Victorious: The Story of Queen Victoria
Cruise of a Deathtime
Mistress of the Sun
It's Not About the Coffee: Leadership Principles from a Life at Starbucks
Maybe This Time
And This Charming Man
. Usually love Keyes but this book very irritating. Whole book so far written stilted like these sentences. Keep getting distracted because keep filling in missing words in head. Only on page 45 and hoping changes soon or no telling what will do.
Usually love Keyes but this book very irritating. Whole book so far written stilted like these sentences. Keep getting distracted because keep filling in missing words in head. Only on page 45 and hoping changes soon or no telling what will do. Just like Bridget Jones! Imagine it in the accent, sometimes that helps :)
Judy wrote: "I've added Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and taken it off my list a few times because there is such a wide spectrum of reviews from my friends. I guess its one of those boo..."Me too! Looks like it all hangs on Dem's review ;-)
I picked up
at the library and I wanted to read it for a long time, I didn't realise it was so big, but looking forward to my weekend of reading it :)
Kat wrote: "Judy wrote: "I've added Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet and taken it off my list a few times because there is such a wide spectrum of reviews from my friends. I guess its one..."I started reading it, and now it sits on my abandoned shelf. There were a few anachronisms at the beginning of the book and that made me distrust the rest of it.
Just started reading
last night. I'd already read Christy English's book
, and loved it! I really enjoy the author's style of writing, and it just seems like you're right there as the story's taking place. Enjoying this story just as well as the first so far ;)
I wondered about To Be Queen: A Novel of the Early Life of Eleanor of Aquitaine. The cover kind of put me off and made me think it was perhaps more romance than historical fiction. What was your take on it Valerie?
Not that much romance.... there was a little, but was more historical ;) I'm not one to read lots of mushy stuff... in fact, I think it's a major turn off! LOL I really enjoyed the story - the author wrote as if you're there alongside the characters. I could hardly put it down ;)
It does sound interesting. I'll add it to my wishlist. Thanks Valerie.
You're welcome ;) I just finished
, and I will say that this one DID have quite a bit of sex in it... for the most part, it was undescriptive quickies, but there were a few scenes that were quite steamy... I don't care for a lot of that in my stories... not that I'm a prude or anything, that's just not my "thing". And what I didn't like was the seductress was a 14-yr old girl... Still contemplating what I'm going to say in my review....
OK, so while in France on vacation I did a lot of reading. Four books - well, one short on on the way home sitting in the car. I can recommend reading all of them - except the last one which I thought was simply TERRIBLE!!!!All of the reviews are spoiler free.
The Raven's Bride
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The Well and the Mine
http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/...
Doc: A Novel
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
The Blind Owl
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
This is considered an Iranian masterpiece. I disliked it and thus only gave it one star.
And now I have begun Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman. I absolutley love this author, Robert K. Massie, and I find Catherine the Great a very interesting person. I do not want fictional elements thrown in. I am sure Massie will stick to the truth and keep the tale engaging. His biographies are never dry. That is what I discovered when I read Nicholas and Alexandra and absolutely loved it.
Welcome back, Chrissie! You did well, reading 4 books on your vacation. They all look interesting, especially The Well and the Mine.I image that the symbolism might be hard to detect in The Blind Owl given that it is an Iranian story.
Janice wrote: "Welcome back, Chrissie! You did well, reading 4 books on your vacation. They all look interesting, especially The Well and the Mine.I image that the symbolism might be hard to det..."
Janice, I do not believe the symbolism is hard to detect....... I just am not in agreement with the message. For example the butcher shops are so blatant it is pitiful. And of course, you are right, I could have missed stuff, but the author also writes with a Western attitude too. He lived very much in both the French and Iranian cultures. In fact many say the book was predominantly written when he was living in Paris.
Vacation, vacation...... France is sort of home too! And I have no GR to check out when I am there.
Janice, you have been so quiet. I hope all is fine.
The Well and the Mine is definitely worth reading. I very much liked the prose style. I liked how the tale was told by different characters. I liked the way I felt I was there in Alabama during the 30s. You felt what was happening in their lives, was part of your own life. Good writing.
Sometimes GR's cuts into my reading time. I will get my chance to do some power reading too. We are going to Vegas on Nov 20th, so I will have 6 hours in the car and then 3 in the air to read (same on the way home). Coming close on the heels of that is our Dec 3 TBR. I'm currently listening to The Pillars of the Earth which is over 35 hours long. I'm halfway into The Skystone and about a quarter of the way into Joyner's Dream.Have I been quiet? I've been stressed lately. I'm extremely busy at work. I moved to a new office the middle of October which didn't help. But I'm slowly getting caught up. I hope to be completely caught up by the end of December - just in time for increased workload from two of my clients. LOL! I'm looking forward to my trip to Vegas.
Janice, well I wondered where you had gone to..... It does sound like you have had cause to be very busy. Have fun with your books and win something in Vegas! Or just enjoy the trip!
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
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Judy, I will write some sort of review. i am almost done. You get a background sense of life in Kenya. It is not filled with historical facts. And it is not about bird-walkers really....... It just starts that way. I can say this. there is a contest. I think I have about 25% left.