What Are You Reading Now?

[Beth]

Right now I'm reading The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama. I found it on my local library's "most wanted" shelf and so far it;s really good.

[Lori]

Finished Stupidest Angel thursday nite. Called off for weather today and read The Gift from cover to cover in just under 5hrs.... going to start my last book later on.. The Book Of Lost Things... Im starting to feel I have too much spare time on my hands....

Tomorrow... weather permitting, Im heading over to Borders to use a 40% discount I have.... woo hoo.

[Jim]

just finished Unhooked thank goodness - great book if you want to know about the hooking up generation. I have 2 Daughters with 1 in college and other in middle school - by Washington Post reporter.
Don't read until after Holidays but do read before your kid(s) go back to college/high school.
You're not going to like what this book says but if half of it is true and it probably is closer to 100% accurate than to 50%, then you may want to sit down with your kids and let them tell you what's going on at their school/college and with them.

Now starting The Quiet Girl by Peter Hoeg which seems really good and interesting.

Has any one read it and how did you like it.

Good book for present is 30,000 Years of Art. Was $50 and last Friday was down to $40. it does what its title says and all in color.
The store mgr at Barnes and Noble weighed it for kicks - weighs over 12 pounds - not too many books go for $3.33/pound.
Also Book Lover's Calendar looked pretty good for a lot less - also fun
one called Wacky Web Sites calendar seemed pretty cool - both at B$N

Also on Christmas I have shopped at truck stop as last resort and they had everything you could think of. I heard some stores will also be open this year. Happy Holiday worker.

[Aimee]

I just sped through "Northanger Abbey" by Jane Austen. I absolutely loved it! Very different from her usual fare. Very tongue-in-cheek...almost seemed self-depricating in a way. It was very amusing!

Am STILL forcing myself through Saturday. NOT loving it. I've read that the last 100 or so pages you can zip through, so I am holding out. I'm 2/3 of the way through now. Last night I had a monsterous headache and went to pick it up and I barely cracked it before I said 'No way...can NOT deal with this now"...

I have "Water for Elephants" and "Jitterbug Perfume" in the queue after that one (for my bedtime/train reading) Hopefully I will fare better with them.


P.S. I too loved "A thousand Splendid Suns" and even liked it more than Kite Runner, for I believe the same reason as you Emma. I think the point of view of the two women made it all the more intriguing, but I have also heard men who read it say they enjoyed it more as well.

[Natalya]

Stephen, my husband just finished reading A Thousand Splenind Suns and he really enjoyed it. I finished it a few months back. Both of us found this to be an easy read due to the simplicity of the language used although the topic itself is rather distressing. If you like non-fiction, try Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. I found it to be beautifully written.

[Beth]

Emma Lee,

I'm just under halfway finished with The Street of a Thousand Blossoms and still liking it. I haven't read The Samurai's Garden yet but I've read some comments that people like that work better than Thousand Blossoms.

Beth

[Lori]

Finished Book of Lost Things a few days ago. It was a great little book, very interesting dark, twisted takes on famous fairy tales.... Loved loved loved it!

Following that up with The Fourth Bear... thought they would have gone hand in hand... similar themes and all... but ehhhh... only a couple chapters in and its not really what i thought it was going to be. I am hoping it gets better. Maybe i just dont like Jasper Ffordes writing....

[Aimee]

Okay, So I read Water for Elephants in something like...3 days. I really enjoyed it. Couldn't really put it down.

Now, I've resolved, while on my week off, to finish reading books that I got halfway through and then set aside for a time being (either because I didn't like it, or because something better/highly anticipated came along).

As a result, I finished "Saturday" early this morning, and have already put a dent in what was left of Catch 22. I'm DETERMINED!

As for "Saturday" The last 50 pages or so, really are all that's worth it (save the last 3 or 4 which are just as bland as the rest of it). Those 50 pages were quite interesting and kept the pages turning, but leading up to them was kind of brutal. I did not love this book and wouldn't recommend it unless you absolutely have nothing else to read (impossible?). I still might give atonement a try, based on other reviews.

[Paulien]

Hi. I am new to this group too :-)

I started Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert yesterday and I am already halfway through it. I am really enjoying it, although it is a bit of a fast read.

[Korie]

Hi -- I'm new to this group, but after scanning the board, I see that you are kindred spirits and would like to befriend "youse guys." (Aimee, you make 'Blindness' sound interesting; I've been debating whether or not to read it for several years and you've talked me into putting it on my wishlist!) I just finished Year of Wonders and enjoyed it. Christina, I would recommend it to you!

[Stephen]

A lot of fiction readers here ... looking over the posts, I can definitely recommend The Historian, The Book Thief, Atonement and Saturday, but a lot of these I have never heard of ... not much of a fiction reader, though if there is something really good I could be convinced ...

I just finished re-reading Hiroshima in preparation for a spring trip to Japan, two non-fiction works (Remote Controlled - a compilation of reviews by the TV critic of The New Republic and Education's End by a Yale Law Professor writing a passionate defense of the humanities in Higher Education) and am making my way back through Flyboys by James Bradley - clearly, it will take some time to get me into A Thousand Splendid Suns ...

Can anybody recommend any recent books with a Japanese character / theme / plot / or writer? Fiction or non-fiction is fine ...

[Lori]

DrBrown, you MUST MUST read Blindness, It is by far one of my favorite books. And it was my first Saramago book... which of course, led me to more... :)

Recently I finished Fourth Bear, another one of those books that just didnt really go anywhere until the last 3rd of the novel. just ehhhh....

Then I read Dead Fathers Club - very good book. written through the eyes of an 11 yr old who is visited by his dead fathers ghost, seeking revenge for his murder.

Read Lamb by Christopher Moore,in just under two days (finished yesterday) -- interesting take on the missing years of Joshua (jesus) from the POV of his BFF Biff.

and just finished Post Office by Charles Bukowski (read this today from cover to cover). I like his writing and plan on reading more from him, may even give his poetry a try. He's very witty and gritty.

Man, have I been reading alot over these past two weeks. Its almost like I cant get enough....

[Korie]

I am thrilled to see how many of you want to be teachers. I AM a teacher! I have taught for twenty-one years, all in the same high school; mostly all levels and grades of English (even 7-8 in summer school), Algebra, Driver's Ed, Activities, Leadership, and prep classes for the California High School Exit Exam. I'm currently doing dropout prevention and trying to decide if I want to go back into the classroom -- I would love to try teaching ELD for a few years as well!

P.S. Anyone wanting to toss ideas around about teaching literature, teaching in general, working at a high school, whatever.... count me in.

[Aimee]

I'm not really in love with anything I'm reading right now. Basically, I'm reading a bunch of things that, while I do enjoy them, aren't PURELY for fun. Most of them I am getting under my belt as prep for teaching/PRAXIS exams.

That isn't to say they aren't good reads. All of them are, I just really want to pick up something I am inlove with right now...

Any suggestions?

[Lori]

I have just finished reading Earth Abides (a post apocolyptic novel) -- little slow at times, but very interesting nonetheless, and started last nite with The Princess Bride. Love the movie, curious to see how the book goes.

[Korie]

picked up a copy of Buddha or Bust today and will be reading it this weekend. I'm always interested in the history of Buddhism, Buddhist philosophy, etc...

[Korie]

so far, Blindness is interesting. I read The Book of Lost Things last summer... loved loved loved it...

[Lisa]

Today I am finishing up The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Great book!

[J.C.]

hi, just joined the group too. loved blindness, hated seeing. blindness was simple, scary and very reader friendly. seeing made no sense what so ever and forced me to admit that Saramago just might be too smart for me. I do think that anyone looking for the next good thing to read must read Blindness.

[Alan]

I have Merle's on CD to listen to in the car.

[Aimee]

Emma Lee - Thank you!! :)

I just started reading MiddleSex by Eugenides. So far, I really like the way he writes and the voice it's told in. It makes you feel like you are having a kind of conversations with Homer (the poet, not the cartoon - well maybe sometimes...) I've only just started it, so I'm just one chapter in, but I have a feeling this is going to be one that I will love and flip right through!

[Stacy]

I just recently finished up The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield, I enjoyed it. Then I followed it up with The Summer of my German Soldier which kind of left me with an I'm not sure about this book feeling. I've been hearing that it's used in a lot of classrooms.

[Lori]

Dr Brown and JC... Blindness is one of my most favorite novels. I agree that Seeing doesnt compare, but thought it was an overall decent attempt to revist old turfs.

I have read 4 of his novels, and wow, they can be hard work. I need to take many many breaks as I read, the style and format kills my brain after awhile and i need to sit and let what ive read sink in before continuing. But Ive found all of them very thought provoking and unique.

I am currently reading A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. Man, about half way thru and absolutley loving this book. Very geeky guy-meets-paranormal... The characters are great! I ran out and bought Blood Sucking Fiends to read once this one was done (Borders had a 10% off everything sale, and the whole family came away with new books!)

[Aimee]

Going to have to add Christopher Moore to my "To-Read List"

I haven't been able to read much lately (much to my chagrin) because of working late and then getting home pretty much in a coma!

Hopefully I will catch up this weekend...

Still reading Middlesex and Catch 22 when I do have time to read outside of work.

[Korie]

about a quarter of the way through Blindness.. yes, it is very hard work. I am finding it to be a very scary novel.I'm definitely going for a few easier reads next!

[Lori]

Aimee, you havent read Moore yet? I dont know why I never picked his stuff up before now, but The Stupidest Angel was a riot! I love that book. A Dirty Job is running a very close second! I would recommend those first if you are going to start reading him! Hes quickly becoming a favorite author!

Dr Brown -- The thing i really like about Blindess is how the book stays with you loooong after you finish it. I can remember it so clearly, as if i just read it yesterday, and that is a huge deal, since i can barely distinguish one novel from another as I read soooo many of them....

[Anne]

I read Blindness a few months ago and also enjoyed it. A disturbing story, which I love. I have 2 more books by Saramago in my "to read" pile and hope they are as good.

[Korie]

took a break from Blindness and from The Middle Sea to start March by Geraldine Brooks. Three hours later, I am done,and glad I took the time to read this one. Very highly recommended -- it tells the story of the father in Little Women, but it also deals with issues of sin and redemption, albeit in a non-religious way. Just what I needed to read tonight.

[Lori]

Angel, what other Saramago books do you have to read?

[Vicki]

Drbrown, I enjoyed March very much. It was interesting to read this perspective of Marmee and Mr. March. A clever idea from the author, something I never would have thought of.

[Anne]

Hi Lori, I found Blindness intriguing enough to buy 2 more of Saramago's books: The Cave and The Double, both had summaries that caught my attention. Have you read either of those?

[Sandie]

I just finished Pillars of the Earth. Nice Long novel. Great character development.

[J.C.]

just opened WITH THE OLD BREED: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E.J. Sledge.

A first person account of the war against the Japanese in WWII. Some of the book was used as narration and the author featured in Ken Burns' documentary The War. He was the one who hid journal notes in his bible during his time in the Pacific Theater.

[Lisa]

I finished reading The Thirteenth Tale (loved it) then I read Blessings by Anna Quindlen (good story but not one of my favorites) next I am thinking of starting Brother Odd but I didn't get Odd Thomas or Forever Odd. Don't know if it is one of those stories you would want to pick up in the third book.

[Jen]

I'm reading Sylvia Plath's The Collected Poems, while I try to get back in the mood to finish Inkheart by Cornellia Funke (may be spelling author's name wrong) while waiting to read A Great And Terrible Beauty which is the next book that my book club is reading, but we aren't meeting until March 1 so I don't want to start reading too soon, or until The Happiest Toddler on the Block shows up on my doorstep... but would love to be reading something else.... hehehe

[Lori]

Angel, I am going to buy The Cave soon... But yes, I did read The Double. It was good. Just be prepared to take breaks. It can get very long winded - internally speaking. He does alot of descriptive narrating. The first half goes a little slow, but the second half picks up and the ending is really good. I think you will like it.

L -- Ive read all three Odd Thomas books. I think they tend to work better in sequence. But they do go a fair job of reintroducing the main character in the begining of each book, so i guess you COULD read them out of order. Me personally, tho, i couldnt do that. Im weird that way with a series. Its a great storyline tho. One of my all time favorites!

[Lisa]

Lori,
You are right I can't start at the end of the series either so I decided to read Wednesday Letters while I find the other two book in the Odd Thomas set.

[Lori]

L- i promise the money you spend on the first two books wont be a waste! (unless you borrow from the library, of course) Its such a great series...

[Anne]

Hi L, I read The Thirteenth Tale a few months ago and also loved it. I was disappointed to see it was her first book (don't you hate it when you really connect with an author/book and then discover its their debut?)

I read Odd Thomas (liked it a lot) and Forever Odd (not so much). I was disappointed enough by the 2nd to have put off reading the 3rd. Hopefully its better.

[Anne]

Thanks for the feedback Lori :)

[Jen]

Hi, I'm new to this group too.

I'm currently reading The Book Thief, but finding that I am having a hard time wanting to pick it up and read it. I've heard rave reviews and have been wanting to read it but maybe it's the subject matter that has me putting it off?

I have over 70 unread books on my bookshelf though, so I'm sure I can find something to read...

[Lori]

Hey Jen, I had the same exact reaction when i was reading The Book Thief. I thought there was something wrong with me, everyone else seemed to love it and had nothing negative to say about it.

I found the whole thing depressing and dark, tho i guess that is the point. I think a big part of it for me too, was the fact that death told you what was going to happen to everyone before it happened. so it really never became a page turner for me. You are not alone!!!

[Jen]

Lori- I'm glad I am not alone. I have been really considering just returning the book to the library and waiting to read it. Maybe it would be better suited for me to read over the summer when I have more time and less obligations on my plate...

[Anne]

Hi Jen, I read the Book Thief a few months ago and have to say that I absolutely loved it. I loved that it was narrated by Death and very much enjoyed the asides in every chapter. It is definitely a somber book but don't give up...

[Jennifer]

Hi everyone. I'm new and am glad I'm not the only one who buys 3 books before I finish one so I can have something to read in between.
I'm currently reading the following:
1. The Executioner's Song (part of my attempt to tackle the Pulitzer novels)
2. Les Miserables
Not sure why I tried to take on 2 long novels at once, but I am enjoying them both immensely.

[Jen]

Thanks Angel.

I've decided to put The Book Thief aside right now. I'm enjoying it when I'm reading it, but I just can't really focus on it right now so I'm not wanting to read.

I've started on Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King. I've previously read one of hers and loved it, so I thought I'd try another. So far, its starting really slow.

[Anne]

Just finished reading The Risk Pool by Richard Russo...an excellent book. The town of Mohawk is quite depressing but I love how Russo develops each character throughout the novel. Even the biggest losers you end up feeling sorry for.

Now reading The Ghost Writer by Philip Roth. I have read 5 other books by this author and while they sometimes leave me with feelings of disquiet, I keep coming back.....

[Korie]

Just finished reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay. I'm still struggling with Blindness; I find Saramago's writing style very off-putting. Chabon, on the other hand, is very erudite, but the novel flows; it kept me very contented company for the past five hours. I do wonder how much a reader is supposed to work for the payoff of the novel; is a style like Saramago's something that weakens a novel or just an artistic quirk? Shouldn't a novel be readable? I'm interested in your thoughts.

[Lisa]

I still haven't got out to get the Odd Thomas books I am missing because all 3 of my kids have been sick over the last few weeks. My reading time has definately took a hit. I did finish The Wednesday letters and am almost through with James Patterson's Honeymoon.

Angel, I hope that this isn't the last time Setterfield shows up with a great book. Maybe it is only the start of good things to come.

[Anne]

I hope so, too, L. Will definitely be buying her next one :)