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)
C F S R wrote: "Wanda wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Going to read The Woman in Black - Susan Hill."Fiona, that sounds good. Will you share your thoughts once you have finished? "
Woman in Black is a great book; a..."
Thank you, CFSR. Woman in Black and Turn of the Screw both sound great. I like when the scary stuff happens in my head - that's the sign of a good writer(although I will probably not read them at night before going to bed - bad dreams!). I will check for these books. Again, thank you very much. P.S. What are you currently reading?
Yesterday I read Six Records of a Floating Life (excellent autobiog of a Chinese man in 19th century), and I've almost finished Uncommon Arrangements Seven Portraits of Married Life in London Literary Circles 1910-1939 (which I'm reading as it was a present, though it is quite interesting: it's not just modern celebs who lead scandalous private lives), so two, very different biogs, though I normally read fiction. I'm then planning to read Chasm City (sci fi, space opera) as it's by my teenage son's favourite author, and he reckons that's the best Reynolds to try. I doubt I'll read all of them, but I like to have some common ground, and I do enjoy some sci fi, albeit most the older ones, such as John Wyndham.
C F S R wrote: "Yesterday I read Six Records of a Floating Life (excellent autobi..."I love anything Chinese so your autobiography sounds good, too. I am listening to Two Years in the Forbidden City by Princess Der Ling. I downloaded it from LibriVox onto my MP3 player. It is quite interesting. I like science fiction too and Chasm City sounds good. Like you, I like to find common ground with my son (aged 10); but, he tends to veer towards Pokemon so I listen to him read to me some of his books. Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Reading. I am reading the selection of the month - The Rose of Sebastopol. It is good; different, but good nonetheless. I am not sure of the relationship between the two girls yet and how it comes into play with Henry. Max (a stepbrother to one of the girls) is detestable.
I am reading Roma by Steven Saylor. I chose this from a charity shop. I wanted something on the Roman times as I am studying the bible and want to know the backdrop of the Roman Empire and how it was formed. I know there are many other books but this was the first I saw and it was cheap! I'm really enjoying it!
I had to stop reading The Woman In Black - Susan Hill because I am going to see Jodi Picoult on 2nd May and I haven't read anything by her since I saw her last year. So I am reading Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Wanda wrote: "I love anything Chinese ..."Me too. Despite all the political upheavals and restrictions now and in the past, it is a captivating country, albeit changing alarmingly fast.
Anyway, I've read quite a few Chinese-related books, and apart from Six Records (above) my favourites are A Thousand Years of Good Prayers Stories, Autobiography of a Chinese Girl and The Red Thread. Alternatively, look at my books, on the Oriental shelf (with very few exceptions, I only put books on Goodreads if I have a review of them).
C F S R wrote: "Wanda wrote: "I love anything Chinese ..."Me too. Despite all the political upheavals and restrictions now and in the past, it is a captivating country, albeit changing alarmingly fast.
Anyw..."
Thank you, CFSR, for sharing your Chinese with me. And, many thanks for sharing your shelf. I shall take a look and get some ideas.
Fiona wrote: "I had to stop reading The Woman In Black - Susan Hill because I am going to see Jodi Picoult on 2nd May and I haven't read anything by her since I saw her last year. So I am reading Plain Truth - J..."She's one of my favorite authors! Are you part of the Jodi Picoult Goodreads group? I loved Plain Truth. It's one of my favorites. A lot of people liked her new one too, but it wasn't one of my favorites.
I'm currently readingBlood Diamonds
For school but its an excellent book!
A Treasury of Royal Scandals The Shocking True Stories History's Wickedest, Weirdest, Most Wanton Kings, Queens, Tsars, Popes, and Emperors
Purely for the fun of it!!
Queen Bees and Wannabes Helping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boyfriends, and Other Realities of Adolescence
Because I have the pleasure of raising a pre-teen daughter!!!
Jaime wrote: "Fiona wrote: "I had to stop reading The Woman In Black - Susan Hill because I am going to see Jodi Picoult on 2nd May and I haven't read anything by her since I saw her last year. So I am reading P..."Jaime, where would I find the group hon, couldn't find it last nite?
Thanks xx
Wanda wrote: "I love anything Chinese so your autobiography sounds good, too...."Me too!! I love anything about chinese culture! I'll add you as a friend and you can have a look at my China shelf. There are a lot of books on there which I haven't read yet though. There is also an 'Essential China' group on goodreads that is worth joining if you haven't already!
Jenny wrote: "Wanda wrote: "I love anything Chinese so your autobiography sounds good, too...."Me too!! I love anything about chinese culture! I'll add you as a friend and you can have a look at my China she..."
Thank you, Jenny. I will look for your friend add an check out your Chinese shelf. Mine is rather pale in comparison, I am sure; but it is growing. Right now I am listening to Two Years in the Forbidden City by Princess Der Ling. I downloaded it free from LibriVox.org onto my MP3 Player. The book is also free for computer download at www.gutenberg.org.
Fiona,It's called "Jodi Picoult Books Reading Group". Let me know if you still can't find it. Or, if you want, "friend me" and you can find it off my groups.
I'm currently reading WHISPER TO THE BLOOD, by Dana Stabenow. Its the newest of a series about a PI named Kate Shugak who lives and functions in rural Alaska. She is a "first nations" native, and finds herself wrapped up in the culture of the native peoples while attempting, with her trooper boyfriend, to keep peace and harmony in the National Park where they live. Why? Well, my husband and I have several authors that we both read. He's a library hound -- as soon as a book is announced that's by an author either of us likes, he puts it on hold at the library and when it comes up we drop everything and both read the book. This one falls into that category. I think we've both read all the Kate Shugak books. There are lots of others that fall into our "must-read" list -- but I'll save that for another post.
And, the answer is, yes -- this is a good one...I'm over half way, and I would recommend it. Another thing about Stabenow, although the books are a series, she gives enough background in each of her novels that a new reader can pick up any one and get the appropriate interrelation of characters so that you don't feel like you dropped in in the middle.
TMI? Sorry about that
I just started Slam. It's a young adult novel which I typically get through pretty fast! The weather is getting nicer around here now, though, so I'll probably be doing a lot more outdoors. My reading slows down a lot in the summer!
ooh Jaime, let me know how that one goes. I have it sitting on my TBR shelf right now.
I have finished The Swallow and the Dark - Andrew Matthews . I have also read Respect - Michaela Morgan. Will carry on readin some library books.
Decided to read Dying LIght - Stuart MacBride (early), but will dip into library books as they are mostly short in between the books I am reading as well.
I am reading Sybil. It is fascinating how the the human mind will adapt to protect itself
Oh, I finished Moll Flanders last night and I just started Under the Black Flag The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates
I have read The Night Bus - Anthony Horowitz & Scared - Anthony Horowitz. Will now read Getting Rid of Karenna - Helena Pietichaty.
Heather wrote: "Oh, I finished Moll Flanders last night and I just started Under the Black Flag The Romance and the Reality of Life Among the Pirates"Heather, how was Moll Flanders?
It was pretty good actually. Not at all like I expected as it is absolutely nothing like the movie w/ Robin Wright Penn, but I liked it anyway. That Moll certainly got up to quite a bit of shenanegins.
Heather wrote: "It was pretty good actually. Not at all like I expected as it is absolutely nothing like the movie w/ Robin Wright Penn, but I liked it anyway. That Moll certainly got up to quite a bit of shenaneg..."Did Moll remind you of Amber of Forever Amber? I have not read Moll yet but I have read Forever Amber (quite a while ago - I need to do a re-read).
Forever Amber? I don't think I've ever heard of that....
Kathleen Winsor has written a number of historical romances, including The Lovers and Robert and Arabella. Forever Amber - Abandoned pregnant and penniless on the teeming streets of London, 16-year-old Amber St. Clare manages, by using her wits, beauty, and courage, to climb to the highest position a woman could achieve in Restoration England-that of favorite mistress of the Merry Monarch, Charles II. From whores and highwaymen to courtiers and noblemen, from events such as the Great Plague and the Fire of London to the intimate passions of ordinary-and extraordinary-men and women, Amber experiences it all. But throughout her trials and escapades, she remains, in her heart, true to the one man she really loves, the one man she can never have. Frequently compared to Gone with the Wind, Forever Amber is the other great historical romance, outselling every other American novel of the 1940s-despite being banned in Boston for its sheer sexiness. A book to read and reread, this edition brings back to print an unforgettable romance and a timeless masterpiece.
I would not necessarily compare this book to Gone w/ the Wind (which I personally do not like); but, I remember that Amber and Moll do lots of creative and cunning things to get their way.
Forever Amber was supposed to be quite racy and was banned in Boston when it was published causing quite a stir. There is nothing racy nor sexy in it - it is all left up to the readers' imagination (which I personally like because we all know how sex is performed and I would rather imagine it than read about it blatantly in the pages of a book). In my opinion, good is the writer who can create the scene, the mood and leave the actual act up to the readers' imagination!
Gave up on Alice Sebold's Lucky. I will go and read Broken Skin - Stuart MacBride.
Jaime, I left you the same message on another site hon xx
Fiona wrote: "Jaime, I left you the same message on another site hon xx"Which site? I can't find it......
Might be another Jaime. Cos there is someone else that spells her name Jamie (or is that a man) lol.
I just started Elizabeth Berg's new book "Home Safe".
Fiona wrote: "Might be another Jaime. Cos there is someone else that spells her name Jamie (or is that a man) lol. "Jamie could be a man or a woman.
Not sure which site your on hon.
Fiona wrote: "Not sure which site your on hon."Hi Fiona,
I'm confused. You had just said above that you had posted another message for me about Lucky on another site and I didn't know which site that was where you posted it for me. No biggie.
Finished Under the black flag yesterday, and read The Phantom Tollbooth today. Now I am going to start Gil's All Fright Diner
Just finished The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon (Audio). Now am gonna carry on reading Broken Skin - Stuart MacBride
Jaime wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Not sure which site your on hon."Hi Fiona,
I'm confused. You had just said above that you had posted another message for me about Lucky on another site and I didn't know whic..."
Jaime, I thought you were on another site with me hon, but I could be mistaken lol. Does that to me sometimes when I speak to loads of ppl with the same name xx
I am now listening to Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India by Madhur Jaffrey
Just finished Climbing the Mango Trees: A Memoir of a Childhood in India - Madhur Jaffrey
Finished Gil's All Fright Diner and starting on Slam by Nick Hornby
Heather,I'm curious to know what you think of Slam. It's taking me a while to get through because I've been reading gardening books every chance I get to read and have been very busy with other things (hate Spring cleaning and garden clean-up time!).
I will let you know Jaime. I'm only reading it because I had it on my shelf and you mentioned you were reading it.
I am reading Revolutionary Road. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet come together again to bring this book to the big screen and I just love to read books then watch the movie!
Will hopefully finish Broken Skin - Stuart MacBride. Will listen to Flesh House - Stuart MacBride. If I finish Broken Skin before I get to Bookaholic_ros's today, I will carry on reading Blood Test - Jonathan Kellerman til I arrive there to do the audio.
Lori wrote: "I am reading Revolutionary Road. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet come together again to bring this book to the big screen and I just love to read books then watch the movie! "The book is brilliant... the film is OK. To be fair to Leo and Kate, it's well acted, but it's not an easy book to adapat to the screen, because a major strength of the book is the discrepancy between people's inner thoughts and their outward actions.
Jamie, I quite enjoyed Slam. I actually stayed up really late to finish it, even though I only started it yesterday. I just didn't want to put it down. Parts of it were a bit on the odd side, as he jumps into the future a couple of times...that was weird, but otherwise, it was really good and it felt like Horby really captured the emotions of this 16 year old kid who gets himself into the worst kind of trouble there is. As a young mom myself, I really connected with quite a bit of it, even though I was 22 when I had my son.I just started on The Know-It-All One Man's Humble Quest to Become the Smartest Person in the World this morning.
Heather wrote: "Jamie, I quite enjoyed Slam. I actually stayed up really late to finish it, even though I only started it yesterday. I just didn't want to put it down. Parts of it were a bit on the odd side, as he..."Heather,
I hope I can find some time to finish the book by the end of the week. I have about 100 pages left. I'll get some done on the eliptical at the gym tonight. It seems to be the ONLY reading I get done lately! I'm not quite sure what to think of it yet. At times, I want to keep on reading, and, at others, I'm sort of blah about it. I don't relate, other than that I feel bad for kids that young having kids because I know how much a child changes life. Not that the change is bad for us as adults, but I think it would have been bad for me at that age!
Currently I am reading The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. I am about 1/2 way through and I like it a lot. I think it is sad that Juana is being manipulated by the men in her life; but I am sure this was probably how women (even royalty) were treated in her time. Has anyone else read this book? If not, it is a good, quick read.
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...
Fiona, that sounds good. Will you share your thoughts once you have finished? "
Woman in Black is a great book; a chilling, traditional ghost story (spooky house on the marshes, remote village, dead child etc. No great surprises, but shocking none-the-less, because it's so skilfully written, so that most of the scary stuff happens in your head, rather than being explicit on the page. If you like it, The Turn of the Screw is in a similar vein.